Megan DiTucci, UCI Merage’s MBA Class of 2023
Age: 28
Hometown: San Pedro, CA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona – Hospitality Management
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 4 years in Hospitality (Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International) – 1 year in Technology (SmartFinancial)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Earning a master’s degree has always been something I have wanted to achieve. While working for large companies like Hilton Worldwide and Marriott International in different sales roles, I found that I was not making the impact I wanted to make. In my role at Marriott, I realized my true passion was in Human Resources. In the midst of the pandemic, I decided to relocate from Chicago to Southern California, where I was born and raised, and joined a small technology start-up remotely in a sales role. This transition from a large to small company helped me identify that the time to pursue my MBA was now! I am excited to strengthen my business acumen and leadership skills over the next two years so that I can pivot into a Human Resources role.
Why did you choose UCI Merage? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Merage because of the class size and the community. The class size of Merage is much smaller than other business schools in our nation, creating a much more personable environment. I wanted to know my entire cohort as well as get to know my professors on a deeper level. My cohort has a total of 54 people which has already proven to be a huge advantage for me as a first-year student! If you have ever interacted with anyone at Merage, you will feel like you are part of a family. The students, faculty, alumni, program directors, and coordinators are all there to support one another, which is crucial in a business school environment. The community at Merage made my application process seamless in comparison to other universities, which is what made me choose to attend Merage over other schools.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
I am the only person in my cohort with an extensive hospitality background. I bring a unique perspective to class discussions and group projects because of my experiences!
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I am a first-generation college graduate and the first person in my family to pursue an MBA!
Post-MBA career interests:
After the completion of business school, I want to work in a Human Resources role for a large company, while residing in Southern California.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would engage with each prospective business school as much as possible! Ask each school you are considering to connect you with a current student and recent alum so that you are able to ask questions and get to know their story. The more you interact with each school, the better you will get to know them and understand where you fit in the best. Have questions about Merage? Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I started preparing for business school in August of 2020, which made me feel like I was on a time crunch. I wish I would have started preparing sooner. There are organizations out there like the Forte Foundation for women in business that provide a one-year preparation course for women looking to go to business school. Unfortunately, I was unable to partake in it because I did not decide to apply soon enough. If you are applying on a tight timeline like I did, I would still suggest to attend networking events through the Forte Foundation or The Consortium! These are both great resources that will put you in touch with Admissions teams at the schools you are considering. I found Merage through the Forte Foundation!
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have absolutely skipped the GMAT/GRE. It was extremely difficult for me to re-acclimate myself to standardized exams after being away from an academic setting for five years. To combat this, I took a 10-week GRE preparation course through The Princeton Review. The course met twice a week and covered everything I needed to know to be successful when it came to test day! Included with the course was The Princeton Review’s online platform that had tons of practice exams and additional classes I could join that focused on specific subjects. It was definitely worth the investment!
What is your initial impression of the UCI Merage students/culture/community?
WOW. I was simply amazed! Everyone that is part of the program in anyway is extremely supportive. It makes being back in school feel like a walk in the park! It is a major transition from working full-time to being a full-time student and no matter what obstacle I have faced thus far; I have had a tremendous number of resources within the Merage community to help me overcome them.
What is one thing you have learned about UCI Merage that has surprised you?
The overall diversity of my class! Within my cohort of 54 students, each person brings something completely unique and different to the table. Whether it be their professional background or what city or country they are from. We all bring something completely unique to the table and strength is found in diversity.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
No, the COVID-19 pandemic did not impact my applications or admissions process.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am most anxious about finding a summer internship that is right for me and navigating the interview/offer process. Luckily, the career services team at Merage is here to help me through this! I have an assigned advisor that is just as invested in my success as I am. I meet with her once every few weeks to ensure I am on the right path. I am also currently taking a course run by the two career advisors at Merage that partner with the full-time MBA students. If I have any upcoming informational sessions, coffee chats, or interviews, my advisor is the first person to know!
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited to get to get involved on campus, whether that be joining clubs or taking on leadership positions at Merage!
