Campus to corporate

Author: Dawson & Saanvikha

  • 7 Tips We Wish We Knew Before Starting a New School Year

    7 Tips We Wish We Knew Before Starting a New School Year

    The start of a new school year is full of a variety of emotions: anxiety, excitement, dread, anticipation, even hope. Despite the fact that we’ve all been in school for what feels like forever, there is always some adjusting we have to do at the beginning of a new semester/year. Since a lot of you are a month into college now and have gotten through syllabus week and your first exams, we thought this would be a great time to write about what we wish we knew before we started each academic year. 

    This will include a mixture of advice and insights from academic, professional, personal, and social life. Whether you’re starting off as a freshman or even kicking off grad school, this could be applicable, so keep reading!

    • Get (and stay) organized early!
      • College is chaotic. It feels like there are constantly a million things you need to get done and dozens of places you have to be in a day, and it can very easily be overwhelming. The beginning of the year is the best time to get organized because this period, unfortunately, is the most downtime you will have. Our biggest recommendation is to start using Google Calendar if you haven’t already. This saved our lives during college. Use the colors and make categories for different areas of your life. Some examples for categories are: Classes, Organizations, Research, Workout, Social Events. Then, go ahead and plug in the predictable things in your schedule, such as your weekly classes, and create custom repetitions of the event. This way you can start off easy by knowing which times you are definitely NOT available. Google Calendar also helps you plan ahead for the week. If you make plans with friends, add that to your calendar! If you want to go to office hours, put that in! This is another way of holding yourself accountable, and also prevents you from double booking yourself or forgetting plans. You can even enable alerts and notifications from your calendar. Some people also prefer using Apple or Outlook (we know…crazy) calendars. Personally, we think Google Calendar is the most user friendly, but you can also sync up your Apple and Google Calendar if you prefer. 
      • Now, specifically on the academic side, you should make yourself an assignment tracking spreadsheet. This is probably a major reason we didn’t have any late or missed assignments. After you have all of your syllabi, go through and add in all of your assignments, tests, and important dates for each class. Make each course its separate color and add deadlines (including times!) for each entry. After you have everything entered for each course, you can sort the sheet based on date with the earliest assignments on top. We also like to organize the sheet by chronological day ascending to keep it organized. Dawson made his tracker on Google Sheets, and Saanvikha used Excel. We included examples of what this tracker could look like below so that you can format yours similarly. There are also tons of videos on Tiktok or Instagram that give you step by step instructions on how to create this tool, but please reach out if you want us to help!
    • Plan out your priorities 
      • It is SO easy to get excited and fill up your plate in college. After going to the fall engagement/activity fairs, you see so many clubs and organizations (and probably have joined dozens of GroupMes). It’s a very new and thrilling time, so, of course, you’re going to want to join everything and really get involved (we did too!). If you’re an upperclassman, you probably already have consistent involvement or exec positions, but you also might have some goals of other activities you want to add to your plate. One of our biggest recommendations is to sit down and plan out your priorities for the year at the very beginning. Doing this could have saved us so many sleepless nights and calls complaining about a responsibility we have. List out all of your involvement for the year (clubs, research, workout classes, etc.). If there is something on the list that you no longer care about and won’t have a strong influence on your academic/professional path, strike it out, immediately! Don’t spend your time doing something you don’t have a passion for or is not setting yourself up for success. Also, include any upcoming major milestones such as the MCAT/LSAT/GRE. If you need to study for one of these exams, your other involvement may have to decrease. You don’t want to spread yourself too thin. It might seem like you can handle it at the beginning of the semester, but as classes get more intense, tests pile up, big events start to approach, you’re going to feel like you’re drowning, and you still want to make time for a social life in college.
    • Don’t overbook yourself
      • Overbooking yourself is SO easy. Our minds are constantly racing, and it’s hard to keep track of everything. Yes, even if you have a Google Calendar, like we recommended, you can still overbook it. We know that sometimes we would see an hour between classes or an hour before our 7 PM volunteering, and we would schedule a meeting or even a coffee date. But, sometimes we didn’t take into account commute time or exhaustion. Just because you have a free hour does not mean you have to fill it up because that hour might be just enough time for you to catch your breath and recover before you’re off to your next activity. It took almost until senior year for us to figure out how to not overbook ourselves. Don’t hesitate to say “no” to something or see if you can schedule it a different time if you feel like you are on track to being overbooked. 
    • Be a villager
      • This is a term that you’ve probably been seeing a lot on Tiktok or social media, but it is especially true in college. You can’t expect to have a community and support system around you if you don’t also show up for your friends. Yes, you still need to prioritize personal care and your mental health (more on that later), but protecting your peace can be taken a little too far if having strong friendships is important to you. Even if you’re tired or aren’t up for getting out of your bed simply because you’re lazy, go to your friend’s birthday party! Make an effort to reach out often to people you care about to simply check on them. If a friend is having a rough day, make them a little goodie basket or drive to go see them in person. People will only show up for you if you also show that you care for the friendship. 
    • Make sure you’re working hard…but not too hard
      • We know…this sounds odd at first. Let’s start off by establishing that we are HUGE proponents of working hard. You’re not going to achieve all of your goals and get where you want to go in life if you do not put in the effort and time. However, there are times you might be working harder than you need to. There might be certain courses in which you already have a solid foundation or maybe you just understand them easily. In these cases, you don’t have to do every single recommended reading or textbook problem. That becomes time-consuming, and if you would do just as well without them, they might be worth skipping. This way you can also focus your energy and time on harder topics or classes. It’s harder to gauge how much work you will have to put into a class the first few weeks, but as time moves, you will quickly realize in which classes you can ease up in and which ones you might have to be more proactive and hardworking in. Please don’t take this as us saying you shouldn’t aim high and do the best you possibly can on each exam because you should!! We are more so telling you to structure your time more wisely so that you aren’t wasting it (there isn’t enough time in the first place)!
    • Take care of yourself
      • This might be the most important piece of advice out of them all. Start taking care of yourself early in the year. Our biggest recommendation is to create a predictable routine in your day to prioritize your mental health and personal care. Maybe you spend the first hour of your morning with little to no electronics and take time with just yourself. Or, maybe you spend the last hour of your night reading, journaling, and getting to a calm state of mind. Whatever it is, remember that being unplugged and giving your mind time to recover is so important. Make sure to also prioritize getting movement. Going to workout classes with friends or running on the Greenway or going on walks around campus are amazing ways to stay active. Your body needs the endorphins. You can take at least 30 minutes out of your day to move your body despite everything else you have going on. Also, eat well! Do your best to eat 3 nutritious meals in a day (or whatever structure works for you). Don’t try to survive just on caffeine (it doesn’t end up well), and providing your body with nutrients will help it function so much better. Lastly, and this is an important one, please sleep. Consistently pulling all-nighters or only getting 3-4 hours of sleep is literally creating havoc in your body. It really is not a flex to not sleep. Yes, maybe you won’t sleep much the night before an Ochem or Accounting exam but generally, you want to aim for at least 6-7 hours of sleep each night. No exam or assignment is really that worth ruining your health for.

        These 7 tips are ones we definitely wish someone told us before starting a new school year. Of course, a lot of things can be easier said than done, but the quicker you try to implement some of these into your lifestyle, the better your overall college experience will be. Seeing everyone start classes again is definitely a little bittersweet. Although we’re happy to not be taking 16+ credit hours each semester, we miss the hustle and experiences that come with it all. Good luck with the start of the year!! We know you all are going to do amazing!

      1. Our Favorite Restaurants, Cafes, and More in Athens, GA!

        Our Favorite Restaurants, Cafes, and More in Athens, GA!

        From your very own food connoisseurs

        We love to try new food and restaurants all over the globe! (If you missed our post about how we started our restaurant adventures, check it out here). When we came back to Athens for our last semester post studying abroad, we made it a goal to hit as many Athens restaurants, cafes, and bars as possible before we graduate. And…we actually hit a lot of them… probably too many of them. Naturally, we have some pretty strong opinions about the food in Athens. Whether you’re just starting at UGA and looking for recommendation, are a rising senior dreading leaving the Athens foods scene, or a graduate planning your homecoming trip, you’ll enjoy this one. Here are some of our favorite finds in our college town based on specific categories. Also, we tried our best to choose things local to Athens.

