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. The small size of SMU Cox provides students with many benefits. To start, students receive considerable attention and support from the professors in the program. In addition, students have the ability to get considerable hands-on experience at firms around Dallas, thanks to the extensive network that SMU has throughout the city.
Of the 109 members of the Class of 2020, 30 percent are women. Another nine percent are military veterans, and 22 percent are from underrepresented minorities. The students at SMU Cox come from 13 different countries. The students have an average GMAT score of 653 and an average GPA of 3.4. The students come to the program with a considerable amount of professional experience, as they average five years of experience prior to enrolling at SMU Cox.
Although they are a small group, the students who attend SMU Cox know that they have a unique experience in front of them. If one thing becomes clear from these profiles, it will be that these students come from different walks of life and bring with them distinct experiences that inform their approach to business.
Without further ado, let’s meet five of the students who make up the latest class of SMU Cox students.
Garrison Weaver, SMU Cox MBA Class of 2020
Age: 27
Hometown: Newtown Square, PA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Richmond, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Concentration in Finance
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 5 years, Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions and Management
Why business school? Why now?
I made the decision to apply for business school because I noticed that many of the executives within the real estate industry hold post-graduate degrees such as a JD or MBA. I knew that in order to ascend within my chosen career, continuing my education was crucial to professional growth.
At the time, I was working for a small firm and knew that while I had an incredible amount of experience and responsibility, I had a limited professional network and wanted to attend an institution that would help expand that.
Why SMU Cox? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Over the past few years I had toyed with the idea of pursuing a master’s in real estate at either NYU or Columbia. However, after consulting with my mentors and others in the industry, I came to understand those programs focus nearly exclusively on New York City real estate. I did not intend on staying in New York forever, so I expanded my search to schools that had acclaimed real estate concentrations within the MBA program.
My prior career brought me to Dallas on several occasions and I knew that SMU’s program was extremely well regarded within Dallas real estate circles. After connecting with a classmate from Richmond in the program, I was introduced to Joseph Cahoon of the Folsom Institute for Real Estate at SMU.
He called me before I even applied, and we talked about my career and goals for my MBA and he walked me through all that Cox and Folsom had to offer. I was blown away by the depth and breadth of the offerings, both in and out of the classroom, and knew that the program would give me the tools to grow in innumerable ways.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
I think my most valuable contribution to the Class of 2020 is my experience in a variety of different roles within the real estate industry. As a society, we are changing the way that we look at the ownership and uses of commercial real estate and for many businesses, the cost of occupancy is one of the largest expenses that one must consider.
I hope to lend my experience from both an investment and operations perspective to my classmates so that they can understand the factors that go into corporate location and efficient use of real assets.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
In addition to cycling and running marathons, in my spare time I’m also an avid snooker player.
Post-MBA career interests?
Commercial real estate acquisitions and development
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would highly encourage prospective MBA students to do two things that I found helpful in my application process.
The first is to travel to each school, if possible, to get a feel for the campus, the facilities and try to get a read on the campus culture. This is immensely important and requires setting aside the time to walk the campus and attend a class or two.
The second, and closely associated with the first suggestion, is to work your current network to get in touch with anyone who is currently enrolled in or has attended the program. Students are generally candid about their experiences and you can ask questions that you might not feel comfortable asking an admissions representative.
If you don’t have a connection at your target schools, do some research or contact admissions to get the contact information for the leaders of various clubs you might consider on campus, especially those that are industry focused. While many schools are great at advertising the resources available, student-run organizations will help you better understand the variety of events and programs on campus.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I think I might have started my applications and essays for specific schools a bit earlier. I focused my time on studying for the GMAT and feel that I did not have the depth in certain essays that I really wanted. I would not underestimate that the qualitative components of the application are equally, if not more, important than the quantitative aspects.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I am not sure that I would skip anything. There are times when your schedule gets really tough and you might have to sacrifice some social aspects of life while applying to high-caliber programs. But, as much as you are trying to express yourself to the various programs, this process is about personal growth as well.
Understanding your motivations about going back to school and taking a hard look at your life experiences to date allows applicants to begin their growth experience before stepping on campus, which then accelerates as you become closer to your class and gain knowledge from other students and your professors. Embrace the process of the application and focus on why you are choosing to go back to school.
What is your initial impression of SMU Cox’s students/culture/community?
SMU’s culture is extremely inclusive. The entire class is meshing very well both in and out of the classroom. Our core professors are pushing us to learn the material but are also going above and beyond to make themselves available to anyone who might feel as if they are not grasping the new concepts.
I am also impressed by the Career Management Center’s inclusion in the curriculum through dedicated classes to help you both find your ideal career path (for those switching industries) and to prepare you to speak with employers and prepare your resume and associated applications. It is designed to give you every tool that you will need to target and pursue employment opportunities as they present themselves.
