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Real Humans of MBA Students

Published: October 7, 2026
Real Humans of the Manchester AMBS MBA Class of 2028
Some new members of the University of Manchester Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) MBA Class of 2028 are here to share their professional and admissions journeys in this edition of our Real Humans: MBA Students series. To start, Silvia Mercedes Porturas Flores arrives from Lima, Peru, with more than a decade of experience across banking and fintech. After beginning her career at Banco de Crédito del Perú and later taking on strategy, growth, and business management challenges at fintech Culqi, she chose the MBA as an opportunity to add a global perspective to her Read more
Published: October 5, 2026
Real Humans of the Berkeley Haas MBA Class of 2028
The members of the Berkeley Haas MBA Class of 2028 in this Real Humans: MBA Students share an appreciation for Haas’s close-knit culture, Bay Area location, and Defining Leadership Principles. From building startups and expanding access to healthcare to strengthening local communities, these four students are arriving in Berkeley ready to learn from one another and make an impact. Anna Joung comes to Haas from Seoul, South Korea, with eight years of experience in tech, including go-to-market and growth product management. After watching the AI startup ecosystem accelerate—and seeing Korean startups increasingly relocate to Read more
Published: October 1, 2026
Real Humans of the Johns Hopkins Carey MBA Class of 2028
Meet some new members of the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School MBA Class of 2028 in this installment of our Real Humans: MBA Students series. To start, Jubelo Oyeniran arrives at Carey with a foundation in accounting and finance and an entrepreneurial track record. After earning degrees in accounting and forensic accounting and investigative finance, he worked in public accounting while building Kairos Nexus Global, a TEDCO-backed company connecting businesses with pre-vetted talent across emerging markets. A former junior Olympian, NCAA athlete, child actor, and professional emcee, Oyeniran hopes to combine his financial expertise Read more
Published: September 30, 2026
Real Humans of the Maryland Smith MBA Class of 2028
New members of the MBA Class of 2028 at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business shed light on the application process, their admissions journeys and more in this Real Humans: MBA Students. Across the cohort, students point to Smith’s collaborative culture, experiential approach, location in the greater Washington, D.C., region and growing integration of AI into the curriculum as important elements of their MBA experience. To start, Mae Howlin is already well acquainted with Smith, having earned her undergraduate degree there in International Business and Supply Chain Management. After three years in Read more
Published: September 28, 2026
Real Humans of the Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2028
In this edition of our Real Humans: MBA Students series, we head to Washington, D.C., to meet a handful of new members of the Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2028. To start, Donté Harrington comes to McDonough after roughly four-and-a-half years in private equity deal originations at TELEO Capital Management. A Boise State graduate who also played six seasons of college football, Harrington decided an MBA was the right next step after gaining exposure to the broader world of finance and identifying new possibilities for his career. Then, Khush Trivedi brings four years of Read more
Published: September 23, 2026
Real Humans of Indiana Kelley MBA Class of 2028
Meet some of the newest members of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business MBA Class of 2028 in this installment of our ongoing Real Humans: MBA Students series. A Syracuse University graduate in broadcast and digital journalism, Carter Bainbridge arrives at Kelley after two-and-a-half years as on-air talent in sports media. We then meet Chanoknan (Mind) Srimuang with an international and multidisciplinary perspective from Thailand, where she worked across government, food and beverage, trade and small business environments. Then, Keaton May is making the leap from the high school classroom to business after Read more
Published: September 21, 2026
Real Humans of the NYU Stern MBA Class of 2028
We welcome a handful of students from the NYU Stern MBA Class of 2028 to share their admissions and professional journeys in this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students. While their experiences and post-MBA ambitions vary, the new Sternies share an appreciation for the school’s collaborative culture, emphasis on IQ + EQ, and New York City location. To start, Lydia Whitbeck comes to Stern after seven years in sustainability, including work developing the University of Michigan’s carbon neutrality strategy and four years in corporate sustainability consulting. At Stern, she hopes to bridge her sustainability expertise with Read more
Published: September 16, 2026
Real Humans of the University of Florida Warrington MBA Class of 2028
In this Real Humans: MBA Students, we meet some new members of the Florida Warrington MBA Class of 2028. These students’ backgrounds span healthcare, engineering, nonprofit leadership, insurance, retail, science, and natural resources. Drawn to Warrington’s close-knit culture, strong return on investment, and expansive Gator alumni network, these students are united by a desire to broaden their business expertise while pursuing careers in consulting, strategy, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and finance. To open the series, Casey G. Hudspeth shares her distinctive background in biological sciences, veterinary medicine, and fisheries research, aiming to transition into corporate sustainability. Read more
Published: September 14, 2026
Real Humans of the Cornell Johnson MBA Class of 2028
