During the MBA application process, you’re faced with numerous choices, each of which has a long-lasting impact on your future.
However, many applicants forget that their first semester of business school means navigating many more important decisions!
That’s why we sat down with Guilherme Picciotto, a Columbia Business School student just finishing up his first semester, to get insider information into how to navigate your first semester of business school.
(Guilherme Picciotto, Current Student at Columbia Business School)
Elin Lolis: Thank you so much for speaking to us, Guilherme! Can you start off by telling us about the application process? How did it go for you?
Guilherme Picciotto: The application process is challenging and exhaustive. In general, it is not a difficult process, but it involves discipline. The most important tip, that everyone always says, is: start as soon as possible. It is important to “solve” the GMAT problem early on. You are probably going to spend the majority of your application time preparing for the GMAT, but in my opinion, it is not the most important part of the application. Having time to craft your stories and essays are really important.
EL: How did you choose to attend Columbia Business School?
GP: My main motivation for pursuing an MBA was not the academic part. I was looking for networking, interaction with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and developing my soft skills. I found the perfect fit in Columbia.
By being in New York City, my MBA is providing me with access to experiences that I would not have anywhere else. Here, I am constantly visiting new companies and interacting with senior executives. The exchange between the academic, social and professional word is remarkable.
EL: What was most surprising to you immediately after arriving on campus?
GP: When you arrive on campus, you are in a new environment, interacting with new people. It is both scary and thrilling. My most immediate surprise was by far the support of the current students. The orientation process is designed to you feel safe and quickly adapt to the school’s culture.
Photo courtesy Guilherme Picciotto
Additionally, 2nd Years in general work hard to make you feel home. For example, Brazilian second-year students organized a dinner for us during our first weeks on campus and shared their experiences with us. These experiences are important because you quickly connect with the school.
EL: What was the orientation process like?
GP: The orientation process may seem overwhelming in the beginning. Especially for Brazilian students who are not used to American culture. It is a mixture of fun, silly games, discussion of important topics, and introduction to the school.
Photo courtesy @columbia_biz on Instagram
My tip here is to enjoy and do not judge the process. It is a great time to connect with your clustermates and understand their differences and desires. At the end of the process, it seems like 1 month has passed by given how much you’ve learned and connected with your clustermates.
EL: What are classes like? Did you feel you were prepared before arriving? If not, what do you wish you had done differently to prepare?
GP: Classes are really collaborative. There is a little time set aside for lectures and much more time for discussion. In the beginning, you think you are an outsider: Brazilians are not used to this model, and Americans can always introduce their points beautifully.
However, with time you learn to better express yourself and that your points of view are really valuable. Everyone has different backgrounds and experience to share. It’s amazing to see how impactful it is for your clustermates when you share your experience.
EL: What was the process to obtain housing in New York like? Any surprises there?
GP: Housing in NY is exciting but overwhelming at the same time. Different from many other cities, here you have several options. Many students prefer to stay in university housing: it’s closer to campus and cheaper. This is a good idea, especially in the first year, where you can interact more with other students.
Usually, 2nd-year students prefer to live in other areas to explore better explore the city. However, I opted to stay in university housing. Since my wife is studying downtown, we choose a more central location. If you are thinking about leaving outside campus, there are many online resources to help you find it (Zillow, StreatEasy…). However, I really recommend visiting the apartment before closing.
EL: How did you manage to balance classes and extracurricular activities during your first semester? What did you prioritize?
GP: FOMO is real. You will see your friends going for recruiting events, suffering with the core curriculum, and joining a lot of clubs. What is fundamental is to have clear what you want from your MBA. Everyone has different expectations, and if you do not manage them well, it is easy to go with the flow. That is for me the worst outcome.
Photo courtesy Guilherme Picciotto
It is common to see people that do not wish to do banking or consulting but started recruiting because everyone else is doing it. In my case, I was looking for the extracurricular activities, so It was important to manage the academic part well. The MBA is much more than academics. You will not remember the MBA because you learn how to calculate NPV, but the experiences it will allow you. So, go to classes, learn, but do not overstudy.
EL: If you brought your partner with you, what was the experience like for your partner?
GP: I brought my wife, and she is loving the experience here.
NY is a city that is suitable for everyone. It doesn’t matter what you are looking for, you will find it here.
Columbia is also open for significant others. My wife can audit any classes in the business school curriculum, have English or other language classes, and participate in clubs and extracurricular activities.
EL: What was the best experience you have had so far during your MBA?
GP: Socials are always a great experience. You meet new people, learn about their culture, and truly connect.
However, my best experience so far has been connecting with companies. By being in NYC you have the opportunity to visit a new company and interact with their executives every single day.
Photo courtesy Guilherme Picciotto
For example, I had the opportunity to visit Lamborghini last week. In a group of 15 students, we had dinner with the CEO and other senior executives to discuss the company’s challenges and future. This is an experience hard to find somewhere else.
EL: Overall, what has surprised you the most about your MBA experience?
GP: The process just works.
You will be anxious and nervous about what is going to work, but you need to trust the process. Many people before you have been for the same process and succeed. It’s hard sometimes to face the unknown, but I was surprised how everything works smoothly
EL: Do you have any final advice for recently admitted or prospective MBA students?
GP: Time flies. It seems like yesterday that I started studying for the GMAT.
Also, you need to have your priorities about the MBA clear. There is no right or wrong path, but there is the path you want to pursue. Make a priority list, and constantly check if you are following it. It’s easy to get lost with several resources and people doing different things. But if you have your objectives clear, it will be the best experience for you.
EL: Thank you so much for your time, Guilherme. You’ve definitely helped us gain greater insights into the Columbia Business School experience!
My team and I pride ourselves on being with you at every stage of the process as you apply to an elite program, giving you the confidence that you are taking the right steps toward your future with the information you need not only to get accepted into a top MBA, but to find a program you love for life. That’s why I truly enjoyed talking with Guilherme Picciotto, and bringing this information to you.
If you need help planning how to navigate the first weeks of your MBA, designing an application strategy, or even if you’re just starting the application process and aren’t sure exactly what to do next, my team and I can help! Schedule your free consultation with us today.
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