Growing up with a strong sense of service and resilience, Robert pursued a distinguished military career, serving as a sniper in Iraq until an injury during deployment altered the trajectory of his life. Despite physical and mental struggles, he graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago, earning accolades such as Undergraduate of the Year and the Key to the Human Resources Department.
In the corporate world, Robert carved a path in organizational design and compensation consulting, first at Korn Ferry and later as a founding team member of a startup consulting firm, where he also became a member of the LLC. Beyond his professional achievements, Robert demonstrated extraordinary character by organizing international supply chains to deliver critical aid during the Ukraine war.
Robert worked with us on his application for two of the world’s leading EMBA programs - Kellogg and MIT- and earned admission from both. MIT offered him a $20K scholarship, and Kellogg offered $40K scholarships. Robert has chosen to pursue his Executive MBA at Kellogg.
‘Service before Self’ has been the guiding motto of Robert’s life. Staying true to his spirit, he has generously agreed to share his journey and insights with us for the benefit of other military candidates considering an MBA.
In this candid conversation, Robert shares insights into:
- His military background and leadership foundations 01:27
- Overcoming challenges in transitioning from military to civilian life 06:00
- Robert’s humanitarian contributions 08:16
- MBA motivations and future aspirations 13:48
- Why Kellogg was the right choice for him 15:50
- What would Robert bring to Kellogg 17:33
- Robert’s long-term vision 18:50
- Advice for veterans and non-traditional MBA candidates 20:59
- Key factors behind Robert’s success at Kellogg and MIT 23:35
- MER's advice to highlight military experience 26:58
Let’s dive into a conversation with Robert:
Poonam: Thanks for your time for this interview. I am looking forward to a good conversation about your experiences. Congratulations on getting admission offers from both the programs we collaborated on, MIT and Kellogg. And both programs offered you scholarships, also.
Robert: Honestly, I'm overjoyed. It hasn't fully sunk in yet. It’s starting to, I've just got invited to the Slack channel, starting to meet some of the people in my cohort, and it feels great that I got admitted into MIT and Kellogg.
Throughout the process, I had that impostor syndrome that I'm applying to these top schools, coming from the enlisted side of the military. It was always a long shot to try and get into these schools. However, when I took one step at a time, I connected with you and other sources that helped me get admitted to these schools, and it's a great feeling.
Robert’s military background and leadership foundations
Poonam: Yes, it is. I'm excited for you. Could you share with our viewers your background, your military journey, and the leadership lessons that have with you?
Robert: Yes, I have an untraditional background. I enlisted in the United States Army at 18, just five days after high school, and completed basic infantry training at Fort Benning. I was stationed at Fort Drum, New York, where I served on the infantry line before joining the sniper section. In 2009, I was deployed to Iraq as a sniper but sustained a back injury that led to a medical retirement at age 22. The transition was difficult. I had no idea what I would do as I had always envisioned a lifelong military career, but I enrolled in college just a month later. The disciplined Army experience helped me excel academically, as waking up early didn't matter, and doing a few hours of homework was not a big deal. I excelled in college in a way I did not in high school.
In college, I met my mentor, Dow Scott, a Ph.D. in compensation, who guided me into research and ultimately into my first role at Newport Group in compensation consulting. There, I gained experience in both executive and non-executive compensation. A recruiter then brought me to Claire’s as a Compensation and Benefits Analyst, but I quickly realized internal HR was not for me—I missed the controlled chaos of consulting, solving new problems every day with new clients. Eventually, I ended up at Korn Ferry. Initially, I specialized in executive compensation for about a year when I did a project with the IMF and World Bank focused on the non-executive side. When I found job evaluation, that hit me because it was a 40-year-old methodology that still holds true to this day.
I moved to Korn Ferry, where I initially focused on executive compensation. A project with the IMF and World Bank introduced me to job evaluation, a field that deeply resonated with me. The turning point came when my current manager invited me to join Alpine Rewards as a founding team member. Building a startup from scratch—with no clients or templates—was like building a plane while flying it. Three years in, we now have 25 employees.
The discipline, grit, and resilience I gained in the military have guided me throughout my academic and professional journey and ultimately helped me gain admission to these programs.
Challenges in transitioning from military to civilian life
Poonam: So, your four years of military service shaped your personality and values and instilled discipline and resilience in you- qualities we highlighted in your essays. You faced significant challenges transitioning from military to civilian life. How did you overcome those difficulties, and what did you learn about yourself during that time?
Robert: Any service member who has transitioned out of the military knows how hard the transition can be. I also believe it can be much easier with some preparation. One of my biggest challenges was my physical and mental health, so I prioritized both by improving my fitness and seeking professional help for my mental well-being.
