Frank Slaunwhite, Rochester Simon MBA Class of 2024
Age: 30
Hometown: Canastota, NY
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Norwich University – BA in Criminal Justice
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 8 years in the United States Marine Corps
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
At the height of the pandemic in 2020—and after the birth of my daughter, Fawn—my amazing wife Jessica and I decided that a career in the military was not something we wanted to pursue. We realized that our values of family, settling down, and starting a business did not align with the three-year location rotation life that is the military. I knew that I wanted to utilize the GI Bill and pursue higher education. A full-time MBA interested me the most because it offered numerous opportunities in terms of career switching, and it would provide me both the network and hard skills I would need to make that jump from the military into the private sector.
Why did you choose Rochester Simon? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Simon because I felt like the School saw me for who I am and the potential I could bring to the amazing MBA Class of 2024. I was more than just a test score to the admissions team. As well, my many interactions with the admissions team, current students, and other potential candidates made it clear to me that the Simon community is truly unique.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
It’s hard to come up with something that stands out because the MBA Class of 2024 is made up of the most diverse, passionate, and talented people that I have ever known. One differentiating and valuable contribution I think I offer to the MBA Class of 2024 is my zeal for working with and learning from people. I find joy in working and conversing with others from all different backgrounds because you can always learn something new from one another.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
A fun fact about me is that I really enjoy musicals. I remember my wife surprising me with this big box at Christmas that had many small boxes inside—and the smallest box contained a pair of Wicked tickets! I was super excited and thoroughly enjoyed the experience! I can’t wait to go again, especially with my kids once they are old enough.
Post-MBA career interests:
I would love to be a product manager in the tech industry post-MBA. Product management interests me because I want to be able to own decisions and collaborate with a cross-functional team to build amazing products. Tech excites me because it is a fast-paced and challenging environment with so many different areas and opportunities to explore and influence.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
As a veteran, I needed a mentor to navigate me through the MBA application process and I was lucky enough to be matched with Connor Bohnen through the Service to School program. Service to School is a non-profit that provides free college and graduate school application counseling to military veterans and current service members. Connor was an excellent mentor and helped me prepare my application by reviewing my essays and conducting mock interviews. I am an advocate for the Service to School program, and I strongly encourage any current service member or veteran thinking about going back to school to use this amazing resource.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
One thing I would do differently is to definitely study for the GMAT sooner and in a different format. I started the Kaplan self-study book about six months prior to the round one deadline, and I think I could have achieved a higher score if I had given myself more time and studied in a different way. I noticed throughout my studying that I wasn’t making big enough gains in my score, and about one month from the round one deadline, I decided to hire a virtual tutor to try to increase my score. While the tutor did in fact help me raise my score, I wish I had invested more of my time through a tutor or instructor-led course because I think I could have achieved a much better score as a result.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I wish I had skipped the GMAT or taken advantage of the GMAT waiver! I think I thought that if I requested the GMAT waiver, my application would be viewed as less valuable and as a result drastically reduce my chances of being accepted. What helped me get through this was the support that I received through my tutor, and the confidence that I gained in myself and my application through Connor.
What is your initial impression of the Rochester Simon students/culture/community?
My initial impression of the Simon community is that it is a warm and welcoming one that thrives off of helping others succeed and celebrating successes. The Simon community is unique because it is a melting pot of diverse cultures and people from all walks of life. We are all coming together with the singular goal of achieving success through learning from our failures and celebrating whole-heartedly our accomplished goals. I am proud to be a part of the Simon community and I can confidently say that anyone at Simon has my back and I also have theirs. What makes Simon so special is the fact that despite what our own goals and triumphs may be, we work together to strengthen the Simon community. We are “Simon Strong.”
What is one thing you have learned about Rochester Simon that has surprised you?
One thing I have learned about Simon that has surprised me is the level of involvement that the second-year MBAs, the Ainslie Office of Student Engagement, and the Benet Career Management Center have in making the MBA experience so much more than just about the classroom. The sheer amount and quality of engagements—from social activities to clubs and career sessions—is truly amazing and I can’t wait to get involved.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Similar to my peers, the most anxious part of being a first-year MBA is navigating the world of recruiting and trying to secure that internship for next summer. However, as nerve-racking it can be, I know that my peers and I are set up for success because the Simon Community is there to help us achieve that goal.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited to meet the second-year MBAs as they return to campus and to get involved in club activities, specifically the Simon Product Management Club and the Net Impact Club.
