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Looking for some guidance in highlighting your skills to ace your Global MBA Application?

Would you like support with crafting your essays, refining your resume, securing impactful recommendations, and aligning your story with the values each school is looking for?

Get started with a free profile evaluation session now.

You can also register for our webinar, which is Today, 22nd August | 9:00 PM IST | 11:30 AM ET. Know more details.


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Missed our webinar on "Proven MBA Essay Strategies from LBS Alumni"?

Don’t worry, the full session is now available on our YouTube channel. Click here to watch and get insights from Sai Kota, MBA Class of 2024 and LBS alumni, and Shantanu Sharma, Founder, MBA and Beyond.
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We know how crucial essays are in showcasing your story and standing out in a competitive pool. That’s why we’re offering targeted MBA Essay Reviews for Round 1 candidates. Whether you’d like a fresh perspective, a quick review of your drafts, or detailed feedback to strengthen your narrative, our team is happy to help.

If you’re polishing your applications for schools like INSEAD, HEC, IESE, Haas, Tuck, Booth, Cornell, Fuqua, and more – this could be the perfect time to get a second opinion.

📩 Book your Profile Evaluation Session now and give your application that final edge.
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GMAT preparation is a crucial step for students seeking admission to top MBA programs. A strong GMAT score not only strengthens your application but also improves your chances of scholarships at elite business schools. However, with multiple GMAT preparation classes, courses, coaching options, and study materials available, it can be overwhelming to figure out the best path forward.

We have created a blog that will walk you through the essentials of GMAT preparation - READ THE FULL BLOG

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join our next Webinar on 5th Sept | 9.00 PM IST | 11.30 AM ET


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U.S. H-1B Visa News 2025: $100K Fee, Who’s Affected & When

If you’re planning to study abroad and eventually work in the U.S., you probably follow updates on US H1B visa news. The latest rule change introduces a $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B visa applications, and it’s already causing concern among international students. Here’s what you need to know- READ THE FULL BLOG
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UPDATE! ☕

Registration is now LIVE for our next 5 Essay workshops. Check them out on our Events section! 📅

These sessions are designed to equip you with strategies for tackling essay questions, choosing impactful stories, aligning your goals with each school’s resources, showcasing authentic leadership, highlighting community fit, and gaining personalized insights to craft your best MBA applications.

💡 Got a specific topic you’d like us to cover? Drop us a note, we’d love to include it in the upcoming line-up!
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Missed our INSEAD ESSAY WORKSHOP?

Don’t worry, the full session is now available on our YouTube channel. Click here to watch and get insights from Shantanu Sharma, Founder, [color=#006597]MBA and Beyond, and an INSEAD Alumnus.[/color]
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BIG UPDATE! Delighted to share this with everyone.

92% of our candidates this cycle have received at least one interview invitation.

Our process blends three pillars:
✨ Authentic story-building on Mirror
⚡ AI for speed and structure
🎯 Consultants who perfect every line

Here are a few highlights from this round:
- Ms. Associate Consultant, GMAT 655 → HEC Paris interview invite
- Mr. Vice President, 8.5 yrs experience, GMAT 685 → LBS interview invite
- Ms. Seller Marketing at Flipkart, 4 yrs experience, GMAT 695 → Tuck, Darden, and Kellogg interview invites
- Mr. Tech Consultant, 5 yrs experience, GMAT 715 → Kellogg interview invite
- Mr. Deputy Manager at Deloitte, 9 yrs experience, GMAT 665 → LBS interview invite
- Ms. Operations and Strategy Manager (Veteran), 10 yrs experience, GMAT 645 → Oxford interview invite
- Mr. Finance Assistant (GoI), 10 yrs experience, GRE 334 → Oxford interview invite
- Mr. Senior Manager, HR Business Partner, 12 yrs experience, GMAT 665 → Columbia interview invite
- Mr. Founder, 4 yrs experience, GMAT 655 → Oxford interview invite
- Mr. Coordinator of Financial Training, 9 yrs experience, GMAT 625 → IE interview invite

Across industries, geographies, and years of experience (4 to 12), our candidates are moving closer to their MBA dream. ✨
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MBAandBeyond
BIG UPDATE! Delighted to share this with everyone.

