Why did you choose UVA’s M.S. in Commerce Program? As someone with a strong quantitative background, I didn't want to get into research and decided not to apply for Ph.D. programs. I knew I wanted to do something more practical, and finance is a natural direction for someone with my background. I took a gap year after graduating in 2017, did three finance-related internships, and meanwhile applied for graduate school. McIntire is one of the best business schools in the country, and also one of the strongest brands when it comes to finance. More importantly, you can feel that people at McIntire really care.
What do you enjoy about the program so far? Classmates generally have a strong bond with each other. Professors are great. I like the fact that everyone is smart and competitive. It can be stressful adapting to graduate school, but McIntire has helped to make it a great experience thus far.
Fun facts about me: I play four musical instruments. I almost got drowned when I was six after seeing a frog on a lotus leaf and thinking I could mimic the frog and stand on it. I learned that was not the best idea! I’m a big movie buff.