Tim Chormann, Rochester Simon Business School MBA Class of 2027
Age: 25
Hometown: Fairport, NY, but lived in Boston for the last three years professionally.
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Dayton; Business Management Major
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Business development consultant at Oracle for two years, and a commercial account executive at Datadog for over one year.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
It’s always been a goal of mine to pursue an MBA, but the real question for me was timing. During my undergrad years, I found an early interest in finance and economics but never changed course to pursue them as a major. Instead, after undergrad, I set out to sell in one of the most challenging industries that I could get into—technology. I knew that at the core of any future career, the ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate is critical, and sales gave me that foundation. After three years of success in tech sales, I felt confident in my abilities and realized it was the right moment to do some reinventing and reapply myself academically. I chose business school now to deepen my financial knowledge, strengthen my leadership skills, and pivot toward a long-term career in finance that I knew I always wanted to get into.
Why did you choose Rochester Simon? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Simon because the program is deeply rooted in quantitative coursework—an area I know I need to conquer to achieve my future career aspirations. The curriculum here at Simon emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making, while also drawing on research-based economic analysis. It is this foundation that will provide me with the financial acumen and leadership skills necessary to excel as a venture capitalist.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I think it is my tech sales background to be honest. There is so much that sales can teach you about people, what they care about, cultural differences, and the way businesses work that you cannot learn in a textbook. My hope is that I can share these real-world experiences with my class and also apply them in my own studies and career aspirations in venture capital.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am an avid skier! I’ve been skiing for as long as I can remember and always make an effort to get four or five runs in per year now that I am older.
Post-MBA career interests:
My post-MBA career interests include venture capital, private equity and/or corporate finance
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Take the time to meet with as many admissions advisors and student ambassadors as you possibly can. Connect with them and ask them all your questions because if they don’t know the answers, they will put you in contact with the expert who does, and you will be able to make a much more informed decision on where to spend the next two years growing as a business leader!
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I spent a lot of time on my admissions essays during the application process—admittedly more time than I would like to share! I think I would have spent more time researching and connecting with alumni ahead of my transition into the program, especially because of how fast recruiting for an internship comes up!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I think I would have skipped having to take microeconomics—ha, just kidding! But honestly, it was a tough class to come back into academia with after being in the workforce. What helped me get through it was leaning into all the support from TAs, my classmates, and especially the professor.
What is your initial impression of the Rochester Simon students/culture/community?
My favorite thing about Simon and the community here is the atmosphere! It is an environment that pushes you to grow through rigorous academics and challenging real-world scenarios. This culture is what inspires me to become the best version of myself, both as a student and as a future leader.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I hope to join the Simon School Venture Fund—it offers hands-on experience sourcing, evaluating, and investing in real startups, and I believe that this experience will ultimately help me in my transition to the field.
What is one thing you have learned about Rochester Simon that has surprised you?
One thing that really surprised me about Simon is its rich history and the strength of its alumni network. I hadn’t realized how many distinguished alumni have come through the program and gone on to accomplish incredible things in their respective careers. It is truly inspiring and motivating to be at such a highly regarded intuition.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
One thing I’m most excited about in my first year is the opportunity to learn alongside such a diverse and talented group of classmates. Coming from tech sales, I know how valuable different perspectives are when solving problems, and I’m eager to both share my own experiences and grow by learning from theirs.
