Can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Simo; I am a Moroccan citizen. However, I lived in Spain and spent a total of 9 years in the US, both studying and working.
What prompted you to do an MBA?
It’s common in the US to complete a bachelor, which I did at the university of Boston, then work and complete an MBA. My plan after I graduate with my MBA is a career in management consulting. My ultimate goal is to launch a network of private schools in my country. This did not match well with my previous working experience in the US, so it was difficult to make a transition to a more business-oriented track. It is also difficult to make such a transition work on a practical level. However, I want to spend the next year doing just that. Once I am finished with my MBA, my ambition is to work for a consulting company in a management consulting company, specialised in a company with an education focus, for example, the Boston Consulting Group.
And what decision have you taken regarding an MBA?
For the time being I have been accepted to Stanford, Chicago, and INSEAD. I have not taken my decision yet as many factors play a part. I want to take more time to decide which one to pick. I will make my final choice in mid-June 2020.
What was the hardest part of the application process?
Nobody tells you this, but applying for a masters is a very long and difficult process. It is most difficult when you need to use a lot of time management. For example, when I was applying, I had to balance my job, my previous studies, my social life and my leisure activities. Because of the hours of extra study involved, writing the essays for the application was far less challenging than the preparation for the GMAT.
What advice would you give?
The admissions process is long, you need to do it early in advance. I began to prepare, and had barely enough time to get ready. While writing this, we’re in mid-May, and I still don’t know where to study. I wanted to prepare in advance and wanted to apply to round one, but in the end, it took longer than I thought. Don’t be influenced by ranking. For example, I was accepted to Stanford, but I am hesitating, as they all have their advantages. Select the best possible program for you. I could work for Mackenzie in California, but if I decide to stay in France to work on my education project in Morocco, the INSEAD program would be a better choice. It’s a personal choice, and no one option is right for everyone. I was lucky to be able to prepare with the best. Dr Hubert Silly collaborated with Reussir le GMAT to teach me the GMAT. Dr Silly rarely teaches students, and I was glad to be taught by a GMAT 800.