yale visit

[mehlerak]

Hello,
1. It is somewhat difficult for me to get to Yale for a visit prior to applying (living in San Diego). If I get invited to interview, I plan on spending extra time on campus and in New Haven, including class visits, etc. Any suggestions on any input from students that couldn't visit prior to applying? I am trying to get in touch with local alumni as well.
2. From those students that are career switchers, it looks to me that Yale may be more accepting to career switchers than other programs. Any comments? Does the MBA program itself and surrounding services (clubs, career services, mentors, etc.) help in honing in on specifics in career switching (i.e. getting more specific in professional goals). Finally, anybody have any experiences in a career switch and then went through an internship that showed that possibly the new career is not for you?

Thanks

[Yazad]

Hi

1. If you can't visit, I suggest you go over the website in detail, meet local alumni, and if you have any questions, email current students, especially club leaders. This discussion board too is a great resource!

I lived in India before coming to Yale (even interviewed there with an alumna) and I don't think not visiting affected my application.

2. Don't know about other programs, but Yale SOM is very encouraging for a career switcher. The career development office has a lot to offer and so do the clubs. I was at the finance club presentation last week where many 2nd years spoke about how they interened at top investment banks without having any pre-SOM finance background.

Best wishes for your MBA plans!
Yazad Jal
Yale SOM Class of 2008

[blobuesky]

Hello mehlerak,

I think you have a good plan for getting to know the school prior to applying, and Yaz's suggestion to include this message board and the website can only augment the conversations you should have SOM alumni.

1) I wasn't able to visit Yale before applying and spent some extra time here both before and after my interview. I actually think it was more useful since the application process helped me hone my reason for applying to Yale. That experience allowed me to focus on what Yale had to offer specific to my interests; whenever I went to class or spoke with students I was constantly evaluating what they said relative to what I was looking for in a B-school.

2) Yale has a welcoming environment for career switchers. The Career Development Office is focused on where you want to go and how your past experience can help you, not limit you. I also think the clubs at Yale are an amazing resource. Not only do they allow you to network with people in different fields, they educate you about those fields. For example, I have a background in government project management and I'm looking at private sector consulting. The consulting club has been a huge resource to me in terms of learning what it means to be a consultant, and how I can prepare for the hiring process. In the past week I went to a panel discussion where 2nd years shared their experiences from their consulting internships, as well as attending a training session for consulting interviews. This is just one example of the collaborative environment Yale offers, and I encourage you to check out the clubs' website (http://www.som.yale.edu/students/activities/Club_Descriptions1.asp).

Cheers,

Brian
Class of 2008

[mehlerak]

Thanks for the info. I have tried to contact the local Yale alumni association (San Diego) but have not received any responses. Where would I be able to get in touch with recent Yale MBA alums in the So Cal region?
Thanks!

[mvitali]

Thanks for the info. I have tried to contact the local Yale alumni association (San Diego) but have not received any responses. Where would I be able to get in touch with recent Yale MBA alums in the So Cal region?
Thanks!
Hi mehlerak,

We generally provide a student contact to applicants during the admissions process. Amanda Doster is the admissions ambassador for the West Coast Club and can answer questions about the program and her experience (amanda.doster@yale.edu).

Thanks,
mvitali

[Mccanale]

Do you know who the admissions ambassador is in the New York area? I am planning my school visit and I will also be attending the session at the Yale Club in NYC on the 18th so getting to know some contacts before hand would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[lmd]

Hi Mike,

We don't have an admissions ambassador for the New York area, but you are welcome to check out the list of ambassadors (www.mba.yale.edu/talk) and get in touch with any of them via e-mail.

lmd