Real Humans of MBA Class of 2020

Published: December 1, 2019

Real Humans of Stanford GSB’s MSx Class of 2020

The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) is the cream of the crop of elite business school programs worldwide and is considered go-to institution for building “an entrepreneurial mindset, a spirit of innovation, and effective personal leadership skills.” While you may have already seen our Real Humans of the Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2021, we also wanted to introduce you to members of their MSx program, a full-time, one-year degree tailored to experienced mid-career professionals seeking an accelerated MBA. As MSx candidates come to Stanford GSB mid-career, Read more

Published: November 6, 2019

Real Humans of Cambridge Judge Business School’s MBA Class of 2020

This edition of Real Humans: MBA Students takes us to Cambridge, England, to meet students in the one-year MBA program at Cambridge University’s Judge Business School. Cambridge Judge has a class size of around 200 students, with women comprising about a third of the group. The small group is also a diverse ones, as around 50 nationalities are represented in the class. To apply, candidates must have at least three years of professional experience, but the class averages around six altogether. And the school also suggests scoring above a 640 on the Read more

Published: October 23, 2019

Real Humans of Oxford University’s Saïd Business School MBA Class of 2020

In this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students, we visit Oxford University’s Saïd Business School in England. The one-year MBA program employs an interdisciplinary and global approach to business education. Students learn through a blend of the case study method, lectures, simulation and team projects. Courses are taught in partnership with industry practitioners to ensure material is relevant to real-life situations. As part of the emphasis on applied learning, students must complete a one-week Entrepreneurship Project. Those who attend Saïd Business School enjoy the benefits and traditions of the larger university. Oxford Read more

Published: October 14, 2019

Real Humans of INSEAD’s MBA Class of 2020

With campuses located in France, Singapore and Abu Dhabi, INSEAD is known for its international orientation, academic rigor, and consistently high rankings. One of INSEAD’s unique features is that its standard course of study is an accelerated 10-month MBA. Students can begin their studies in either January or September. Combined with its stellar reputation, this timeline makes it an obvious choice for up-and-coming business leaders looking to step up on the international stage quickly. When asked, “Why INSEAD,” one member of the Class of 2020 underscores this by saying, the “1-year intense MBA program provides a Read more

Published: February 19, 2019

Real Humans of Indiana Kelley’s MBA Class of 2020

Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business has an exceptional MBA program consistently ranked in the top 25 of MBA programs by Forbes and US News & World Report. Kelley’s innovative curriculum emphasizes the school’s four core values: collaboration, professionalism, leadership, and excellence. The first experience that Kelley MBA students have is via Me, Inc., an intensive program in which students do some major self-reflection. The goal of the program is to help students develop a clear idea of what they want to do over the next two years. After completing this pre-MBA program, the Kelley MBA program Read more

Published: February 13, 2019

Real Humans of Carnegie Mellon Tepper’s MBA Class of 2020

Pittsburgh is a city of confluence, intersected by three rivers—the Ohio, Alleghany, and Monongahela. As the city’s hills rise away from these three mighty bodies of water, the various streams of Pittsburgh life merge—the artistic culture of Pittsburgh with its industrial past and its technological future. One of the places that best exemplifies the mixture that is Pittsburgh is Carnegie Mellon University. Sitting along the coast of the Monongahela, Carnegie Mellon is well known as one of the best technical schools in the U.S., producing generations of engineers and computer scientists. It also has one of the top drama schools, Read more

Published: February 10, 2019

Real Humans of Emory Goizueta’s MBA Class of 2020

Long the hub of the South, Atlanta has been rapidly gaining national prominence due to the rise of its homegrown rap scene and its booming media economy, anchored by firms such as Turner and Tyler Perry Studios. Long before Atlanta became a music and media hub, Atlanta was—and remains—a major international business hub. Currently, the city is home to massive companies such as Coca-Cola, Delta, UPS, and the Home Depot. Given the companies headquartered in the city, it is a no-brainer that Atlanta is a stellar place for MBA students to learn their craft. Emory University’s Goizueta Read more

Published: February 5, 2019

Real Humans of SMU Cox’s MBA Class of 2020

In the minds of many, Dallas is embodied by three cultural artifacts: the Cowboys, the JFK assassination, and the 80s soap opera. But on the ground, Dallas is a bustling city of business in the heart of the Lone Star State. Jobs are booming, and the future is looking bright. Southern Methodist University has consistently generated many of those future business leaders through the MBA program at its Cox School of Business. SMU Cox is one of the smaller schools profiled in this series, as its incoming class is only 109 students. Read more