One thing you have learned about SMU Cox that has surprised you?
I am thoroughly impressed by the alumni base that exists in and around Dallas, from both undergraduate and graduate students. SMU is the face of this town and the energy and enthusiasm about the Cox School of Business is felt from the Lunch and Learn programs with prospective employers, to the Business Leadership Center presentations, to the Boulevard on Saturdays. The alumni pride manifests itself in a willingness to help students grow and become the next generation of business leaders.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am anxious about how patient I will need to be in finding an internship for next summer. The real estate industry is a little different in that the availability of positions for MBA interns is not set until the beginning of the second semester.
Thus, I will have to continue to be diligent and network for opportunities through March or April of next year. This is opposed to my classmates seeking leadership development programs and investment banking internships, whose summer plans will be mostly complete at the start of second semester.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am looking forward to my Global Leadership Program (GLP) trip at the end of the second semester this year. Each year, the GLP takes every student on a trip to two cities in Asia, Europe, or South America.
I plan to travel this year to Bogota, Columbia and Panama City, Panama. I hope to use this opportunity to study the growth and planning in South American cities and try to find ways to incorporate them into revitalizing American cities. The best part about the trip is that it is fully included in your tuition!
Olesya Sukhareva, SMU Cox MBA Class of 2020
Age: 32
Hometown: McKinney, TX
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Georgia Tech, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 9 years, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Why business school? Why now?
Having worked 9 years in Research & Development at a CPG company, I was able to obtain a substantial technical understanding of product innovation and process improvement. However, I wanted to learn more about the business side, like what specifically goes into marketing a new product, the logistical details of procuring raw ingredients, and how to read and understand a company’s annual report. For me, business school was the obvious next step.
Why SMU Cox? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Since I wanted to stay local, I was looking for a Texas school with a reputable MBA program. A friend of mine had received her MBA from SMU Cox a few years back, so I decided to talk to her about her experience.
She absolutely loved her time at SMU, from the faculty & staff to the people in her MBA class to all the extras SMU provides that other schools don’t have, such as the Business Leadership Center and the Leadership Development Program. It didn’t take long for her to convince me that SMU Cox was the place where I wanted to be.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
In addition to my technical background, I spent a fairly long time (almost a decade!) in industry, and there are some things that just simply cannot be taught in the classroom. I hope to be able to pull on that knowledge to help my peers in ventures outside the classroom, such as case studies, interview preparation, and general insight into the CPG industry.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I love dogs! In fact, I have been a volunteer and foster for the Boston Terrier Rescue of North Texas for the past two years. In addition to my 3 dogs, we typically have between 1 and 2 fosters at my house at any given time, so most of the time it’s a madhouse! It’s important for me to get the “adopt, don’t shop” word out there. There are so many wonderful shelter and rescue dogs that need a forever home, and I love being part of a group that helps them find that.
Post-MBA career interests?
My goal is to land a role in supply chain and/or operations management. I would love to work for a retailer like Target or Walmart to help develop their eCommerce portfolio. Nearly all businesses rely on logistics to deliver their product to their customers, and I want to be a part of making that process as quick and efficient as possible.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Research the school as much as you can – What makes it stand out from other institutions? How big is the class size? What does the program offer, both as part of the curriculum and outside of class? You need to be able to give a truthful, concise answer when asked “Why SMU?”
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would give myself more time to prepare for the GMAT/GRE. Specifically, the biggest piece of advice I would give is to time yourself when taking practice tests. That’s something I didn’t do, and I ended up running out of time during the actual test, which cost me points in the end.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Again, the GMAT/GRE! Studying for a test is a skill I had to relearn after being out of practice for almost 10 years. I had to figure out how to deconstruct paragraphs and draw Venn diagrams all over again. However, it prepared me for re-entry into academia, and I’ve actually found overlapping material in some of my MBA classes.
What is your initial impression of SMU Cox’s students/culture/community?
The SMU Cox community is essentially a support group filled with professors, career coaches, mentors, and peers that want to help you succeed in any way they can. Someone is always there to answer your questions, whether they are about last night’s homework assignment, the company you want to interview with for your internship, or the best taco joint in Uptown. I am proud to be able to call myself a part of this community and hope to contribute to it both during my time here and post graduation.
One thing you have learned about SMU Cox that has surprised you?
The network here is extensive; there is almost always someone that knows someone else that works in the company/industry/sector you’re interested in. Make connections! You never know when you’ll need to utilize them in the future.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Learning how to be a student again!
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Taking classes on topics I have little to no prior knowledge about, like accounting! I had no idea what a balance sheet was 4 weeks ago.
Coleman Carter, SMU Cox MBA Class of 2020
Age: 27
Hometown: Amarillo, TX
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Harvard (Economics)
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): IT Consulting at CPSG Partners/Mercer for 5 years
Why business school? Why now?
