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Sajjad1994
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Ashter
Hi everyone!

I’d really appreciate any feedback on my profile as I plan to apply for the 2026 intake.

Background:
Nationality: Indian, Male
Age: 25

Test Scores:
GMAT: 655

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Finance [9.8/10] CGPA
CFA Level 3 cleared

Professional Experience:

~4+ years of experience across consulting, investment banking, and business management

Currently working as an Analyst at a boutique investment bank

Experience includes M&A, fundraising, and deal execution support especially Tech space.

Previously worked at Big 4 in a consulting role, gaining client-facing experience and exposure to business problem-solving

Additionally, spent time working in a family business, gaining hands-on operational and strategic exposure

Sector Exposure:

Primarlity to the Tech sector

Achievements & Highlights:

Cleared CFA Level 3

Strong exposure to both client-facing and execution roles across consulting and finance

Experience working across multiple industries and business models

Post-MBA Goals:
To pivot into technology-focused investing or corporate finance roles, leveraging my background in investment banking to work with tech companies.
You have a fantastic profile. Coming in with banking experience is a big plus. Big 4 and CFA show resilience. Goals are strong - moving into something you’ve had exposure to and digging in. 655 is not the most competitive score - you have time before apps open - any plans to retake?
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Yes aiming for a 695 score
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excellent - 655 is admissible for top programs, but we know Indian Male is a tough applicant pool

which schools are you aiming for?
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Havent given it a full thought as focusing on GMAT currently - bust mostly ISB, INSEAD, T15
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Good list - once GMAT is done and/or May - whichever comes first... then you’ll need to start digging in
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Thanks
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All right Thank you guys we are closing this chat session. Thank you Jen for your time and inputs. I greatly appreciate it.
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Thank you! If you want to chat offline, email me at [email protected] or set up a time to chat here - https://calendly.com/jenifert-aringo/gm ... ume-review
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I’m confused between TOP and eGMAT.

Which one gives more structured way of study?

Which one is more supportive for doubt solving? And strategic mentoring?

Some people are saying TOP a scam. Why? I really want to know.
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kotechamadhav
I’m confused between TOP and eGMAT.

Which one gives more structured way of study?

Which one is more supportive for doubt solving? And strategic mentoring?

Some people are saying TOP a scam. Why? I really want to know.
TOP has structured GMAT prep, but they’ve essentially assembled material from various sources.
eGMAT is relatively poor when it comes to tackling questions based on fundamental concepts. An example is their “pre-thinking” method when solving CR questions.

But it honestly comes down to how comfortable you are with with either or even other courses. Ask for a trial period and see how comfortable you are with the pedagogy. This is more critical than others opinion of a GMAT course.
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Hello Everyone

We will start today’s chat session in around 5 minutes.
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Hi everyone I am super exited to be here.
My name is Shimri Winters ex LBS MBA, es-interviewer on the LBS MBA admissions... and have been working for 11 years at ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting
(check us out at http://www.ARINGO.com)

happy to answer ANY admissions related question!!!
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Thank you ARINGO for joining.

Profile evaluation request................ 27yo Hispanic/Asian, Univ of Texas at Austin - McCombs School of Business (GPA:3.6, bachelor in business & master in accounting, also have a CPA)
GMAT: 720 (48q 41 v)
Post MBA: Strategy Consulting
WE: 3 yrs FP&A at a F500, 1 yr Audit at B4
EC: multiple leadership roles in univ fraternity and while at B4 (recruiting lead and onboarding adviser)
Schools: Booth, Stanford, Yale, Fuqua, Cornell, and HBS
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Sajjad1994
Profile evaluation request................ 27yo Hispanic/Asian, Univ of Texas at Austin - McCombs School of Business (GPA:3.6, bachelor in business & master in accounting, also have a CPA)
GMAT: 720 (48q 41 v)
Post MBA: Strategy Consulting
WE: 3 yrs FP&A at a F500, 1 yr Audit at B4
EC: multiple leadership roles in univ fraternity and while at B4 (recruiting lead and onboarding adviser)
Schools: Booth, Stanford, Yale, Fuqua, Cornell, and HBS
Honestly, you come across as someone with a really well-rounded profile! I am impressed!
You’ve got a strong academic foundation (McCombs + CPA + 3.6 GPA), solid test score , and credible work experience across both FP&A and Big 4 audit. That combination already checks a lot of boxes for top programs.

