Vy Tran, IU Kelley School of Business MBA Class of 2025
Vy Tran, IU Kelley School of Business MBA Class of 2025Age: 27
Hometown: Vietnam
Undergraduate Institution and Major: HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University – Major: International Relations
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Business Development Manager – Kantar (consumer marketing consulting & market research firm) – nearly 5 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Throughout my 5 years at my previous market research & consumer-marketing consulting firm, I have developed my business analytics and presentation skills. However, I have little exposure to other parts of the business and also, and I grew interested in making bigger-scaled impacts on a business – which was a limitation both from my experience standpoint and my company’s expertise. Moreover, before I left, I started to manage the Business Development Team with little leadership foundation and it was a real struggle. Then, I knew my next step would be learning how to be a real leader and becoming a consultant. What to do next to be well-prepared for the next step of my career: getting an MBA! Why the US: the leading and most established market for consulting!
Why did you choose Kelley School of Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
There are 4 key reasons:
- Kelley is among the top business schools in the US with strong expertise in marketing and business analytics. Kelley also has a great brand name with the consulting & marketing firm, many of our alums are working there. This is a great resource for me moving forward with the track that I want to pursue.
- The Kelley family is among the most supportive and responsive communities that I’ve got in touch with along the application process. I wanted to be one of them – I believe in the power and value of paying it forward.
- Funding my own MBA, I have financial concerns. Kelley has been so generous to award me with the Forte Fellowship which eases my concern and fuels my belief that the school has trust in me so they invest in my future.
- I like Bloomington. It is safe, affordable, and very cultural. The people are just so nice and warm. The town is so beautiful with sceneries to visit. The campus alone is a great landmark to visit. And I’m not wrong! I’m enjoying every single day here!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
I have extended experience in working with different senior stakeholders from the client’s management teams, my management team, and my global/regional management teams. I believe that it is a skill not everyone has at this point in life and I believe it’s a great base moving forward for me pursuing my career as a consultant. I can also do good PowerPoint decks too!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included in your application:
I love talking to people and a great part of that is I can drink well & I enjoy having drinks to mingle at these networking events. We are more open when we already have some drinks.
Post-MBA career interests:
Consulting, Corporate Strategy, Business Strategy & Transformation
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would plan better, especially the appropriate amount of time for each component of the application. Don’t rush to take the GMAT in 3-6 months, not everyone is at the same pace so make time to prepare and retake in case. Same for other components. Also, reach out to current students, alumni, and the admission team as soon as you can. Not only do you gain exposure, but you also understand the culture and end up choosing the best one that you feel belong.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would not have been afraid of bothering people & reached out to even more current students and alumni. It is so helpful when you feel connected to the people you talk to, you connect to that school and do well in essays and interviews too.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would say the GMAT is challenging and it had also been a while since I last touched Math so I was really exhausted going to work and studying for it at the same time. I did not end up getting the score that I desired in the first place but I applied with confidence as I have put in the effort for the other components so it all ended up well.
What is your initial impression of the Kelley students/culture/community?
They are all so warm and responsive. I got the support I needed almost instantly during the application process. Now that I’m here, I’m even more impressed.
What is one thing you have learned about Kelley that has surprised you?
Kelley’s team really goes the extra mile in getting us well-prepared for the recruitment process with Me Inc., the Graduate Coach Services process, and peer coaches/ casing buddies who are our 2nd-year students. Not only that, Kelley also has Academies where you get to practice all the hard and soft skills needed for your career track. We will have to put in a lot of work but I also feel like we are going to be super ready when it’s time.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
How to balance & manage time well – from studying, networking, finding an internship (lots of practice needed for consulting track), and attending clubs.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
All the meaningful connections I am building with my classmates, my seniors, and my faculty. I’m loving life here!
