Meet The HEC Paris MBA Class of 2017

Luiz Paulo Vervloet Sollero 

HEC Paris

Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Undergraduate School and Major: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – Industrial Engineering

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Harsco Corporation:  Project Engineer (2009-2013)

National Oilwell Varco: Drilling Solutions Engineer (2013-2015).

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE? For the GMAT, I recommend taking as many practice tests as possible. Some are available free online, while others can be purchased in packages. The biggest challenge for me was not the questions themselves, which are relatively easy and straightforward, but rather the short time you have to complete the whole exam. That is why practicing with timed exams that mimic the official algorithm is essential.

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? I believe the first decision is about geography: Would the applicant like to pursue his MBA in the US, Europe, Asia, or somewhere else? This matters not only because it will have an obvious impact on the MBA experience itself, but also because it can affect the post-MBA career. While talented individuals from good schools can always find opportunities in different parts of the globe, different schools will have stronger alumni networks in different regions. Local recruiters are also likely to show up more often at local schools.

After this first decision, I would recommend researching the programs of the top schools of the region and talking to as many alumni as possible to determine with which ones the candidate identifies with the most.

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?

For essays and interviews, my advice is to always consider the question: “Why should they select me?” It is important to demonstrate that the candidate has the right skills to make a significant contribution to the program – and achievements to prove it – as opposed to just describing professional positions occupied. For recommendation letters, I believe the most important part is selecting the right persons to write them. If the candidate chooses someone who worked with him for a considerable period of time and witnessed his achievements and career progress, it’s very unlikely that this person will refuse to write the recommendation, especially if he explains why he believes an MBA is the right step for him at this moment.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I wanted to pursue my MBA in Europe, so first I came up with a short list of the top programs in the old continent. Then I researched the content of their courses to learn which ones had greater focus on the areas that interest me the most. Finally, I researched alumni profiles and talked to several current and former students of all programs I was interested in, which was probably the most enlightening step. The HEC Paris MBA program stood out as my top choice.

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? I would like to acquire a solid theoretical base in the areas of leadership, corporate strategy and finance, get some hands-on experience in these fields during an internship, and greatly expand my network of friends and professional contacts.

© Copyright 2025 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.