Meet Emory Goizueta’s MBA Class of 2017

Brody Craven

Brody Craven 

Emory University, Goizueta Business School 

Hometown: Oxford, AL

Undergraduate School and Major: Chemical Engineering at Auburn University

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Milliken & Company; Served as Process and Product Improvement Engineer and Process Improvement Manager

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE?  My advice on GMAT preparation is practice more than you think you should and get it done well ahead of application season! Personally, I took the GMAT before application season but felt I could’ve done better so I ended up re-taking it in the middle of applications and interviews.  On that note, don’t be hesitant to re-take the exam if you feel it isn’t the best reflection of your abilities. But while I was able to meet my goals on the GMAT and with school admissions, I would suggest taking care of it as early as possible to avoid being stretched between GMAT studying and school applications and interviews.

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? For anyone trying to devise a list of schools, I suggest doing as much research as possible to make sure your target schools match up well with your career and academic interests.  As cliché as it sounds, it really does come down to fit beyond that. Know yourself. Do you thrive in a highly competitive or collaborative environment? Are intimate learning environments important to you or do you need large classes to be comfortable? Visiting the campuses, meeting with admissions staff on the road, and talking to current students are the best way to get a feel for fit. Definitely visit the campuses if possible!

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? To me, the entire application process comes down to two words: Be authentic. That applies to every aspect of the application, but especially so in the interviews and essays. Use those opportunities to show admissions committees what unique story you bring to the table! Have faith in the fact that the admissions staff at each school has a good gauge for which candidates will fit and be successful at their respective schools. So be as authentic as possible and trust in that as you complete your applications.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA?  There were several important factors that led me to Goizueta Business School. Coming from a more technical background, I was looking for a smaller school with a more intimate learning environment that provided a world class business education. To me, Goizueta epitomized those two aspects better than any other school I was researching (or any school in the country that I could find!). Add to that the vibrant community and professional opportunities available in Atlanta and I knew absolutely that Goizueta was the place for me! My classmates and I have already started growing together as a community as we’ve began our Fall semester and it has only assured me of my choice!

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? I am most excited about broadening my global perspective through international experience!  Goizueta has mid-semester modules each year that allow students to spend time studying businesses and cultures at various locations abroad and my goal is to go to a different place each year. I’m also focused on expanding my skills and experience beyond an operations-heavy background. In only two weeks here I’m already confident Goizueta is going to shape me into the well-rounded leader I am to be! 

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