Gareth Farrell, Washington Foster’s MBA Class of 2026
Age: 31
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Arizona, BA in Journalism
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Engineer Officer, U.S. Army, Nine Years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After nine years in the Army, I felt content with my service and ready for a new challenge. I also wanted a job that would let me live in the same place for longer than three years. Pursuing my MBA and breaking into a corporate leadership role seemed like a natural evolution for my career and life.
Why did you choose the University of Washington Foster? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose UW Foster because I wanted to live in a city I could stay in after my MBA and I wanted to be by mountains. I also wanted a program that had world-class faculty and strong placement in tech. If you put those variables in a Venn Diagram, the overlap really only leaves Foster as an option. I also had a really great experience during the admissions interview with their director, Brent Nagamine, and at Foster’s Welcome Weekend, which helped seal the deal.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Washington Foster MBA Class of 2026?
I’m pretty level-headed and have a knack for developing strong, diverse teams, so I think my most valuable contribution to my class will be as a team player.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I make pretty killer banana bread!
Post-MBA career interests:
Product or Program Management in big tech or defense tech.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Somewhere between taking your test of choice (GRE/GMAT) and starting your essays, take some time alone to reflect on who you are and where you want to go. I know this advice sounds kind of cheesy, but it’s easy to lose sight of why you want an MBA after hours of studying for the tests, a dozen plus essays, and too many Zoom interviews. Try to pin down your core beliefs, strengths, weaknesses, and your why in writing before you start sharing them with a bunch of MBA admission offices.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started my test prep earlier. I gave myself three months and got the score I needed, but six months would have been less stressful.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped taking the GMAT/GRE. I’m sure a lot of applicants feel the same way. Finding a live GRE prep class and building out a three-month study plan helped me stay accountable and on track.
What is your initial impression of the Washington Foster MBA students/culture/community?
These are some of the most supportive and kind people I’ve been around. Foster is such a small MBA community compared to other programs, so it’s easy to get to know everyone and become a part of the community. Plus, we have alumni across every industry who constantly reach back to the students and offer support and guidance. Overall, I’ve been incredibly impressed with the culture at Foster that’s driven by its students and the greater UW community.
What is one thing you have learned about Washington Foster that has surprised you?
Everyone sailgates out here. Like, they get on boats, mosey on over to the stadium, and tailgate for UW football games from their boats. As an Arizona boy and notable landlubber, this was obviously a foreign concept to me, but a welcome surprise. They are a blast. I can’t believe we don’t advertise this in our admission sessions, Foster is easily the #1 MBA program in the world for sailgating!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Being a student again. It’s been a while since I had to sit in a classroom and take notes, so there’s definitely some anxiety there about doing it again in my thirties. If you told fifteen-year-old me I would be back in school in my thirties, I would have called you a liar!
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Focusing on me! I’ve been in a leadership role in some capacity since 2017 with anywhere from four to 71 direct reports. This will be the first time since then that I’m solely responsible for myself.
