Profiles of IIM Ahmedabad PGPX admitted applicants

Hi Everyone,

We are collecting the profiles of those who got admission into the IIM Ahmedabad PGPX program. It would be a great insight for future applicants. If you got admitted into the IIM Ahmedabad PGPX program, I request you to share your profile with us by replying in this topic. You can use the following format to share your profile. Feel free to add any other details you would like to share.

Also, all IIM admits are requested to join this chat group https://gmatclub.com/forum/mchat.php?room_id=50050253

Name/username:
Age :
Country/Location :
Under-Graduate School :
Under-Graduate GPA:
GMAT/GRE Test scores:
Which round did you apply in?:
Total Work Experience :
Pre-MBA Industry :
Target industry post-MBA:
Brief about Work Experience :
What is your relation to the Recommenders?(Manager. client etc):
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars:
International Experience :
Scholarship Given? :
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? :
Short-Term Goal :
Long-Term Goal :
Link to your interview debrief:
(You can add your interview experience HERE and paste the link above )
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? :
Any comments, feelings, advice to share?:
_________________

Name/username: Vaibhav Nagar
Age : 29
Country/Location : New Delhi, India
Under-Graduate School : NIT Kurukshetra
Under-Graduate GPA: 7.47/10
GMAT/GRE Test scores: GMAT 740
Total Work Experience : 5.5 years
Pre-MBA Industry : Government/Financial Regulatory
Target industry post-MBA: BFSI/Tech/Consulting
Brief about Work Experience : 3.5 years at Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in different roles - inter regulatory policy coordination, research, Central Assistant Public Information Officer managing RTI process, and Regulatory Supervision of Pension Fund Management Companies;
1 year at General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) - reinsurance underwriter for US & Canada region.
1 year at EXL Service - business analyst. Worked for the model validation team of the risk management process of a Fortune 100 credit card major in US
2 years gap due to UPSC CSE/public sector exams preparation
What is your relation to the Recommenders?(Manager. client etc): No LORs for IIM A
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: mentor and sponsor of education for an underprivileged child through a local NGO; Executive Committee Member at Workplace Employee Association; writing- published articles on Pension Sanchay blog, top 10 writers on pension and money on Quora; Cooking and baking; won dramatics events at college
International Experience : Nil
Scholarship Given? : No information
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? : Expanding my skill set, knowledge and career options
Short-Term Goal : Moving to product management/business development/strategy roles in BFSI/Tech or heading back to my organization at a more important role
Long-Term Goal : Working on the development side of BFSI/Tech
Link to your interview debrief: https://gmatclub.com/forum/calling-all- ... l#p2657275
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? : No
Any comments, feelings, advice to share?: Be thorough with your resume, essays, and motivations. Be confident and provide reasons for your opinions. Be thorough with your industry knowledge and the work you do, and its always good to have some ideas about the problems you think plague your organization/industry.

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Name/username: Shivna Majmudar
Age : 29
Country/Location : India
Under-Graduate School : ICAI
Under-Graduate GPA: 55%
GMAT/GRE Test scores: 700
Total Work Experience : 6
Pre-MBA Industry : Chartered Accountant in Practice
Target industry post-MBA: Consulting
Brief about Work Experience : CA in practice in the verticals of auditing, taxation, insolvency law
What is your relation to the Recommenders?(Manager. client etc): Client
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: Pro bono legal internship,Trekking, Marathon, wildlife photography
International Experience : None
Scholarship Given? : No
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? : To upskill and move out of compliance based advisory roles
Short-Term Goal : M&A consulting
Long-Term Goal : Not decided
Link to your interview debrief: https://gmatclub.com/forum/decision-tra ... brief-1484
(You can add your interview experience HERE and paste the link above )
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? : Yes, Ajey Belsare
Any comments, feelings, advice to share?: Be honest during interviews

