Real Humans of MBA Students

Published: September 10, 2018

Real Humans of the Yale SOM MBA Class of 2020

With students flooding back to business school campuses around the globe, we are thrilled to kick off our Real Humans of the MBA Class of 2020 series with this spotlight on members of the incoming Yale School of Management (SOM) first-year class. Last year’s series—our first ever—was hugely popular with our audience, and we’re hoping this year will be the same. We’re also pleased to include many more schools this year, close to 40 in all! We plan to publish two per week, so stay tuned to learn more from students at all the schools you may Read more

Published: May 13, 2018

Real Humans of the Columbia Business School MBA Class of 2019

As first-year MBA students at Columbia Business School (CBS) finish up their finals and head off to their summer internships, we’re excited to feature a handful of the MBA Class of 2019 reflecting on what led them to choose CBS for business school and how their experience so far has met—or exceeded—their expectations. Though still in Uris Hall on the main Columbia University campus, CBS will occupy state-of-the-art facilities as part of the Manhattanville campus currently under construction a little farther uptown within the next few years. But even with its new home still a few years Read more

Published: April 16, 2018

Real Humans of the INSEAD MBA Class of 2018D

We’re moving right along in our Real Humans series focused on current students at leading business schools around the globe. Today, enter INSEAD, under a spotlight. Ranked the number one MBA program in the world by the Financial Times in both 2016 and 2017, the global school with campuses on three continents was knocked to second this year by Stanford, but the many of the qualities that helped it dominate in prior years remain. Compared head to head against other international business schools (outside the United States), Bloomberg BusinessWeek ranked INSEAD tops out Read more

Published: March 6, 2018

Real Humans of the IESE MBA Class of 2019

Our Real Humans of the MBA Class of 2019 series takes us this week to lovely Barcelona, Spain, where students at IESE Business School have just taken part in “Multi-Culti,” one of the most highly anticipated social events of the year. It’s a half-day shindig that lets the school show off its true international spirit through regional dance, dress, and food from the dozens and dozens of countries and regions its students call home. From all the accounts we heard, it lived up to the hype. The school is also basking in its recent third-place rank among business schools in Europe in the Financial Times 2018 Global MBA Ranking, released in January, up from fifth the year before. And just earlier this week, IESE placed second in Europe in the FT’s just-released Top MBAs for Women ranking, and 14th globally. Read more

Published: February 19, 2018

Real Humans of Goizueta’s MBA Class of 2019

With just 172 students in the two-year full-time MBA Class of 2019, intimate is a word that comes up frequently as many at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School describe the MBA experience. In fact, the class size was smaller than usual—down nine students from the year prior. Overall application volume fell, from 1,432 to 1,136, with the bulk of that slippage among international applicants. Of the students in the Goizueta Class of 2019, women make up 30 percent, a six-point gain over the previous year. Associate Dean of MBA Admissions Julie Barefoot credits some of that growth Read more

Published: February 12, 2018

Real Humans of the Fuqua MBA Class of 2019

Last July, when the 439 new members of the MBA Class of 2019 arrived on Duke’s Fuqua School of Business campus, they brought with them impressive academic chops. Average GMAT score for the class was 702, up seven points over the year before. The median score—710—jumped 10 points in the same span. GPAs also rose ever so slightly, .03 of a point to 3.5. But as you’ll see in the profiles of several members of the class, the rising scores certainly don’t seem to signify that Fuqua has swayed at all from seeking out other factors long Read more

Published: January 15, 2018

How to Get into a Top Business School: Admitted Students Share 10 Top Tips

Our ongoing Real Humans of the MBA Class of 2019 series has given us glimpses into tons of current MBA students who set their sights on leading business schools across the nation and the globe—and now call those campuses home. We’ve learned about some of their crazy accomplishments and the mind-blowingly diverse experiences they bring to share with classmates-turned-friends. They’ve also divulged when, why, and how they knew that x school was exactly where they belonged. Each installment in our series has focused in on a single school through the eyes of five or six amazing Read more

Published: January 1, 2018

Real Humans of the Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2019

Set in an international city with strong ties to government, it’s not surprising to find students at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business drawn to both of those aspects. More than a third of the class—34 percent—is international, and far more bring international experience of one sort or another. More than three quarters of the 276 students who make up the full-time MBA Class of 2019 have lived, worked, or studied in another country, and 67 percent speak more than one language. Women are not as well represented this year as they have been in recent years. The Read more

Published: December 18, 2017

Real Humans of the Cornell Johnson MBA Class of 2019

Here are some of the things we know about the MBA Class of 2019 at Cornell University’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. The 277 students in the class entered with an average GMAT score of 700 and an average GPA of 3.36—identical to the class preceding them. (Median GMAT score jumped 10 points, to 710.) As in prior years, the greatest percentage of students studied business in college, though this figure was just 35 percent—down from 41 percent the year before. Another 28 percent of the class were humanities majors, and 20 percent studied engineering. Read more

