Prior to attending Duke University’s Fuqua MBA program, Mariana Mattos (Fuqua, ‘20) worked in Corporate Finance at an Investment Bank in Brazil. When selecting an MBA Program, Mattos spoke with fellow prospective students and current MBA students of various programs, and selected Fuqua for the collaborative and humble nature of “Team Fuqua.” In this interview, Mattos shares her story of why she chose Fuqua, how she adjusted to the transit from Brazil to the United States, and why Fuqua is a great place to get an MBA.
MBASchooled: What did you do before business school, and why did you choose to come to business school?
Before business school, I worked as a corporate finance associate director for an investment bank in Brazil. I came to business school to become a better leader (by developing emotional intelligence and other soft skills) and to transition away from the banking industry.
MBASchooled: As an International Student, what characteristics were important to you in selecting the right MBA school?
The most important consideration for me was to select a school that I had a good cultural fit with. International students face additional challenges during the MBA as they have to adapt to a new language and country, a new way to communicate, and news ways to recruit for jobs. I knew I wanted to be in a school that was known to be collaborative and where people were humble and supported each other.
MBASchooled: Why did you choose to attend Fuqua?
I visited eight schools in the U.S. when I was applying, and it was at Fuqua where I had the best experience. Everyone was so receptive – students, professors, admissions – that even as a prospective I felt I was part of Team Fuqua. I was looking for a collaborative and supportive environment, and during my visit it was very clear that Fuqua was the right place for me. I was accepted into four schools, but since my visit, Fuqua had become my top choice.
MBASchooled: What about the culture and classmates stood out to you about Fuqua?
I was very surprised by all the opportunities students are offered to make a difference at Fuqua. For example, it’s not just about joining or becoming a member of a club. While that happens, it’s also about coming up with ideas and opportunities to foster community and engagement, such as, coming up with a new club, conference, or support group. With the support of the Fuqua community, anything is truly possible! My classmates at Fuqua are the most brilliant and humble people I have ever met. They are very inclusive and care for each other, which made me always feel supported, and it has made my MBA journey a lot easier.
MBASchooled: What resources, programs or information were helpful to you in making your decision?
I think visiting schools as a prospective or as an admitted student is the best way to understand if a school is the right place for you. When I was a prospective student, I had a school ranking in my mind that changed completely after my visits. I ended up not even applying to some of them because I realized they were not the right fit for me. When I was accepted into some schools and had to decide where to go, I also connected to the other admitted students and current students, and I asked myself which had the most exciting atmosphere and the most passionate students.
MBASchooled: As an international student, what was the adjustment and transition like to Durham/Fuqua?
Overall, the transition was smooth. I came with my husband, who is also an MBA student at Fuqua. Having someone to share everything with was very helpful. At the beginning, communication was a big challenge for me as I lacked the confidence to speak up in classes or even sometimes to talk to my classmates. Writing emails was a big challenge! However, I received a lot of support from my classmates, and with time I became more confident to speak up. Believe it or not, I even ended up doing an Instagram takeover for Fuqua in the Spring term!
MBASchooled: What parts or aspects of the academic experience attracted you to Fuqua?
There were two things that attracted me the most. One is the flexibility to build a personalized curriculum. I was able to exempt some courses that I had taken in the past to do others that were more interesting and challenging for me. The second thing was the mixed learning methods: case discussions, lecture, team assignments, exams, etc. I think it was a good balance, since we could take advantage of different ways of learning and I never got bored.
MBASchooled: What has been a surprise, or an unexpected element of your experience at Fuqua?
The biggest surprise has been the connections I created here! I knew that I wanted to be in a close-knit, supportive community, but I never imagined that the result of this would be these lifelong connections. And it’s not only connections with other students, it is also with the faculty and staff who have always been extremely supportive and care so much for every student. They want students to have a life-changing experience at Fuqua.
MBASchooled: What programs or experiences at Fuqua have been most meaningful to you in your time at Fuqua?
In my role as VP of International students for the MBA Association, I led the organization of Global Week, which attracted more than 150 students. It was a week full of activities to learn about global themes and share and celebrate the different cultures at Fuqua. Some of the activities included international dinners in small groups, a cultural fair, guest speakers who talked about global business, among activities. During that week I had the opportunity to interview the Dean Bill Boulding about the initiatives he has been leading concerning immigration. This was the most memorable experience I had at Fuqua.
MBASchooled: What’s something you wish you knew more about before starting your MBA at Fuqua?
Once I heard a speaker say, “Never miss the opportunity to make a difference.” Looking back, I see that all the things I did at Fuqua impacted other people and transformed the school a little bit. The MBA is a unique moment for self-transformation, but it also presents a lot of opportunities to impact other people’s lives. Being humble and vulnerable is key to navigating the experience and leaving a mark behind.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have for those who are evaluating where they want to attend business school?
First, take some time to celebrate the fact that you have options! Second, if you haven’t done so yet, talk to current students and alumni to understand the culture of the school and consider whether it is the right fit for you. Some of the questions I would ask myself when talking to people were, “Is this person happy there?” “Am I excited by what he/she is saying?” and “Do I see myself doing that?”
Third, talk to other admitted students. They will be your classmates and they will be a big part of your MBA experience. What is the school that excites you the most? Who has the most passionate students? Finally, follow your heart. I had the opportunity to go to “better ranked” schools and schools where I would have better scholarships, but I chose Fuqua because of the connections I’ve created with the school since the first time I visited as a prospective.
For More Insights on How to Prepare for Business School, Check out our Admitted MBA Students Guide