Published: January 29, 2019

Real Humans of the HEC Paris MBA Class of 2020

According to Times Higher Education, HEC Paris has produced the most CEOs of Fortune Global 500 companies. This is appealing to students who both want to lead major businesses, as well as those who want to create their own legacies. Entrepreneurship is also at the forefront, as the school estimates about a quarter of graduates each year launch their own businesses. Moreover, there are hundreds of entrepreneurial projects created during the school year. HEC Paris limits each entering cohort to 250 students, which means that competition is intense. Only 16 percent of those who applied to Read more

Published: January 21, 2019

Real Humans of USC Marshall’s MBA Class of 2020

Women comprise the majority of students who earn graduate degrees—except when it comes to MBAs. While Forté Foundation reported that women’s enrollment at full-time MBA programs reached 38 percent on average in 2018, the figure hovered closer to 30 percent women on average just a few years ago. The absence of women in MBA programs ricochets out into the boardrooms, as women hold far fewer positions of power within the business world than men. MBA programs have recognized this problem and begun making efforts to change the narrative. Although some programs like Northwestern Kellogg (46 percent), Dartmouth Read more

Published: January 13, 2019

Real Humans of UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA Class of 2020

The Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill is celebrating its 100th birthday this week. Through the decades of development and evolution in business education, the school has grown in tandem with its core values of excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork. Over 4,000 alumni enjoy careers with Fortune 500 companies, over 900 graduates have reached C-level positions and more than 250 work as CEOs. Kenan-Flagler also prides itself on graduates not just creating positive change in companies they lead, but also creating positive impact on the communities they serve. The Read more

Published: December 30, 2018

Real Humans of Rochester Simon’s MBA Class of 2020

The University of Rochester’s Simon Business School has risen to prominence recently as the first U.S. business school to receive STEM designation for its full-time MBA program. Alongside a STEM-designated option, Simon places emphasis on experiential learning. Students are required to take a project-based consulting course, during which they work in teams with a company on a business project, applying the tools they have learned in the classroom in real-life situations. Simon offers 10 specializations arranged in three tracks: Finance, Marketing and Consulting. Students also have the option to round off their education with a minor in six Read more

Published: December 18, 2018

Real Humans of Rice Jones’ MBA Class of 2020

At the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University, their motto is: “be attentive, responsive, and kind.” Jones offers a small program—and proudly. Just 118 students matriculated for their Class of 2020, and the school boasts class sizes at 40 students and a 9 to 1 student to faculty ratio. Just under a third—31 percent—of the class is comprised of women. Fifteen percent are U.S. underrepresented minorities and 36 percent are U.S. minorities. Approximately a quarter of the Class of 2020 are foreign nationals, and altogether the class represents 17 countries. In regards to academic Read more

Published: December 9, 2018

Real Humans of UCLA Anderson’s MBA Class of 2020

At the UCLA Anderson School of Management, the collaborative curriculum gives students the skills to achieve their goals while the Career Management Center provides one-on-one coaching and access to top-level executives and businesses to help students make a smooth, successful transition into the professional world. Of the 3,423 people who applied to be a part of the supportive program, 360 matriculated in the Class of 2020. Altogether, the new class averaged 719 on the GMAT and the 80 percent range fell between 680 and 750. Their middle-80 percent undergraduate GPA range landed at 3.2 to 3.8. A quarter Read more

Published: December 5, 2018

Real Humans of the Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2020

As a global hub for politics, business, tech, and nonprofit organizations alike, Washington, D.C., is one of the major selling points for prospective Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business students. Students also laud the close-knit community of the MBA program, and how second-year students are always at the ready for any and all questions from new candidates. In this edition of Real Humans, we’re going to meet five new students who chose McDonough for different reasons, but found the same sense of community. We start with a snapshot of the new class. The 271 students who enrolled Read more

Published: December 2, 2018

Real Humans of Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA Class of 2020

We are pleased to continue our Real Humans series with a snapshot of the Class of 2020 at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. Situated in Hanover, New Hampshire, Tuck stands out from its peer schools for offering only a full-time MBA program, though students may pursue joint or dual degrees in conjunction with Dartmouth and other leading universities. Once again, the Tuck class matriculated with impressive and diverse experiences. Compared to the Class of 2019, the average GMAT score has stayed consistent at 722 and the average GPA has dropped only slightly to 3.49. Tuck also continues Read more

Published: November 26, 2018

Real Humans of NYU Stern’s Class of 2020

The Leonard N. Stern School of Business is located in the center of New York University’s main campus in Manhattan, New York. With a prime location in Greenwich Village and proximity to Wall Street, even applicants appreciate the “fantastic energy” of the program and its student body. Of the 3,781 applicants hoping to join the lively and diverse community, 375 enrolled in the Class of 2020. The group arrived on campus this fall with an average of 5.3 years of work experience, though Stern is also open to fresh graduates. William Berkley, the chairman of NYU’s Board of Overseers, Read more

