The Pioneering MBAs In The Class Of 2019: Andrew Engvall

Andrew Engvall, University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business 

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Ambitious, bold, competitive, and decisive (at least I think I’m decisive).

Hometown: Barrington, Rhode Island

Fun Fact About Yourself: The Men’s Rowing Team at GW offered free pizza to anyone who wanted to come learn about crew. I went for the free food, decided to try out for the team, and later earned an athletic scholarship.

Undergraduate School and Major: 

George Washington University, Bachelor of Science in Economics, 2013

London School of Economics, General Course (Economics & Finance), 2012

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: 

IBM – Global Business Services, Consultant

Capital One – Capital Markets and Analytics, Senior Associate

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As a member of the Capital Management team, I led the work to prepare Capital One’s capital distribution plan, which included approximately $3 billion in share repurchases and dividends for 2016/2017. I presented the work to senior leadership at Capital One and analyzed the implications of various distribution requests on earnings per share, return on equity, and regulatory capital requirements.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Complete the GMAT and discuss your plans with your recommenders well in advance of preparing applications. Application prep is very time-consuming, as essays require several rounds of review and research on each of the programs to which you are applying. If possible, connect with someone who is a current student of the program as they will have insights that you cannot read online or gather from a single visit.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The key factor that attracted me to Mendoza was the sense of community. The MBA program espouses values that tie in with my own, especially supporting the effort to improve corporate ethics. Less grandly, but no less enjoyably, attending Notre Dame will afford me the opportunity to enjoy the school spirit and top-tier athletic programs that I didn’t have the opportunity to experience as an undergraduate.

What would success look like to you after your first year of business school?  My vision of success after completing the MBA program at Mendoza includes developing leadership, management, and technical skills that will prepare me for a long, rewarding career in the financial services industry. Also, I hope to develop lasting relationships with my classmates and to gain lifelong friends.

Read Engvall's profile on the Poets & Quants website.