Having a strong support system also helped. I joined Merging Vets and Players, a group of ex-pro athletes and veterans. We work out together and have honest conversations in a huddle afterward. Through that group, I learned about Canines for Veterans and trained my service dog, Eleven—a Belgian Shepherd who now goes everywhere with me. He is not just a support animal; he is also a great icebreaker for me.
My biggest advice: have a plan, research available resources, and take advantage of the many foundations that support veterans. Also, find a mentor. I met mine at Loyola, and through him, I discovered compensation consulting, landed a job at Korn Ferry, and gained someone I still turn to for objective career guidance.
Robert’s humanitarian contributions
Poonam: You have been actively supporting the veteran community and have also made significant humanitarian contributions during the Ukraine war, which is continuing. Could you share more about those initiatives?
Robert: Yes, the first organization I mentioned is Merging Vets and Players, which brings together ex-pro athletes and combat veterans. We meet for a physical workout—typically boxing or jiu-jitsu—followed by a huddle where we share experiences and support each other through life’s ups and downs. The group also participates in community service, like building homes and volunteering at food banks.
Canine for Veterans is another great organization. They provide veterans with trained service dogs at no cost, covering everything from training to healthcare and food.
Regarding Ukraine, it started when a friend from my cipher section, originally from Ukraine, reached out just three days into the invasion. He asked if I could help get equipment to his friends on the front lines. I agreed but lacked the resources, so I tapped into my network. A major Chicago donor offered to fund the effort on the condition he could join us.
Four veterans and this donor flew from Chicago to Krakow, Poland, with 48 bags of supplies. We loaded everything into a box truck and drove to the Ukraine border, where we handed off the gear. We also stopped at a refugee camp—seeing the human toll of war firsthand was sobering.
Recognizing the need for sustained support, I made a second trip to vet contacts and ensured our aid would reach the right people. This effort grew into a reliable international supply chain. And we did that for 3 months until we met the other foundation called Help Heroes of Ukraine, which had a better logistical network and a transportation company. We partnered with them and handed off our contacts to them, and to date, they’ve delivered over $50 million in equipment and aid.
Poonam: You have done remarkable humanitarian work after entering civilian life. They rightly say that a military person is always a military person. That element never goes away from your personality. You even went to the border and put yourself at risk to help other people. That's commendable. I remember when you first approached me, you had written in your e-mail about the humanitarian initiatives you have taken, the fund you have raised for your friend who was involved in the war in Ukraine. That impressed me and I said to myself, “I must work with this candidate to learn more about his stories.’ And then we did work together, and it worked out well.
‘Service before Self’- Robert’s motto of life
Robert: True. And as you mentioned, when we take off our uniform, it never comes off. We're still the same people. When I was applying, I reached out to the veteran networks at Kellogg and MIT. And I ended up meeting a veteran who had applied to MIT, but he is doing his MBA and MPA at Yale. When I talked to him, I came to know that we did the same thing for Ukraine, and we were over there at the same time, too. So, it just shows that veterans do similar things. Even after leaving, our service continues.
MBA motivations and future aspirations
Poonam: That's so true. ‘Service before self‘ defines your life and the lives of other veterans. What motivated you to pursue an MBA at this stage of your career? You are doing so well in compensation consulting.
Robert: I have always enjoyed school and envisioned pursuing an MBA. Earlier in my career, I was progressing quickly and didn’t want to pause for school. But when I began exploring MBA programs and spoke with admissions, they recommended an Executive MBA based on my experience and career stage.
As I researched further, I saw the value in gaining new frameworks, expanding my knowledge, and tapping into powerful networks. Working at Alpine, a startup, also motivated me; its autonomy and entrepreneurial culture allow me to immediately apply what I learn in the classroom.
Lastly, one of my long-term goals is to serve in the U.S. Congress. Many members have MBAs or JDs from top schools, so earning an MBA from a top 15 program also aligns with that aspiration.
Why Kellogg was the right choice for him
Poonam: Yes, you have that clarity of goals, and you're working towards that. And you got into both the programs we applied to, but you faced a difficult decision about which one to attend- MIT or Kellogg. What factors led you to choose Kellogg for your MBA?
Robert: As you know, I was originally planning to apply only to MIT. To me, MIT has always represented the quintessential university. However, I took your advice—I acknowledged that I do not know everything—and began exploring other MBA programs. That led to conversations with veterans, one of whom had attended Kellogg. After hearing him speak, I was drawn to Kellogg’s ethos of “high impact, low ego” and its deeply collaborative culture.
