Meet Foster’s Class of 2017 MBAs

Dina A. Fomina Yadlin

University of Washington, Michael G. Foster School of Business

Hometown: Yekaterinburg, Russia

Undergraduate School and Major (Include Graduate School if Relevant):

University of California, Berkeley: B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Harvard University: Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT: Graduate researcher

Amgen: Post-doctoral research fellow

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE? In my experience, the three key aspects of preparing for GMAT/GRE success were time, repetition and CATs. You want to give yourself ample time to prepare in order to avoid unproductive cramming and stress. I suggest you designate at least two months for test preparation, where you can leisurely study for the GMAT/GRE in your free time. Well-spaced repetition of the material is the second key to acquiring proficiency in answering test questions. I suggest alternating between studying verbal and math sections, followed by respective practice questions, with extra focus on the section that needs more work. Finally, take as many computerized-adaptive tests (CATs) as you can. Given ample time, you would likely answer all of the questions correctly; however, an important aspect of the test is determining how well you perform under pressure. I suggest you take one CAT before starting to study to establish a baseline and enjoy the rewarding feeling of seeing yourself improve.

Based on your own selection process, what advice do you have for applicants who are trying to draw up a list of target schools to which to apply? There are two equally good ways to go about this: identify your target job or identify your target location. Defining your target job title will help you choose your MBA concentration (Finance, Operations, Marketing, etc.) and choose your target company. Then, you do your research: Some MBA programs are better known for certain concentrations, and some companies are known to recruit from certain schools. Alternatively, start by identifying your target location (country, coast, state, city). Any business school will have significant ties to the local professional community, and it makes sense to spend time establishing a local network while in school. If the school(s) selected by both methods overlap, you have successfully generated your target list. If not, select the top school(s) from each set.

What advice do you have for applicants in actually applying to a school, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf? My advice is to tell a compelling and cohesive story, both in your application and your admission interviews, that gives clear insight into the personal brand you are going to develop during your MBA. I find that the best approach to effective storytelling is adhering to the STAR methodology. You describe the Situation that you encountered, the Task that you were seeking to complete, the Actions you took to complete that task, and finally, the specific Results you achieved. Even better, begin with an overview of the results and re-state them at the end to make a stronger point. I suggest you select 3-5 key points that you want to get across to the admissions committee through your application package. Use those points to guide your storytelling and communicate them to the people writing recommendation letters on your behalf in order to have a strong, unified picture of YOU as an MBA candidate.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? Foster School of Business is the right fit for me for many reasons. I chose Foster because of the quality of instruction, the flexibility of career path and the strong ties to the local community. In addition, it is a relatively small program with a boutique feel, where everyone knows your name, and you get plenty of opportunities for direct interaction with the faculty. Located in Seattle, in the midst of a vibrant technology-focused community, it offers exciting opportunities for summer internships and future full-time employment. Also, many Foster graduates tend to stay in the area following graduation, which has created an extensive local alumni network that keeps growing.

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? My ultimate career goal is to become a business leader in the Seattle biotech community. I come from a research background, and I am looking to complement my extensive scientific knowledge with practical business acumen. While at Foster, I expect to gain applied business development experience and explore many facets of operations management, entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. In addition, I look forward to enhancing my leadership skills and building relationships within a community of highly motivated individuals. I am excited to start in September!

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