        Best Tacos 

        El Barrio

        We (especially Dawson) have been to El Barrio way more times than we can even count. Sure, they may not have the most authentic tacos, but they have the best tasting ones. The meat is always so flavorful and tender. The chips are seasoned and the queso is a great consistency. We also went on Cinco de Mayo, and Dawson ended up winning a raffle and SO many goodies.

        Favorites: Chicken Taco, Steak Taco, Fish Taco, Grilled Shrimp Taco, Chips & Queso

        Best Traditional Mexican Food

        Tacos Los Plebes

        Even though we think El Barrio still has superior tacos, the food here was very tasty and also affordable. Unlike a lot of the other taco places in Athens, it wasn’t build your own taco (which we appreciated). The line is a little long, but I think that is a sign that the food is worth it, and the restaurant is clearly famous.

        Favorites: Chicken Taco, Steak Taco, Horchata

        Favorite Asian Food

        Pretty Boy

        This was the last restaurant we tried in Athens, and it was absolutely incredible! We were initially a little skeptical because everyone had hyped it up, and previously, we were disappointed with some famous restaurants. Nonetheless, this meal did not disappoint. Our only complaint is that we wish we tried more! Everything is so flavorful, and the staff is kind and was willing to give us recommendations. 

        Favorites: Viet Street Corn, Chicken Hanoi, Peanut Cold Noodles

        Best Cafe 

        Buvez

        Choosing a go-to coffee shop is difficult, mainly because each one has its individual perks (price, location, options, etc.). But, we ended up settling on Buvez because they have unique options in addition to the classics, reasonable prices, good seating, and yummy food. We’ve tried so much here from lattes, matchas, healthy bowls, and bagels (practically the whole menu). We also have so many memories here and lots of tea-spilling sessions, making it a clear hit. Buvez is also uniquely situated away from downtown and also connected to a fun children’s-play store! We have a few sentimental goodies that we share with friends from this store and will always help us remember Buvez!

        Go-To for Live Music

        Hendershot’s

        Hendershot’s has good coffee and drinks, but we like it best for the live music. They have themed music nights, and the cafe transforms into a lively bar at night. Our favorite is hands-down jazz night on the third Thursday of each month. We think every UGA student should go at least once during their time in Athens. 

        Nicest Upscale Restaurant

        Five and Ten

        Five and Ten was a very spontaneous dinner reservation for us. We had a snow day, and, honestly, probably shouldn’t have driven on the roads, but we were both craving a nice meal. The ambience and interior here was beautiful – we loved the upscale, rustic vibe. The food did not disappoint. We were able to try quite a few dishes and each one was delectable and intentionally crafted. The service was perfect and everyone was so attentive.

        Favorites: Cornbread and Honey Butter, She-Crab Soup

        Best for Aperitivo

        Bar Bruno

        One of our biggest regrets about this place is that we wish we discovered it sooner because we would’ve gone so many more times. The vibes were immaculate and the energy was perfect. We couldn’t recommend this more for a girl’s night out, a catch-up with friends, date night, or just for fancy drinks. We felt transported to Italy. 

        Favorites: Grandma’s Bread, Arancini, Stuffed Dates, Brioche, Ziti

        Favorite Italian (with an Honorable Mention)

        ZZ and Simone’s

        Such a wonderful meal and experience at ZZ’s. We tried both the brunch and the dinner, and both were great. If we had to choose, we would recommend going there for dinner over brunch because we loved the food. We tried so many dishes and were absolutely stuffed. It definitely is on the pricier side, so we recommend going for special occasions or splitting things with friends! The pastas and pizzas are fresh and so tasty.

        Favorites: Bread, Arancini, Rigatoni Alla Vodka, Tiramisu 

        Honorable Mention: The Expat

        Although we thought ZZ and Simone’s was better overall, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention The Expat in this post. The Expat makes fresh pasta daily and also has gluten-free pasta options. The service is amazing. We sat at the bar, and the bartenders were easy to talk to and gave us amazing recommendations. Saanvikha also went here for her graduation meal with family and they were so accommodating on a busy day. 

        Favorites: Pistachio Mushroom Pasta, Tiramisu

        Best Steakhouse

        Slater’s Steakhouse

        This is absolutely a go-to nice steakhouse spot! Highly recommend coming with your parents, but if you find the time before a fun date night or for an outing with a friend, this is an extremely convenient spot in five points! Dawson’s mom has even commented that it is one of her favorite steaks that she has had. 

        Favorites: Filet mignon, Asparagus, Mashed Potatoes

        Best Pizza

        Emmy’s Squared

        This is a spot we hit several times in our last semester, which is why it is the one exception to our no chains rule for this post. This pizza here is incredible and loaded. There are so many curated options and the shareable appetizers and salads are also great. If you ever are hosting an exec dinner for a club or going with a group of friends for dinner, this is a great spot. It’s also fairly convenient even if you walk in. 

        Favorites: MVP!

        Best Bang for Your Buck

        Ahi Hibachi and Poke

        There must have been speculation about Ahi closing just about every other week, but we’re happy to report that they’re only moving locations (still downtown!). Even though it isn’t the cheapest meal you can find in Athens, we think they offer the best deal. You get so much food that tastes absolutely delicious for a fairly reasonable price. It could definitely last you at least two meals if you want it to. It is very customizable and a student favorite.

        Favorites: Chicken Hibachi, Poke Bowl

        Best Bar

        Magnolia’s 

        This definitely became THE spot to go to senior year. You will always run into friends, foes, and acquaintances. It’s nice and big with the outside, downstairs, and upstairs areas (all distinct vibes). Lots of good conversations here and some very special memories. 

        Hidden Gem

        Savannah Room & Bulldog Bistro

        These are both located inside the Georgia Center, which is right across the Science Learning Center, but, unfortunately, most students never visit. Dawson is Georgia Center’s biggest fan (!!) and introduced many of his friends and mentees to the coffee here. It is very affordable and so conveniently located. The Georgia Center is also a beautiful place to study, so you should definitely grab a drink, take a seat, and study here instead of the Science Library. If you have ever had the pleasure of trying a Georgia Center catered meal at events, then you’ll be happy to know that the Savannah Room features a lot of the same dishes. They are home to President Morehead’s favorite strawberry ice cream pie!

        Favorites: Specialty lattes and drinks, Ciabatta, Truffle Fries, Cajun Pasta

        Sweet Treat Spot

        Cecilia’s Cake Shop

        Our go-to sweet treat spot was probably Jeni’s because it was convenient, but you can find Jeni’s almost anywhere (including the grocery store) nowadays. A less-known sweet treat spot is Cecilia’s Cake Shop! It’s located right next to the Dunkin on Milledge. They do specialty, made-to-order cakes for occasions, but they also have cupcakes and cake slices if you walk in. Fun fact: this is also the cake they sell at The Last Resort!

        Favorites: Espresso Martini Cake, Lemon Cake, Cupcake Assortment

        Writing this post made us crave these restaurants again. Athens has so much to offer between sports, nature, music, and food – you should take advantage of it all. Here is a great place to start. Of course, we didn’t cover all of the good food in this post because unfortunately that would make this way too long. So, if you want to check out more Athens finds, follow us on Beli (@ssaravanan + @dawsontemplin)! It might actually be our favorite app and form of social media.

      2. The Story of Wine and Spine and How to Start Your Own

        The Story of Wine and Spine and How to Start Your Own

        The Book Club Blueprint

        In our previous posts, we’ve mentioned the famous “Wine and Spine Society” a few times, but we never fully explained what it is or how we started it. Essentially, Wine and Spine is the name for the book club we started in January with our friend Alex Womack. Starting a book club was honestly one of the best side quests we undertook senior year. In this post, we dive into how we put this book club together, the benefits of a book club, and the structure we follow. We also have recently gotten questions from friends about how they could start a book club, so we’ll finish off with some tips for success! Keep reading for a glimpse into an important part of our world.

