Logan Hicks, Vanderbilt Owen MBA Class of 2027
Age: 28
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Pepperdine University
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Public Accounting & Consulting: Ernst & Young – 3 Years, Embark – 3 Years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I decided to attend business school because I want to solve problems that are more strategic, rather than accounting or reporting. The timing decision was mostly personal. My wife Madison and I are in a nimble position with no kids or mortgage, and if I were to go back to school, now would be the best time.
Why did you choose Vanderbilt Owen? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I selected Vanderbilt because of its location and the personal connections I had. As a Nashville native, Vanderbilt’s proximity to family, friends, and previous colleagues made it an attractive choice. Nashville is an incredible city with a great music scene, which I love. Additionally, I had some close friends attend Owen, and I saw firsthand how it transformed their careers. These factors solidified Vanderbilt as my top choice.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I once met Mark Hamill in a grocery store and attempted to convince him to buy knockoff Girl Scout cookies. I was unsuccessful, but I made him smile.
Post-MBA career interests:
Solving strategic or finance problems either in a corporate or consulting role.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Meet with my admissions contact, Jalen Brown. Jalen was an incredible resource to me during my application process. He and the entire Owen recruiting team are great resources and are here to help you discern if Owen is right for you.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have attended the admitted students day. Unfortunately, I missed it due to an already planned vacation. I heard the event was a lot of fun and helpful in getting a feel for what attending Vanderbilt would be like.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The application waiting period. After completing my application, I was excited to attend Owen and wanted to hear back about my admission decision immediately. What helped most during this period was focusing on exactly what I wanted to get out of my MBA. As a goal-oriented person, it was helpful to map out my goals and then have my admission decision come to help chart the path to completing them.
What is your initial impression of the Vanderbilt Owen students/culture/community?
Collaborative. I was not interested in attending an overly competitive MBA program where classmates don’t collaborate and are constantly competing for class ranking. After speaking to current and former students, I could tell that the community and culture were collaborative, which was what I was looking for.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
My club involvement aligns directly with my career interests – I’ve joined the Owen Strategy and Consulting Club, Entrepreneurship Club, and Healthcare Club. I am also a Recruiting Experience Advisor, so I can have the same impact on prospective students that others had on me during my recruitment journey.
What is one thing you have learned about Vanderbilt Owen that has surprised you?
I had no idea you could study abroad during your time at Owen. I’ve enjoyed meeting the exchange students at Owen this semester.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Learning about brand new topics and ways of thinking. I’m excited to challenge myself, step out of my comfort zone, and learn something brand new.
