Posting here summary and transcript of recent chat with current Judge students - Sameer Baroova and Matt Kamisher-Koch.
Dear Sameer and Matt. Please tell us in brief about your background and your motivation for choosing JBS for getting MBA or Why JBS?Cambridge_Matt: I was living in washington DC. I started my career in lobbying (for banks) and then transitioned to managment consulting focusing on corporate finance functions. I wanted to get an MBA to make a career and geography switch and chose Cambridge for three reasons: 1.) the international student body, 2.) the highly collaborative environment in the small class size, and 3.) the college system that is part of the structure of Cambridge.
Cambridge_Sameer: I live near London. I have been in the video games industry for15 years. I am starting a tech company and chose Cambridge for its technology focus and startup presence.
How did you find the whole experience from application to starting on the course?Cambridge_Matt: I think applying for MBAs is a long process but I thought the application process helped me narrow down exactly what I was looking for and match my profile to a program that fit me well. The course has been intense in a really fun way so far, there is SO much going on every day it can feel like almost too many choices.
Cambridge_Sameer: I had made a quick decision to do an MBA and Cambridge was my only application. It was a very comfortable application process. The admission requirements were simple (one single essay) which was to the point and made it easy for me to make a compelling case
Matt could you please elaborate a little more on the consulting project for an outside client?Cambridge_Matt: Yeah there are two, Sameer and I are actually in the same group. The first one is in groups of 5-6 and we are assigned a client with a business problem that they want help solving. We have most of the term to work on it with regular client meetings, and some key deliverables along the way. All of the clients are in the Cambridge area--startups, more traditional companies, some non profits.
GPA, GMAT, Application Essays, Interview, Work Experience, and Extra Curricular. If you asked to arrange these parameters in the order of their importance at JBS – what would it be?Cambridge_Matt: I think your essays matter a lot, really thinking about why this program in particular and how it fits what you are looking are key. Since the class is small they really want to build a cohesive class of people who love to collaborate, work on teams, etc. If you have outside or unique interests, work experience etc, highlight that. Part of what is so great here is the variety of backgrounds so making clear what you have done previously goes a long way.
Cambridge_Sameer: Good question - The essay is the most important bit, the interview the next. Since they require just one recommendation make sure that the recommender is one who can connect with your long term vision
Following on my earlier question: How much importance is given to school visit? Did any of you visit campus before applying?Cambridge_Matt: I had been to Cambridge, but not to Judge. I don’t think you have to visit before you apply. It was really far for me to fly over for it. I know a lot of people did their interview in person (I did not) so that helped them in their decision. You don’t HAVE to visit to be admitted, but I think a visit can help you in your final decision
Cambridge_Sameer: I visited the school on an Open day and it helped me a lot. I got more clarity on their focus on Entrepreneurship and met with alums; that helped me in my essays too. I'd recommend a visit, but almost half the class did not visit before joining
Could you tell us something about the consulting club at JBS Cambridge? The activities, the type of work the club is involved in?Cambridge_Matt: I think it is one of the most active clubs. I know that they have spent a lot of time on outside case interview prep for people going after consulting jobs.
Cambridge_Sameer: The consulting club is fantastic. Even alums take part in case interview sessions conducted by the consulting club. It’s student led though so the experience would differ every year but alums will be available to guide future clubs.
Is there any way for an aspiring student to contact alumni? something like a contact alumni portal or a database of their email IDs?Cambridge_Matt: After I was admitted, the school put me in touch with a lot of local alumni and even organized a meet and greet for us. The alumni network is huge but I think it makes sense to really speak to them once you are admitted as opposed to before.
How competitive or collaborative have you found your fellow students at JBS? Also How often do you interact with professors outside classroom? How easy it is to do this?Cambridge_Matt: I have not found people very competitive in the class room (sports is another matter!) but collaboration is the key here. I think most people study in groups to some extent and seek out others who will complement their ability. Professors are available on email even if they are not around in person between lectures. But they tend to be quite friendly and helpful. Honestly one of the reasons I came to Judge was that I knew it wouldn’t be particularly competitive. It is such a small class that you really want to work with everyone.
There are even great resources beyond the professors--for example the library for the business school is incredible. They really help us with research, background on companies for applications etc
Cambridge_Sameer: Professors are very accessible. They'd be happy to do one on ones to address issues from class or discuss general problems or even specific ones. Classmates are not competitive at all. It’s a very collaborative environment.
Chat TranscriptAttachment:
JBS Student Chat Nov 17.pdf [1.03 MiB]
Downloaded 62 times