"In my exploration of business schools, I could find no other place with such an incredible group of students—driven yet friendly, independent yet collaborative, and remarkably innovative and creative," says Seth Familian.

As a former photographer, speechwriter, and world traveler, Familian admits he's not a typical MBA candidate, which posed some challenges. "The intensity of the core curriculum is no laughing matter," he says, "but thanks to its breadth and rigor, I now feel much more confident in a broad range of critical areas. Plus, my elective courses helped me build my fundamental skills in the context of topics that interest me."