I came to the Full-time MBA at Smith School of Business because ...

I chose the Smith MBA for several reasons, including the school’s team-based teaching approach, high ranking, supportive alumni network, and well-rounded curriculum. The alums were exceptionally approachable, offered valuable insights into their MBA experiences and highly recommended the program. The pedagogy employs a combination of cases and lectures and emphasizes real-world learning. The curriculum also allows for customization of the MBA experience. I was particularly captivated by the Tri-Color Venture Fund, an elective unique to Smith that immerses students in the venture capitalist role and by the Queen’s University Alternative Assets Fund (QUAAF), a student-run investment mandate.

An advice I would share with an MBA applicant would be to talk to as many alums and staff members as possible and understand all that the program and the school offer. Smith School of Business and Queen’s University offer many events to make the student experience exciting. An MBA is much more than academics; to optimize that experience, one should also participate in extra-curriculars (clubs, case competitions, volunteer work, etc).

Smith employs a collaborative, team-based approach to problem-solving and de-escalating situations. After completing my MBA, I intend to internalize the lessons learned, emerging as an improved version of myself and successfully entering my target industry in Canada. Smith’s extensive and supportive alum network uniquely positions the institution to help me achieve my short-term goal of entering corporate banking and my long-term aspiration of becoming a subject matter expert in my chosen industry.

• Hometown: Karnal
• Country of Origin: India
• Prior Industry: Finance
• Career Focus: Finance