Name/username: Manish Pandey/ manishred07
Age : 34 years
Country/Location: India
Under-Graduate School: IGNOU
Under-Graduate GPA: 68%
GMAT/GRE Test scores: 690
Total Work Experience: 16 Years
Pre-MBA Industry: Military Officer (Operations & Supply Chain)
Target industry post-MBA: e-commerce
Brief about Work Experience: Looking after operational planning and execution along with supply chains to support the operations. Undertaking training, administration, and career progression of 97 team individuals working under command.
What is your relation to the Recommenders?(Manager. client etc): Senior Executives (Brigadier and Colonel)
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: Part of many projects working towards the upliftment of the local village population in far-reaching areas in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
International Experience: Nil
Scholarship Given?: No
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief?: To transition from a military leader to a business leader - learning the business functioning as a whole and in particular business operations.
Short-Term Goal: Pathways Manager at Amazon.
Long-Term Goal: Director - Looking after International Operations and Supply Chains and making these operations more environmentally sustainable.
Link to your interview debrief: https://gmatclub.com/forum/how-i-made-i ... 39329.html
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant?: Yes.
Any comments, feelings, advice to share?: Be confident about your abilities, tell absolute truth that way you will be more confident when you either write or speak, have a clear mind about where you are and where you want to go and how this MBA would help you reach from point A to point B.

Age: 29
Country/Location: India
Under-Graduate School: National Institute of Technology
Under-Graduate GPA: <6 (scale of 10, lol)
GMAT Test score: 740
Which round did you apply in?: Round 2
Total Work Experience: 68 months
Pre-MBA Industry: IT (Internet)
Target industry post-MBA: IT (Internet)
Brief about Work Experience: Just over five and a half years of experience in the IT industry in engineering, technology consulting, and product development roles. Experience across services and product companies, large corporations as well as early-stage startups, and Indian as well as foreign organizations.
What is your relation to the Recommenders? (Manager. client etc): Not required
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: College festival core, Corporate football, Freelance photography
International Experience: 3 months
Scholarship Given?: No
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief?: To shift from engineering roles to PM
Short-Term Goal: Product Management
Long-Term Goal: Tech Entrepreneurship
Link to your interview debrief: https://gmatclub.com/forum/decision-tra ... brief-1475
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant?: No

Name/username: Lakshmi C Rajeev
Age : 30
Country/Location : India
Under-Graduate School : Amrita School of Engineering, Coimbatore
Under-Graduate GPA: 9.06
GMAT/GRE Test scores: 740
Which round did you apply in?: R1
Total Work Experience : 9 yrs
Pre-MBA Industry : IT
Target industry post-MBA: Tech/ E-commerce
Brief about Work Experience : 9 years in ERP sector
What is your relation to the Recommenders?(Manager. client etc): Manager
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: Part of many initiatives within SAP like Diversity and Inclusion, Rewards and Recognition
International Experience : No
Scholarship Given? :No
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? :
Short-Term Goal : Program Manager
Long-Term Goal : COO
Link to your interview debrief:
Mainly concentrated on my profile. Asked in detail about my company’s transition into cloud. Were very interested with the business and financial implications of the various strategies taken up. Asked what I am most scared of in doing MBA.
(You can add your interview experience HERE and paste the link above )
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? : No
Any comments, feelings, advice ? : Be confident. It is not about being 100% correct in your answers. It is about how you respond to the criticism and think on your feet to the questions they throw at you.

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Name/Username: Kumar Utkarsh
Age: 31
Country/Location : India/Varanasi, U.P
Under-Graduate School: TS Chanakya, Mumbai University
Under-Graduate GPA: 71% (~3.54)
GMAT/GRE Test scores: 690 (V-36/Q48/IR-4/AWA-5)
Which round did you apply in?: Round-2
Total Work Experience: 9 years as of Mar-21
Pre-MBA Industry: Shipping
Target industry post-MBA: e-Commerce/FMCG
Brief about Work Experience: 9 years as a Navigating Officer in Merchant Navy, held various leadership responsibilities related to on-site ship & port operations, safety and environmental protection. Also acted as a medical officer and security team leader.
What is your relation to the Recommenders? (Manager. client etc.): Manager
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: Not much volunteering, only some at an academic level such as community services for child education, Help-Age India fundraising, etc. Extracurricular involved roles of Fest organisers in college, Magazine editor, Literary Committee, etc.
International Experience: Entire 9 years sailing to 50+ countries around the world on a cargo ship
Scholarship Given? : No
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? : Love for Supply chain, need to bridge the knowledge gap and the right time to shift to a corporate role to achieve the vision to become a global business leader.
Short-Term Goal: middle manager in supply chain role for an e-Commerce or FMCG company
Long-Term Goal: Top executive position such as Director of operations to be able to take significant decisions to make the supply chain more flexible and resilient.
Link to your interview debrief: https://gmatclub.com/forum/decision-tra ... brief-1488
(You can add your interview experience HERE and paste the link above )
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? : Yes
Any comments, feelings, advice to share?: Be honest, straight-forward and speak your mind but in an orderly fashion. Expect the unexpected and be ready for the worst. Best of Luck!!!