A 720 (assuming classic GMAT) is right in range for the schools you’re targeting! (maybe 10 points below averages at places like HBS/Stanford, but definitely not a weakness, especially given everything else you bring).

Also, your leadership experience sounds solid just make sure you’re highlighting tangible impact and growth, not just roles/titles.
I’m also hoping you’ve got some hobbies and/or volunteering in the mix, if so, that rounds things out nicely and shows more of who you are outside of work.

Where you’ll really want to focus is on your story and positioning. “Strategy consulting” is a common goal, so the key question is: what’s your angle? How do your experiences and background (including your Hispanic/Asian identity) shape a clear, personal narrative about why consulting and what impact you want to have?

At this point, it really comes down to execution... especially the essays. That’s where you can stand out.
Feel free to reach out at [email protected] (send me your CV, GMAT breakdown, and any additional details), and I’d be happy to do a deeper analysis and potentially help you put together some really strong applications.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!
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Kindly Evaluate,

Indian, Female
Age: 28
Education : Bachelors in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Year of Graduation : 2017

I gave CAT immediately after my under graduation to pursue MBA in India and scored 89 percentile. I got admissions form IIM Shillong, IIM Trichy among others but did take any of those as I was aiming for top 5 schools.
GPA: 3/4

Anticipated test score : 675~

Work Experience : Worked for an NGO to raise funds for SAVE THE CHILDREN Org for 6 months after my under graduation.
Currently,Working with startup for past 3 years and working as System Administrator with IBM for 5 years now.

Extra curricular activities : I am a yoga trainer, currently taking online yoga sessions.
I also take online Spoken English classes.
And I am a Carnatic Vocalist and painter. I have led a club in my college to encourage artist in students.
Goals Post MBA : Strategic Management ; Long term : Entrepreneur
Target Business Schools : HEC Paris, INSEAD, ISB. Could you please suggest other programs
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Kindly Evaluate,

Indian, Female
Age: 28
Education : Bachelors in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Year of Graduation : 2017

I gave CAT immediately after my under graduation to pursue MBA in India and scored 89 percentile. I got admissions form IIM Shillong, IIM Trichy among others but did take any of those as I was aiming for top 5 schools.
GPA: 3/4

Anticipated test score : 675~

Work Experience : Worked for an NGO to raise funds for SAVE THE CHILDREN Org for 6 months after my under graduation.
Currently,Working with startup for past 3 years and working as System Administrator with IBM for 5 years now.

Extra curricular activities : I am a yoga trainer, currently taking online yoga sessions.
I also take online Spoken English classes.
And I am a Carnatic Vocalist and painter. I have led a club in my college to encourage artist in students.
Goals Post MBA : Strategic Management ; Long term : Entrepreneur
Target Business Schools : HEC Paris, INSEAD, ISB. Could you please suggest other programs
Hi,
Appreciate you sharing all this, there’s actually a really interesting mix in your profile.
You’ve got solid experience, especially the 5 years with IBM, and the startup piece adds a nice angle too. The NGO work, while short, is still meaningful if you frame it in terms of impact. Where you really stand out though is outside of work. Yoga teaching, spoken English classes, Carnatic music, painting, that’s a lot, and it gives you personality. Not many applicants bring that combination. I LOVE IT!!!

We probably need to wait and see what you end up scoring in the GMAT. 675 should be fine! as your work and personal experience will push you well beyond just a score. obviously, the higher the better

Your goals are fine, strategy to entrepreneurship, but you’ll need to make that story feel real and connected to what you’ve actually done, not just something that sounds good.

ISB makes a lot of sense for you. INSEAD and HEC are possible with strong execution. I’d also look at LBS, IESE, maybe Oxford or Cambridge, all good fits for your experience level.

At the end of the day, this is going to come down to how you tell your story. You’ve got enough there, it just needs to come together well.

If you want a deeper take, feel free to email me at [email protected] with your CV and details. and we can take it from there
GOOD LUCK
Shimri

BREAKING NEWS!!!
AND this just in 🙂

As most of you know, ARINGO specializes in working with candidates with lower than average GMAT scores.
Our current candidate with a 575 GMAT FE just landed (literally 5 minutes ago) an INSEAD interview 🎉
So yes, GMAT is important, but it’s definitely not everything.
When the profile is strong and the story is right, schools do look deeper than just the number.

If you have a good profile and a not-so-great GMAT, feel free to reach out for an honest profile assessment at [email protected]
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We are closing this chat session. Thank you ARINGO for your time and inputs. We greatly appreciate it.
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