Published: December 3, 2017

Real Humans of the Chicago Booth MBA Class of 2019

The 582 students in the Chicago Booth MBA Class of 2019 boast a chart-topping average GMAT score of 730—marking the 15th consecutive year of increases—and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.6. Beyond brainy, this class is also diverse, hailing from 57 different countries. U.S. minorities make up 27 percent of the class (down two percentage points over the year before), international students comprise 36 percent (up two percent), and women account for 40 percent (down two percent). As undergraduates, 27.9 percent of the class studied business, followed closely by economics (24.6 percent). Engineering and physical sciences majors make up a Read more

Published: November 15, 2017

Real Humans of the Kellogg MBA Class of 2019

The official profile for the Class of 2019 at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management reveals some interesting things about the students who, as of late this past summer, have called Evanston, Illinois, home. For starters, they’re a smart bunch. (Surprise.) The average GMAT score for this year’s incoming class was 732—four points higher than last year and the continuation of a multi-year increase that just five years ago had that same metric at 708. In fact, the meteoric rise of Kellogg’s average GMAT score places it second only to Stanford Graduate School of Business. The overall GMAT Read more

Published: October 29, 2017

Real Humans of the Tuck MBA Class of 2019

With its MBA Class of 2019, Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business welcomed one of the most academically accomplished groups in its history. The average GMAT score among the 293 incoming students was a record high was 722, up from 717 last year, and the average GPA was 3.51. For the second year running, women make up 44 percent of the class—which places Tuck in a tie for first with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in terms of approaching gender equity. But diversity extends beyond gender at Tuck. Underrepresented minorities comprise 23 percent of the class, and Read more

Published: October 22, 2017

Real Humans of the Yale SOM MBA Class of 2019

They speak roughly 50 different languages between them—from American Sign Language to Yoruba. Not only that, 70 percent of the Yale School of Management (SOM) MBA Class of 2019 speaks two languages, and more than a quarter—27 percent—speaks at least three. As their linguistic abilities might hint, the group heralds from 48 different countries, and 45 percent of the class holds non-U.S. passports. Yale SOM Assistant Dean for Admissions Bruce Delmonico was excited to share with us earlier in the summer that application volume was up 12 percent over last year, with nearly 4,100 eager applicants Read more

Published: October 8, 2017

Real Humans of the Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2019

The 422 students who make up the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business Class of 2019 are a record-setting bunch. For starters, their average GMAT score was 716, an eight-point jump over last year’s, which was itself a record. But they also set records for their diversity. Forty-three percent of the class is female—3 percent more than last year. And 23 percent are underrepresented minorities. This is a 14-year high for the school and a staggering 13 percent increase over last year, though we should note that this figure includes Asian Americans for the first time. International enrollment, too, Read more

Published: October 2, 2017

Real Humans of the MIT Sloan MBA Class of 2019

Moving right along in our Real Humans student series, today we get to meet a handful of students in the MIT Sloan Class of 2019. But first a little about the class as a whole. By the numbers: the incoming class of 404 students boasts an average GMAT score of 722 and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.49. Both represent a tiny backslide from the prior year, when they were 724 and 3.5 respectively. International students make up a third of the class, which is also a decrease from 39 percent in Read more

Published: September 27, 2017

Real Humans of the NYU Stern MBA Class of 2019

New York University’s Stern School of Business got the party started this summer as the first leading business school to share a profile for its incoming Class of 2019. That profile, published in late July, revealed a 4 percent uptick in application volume over the prior year. At the same time, the school admitted significantly fewer students—822 this year as compared to 871 last year—which means that those who got in did so against greater odds. This increased selectivity may have contributed to the rising GMAT scores among those who got the Read more

Published: September 24, 2017

Real Humans of the Berkeley Haas MBA Class of 2019

The Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley welcomed its largest ever class—284 students—into a brand-new facility that promises to be one of the greenest academic buildings in the country. Not only is the incoming class larger than any before it, it is also one of the strongest academically, according to Peter Johnson, assistant dean for the full-time MBA program and admissions. Average GMAT scores and GPAs have risen over each of the past three years. The average GMAT score this year was 725—a jump from last year’s 717—and the average GPA Read more

Published: September 20, 2017

Real Humans of the Darden Class of 2019

Every fall, a new class of first-year MBA students steps onto campus at leading business schools around the world. The hard-nosed competition and nail-biting anxiety of getting in is behind them. The adventure of transforming themselves and their careers while benefiting from the best graduate education imaginable is ahead. The schools are proud of the classes they curate and eager to tout what makes them special. At the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, for example, the full-time residential MBA Class of 2019 of 326 students boasts the highest average GMAT Read more

MBA Applywire

November 20, 2024 9:42pm ET

Applying: Babson / Olin, , Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Emory / Goizueta, Rice / Jones, Rochester / Simon, SMU Cox, UCI Merage, Washington U. / Olin

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Technology - Entrepreneurship

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Entrepreneurship

GRE: 333

GPA: 2.56

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: Lagos

Notes:

I just got rejected for WashU Olin and I have an interview invitation with Questrom. GPA continues to bother me but I addressed it in my supporting essays.