How in the world are you Guys scoring a 740! My God, so it's either a 740 or be a Military officer or have diverse experience with a 690..too much competition !

Yes, I agree competition is throat cut, but that's how it is when you are from a community that has the capacity to dominate the world. Since all of us are part of it, standards are high. But, talent is not just reflected in high GMAT scores or diverse profiles. Rather, it's the clear thought process and practical goals of life that makes your application stand out. I am not going to say here that one shouldn't aim for the best GMAT scores. But, at the same time, understand the requirements and limits. IIMs not just look at profiles with high scores, they look for credibility and dedication in your resume as well. Be clear, outspoken and straightforward in your essays & SOP. Once shortlisted for interview, cherish at your achievement so far and with this feel face the interviews. Be confident and respectful. Don't underestimate the panel and speak your thoughts but in an orderly fashion. Don't be stressed at an unexpected question. Face it with grace and answer to the best of your ability. In the end, be grateful to have travelled so far in the process and wait for good things to happen.

Regarding good GMAT score, there are lots of resources available on GMAT club, look for them, use them and benefit from them. Good GMAT score is a lot dependent on practising the right stuff, finding your weakness and improving upon them. And the ways to do so can be found on various Forums here.

Sorry for the long post; many helped me out during the process, so I just felt giving back to the community. May the Force be with you!!

Good to know! Looks like you are in with a not so stellar score ( 690 ). Practical goals/SOP/ Essays do have weightage..ok

Name/username: Tejasvee
Age : 30
Country/Location : USA
Under-Graduate School : University of Pune
Under-Graduate GPA: 67% aggregate over 4 years
GMAT/GRE Test scores: 710
Which round did you apply in?: Round 1
Total Work Experience : 65 months
Pre-MBA Industry : Civil Engineering
Target industry post-MBA: Consulting
Brief about Work Experience : Worked as a design engineer and forensic engineer at a leading US structural design company. Contrbuted to the design of several highrises and later lead forensic investigation into concrete failures in several highrises in Chicago and Miami.
What is your relation to the Recommenders?(Manager. client etc): Reporting Manager
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: Green champion at work, Served as President of extracurricular club in undergrad, avid runner, world affairs,
International Experience : 65 months
Scholarship Given? : No
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? : Good point to pivot into a management consulting role and later move towards senior management on the back on this experience
Short-Term Goal : Consulting
Long-Term Goal : Senior management in Infrastructure/Construction firm
Link to your interview debrief:
(You can add your interview experience HERE and paste the link above )
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? : Yes, Strategy4Gmat (Strongly recommend)
Any comments, feelings, advice to share?: For me, the application process at IIM-A was the most exacting one. I would suggest being ready with your essay outlines and core MBA application questions in advance so that you are able to come through strongly in the short writing period for the essays. Prepare for the unexpected in the interview but remember that it does not determine everything and your scores and profile also count.

username: Kapidhwaj
Age : 34
Country : India
Under-Graduate GPA: 66.04%
GMAT/GRE Test scores: 740/760
Which round did you apply in?: R1
Total Work Experience : ~9 years
Pre-MBA Industry : Govt./Public Sector
Target industry post-MBA: Product Development
What is your relation to the Recommenders?(Manager. client etc): N/A
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: Prepared a case study for an NGO/ part of a group that ran school for under-privileged children/ Editor-in-Chief of a college Magazine/ Executive Member and Creative Head of a College Society
International Experience : Nil
Scholarship Given? : IIMA does not give scholarships in PGPX at admission stage.
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? : Faster growth and larger canvas
Short-Term Goal : Development of Solutions
Link to your interview debrief: https://gmatclub.com/forum/decision-tra ... brief-1453
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? : No
Any comments, feelings, advice to share?: In the application process I was forced to reflect on my journey a lot and that helped me as a person as well as an applicant. One of the realisations is that IIMA is merely a facilitator on my journey and I would have kept following my aspirations irrespective of their decision. So my advice is to go for a fit, rather than tags and brandnames. As I have came to know more applicants, for example, I know a candidate who would benefit more at C rather than A.

