Starting a new career in entertainment marketing with a $90,000 negotiated scholarship
Kaaya got into her dream school with a test waiver and a 3.1 GPA because of her incredible career gameplan and application.
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Before MBA Protocol
Before joining MBA Protocol, I worked for an international law firm as a Compliance Billing Analyst. My role was heavily administrative and I felt like I wasn’t being intellectually stimulated or challenged. I wanted to pivot into marketing or strategy within entertainment tech/digital media or CPG.
Why MBA, why now
An MBA was the most strategic path to gaining industry experience and building an extensive network. I knew it would give me direct access to my target companies through on-campus recruiting. When I first began the application journey, I didn't yet have full clarity on my career goals — I simply knew I was ready to make a change from my current path.
My post-MBA vision is to pursue marketing within entertainment, digital media, or CPG. These are spaces where I've always thrived — collaborating across teams, analyzing trends, and thinking creatively — and where I believe my strengths align most naturally with the work. Beyond the craft itself, I'm drawn to marketing because I believe brands need more diverse perspectives and voices to authentically connect with and expand their reach to broader audiences.
Why MBA Protocol
I first learned about MBA Protocol through Forté's MBA Launch program. Angela hosted a webinar focused on career exploration through self-reflection — helping us uncover our core values and understand what truly drives us. I was drawn to her approach of finding meaning in our work and connecting it back to how we make the most of our two years in business school. Her experience as a Chicago Booth graduate and former BCG recruiter brought a level of expertise and credibility that felt truly unique.
The work we did together
I've gained so much from being a part of MBA Protocol, but where I found the most value was in self-discovery and crafting my story. Before working with my coach, Heather, I was overwhelmed by the essay portion of my application — I didn't know where to begin or how to articulate my career goals. Through the Discovery Toolkit and deep conversations with Heather about my life and values, we were able to surface the key experiences and moments that shaped who I am and where I'm headed. Heather also had extensive knowledge of what each of my target schools valued in their applicants, and helped me tailor every essay to reflect that.
Overall, I was able to approach my dream school applications with far more confidence than I ever could have had going through this process alone.
The MBA Protocol Coach Advantage
Heather didn't just help me polish my story — she helped shift my mindset entire going into application season. She poured into me, helping me recognize what makes me truly unique and encouraging me to aim higher than I had originally planned.
Through her guidance, I was able to bring a layer of depth and authenticity to my application that I couldn't have achieved on my own.
She pushed me to apply to more schools and give myself a fair shot, and she never let my test score or undergraduate GPA — areas I considered weaker — define my candidacy. She gave me the space to shine, and ultimately, it worked.
MBA Admission Results
In the end, I was accepted into my target school, USC — and I firmly believe the guidance I received from the coaches at MBA Protocol made it possible. From uncovering the elements of my background that make me stand out, to clarifying my career goals and building a strategy for school selection, their support was truly invaluable.
I was initially accepted with no scholarship, but after following Angela's advice on scholarship negotiation, I was able to secure $90,000 over two years.
These results exceeded anything I had imagined for myself — especially given that I applied with a 3.1 undergraduate GPA and a test waiver. It really is true that admissions is a holistic process, and that your story is ultimately what makes you stand out to adcoms.
Advice to other pivoters
If you have even an inkling of interest in pursuing an MBA, I would start by gaining clarity on your career goals. Ask yourself: Why do you want to enter that field or industry? What motivates you? What are your passions? Where do you want to live, and what do you ultimately want to get out of an MBA? From there, I would begin building a list of prospective schools. The application process will force you to do some real soul-searching, so having that foundation mostly in place before you begin will save you a significant amount of time. And the earlier you start test prep, the better — outside of clarifying your career goals, it's the one component you'll want to tackle first.
Kaaya’s Success Statistics
- Admits: USC Marshall
- Total Scholarships: $90,000 100% negotiated
- Pre-MBA: Legal compliance billing
- Post-MBA goal: Marketing within Entertainment or CPG
- Test: Waived, 3.1 GPA