The Cornell University Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management MBA Class of 2028 brings together leaders from across industries and around the world, united by a desire to expand their impact through Johnson’s collaborative community and hands-on learning model. From military leadership and fintech to private equity, entrepreneurship, consumer products, technology, and entertainment, the six students representing the class in this Real Humans: MBA Students arrived in Ithaca with diverse experiences and ambitious goals. To start, Amanoa Elias de Godoy joins Johnson after nine years leading sales operations at one of Brazil’s top fintech companies. Inspired Read more
Published: September 9, 2026
Real Humans of the UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Class of 2028
We kick off our Real Humans: MBA Students series, in which first-year MBA candidates share their admissions journeys and program insights, in North Carolina with the UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Class of 2028. The members of the new class bring a range of experiences and aspirations to Chapel Hill, united by a shared commitment to leadership, collaboration, and creating meaningful impact. To start, Alonso Arzola arrived from Mexico City after a decade as an architect leading commercial real estate projects, with plans to launch a sustainable real estate development firm. Then, Vrithika Rachel Joseph transitioned from accounting Read more
Published: July 15, 2026
Real Humans of NYU Stern’s MS in Business Analytics and AI Class of 2027
The NYU Stern School of Business MS in Business Analytics and AI Class of 2027 brings together seasoned professionals from across industries who are returning to the classroom with a shared goal: to understand and apply the power of data and AI to real-world business challenges. In this special edition of our Real Humans stories, we get to meet some students behind the degree. To start, Alicia Younker shares her story of wanting to move into a more analytically driven career Read more
Published: May 5, 2026
Real Humans of the Michigan Ross School of Business MBA Class of 2027
Take a look inside MBA student life at Michigan Ross as the Class of 2027 shares their educational journeys in this edition of our Real Humans: MBA Students series. The class reflects the school’s hallmark blend of collaboration, action-based learning, and community-driven leadership. From Brian Lim’s path through the South Korean military and Samsung’s semiconductor engineering and HR functions to Trinity Torres’s brand, partnership, hospitality, and venture experience, the class brings together professionals ready to translate specialized expertise into broader strategic impact. Hannah Grauze adds a data-driven marketing analytics perspective from the agency world, Read more
Published: March 30, 2026
Real Humans of the London Business School One-Year MBA Class of 2026
The London Business School One-Year MBA Class of 2026 brings together a truly global cohort of experienced professionals united by a desire to accelerate their careers while broadening their perspectives. In this Real Humans: MBA Students, we meet six new members of the One-Year MBA Class of 2026. From Mumbai, Eshan Desai arrives with a strong foundation in equity research at J.P. Morgan, looking to deepen his international exposure and continue in finance, while San Read more
Published: February 11, 2026
Real Humans of the Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business MBA Class of 2027
The Real Humans of the Notre Dame Mendoza MBA Class of 2027 showcase the program’s signature blend of values-driven leadership, close-knit community, and career momentum. The cohort includes career-changers like John Epley, who leveraged early ownership in pharmaceutical sales and a student-athlete’s competitive edge to make a deliberate pivot into finance. Margo Miller brings experience in sports marketing and partnerships at Publicis Media, using the MBA to move closer to the decisions that shape brands. With a deep analytics toolkit built across defense manufacturing and market research, Jameson Foran moved to Mendoza Read more
Published: February 9, 2026
Real Humans of the Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2027
In this edition of our Real Humans: MBA Students series, we get to know some new members of the Harvard Business School MBA Class of 2027. This year’s class includes leaders shaped by corporate talent strategy, global consulting, professional sports, consumer brand building, and social-impact investing across emerging markets—all united by a desire to deepen their leadership capacity and broaden their impact. To start, Haleigh Stark brings experience from human resources (HR), having worked in talent management and elevated HR’s role in driving organizational change. Then, Marc Berbari, whose career spans consulting engagements across Read more
Published: February 2, 2026
Real Humans of the UCLA Anderson MBA Class of 2027
We head to Los Angeles, California, in this Real Humans: MBA Students to get an inside look at UCLA Anderson School of Management. The students providing insights include Jordan Kouassi, who brings a strong analytical and strategic foundation to UCLA Anderson, shaped by experience in private wealth credit at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and four years as a senior analyst at McKinsey & Company. Approaching a new chapter, he chose UCLA Anderson to invest intentionally in learning, explore entrepreneurial ideas, and build long-term roots in Southern California, drawn by the school’s diverse career Read more
Published: January 19, 2026
Real Humans of the Minnesota Carlson MBA Class of 2027
