Meet the MBA Class of 2024: Alonzo Jones III, University of Chicago (Booth)

Alonzo Jones III

University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

“I am an outgoing person, passionate about improving equitable and affordable healthcare to underserved communities.”

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was once a competitive figure skater.

Undergraduate School and Major: University; I double majored in Medicine, Health, and Society (MHS) and Classical Studies. University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Lab Manager in Neuropharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania. I am currently a rising 4th year medical student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Chicago Booth’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? As a medical student, I wanted to attend a business school that had strong administrative and research connections to a well renowned tertiary care medical center. The fact that Booth’s main campus is strategically located on the South Side of Chicago and adjacent to UChicago Medicine provides a unique opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary work with Booth’s healthcare initiative that will further my career goals in healthcare administration.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Chicago Booth, and why? I am most excited about joining the Healthcare Group at Booth. The organization connects students, alumni, and healthcare professionals who are passionate about applying business principles to the healthcare industry to improve outcomes.

What has been your first impression of the Booth MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? The Booth students and alumni have been so welcoming and supportive. Current students have taken the initiative to reach out to me personally about potential internships and mentor programs that they felt would be beneficial to my success. They’ve made the process of transitioning from medical school to business seamless by giving sage advice on everything from course selections to the best restaurants in the area.

What makes Chicago such a great place to earn an MBA? Chicago is the third largest (and best) city in the country and is home to a wide variety of industries. In my case specifically, the seven major healthcare institutions that reside in Chicago provide ample opportunity for research collaboration and innovation.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I’d have to say my biggest accomplishment thus far has been being accepted as a dual medical and business student at the University of Chicago.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I decided pretty soon after applying to medical school that I wanted to apply to the dual degree program. My background in healthcare disparities and social health informed me on the lack of power and influence physicians have in implementing healthcare policy. I want to pursue an MBA to break the mold, advocate, and implement policy that will benefit my patients.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I recently read Trevor Noah’s autobiography, Born a Crime. While it’s not directly related to business, it details Trevor’s rise from a small village in South Africa to becoming an acclaimed comedic personality, actor, and author.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I actually only applied to Booth, it was the best program for my personal and professional interests.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Chicago Booth’s MBA program? I think the most important piece of any business school application is an applicant’s ability to showcase their personality, experience, and passion for their field in an authentic way. The more genuine an applicant is in their application, the better they’ll be at finding and getting into the right school for their needs.

DON’T MISS: MEET CHICAGO BOOTH’S MBA CLASS OF 2024

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