Ryan Sylvester, OSU Fisher’s MBA Class of 2024
Age: 29
Hometown: Jamestown, OH
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Ohio State, Finance major and Chinese minor, Class of 2015
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 2 years in finance (FLDP) at Thermo Fisher Scientific, 5 years as an entrepreneur running an education business
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After running my business for a few years, I didn’t feel challenged, and I didn’t feel like I was making the impact on the world that I could. Getting an MBA had always been in the back of my mind, and I didn’t want to push it back anymore. I’m glad I made the decision!
Why did you choose OSU Fisher? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Location was a primary factor. I live here in Columbus with my wife and daughter and I want to stay here. Furthermore, Fisher has an excellent reputation in the area, and even if you want to go outside to other parts of the country, we have students going there too. I also really like the small cohort size of Fisher. It provides a chance to really get to know each of my classmates.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
I have experience in a typical finance role at a Fortune 500 company, and I’ve also taken the plunge into entrepreneurship and operated my own business – not only that, but a business that works cross-culturally, as my primary clients were Chinese students and professionals. I can provide meaningful insights for running a business, working in finance, and on China-US business relations.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m obsessed with golf (but I’m OK at best). My work schedule used to be fairly flexible in the summer, so I would play 2-3 times a week and even volunteered at a golf course once per week to get free golf.
Post-MBA career interests:
Consulting or marketing/brand management
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Reach out to Fisher MBA students. I was debating between this and studying hard for the GMAT but it seems like tests are getting less important. The feedback I got from alumni and current students was invaluable in informing my decision. 
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have applied to fewer schools. I ended up applying to 5 schools, but I knew that I really only wanted to go to OSU. Applying to those extra schools just added unnecessary stress.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I always find recorded video interviews super awkward. But I just recognized it was a part of the application and focused my attention on presenting the best version of myself.
What is your initial impression of the OSU Fisher students/culture/community?
Very diverse. I’ve met classmates from all over the world and with all sorts of backgrounds. Every single one of them is friendly and down to earth. The same goes for the professors; they are extremely engaging and invested in your growth.
What is one thing you have learned about OSU Fisher that has surprised you?
I did not realize that we send graduates to McKinsey every year. I had always thought they recruited solely from the Harvards of the world, so this was a pleasant surprise.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Balance. I have a lot going on – a wife, a baby daughter, classes, case competitions, student organizations, job searching, socializing. It’s tough to get the right balance for all of those things, but I think I’m settling into a rhythm so far.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Finding an awesome internship and making strong connections with my classmates.