        The Beginning

        In our 2025 bingo cards blog post, we briefly mentioned that one of our main goals for the year was to read consistently and explore new genres. In late December, we were chatting about our New Year’s resolutions in a group chat with Alex and realized that all three of us had a goal relating to reading in some form. Naturally, we all agreed that a book club would be a perfect way to hold ourselves accountable in our reading journey while making goal-setting more fun. You will quickly notice that some of our best ideas are born from random, late-night group chat conversations. Throughout college we participated in some Honors book discussions and had friends that led Medicine in Literature book clubs. The idea for our book club was to invite some of our best friends to join as a way to discuss, catch up, and read together weekly. Since it was our last semester of college, the book club was also a very convenient way to make sure we hung out with our friends at least once a week. We also had just finished our study abroad at Oxford and thought this would be a great way to form a community from different parts of our life. 

        You might be wondering where our name came from. Another one of Dawson’s 2025 goals was taking the WSET sommelier courses to expand his knowledge on wine. So, Saanvikha thought of the idea of potentially calling it Wine and Spine Society and tasting a new wine each week during our discussions. Then, courtesy of ChatGPT and Dall-E, we came up with this beautiful logo. Then, all we had to do was invite our friends to join! Almost everyone was so on board with Wine and Spine, and that’s how our book club came to life.

        Benefits of Wine and Spine

        Like we said, Wine and Spine has been such a definitive part of senior spring. So much so that we decided to continue it virtually this summer! Here are some of the most important benefits for us from starting a book club:

        1. We read so much more consistently! Something about having weekly meetings and discussing books with friends makes it SO much more motivating to read a book. Despite busy weeks or school, we noticed that we made an intentional effort to read before bed, in the morning, or in between classes. Having friends to call or text about plot twists in the book we’re reading makes the process exciting.
        2. Reflection, analysis, and vocabulary: It’s easy to start skimming a book or not pay attention to details while reading. When we read with the intention of discussing the book later, we have noticed that we make more of an effort to take notes or jot down important quotes or plot points. To engage in meaningful discussions, we also have to reflect on how the book made us feel or how it influenced our thoughts. The process of analyzing and reflecting is important in various other parts of life and improves our ability to critically think. Reading is also the best way to improve the breadth of personal vocabulary. We have actually seen a huge improvement in our grasp of more complex vocabulary since we started Wine and Spine (shoutout to anyone who tried to find GRE words in books we read!)
        3. Genre exploration: Through Wine and Spine, we explored several genres of literature that we otherwise might not have chosen to read. From self help to personal finance to literary thriller, we did it all. Also, we learned so many life skills (including everything about a 529 – thank you, Dawson)!
        4. Community: Arguably, the most important benefit of Wine and Spine was the creation of a community. Like we mentioned, a book club was a perfect excuse for all of our friends to hang out while doing something intellectually stimulating. We would spend well over the hour allotted for book club just chatting and catching up on life. Monday nights were easily some of the best nights of the week.

        Structure

        We tried to lay out a predictable structure at the beginning of the semester so that everyone knew what to expect. When forming a book club with some of the busiest people we know, it was super important that we planned ahead. This is what worked for us!

        1. Meetings weekly on Monday at 7:30 PM: We decided on this time based on what worked best for the three of us and then polling our friends on a time that was best for their schedule. Honestly, everyone was super flexible and accommodating which made choosing a meeting time seamless. 
        2. Four books throughout the semester: We tried to be reasonable about giving everyone plenty of time to get through a book. Every time we chose a book, we looked at the page length and strategically divided it up based on how many weeks it would take to finish. In general, we aimed to read 100-150 pages a week, which is around 20 pages a night.
        3. Discussion questions: We didn’t always use discussion questions during meetings, but we started off sending some out the day before to give everyone a general idea of concepts we could talk about. As we got more comfortable and the semester progressed, we abandoned discussion questions because conversations generally drove themselves. 
        4. Social aspects: At the beginning of almost every meeting we started with a rose, bud, thorn. Wine and Spine was partially created with the intention of community-building, so, of course, we wanted to hear updates from our friends. Sometimes rose, bud, thorn would generate additional side conversations, but this is what made book club meetings fun and conversational. We even had an ice cream social at the end to celebrate the end of the semester!
        5. Surveys: We used a TON of surveys and google forms. One of our main goals was making sure everyone had a voice and genuinely enjoyed Wine and Spine. So, we would ask for recommendations on wine we should provide at meetings, books to read, and how we can improve on our end. Obviously, including 17 voices and opinions can be overwhelming, but we did our best to have a relatively democratic process.

        Tips

        Finally, we wanted to give you some tips on how you could start your own book club!

        1. Find a group of friends that you think would all be interested in reading and would foster good discussions. It could be as small as 5 people or as big as 20 (we recommend shooting for somewhere in-between). 
        2. Try to add a fun aspect to meetings. Our “fun” twist was tasting wine, but yours could be something different. Perhaps you meet in a different location each week. Maybe there is an activity that accompanies each meeting. In a past book club she led, Saanvikha made fun, themed treats for each meeting. Make it your own!
        3. Add bonding moments in meetings. Our bonding was usually rose, bud, thorn or the conversations before/after the meeting. Having an icebreaker is a very easy way to get the conversation rolling.
        4. Try to ask for book recommendations. People will be more inclined to read a book if they actually enjoy it. So, rather than picking the book for everyone each week, you can all take turns or have some kind of polling/voting system.
        5. Be consistent and flexible. Create a predictable schedule whether you meet weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Choose based on what works for everyone that way they can build it into their schedules. Even if not everyone can show up for each meeting, still host them because discussions are still valuable. If something isn’t working, be willing to adapt and change. We tried to listen to feedback after every book to see what was working and what could be improved. 

        Our plan this summer

        As mentioned, we are continuing Wine and Spine this summer with a modified routine. We are now doing meetings over zoom and meeting biweekly! We are also picking books that are ~250 pages or less that are fairly digestible so that our members can opt into specific reads. We recommend formatting your own book club in a way that is right for you.

        As you can tell, we LOVE Wine and Spine society and everything it has given us. If you have any book recommendations for us, as always, reach out. Otherwise, we hope we’ve encouraged or convinced you all to start your own version of Wine and Spine!

      3. How to Case: An Overview

        We’ve all been there – trying to break into consulting, but the #1 obstacle in your path is that terrorizing case. It can be such a new and intimidating way of interviewing at first. At least for us, and you may agree, you cannot just learn how to case in class. You need a step-by-step guide or how-to tutorial to explain the process. Then, you simply have to practice over and over again to feel confident (easy enough, right?). However, the important part about casing is setting yourself apart from the crowd of other interviewees going through the same process! As you case, you are aiming for consistency and growth, not the usage of the same standard framework everytime you case. Rather, you should reflect on your feedback and learn how to implement it with each new case. Every time you case you will be doing something new, so rather than trying to be perfect, try to analyze the core bit of the case. Be interested and willing to adjust to the new situation and learn the problem! 

        This overview is going to take you through the core aspects of the case with a few tips. Since apps are around the corner, we wanted to share these tips with you! Remember, you cannot do a case if you do not know the structure of it!!! You must master these basic principles before you can fully conquer the case, so get at it! But, one second. Before you get into the case, we wanted to provide you with an example of how we set up our sheet of paper before a case. So, here you go!

        The main parts of the case are as following:

        1. The Prompt
        2. Read Back
        3. Clarifying Questions
        4. Framework
        5. Quant/Qual Analysis
        6. Conclusion
        1. The Prompt

        The Prompt can be either 1) interviewer-led (you get a whole boatload of info) or 2) interview-ee led (you get very little contextual info). On your piece of paper, write down everything, even if it’s a one line phrase of “Your client is interested in pursuing XXX.” Get used to jotting down notes fast as the interviewer will be speaking at a regular conversational pace. 

        1. The Read Back

        Do not forget to do this! First start with an “Oh this seems really interesting, I haven’t heard of XX before, but I am excited to solve this with you!” or “This is super cool, I actually have done XX!” It is always good to add a personal touch or show some personal connection to the prompt (remember, find ways to stand out!). Then, restate ALL of the information verbatim. This is crucial because if you’re missing something important, the interviewer will clarify. 

        1. The Clarifying Questions

        After you read back the prompt, you want to ask some clarifying questions. These are questions that can help you better understand the problem or the client. You typically want to ask 4-5 questions max. Sometimes it will flow naturally, other times it will not, but you HAVE to ask at least 2-3. Some examples of questions are: “Why are we pursuing XX?”; “Is this problem occurring across the market?”; “Are we based only in a particular region or across the globe?”; “Would acquiring this company allow us to develop synergies in X that we are curious to explore?” This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but it gives you a place to start as you begin your casing journey. 

