Ayush Vats, Georgetown McDonough MiM Class of 2025
Age: 24
Hometown: Patna, Bihar, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Ashoka University and Political Science
Pre-MiM Work Experience: Founder’s Office/Strategy, Kohort Education Pvt Ltd
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I was interested in governance and that led me to study political science during my undergrad. Post graduating, I worked at educational organization, and got to see how businesses are run and how they can impact society. This then became an area of interest, and one I wanted to explore more deeply. I felt business school was an ideal place to do that. It would give me the opportunity to learn more about things I am interested in, while at the same time exposing me to things I would not otherwise be exposed to.
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Georgetown was a place I wanted to go to. I had a friend from school who went to Georgetown for his undergrad, so I heard many Georgetown and MSB stories from him. While looking at schools, another factor that was important for me was looking at how much a program will look at the social side of things. For me, Georgetown and MSB perfectly fit that mold with its focus on the Jesuit values. I felt vindicated on the first day of classes, when we had a 30 minute session on Jesuit values and how our education and lives in general should be for something bigger than ourselves.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the class?
For one of our classes, we were asked to come up with a startup idea in a week’s time. For this assignment, the group I was a part of came up with an idea that would create a positive impact on the lives of immigrants in the USA. This is what I feel is my differing contribution in class. I try to look at solutions through the lens of how positive change can be brought and lives can be changed.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
When I moved to the US in August for the program, it was the first time I had stepped foot outside the Indian subcontinent and the first time I had lived on my own, without my family. The ride has been challenging at times, but overall, it has been great fun!
Post-MiM career interests:
I want to work at the intersection of business and society, focusing on roles where I can help create positive change. My goal is to learn as much as I can from every experience and grow both personally and professionally.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
The video response that we were required to do. I had a lot of fun doing it and would absolutely love to do it again. It gave me a chance to reflect on things I have done, and the why behind that.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
There isn’t anything I would want to change. The application process gave me the chance to reflect on my journey so far and think deeply about my future. It was a meaningful and rewarding experience.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Since I applied early, I had the advantage of plenty of time to think about and refine my application. This made the process feel less rushed and allowed me to approach each component with intention. As a result, there wasn’t any part of the application I felt overwhelmed by or wished to skip. By planning ahead, I was able to break the process into manageable steps and focus on presenting the best version of myself. The clarity and structure I had during this time made the entire experience smooth.
What is your initial impression of the Georgetown McDonough students/culture/community?
My initial impression of Georgetown McDonough is that it’s an incredibly warm and supportive community. The students are collaborative, open-minded, and genuinely interested in learning from one another. Everyone comes from such diverse backgrounds, which makes class discussions and group projects enriching and dynamic. The culture is rooted in a shared sense of purpose, and I’ve been inspired by how driven yet approachable everyone is. The emphasis on Jesuit values and the idea of working toward something bigger than oneself is reflected in how people engage with each other.
What is one thing you have learned about Georgetown McDonough that has surprised you?
One thing that has pleasantly surprised me is how deeply connected and grateful alumni and donors feel toward Georgetown McDonough. Through my on-campus job in fundraising, I’ve had the chance to engage in conversations with many of them, and their stories have been inspiring. I’ve learned how much their McDonough experience shaped their lives and how they give back with such open hearts. It’s amazing to see the lasting impact this community has and how people are eager to support the next generation of students.
