Forté Fellow Spotlight: Lauren Tippets

Lauren Tippets

Duke University, BS Mathematics (2007) & MS Biomedical Engineering (2010)
UCLA Anderson, 2016
Hometown: Los Altos, CA
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Biotech & Environmental Engineering

It’s OK to not know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life.  That’s a HUGE reason why people decide to go to business school!

Maybe you want to change careers, build your network, surround yourself with some of the brightest individuals in the country, or discover your own interests and strengths for the future.  These are all great reasons to apply and things you’ll eventually figure out.

With that said, selecting a business school is really all about fit.  One school might be ranked higher than another or considered more “prestigious,” but try to figure out where you think you will feel the most comfortable for the next two years.  After all, if you are in an environment that you really enjoy and one that caters to your strengths, there is no way you won’t be successful.

In saying that, be sure to keep an open mind during the application, interview, and decision processes.  They can be stressful and time consuming but it’s important to make the best informed decision possible.

One way to start prepping for your business school experience is to network with other business school alums — that way you’re killing two birds with one stone.  You can help narrow down your list of schools while honing your relationship building skills which will come in handy during business school and beyond.

And finally, I know it’s time consuming to study, interview, network, and ultimately come to a decision but at the end of the day, just relax and be yourself.  We all come from different backgrounds and experiences but that isn’t to say that both traditional and nontraditional backgrounds aren’t valued equally by the admissions committees.

So with that being said, even though I know it sounds easier than it really is, relax and enjoy the journey.  After all, it’s the first step toward a great experience and I firmly believe that everyone ends up where they are supposed to be.  Good luck!