Meet Emory Goizueta’s MBA Class of 2017

Clay Daniel DeMarcus

Clay Daniel DeMarcus 

Emory University, Goizueta Business School

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Undergraduate School and Major: I graduated from Vanderbilt University with a double major in Human & Organizational Development (Public Policy concentration) and History.

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Since graduation and prior to enrolling at Goizueta Business School, I worked for Accenture Strategy as both a Business Analyst and a Consultant focusing primarily on operations.

Recalling your own experience, what advice do you have for applicants who are preparing for either the GMAT or the GRE?  When preparing for a standardized test while balancing busy personal and professional lives, it is critical to develop and follow a study plan and also practice patience. In terms of a study plan, discovering personal strengths and weaknesses will help you define a roadmap of where to focus the majority of your study efforts. Once identified, you can put together a detailed plan outlining daily activities necessary to help you improve and prepare for test day. The plan should not be static, but rather a guideline for preparation which can be updated as you progress and improve.  Finally, patience is key as test preparation does not happen overnight and can be somewhat frustrating for individuals accustomed to previous academic success. Continue to study and remain patient and you will reach the best possible score for you.

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 that there are a number of primary drivers to identify a list of target schools, including (but not limited to): Region of the country, student body size, personality of the student body, quality of education, on-campus recruiting opportunities, extracurricular opportunities, and strength and size of the alumni network. Once these parameters are defined, it is much easier to craft a list of schools and determine which could be potential fits. It is also helpful to contact current students and alumni to hear more about the nuances of each program and their respective experiences to further define your list of schools.

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?  The application process contains many components which require varying approaches and strategies. Once a target list of schools has been identified and refined, you will want to determine the deadlines for each school and the appropriate cadence of your applications as you finalize your preferred schools. It is best to not overload each application round as you will devalue the applications by putting too much on your plate. I would say that 3 or 4 applications is around the top end per round. In regards to essays, you really need to focus on and understand your background, reasoning behind the need for a MBA, and how each school will provide the proper environment for you to succeed. Ensure that you have plenty of time to edit your essays as they will require periods of reviews and updates and are integral to illustrating your story. Admissions interviews, in a sense, provide an opportunity for you and your essays to come to life. Know yourself, your story, and specifics around the program and the school. Also, be comfortable and have fun, as the interview is a great chance to showcase your personality, interpersonal skills, and communication abilities. When selecting recommenders, focus on managers who you have worked with extensively in the past and know you and your work quite well.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I selected Emory University Goizueta Business School because it provides me with a rigorous and expansive business education within a small intimate community that exists within an eclectic global city with a diversified economy and southern charm. With a smaller class size, I will have the opportunity to not only get to know my fellow classmates very well but also develop strong relationships with members of the faculty and program office.  In addition, I will have opportunities to take on leadership positions within student organizations and participate in extracurricular activities.  Goizueta Business School is unique in its academic approach as students complete the core curriculum by the end of their first semester. At this point, students can essentially design the remainder of their schedule around their interests and preferences. I found this job preparedness and academic flexibility to be a major benefit and differentiator. The city of Atlanta provides a great blend of smaller town southern feel within its unique neighborhoods but also affords students the opportunities to experience so much outside of campus.  Finally, the engagement and support of current students and alumni truly demonstrates the family environment of the program and how fortunate I will be to call these individuals my network in the near future.

What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate? I hope to develop deep and lasting relationships with my classmates and the larger Goizueta community. I hope to not only receive a world class business education but also become a more worldly individual as I learn from the many countries and cultures represented within our community. Ultimately, the common goal at Goizueta Business School is to leave the school a better place than you originally found it. I will give it my best shot.

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