Eliza Cushman, CBS MBA Class of 2023
Age: 27
Hometown: Wellesley, MA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Wake Forest University, B.S. Finance
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 5 years, Finance (3 years @ KKR Credit in Direct Lending, 2 years @ Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Leveraged Finance)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
The pandemic galvanized me to take a step back and reflect on my career path. Ultimately, I decided to pursue an MBA to help me pivot to venture capital and entrepreneurship to bridge my investing experience with my passion for startups. While I had a strong foundation through my past jobs, I felt that business school would help me fill practical gaps to best succeed in the next phase of my career.
Why did you choose Columbia Business School? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
In the heart of NYC, CBS offered a truly differentiated program that would help prepare me for a career in venture capital and startups. There is a unique proximity to an energetic ecosystem of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists that allows students to network effectively and get hands-on experience through in-semester internship opportunities. Additionally, while I love the West Coast, I think it’s healthy to move around and try living in different cities.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
Coming from an investment banking and direct lending background, I have been able to advise classmates who are trying to break into those (or similar) fields. I am also very intentional about being open-minded and building a diverse network through business school. I really strive to know people below the surface.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
My sister is a Ph.D. candidate in classical archaeology. While our careers seem to be polar opposite, we love to learn about each other’s ambitions and passions.
Post-MBA career interests:
Post-MBA, I hope to pursue an associate role at an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in emerging consumer companies with diverse founding teams. In order to become a better investor in the long run, I also plan to do an in semester internship in an operating role at an early stage consumer startup.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I applied to four schools and I’m glad that I gave myself that optionality. It allowed me to compare and contrast programs and talk to more people than if I’d just applied to a single “dream” school. I’m a big believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason and I think that plays out when you apply to an array of programs and keep an open mind.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
One thing I would have done differently would be to give myself more time to work through the application process. Once I committed to the MBA path, I forced myself to rush through test taking, researching schools, and writing my essays to make Round 1 deadlines. I might have considered applying in later rounds or the following year to give myself more time to focus on each step.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Out of all components of the application process, the GRE took up the most time and was the most stressful. What ultimately got me through it was reminding myself that the test is truly only one component of the application and that personal stories are arguably more important to admissions committees.
What is your initial impression of the Columbia Business School students/culture/community?
CBS has exceeded every expectation I had before starting school. The community is the most diverse one I’ve ever been a part of. Each student I’ve met has a resounding story and impressive background. Everyone in the classroom has something to teach.
What is one thing you have learned about Columbia Business School that has surprised you?
I’ve been surprised by how invested everyone is in everyone else’s success. There have been multiple instances where classmates have sent me internship postings that they thought would appeal to me because I mentioned on a commute that I’m interested in funding female founders. It is a very supportive environment where I feel like success is a team effort.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
I’m not sure I would have pursued an MBA if the pandemic hadn’t happened. I was definitely stuck on a treadmill in my career and the pandemic was the first time I took a step back to reflect on how I want to spend the rest of my life. It was an existential time for me where I got to know myself on a deeper level. To me, the silver lining of the pandemic was that it landed me on this new path.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
2021 was a unique time to be starting an MBA because the world had changed drastically since before the pandemic. At the outset, I think there was a common anxiety about building connections with people in-person for the first time in over a year. In reality, the ice breaks quickly and you get to know people right away.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited about continuing to build strong connections with my peers. There is a constant energy on campus that makes it exciting to meet new people. There are so many fellow students I am inspired by and have things in common with. I believe that I will make lifelong friends during my time here.
