I chose to attend Fuqua because I wanted to join a culture where students are collaborative and selfless when it comes to helping each other. In the Army, we operated under the Warrior Ethos that states “Never leave a fallen comrade.” During my time at Fuqua, this ethos still resonates with me, but in a different context. Rather than being on the battlefield, we’re in the classroom with our fellow students.

Through my experiences, I’ve embraced the “Team Fuqua” spirit—which I believe is going above and beyond to help your team and never letting a team member fail. This 22-month journey is a team effort and nobody can get through it alone. Through the unwavering support of your peers, help is always one call away. Additionally, I chose Fuqua because I am a sports fanatic and there is no better business school in the country for that!

Advice for Fellow Veterans Applying to Fuqua

Do Your Research

Continue reaching out to current veterans and other students to learn more about what makes Fuqua so unique. Additionally, continue researching different industries and functions to learn more about the opportunities that are available to us. Having a good understanding of this will bode well for writing essays and conducting the ensuing interviews during the application process, and first-year MBA recruiting.

Attend the Veterans Symposium

I would say that one of the biggest takeaways of the Veterans Symposium—hosted by the Admissions department—comes from meeting the first- and second-year veterans. It’s really beneficial to hear about their transition and how they learned about the different industries and functions to better understand what kinds of careers they’re interested in pursuing. The symposium is a great opportunity to get all of your questions answered, especially the ones that you would not typically ask a non-veteran MBA.

Be Ready to Leverage Your Military Experience

In the classroom, you can use your leadership skills by spearheading discussions and adding value based on your experiences. People tend to be shy speaking in front of large groups, but as veterans, we are used to addressing and briefing them. Use that confidence to your advantage and don’t be afraid to share anecdotes from your military experience that relate to class material.