Peter Vaculciak

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far.

Receiving the BCG Rising Star award for “exceptional performance and true BCG spirit” and two fast-track promotions.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?

I wanted to take a break from a busy career to have the opportunity to review my own life strategy in an environment that stimulates self-reflection and is conducive to out-of-the-box thinking. I also did not want to miss out on meeting so many amazing and accomplished people.

What other MBA programmes did you apply to? 

London Business School, Stanford, Harvard Business School.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? 

Three factors were important to me: quality of the programme, the length of the programme, and entrepreneurship opportunities. I did my own research but also spoke to many of my friends at these schools. They have provided me with useful insights into how these schools differentiate. I considered where I want to be in life in two, five and 10 years and picked a school that I thought would help me best along this journey.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? 

There is great diversity in the class, but one common quality I’ve seen among the people I’ve met so far is an eagerness to learn new skills and self-develop. Everyone is really driven and accomplished, but down to earth, too!

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose the INSEAD MBA and why was it so important to you? 

INSEAD offers great opportunities in the entrepreneurship space. It is the ideal place for me to pressure test my ideas with pioneers of relevant fields and future leaders. I am really excited about the Centre for Entrepreneurship where I can work on refining my idea beyond the concept phase, build an MVP, and even partner up with like-minded individuals who have similar aspirations. I am also excited about INSEAD’s plethora of entrepreneurship classes, particularly New Business Ventures, and Family Business Management.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school?

INSEAD Centre for Entrepreneurship followed closely by socialising with all the great people in my class.

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? 

How would you describe yourself? It’s interesting how little I had reflected on who I am, what defines and motivates me, and what drives the choices I make. Verbalising it added a completely new dimension to it too!

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? 

The most defining moment in my life was when I was 16 and went on a cultural exchange programme in a high school in the US. This was truly an eye-opening experience – I learned so much about who I am and what’s important to me. I also realised how important diversity is. This left such a lasting mark on me. I have since taken every single opportunity to study, travel, and work in different countries.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

Professionally, I’d like to be managing my own business helping people live a healthier, more balanced life – from a well-thought-through diet and exercise routine all the way to mental well-being and greater self-awareness.

Personally, I’d like to be a self-aware individual that leads a healthy, balanced life. I have to master it before I sell it!

This interview was originally published on Poets&Quants Meet INSEAD's MBA Class of 2020.