Full-time MBA | Molly Horan

Hometown
Tiburon, CA

Undergraduate
School: NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Major/Minor: BFA Drama

Previous Industry
Arts, Higher Education/Admissions

Summer Internship
Brand Management at Mars

Specializations at Stern
Marketing & Brand Management

Student Clubs
President, Graduate Marketing Association (GMA)
VP Admissions, Stern Student Government
Career Mentor

It was the Happy Hour I went to back in May 2025. I had just returned back early from a trip and almost did not go, but that night changed everything. I met the GMA president at the time along with so many MBA2s and future classmates, and it just clicked. As a nontraditional applicant, I had this lingering fear that I would not quite fit and that my background would set me apart. Instead, I found the opposite. I found a group of people from completely different paths who were all open, curious, and genuinely kind. I remember thinking very clearly that these were my people. That is when I knew Stern was home.

One of the most valuable things I did before starting Stern was take the time to really think about what I wanted from the experience. MBA programs move incredibly fast from day one, and I knew it would be easy to get swept up in recruiting, academics, social events, and everyone else's definitions of success. Before arriving, I spent a lot of time reflecting on my priorities, what I hoped to gain from the next two years, and what a successful MBA experience would look like for me personally. Having already done some of that self-discovery work helped me stay grounded when things got hectic. It gave me a stronger sense of direction and made it easier to make decisions that were aligned with my goals rather than simply reacting to everything happening around me.

Adam Alter’s Marketing core class completely changed how I think about marketing. I came into business school already interested in the field, but he took that interest and amplified it tenfold. He reframed marketing as psychology, focusing on how people think, feel, and make decisions rather than just ads or campaigns. He constantly pushed us to look beyond the obvious and challenge our assumptions, which made every class feel both practical and energizing. It is one of those classes I know will stay with me long after Stern and it really reinforced that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

Breathe and do not get ahead of yourself. The first semester comes at you fast with new social circles, new academic expectations, recruiting, and for many of us a full career pivot all happening at once. It is easy to get swept up in it and start comparing yourself to everyone else. I would remind myself to stay grounded, trust my gut, and not lose sight of who I am in the process. You do not have to have everything figured out right away. Things tend to work out the way they are supposed to if you stay true to yourself and focus on what actually matters to you.

The people, without question. Before coming to Stern, I assumed I would find my small group of friends and mostly stay within that circle. What surprised me most was how connected the entire community feels. Everyone is invited to everything, and people genuinely want to get to know one another. Some of my closest friendships came from unexpected places, and I have continued to build meaningful relationships throughout my time here. What is remarkable is that despite being part of a class of roughly 350 people, it often feels much smaller. I can honestly say I have genuine connections with well over 100 classmates, which is something I never thought would be possible. Just as surprising is how collaborative the culture is. Whether it is recruiting, academics, or personal challenges, people genuinely want to see each other succeed. That sense of community is what makes Stern so special.

GMA without question. It played such a pivotal role in both my success and my happiness during my first semester. The people I met through GMA became my support system and my sounding board, and in many ways gave me the confidence to navigate recruiting and everything else that came with the MBA experience. It opened doors, created opportunities, and made a big school feel small and personal. Being part of that community has meant a lot to me, and stepping into a leadership role now feels like a full circle moment. I am excited to give that same support and experience to the next class.