In this Real Humans: MBA Students, we meet some new members of the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management MBA Class of 2027. These new students convene a wide range of professional paths, united by a shared commitment to leadership, collaboration, and real-world impact. To start, Jordan Lenway arrived at Carlson after a decade of high-stakes operational leadership spanning the U.S. Army and Amazon, where he managed large teams and complex supply chains before pursuing an MBA to pivot into strategy and consulting through Carlson’s Enterprise programs. Then, Kyle Read more
Published: January 7, 2026
Real Humans of the HEC Paris MBA Class of 2027
The Real Humans of the HEC Paris MBA Class of 2027 capture the program’s distinctive blend of global perspective, intellectual range, and community-first energy. To start, Gabriela Scott matriculated after several years in consulting at Grant Thornton and Guidehouse, and is using the MBA as a deliberate reset to fill knowledge gaps and refocus on learning. With roots split across Europe, South America, and North America, she’s drawn to HEC’s international community and is already leaning into campus life through student leadership and wellbeing-focused commitments. Then, Michael Nnamdi Peters brings a people analytics and digital transformation lens from Read more
Published: January 5, 2026
Real Humans of the Texas McCombs MBA Class of 2027
The Real Humans of the Texas McCombs MBA Class of 2027 reflect what makes the program: collaborative, down-to-earth, and driven by people who want to build—whether that’s new companies, new career paths, or stronger communities. This group spans spacecraft engineering and professional sports, global finance and Nigerian capital markets, and data-driven strategy work at the intersection of AI, customer experience, and inclusion. What ties them together is a shared hunger to understand the why behind big decisions—and the willingness to show up for one another while they learn, lead, and take bold next steps. For Natasha Read more
Published: December 29, 2025
Real Humans of the Manchester AMBS MBA Class of 2027
The University of Manchester Alliance Manchester Business School MBA Class of 2027 brings together a globally diverse, action-oriented cohort united by a shared commitment to learning by doing and leading with impact. From Lagos, Toluca, Lima, London, Addis Ababa, and Indore, these students arrive with deep experience across entrepreneurship, fintech, consumer products, social enterprise, supply chain, consulting, and sustainability—and a clear desire to translate ambition into execution. Chukwuka Dele-Oyeleru headed to Manchester as an operator-founder who has built and scaled ventures across emerging markets, now seeking the financial and strategic rigor to grow into institutional-scale Read more
Published: December 22, 2025
Real Humans of the University of St. Gallen MBA Class of 2026
The University of St. Gallen Business School MBA Class of 2026 brings together a globally minded, impact-driven group of professionals who are all pivoting at meaningful inflection points in their careers. Meet some of the new students in this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students. Durga Swetha Chivukula comes to St. Gallen from the cutting edge of battery manufacturing at Tesla, where she realized she was hitting a ceiling without an MBA and wanted to better understand European markets as she transitioned from the U.S. Her background in hard-core manufacturing across multiple countries gives Read more
Published: December 17, 2025
Real Humans of the WashU Olin MBA Class of 2027
The WashU Olin Business School MBA Class of 2027 is a tight-knit group of people who didn’t come to business school to hit pause; they came to solve bigger problems, lead with integrity, and build meaningful careers rooted in impact. In this Real Humans: MBA Students, we meet some new students who reflect Olin’s values-based, data-driven approach and its emphasis on community, flexibility, and hands-on learning in the heart of St. Louis. To start, Anh Phuong Do, a former Senior Advisory professional at EY in Ho Chi Minh City, was drawn to Olin’s strengths Read more
Published: December 15, 2025
Real Humans of Dartmouth Tuck MBA Class of 2027
The Dartmouth Tuck MBA Class of 2027 brings together a group of deeply driven, community-minded students who all arrived in Hanover searching for the same thing: a tight-knit community that challenges them to grow while supporting them every step of the way. For former Bain product owner Bryant Narvaez, business school represents a deliberate reset—an opportunity to follow his intrinsic motivators toward team-based problem solving and explore new directions at the intersection of energy and consulting. Then, Grace Weissend arrived at Tuck after a bold pivot out of Hollywood, where producing and Read more
Published: December 11, 2025
Real Humans of University of Toronto Rotman’s MBA Class of 2027
The University of Toronto Rotman School of Management MBA Class of 2027 showcases just how many different paths can lead to business school, and how naturally those paths converge in downtown Toronto. This year’s Real Humans: MBA Students include architects, bankers, consultants, physicians-in-training, and data scientists, all drawn to Rotman’s blend of analytical rigor, leadership development, and proximity to Canada’s financial and innovation hub. A proud Torontonian and triple U of T student, Chaya Bhardwaj joined Rotman as a licensed architect eager to pair design thinking with financial and strategic Read more
Published: December 10, 2025
Real Humans of the Yale School of Management MBA Class of 2027
New classmates of the Yale School of Management MBA Class of 2027 are featured in this edition of our Real Humans: MBA Students series. Across sectors that range from finance and fintech to education, consulting, social enterprise, healthcare, and AI, these students are united by a desire to use their careers as levers for broader change. To start, Jake Chang arrives with experience in both strategy consulting and education, having worked at Accenture Strategy and Success Academy Charter Schools; he’s using the MBA to deepen his understanding of the social impact ecosystem Read more

