After working in financial services for six years, Anmol Takhtani (Fordham ‘22) decided to pursue an MBA and enrolled at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. With a desire to pivot careers and take on leadership roles, Anmol threw herself into her MBA experience to further develop her business acumen as well as her leadership skills. During this interview, Anmol shares her decision to pursue an MBA, why she believes Fordham’s MBA program is unique, and her advice to prospective MBA students.
MBASchooled: What did you do before business school, and why did you choose to apply to business school?
Before business school, I worked in financial services for six years. I held two different roles at two different companies, both of which laid the foundation for my career. Going back to school was something I had always dreamed of, but I knew I wanted to bring in a solid background to the program of my choice.
I saw business school as a place where I could take on leadership roles, create a broader network, and make life-long friends. But I wanted to make the most of it and knew that I couldn’t do that until I was mentally prepared to take on this new challenge. Ultimately, I wanted to apply to business school to become a more well-rounded person and become someone who can confidently approach interviews and advance in their career.
MBASchooled: What were the most important criteria to you when selecting MBA Programs to apply for?
There were many things I considered while I was applying to schools. One of the first questions I asked myself was “where do I see myself living for at least two years of my life” and “which city would provide me with the most opportunities”. Selecting a program that would allow for maximum personal and professional development was the most important to me.
I wanted to apply to places that would compliment my strengths and would provide me with the right resources to build upon my weaknesses. I also knew I wanted a school that would introduce me to a community of students and faculty who would shape me into a better person. Lastly, I wanted a program that had the resources to supply me with a well-rounded education and provide me with knowledge that I could apply in my career.
MBASchooled: Based on your own specific career aspirations, what programs, resources or experiences at Fordham were most important to you?
One of my main goals coming into Fordham was to gain more leadership skills. I applied and got selected for the junior board of both Fordham’s Women in Business Society as well as Fordham’s Finance Society.
I loved the mission of both clubs and knew that I had to be involved. It has been a pleasure to serve on both and I will be taking on the Co-President role for the Finance Society during my second year. In addition to societies, I relied on Fordham’s Career Development Center. They were a true resource for me during my internship hunt and provided me with the right tools to become the best applicant possible.
MBASchooled: Think back to the MBA application process. What’s something you know now that you wish you knew then?
When I first began applying to MBA programs, I had it in my head that my target schools were looking for a specific sort of candidate. I imagined that each school had a vision of the type of applicant they wanted and that I would have to fit a certain mold to be accepted. I put a lot of pressure on myself by continuously looking at current students, learning about their backgrounds, and reading about their achievements. But after doing my research and speaking with admissions officers, I realized that my fears were unwarranted. Business schools are not only looking for qualified candidates, but also for people with diverse backgrounds who are willing to work hard and contribute to their community.
MBASchooled: Why did you choose to attend Fordham?
I came to the decision to select Fordham for multiple reasons. I spoke to many current students and alumni to understand more about the culture and what their experiences had been thus far. They all emphasized the fact that everyone at Fordham genuinely wants to see you succeed and that it didn’t embrace a cut-throat competition atmosphere but rather, a community that helps you grow.
Secondly, I liked the fact that Fordham’s class sizes were on the smaller side. This would allow for more individual attention as well as the ability to get more involved on campus. On top of this, studying and working in New York City was high on my list. With Gabelli’s campus being in the heart of the city, students have access to a plethora of companies and networking opportunities. Lastly, the strong alumni network is what sealed the deal for me. Even before starting at Fordham, I had the chance to speak with many alumni and it was encouraging to hear how happy everyone was with Fordham’s MBA program. Overall, I am very happy with my decision to join Fordham. I’m surrounded by intelligent and hard-working classmates and I can honestly say I have grown so much this past year.
MBASchooled: What’s something you’ve learned about Fordham this semester, that you didn’t know when you made your admissions decision last year?
Something that I did not know about Fordham before I accepted their offer is how diverse my class would be. I have met students from numerous different countries and it’s something Fordham should pride themselves on. Being such a diverse class only makes us stronger and it demonstrates the inclusive nature of the school.
MBASchooled: Now that you’ve been at Fordham for a semester, what’s been your favorite experience, and why?
Although this past year has definitely been unconventional, I have had many great experiences so far. If I had to pick one, I’d say my favorite has been being back in the classroom. It is something I missed during my six working years and it is exciting to be back.
I’ve not only taken classes for my Finance concentration, but I’ve also taken a Marketing class and I recently completed a Capstone project. I don’t know when I will have the chance to be in a classroom again, so I am definitely making the most of it while I’m here.
MBASchooled: Oftentimes, the word “culture” gets thrown around when talking about MBA programs. Can you characterize the culture at Fordham? and share an example of an experience that you think personifies this?
The culture at Fordham is unique in many ways. I think the word “approachability” is appropriate when describing it. While there is a desire to do well and succeed, there is also a huge sense of collaboration amongst the students and faculty. I first experienced this when I had decided to attend Fordham, but given the Covid-19 pandemic, was unsure on whether or not I should defer for a year. I decided to call Admissions and get in touch with someone who could help me understand what the school was doing in order to maintain the student experience.
Even during the height of the pandemic, I was able to get in touch with someone and they were very transparent with me and put my worries to ease. We spoke about internships, networking, the student experience and much more. They told me their plans for the next school year and what that would look like for us, as well as the aspects they were unsure about. I had already committed to my decision to attend Fordham, but this experience definitely made me more excited to attend.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have, for students who are considering applying or applying to MBA programs right now?
My advice would be to think about what makes you unique and incorporate that into your application. Something that I learned late is that there is not only one type of candidate that business schools are looking for. I would also say that it is important to be very intentional with your applications. It is better to apply to a few schools that you love where you can put 100% of your effort into applications, rather than applying to many schools that you can’t see yourself attending.
I will also add that networking starts early. If there is a school that piques your interest, seek out alumni and current students and secure a coffee chat or a phone call. They are the best people to speak to in terms of understanding a school’s culture and what it can offer you. But above all, be yourself in the applications. Each individual person brings a lot to the table and it’s important that you shine in your own unique way.