Kow Boi Amoagor Bedu-Addo, Rotman MBA Class of 2026
Age: 26
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Michigan, Ross School of BusinessPre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): 4 years (Deloitte, PwC)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I chose to pursue an MBA now because I felt I had gained enough professional and life experience to benefit from the MBA experience. I have worked at professional services firms for my entire career so far, and I am looking to make a switch towards a role at a financial institution. I am confident that an MBA education will equip me with the skillset to make a successful career switch and also prepare me for managerial roles in the near future.
Why did you choose Toronto Rotman? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I was drawn to Rotman because of its strong finance program and its proximity to Bay Street, giving me direct access to the best financial institutions in the world. I wanted to learn from the brightest faculty and students in the world and challenge myself in a new environment. Additionally, the resources available at Rotman such as the Self-Development Lab and Leadership Development Lab stood out as a key selling point, relative to other programs, when I was doing research on potential MBAs.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I have a very diverse professional background, having worked in Risk Advisory, Audit, and Financial Advisory. Additionally, I have a very diverse cultural background – I have lived in Singapore, Zambia, Australia, the U.S., South Africa, and now Canada. This cultural and professional diversity has allowed me to build strong connections with my classmates and professors, and contribute positively to classroom discussions.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I plan to go to culinary school in the future to learn the technical skills of cooking and fine dining. I hope to leverage my business knowledge gained from the MBA and my professional experience and hopefully open my own fine dining restaurant.
Post-MBA career interests:
Investment Banking, Asset Management, Corporate Finance
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
The application gives you the chance to tell the admissions team why you stand out and how your life experiences will contribute positively to the incoming MBA class. If I were to do the application process again, I would continue to tell a personal story about an experience that is unique to me and sheds light on my personality and interests. In my application, I spoke about how I started a podcast with my dad during the pandemic. I spoke about the challenges of starting the podcast with no prior experience, the skills that I gained, and how I planned to leverage this experience in my MBA. I think making this story as personal as possible helped me to stand out in the application process.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started the process earlier. It takes a lot of time to put together a strong application, especially as you balance the demands of a full-time job. Starting as early as possible gives you the best chance to gather all the information you need to stand out in the application process. Additionally, I would get as much input from your friends and family about who you are and how you have gotten to this stage in your career. However, meaningful insights require time. These insights were invaluable during my application process.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I wish I could have visited the Rotman campus before I started my application. I had to rely on YouTube videos and posts from former students to get insights into the program and the Rotman culture. However, I was convinced by the strong MBA program and Rotman’s excellent reputation. Ultimately, I believe I made the right choice.
What is your initial impression of the Toronto Rotman students/culture/community?
It is a highly competitive and demanding culture. Rotman provides you with all the tools to succeed in the program. The admission team has built a strong MBA class from diverse professional backgrounds and cultures. Classmates are friendly and eager to connect, and the standard of teaching and testing has been exceptional so far.
What is one thing you have learned about Toronto Rotman that has surprised you?
I have been surprised by how open and helpful the second-year MBA students have been about their experiences at Rotman so far. I have had multiple coffee chats with second-year students, and each person has provided me with their lessons learned and given me advice on what they would have done differently in their first year to have a better experience. Having access to such resources and getting such reassurances really helps you to build confidence at a time when everything feels very uncertain and daunting.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Not taking advantage of the opportunities that will bring me closer to achieving my personal and professional goals. You have to constantly keep an eye open for the different events that are happening at Rotman. As I try to balance achieving strong grades, networking with my classmates and professionals, and familiarizing myself with living in Canada, I still want to find time to participate in events that are outside my interests and experiences.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited to continue meeting new classmates from different backgrounds, cultures, and professional experiences. I am also excited to participate in case competitions and develop further technical skills, particularly in Finance.