        But, your final question should always be: “Are there any other objectives we would like to pursue?” Although not always the case, some cases have an additional motive that you may not otherwise realize unless you explicitly ask the interviewer. 

        1. The Framework

        Okay, we know that was a lot, but you got this! We are now into the meat of the case. Going into the framework you want to ask: “Do you mind giving me some time to lay out my initial thoughts?” This should really take 1:15 minutes, 1:30 max. And, you NEED at least 3 proper “buckets” although using that jargon is bad and feels bot-ish. Rather, when you are explaining your ideas later, consider using phrasing like “There are three main areas I want to focus on.” You’re probably wondering what these three “buckets” could even be, so here are some ideas. If you have a profitability case, you could do profit, market, and a creative bucket (Dawson usually does expansion/innovation capabilities). If you are investigating a new market, you should have a market sizing bucket.

        The largest and MOST important consideration is that every case is unique so you have to fit the ideas around the problem, don’t smash a profitability framework on a market entry case. This is immature and shows you are not fully paying attention. Also, there is no “right answer” with your framework. The interviewer wants to see you consider all important aspects of the situation at hand, employ problem solving skills, and organize ideas strategically. 

        Before you start explaining everything within your buckets, you need to lay out the general overview. Start with, “Ok, I would like to investigate, A then B and then C.” It should be progressive. For example, in a profitability case, it would make sense to first investigate the profit of an item, then the market we are selling in, and lastly, creative ideas to grow. Remember, the interviewer can’t see your paper or read your mind. You need to communicate your thoughts clearly and concisely. Give them the roadmap for your framework before you start throwing a million ideas at them. Next, you should start explaining the ideas within each bucket. Overall, do not see this as a case, see it as a fun exploration of ideas and conversation exploring a concern.

        Tip: interlace your own experiences. Mention things about your experience or background that show why you think a certain way. You want this to feel conversational. Connect with the case and the interviewer.

        1. The Quant/Qual Analysis

        Once you finish the framework, you should always take initiative and suggest where to investigate first. You might be correct in your instinct or they may want to completely re-direct the case. Just remember to consistently drive the case forward. Regardless, the interviewer will now have some qualitative and quantitative questions for you.

        Quant = math. Maybe you need to calculate the profit of an item or the amount of units you need to sell to breakeven. These calculations are never too complicated. However, if you are asked to calculate, say, the profitability, and you don’t have the values for revenue or costs, ask for them! The interviewer rarely provides you with all of the information you need. When going through the math, be extremely detailed. Before you start calculating anything, explain what process you’re going to take without using numbers. If you make a mistake in your layout, they can catch it. Once you start plugging in numbers, talk through the math and be specific. Remember, once again, the interviewer can’t see your paper. Once you have a number, first do a quick check to see if the answer seems reasonable in context. If you pass this gut check, ask “How does this sound?” The interviewer may or may not give you a clear response, but if you feel confident about the answer, move on and explain what you would like to consider next. 

        Tip: Circle the important numbers/answers so that you can incorporate them into your final conclusion.

        Qual = yapping and brainstorming. The qualitative section differs a lot from case to case. You may be asked to come up with a list of ideas on something (expansion opportunities, revenue generators, etc.). The key, regardless of what you’re asked to brainstorm, is structure. The interviewer is looking to see how you handle being put on the spot and assessing your ability to brainstorm in an organized manner. Don’t just start rambling on with any idea that comes to mind. Be concise and logical but show off your creativity. The interviewer may pressure you by asking you for another idea. Then, another. Another.. ANOTHER. But, do not get flustered because this is a way for them to push you. In general, don’t ask for time to lay out ideas, only do this during the framework or if a qual question is “please solve the hunger crisis in America” (which you will not get). The key for this part of the case is to show your ability to think on your feet and provide structured, creative thoughts. Again, continue to keep driving the case forward once you give ideas and engage with the interviewer.

        1. The Conclusion

        You did it! You have reached the end of the case. Now, the interviewer will ask you one of the following questions (or a similar variation): “So, the CEO is about to walk in, summarize your findings” or “The SVP accidentally runs into you on the elevator, what do you say?” 

        Your conclusion should be one-minute. Yes, this takes practice, but you want to learn to be concise and straight-forward. Lucky for you, we’ll give you exactly how to structure your five-part conclusion. 

        1. Say the conclusion: A ONE LINER. This is so important. Don’t restate the prompt because your client already knows the issue. Instead, show enthusiasm and clearly state your recommendation.
          1. Ex. “Yes, absolutely! I would recommend XYZ.”
        2. Elaborate on your recommendation with information from the case. Every question or detail is important! Make sure you use the case info to justify why you said XYZ.
          1. Ex. “Based on my analysis, I recommend X because…”
        3. Risks: mention some of the risks that accompany your recommendation. Get creative! You want to show critical thinking and proactivity.
          1. Ex. In a tourism case where you are opening a resort in another country, you could explain that a logistical risk is attracting tourists to the area. 
        4. Long-term/Next Steps: mention what you would do next or in the long-term. This could be more market research or you would investigate another aspect of the case (you can even pull from the buckets you made earlier in your framework). This can also be a way for you to show creativity.
          1. Ex. In a profitability case, if you only focused on increasing revenue, you could suggest exploring ways to mitigate costs or improving marketing. 
        5. Re-state the answer. End on a high note and say your recommendation one more time. You want to end the case with clarity and confidence. 

        There you have it! You made it through the case! Your attitude towards the case will make or break your interview. Approach it with confidence, positivity, and a way to learn and grow. It is impossible to explain everything about casing and provide all of our tips in one post. Please reach out if you have more specific questions or want more advice on how to case!

        BONUS: TIPS TO REMEMBER

        1. The interviewer is on your side! Engage the interviewer!
        2. You’re not competing with ANYONE. The case is an opportunity to show your experience and skills. 
        3. Don’t treat this as an interview, but rather as a real-life scenario in which the interviewer is your client and you’re trying to help them. 
        4. Explain everything – they want to see how you think!
        5. Drive the case!
        6. Add your own experiences into the mix!
        7. It’s okay if you make mistakes! (Lowkey) The interviewer wants you to make mistakes so that they can see how you respond to criticism or advice.

        The sheet below summarizes a lot of the advice we gave above (thank you, Dawson!).

      4. Our Top 5 Favorite Experiences at UGA

        Our Top 5 Favorite Experiences at UGA

        We are officially exactly at the two-week post-graduation time point, which means we have had plenty of time to reflect on our college experiences! So, we thought it would be fun to write a post about our top 5 favorite experiences during our time at UGA. Since we’ve raved about study abroad in past posts, we decided not to include study abroad in this list. Each of us had unique college experiences, so we decided to do 5 experiences each. Yes, the title is misleading because you will actually be reading about 10 experiences. Nonetheless, you may notice some overlap. Hopefully, this can encourage you to make the most of your UGA/college experience. If you have graduated, we encourage you to reflect back on your time and think of what would be your top 5 experiences (academic, personal, professional, extracurricular, or social). With that being said, keep scrolling to see what each of us chose.

        Saanvikha

        This list is in no particular order of importance because, honestly, it would be impossible to rank it based on importance (I could barely narrow it down to 5). Overall, when I think about my college experience and what motivated me each day, these 5 definitely pop into my mind immediately. 