Attending Preview Day further reinforced this impression. I appreciated the on-campus residency requirement, which fosters stronger connections, unlike MIT, where students fly in and stay at hotels. I also liked Kellogg’s study group model, where you are placed with peers from different industries for the full two years, allowing you to build meaningful, lasting bonds.
Additionally, the scholarship I received, Kellogg’s proximity to my home, and the flexibility to be on campus as often as needed all made a strong case because it's only an hour away. I would be able to fully engage without the hassle of catching flights. These were the main reasons I chose Kellogg over MIT.
What Robert would bring to Kellogg
Poonam: Yes. Good decision. You will have a great time there. How do you plan to contribute to the Kellogg community both inside and outside the classroom?
Robert: I like to pay it forward. As I mentioned, when I visited Kellogg, I spoke with a veteran from the Kellogg Veterans Association (KVA), and I plan to join the group when I start the program. He mentioned that KVA is still developing and remains somewhat decentralized across programs, so I hope to contribute to building it.
I also see opportunities to connect KVA with organizations like Merging Veterans and Players or to collaborate with the Northwestern football team. Over the next two years, I plan to fully immerse myself in the program, offer as much as I can from my experiences and knowledge, and contribute meaningfully. I want to benefit the most from the experience and to help my classmates grow alongside me.
Robert's Long-term Vision
Poonam: Great. I would like to know more about your long-term vision because you want to eventually serve the country through public service.
Robert: Serving in the Army remains one of my proudest achievements. There’s nothing like putting service above self to energize your purpose. After interning with Senator Durbin and witnessing how one lawmaker’s work can uplift millions, I realized that public office is where I can magnify my impact. I have intentionally made every career move since leaving the military to prepare for this moment to serve my country. I think we are so fixated on cultural issues instead of finding solutions that will improve Americans’ daily lives, such as affordable health care, job creation, and equitable opportunity. With artificial intelligence advancing rapidly, especially with the rise of generative AI, we face major challenges in the workforce. These are issues I would love to address in Congress, working not from a partisan standpoint, but simply as an American focused on doing what is best for the people.
My long-term vision is to step into Congress (or a senior administrative role) as a unifier and problem-solver who brings fresh ideas, youthful energy, and a commitment to data-driven policy, restoring faith in government by focusing on real results over partisan theater.
Robert’s advice for veterans and non-traditional MBA Applicants
Poonam: You just want to do great things for your country without being on any particular side. That's impressive. So, what advice do you have for veterans and non-traditional applicants who are considering an MBA?
Robert: If you’re considering an MBA at an M-7 or a top 15 school, just go for it. There's no right time to do these things. And for the military people, the military equips us with discipline, resilience, and leadership under pressure that immediately set us apart from traditional candidates in those pools. So, there are many programs for veterans that they can take advantage of. Tap every resource available, veteran admissions workshops, school military affinity groups, and alumni mentors, and build a clear timeline so you don’t feel rushed. Remember, your non-traditional background isn’t a hurdle; it sets you apart: it’s what helped me thrive in civilian life and ultimately earn admission (and scholarships) at both MIT and Kellogg. It seems daunting applying to these schools, but when you take the first step, everything else will follow.
If you are struggling to condense your leadership experience into a 200-word essay, that is when reaching out to someone like you becomes invaluable. You help turn complex stories into clear, compelling narratives.
For those with non-traditional backgrounds, it can feel daunting, especially when facing candidates with more typical profiles. I experienced impostor syndrome myself until I even got into these schools. But all it takes is that first step. For me, it was starting my essay and reaching out to you, and from there, everything began to fall into place.
Poonam: Yes. Sometimes it happens. Candidates don't have faith in themselves, but I have faith in them. From the beginning, I had complete faith in you. And I knew that wherever you apply, you will be accepted.
Robert: Thank you.
Key factors behind Robert’s success at Kellogg and MIT
Poonam: To sum up, what do you believe were the key factors behind your success in securing admission to two of the top MBA programs with scholarships?
Robert: First, intentional storytelling is key. I framed my military and consulting experiences as a clear, purposeful journey, highlighting each career pivot- from the sniper section to Alpine Rewards, as preparation for the leadership challenges of business school. Your guidance helped me distill my stories for essays. The questionnaire you provided helped me reflect deeply on my entire life.
Second, the discipline and resilience I gained in the military helped me push through the demanding application process—long essays, numerous drafts, and going through the long exhausting process require real grit.
