Meet Cornell Johnson’s MBA Class Of 2019

Peter Ferrara 

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University 

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: “I am grateful for everyone who has supported me.”

Hometown: Washington, DC

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have sung karaoke in five different continents.

Undergraduate School and Major: 

University of Cambridge, Judge Business School, Master of Finance;

Lafayette College, Economics & Political Science, NCAA D1 Varsity Baseball

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

Council of Economic Advisers, Research Assistant

J.P. Morgan, Corporate Banking Analyst

J.P. Morgan, Private Banking Analyst

J.P. Morgan, Prime Brokerage Summer Analyst

U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan, Summer Intern

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as the only Cornell Johnson MBA candidate for the class of 2019 to gain membership to the Robert Toigo Foundation. I am looking forward to lifetime involvement in the organization, which aims to foster increased diversity in leadership within financial services. 

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Besides obvious advice such as prepare for the GMAT well in advance, apply in round 1 if ready, articulate strengths of candidacy in interviews, etc., highlighting unique leadership attributes is increasingly important. Business schools are not only seeking the best and brightest minds, but also team-oriented individuals who can develop into future global business leaders. Therefore, applicants who can display unique leadership qualities will surely differentiate themselves in the admissions process.

In addition, I highly recommend candidates from diverse backgrounds apply to the Management Leadership for Tomorrow MBA Prep program (MLT). The program not only facilitates business school admissions success but also provides a vast network of high-achieving future leaders across business schools.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? In college, I thrived in a tight-knit collaborative community. I felt a strong connection with Cornell as it exhibited many of the same qualities, thereby positioning me for success academically, socially, and professionally.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school? Success would involve building the foundation of life-long friendships with a wide range of people from different backgrounds and beliefs.