        • The Backpack Project of Athens: I started volunteering with The Backpack Project of Athens (TBP/ATH), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Athens, GA that aims to ease the burden of homelessness, the fall of my freshman year through another incredible organization, the Arch Policy Institute. My biggest takeaway from TBP/ATH is the ability to form meaningful relationships with the Athens community and serve a group that is often neglected. I have been able to build friendships with people experiencing homelessness, bond over experiences in the United Kingdom, and be a friendly ear to hear their concerns and requests. TBP/ATH also taught me how to be an effective leader, create a just cause for a team, and how to work on a team of students to advance operational and organizational efforts. We were constantly looking for ways to grow and serve our clients in a more intentional manner, and I learned skills and built relationships that I will carry forward for a long time. I met some INCREDIBLE people along the way who continue to inspire me daily. 
        • Institute for Leadership Advancement (ILA): I joined ILA my junior year after hearing incredible things from Dawson. Prior to ILA in the Terry College of Business, I never saw myself venturing into anything related to business. Regardless, ILA is not designed to teach you how to pursue a career in business, but it is rather geared towards training the future leaders of our society to be successful and intentional servant-leaders. Besides the tangible leadership skills I learned in these courses, I also value the personal journey it forced me to undertake. I learned more about myself, my values, and why I wanted to pursue my future career path. I also found some of my favorite mentors with the professors through this program, and I would not have been able to achieve some of my goals without this support system. 
        • Undergraduate Research: I know I can complain about undergraduate research sometimes, but I truly cannot imagine college without it. Research is meant to be challenging, frustrating, time-consuming, and draining. However, it is also stimulating, thought-provoking, and motivating, which is what I have come to find. I could not imagine my sophomore year without going into the lab at 10 PM on a Friday or spending weekends counting parasites in the Lionheart microscope. Despite the occasional Chagas scares (iykyk) and inability to properly use a drill, I truly enjoyed the work I did, the relationships I built with those who worked in the lab, and the opportunities my work gave me (aka traveling to Boston and Palo Alto!).
        • Policy Writing: I lumped together a lot of my experiences into policy writing, which, I know, is lowkey cheating. But, I simply couldn’t pick one amongst them all. Getting involved with policy through the Arch Policy Institute (API) defined most of my extracurricular involvement going forward. Through the Frye Fellowship, API, and the Archway Partnership, I learned to critically analyze existing issues in our healthcare system, rural development programs, or local government. I developed a proactive mindset to look for solutions for these problems through policy, which is work I could see myself doing in the future. Besides being able to publish in our yearly journal or having our group’s bill pass the Georgia House and Senate this year, policy writing was an outlet for me to hone in my skills and explore an interest that was outside of my major and what I studied in college. 
        • GNYHA Internship: If you personally know me, you know I can’t stop talking about how incredible it was to spend my summer at the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA). I could write a whole post on this in the future, but I’ll keep it short for now. This internship solidified my interest in healthcare law. However, it also connected me with Ms. Waltman, one of my favorite people to talk to, gave me the confidence to be able to navigate a big, new city all alone. Truly, I love New York City and really want to live there one day even if it’s a short stint. I grew so much personally and also explored a professional passion. My biggest recommendation to all of you is to never be afraid to take risks if it is what you truly WANT and go after/apply to those big internships/scholarships because you never know what could happen. 

        Dawson

        Similarly, my list is also in no particular order, but I wanted to highlight some wonderful experiences from over time!

        • Winning the National Championships with the Redcoats: my freshman year I was a member of the Redcoats Marching Band! It feels SO long ago, but I was a marching brat all throughout high school and knew I wanted to do marching for at least one year in college. That year in 2021 was when we went to Indianapolis for the CFP National Championship game and I remember being hysterical there in the arena. It was one of the first true moments that I felt excited and knew that Home is Where the Arch is, and although I was only in RCB for one year, I still remain involved with UGA Music through UGA Presents events (plug but I LOVE them) and Kappa Kappa Psi (a music fraternity on campus). I met some of my closest friends through RCB, and they all graduated before me, but I had never felt so connected to the UGA community through this experience.
        • Institute for Leadership Advancement: This has already been talked about by some, but ILA was truly one of the most transformative experiences of my whole undergrad. Prior to doing this leadership certificate program, I was a staunch hater of business and doing anything with it, but through ILA, I made incredible friends and peer mentors that I stay in touch with and still look up to. It was great to learn more about my personality and strengths, but I also have a highlight of creating a company called ‘Stitch’ with 7 of my closest friends in the class where we ‘created’ a company and would talk about leadership principles and tactics. It has been fun to stay involved with the ILA faculty and the yearly ILA gala, and I feel obscenely old as I did it spring of my freshman year. But, it has been amazing to get my friends to also do the program and see their growth. ILA showed me the amazing benefits that a business perspective can provide and convinced me to pursue my Economics major.
        • KKPsi Music Recital: During my first-year, I knew I would not have time to continue with RCB, the schedule was demanding and made it difficult to do much else. So, I decided to pledge for Kappa Kappa Psi, a national honorary music fraternity, where one of my closest friends at the time, Isabella, became my big! I have made so many INCREDIBLE memories, but one of the top was our MC Recital. It is not a typical recital .. but rather a fun concert with skits and some instrumental playing. I played the Mario Underwater theme on the saxophone, did the Georgette kickline, and even did a fun Starbucks skit. Each one of us have nicknames, and my KKPsi nickname is “Starbs,” which is very on brand if you know me. But, I’m so glad I stuck with it throughout college and adore my little Carter, and everyone that has gone through it with me.
        • Brumby RA: For my sophomore and junior year I was a resident assistant in Brumby Hall and had the BEST time. I will still complain about the Brumby hill to this day, but Brumby brought me some of my closest friends in college. My residents were campus showstoppers, and one of them has now taken my UGA Digital Dawg account (shout out @uga.landon)! From social events like the yearly Thanksgiving Yule Tide Feast to Haunted Highrises to daily movie nights doing homework and making bulletin boards, it was genuinely one of the best experiences. At times it was difficult to separate personal and professional life, but I would not have changed it for anything. My freshman year I was on the Russell Community Council (the best one on campus) and served as president! This got me involved with housing and inspired me to stay involved, and I am so glad it did. Housing brought me incredible friendships and experiences that I will hold on to forever.
        • Honors TAing: Over three different semesters I was a teaching assistant for an introductory honors course where I taught 17 students each term! I loved the experience of getting to mentor and advise my students on resumes and places to study and I frequently brought in friends to talk about their experiences. This, along with many other experiences, only reinforced my interest in education. Although I could never be a full-time professor, I have a deep appreciation for our educational system. Each semester, I had a choice week where I would bring in Dunkin Donuts and would talk about the importance of LinkedIn and staying connected, and I always love when my former students reach out and tell me about their accomplishments and what they are up to!

          Bonus! 

          Both of us agree that combined, one of our top experiences has been our Wine & Spine book club! The only regret we may have is not starting it earlier. This book club literally sprouted out of a text message in a groupchat with our close friend Alex Womack (check out his blog post here!). We all wanted to start off 2025 with the goal of reading more, so, of course, we decided to start our own book club! Although it is meant for reading and exploring different genres of literature, it is also an hour and a half each week to see 15 of our closest friends! We also include a weekly wine tasting (as the name suggests) to expand our palates. We simply can’t get enough time with our friends and need an excuse to read and chat throughout the summer, so we are continuing Wine & Spine over the summer virtually!

          Well there you have it, folks! We know this is a little bit of a change in pace from the previous posts, but we hope you got a little taste of what experiences defined our UGA experience, and if you’re still at UGA, please make the most of everything the university offers! Also, this post is a reminder that goals are more easily met when you make it enjoyable and do it with friends, and that is exactly what we did with Wine & Spine!

        1. Guest Writers, Incoming!

          When we came up with this blog, we knew that we wanted to talk about our own stories and experiences, but we also realize that we don’t know it all by any means and hearing other perspectives is so valuable. So, we want to officially introduce our guest writers series! 

          Guest writers are friends, colleagues, and peers that we think have a really good story or unique interest that could be helpful for you! We honestly have the most incredible, successful, high-achieving, and genuine friends in the world, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them. Incorporating guest writers is a great way to highlight the experiences of other people who are going through similar transitionary periods in life and with different paths of interest (and you get a break from just listening to us talk about our lives all the time!)  Over the next few weeks and from now on, we will have guest writers that get to tell their story. Be on the lookout 👀

          As we wrap up this last semester, we want to take the time to reflect on this blog as a fun way to share our stories. Don’t worry, there are many, many more posts to come as we graduate (t-minus 4 days!) and go into post-grad life (in ATL and DC!). Thanks, as always, for tuning in. We can’t wait for everything that is to come!

        2. Coming to Terms with Graduating from UGA

          Coming to Terms with Graduating from UGA

          Graduating college is such an indescribable and odd feeling. Honestly, it still doesn’t feel real yet and we’re less than a month out from it (17 days to be exact!). There have been so many different perspectives we’ve heard from our fellow senior class about this HUGE milestone: a lot of anxiety about the future and adulting, excitement to move on to professional life or a new chapter, and bittersweetness. The two words we would use to describe it are uncertainty and hope. There is so much uncertainty about the future and where all of us will be even a year from now and which friendships will remain, but we also have a lot of hope for this new beginning and all that it will bring — new opportunities, travel, experiences, challenges, and community.