Name/username: Babumoshaaai.
Age: 28
Country/Location: Germany. Indian Passport holder.
Under-Graduate School: KIIT University, Bhubaneswar
Under-Graduate GPA: 7.47/10.00
GMAT/GRE Test scores: 321/340 GRE
Which round did you apply in?: Round 1
Total Work Experience: 6Y 8M as of March 2021.
Pre-MBA Industry: Consulting + Financial Services
Target industry post-MBA: Product Management
Brief about Work Experience: Ex Big4 Consultant. Currently in the Financial Services in the EU.
What is your relation to the Recommenders?: Immediate Supervisor/Manager.
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: Quizzing, Debate, Coal India Merit Scholarship, TEDx Curator.
International Experience: 1Y 1M until March 2021.
Scholarship Given?: No.
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief?: Wanted to move out of tech work and do hands-on product management.
Short-Term Goal: Product Management
Long-Term Goal: VP Sales and Retail.
Link to your interview debrief: https://bit.ly/3ne41jK
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? : No.
Any comments, feelings, advice to share?: Be yourself and honest. Focus on authenticity.

Name/username: Taranand Mukhopadhyay
Age: 27
Country/Location: India/Mumbai
Under-Graduate School: VIT University, Vellore
Under-Graduate CGPA: 8.89/10
GMAT/GRE Test scores: 680 (Q48 V35)
Which round did you apply in? R3
Total Work Experience: 79 months (as of 31st March 2021)
Pre-MBA Industry: Fintech Technology Consulting - Alternative Asset Management
Target industry post-MBA: Fintech Strategy - Alternative Asset Management
Brief about Work Experience: I have over 6.5 years of experience working as a Technology Consulting for multiple clients in the US Healthcare and US Alternative Asset Management industries.
What is your relation to the Recommenders? (Manager. client etc): N/A
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: Dual certification in fitness & nutrition - ISSA CPT and INFS CNFC, Vice President - VIT Alumni Association - Mumbai Chapter, Udayan Shalini Fellowship mentor, IEEE Paper publication, Deloitte IMPACT Day Thread co-lead, NCC A Certificate
International Experience: None
Scholarship Given? N/A
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? Having acquired the necessary tech skillsets, I believe I need to develop business acumen to drive the business strategy using technology integration as a tool for Asset Managers in the Alternative Asset Management industry
Short-Term Goal: To work with Consulting firms in the Fintech domain to get practical experience of driving business strategy for asset managers
Long-Term Goal: To achieve a senior leadership role in a Fintech firm focussed on the Alternative Asset Management domain
Link to your interview debrief: https://gmatclub.com/forum/decision-tracker/interview-debriefs.html#debrief-1611
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? Yes
Any comments, feelings, advice to share? In my humble opinion, even though the industry diversity you bring into the cohort is important, what is more important is how you highlight this in your application, essays and interviews. You should present clarity and logical reasoning in your thought process, especially when it comes to what you want out of the PGPX programme and what you plan to do afterwards. This is something I have heard time and again from the alums that I have interacted with and I could sense this from the interview as well. Also, be prepared to present your case under the most random circumstances. While the extempore is a very important part of the interview process, you should be prepared to be questioned on literally anything that you have mentioned in your application.

