Madison Harvey, Carnegie Mellon Tepper MBA Class of 2028
Age: 24
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Fisk University- B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Economics
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Analyst for Windcreek Chicago Southland in the casino/ hospitality industry
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I decided to attend business school now because I felt I reached a point in my career where I was ready to take on a new challenge and be more intentional about my long-term goals. I knew I wanted to transition into investment banking, and pursuing an MBA would give me the technical foundation, resources, and network needed to make that transition successfully. At the same time, I saw business school as an opportunity for personal growth. I wanted to immerse myself in a new environment where I could challenge myself both professionally and personally. I felt that this was the right time to make that investment in myself and build the skills and relationships that would position me for the next stage of my career.
Why did you choose Carnegie Mellon Tepper? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
When I was originally exploring MBA programs, I knew I wanted to move away from Chicago. My family, friends, and entire support system are there, and while that has always been incredibly meaningful to me, I also recognized that pursuing a demanding career in investment banking would require me to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone. I saw business school as an opportunity not only to grow professionally, but also to grow personally. As I researched programs, I was particularly drawn to Carnegie Mellon Tepper’s close-knit and collaborative community. I’m someone who thrives in environments where people genuinely support and learn from one another, and Tepper’s culture really stood out to me. I also valued the strong involvement of Tepper’s alumni and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships within a network that extends well beyond the classroom. From a career perspective, I knew Tepper would provide the resources and support I needed to successfully transition into investment banking. In particular, the Graduate Finance Association was a major draw because of the preparation, guidance, and recruiting resources it provides. Ultimately, my decision came down to finding a program where I could push myself outside of my comfort zone while still being part of a strong and supportive community. Tepper offered that balance, while also giving me the tools and network to pursue my long-term career goals.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
My most valuable contribution to the Class of 2028 would be my ability to build genuine community and uplift the people around me. I have always been someone who thrives through connection. I enjoy bringing people together, learning from different perspectives, and creating an environment where others feel comfortable being themselves and confident sharing their ideas. To me, being part of a community means more than simply participating; it means being intentional about contributing to the success of those around you. Whether that means encouraging a classmate through a challenging course, sharing a resource or opportunity, celebrating someone else’s accomplishment, or simply being the person others know they can turn to, I believe individual success becomes more meaningful when it is shared. As a member of the Class of 2028, I bring that same mindset into the classroom and the broader MBA community. I want to be known not only for what I accomplish individually, but also for the relationships I build and the ways I contribute to the experiences of my classmates. I bring warmth, energy, and a genuine interest in getting to know the people around me. Ultimately, I hope to help create a class culture where we challenge one another professionally, support one another personally, and continue investing in each other’s success long after graduation.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I write and perform spoken word poetry. I love to travel and experience different cultures and my goal is to go to 30 countries before the age of 30.
Post-MBA career interests: My immediate post-MBA career goal is to pursue a career in investment banking, where I can strengthen my expertise in financial analysis, valuation, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic decision-making while advising companies through complex transactions. I see investment banking as an opportunity to develop the technical skills, business judgment, and leadership experience necessary to create a lasting impact throughout my career. Long term, I want to use the knowledge and financial expertise I gain throughout my career to expand access to financial education in Black and Brown communities. After my career in investment banking, I aspire to establish a nonprofit organization focused on teaching individuals and families how to invest, manage their finances, and build generational wealth. I also plan to create a scholarship fund for students from underrepresented backgrounds who aspire to earn an MBA but may face financial barriers to pursuing graduate education.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
If I were going through the application process again, I would absolutely apply through The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management again. One of the greatest benefits of The Consortium is its common application, which allows applicants to apply to multiple member schools through a single application rather than navigating each school’s process separately. This made the MBA application process much more streamlined and accessible. Beyond the application itself, however, the most valuable part of my Consortium experience has been the community. The Consortium has introduced me to a broader network of students and professionals and has given me the opportunity to build genuine relationships with other Consortium fellows. Those connections have reinforced how valuable it is to be surrounded by people who are invested not only in their own success, but also in supporting and uplifting one another.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
One thing I would do differently is join more info sessions! There were a lot of opportunities I missed out on my summer before my MBA because I did not attend info sessions to learn about them.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
One part I would’ve skipped is I wasted a lot of time applying to schools I knew I had no interest in attending. If I could do it over again, I would do more research and would have maybe applied to my top 3 and a “safety” school.
What is your initial impression of the Carnegie Mellon Tepper students/culture/community?
One part of the application process I would have approached differently is the number of schools I applied to. I spent a significant amount of time applying to programs that, when I was honest with myself, I knew I had little interest in attending. Looking back, I would have been much more intentional about researching each program beforehand and determining which schools truly aligned with my academic, professional, and personal goals. If I could do the process again, I would likely focus my time and energy on my top three programs and one additional “safety” school.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
Since beginning my time at the Tepper School, I have intentionally joined organizations that align with both my professional goals and my commitment to building community. I joined Tepper Women in Business because I wanted to surround myself with ambitious women who are navigating similar professional spaces while also developing a strong support system. As I pursue a career in investment banking, an industry where women continue to be underrepresented, I value having a community where I can learn from other women, build meaningful relationships, and eventually provide that same support to others. Subsequently, I joined the Graduate Finance Association because of my goal of pursuing investment banking after graduation. I wanted to become part of a community of students with similar interests in finance while gaining greater exposure to the industry, strengthening my technical and professional skills, and learning from classmates who bring different experiences and perspectives to the field. I see the organization as an important resource as I prepare for recruiting and continue developing the skills necessary for a successful career in investment banking. Lastly, I joined the Black Business Association because having a strong sense of community is extremely important to me. I wanted to connect with other Black graduate students and professionals who understand both the opportunities and challenges that can come with navigating business school and corporate environments.
What is one thing you have learned about Carnegie Mellon Tepper that has surprised you?
One thing that surprised me about the Tepper School was how genuinely the school cares about its students’ overall well-being. I expected Tepper to provide strong academic and career resources, but I was impressed by how many thoughtful resources are available to support us beyond the classroom. Students have access to free buses and bikes, free therapy once a week, free workout classes, and even regular meals and snacks provided by the school. These benefits may seem small individually, but together they show that Tepper is intentional about making students feel supported and cared for. It has made my experience feel more welcoming and has reinforced that Tepper values us not only as students, but also as people.
