From Private Equity to Healthcare through a Harvard MBA Clarifying her why and why it matters.
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Before MBA Protocol
Before applying to business school, I worked at a women-owned private credit firm, where I supported women in finance and invested in small businesses. I genuinely loved the mission-driven nature of my work, but my long-term calling had always been global health. My undergraduate studies, research, and early internships were all in global health, and I originally moved into finance because I wanted to understand how capital gets allocated and why so many important health initiatives struggle to get funded. My dream was to eventually return to global health and help bridge the gap between mission and sustainable financing.
Why MBA, why now
An MBA was always part of my long-term plan because I saw it as the best way to connect my finance background with my global health aspirations. I explored a number of adjacent opportunities, including venture debt, healthcare consulting focused on private equity, and other private credit roles, but none felt like the right bridge to my ultimate goals. At the same time, my firm was incredibly supportive of my MBA ambitions, and many of my mentors were MBA graduates themselves. Ultimately, I realized that business school would provide the network, credibility, and broader perspective needed to make a meaningful pivot.
My post-MBA vision is to return to the global health sector and help build sustainable financing models that can unlock greater impact. Throughout my time in finance, I saw firsthand how investment decisions shape entire industries, and I became increasingly interested in applying those lessons to global health challenges. The MBA helped me connect those experiences into a cohesive vision. Today, I’m excited about pursuing opportunities that sit at the intersection of finance, healthcare, and global development.
Why MBA Protocol
I first heard about MBA Protocol through a coffee chat with someone who had gone through the admissions process before me. She challenged me on my story and pointed out that while my experiences were strong, I wasn’t yet communicating the deeper “why” behind them. She recommended MBA Protocol’s storytelling resources, and after my introductory conversation with Heather, I felt understood in a way I hadn’t with other consultants. Rather than seeing me as another finance applicant trying to pivot into impact, she immediately grasped the personal motivations behind my goals. That gave me confidence that MBA Protocol would help me tell a more authentic story.
The work we did together
The biggest shift was in how I approached storytelling. The modules helped me move away from writing essays that focused on accomplishments and toward essays that showed admissions committees who I was, what I cared about, and why my experiences mattered. Beyond the tactical aspects of the application process, the community was incredibly valuable. Having a cohort of people going through the same highs and lows made the process feel much less isolating, and it was especially rewarding to reconnect with many of them at admitted students weekends.
MBA Protocol helped me move toward essays that showed admissions committees who I was, what I cared about, and why my experiences mattered.
The MBA Protocol Coach Advantage
Heather brought a combination of honesty, perspective, and emotional support that was incredibly valuable throughout the process. I didn’t have many people in my personal life who were applying to business school, and while my colleagues were very supportive, many assumed I would be successful without fully understanding how competitive the process can be. Heather helped me evaluate my application realistically, while also reminding me of the strengths I sometimes overlooked. She was always willing to jump on a quick call when I was stressed and brought a calming presence during some of the most intense parts of the journey.
By the end, she felt less like a consultant and more like a trusted advisor.
MBA Admission Results
I earned a 328 GRE (163 Quant, 165 Verbal) and received interview invitations from Harvard Business School, Wharton, Columbia, Yale, and Duke. I was admitted to Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School with a full-tuition scholarship, Yale School of Management with a full-tuition scholarship, and Duke Fuqua with a Forte Fellowship and $100,000 per year in scholarship support. I was also waitlisted at Wharton. Professionally, I was promoted to Senior Associate during the application process.
Advice to other pivoters
Start earlier than you think you need to, especially when it comes to testing and reflecting on your story. The strongest applications are built over time, not rushed together a few months before deadlines.
Be honest with yourself about why you want an MBA and whether it’s truly necessary for your goals, because it’s a significant investment of both time and money.
If you decide it’s the right path, take full advantage of the opportunity and approach the process with intention.
Emily’s Success Statistics
- Admits: HBS, Columbia, Yale, Duke
- Total Scholarships: $500,000
- Pre-MBA: Private Credit and Investments
- Post-MBA goal: Healthcare leadership
- Test: GRE: 328 (163 quant / 165 verbal)