Holly Tullo, Wharton’s MBA Class of 2024
Holly Tullo, Wharton’s MBA Class of 2024Age: 28
Hometown: New York City
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Stanford University, Major: Science, Technology and Society
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Finance (Morgan Stanley) and Tech Investing/Crossover Investing (Dragoneer Investment Group)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I saw investing in my MBA as a way to learn a lot and design a life and career that aligns with my personal values long term. As someone who mainly worked in finance pre-MBA, I also saw this as an opportunity to meet classmates and faculty from different industries and disciplines to learn from their experiences. Not only this, but business school is an incredible opportunity to craft your leadership skills. For example, at Wharton, the McNulty Leadership Program hosts a mountaineering trip to the Andes as a way to apply teamwork skills under challenging conditions. I was also hopeful that the MBA experience would be a bit more “back to normal” post the highs of the pandemic; this has absolutely been the case – I feel very lucky for that.
Why did you choose Wharton? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to Attend?
Collaborative culture, strength of the finance courses, large class size, proximity to New York City, mix of instructional methods (case study, lecture, hands-on projects), reputation, and ability to take a lot of electives. Wharton does an amazing job finding future leaders who are not only accomplished and super smart but also a joy to be around. I have met so many incredible people here, and the student-run clubs host tons of incredible events every day.
There is a lot of flexibility to take electives that interest me, and I can design the academic experience I want through the “flex-core” curriculum. I also felt strongly that the organic mix of teaching methods would be the way I would learn best.
Personally, I love that Philly has a lot going on, but also has convenient proximity to New York City, where I can visit companies, see friends, go to concerts, and so on. The fact that nearly everyone in our class moves here to start school creates an amazing sense of community here in Philly!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Wharton MBA Class of 2024?
I worked in a fairly unique role within the tech investment community before business school (in business development/investor relations), so I have enjoyed sharing that different career path with my peers who are looking to move into private equity and growth investing!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love competitive sailboat racing. This summer, I competed in an overnight 600-nautical-mile race across the Mediterranean Sea which took 3 days on a 60ft boat that is part of the Round-the-World race. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I am excited for another long-distance sailing race this year.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I worked hard reflecting on my experiences and clarifying what I wanted post-MBA. This self-reflection was incredibly important and has helped me align with my values as I receive internship opportunities!
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would better balance the time I spent on applications and time with friends and family. Start the process early if you can!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Probably worrying about what type of applicant a school was “looking for.” The most important thing is clearly articulating your authentic self, every program is very diverse and each class is a celebration of people who all bring something unique to the table!
What is your initial impression of the Wharton students/culture/community?
The Wharton community is incredible; I have absolutely loved my experience so far and met a ton of amazing people. There have been so many wonderful experiences through trips and classes that are offered, and I feel super lucky to be here. Everyone is very focused on building a great community and being helpful in any way they can.
What is one thing you have learned about Wharton that has surprised you?
When I was applying, I thought that I would be leveraging most of the resources available to me, but I have been surprised that there are actually so many more opportunities than I ever could have imagined! This forces prioritization, and ultimately, there is not enough time in the week to do everything (which is a great problem to have)!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Staying true to my values as I consider internships, and managing my priorities so I take advantage of the fantastic opportunities!
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Building meaningful relationships and trying an experience outside of my comfort zone (ex: I would love to do a long backpacking trip).
