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 starts in earnest. From the first-year academies that immediately connect students with corporations to collaborative problem-solving opportunities to the study abroad trips built into the curriculum, Kelley has constructed a program that encourages collaboration between students, global engagement, and leadership development. Combined with the close-knit and active community of Bloomington, Kelley is an excellent place for students to give their careers a boost.
Clear Admit took a closer look at this year’s crop of Kelley students. Of the 204 students of Kelley’s Class of 2020, 30 percent are international students—consistent with the Class of 2019. The percentage of female students has held steady at 29 percent. Twenty-five percent of the Class of 2020 is minorities, which is an 11 percent increase over the Class of 2019.
The Class of 2020 is similar to the Class of 2019 in terms of test scores, as its GMAT score is only one point lower than the previous class’s (677 v. 678). Seventy percent of the class of 2020 majored in business administration, science, and engineering as undergraduates while the remaining 30 percent are comprised of social science and humanities majors (25 percent) and those who had other majors (5 percent).
The students that are profiled here represent more than these numbers; they are future leaders and entrepreneurs. More importantly, they will represent Kelley in the business world for years to come.
Let’s learn more about who they are and where they want to go.
James Morris, Kelley MBA Class of 2020
Age: 28
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Brigham Young University, Finance
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 4 years, Oil and Gas/Energy Industry
Why business school? Why now?
I decided to come to business school in 2018 because my role was beginning to plateau. I either needed to make the jump to business school or look for my next role. When I was contemplating going to business school, the energy industry was changing quickly.
Big data was a big focus and there was an expectation that the nature of roles would be changing. I knew that if I wanted to remain relevant in the long run, I needed to quickly add data analytics to my skill set regardless of the industry or function I would enter.
Because of these two factors, I decided the timing was right and business school would give me the right skillset I needed to complement the skills I had with the skills I wanted.
Why Kelley? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
When evaluating business schools, I used several criteria. I wanted a highly ranked school with a business analytics concentration that could be tailored to my finance background. I also wanted access to a robust suite of international experiences.
Kelley’s Business Analytics major has several tracks (Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain) to help you place business analytics in the context you desire. There are also Academies (I chose consulting) which help to supplement the in class learning with interview preparation, networking opportunities, and functional or industry knowledge.
There is also a whole list of international study abroad experiences as well as the unique global consulting program called GLOBASE. The international programs enrich the classroom learning with real world experiences and do so in a global setting.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
Public speaking is my strong suit. I have the ability to speak in front of a large group of people and command their attention. At my former employer, our business unit leader told me, “When you speak, people of any level in the organization listen.” This was developed over several years by giving sermons and lectures in front of large groups of people. In a two-year period, I spoke to groups of 100+ people on 25 different occasions.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I watched the New Year’s sunrise in 2008 flying in a hot air balloon over the Valley of Kings and Queens in Egypt.
Post-MBA career interests?
Consulting
Advice to current prospective applicants:
— One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would attend various admissions events such as the MBA Tour, diversity or preview weekends, and other events where you can interact with current students and admissions staff. Culture is a large part of any school and so it is important to make sure the culture fits with your personality. Once you know the school is aligned with your preferences, your essays will speak directly to admissions in a way that will be unique to other candidates.
— One thing you would change or do differently?
Have a crystal-clear story to explain what you want to do and why. Make sure your story has substance and can withstand two or three detailed, probing questions. I struggled to connect my background to what I wanted to do mostly because I had a hard time realizing what my passion was. The clearer your story, the more confident you appear, and the easier it is for admissions to have confidence in admitting you.
— Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I am not a fan of the GMAT. I do not know anyone who is. The only way I survived was by allocating specific time in my evenings to study and realizing that all I could do was try my hardest.
What is your initial impression of Kelley’s students/culture/community?
From Day One, I knew several professors, the entire admissions staff, the head of the MBA program and the dean. The Kelley School of Business cares about everyone in the program and works hard to ensure your success.
One thing you have learned about Kelley that has surprised you?
I did not realize how hands on and valuable Graduate Career Services is. Kelley’s GCS is constantly ranked as one of the best career services organizations in the country. If you have a goal, GCS will give you all of the tools you need to achieve it.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
In two words, The Core. The Core is a suite of intensive classes intended to help students prepare for internship interviews but it also a crash course on prioritization. Keeping up with classes, homework, and case interview prep has been very daunting.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Kelley has a well-established global consulting program called GLOBASE. Students can apply to a team that consults for a small business in one of 5 countries around the world. I will be participating and cannot wait to make an impact on a small business somewhere around the world.