92% of our candidates this cycle have received at least one interview invitation.

Our process blends three pillars:
✨ Authentic story-building on Mirror
⚡ AI for speed and structure
🎯 Consultants who perfect every line

Here are a few highlights from this round:
- Ms. Associate Consultant, GMAT 655 → HEC Paris interview invite
- Mr. Vice President, 8.5 yrs experience, GMAT 685 → LBS interview invite
- Ms. Seller Marketing at Flipkart, 4 yrs experience, GMAT 695 → Tuck, Darden, and Kellogg interview invites
- Mr. Tech Consultant, 5 yrs experience, GMAT 715 → Kellogg interview invite
- Mr. Deputy Manager at Deloitte, 9 yrs experience, GMAT 665 → LBS interview invite
- Ms. Operations and Strategy Manager (Veteran), 10 yrs experience, GMAT 645 → Oxford interview invite
- Mr. Finance Assistant (GoI), 10 yrs experience, GRE 334 → Oxford interview invite
- Mr. Senior Manager, HR Business Partner, 12 yrs experience, GMAT 665 → Columbia interview invite
- Mr. Founder, 4 yrs experience, GMAT 655 → Oxford interview invite
- Mr. Coordinator of Financial Training, 9 yrs experience, GMAT 625 → IE interview invite

Across industries, geographies, and years of experience (4 to 12), our candidates are moving closer to their MBA dream. ✨
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MBAandBeyond
BIG UPDATE! Delighted to share this with everyone.

92% of our candidates this cycle have received at least one interview invitation.

Our process blends three pillars:
✨ Authentic story-building on Mirror
⚡ AI for speed and structure
🎯 Consultants who perfect every line

Here are a few highlights from this round:
- Ms. Associate Consultant, GMAT 655 → HEC Paris interview invite
- Mr. Vice President, 8.5 yrs experience, GMAT 685 → LBS interview invite
- Ms. Seller Marketing at Flipkart, 4 yrs experience, GMAT 695 → Tuck, Darden, and Kellogg interview invites
- Mr. Tech Consultant, 5 yrs experience, GMAT 715 → Kellogg interview invite
- Mr. Deputy Manager at Deloitte, 9 yrs experience, GMAT 665 → LBS interview invite
- Ms. Operations and Strategy Manager (Veteran), 10 yrs experience, GMAT 645 → Oxford interview invite
- Mr. Finance Assistant (GoI), 10 yrs experience, GRE 334 → Oxford interview invite
- Mr. Senior Manager, HR Business Partner, 12 yrs experience, GMAT 665 → Columbia interview invite
- Mr. Founder, 4 yrs experience, GMAT 655 → Oxford interview invite
- Mr. Coordinator of Financial Training, 9 yrs experience, GMAT 625 → IE interview invite

Across industries, geographies, and years of experience (4 to 12), our candidates are moving closer to their MBA dream. ✨

Delighted to share that several more of our applicants have received interview invites from top MBA programs!

  • Mr. Coordinator, Financial Training, 9 years of work experience, GMAT FE 625, received an interview invite from IE.
  • Ms. Analyst, 3 years of work experience, 324 GRE, received an interview invite from IESE.
  • Ms. Content Specialist, 4 years of work experience, GMAT 680, was invited to interview at IESE.
  • Ms. Consultant, 3+ years of work experience, GMAT FE 695, received interview invites from IESE and LBS.
  • Ms. Product Manager, 7 years of work experience, GMAT FE 655, earned an interview invite from LBS.
  • Ms. Lieutenant Commander, 10 years of work experience, 605 GMAT FE, secured an interview invite from HEC Paris.
  • Mr. Senior Product Manager, 8 years of work experience, GMAT 720, received an interview invite from Imperial.
  • Mr. Brand Manager, 3 years of work experience, GRE 334, earned an interview invite from HEC Paris.

