Harris Khan, Cambridge Judge MBA Class of 2023
Age: 32
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Biomedical Sciences, University of Waterloo
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Pharmaceuticals/Biotech, 9+ years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I had started a biotech business but I had a scientific background and wanted to expand my knowledge of business transactions as well as grow my network and explore additional career/venture opportunities. I wasn’t getting any younger and my opportunity to do an MBA would soon transition into an EMBA instead. I really wanted to do the MBA.
Why did you choose Cambridge Judge? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Its focus on entrepreneurship, status as a world-class institution, and reputation as a hub for biotech/pharmaceuticals. I also received a scholarship from the school to attend.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Judge MBA Class of 2023?
Having started and scaled a biotechnology venture, I’d like to offer some insights into the ideation, development, R&D, scaling, and funding aspects of a biotech/healthcare start-up.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Big fan of Manchester United Football Club.
Post-MBA career interests:
Entrepreneurship/VC/Consulting
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Hire a consultant to support me with the MBA application process. They were very helpful in helping me shape my story and answer the WHY MBA question.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Apply to more than 1 or 2 schools. Initially I only wanted to go to INSEAD, and then towards the end I also grew an interest in Cambridge. In hindsight, I wish I had applied to a few other US schools like Harvard or Stanford as well. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
GMAT. It took 6 months of grueling studying after many years of not studying!
What is your initial impression of the Cambridge Judge students/culture/community?
The school has been very supportive and communicative so far and my cohort are all extremely interesting people!
What is one thing you have learned about Cambridge Judge that has surprised you?
The focus on academia despite being an MBA program – there’s a lot for me to learn!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The finance and accounting courses. I’m a biomedical sciences major and haven’t done any financial courses in my education so I hope I can learn all the material quickly.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The different opportunities for networking with my cohort, my teachers, and alumni/recruiters from all the different industries.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
Not really. By the time I had begun applying, we had a pretty good grip on COVID-19.
