Lauren Boros, Stanford GSB’s MSx Class of 2020
Age: (um, excuse me?) 33
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Columbia University, Philosophy
Pre-MSx Work Experience (years, industry): 11, Education
Why business school? Why now?
I never thought that as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal I would develop a skill set that would qualify me for a seat at Stanford, let alone any b-school. Throughout my decade in urban education, I’ve learned each of my skills through trial and error, looking up to mentors, and simply figuring it out, because I had to.
First, I learned to manage a classroom and plan an impactful lesson. As I transitioned into leadership, I drank from a communication firehose. In a single day, I could talk to a donor about our most recent accomplishment, a freshman about attending office hours to make-up his Unit 2 test, a prospective parent about choosing our school for her daughter, and a teacher who saw tremendous growth in one of his toughest classes.
My communication skills were honed by necessity, not by training. When I founded The Noble Academy, I set an ambitious and innovative vision, strategically planning to build a unique public institution devoted to student-led, discussion-based learning. It was the first of its kind. I hired an entire founding team without any HR experience. This innovation was grueling and one of the best experiences of my life.
I then looked to take the next step in my journey to create a more just world. I’m excited to sit on the other side of the desk, as a student again to fill my skill gaps and build a stronger foundation from which I’ll spring into the next leg of my journey. Through its diverse community and philosophy of active engagement and collaboration, Stanford’s MSx Program is giving me the tools to expand my influence exponentially.
Why Stanford MSx? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I was eager to learn with a cohort of like-minded people from different backgrounds and fields of work. After working in education for a decade, I was looking to engage with different professional perspectives to broaden my own. Stanford’s emphasis on changing lives and the world around us melds harmoniously with what’s driven me my whole life. It excites me as a uniting force for MSx students.
I have two incredibly inquisitive daughters and spending a year of our lives in such a rich community is a life-changing experience, leading to a greater understanding of the world, a deepened appreciation for multiculturalism, and lifelong friendships. I see my daughters making dumplings with my Chinese classmates, and folding origami with my Japanese classmates’ kids and tasting Southern Indian cuisine with my studymate.
My husband who recently graduated from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business nerds out about impact investing with my classmates in the Center for Social Innovation. I was raised in a family that values community, diversity of thought and experience, and compassionate perspective and engagement; Stanford allows me to continue to promote these ideals with my own children.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
As an educator, I see the world differently that someone who’s been in Finance for a decade. Both of these perspectives are important and valued here. You need the two to get into wild back-and-forth in MicroEcon about the value of business.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
Even before visiting the offices on our East Coast Study Trip this fall, I loved the NYTimes. In fact, my high school ‘senior most-likely’ predicted that I’d be Will Shortz’s successor. (He’s still the crossword editor and I still do the puzzle every day.)
Post-MSx career interests?
I hope to help leaders and organizations in the social sector have greater impact through design thinking. This might look like a couple different things, but at the heart of it, I want to design with people who want to make the world a better place.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Spend months on my essays. Sorry, but it’s true. Write them, then leave them be for a week. Pick them up again, and you’ll see a million ways to make them better reflective of who you are. Leave plenty of time to rinse and repeat.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would come to campus and spend some more time meeting students, sit in on a class, chat with the admissions office and get to know the lay of the land more intimately.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Everyone probably says the GMAT, so I’ll give a different headache. Gathering all the transcripts from each school I attended can be a pain. I sent requests, emails, faxes, carrier pigeons very early so I had plenty of time to procure all the required documents.
What is your initial impression of Stanford’s students/culture/community?
“I’d be happy to connect you” is everyone’s go-to line. It’s amazing how people here want to connect people in ways that would benefit either. Whether you’re interested in venture capital or Thai food, someone will always offer to connect you to someone with whom you will surely enjoy.
One thing you have learned about Stanford that has surprised you?
The access here is unreal. When a distinguished speaker comes to class, he/she will often entertain questions individually after the group. Every time I’ve expressed interest in their work, I’ve been invited to connect by phone again, grab coffee or even visit their offices (I’m headed to Google next week). It’s surreal.
Thing you are most anxious about this year?
It’s going by too quickly! I’m anxious that I won’t finish everything I intend to do. But that’s ok because everyone fears this. So we all run around like crazy people all the time—it connects us.
Thing you are most excited about this year?
I am most thrilled to have already developed lifelong friends. And it’s not only my friendships that will transform who I am, but my children’s friendships, with my classmates’ kids, will instill a global acceptance, empathy and kindness that our world needs more of. I’m excited that Stanford is giving it to both me and my kids.
