Meet The London Business School MBA Class of 2017

Komaki Foster

London Business School

Hometown:  Washington, D.C. and Tokyo, Japan

Undergraduate School and Major: BA Chinese Language – School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: U.S. House of Representatives – Congressional Staffer.

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE? My advice to GMAT students is to set aside time every day to study, whether you’re able to tackle a few problems or even just one. Also, don’t be discouraged if you don’t do well the first time. Business schools won’t reject an applicant because they took the test twice – in fact, they may appreciate your perseverance!

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?  Choose business schools in locations where you would be interested in working after your MBA. You’ll have more opportunities to talk informally with companies than just during the formal recruitment period and have access to a wider alumni network.

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?  Get to know a school beyond the information offered on its website. If possible, attend an information session, email with a current student, or read articles published by the school’s faculty. Doing this will help you find the “right” school and provide you with some talking points for your essay or interview that demonstrates your interest in the school. Finally, be mindful of application deadlines. Give yourself and your recommender plenty of time to complete the necessary parts of an application and, most importantly, to review them before submission.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA?  I chose the London Business School for its location, top-rate education, and diverse student body. London Business School is located in the middle of London in beautiful Regent’s Park. The city has always been a financial powerhouse, but now is home to a growing tech hub and entrepreneurial scene. Compared to US schools, London Business School is also incredibly diverse. International students make up over 85% of the class and come from over 60 countries.

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? In so many ways, London Business School has helped pave the way for women to advance in the business world. Compared to many other schools, London Business School has a higher percentage of women in its MBA class. I want to build on this tradition and support London Business School efforts to recruit outstanding women candidates and advance the global conversation on women’s issues.