Published: November 21, 2018

Real Humans of IESE’s MBA Class of 2020

Widely considered one of the top MBA programs in Europe, IESE provides a business school experience that gives students the skills necessary to truly become a leader who leaves a legacy. The international student population at IESE is large and varied. The IESE Class of 2020 comes from 64 different countries, an increase from the previous year’s 57 countries of origin. In addition to the various countries where students originate, the Class of 2020 consists of 81 percent international students. In terms of geographic origin, the largest percentage comes from Europe, making up 37 Read more

Published: November 18, 2018

Real Humans of Rotman’s MBA Class of 2020

“The need for change is real, and the blueprints are already in process. One of the most distinctive blueprints being developed is at the Rotman School.” – Lane Wallace, The New York Times The University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management has staked a claim as one of Canada’s top-tier business schools with a diverse student population that reflects Toronto’s mélange of global cultures. As a world-renowned institution that has cultivated business leaders since 1950, one might expect Rotman’s programs to have a rarefied air around them—keen to preserve the past at the expense of finding new Read more

Published: November 11, 2018

Real Humans of Chicago Booth’s MBA Class of 2020

Aspiring business leaders are no stranger to the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. In 2018, Booth tied with Harvard Business School for the No. 1 ranked full-time MBA program, according to U.S. News and World Report, and also claimed the top spot in The Economist‘s ranking. Known for its academic rigor, emphasis on analytics, and expertise in finance and economics, Booth consistently attracts the cream of the crop to shape the world of business. The Class of 2020 is no exception, with the Read more

Published: October 31, 2018

Real Humans of the Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2020

Nearly 8,000 MBA hopefuls sought a seat in the classrooms of the prestigious Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), but only 419 secured their place in the Class of 2020. In this edition of our Real Humans of the MBA Class of 2020 series, we catch up with four GSB MBA first-year students who defied the odds and joined this exceptional class. First, let’s take a look at overall class profile statistics to better understand the latest set of students selected to pursue the school’s mission, “Change lives. Change organizations. Change the world.” Stanford keeps its classes Read more

Published: October 29, 2018

Real Humans of the Wharton MBA Class of 2020

Have you been anxiously awaiting an invitation to interview at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School? What better time to learn more about the school’s current first-year MBA class? You’re in luck, because the latest installment in our Real Humans series today features the Wharton MBA Class of 2020. But before we introduce you to individual members of that class, we’ll paint a picture of the class as a whole using these stats published as part of the class profile. “This class is an impressive collection of leaders from all walks of life, backgrounds, nationalities, industry experiences, Read more

Published: October 24, 2018

Real Humans of Michigan Ross’s MBA Class of 2020

Are you hoping for an interview invitation from Ross? Or taking your time to get to know the school before submitting your short answers in Round 2? There’s no better way to get a feel for a b-school’s vibe than by getting to know its people, or as one of our profiled students quotes, “The people, the people, the people!” Before we meet a handful of new Ross students, let’s start with an overall class snapshot: Of the 423 people that comprise Michigan Ross’s Class of 2020, 43 percent are women Read more

Published: October 21, 2018

Real Humans of the UVA Darden MBA Class of 2020

MBA LiveWire has seen a streak of green recently with plenty of reports of candidates gaining acceptance at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business as part of its inaugural early action decision round. If this means you—CONGRATS! Understanding the current first-year class makeup at Darden provides a glimpse of what next year might be like. And that’s true whether you’re already in, applied as part of Round 1, or are still contemplating applying as part of a later round. If you fall into any of those categories—or even if you’re just curious Read more

Published: October 10, 2018

Real Humans of the Cornell Johnson MBA Class of 2020

Did you hit “submit” on an application to Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management this week? If so, congrats! Or maybe you’re aiming for the November Round deadline, November 15th? In either case, a look this year’s incoming MBA class provides valuable insights into the school. There are 280 students in the incoming students (up just slightly from last year’s 277), and they boast an average GMAT score of 699 and an average undergrad GPA of 3.4. That’s pretty similar to the Class of 2019, where average GMAT score was 700 and average GPA was 3.36. Average 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

View or Submit Entries

MBA LiveWire

November 21, 2024 10:36am ET

Accepted to Cornell / Johnson

Round: Round 1

Received via phone November 21, 2024

GPA: 3.5

GMAT: 760

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Finance

Application Location: United States

November 21, 2024 4:51am ET

Waitlisted at NYU Stern

Round: Round 1

Received via portal on November 19, 2024

GPA: 3.54

GRE: 331

Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

Target Career: Consulting

Application Location: Nicaragua

Note:

Waitlisted without interview. How can I flip this in my favour?

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.

View or Submit Entries

Live
Wire