November 19, 2024 12:51pm ET

Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Tech in government

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Entrepreneurship Companies: Bain , McKinsey

GRE: 319

GPA: 2.9

Years of Work Experience: 7

Notes:

I got cancer when I was undergrad that's why my undergrad GPA is low. After MBA I want to work in consulting then make a social impact in Africa through entrepreneurship

November 19, 2024 12:06pm ET

Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, U. Washington / Foster, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UT Austin / McCombs, UVA / Darden

Pre-MBA Career: Wealth Management and Military

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Asset Management, inc. HF, Other Companies: Bain , BCG , Deloitte , McKinsey , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Asset Management , State Street , Vanguard

GPA: 3.80

Years of Work Experience: 7

Location: San Diego

Post MBA Location: Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis, Charlotte

Notes:

UG Degree: BBA Financial Markets at an Accredited Institution.

Civilian Work History: 3 years as Wealth Advisor under an RIA in Minneapolis and Denver. Total AUM of ~$350-400M, served as a salaried advisor in a primary and secondary capacity. Holistic services to include investment management, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, tax planning, etc.

Military History: 4 years as a supply/logistics officer heading efforts for air/ground mobility, defense contracting, supply and procurement, and fiscal budget management while located at various bases within CONUS and multiple forward deployed locations.

Professional Certifications: Obtained Certified Financial Planner designation (2022) and Series 65 (2019).

November 18, 2024 12:50am ET

Applying: Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Emory / Goizueta, NYU Stern, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Consulting

Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking Companies: Bank of America , Barclays , Citibank , Credit Suisse , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Chase

GRE: 323

GPA: 3.32

Years of Work Experience: 7

Notes:

Education:
- Combined Major in Economics and Statistics
- CFA Charterholder (passed all three levels on the first attempt)

Professional Experience:
- Manager at a Big 4 firm Specializing in capital projects and infrastructure, with a role similar to investment banking
- Seven years of experience, mainly in financial services in Ghana

Extracurricular Activities:
- Pro bono capital-raising services for SMEs
- Aspiring to run a full advisory firm for SMEs in the future
- CFA exam coaching and tutorial classes for candidates
- Founder of a travel and tour club offering affordable trips to explore beautiful and historic scenes in Ghana

Will being 32 years old affect the attractiveness of my candidacy?

November 17, 2024 9:24am ET

Applying: Columbia, , Georgetown / McDonough, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, NYU Stern, Oxford / Saïd, Stanford GSB, UCLA Anderson, Yale SOM

Pre-MBA Career: Higher Education

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Media, Undecided Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey , JP Morgan , Morgan Stanley , JP Morgan Chase , Apple , Google , Microsoft , Andressen Horowitz , Charles River , Sequoia Capital , Blackstone , KKR , 21st Century Fox , Comcast , Walt Disney

GPA: 3.97

Years of Work Experience: 5

Location: Denver, Colorado

Post MBA Location: New York City

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MBA LiveWire

November 21, 2024 3:13am ET

Accepted to Washington U. / Olin

Round: Round 1

Received via email November 20, 2024

GPA: 3.81

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Finance

Application Location: Los Angeles

Note:

100K scholarship!

November 20, 2024 11:49pm ET

Interview Invite to Berkeley / Haas

Round: Round 1

Received via email November 20, 2024

GMAT: 645

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Note:

Consortium

November 20, 2024 9:20pm ET

Interview Invite to Dartmouth / Tuck

Round: Round 1

Received via portal on September 04, 2024

GPA: 3.74

GRE: 311

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Consulting

Application Location: Tampa, FL

Note:

Applied early enough to guarantee interview.

November 20, 2024 9:19pm ET

Interview Invite to U. Washington / Foster

Round: Round 1

Received via email on October 31, 2024

GPA: 3.74

GRE: 313

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Consulting

Application Location: Tampa, FL

November 20, 2024 9:18pm ET

Interview Invite to Northwestern / Kellogg

Round: Round 1

Received via portal on October 03, 2024

GPA: 3.74

GRE: 311

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Consulting

Application Location: Tampa, FL

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