![\"Josh-Howatt\"](\"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Josh-Howatt-150x150.jpg\" "\\"Josh-Howatt\\"")
<\/a>Here\u2019s a talk with Josh Howatt who was recently accepted an offer to join the CMU Tepper class of 2015. Josh blogs at <\/em>Taking on Tepper<\/a>. Thank you Josh for sharing your story with us\u2026and congrats on your acceptance!<\/em><\/p>\nThis interview is the latest in an Accepted.com blog series featuring interviews with current MBA students<\/a>, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs<\/a>. We hope to offer you a candid picture of student life, and what you should consider as you prepare your MBA application<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Accepted: First, can you tell us a bit about yourself: Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad? What other degrees do you hold?<\/strong><\/p>\n Josh<\/strong>: Well\u2026I was born and raised in Orange County, California. I attended the University of California \u2013 Irvine, and originally entered with the intention of graduating Pre-Med. However, after a few semesters, I realized that my heart really wasn\u2019t in the medical field. So I went were my heart called, which at that time was Theater and Music (I had been playing piano since I was 4 years old). After graduation, I moved to New York City in pursuit of a myriad of creative enterprises: I created a freelance graphic design business, became a published writer, and the typical New York casualty of singer-songwriter. After 5 or so years of admittedly floundering, I decided it was time to do something with my career and began to consider going back to school and getting my MBA. At first I assumed this was a lost cause, being that I was such an untraditional candidate<\/a>; but as it turns out, many of the skills I had gleaned throughout my college years and beyond were surprisingly applicable to a corporate environment.<\/p>\n Accepted: How many b-schools did you apply to? Did you apply to safety schools as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n Josh<\/strong>: Let\u2019s see\u2026I applied to 6 schools in total, which to me seemed like a nice safe number, but from what I\u2019ve learned is on the higher side. I applied to 2 safety schools: Boston University and Boston College. Both, I felt, had strong programs and promising post-graduate placement in CPG Marketing.<\/p>\n Accepted: Why did you decide on Tepper? What made you the perfect fit for that program?<\/strong><\/p>\n Josh<\/strong>: I finally decided on Tepper<\/a> after visiting the campus in November. It was definitely a difficult decision, as I had received very enticing scholarships from both BU and BC, and I could see myself living in Boston. However, when it came down to it, I had to ask myself: which school had the greatest ROI; had the tools I lacked; had a strong reputation in Marketing (my concentration), as well as Finance, Technology, and Accounting; had a challenging environment; and \u2013 most importantly \u2013 had an overall feel of community. Since my first touch point with Tepper \u2013 corresponding with a 2nd year student via email since April \u2013 I have felt nothing but love from this community. Every single person I interact with seems to be completely dedicated to helping each other. I think this stems from Tepper being such a small school. Everybody knows everybody, and the faculty and students truly want to see you become the best you can be. And so I felt I fit in perfectly there, BECAUSE I was that missing piece. I was the odd shaped piece, the creative piece. People were so enthusiastic when they found out my background: \u201cYou were an actor? You know Photoshop? We could have totally used you on our last Branding case study.\u201d And so I feel that I bring a totally untapped resource to the student body, and can\u2019t wait to see what alternative skillset I can bring to the table.<\/p>\n Accepted: What are you most looking forward to in starting b-school in the fall? What are you least looking forward to?<\/strong><\/p>\n Josh<\/strong>: Funny enough, I\u2019m looking forward to the quant-heavy classes. I know this is my weakest area and the place where I will really need to work the hardest if I want to go into recruiting season with confidence. I feel fairly secure in my soft skills, and want to develop into a well-rounded full package. Accepted: I see that a lot of your work history is at the W Hotel in Times Square. Do you plan on staying in the hotel industry? Or do you have other plans for once you receive your MBA?<\/strong><\/p>\n Josh<\/strong>: I unequivocally do not plan to return to the hotel industry after graduation. After working in hotels for as long as I have, I realize that it\u2019s really not where my heart is. While it is an interesting field, I would much rather be working within a realm that touches most consumers on a day to day basis (whether that manifest in CPG or Tech) in Brand Development, Strategy, and Advertising. I feel that this is a field where I can influence not only consumer behavior, but also how we market to (and in some ways alter the perceptions of) certain marginalized groups, eg: women, LGBT, etc. Although, I have been toying around with the idea of Consulting, as well. I\u2019m just not sure if (being 33) I have the stamina to hack the hours and travel schedule that Consulting requires. Still, knowing myself, I\u2019m sure that my trajectory will undoubtedly shift at some point during my time at Tepper.<\/p>\n Accepted<\/strong>: What was the most challenging step for you in the MBA admissions process<\/a>? How did you approach it and overcome it?<\/p>\n Josh<\/strong>: First would have to be: the quant portion of the GMAT. And at a close second: struggling to rebrand myself as someone who is able to survive and thrive in not only business school, but beyond. So far I have yet to meet another Theater undergrad when engaging other MBA candidates; however, Tepper assures me that they are out there. In fact, they included a student profile in their most recent pamphlet, highlighting the testimonial of one such student.<\/p>\n Accepted: Why did you decide to blog about your experience? Has the process revealed anything new about yourself?<\/strong><\/p>\n Josh<\/strong>: Ultimately, I decided to blog about my experience in applying and attending an MBA program, because I know that when I first start looking into the possibility of going back to school I became extremely discouraged. I thought for sure there is no way any school is going to accept a 33-year-old, Theater undergrad, with absolutely zero experience in Finance and Accounting. Turns out that not only was I wrong, but I was accepted into one of the top 20 programs in the Nation. That changed my entire perception of what it means to be an MBA candidate and to be part of a student body that prizes diversity and sees utility in all backgrounds. So maybe somewhere down the line, a painter, an archeologist, a swim coach \u2013 whoever \u2013 will read about my struggles, and say, \u201cHey, if this guy can do it, so can I.\u201d<\/p>\n For one-on-one guidance on the Tepper application, please see our MBA Application Packages<\/a>. For specific advice on how to create the best application for Tepper, see CMU Tepper 2013 MBA Application Questions and Tips<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Do you want to be featured in Accepted.com's blog, Accepted Admissions Blog? If you want to share your MBA\/EMBA journey with the world (or at least with our readers), email us at mbabloggers@accepted.com.<\/strong> <\/p>\n This article was sponsored by PaGaLGuY<\/a>. PaGalGuy is India's largest network of MBA aspirants with 700,000 unique visitors per month. 80% of all GMAT takers in India use PaGaLGuY to network with schools and alumni for their application process, research, essays, VISA tips, etc. PaGaLGuY has been continuously solving one of the major challenges faced by a lot of B-schools outside India -to consistently reach-out to Indian GMAT takers\/applicants who may be a good fit for their programs.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Accepted.com's experienced admissions consultants<\/a> can help you create the most impressive application possible with comprehensive packages<\/a>, <\/em><\/strong>or provide targeted assistance from picking perfect programs<\/a> to designing a dazzling resume<\/a>, constructing engaging essays<\/a>, or preparing for intense interview<\/a>s<\/a>\u2026and more! Accepted.com has guided thousands of applicants to acceptances at top MBA programs since 1994 \u2013 we know what works and what doesn't, so contact us<\/a> to get started now!<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019m actually least looking forward to the Business Acting classes. And I know you\u2019re saying, \u201cHey, wait a second...\u201d But as a Theater major, I know the pressure is going to be on to, well, perform, and after being out of the \u201cacting scene\u201d for almost 8 years, I\u2019m certain to be somewhat rusty. Not that we\u2019ll be tackling Chekhov or anything, but\u2026I joke.<\/p>\n
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