          In this post, we want to discuss how we have come to terms with graduating and hope that it resonates with some of you (either now or later on in the future). If you know us, you know that Dawson is READY to get out of UGA and start his job, and Saanvikha is a little more on the fence about this new chapter. Regardless, we don’t want this to be a sappy post but rather a celebration of this milestone with a taste of reflection.

          Coming to Terms with Leaving UGA

          To be honest, neither one of us is that devastated about leaving UGA or Athens. Yes, Athens has been home for the past four years and we have made some of the best memories and friends in this small college town. But, at the end of these four years, we feel ready to move on and leave UGA. Also, it’s exciting! Our next chapter is gonna be different, and we are both excited to be doing something new. Part of what makes leaving this campus easier is that we both left for study abroad and internships in the past. Also, although the campus and town is beautiful, we want to explore more of the world. There are so many wonderful places out there and experiences to be had, and studying abroad really reinforced that point. We’ve taken advantage of everything UGA/Athens can offer us at this point of time (including the restaurants and coffee shops), so we’re ready for something new.

          What’s the most difficult part about leaving UGA? The friendships and community we’ve formed here. Reflecting back on our college experiences and the campus, we’re not sure we will remember the exact layout of MLC, the time it takes to walk from our freshman year dorm to downtown, or our senior year class schedule. But, we will remember the long nights at the library goofing off with our friends and getting no work done, jumping into the fountain freshman year with the amazing group of people we met at the dorm, going to gymnastics meets with friends, and simply staying up just chatting about life and the world.

          The people really make UGA hard to leave. There is no other time in our lives that we will be SO close to all of our friends, be able to pick up friends for a sweet treat run, and go ring the bell after an OChem test. 

          We try not to think about all the lasts (last Milledge walk, last time in the research lab, last night out, last Snellibrate, etc.), but it gets hard sometimes. We know that the friendships that mean the most will transcend college and UGA and that we will still be able to keep in touch and visit and create new memories. But, also, Athens is a place that we can visit for many years to come. That’s what keeps us going…at least for now.

          Why We Feel (Mostly) Ready

          Like we said before, we think we have made the most of our UGA experience, and we truly think that our time here has prepared us for the future. Dealing with things like rejection throughout college has really revealed that we’re only going to face more rejections and failures in the future, so we need to learn how to handle them and be able to use them as learning experiences (more on this later!). We also feel like we have built a network and community here that will be there for us even past college.

          Graduation is not just closing a book and never looking back. The people, skills, and experiences will remain, and we will always be able to pull from them in the future as we continue to learn and grow.

          Like we mentioned earlier, studying abroad and doing internships in two big cities last summer really prepared us for this moment. When we were in New York City and Washington D.C., there were several moments where we felt alone. We sort of knew a few other people in these cities, but we still didn’t have our closest friends with us every single day. We learned to not lose ourselves or our aspirations even in these big cities by making intentional efforts to meet and hangout with people, to serve in the community, to reach out to friends through phone calls, and to experience our new environment. This is something that we will definitely take with us post-graduation as we embark on new adventures.

          The Money & The Milestone

          Graduation not only is a big personal milestone, but it is also a huge financial milestone. For most of us, this is when we start becoming a lot more financially independent (some of you may already have been). Something that both of us have been working on and planning is learning how to create a post-graduate budget and plan for our future. Reading financial literacy books and talking to our parents about investing and donating have been key in helping us plan for the future. Also, seeing signing and relocation bonuses or even knowing what our salary is going to be feels a little intimidating but also exciting because graduation feels so much more real with it. We hope to share more about how we’ve gone about creating a budget and planning in the near future!

          Conclusion

          Again, we hope graduating seniors can resonate with some of the points we mentioned here. I’m sure our emotions will change and fluctuate as May 9 approaches, but for now, we’re trying to make the most of the rest of our time here at UGA. So, let us know if you want to hang out!

        3. How We Broke Into Consulting

          How We Broke Into Consulting

          Consulting is one of those careers that several new college grads end up starting in, but no one quite knows what the job is (besides the fact that it pays well and connects to several sectors). MBB is an acronym for the three most “prestigious” firms in management and strategy consulting. They relate to optimizing overall business strategy and work with high-level clients including major corporations and in some cases, the federal government. The three firms are McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain & Company. Both of us are starting off at an MBB firm this year (Dawson at Bain Atlanta and Saanvikha at BCG DC). Our path to breaking into consulting was far from easy but also, both of us had pretty distinct journeys into consulting. Before we share a guide on how to break into consulting for a beginner, we wanted to give you a glimpse into our stories, so let’s jump right in.

          Dawson’s Story

          I stumbled haphazardly onto the field of consulting during the late fall of my sophomore year. By that point, I was becoming dissociated with being pre-med and having a crisis over whether being a doctor was right for me. Specifically, I was in class and saw that an organization on campus was recruiting for consulting. I thought it was interesting and shortly after, applied for the organization in our Terry College of Business and thought nothing of it. Well, I received an interview and had no idea what consulting was and had one week to prepare for case interviewing. I was recommended to read a book called Case in Point and had it shipped the next day. I went to our dining hall on campus at about 11pm and spent three hours reading it. I was enthralled and inspired at a job that is 50% problem solving and 50% talking to other people. The concept of working at 23 years old and ‘advising’ and identifying solutions was extremely tempting, especially instead of spending a decade more in school.

          Well, I got rejected. During my interview I said I didn’t want to become a consultant, and this was true, and that I would rather use the skills to develop for the future. I was bummed, but I left still thinking about consulting as a profession, especially since I was curious about doing an MD/MBA at the time (I know–very ambitious) to do hospital administration. Fast forward a few weeks, and I was getting coffee with a peer leader and he recommended that I talk to his girlfriend that is doing consulting. I reached out and had coffee with her, and thanks to her advice with  providing me with the numbers of UGA alum that interned at MBB, I became even more entranced. At UGA, we have an organization called the Corsair society, a business club that takes talented students and helps with the final polishing to try and be successful in recruiting. Well, at this point, Corsair application season was coming around and I decided to apply. Now, I could actually see myself in consulting during a gap year before med school (Yes, MD was still on the docket). I began to case prep and learn how to really interview, and through this process, I became extremely interested and loved thinking about macro problems and started to see the world and business in a transformative and new way.

          I got accepted! It was insane, and I found a tight community in that organization. That summer, I went through recruiting and very much did not get an offer despite interviewing, and really no one got offers. I was looking for something new and studied abroad at LSE, thinking about pivoting into policy and law school. So, I took junior year with consulting on the burner and ended up interning at a think tank during my junior summer. I loved this experience and knew that if I was applying to law school I wanted to have a summer in DC. During the full time recruiting of MBB, I decided to reapply and see what happens. Well, Bain was the earliest deadline and I shortly after received an interview invite. 

          I stepped up my case prep game and ended up having my first round interview on zoom in Seattle while visiting my freshman year college roommate. I received an invite the next day for round two. I then had 1.5 weeks and took it chiller and just focused on my why and some light preparation. My interview was on a Monday, and I drove to Athens right after it. I hadn’t heard anything for a day so I was obviously very nervous. But, while I was driving around on Tuesday, I got a call from my partner giving me my offer. This day is probably one of my top 5 memories. I can still perfectly recount it and am immensely grateful for the overwhelming amount of support from those at Bain.

          I see consulting as a launch point to learn and grow with other incredibly gifted and ambitious peers. Although Atlanta wasn’t my first choice, Bain heavily focuses on healthcare in Atlanta, and I knew that it was the best place for me to learn from some of the best in the industry. I plan to stay at Bain for 3 years before doing a joint JD/MBA, as of now, and then afterwards, who knows! There’s so many possibilities but I know that whatever I choose, it will be in pursuit of trying to create a better healthcare system.

          Saanvikha’s Story

          Right before my second round interview in Edinburgh!

