Abby Sparrow, Vanderbilt Owen MBA Class of 2026
Age: 26
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Duke University, Economics and Math
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Equity Research Associate, Wells Fargo Securities, 2020-2021; Director of Strategic Finance & Corporate Development, AMC Networks, 2021-2024
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Attending business school had always been a goal of mine, but I wanted to make sure I chose the right moment to take the leap. I experienced some early success in my career, but I recognized that to truly grow as a professional and become a more effective leader, I needed to develop my softer skills, such as communication and leadership. After spending four years working in New York City, I felt that I had gained valuable experience and insights that would serve me well in the business school setting. With that foundation in place, it felt like the perfect time to relocate and pivot to business school, where I could build on my strengths and continue to evolve professionally.
Why did you choose Vanderbilt Owen? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
On a personal level, Owen was an easy choice for me – I am originally from Nashville and wanted to relocate closer to family. Owen has incredible connections in and around the city, and I knew being here would be key to getting plugged into the business scene in Nashville and the Southeast. Not to mention Nashville is just a fun and exciting place to be these days!
Professionally and academically, two features of Owen really stood out to me – first, Owen has a relatively small class size, which I felt would lead to a more tailored business school experience. Second, the mod (quarter) system allows students to explore more electives and interests sooner rather than later in the experience. I felt these aspects would allow me to get the most out of my MBA experience.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
The combination of my Nashville roots and experience working in finance in the media space in New York City give me a unique set of perspectives, skills, and experiences that I believe add value in classroom discussions and team-based work. I have a unique perspective on Nashville having grown up here, left, and moved back that I love sharing with my classmates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I have a cat named Louis that I got off Craigslist during the pandemic. He is quite a jetsetter and has been on over ten flights.
Post-MBA career interests:
I am exploring a few potential career paths at the moment. I love finance and numbers and am exploring private equity/venture capital and consulting with an end goal of one day working in startups on the finance side, helping to raise funds and scale.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Self-reflection! Everyone asked me why I wanted to pursue an MBA – including friends and family and pretty much every day still in coffee chats and interviews. I wanted my answer to be authentic and make sense, so I sat down and wrote out my “why.” This was a guiding light for me throughout the application process. Additionally, I would recommend talking to current students – no one can speak to the student experience better than them!
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Honestly, nothing. I gave 100% to my Owen application and I believe that came through to everyone who read it. It also made me very confident in my choice to attend Owen since I really did my due diligence. My advice would be to focus on which school (or schools) matters most to you and give your absolute best effort to each, because it does make a difference.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
GMAT. It was challenging studying for the test while still working full time. Using evenings and weekends for practice questions and exams was tough. That said, going back to my “why” really kept me going while I studied because I knew it would pay off if I stayed focused.
What is your initial impression of the Vanderbilt Owen students/culture/community?
The Vanderbilt Owen community is tight knit and incredibly welcoming! When I attended welcome weekend, current students and alumni were already so excited to speak with me and everyone has an obvious love for the program. So far, Owen alumni have also been very helpful in the recruiting processes by being willing to speak about their experiences and share advice.
What is one thing you have learned about Vanderbilt Owen that has surprised you?
I’ve been really surprised about how much I’m loving team-based work! I was nervous coming into Owen about having so much group work since this was not something I did a lot of in undergrad. Turns out it has been one of my favorite aspects of Owen so far. It has allowed me to get to know new people I wouldn’t otherwise and has been a fun way to bond with classmates.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Picking a career path! I have so many interests and wish I could try everything, so it will be difficult to narrow it down and focus in on a single field and function.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Connecting with classmates! Business school is such a unique opportunity to meet so many different people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. In my mind, my network will be one of the most valuable takeaways from Owen and so I am doing my best to capitalize on every opportunity I have to network with and get to know my peers.
