@HarryIITD,
Thanks - I'm really glad you find our posts on this forum helpful! Also, I really appreciate all the detail you provided! Ok, so let's get into things...
Academics: You tick off a lot of the main boxes here. Difficult major (+ advanced degree), strong performance, and great school. However, you haven't taken the GMAT yet. I know you're expecting a ~720 but until you have that score in hand, this is all hypothetical. I only say that because we run into this a lot. Please don't take that to mean I don't think you'll GET a 720
. But I just wanted to stress that it counts when you have it in hand. The GMAT plays a really big role in the admissions process - as I am sure you know. But if you get a solid score, then your academics are in good shape!
Professional Experiences: There are some things about your professional profile I really like. You have resource management experience. You're in an industry and role that are relatively uncommon. Specifically, you aren't in IT consulting. You've also been externally recognized as a top performer. Things like that are a great proxy for quality of experiences and potential recommenders you could count on. I also like how you're a thought leader. It balances you out. You're a thinker AND a doer. And when you do, you do well. I like it!
Involvement: I really like the fellowship. It actually carries a disproportionate *oomf* in terms of impact due to the sabbatical. Those are difficult for a variety of reasons and it really speaks to your passion and commitment. Also, it seems you had a strong impact so that's just the icing on the cake. Your paragliding and French components are interesting facts but wouldn't necessarily count as involvement. They're more fun facts but they round you out as a person and your interests are a little bit different than most Indian applicants. However, that all said, what ELSE have you done? So you've been working for 7 years and 1 of those was this fellowship. That's great but what about the other 6 years? I don't mean that you're light here and you were probably involved in things but what you don't want is nothing, nothing, FELLOWSHIP, nothing when it comes to your resume timeline. So what else have you been up to?
Goals: Your goals need a little work. I like the concept behind a product development firm start up. What I understood of it was that you would help other companies navigate the product development process? If I misunderstood that, let me know. That said, your "why MBA" also makes sense. Those are all good things to have as an entrepreneur. However, there are obvious concerns with that. As an international student, starting the company will have a few additional hurdles. Also, you don't have any entrepreneurial experience which will cause a few eyebrows to rise. However, there are ways to address the concerns and I think we can create a story that makes sense. What falls apart, however, is the management consulting plan B. General management consulting is going to explicitly enable you to start your own company. You have the possibility for an interesting story, but it needs a little work.
The top 8 are going to be stretches. That doesn't mean they're all unrealistic stretches but here's where I think you stand (assuming you get a 720):
H/S/W: These are real stretches. They're stretches for everyone. You're also a little on the older side for them. If you want, apply to 1, max.
Top 8: These are more realistic stretches but still stretches. Look at MIT, Kellogg's MMM program, and Haas
Top 16: These are more aligned with your profile. Look at Ross, UCLA, McCombs
Top 25: These are going to be more in the safety range. Look at Tepper, Kelley
I think this list should give you a pretty solid group of programs to consider. Good luck on the GMAT!!
If you have any questions, post away! If you want to chat about the process, the path ahead, or how we can partner with you, you can sign up
[here].
Bhavik