          To be quite honest, I didn’t really know that consulting existed as a career until halfway through my sophomore year of college. I came into college as a Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major and envisioned myself doing something with health policy or public health in the future. In fact, when I first learned about consulting (through Dawson, naturally), I had been accepted into and was completing coursework for the Double Dawgs program for an MPH with a Health Policy & Management emphasis. But, I honestly was not enjoying the program as much as I thought I would. I was also worried about starting off a career in health policy because I did not want to get a general legislative staff assistant position on the Hill and was not ecstatic about any of the other health policy careers people had spoken to me about. During my spring semester, Dawson had tried to convince me to explore consulting but I was very much opposed to the idea of working in management consulting. I thought the work hours were terrible (and still kind of do), was nervous about getting sucked into the corporate world, and didn’t think I had the skills or background to even get an offer. 

          I spent the summer after my sophomore year in Athens, GA doing research and volunteering, and I had quite a bit of free time. So, I decided to look into consulting a little more – just to learn a little more about it. Even though at this point of time I still didn’t see myself pursuing it, I figured there was no harm in learning about it. So, what did this look like? Reading Case in Point, of course (to see what casing was like), reaching out to people working in consulting who were alumni of UGA, participating in Connect with McKinsey and BCG Launch, and reading as much as possible about it online. I was exclusively looking at healthcare consulting companies at the time (ex. Huron, Avalere, Deloitte GPS) because I knew that healthcare is where I wanted to be long-term. I also still didn’t think I could actually place and vividly remember saying that I was solely looking at boutique and maybe Big 4 firms because I didn’t have what it takes for MBB. Surprisingly, I ended up really enjoying my conversations with everyone working there, but unfortunately, by the time I came to this realization, the recruiting season for the consulting summer internships had come to a close. 

          Consulting was on the back-burner for most of my junior year besides networking calls every once in a while until I did the Bain Atlanta Women’s Leadership Summit. I absolutely loved the two days I spent in the office. Not only were the culture and people at the office amazing, but the actual projects were so interesting. I also saw how people were able to use their job in consulting to create change and do good in the world, which was inspiring and encouraging. Post-summit, I was guaranteed a first-round interview with the office, so I spent several hours casing and speaking with associate consultants in the office (even while abroad in Cortona and my internship in NYC). By completing Solve for McKinsey, I also had the opportunity to attend several ATL recruiting events. I ended up applying in the summer for Bain, BCG, and McKinsey.

          When my first-round interview for Bain came around (the first consulting interview I ever did), I felt prepared and both excited/nervous. But, the actual interview didn’t go so well, and I ended up not getting a second-round. I was pretty discouraged after this because Bain ATL was my “dream” company, and I pretty much lost all hope for consulting and basically went through a crisis of applying to every/any job on Handshake because I was scared of being unemployed. Very shockingly, I ended up also getting first round interviews from the BCG Washington D.C. office and the McKinsey ATL office. I was still bummed about Bain and had a pessimistic outlook about the interview, but I did both of those interviews right before leaving for the U.K. and got calls about a second-round interview for both. I ended up not getting an offer from McKinsey, but I did my second-round interview for BCG in Scotland and got a call the same night! Honestly, every time someone asks me what I did to get an offer from BCG WAS, I don’t have a clear answer (I didn’t talk to anyone from the office before nor did I have any connection to DC besides loving policy). I think what was more important was being able to tell my story passionately and really honing in on my strengths in casing and interviewing. Consulting, for me, is an avenue to learn about various fields, tune my analytical and creative skills, and make connections that will help me towards a future international health policy career.

          Wrap-Up

          We know that was a lot to gather from both of our paths to consulting, but we hope that gave a little more insight into how we “broke through.” There isn’t a recipe or foolproof guide into how to start at an MBB firm. Everyone has their own path and story (as seen in our distinct ones). This is simply what worked for us. In the future, we’ll give some more guidance on how to network for consulting, what programs to consider, casing/interview tips, and more. So…stay tuned!

        4. Why Should You Study Abroad: An Introduction!

          Why Should You Study Abroad: An Introduction!

          Studying abroad was hands-down probably one of the best decisions we made during college. Everyone always raves about how studying abroad changed their lives. This sounds like a cliche statement that doesn’t really say much about the experience. Although we agree that studying abroad was extremely influential in our personal and professional growth, we want to elaborate more on why and encourage all of you to take advantage of the opportunity while you still have the chance! It is a lot easier than you would think.

          Our Journey to Studying Abroad

          Between the two of us, we ended up studying abroad in Italy, England, and at LSE- across three different programs and over multiple semesters. Both of us entered college with different perspectives on the possibility of study abroad. Saanvikha knew when she chose UGA that she definitely wanted to study abroad, but she always imagined that she would choose a Spanish-speaking country and spend no more than a summer studying abroad (which turned out to be quite the opposite of what she did). Dawson, on the other hand, did not see himself studying abroad at the beginning, especially with his rigorous coursework and as an aspiring MD/PhD. More so, he was initially supposed to go to Oxford the summer after freshman year, but due to being a resident assistant, it conflicted with the schedule of training and he could not go. Nonetheless, he ended up studying abroad more than most other students during college by spending a summer at the London School of Economics after his sophomore year and doing a Maymester at Cortona, Italy and a semester at Oxford University (the last two with Saanvikha).

          Dawson decided to study abroad at the London School of Economics because of his interest in applying for the Marshall scholarship and the realization that if he did not go abroad over the summer, then he would not have the ability to later on. He knew he wanted an internship the summer of junior year, so it made sense to go abroad sophomore summer. LSE is not a partnership school with UGA, nor with most schools in general, so he chose this opportunity as a way to meet friends in a more relaxed, English-speaking environment. Because of his economics degree, he was able to knock out two of the upper-level required classes abroad.

          As Biochemistry & Molecular Biology majors (or STEM majors in general,  it can often be hard to study abroad due to the specific course requirements and the course schedule. The Science and Art History Maymester, however, is targeted at giving Biochem majors the opportunity to get the experience of being abroad while completing an elective that goes directly toward the major. Getting away from UGA for a whole semester was a little bit more difficult for us. We started the process almost a year prior to the Oxford program with another one of our close friends, Widener, by communicating with our Biochem advisor, department head, and program director. Since we would have to take Human Biochemistry (one of the hardest major courses that is also only offered in the fall) at Oxford and Physical Biochemistry (another required courses), we had to get the course approved by our department, and the program director had to find a professor at Oxford that was willing to teach the course. Thankfully, our efforts ended up paying off, and the course was approved!

          Study Abroad Memories

          London School of Economics

          The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is in the heart of London. Whether exploring Piccadilly Circus and the West End, eating across Soho, going shopping at Harrods and buying Vejas at Selfridges, eating chocolate-covered strawberries in Borough market, or having afternoon tea in Covent Garden, there was so much to explore. What was unique, however, was getting to meet friends and people from across the world and even the United States. Some of Dawson’s closest friends from the trip are at the University of Alabama and UNC, but he also met a number of people from Australia, France, and Spain. The true cross-cultural aspect of the program through interaction with people from across the world is amazing. The program itself was rigorous with 5 hours of instruction a day, and there was a fair amount of time spent in the library preparing for tests and projects. Dawson also got to go to Paris for the first-time as well as Lake Como. Although the program was a short two months, it sparked an interest in studying abroad in the future as well as finding ways to possibly live abroad one day.

          Cortona

          Cortona is probably one of the most beautiful and peaceful towns we have ever been to. The quaint little town is home to spectacular landscaping, rich history, inspiring art, and, of course, incredible food. In the heart of Tuscany (the MOST beautiful place), we were lucky to do this program with some of our best friends, so it was an easy adjustment and constant fun. Some of the highlights for us included eating two Michelin meals (the beginning of our food adventures! Although it is much cheaper abroad…), traveling to Florence, Siena, and Rome, multiple sweet treats a day, seeing the School of Athens in person, celebrating Dawson’s 21st birthday in Florence, eating the best gelato, and spending hours talking at night. Dawson also went to an F1 race in Imola and Cinque Terre for his birthday! Eating authentic Italian food was delicious, and having a morning cappuccino and afternoon sandwich was always a highlight. Despite having to share a bathroom with 7 other people or being in lecture for 8 hours a day and cramming for exams, it was one of the best months ever, and Dawson already has inspiration from Tuscany’s landscape for his future house.  