I wanted to learn new business skills and grow my professional network. My wife finished her Master’s degree at Vanderbilt in May, and now it is my turn!
Why SMU Cox? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I wanted to return to my home state and be in a smaller program where I could know most of my classmates.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
I think the most valuable thing I bring to my class is the belief that corporate culture is as important as a company’s profitability.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I have competed in several gripping competitions. It is a very niche “sport” with a great community.
Post-MBA career interests?
Strategy and entrepreneurship.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I got a lot out of talking to current students and alumni about their experiences at their school.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started my application earlier to avoid a stressful sprint to the finish line.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Updating my resume feels like pulling teeth to me. Shout out to my school counselor wife for helping me!
What is your initial impression of SMU Cox’s students/culture/community?
The community is very strong, and second-years and alumni are very willing to help you out in any ways they can.
One thing you have learned about SMU Cox that has surprised you?
How quickly the module schedule moves. You have to stay on top of your work.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I feel like I just got here but am already on the internship hunt. The good part is that there are so many employers coming to campus that you have lots of opportunities to interact with them and see what their company culture is like.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited about the Global Leadership Program, which is a required part of the Cox MBA curriculum for First Years. We travel to two countries in our choice of Europe, Asia or South America, where we meet with local business and government leaders and visit manufacturing facilities to better understand the dynamics of global business.
Wesley Wilson Clingman, SMU Cox MBA Class of 2020
Age: 26
Hometown: Montgomery, AL
Undergraduate Institution and Major: The University of Virginia : Major, Government
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Stephens Inc. – Investment Banking (3 1/2 years); Jim Wilson & Associates – Real Estate (3 months)
Why business school? Why now?
I was looking to pivot careers and business school was an opportunity to invest in my education and better equip myself for a broader range of career choices.
Why SMU Cox? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
SMU’s Cox School of Business has an excellent reputation, and I was particularly drawn to the student / professor ratio and the caliber of faculty. The Cox School also offers an extensive alumni network.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
We are most valuable as a collective group. The more we learn from one another’s skill sets and backgrounds, the more we enhance our own MBA experience.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I love horses!
Post-MBA career interests?
Business Development, Brand Management and Entrepreneurship.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Visit the school and meet current students.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started studying earlier for the GMAT / GRE.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT / GRE. The opportunity for a great education helped me get through it.
What is your initial impression of SMU Cox’s students/culture/community?
SMU’s Cox community is extremely friendly and tight-knit. The faculty welcomes questions and new ideas. As a class we enjoy working hard, but we also love intramural sports and happy hours.
One thing you have learned about SMU Cox that has surprised you?
SMU has incredible career resources as well as academic resources. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Business Leadership Program seminars as well as student led organizations.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Mod A Finals.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
To have a better understanding of business fundamentals and to have made new friends.
Ismail “Ish” Simpson, SMU Cox MBA Class of 2020
Age: 34
Hometown: Lawton, Oklahoma
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Stanford University, Communication
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Apple – Business Analyst 7 years; Venture Capital, 2 years; Business Development Manager in Marketing for 2 years
Why business school? Why now?
I wanted to go to business school to pivot careers and now is the correct time for me because I’ve worked in many industries and now I know which one suits me best.
Why SMU Cox? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I was attracted to Cox because of the small class size and the proximity to the thriving Dallas business community.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
I think I bring a diverse set of work experiences and I’m a former college football player.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I lived in Heidelberg, Germany for 3 years when I was a kid.
Post-MBA career interests?
Investment Banking, Corporate Strategy
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I connected with a Cox alum and he was extremely helpful.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
If I was going through the application process again I would tell myself to reach out to alums in my area to get their opinion.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Don’t know that I would have skipped anything, but hearing from someone who had already been in my shoes was great.
What is your initial impression of SMU Cox’s students/culture/community?
The community at SMU Cox is eager to help you succeed. I’ve met SMU alums both on and off campus who are always willing to give you some of their time in order to help you.
One thing you have learned about SMU Cox that has surprised you?
We are given many opportunities to interact with potential employers right when we show up on campus.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I’m a little anxious about returning to school after having been out in the work world for so many years.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m excited to be a student again, I’m excited to get to know my classmates better, and I’m excited to learn as much as I can from the great faculty we have at SMU Cox.
Clear Admit Resources
As you work on your SMU / Cox MBA essays and application, we encourage you to consider all of Clear Admit’s SMU / Cox offerings:
- SMU Cox Profile on the Clear Admit website: up-to-date advice and admissions information
- Clear Admit LiveWire: admissions updates submitted in real time by applicants to SMU Cox
- Clear Admit DecisionWire: school selections in real-time by admits to SMU Cox
