Levi Pingrey, Carnegie Mellon Tepper MBA Class of 2027
Age: 29
Hometown: Coon Rapids, Iowa
Undergraduate Institution and Major: United States Military Academy at West Point / Civil Engineering with Honors
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Armor Officer, US Army, 6 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After six years in the Army, I felt ready for a new challenge. I’d built a solid foundation in leadership and operations, but I knew I needed to round that out with stronger business and analytical skills. Transitioning off active duty made it the perfect time to step back, invest in myself, and prepare for a career shift into consulting.
Why did you choose Carnegie Mellon Tepper? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The Tepper School stood out for a few reasons. The school’s reputation for data-driven decision making matched the engineering mindset I developed during undergrad. Also, the Accelerate Leadership Center showed me that the Tepper School takes leadership growth seriously. But, honestly, what made the difference was my interaction with the admissions staff and the Veterans Club after receiving my offer. The admissions staff took a genuine interest in answering my most important questions regarding how I would fit at the Tepper School and the Veterans Club showed me how tight-knit the community I would be entering was.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
Having served in the Army for six years, I bring a perspective shaped by leadership and developing others. Guiding young leaders and watching them grow was one of the most rewarding parts of my service. At the Tepper School, I hope to continue contributing as both a leader and a supportive teammate, while also learning from the diverse expertise of my classmates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m an aspiring ski bum. Skiing became a passion during my six years in Colorado, and I’ve got my sights set on Japan this winter.
Post-MBA career interests:
Management consulting
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Before starting any application, take the time to reflect. Reflect on who you are, what you value most, your journey so far, and where you want to be in the future. Your application should be an authentic representation of yourself and taking the time to really sit with yourself and figure that out will pay dividends in the long run. My self-reflection gave me confidence in how I told my story to admission committees because I knew it was truly a version of myself.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I had connected with current students before submitting my applications. After being accepted, I found that every student I reached out to was more than willing to share their time and insights. Looking back, I realize how valuable those conversations would have been earlier in the process.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The standardized testing. Preparing while balancing the demands of my job was one of the hardest parts of the process. There were plenty of late nights when studying was the last thing I wanted to do, but I created a schedule and stuck to shorter, consistent study sessions. That structure helped me stay on track, and in hindsight, it also gave me a good reminder of the discipline I’d need to succeed once I got back into an academic environment.
What is your initial impression of the Carnegie Mellon Tepper students/culture/community?
The Tepper School community is collaborative and welcoming. From day one, classmates and 2nd years have been eager to share advice, answer questions, and support one another. That same spirit extends to the faculty, who are not only experts in their fields, but also approachable and committed to student success. It’s clear the community is focused on collective achievement.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’ve joined the Tepper Consulting Club for professional development and preparation going into recruiting this fall. I’ve also joined the Tepper Veterans Association because it gives me the opportunity to connect with other veterans and pay it forward. The support I received from vets during my application process made a huge difference, and I want to do the same for those coming after me.
What is one thing you have learned about Carnegie Mellon Tepper that has surprised you?
I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how strong and engaged the Tepper School network is beyond the classroom. Alumni have been quick to respond, generous with their time, and willing to offer candid advice. It’s shown me that the support system here extends well past the MBA program itself.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m excited to push myself in a new environment, balancing academics, recruiting, and everything else that comes with business school. It’s going to be a challenge, but one I’m really looking forward to tackling with the support of my classmates.