If you’re preparing for MBA Round 2 deadlines, you can strengthen your essays and sharpen your story and strategy through our Interactive Essay Workshops.

If you’d like, you can also book a profile evaluation session for a detailed review of your candidacy.
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GMAT CLUB's FREE INSEAD MBA INTERVIEW PREP EVENT - Register now

DATE: 22 October 2025
TIME: 8:30 PM - 9:15 PM IST

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UPDATE! ☕

Registration is now LIVE for our next 5 Essay workshops. Check them out on our Events section! 📅

These sessions are designed to equip you with strategies for tackling essay questions, choosing impactful stories, aligning your goals with each school’s resources, showcasing authentic leadership, highlighting community fit, and gaining personalized insights to craft your best MBA applications.

💡 Got a specific topic you’d like us to cover? Drop us a note, we’d love to include it in the upcoming line-up!
Upcoming ESSAY WORKSHOP on Fuqua, Darden, & Ross, scheduled on October 31st, 2025 | 9.00 PM IST | 11.30 AM ET.

For more details, visit the GMATClub's Eventsbar or MBA and Beyond's official website.
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Invitation to Join Our Open Discussion!

We’re hosting an open discussion on Thursday, 6th November, at 8 PM IST to explore the current uncertainty in US MBA admissions and the UK job market.

If you’d like to be part of this conversation and gain valuable perspectives, please fill out this Google Form to receive your invite!

Let’s connect, learn, and prepare strategically together!
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How to Build a Powerful MBA Application That Gets You an Admission Offer to Top Business Schools

Every year, thousands of driven professionals apply to the world’s leading MBA programs: Harvard, INSEAD, LBS, ISB, Wharton, HEC Paris, and many more. Yet, only a small fraction make it through. What sets successful applicants apart isn’t just a stellar test score or a fancy job title, it’s the overall profile of the candidate, the clarity, coherence, and conviction in their story.

1. Nail the Basics: GMAT / GRE and GPA
Your test scores and academics are the first filters. They don’t get you admitted, but they open the door.

Aim for a 20+ points GMAT score or a 2,3+ points GRE score, higher than the average scores mentioned for top global schools on their official websites.

Quantitative strength matters: A high quant score signals academic readiness.

GPA / Academics: A good undergrad GPA (top 20–25% of your class or 3.3+/4) helps, but you can offset a lower GPA through a strong GMAT/ GRE score, certifications (MBA Math, Coursera Quant courses), or clear professional excellence.

🟢 Pro Tip: Don’t obsess over the absolute score. Schools value balance, strong academics + leadership + purpose always outperform perfect numbers with a weak narrative.


2. Build Meaningful, Measurable Work Experience
Top schools look for impact, not just years. The average pre-MBA experience across top programs:
US MBAs: 4-6 years
Europe / Asia MBAs: 3-8 years


What matters more is your trajectory. Have you demonstrated:
✅ Consistent promotions and responsibility growth
✅ Quantifiable business impact (like, “Reduced project costs by 20%,” “Led a team of 6 to deliver X”)
✅ Global or cross-functional collaboration
✅ Initiative, going beyond your role to solve problems

🟢 Pro Tip: You don’t need to manage 20 people to show leadership. Even if you led one key initiative or influenced senior stakeholders, that’s leadership in action.


3. Showcase Leadership & Impact
Admissions committees love change-makers, people who take ownership and influence outcomes. Leadership doesn’t mean title; it means initiative, empathy, and accountability.

Demonstrate leadership in:
Professional projects (team management, innovation, cross-border work)
Extracurriculars (volunteering, community initiatives, college clubs)
Personal projects (startups, passion ventures, mentorships)

🟢 Pro Tip: Use the STAR method in essays: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Show your “why” behind the leadership moment, not just the “what.”


