Maria Alejandra Espitia, Washington University Olin MBA Class of 2023
Age: 25
Hometown: Monteria, Colombia
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Colegio de Estudios Superiores de Administración (CESA) – Business Administration
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 3.5 years throughout healthcare, commercial banking, and real estate industry
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Reflecting on my personal and professional goals, an MBA seemed like the natural path to help me achieve those goals by acquiring business understanding and at the same time develop my soft skills. Personal reasons were also involved; having the opportunity to live and work abroad was one of my dreams. Pursing an MBA would allow me to achieve my objective of establishing a professional network within the US.
After experiencing three different roles in three different industries, I envisioned my professional path in the long term, and an MBA would allow me to start working towards that path.
Why did you choose Washington Olin? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Community, class size, and global-driven approach were what drove me to choose WashU.
I sought a school that would provide a close-knit community to develop strong relationships with classmates and professors while having a more personalized education, and Olin met the criteria. Its class size has allowed me to create personal connections with all my classmates and professors, which have enriched my knowledge and perspective. Additionally, being an international student. I was seeking exposure to a multi-cultural business environment, and Olin’s Global Immersion program provided an experiential learning immersion that spans three continents and helps develop global-driven business skills.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
I’m driven to make an impact on people. I’m a people person. I’ve contributed to fostering and enhancing the sense of community within my cohort by organizing social events and helping people feel part of the community. This empowers others to bring out their best self and have Olin’s best interest throughout their actions.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
In my free time, I enjoy making Tik Toks.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Networking. Taking the time to reach out to alumni and learn more about their experiences was my favorite and most insightful part of the process. The conversations you have with them are full of stories that help you identify if the school is a good fit for you, get a sense of what your near future could be, and make friends in the process.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Focus more on essays and networking and stress less about the GRE. While we’re going through the application process, we tend to believe that the GRE/GMAT score will be the significant factor that will define the school’s decision. We forget that there is more to our story that needs to be shared; the essays provide an excellent opportunity to show who we are and why we would be a great fit.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Having Impostor syndrome, overthinking, comparing myself to other applicants, and not believing I would be admitted to any school were thoughts that I wish I had avoided to enjoy the process more. Having one-to-one conversations with the admissions team and realizing they were interested in my story eased my concerns about my profile and application.
What is your initial impression of the Washington Olin students/culture/community?
Everyone has your back. Olin has a large supporting and collaborative community that only has your best interest at heart. Classmates and staff are interested in seeing you succeed and will go out of their way to make it happen.
What is one thing you have learned about Washington Olin that has surprised you?
While Olin’s values permeate every aspect of the community, its commitment to diversity has been most impressive. Approximately half of the class are women, and international students also have a high representation. Being able to share with people that come from diverse backgrounds makes the experience unique.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
Yes, COVID-19 changed the way I prepared for the GRE, and months of quarantine led to mental burnout during my study sessions, which ultimately affected the quality of my preparation. Additionally, to meet the deadline, I had to take the GRE test at home and experienced technical issues, which made my score below my expectations. However, I never let these inconveniences affect my long-term goals.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Time management. Juggling with all the assignments and limited time has led me to miss out on some of the activities Olin organizes for its students.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Getting to experience St. Louis with my classmates. I am an extrovert by nature; therefore, I enjoy spending time with my classmates and learning more about their backgrounds, cultures, and future aspirations.