          Oxford

          Four months after Cortona, we were back at the airport to leave for our semester abroad at Oxford. Before classes started, we traveled with two amazing friends, Widener and Maggie (our Peppa squad!), to Edinburgh and Belfast. We cannot say enough good things about Edinburgh – the city holds a special place in each of our hearts. Classes in Oxford are far from easy, but the structure makes it manageable to still have plenty of fun. It is commonly known that Oxford is one of the most prestigious universities in the entire world, and the idea of being able to take classes there, engage with tutors, and collaborate with Oxford students was absolutely surreal. Oxford challenges you to think critically, understand the material presented to you rather than simply memorizing it, and learn to be receptive to more direct criticism. In Oxford, we went to Oxford Union debates (discussing if America is failing democracy), played on the club soccer team at Keble College, explored the museums, had high tea, and attended evensongs. We also got to explore the food scene of Oxford, see Christ Church meadows and the many gardens, and also traveled to Cambridge, York, Stratford-upon-Avon, Canterbury, Dover, the Cotswolds, London, and more. Over the weekends, we went to the Dolomites in Italy, Paris, Belgium, Colmar, Switzerland, and more! We miss our house of 42 everyday and the movie nights in the TV room together, long nights writing essays in the library, cooking meals in the kitchen, or simply talking in the foyer for hours. Luckily, our Oxford cohort is exceptionally good at staying in touch and reuniting at birthday parties even in Athens.

          Why should you study abroad?

          Studying abroad taught us so much about global dynamics, lifestyles and cultures in different parts of the world, and new perspectives. We made friends from around the world that we still keep in touch with who have deeply influenced how we view the world. It also impacted our future endeavors. Dawson sees himself living and working abroad for a period of his life, and Cortona and Oxford solidified Saanvikha’s desire to work in international health policy (got to see the WHO headquarters in Geneva!). 

          College can also force you into a bubble and a rhythm that can be hard to break from. Most of us, especially by the second semester of junior year, have found a steady group of friends and routine of extracurriculars and classes. By the time it was time to study abroad at Oxford, both of us desperately needed a break from our lifestyles at UGA and in Athens. We were burnt out and feeling frustrated. Studying abroad gave us an escape and gave us the opportunity to challenge ourselves and forced us outside of the Athens bubble that we had grown to become comfortable in. Even if all of you don’t feel the same way, at least some of you can relate to this feeling. Having the ability to explore the world, especially when you are not tied up in a job, is an incredible experience- even if balancing classes in the process.

          The next part is a little more UGA-specific. Don’t let finances and money hold you back from studying abroad because UGA is extremely supportive in making study abroad possible for everyone. There are tons of scholarships available, both program-specific and not – it’s all about talking to people and digging to find the opportunities. From Honors International Scholarship Program, Office of Global Engagement, Experiential Learning, to Foundation Incentive Scholarships, UGA encourages students taking advantage of the study abroad programs. Many students are even able to ‘profit’ some money to help pay for expenses of food or travel not covered by the program fee. Also, for out-of-state students, studying abroad is usually cheaper than staying in Athens since you pay in-state tuition while studying abroad through a UGA program. Both of us were able to have our Cortona and Oxford programs mostly or fully covered. You shouldn’t have to go into debt to study abroad. Reach out to us if you want to hear more about scholarships and financial opportunities!

          Find programs that interest you and don’t be afraid to explore a new country or part of the world. You are never going to be in your early 20s again with the freedom to travel and study around the world. Regardless of how stressful college feels, for most of us, we are only going to have more responsibilities in the future. I know it can be scary to leave friendships behind for a semester, miss out on a football season, or pause involvement. But, we cannot stress enough that all of these things will be here even when you get back. After Oxford, we were able to pick up friendships as they were before and still make the most of our last semester in Athens. You also shouldn’t be too worried about not being able to apply for grad programs or jobs while abroad. Most recruiters and admissions offices are very understanding about being abroad. In fact, Saanvikha did her second round BCG interview while in Scotland in a random coffee shop and ended up getting an offer! These experiences are wonderful opportunities to talk about how you stand out as you offer a new take on the world. So, take the risk and study abroad! You won’t regret it.

        5. A Guide to Your 2025 Bingo Card

          A Guide to Your 2025 Bingo Card

          How we made our and why you should make one


          The start of the New Year brings a variety of trends: resolutions, 75 hard, new gym-goers, dry January, TikTok dances, vision boards, and more. When we first saw the vision board building trend (obviously on TikTok), we were a little skeptical. In theory, the idea seemed like a great way to set goals and create an aesthetic for 2025, but whether it was a Pinterest board or a physical board, it felt a little impersonal. Usually, people choose Pinterest pictures or quotes that resonate with them to curate their own board, but we wanted to take it a step further by combining some of our resolutions and aspirations for the year and turning it into a fun challenge. That’s when we stumbled upon the idea of a bingo card for the year.



          What is a 2025 Bingo card?
          A 2025 Bingo card consists of 25 (well, 24 with the free space in the middle) goals or milestones we want to hit before the end of the year. The idea behind the bingo card was to choose goals that were challenging so that we wouldn’t be able to easily get a bingo. We pulled ideas from our resolutions list or even just the different trips or personal development goals we had for ourselves that came up in conversation. Throughout the year, we want to complete and cross off as many of the different squares as possible with the aim of hitting a bingo (or better yet, a blackout!). Now that you know what the concept of the bingo card is in case you haven’t seen it before, we’re going to try to convince you to make one.

          Why should you make one?
          We know it’s already been 3 months into the year, but it’s never too late to set goals and work towards creating the best version of yourselves. In college or busy work lives, it can be easy to fall into a rhythm and routine that is hard to break out of. With the constant pressure of deadlines and packed Google Calendars, students and young professionals tend to neglect personal care and growth. How many times have you noticed yourself struggling to list off your hobbies or interests when someone asked you? Or, think back to the last time you were able to truly take a chunk out of your day regularly to read, bake, or meditate simply for yourself? We noticed that setting short-term and long-term goals (not necessarily related to professional accomplishments), helped us focus on our hobbies and intentionally carve out time in our day for ourselves. You cannot be successful and happy professionally if your mental health or self care is suffering or not your #1 priority. A bingo card is something that constantly reminds you about your goals as you can physically create and have it in your room or desk. Also, most of us are fairly competitive and high-achieving, so the idea of crossing off as many of the boxes is enticing and motivating in itself. If nothing else, making one is something fun and cheap you can do with friends to hang out and bond (give your bank accounts a break from the overpriced coffees or extravagant meals)! Since we hope you are convinced, we will break down step-by-step how you can make your own bingo card.

          Building it Out

          1. Make a list of 24 goals (keep a good mix of personal growth, professional accomplishments, and other random things you want to do)
            • Trips you want to take
            • Any big purchases you want to make
            • Job changes
            • School milestones (graduation, internships, transfer)
            • Fitness goals
            • Personal goals (learning something or getting a certification)
          2. Grab a piece of paper and your favorite craft supplies (part of making a Bingo card is making it actually look good)
          3. Create a 5 by 5 square grid on a piece of white paper
          4. Make the middle square a free space or an easy milestone
            • We put celebrating our 22nd/23rd birthdays
          5. Lay out the other goals in the remaining squares 
            • Try to make it so it is actually difficult to get a Bingo
            • You can use Chat to help lay it out even
          6. Decorate it as you want and make it your own
          7. Hang up your bingo card somewhere you will see daily!

          A glimpse into our Bingo Cards

          If you’re one of our close friends, you’ve probably heard us talking about our bingo cards before, but in case you haven’t, we’ll give you some inspiration as you make your own. We have a mix of everything on our bingo cards. Dawson (fully in his food and wine connoisseur era) wants to get his WSET 1 and 2 certifications and has some very ambitious goals for his Beli (check out our restaurant adventures blog here!). Saanvikha is already missing the travel era from 2024 and has trips like Nashville and national parks on her bingo card and is even trying to fly Delta One (which looks VERY unlikely). Also, she really has stayed strong on not wearing sweatpants to class all semester. We also have some similar goals on our respective cards from a Blue Ridge cabin trip, running an official half marathon, and reading a certain number of books by the end of the year.

          Believe it or not, we have already started crossing things off – a big one being starting this blog! We really hope all of you will consider making a Bingo card. Both of us have noticed a big change in our motivation and attention to our physical, mental, and emotional health. We spend more time actually doing our hobbies and pursuing our interests and have noticed a change in our overall personal care and happiness. If you do make one, send us pictures of your bingo cards if you make one and thanks for tuning in!