Accepted.com is continuing a blog series featuring interviews with current MBA students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs. We hope to offer you a candid picture of student life, and what you should consider as you prepare your MBA application.
Here’s a talk with Huriyyah Muhammad, an NYU Stern student who is passionate about travel and making movies. Thank you Huriyyah for sharing your thoughts with us!
Accepted: First, can you tell us a little about yourself – where are you from? What and where did you study as an undergraduate and when did you graduate?
Huriyyah: I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio where I spent the first 16 years of my life. At 16 I was eligible to graduate from High School but instead chose to participate in an exchange program that allowed me to live in Khartoum, Sudan for a year and travel to surrounding nations in the Middle East and N.E. Africa. It was an amazing experience that instilled in me a love of travel, as well as an early look at cultures around the world. So much of what is taken for granted here in the US is hard to come by in nations around the world. It cemented a greater appreciation for creature comforts, as well as the opportunities that came my way.
Following my time in Africa, I enrolled in Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, where I majored in Computer Science and double minored in English and Mathematics.
Accepted: Why did you decide to attend NYU Stern?
Huriyyah: I decided to attend NYU Stern because I was in love with the community from the moment I walked in the door. While NYU Stern is highly ranked, there is a down to earth feeling that permeates the community. I got the sense immediately that everyone I came in contact with was rooting for my success, from the admissions team, to the current students I spoke with, to professors whose classes I had the privilege of visiting.
Accepted: What are some of your favorite things about living in New York City? Least favorite?
Huriyyah: Favorite thing is the diverse community. Least favorite thing is the dirt.
Accepted: What’s your favorite class so far?
Huriyyah: Probably Firms and Markets, a microeconomics class.
Accepted: Do you plan on continuing to work at Infinite Wings Media, the business you started, after you receive your MBA? In what ways are you hoping Stern will help you as an entrepreneur?
Huriyyah: Being an entrepreneur has been an invaluable learning experience, as has been producing multiple independent feature films. I’m very proud of the work that I’ve done and the stories that I’ve been able to help create. What became more apparent to me in the past few years however was that it was essential for me to increase my understanding in critical areas including finance, operations, strategy…etc. This is what I expected from an MBA, and so far, I have not been disappointed. What I’ve learned in such a short amount of time is invaluable, not to mention the connections that I’ve made.
What also became apparent to me over the past few years is that I missed working in a larger organization, one with the human and financial capital in place to really touch people around the world. Post MBA, I look forward to finding a place within a major studio or production company that has a long history of making films and that will allow me to bring my unique creative and business background to the table. I’m passionate about making films, and it’s how I hope to do my part to help make the world better for us all.
Accepted: I see that you are a member of the Consortium. What attracted you to the Consortium program? Is the program living up to your expectations?
Huriyyah: Yes, I am a member of the Consortium. Connecting with other top MBA candidates across the US who share similar cultural experiences has been great. Through the Consortium, not only did we get to meet, but we got to spend a substantial amount of time together toward developing relationships that will hopefully last a lifetime.
Accepted: Can you share some application tips for other students applying to business school through the Consortium?
Huriyyah: The biggest tip I can provide is just be yourself. Also have faith that no matter what happens, it’s for your best good.
Accepted: Do you have any advice for some of our applicants who will be applying to NYU Stern?
Huriyyah: Make yourself visible.
Accepted: Last but not least, do you have a favorite place to curl up and study when you don’t want to be bothered?
Huriyyah: Yep. I go up to the Accounting Department and sit in the lounge. Pretty quiet up there. I guess everyone is busy crunching numbers.
Please visit our NYU Stern B-School Zone and Consortium Zone for more NYU- and Consortium-specific advice. Still haven’t decided which b-school are best for you? Download our FREE special report, Best MBA Programs: A Guide to Choosing the Right One for You, to help you narrow down your choices and begin your application efforts out on the right foot.
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