MBA Applywire

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October 6, 2026 3:05pm ET
Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, UVA / Darden, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: NGO
Post MBA Career: Consulting
GRE: 320
GPA: 3.79
Years of Work Experience: 7
Location: NYC
6
October 3, 2026 6:42pm ET
Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Indiana / Kelley, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, Notre Dame / Mendoza, UVA / Darden
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Operations strategy
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Other Industries
GMAT: 645
GPA: 2.96
Years of Work Experience: 8
Location: USA
Post MBA Location: Midwest
Notes:

Veteran. Company sponsored.
5
October 2, 2026 10:40am ET
Applying: Chicago Booth, Harvard Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, Penn / Wharton, Stanford GSB
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Analytics Consulting
Post MBA Career: Consulting
GRE: 333
GPA: 3.56
Years of Work Experience: 4
Location: India
4
October 2, 2026 7:17am ET
Applying: HEC Paris, IESE, INSEAD, London Business School
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Consulting, Data Analysis
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Undecided, Real Estate, Management Consulting, Undecided, PWC Strategy&, PWC, EY Parthenon, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, BCG, Bain
GMAT: 595
GPA: 3.86
Years of Work Experience: 3
Location: Georgia
Post MBA Location: UK
Notes:

BA in Sociology, Saint Petersburg State University (2022)
MRes in Sociology, Sciences Po Paris (2024)
Languages: English, Russian, French.

My motivation
For a long time, I aimed for an academic career in sociology, but after my master's (for which I traveled to Paris), I realized the academic world wasn't for me, and I wanted something bigger. And more lucrative.
I started working in data/business analytics and research at smaller Russian consulting agencies. But as a russian expat who lives in Georgia, I can only work remotely. And even though I love the work, it is not doing much for my long-term career.