4. Build a Coherent Story: The Power of Collinearity
Your story should connect your past, present, and future, showing the admissions team that your MBA isn’t a random detour, but a strategic progression.

Example of good collinearity: “From a software engineer leading tech deployments, I want to move into Product Management post-MBA and eventually build a fintech startup that improves access to financial literacy in emerging markets.”

Weak collinearity: “I am an engineer but want to move into luxury marketing because I enjoy creativity.”

🟢 Pro Tip: Admissions teams don’t need a flashy story; they need a believable, purposeful one.


5. Define Clear Short-Term & Long-Term Goals
Clarity is your best friend in MBA essays and interviews.

Short-term goals (immediately post-MBA): Specific role + industry + geography (like, “Consultant at BCG Singapore” or “Product Manager in a HealthTech firm in Europe”).

Long-term goals: Broader vision (like, “Lead strategy at a global healthtech company” or “Found a social enterprise that...”).

🟢 Pro Tip: Mention how the MBA program specifically enables these goals, through curriculum, clubs, or alumni network. That shows research and intentionality.


6. Strong Letters of Recommendation
Your recommendations validate your story from another voice. Choose recommenders who have:
✅ Seen your growth over time
✅ Can write specific examples of leadership or initiative
✅ Understand your professional goals

Avoid big titles with little interaction- authenticity beats hierarchy every time.

🟢 Pro Tip: Provide your recommender a “brag/pros sheet(authentic)” with 3-4 bullet examples they can refer to when writing.


7. Skill Boosters: Courses, Certifications & Extras
To strengthen your candidacy, especially if pivoting careers, consider:

MBA Math / HBS CORe / Coursera Business Foundations / Any other Online or offline courses – for quantitative readiness

LinkedIn Learning / Google PM Course / Strategy Certifications – for career pivot stories

Language or Cultural exposure – valuable for global programs (like INSEAD, HEC)

🟢 Pro Tip: Use these to fill narrative gaps. For instance, if you’re from an engineering background aiming for consulting, show business exposure through certifications or side projects.


🎓 8. School Selection: Strategy over Ranking
Don’t chase rankings, chase fit. Consider:
1) Career outcomes in your target geography
2) Alumni network strength in your intended field
3) ROI and post-MBA visa opportunities
4) Teaching style (case-based vs analytical)

🟢 Pro Tip: Build a balanced school list:
2 reach schools (e.g., LBS, INSEAD)
2 target schools (e.g., ISB, NUS)
1-2 safe schools (e.g., Rotterdam, SMU, Mannheim)


9. Network, Network, Network
Top applicants don’t just apply; they engage.
Before applying:
✅ Attend webinars and info sessions
✅ Connect with alumni on LinkedIn, ask about culture, learning, and recruitment
✅ Mention genuine takeaways in your essays (“Speaking with XYZ, an alum from the 2023 batch, gave me insight into the school’s collaborative culture...”)

🟢 Pro Tip: Quality > Quantity, a few deep, authentic conversations matter more than a dozen superficial ones.


10. Attend Campus Visits & Virtual Events
Nothing shows intent like actually showing up.
Attend open days, mock classes, coffee chats, or online Q&As. Mention these interactions in your application; it signals commitment and fit.
It’s also an excellent way to discover unique program features that others might overlook in essays.


11. Final Word: Authenticity Wins Every Time
There’s no “perfect profile.”
Admissions committees are looking for authentic, self-aware candidates who know why they want the MBA and how they’ll use it.
Your story doesn’t need to be dramatic, it needs to be real, reflective, and relevant.


As one of our past admits (now at INSEAD) said:
“The turning point wasn’t rewriting my resume, it was realizing how each decision in my journey connected to who I wanted to become.”

Remember: An MBA application is not about proving you’re perfect. It’s about showing you’re prepared- academically, professionally, and personally, to make the most of this transformation.
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Watch the latest LBS, HEC, and IESE Essay Workshop on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2XHQIX8OZk
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