How should you really choose a business school?

Rankings, funding, and location matter — but Anu Rogers believes there’s one factor people underestimate: vibe.

In this episode, Anuoluwapo Rogers, a proud Nigerian, Pan-African, and Finance & Strategy professional at American Express, shares a refreshing and honest perspective on how to choose the right MBA program for you — not just the most popular one.

Anu is currently part of American Express’ Global Finance Job Rotation Program, with his first rotation in Strategy & Transformation in New York. He earned his MBA from the Darden School of Business (Class of 2025), where he served as President of the Darden Africa Business Organization (DABO).

At Darden, Anu led initiatives that connected African students with the broader Darden and UVA communities, created platforms for talent visibility, and fostered engagement with African leaders — all while building a strong, values-driven student community.

Before business school, Anu spent over five years across tax advisory, finance, risk advisory, and consulting, working with organizations including Ernst & Young, Access Bank, Petrolog Group, and the Lagos Inland Revenue Service. He holds a BSc in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University and is a Chartered Banker certified by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

💡 In this conversation, Anu breaks down:

- How to choose a business school beyond rankings

- Why “vibe” can matter more than prestige

- What makes the Darden experience unique

- How to build leadership and community during your MBA

- Using business education to drive long-term impact in Africa

If you’re torn between schools or struggling to decide where you’ll truly thrive, this episode will help you rethink your approach.

🎙️ Business 101 Podcast: Inside Darden School of Business with Anu Rogers

Pre-order my preMBA recruiting playbook (free for a limited time):

https://mainstack.store/business101pod/mckinseyinspiresimplified

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