After some thinking, I decided that an MBA is an excellent way to (1) grow my skills in business and finance, (2) grow my network, and (3) get my foot in the door of the European job market. My childhood dream is the UK, but I also consider France or Spain.

My experience
I started with research roles back in university around 5 years ago. After graduating from master's 2 years ago, I started working as a Data Analyst at a rather small research and consulting firm in Russia. Marketing, go-to-market, competitive analysis for large IT infrastructure products — that sort of things.

I moved up rather fast from a junior to a middle and middle+. Then moved to a different company to a comparable position. But now it was less IT and more real estate planning.
In both places I not only did the analysis but also proposed and implemented a range of AI-powered tools for lead generation and knowledge base.

International experience
After leaving Russia in 2022, I've lived in Turkey, Georgia, France and Spain. In France I did my studies, in other countries I simply lived and worked remotely, mostly for Russian-based employers.

Application process
I have already applied to IESE in R1. Now I'm waiting for R2 in LBS, and the January intake in INSEAD.

My problems
I realize that my greatest weaknesses are problably a short work experience and a low GMAT. I can retake the GMAT, and I'm counting on a score around 650. But with work experience nothing can be done quickly.

I want to get to school as soon as possible because right now my work does not do much for my career and does not advance me towards Europe where I want to live. I do not count much on the scholarships, but naturally it would be nice to get them.

My questions:
1. How competitive is my profile at these schools, and how much does a GMAT retake from 595 matter for admission?
2. My real estate experience is on the market/consumer research side, not deals or finance. Is the real estate narrative credible, or should I lead with consulting?
3. Does my nationality, or having worked mostly for Russian-based employers, hurt me in admissions or in EU/UK recruiting?
4. Are there other schools I should add or swap in given my priorities?
6
October 2, 2026 7:08am ET
Applying: Columbia Business School, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, MIT Sloan, UVA / Darden
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Transaction Advisory
Post MBA Career: McKinsey, Kearney, BCG, Bain, Consulting
GRE: 310
GPA: 3.3
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: Ghana
Post MBA Location: North East America
Notes:

I am 30 years old and have recently been promoted to Manager at KPMG Ghana. Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis on weekends, work occasionally as a DJ, and volunteer my time mentoring underprivileged children at a school near my home.

Looking ahead, my ambition is to transition into strategy consulting at a leading MBB firm, with the longer-term goal of becoming Head of Strategy for a Fortune 500 company in the United States. At the same time, I am intentional about pursuing opportunities that align with my broader life priorities. As a father of two young daughters, I want to build a successful career without compromising my ability to be actively present in their lives and contribute meaningfully to their growth and development.
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MBA LiveWire

October 8, 2026 7:59am ET
Interview Invite to Berkeley / Haas
Round: Round 1
Received via email on October 04, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.3
GMAT: 655
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consumer Goods, Appliances
Application Location: South Korea
Juno Member: Not yet
October 7, 2026 9:57pm ET
Applied to UVA / Darden
Round: Round 1
Received via n/a
Standardized Test: Granted Waiver
GPA: 3.65
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting, BCG, Deloitte, McKinsey
Application Location: United States
Note:

9 year Army vet.
Juno Member: Not yet
October 7, 2026 9:22pm ET
Interview Invite to Berkeley / Haas
Round: Round 1
Received via email on October 05, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.85
GMAT: 655
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Energy, Undecided
Application Location: Taiwan
Juno Member: Not yet
October 7, 2026 9:16pm ET
Interview Invite to INSEAD
Round: Round 1
Received via email on September 28, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GMAT: 655
Program Type: One Year Program
Post MBA Career: Energy, Undecided
Application Location: Taiwan
Juno Member: Not yet
October 7, 2026 3:12pm ET
Interview Invite to Yale SOM
Round: Round 1
Received via email on October 05, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.0
GMAT: 645
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting
Application Location: Brazil
Juno Member: Not yet
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