Lastly, I fully immersed myself in both programs I applied to, which helped me a lot. I attended Preview Days, engaged with veteran groups, and had conversations with alumni. The admissions committee wants to determine your fit with the program and what you will contribute to the program. This helped me better understand each school’s culture and articulate my fit during interviews. Admissions committees notice that the level of engagement; they check mark if you went to the preview day or if you talked to the alumni. It may seem simple, but it shows commitment and can make a real difference.
Poonam: Of course, it demonstrates your interest in the program. Attending Preview Day and engaging with alumni and admissions officers shows clear intent.
Robert: Yes, and it also helped me decide which school to attend. Meeting people in person gave me clarity, so it was helpful.
Poonam: Exactly. It is a two-way street. They see that you belong, and you get to assess whether it feels right for you. That is why we emphasize program fit—you should know what you will gain, and they should see how you will contribute. It worked well with both programs.
How our advice to highlight military experience strengthened his application
Poonam: Even before we officially began working together, I remember encouraging you to highlight your four years of military service. It was not emphasized in your original resume, and MIT admissions had not recommended it either. Do you feel that this early advice helped you present your authentic self to the admission committee?
Robert: Yes. I was told to downplay my military background because my civilian experience was more extensive than my army experience. But when we spoke, you agreed that the Army fundamentally shaped who I am. Leaving it out would have been a disservice to both me and the admissions committee.
So, I did feel like including my role as a sniper and infantryman in my resume, and translating those responsibilities into business language, made a real difference. It not only strengthened my resume but also provided me with leadership content that I can use in my professional career. Your questionnaire helped me reflect and weave those military anecdotes into my essays, illustrating how service honed my leadership and management skills.
While space was limited in the MIT essays, we included key elements in the optional essay. For Kellogg, I was able to fully integrate my military experience with my leadership story, which significantly strengthened my application. I feel the Kellogg application truly reflects who I am.
Poonam: I remember that. You initially wrote your Kellogg optional essay about your pursuit of knowledge, but I suggested focusing on your military experience. Anyone can write about lifelong learning, but not everyone can speak about military service. That shift added depth.
Robert: Yes, I agree. Writing about the pursuit of knowledge felt generic. But highlighting service above self, one of my core values, helped set me apart.
With your help, I crafted a compelling optional essay that tied together my military background, personal values, professional ambitions, and long-term goals into a cohesive story. That culminated in who I am.
Poonam: Absolutely. And I must say, it was not just a pleasure - it was an honor to work with you.
Robert: Thank you, Poonam. It was an honor to work with you as well. I truly credit you for helping me get into these schools. The essays were something that I struggled the hardest. It is not as much the prompts, but fitting everything meaningfully into the word count was the hardest. That is where your guidance made all the difference.
Poonam: That is my job, and I am glad I could support you. It was a real pleasure catching up with you today. I know how busy you are, and I cannot thank you enough for taking the time. I am sure your experiences and insights will be especially helpful for other non-traditional applicants. If there is anything else you would like to share with them, please go ahead.
Robert: As I mentioned, if you are struggling with essays and word limits, reach out to someone like Poonam—she can help. And do not wait for the “perfect time” to pursue an MBA. Invest in yourself, network as much as you can, and immerse yourself in the process. It is a long and daunting process, but once you get that admission call, it feels surreal.
I still remember when MIT called while I was waiting in line for Dumbo at Disneyland with my daughter. An hour later, Kellogg called. It was an unforgettable moment- a great feeling.
Poonam: Yes, it must be a memorable experience getting both calls while you were with your family at Disneyland. When you wrote to me about it, I could visualize your joy and excitement. I was thrilled, too.
Robert: I told my four-year-old daughter, and she just said, “What’s that?” She didn’t get it, but I was overjoyed.
Poonam: I can imagine! It was wonderful talking to you. Thank you so much for your time today. I wish you all the best for your Kellogg journey and continued success in your life and career. I hope we stay in touch. I would love to know about your Kellogg experience.
Robert: Of course. Thank you again for everything—the essays, the resume, all of it will continue to serve me in my professional career as well. These experiences are valuable and go beyond just the application. I would love to stay in touch.
Poonam: Thank you so much. Bye.
Robert: Thank you, Poonam. Have a great day. Bye.
You can connect with Robert via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-hall-629191b0/
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Poonam Tandon, the founder of MER (myEssayReview), is a Ph.D. in English with 14 years of MBA consulting experience and 3 decades of teaching experience in India and the US. Poonam has successfully guided hundreds of students worldwide to gain admission into the esteemed MBA, EMBA, and specialized master's programs in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Throughout her four-decade-long professional career, she has reviewed 11,000+ essays written by applicants worldwide. Poonam was among the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club from September 2012 to December 2023.
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