Name/username: Sachin Verma
Age : 30
Country/Location : India
Under-Graduate School : Dr MGR University Chennai
Under-Graduate GPA: 8.66/10
GMAT/GRE Test scores: GMAT - 700
Which round did you apply in?: R2
Total Work Experience : 9 years
Pre-MBA Industry : IT-Healthcare Products
Target industry post-MBA: Heath Tech/ Tech in general
Brief about Work Experience : I have built IT systems for Healthcare providers (Electronic Health Records, Lab Information Systems, Hospital Information Systems) and helped build Health Information Exchange for New York State. Mostly worked in creating systems that help in the interoperability of healthcare data across different vendors/systems using the latest protocols and standards for the industry.
What is your relation to the Recommenders?(Manager. client etc): Normal !!!
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: Many - Led several sustainable CSR activities, Photography enthusiast
International Experience : None
Scholarship Given? :
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? : Having been on the product delivery side for quite some time now, I felt I had hit a glass ceiling where all the future goals and roles that I was being offered were the same. I needed to acquire new skill sets in order to move to the business side of things.
Short-Term Goal : Combine my techno-functional skills with the learnings from PGPX and move from product delivery to product management.
Long-Term Goal : Gradually move up the corporate ladder and on the side start a HealthTech company of my own.
Link to your interview debrief:
(You can add your interview experience HERE and paste the link above )
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? : S4G for interview mocks
Any comments, feelings, advice to share?: This was my second attempt at PGPX. Having given it two attempts, one thing that I am sure of is that all the aspects of the applicant are important and need equal attention. A good GMAT score, a crisp and impactful application, sincere and coherent essays and a good interview. It is very important to be clear in the thought process as to why we need the MBA to move forward in our journey and that should reflect in the application/essays and when asked in the interview. It helps to get connected to alums of PGPX as they help us understand this process. Also, for the interview, it helps if we are well-read and know what is happening in and around us.

As you posted recently, you were selected in R2 or recently moved from waitlisted to confirmed?

This was a post long due

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Name/username:Aravind Muralidharan/drooki55

Age : 27

Country/Location :Chennai

Under-Graduate School : SSNCE

Under-Graduate GPA:7.84

GMAT/GRE Test scores:740

Which round did you apply in?:2

Total Work Experience : 54 months

Pre-MBA Industry :Auto Comp Manufacturing

Target industry post-MBA: Industry/Logistics/Ops Consulting

Brief about Work Experience : After Young India Fellowship in 2017, started with NRB in executing corporate projects like digital transformation of Capex Approvals and Business Dashboards of plants. Then moved to strategizing improvements for a product portfolio to increase margins. Executed the same project and started serving as a production manager for that product portfolio for 2 years.

What is your relation to the Recommenders?(Manager. client etc): Immediate Boss & Super Boss (no recco required for IIMA)

Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: City level cricketer in U-13 category (TNCA Tourney)(did not come up in the interview)

International Experience : 0

Scholarship Given? : No

The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? : Upward mobility, transition to consulting if possible.

Short-Term Goal : Ops Consulting

Long-Term Goal : Industry Shift CXO

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Name/username: HawaldarDgp
Age : 30
Country/Location : India
Under-Graduate School : National Institute of Technology, Durgapur
Under-Graduate GPA: 7.59
GMAT/GRE Test scores: 710
Which round did you apply in?: 2nd
Total Work Experience : ~7 yrs
Pre-MBA Industry : Oil & Gas/ Engineering
Target industry post-MBA: Ops/ Consulting
Brief about Work Experience : Refinery Core Operations, Technical services, Engineering Design & Technical Sales
What is your relation to the Recommenders?(Manager. client etc): Project Manager, Technical Manager (Although no reco required for IIMA)
Volunteering/Extra-curriculars: Quite a few during college, Marathoner and couple years kickboxing during job, associated with an NGO as well.
International Experience : None
Scholarship Given? : No
The motivation for MBA and why Now brief? : Shift from Technical heavy job to managerial roles, career acceleration, pivot away from oil and gas.
Short-Term Goal : Operations, Consulting
Long-Term Goal : Entrepreneur
Link to your interview debrief:
(You can add your interview experience HERE and paste the link above )
Did you use the help of an MBA Consultant? : No
Any comments, feelings, advice to share?: Be yourself, its difficult to fake through interviews, people at the other end are very seasoned to see through made up stories and anecdotes. Someone who knows you well can help you a lot in giving feedback on how you come through during an interview or in your essays. Lastly, be patient, its a long process and hence its okay to be frustrated a bit, but it will be worth the grind!