Casey Bufford, Kelley MBA Class of 2020
Age: 30
Hometown: Chicago Heights, IL
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Michigan; Sport Management
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Higher Education/Intercollegiate Athletics for 7.5 years
Why business school? Why now?
I reached a place in my career where my long-term goal was no longer a goal of mine. I didn’t know what was next and felt I needed new skills, a broader network and new ways of thinking to define my next chapter. In particular, I wanted to work on my analytical skill sets. I knew that an MBA would provide with all of those things and would set me up for success in the long run, regardless of industry.
Why Kelley? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
As a mom and a wife, my selection process was probably unique to most prospective MBA students. I knew that I wanted to be close to family so that I could take full advantage of the MBA experience. I wanted a school where I could be myself. And I wanted a school that, 10 years down the line, would still hold relevance in the job market.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
Well, there aren’t any moms in the program, so my perspective on life is vastly different than most of my peers. I’m getting an MBA today so that I can pave a new path for my daughter when she’s older. In addition to that, my work experience is longer than most and so I’m able to share a plethora of real-life examples with my classmates.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I’m an All-American track and field athlete in the triple jump.
Post-MBA career interests?
I am interested in making sure people feel represented in the brands they use and included in the places they work.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
— One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I talked to a lot of students, which helped me identify my target schools.
— One thing you would change or do differently?
I would have begun the MBA process sooner. There was only seven months between when I decided to go to school and when I dropped my first application. In hindsight, I would have given myself at least a year.
— Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
There was nothing I would have skipped. I took a local GMAT class where I lived at the time (Washington, D.C.) and talked to lots of students. What helped me the most was being organized, obsessively focused, and my husband’s support. I was managing work, studying for the GMAT, writing essays, and caring for my then 8-month old full-time. I could not have gotten to Kelley without his support.
What is your initial impression of Kelley’s students/culture/community?
The students are amazing! We all have very unique backgrounds and it has been great to learn from each other. I’ve also been a recipient of the amazing support provided to Consortium Fellows, from the level preparation for The Orientation program to support from second-year and alumni Consortium students.
One thing you have learned about Kelley that has surprised you?
You hear schools talk about collaboration but to actually experience it daily has been refreshing.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Getting through the Core.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Getting through the Core.
Yatharth Khullar, Kelley MBA Class of 2020
Age: 24
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, IL
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Purdue University, Electrical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 2.5 years, Operations Management at Procter & Gamble
Why business school? Why now?
I decided to pursue business school for two primary reasons.
First, while my time at P&G gave me the chance to gain management experience early on in my career, I realized that for leading broader teams that impact larger areas of the company, I needed a more holistic knowledge of business. I saw myself desiring to take on these broadening assignments more and as a result, decided to attend business school now.
Second, later on in my career I would like to pursue teaching, a field in which a graduate degree can open up significantly more opportunities.
Why Kelley? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
While visiting different schools as I made my decision to attend, Kelley’s culture of collaboration stood out the most. Kelley’s class size (a modest 185) and diversity gives me a chance to get to know and collaborate with individuals from all over the world with vastly varied experiences. Further, Kelley’s alumni network is one of the largest, which would give me the chance to connect with leaders globally.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020? –Diversity is a key tenet of Kelley and the Class of 2020 and I am glad to add my own diverse experience to this. By the time I was 16, I had lived in India, Australia and had just started my life in the U.S., eventually going on to live in different cities in the Midwest.
All these moves brought along their own challenges but ultimately helped me grow and learn to adapt in different situations. I hope to use my experience to help others as they pivot to different opportunities and grow their own diversity.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
Last year, to commemorate our travels, my partner and I started collecting Starbucks “You are Here”/”Been There” Collection mugs as we traveled to different cities. We only have 13 so far but hope to collect them all!
Post-MBA career interests?
Operations Leadership or Operations Consulting.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
— One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Visit the campus! If they have a preview/experience weekend, try your best to make it there. Not only will you get a chance to meet current students and network, but also see the campus to find how you fit in with the location.
— One thing you would change or do differently?
Not overstress the GMAT. Instead, spend more time networking with the current and graduate students of the program. Reach out to the faculty of the program you are interested in and get their perspective. Most MBA staff and faculty have industry experience and contacts that can help you see how an MBA helped them.
— Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Writing the application essays. It can be hard to write concisely when you are trying to get your story across. Definitely use your family and friends to bounce ideas off of and receive feedback on the brand your essays are portraying.
What is your initial impression of Kelley’s students/culture/community?
Collaborative and humble. The faculty, career services (GCS), students and everyone else at Kelley are really here to help everyone succeed. Faculty and staff have a ton of events outside of class to try to get to know everyone personally.
GCS has multiple programs available to challenge you and prepare you for the career you pick. Second-years returning from their internships help first-years prepare for interviews. There is no limit to the amount of support available to help you succeed in the career of your choice.
One thing you have learned about Kelley that has surprised you?
The Comedy Attic in Bloomington! The comedy club is one of the most popular in the US and frequently headlines famous stand-up comedians.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Managing time between classes, networking, clubs, along with everything else. At the end of the day, we just have to prioritize and realize that completing everything is practically impossible.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The Academy experience. Every first-year picks one of six academies (Supply Chain, Consumer Marketing, Consulting etc.) that is tailored to help you learn more about the field of your choice, connect you with related companies, and ultimately gain marketable skills that you can use throughout your career.
Henry ‘Sam’ Choi, Kelley MBA Class of 2020
Age: 35
Hometown: Manhasset, N.Y.
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Wesleyan University, B.A. in History
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 10 years, United States Navy
Why business school? Why now?
I loved serving my country, but despite the unique experiences and excitement that a career in the armed forces offers, I grew tired of the constant deployments and yearned for a more stable lifestyle. Business school is the ideal setting for a transitioning veteran to bridge the gap and pivot into a new career as a business leader.
Why Kelley? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Having come from a team-oriented environment, I was looking for an intimate, collaborative culture that demonstrated a commitment to the same values that are important to me. A lot of business schools offer top-rate educations, but for me, Kelley’s real differentiators are its culture and community.
I visited many schools, but Kelley is the only place that ever felt like home. I had never before received so many hand-written notes from students and administrators alike offering words of encouragement or congratulations on earning admission to the school.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020? -As a ‘seasoned’ candidate, I’ve been able to contribute right out of the gate, sharing my experiences leading teams, managing projects and solving challenges for the Navy.
As the Class of 2020’s very own ‘papa bear,’ I like to cook family-style meals for my classmates on Sunday night because, let’s be honest, nobody wants to eat instant noodles every day!
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
Sam Choi has been to every continent in the world besides Antarctica.
Post-MBA career interests?
Brand manager for a CPG.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
— One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
The best piece of advice I can give, is to look past the rankings and focus instead on identifying which school will best help you achieve your career objectives. I chose Kelley because of the strength of its Marketing Program and how well Kelley’s Consumer Marketing Academy prepares its students to perform during their summer internships.
— One thing you would change or do differently?
I recommend zeroing in on your intended industry and role right away. If you’re a career switcher like me, start your research now and then reach out to people working in these roles or at your target companies to gain insight on what it’s really like.
— Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Like many of you, I struggled with the GMAT. I took the test while on a year-long deployment in the Middle East. I’d recommend taking as many practice tests as you can stomach before you sit through the actual exam. It will help you work out your nerves and get used to the pacing required to be successful.
What is your initial impression of Kelley’s students/culture/community?
Last December, without knowing anything about the program here in Bloomington, I sent out an e-mail to five members of Kelley’s Veterans Club. Within two hours, I received responses from every one of them. Within days, I had conversations with most of them over the phone. This is the embodiment of what it’s like to be a part of the Kelley family.
One thing you have learned about s that has surprised you?
There’s a tradition here called the Kelley Clap. After every class, students and faculty alike applaud the exchange of ideas that’s taken place in the classroom. I thought it was a little weird at first, but I’ve since become a big fan of the tradition. I like to preempt my classmates by starting the clap slowly, like some scene out of the movie “Rudy”.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The idea of ‘networking’ always caused me anxiety. A good piece of advice that I received, was just to be yourself and think of it as a series of conversations. Find commonality and build from there.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m excited about watching D1 college basketball, because we might actually be good this year. Go Hoosiers!
Clear Admit Resources
Check out some of our Kelley School of Business resources:
- IU / Kelley Profile on the Clear Admit website: up-to-date advice and admissions information
- Clear Admit IU / Kelley Snapshot: overview of key curricular details and application information
- Clear Admit LiveWire: admissions updates submitted in real time by applicants to Kelley
- Clear Admit DecisionWire: school selections in real-time by admits to Kelley
