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

It is easy to choose Smith for its reputation, its network, its career advancement center or the quality of its education. What made it the undeniable choice for me was its culture. From my very first interaction with the program staff at Smith, I knew I had found something special. It became obvious that the Full-time MBA program was built on a deep respect for students and an eagerness to see them succeed. The thought of doing an MBA trotted in my head for years. If I had known it would be like this, I would have jumped into it sooner and with much less hesitation.

My advice for any applicant is to reflect on their values and on why they want to do an MBA. Having a “why” that is profoundly intertwined with who you are will assist you in your application and during your time in the program. It will help you to develop genuine connections and to persevere when the program gets tough. When I applied to the FTMBA, I felt a lot of apprehension. I knew I would have to leave my job, move cities and be away from my family, all for something I wasn’t sure would be worth it. After one day in the program, I knew it would be.

I have not yet pinned down the direction I want to take my career, but I know this is the best place to find out.

• Hometown: Laval, Québec
• Country of Origin: Canada
• Prior Industry: Banking and Arts
• Career Focus: Undecided/Other