Liza Sankar-Gorton, Washington Foster’s MBA Class of 2024
Age: 29
Hometown: Narberth, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Wesleyan University, Science in Society
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 7, (many industries) Media, Advertising and Consulting
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I was in a rut in my career, looking to upskill my management and quantitative skills but working at a company that was struggling and unable to invest in me in the way that I wanted. At the same time, I had a growing interest in healthcare industry innovation. I decided to take the leap to get back into the classroom to expand my business perspective, meet interesting new people, and pursue roles in health tech.
Why did you choose Foster? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
When considering programs, geography was a main factor for me; I only applied to cities where my husband and I could see ourselves living and putting down roots. I wanted a program that was well-regarded and that offered strong financial packages. Having lived in Seattle since 2017, I knew that Foster was a top contender for me. Plus, over the last five years living in Seattle, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with many Foster Alumni and Professors, all of whom shared positive, enthusiastic stories about their experiences with Foster. I knew, of course, that Seattle is a hub for tech companies as well as world-class healthcare, so it seemed like the perfect fit.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Foster MBA Class of 2024?
Having worked at a human-centered design and innovation consultancy, I’m excited to bring my experience with design-thinking methods and collaborative workshop facilitation to the class of 2024. Being able to share frameworks, methodologies, and ways of working with my classmates, and getting to learn in return, is already a highlight of the experience.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Last October I spent 21 days rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon!
Post-MBA career interests:
I’m interested in product and/or strategy roles in health tech, be that at an established tech company, a startup, a consultancy, or within a health system.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
If you get admitted with scholarships or financial aid, don’t be afraid to ask for more if it will make the difference for you – negotiate tactfully – the worst they can say is no.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
If you know that a tutor will help you prep for GRE or GMAT, don’t drag your feet about it, just hire someone– don’t wait until you’re unhappy with your score and round one due dates are right around the corner, like I did.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I didn’t love having to get letters of recommendation from my boss and past coworkers. While I have great relationships with them, and they were happy to do it, I didn’t like to impose on their already busy schedules, and I didn’t appreciate having to tell my workplace about my plans to exit. While programs give you the option to skip the manager recommendation, some make you justify that decision with an essay, which felt like a risk not worth taking. I definitely feel it puts us applicants in a weird place. What helped me get through it was talking with friends who had gone through the application process – whether for MBA or other grad programs – knowing I wasn’t alone in feeling this way and commiserating about the application process, in general, helped me vent and keep pushing.
What is your initial impression of the Foster students/culture/community?
Foster really impressed me right off the bat during orientation. We started our first day with a land acknowledgment and had some high-quality DEI sessions. I appreciated Foster putting in effort to recognize Seattle’s history and to combat bias within the business community. My classmates have such interesting backgrounds, they are mature and thoughtful, fun and kind – it’s so much fun to go back to school with a little more life under your belt, it makes for a more flexible and laidback social dynamic.
What is one thing you have learned about Foster that has surprised you?
Even having lived in Seattle for a long time, I hadn’t really appreciated just how beautiful and fun the UW campus is – stunning views of Rainer, the quad is surrounded by cherry trees that bloom every spring, you can walk down to Lake Washington and jump in on a hot day – it’s stunning. Plus, the business school facilities are modern and well-designed, complete with a brand-new building that just opened last week!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I think keeping priorities straight, while also being open to changing my mind and flexing my goals, is my biggest challenge. The fear is closing myself off to opportunities, but the flip side of that coin is spreading myself too thin and not sticking to the path that I’ve laid out for myself. I had heard that choosing what to do and what not to do was a difficult and large part of the MBA, particularly in the first year, and that’s turning out to be true.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m excited to have fun with friends in my cohort and get experience working with local companies through our applied strategy projects.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
COVID postponed my applications to grad school – I only wanted to get the degree in person. Waiting a year feels worth it now; getting to connect in person after working remotely for nearly three years makes me really happy.
