Ashish Vankara, Johns Hopkins Carey MBA Class of 2025
Age: 26
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Duke University, Biomedical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Fulbright-Nehru Research Scholar, US State Department, 1 year. (I’ve been in medical school for 3 years at Johns Hopkins).
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
My decision to attend business school at Johns Hopkins is rooted in a combination of factors that align with my career goals and passion for making a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry.
First and foremost, the timing of my decision to pursue an MBA coincided with the critical importance of public health during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This global crisis highlighted the essential role that the synergy between the public and private sectors play in addressing healthcare challenges. I recognized that a strong understanding of both sectors is crucial for implementing large-scale initiatives effectively. My background in public health research during my undergrad, Fulbright, and medical school provided me with valuable skills and insights into addressing public health issues. Attending business school will allow me to further develop these skills and gain a deeper understanding of various stakeholders in our society, enabling me to drive positive change on a larger scale.
In addition to the public health perspective, I am driven by a desire to bridge the gap between healthcare and business. Healthcare in the United States is undeniably intertwined with business interests, and it’s crucial to have individuals with a background in patient care at the forefront of decision-making. The influx of private equity and companies like Amazon into the healthcare space further emphasizes the need for professionals who understand patient care to be involved in shaping the industry’s future. My goal is to advocate for the patient experience and ensure that healthcare decisions prioritize patient well-being. This perspective is essential in guiding the industry’s growth and development.
Furthermore, my undergraduate experience in medical device development sparked a passion for the intersection of healthcare and technology. I am eager to continue exploring this area and contribute to innovations that can improve patient care. Business school provides the ideal environment to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to bring ideas from concept to reality.
Why did you choose Johns Hopkins Carey? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
As a medical student at Johns Hopkins, my decision to matriculate to Carey was a no-brainer. Leveraging the Johns Hopkins healthcare ecosystem has allowed me to network and collaborate with industry leaders while learning from my driven peers.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
Our class is quite diverse. A significant portion of our class hails from outside the US. I didn’t expect to be learning so much from different cultures in business school!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m training for the NYC Marathon and fundraising for the American Cancer Society! In my free time I love to listen to podcasts (Pivot, The Vergecast, Decoder, Lex Friedman, 538 Politics, Public Health on Call, and NYT Daily) while lifting weights, devour science fiction, travel, and watch YouTube videos about anything and everything!
Post-MBA career interests:
Orthopaedic Surgery; Venture Capital; Early-stage health tech start-ups
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I spent a significant amount of time revising my essays and had multiple people give me feedback. I think this not only made my narrative more compelling, but also helped me develop a deeper understanding of the rationale of my own interest in business.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I had more experience in industry. Having only spent one year out of school since Kindergarten, I sometimes feel I lack insight into industry applications.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Honestly nothing. Essays can be tedious, but they help you refine your thinking and make you reevaluate your motivations repeatedly.
What is your initial impression of the Carey students/culture/community?
We are extraordinarily collaborative. I don’t even know how my peers find the time to finish their work and then help others. Balancing recruiting and schoolwork is a challenge in and of itself!
What is one thing you have learned about Carey that has surprised you?
How accomplished our professors are. It’s easy to overlook all the big things that our professors have accomplished due to their humility. Having someone from the congressional budget office teach you introductory accounting is quite the reality check!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Homework and grades. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve had grades and problem sets, but I welcome to challenge!
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m absolutely thrilled to get to know my classmates. My peers in medical school, although quite diverse, are largely focused on entering one industry. This is in stark contrast to business school where students have vastly different life/industry experiences and are interested in entering a wide variety of disciplines. I welcome this diversity of passions and hope to leverage it to broaden my perspectives.
