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GMATinsight
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Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
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Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2028 21 Jul 2026, 05:20
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A more general question - If we take GMAT after deadlines, Can we update our GMAT scores in the application by mailing them? How far away from deadline is it possible?
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None of the indian schools accepts the change in Score after submission of the application.

You may want to shift the target round if you are expecting a better score after the R1 deadline.
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Hi,

Your career gap is something you'll need to explain clearly in your applications. Your experience in tax consulting is valuable, but it's also one of the most common backgrounds among applicants, especially at ISB. Because of that, your profile will need to stand out through strong positioning, well-defined post-MBA goals, and high-quality essays and interview preparation.
In terms of test scores, I would recommend targeting:
  • ISB: 665+
  • IIM A/B/C: 645+
  • LBS, INSEAD, and HEC Paris: 665+
A strong GMAT, combined with a compelling career story and clear career goals, will significantly improve your competitiveness.

Happy to connect if you’d like to discuss your profile in more detail.

Phone: +91-9892714308
GaganB
Hi, my credentials are following:
Class X - 92.6%
Class XII - 91%
Professional qualification - CA + BCom
Work ex - 3 yrs in EY + 5.3 yrs in KPMG (Total 8+ yrs in tax consulting)
Career break - 1 year 3 months (currently going on)
Extra curricular - Drummer (Certified); Hyrox athlete; Received best speaker award @HPAIR (Harvard conference) held in Tokyo in 2025.

What should be my target GMAT score for following schools -
India - ISB or IIM A/B/C
Europe - INSEAD or Esade or HEC Paris or LBS
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Hi everyone, I’m looking for an MBA profile evaluation and guidance on the GMAT score I should target.

Background

* Indian male, 27
* Class 10: 84%
* Class 12: 88%
* B.Tech Computer Science, SRM University: 79.12%, First Class with Distinction
* Work experience across TCS and American Express (1.5 years at TCS, 4 years and counting at American Express) - 5.5 years total at present


Professional experience

At TCS, I worked as a software engineer on a multiyear modernization program for a UK travel-technology client, migrating customer-facing platforms from legacy to modern technology. I was promoted, served as interim Scrum Master for a quarter, interviewed new joiners, and my team won Best Team of the Year in the Travel and Hospitality unit.

At American Express, I have progressed across three roles:

1. Bureau data stewardship: Helped establish monitoring and governance controls across 56 bureau-data tables covering 17 markets, including the US, Canada, UK, Japan, Spain, Hong Kong and Italy. Reduced issue identification and resolution timelines from approximately 30–35 days to 7 days. Independently led the activation of 50 critical data elements over eight months, coordinating contributors in a matrix structure. Received a strong rating and promotion.

2. Federated Data Officer, Credit and Fraud Risk: Acted as liaison between the Enterprise Data Office and four risk teams, working across seven teams in total - four risk teams, two data office teams and my own team. Managed 20+ stakeholders and coordinated governance compliance for 100+ critical data elements.

3. US Banking Risk Strategy and Product Delivery: Transitioned into banking, credit, fraud and payments strategy for the US and Canada. Independently delivered initiatives associated with approximately $15 million in pre-tax income benefit out of the $60 million delivered by my team over two years. I also worked on risk-framework globalization and optimization, broader adoption of risk metrics, stronger control coverage, improved scalability and operational efficiency. I mentored an intern and supported team-level operational-efficiency initiatives.

Recognition and leadership

* Analyst of the Quarter: 2023, 2024 and 2026
* Teaching volunteer through Amex Prayaas since 2023, teaching English and logical reasoning to annual cohorts of 35+ support staff members preparing for government and public-service exams
* Sports club lead, organizing weekly cricket and badminton events
* College committee head for organ-donation awareness campaigns, animal welfare vaccination drives, lake clean-ups and fest operations through event organisation
* NCC experience and former regional-level cricket player
* During COVID, independently raised ₹52,000 to support education needs and fees for underserved children and help maintain continuity in their education

I also have two strong recommendations from my current leader and previous leader who have managed me directly and can attest to all the above pointers and leadership experiences

My post-MBA goal is management consulting, particularly in financial services, risk, analytics and transformation.

My target schools include Kellogg, Darden, Fuqua, Ross, Tuck, INSEAD, LBS, HEC Paris, IESE and ISB

Could you please assess:

1. My overall competitiveness
2. The GMAT score I should target
3. Which schools are realistic, competitive and reach options
4. Whether my academics are a concern relative to my professional progression and leadership
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You have ambitious schools in your target list so I won’t suggest that you target anything less than 695.

Your experience and achievements/Recognitions look promising but how have they prepared you for you target role (Management Consulting) should emerge well in application essays so that part should be carefully crafted.

Among the target US schools there should be some more schools that you should target (IMO) such as UCLA, Cornell and CMU which are specially suited for someone bring expertise and aspirations of Analytics and “Tech in Management”.

You will have to wait for the answer of your Q-3 till you have GMAT because that can be answered only when you have the score in hand.

Academics doesn’t seem to be much of a concern. Anyway it’s out of reach for you to make anymore amends. If you are askign whether your academics might be a reason for your disqualification at any school, then answer is NO. 🙂

Reach out for more discussion if you want.

Bhoopendra Singh
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AdmitSure | GMATinsight
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhoopendra1/
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Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
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Quote:

Thank you so much for your response and guidance on having some target schools among UCLA, Cornell and CMU, do you suggest replacing certain schools on my list with the suggested ones or having them incrementally on top of my suggested schools?
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I suggest that you keep them incremental school till you don’t have gmat score.

Making list more compact and planning rounds of application would be a good idea when you have more certainty about your score. 🙂👍
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The 8.6 from ICT Mumbai is a real credential: it signals technical depth from a program adcoms at top schools recognize, and it becomes the foundation they read everything else against.

•⁠ ⁠The Big Four consulting path is genuinely common in the applicant pool, which means the differentiation question is not whether the background reads well (it does) but whether your specific work at Deloitte GBS tells a story beyond process and delivery. What you shaped, not just what you did, is what separates the profile from several hundred similar ones.

•⁠ ⁠On score targeting: without a school list it is hard to anchor a precise number, but for programs where strategy-to-conglomerate is a credible post-MBA path, a Classic GMAT in the 720-plus range (or Focus 675-plus) keeps you safely above the sub-median threshold for Indian IT-consulting profiles, where adcom scrutiny concentrates.

•⁠ ⁠The contrast worth naming: two months at PwC reads as recency, not progression. Adcoms will want to see the arc, not just the logo change, so framing why the move happened and what it opens next becomes load-bearing in your essays.

•⁠ ⁠The 2028 cohort timeline gives you meaningful runway to deepen your leadership narrative before applications open, which is actually the greater lever here than the score.

The path forward is clearest once you anchor it to three or four specific programs and let the school fit shape how you position the engineering-to-consulting-to-strategy arc.

Hope this helps. Feel free to come back with more queries as needed. Contact us directly - submit a query here.

Roborse
Hi Everyone, requesting some honest feedback on my profile and some guidance on what score should I aim to get into the 2028 cohort.
10th = 90.80%
12th = 85.23%
Polymer Engineering (ICT Mumbai) = 8.6 CGPA
Work experience = Deloitte (2 years as an Analyst in their GBS practice), PWC (Joined 2 months ago)
Post MBA Goal = Work in strategy roles across conglomerates (where I can leverage my consulting background)
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Hi,

You have a strong overall profile with consistent academics, progressive career growth at American Express, measurable business impact, and meaningful leadership both inside and outside work. For your target schools, aim for a GMAT Focus score of 685+ to be competitive, especially for Kellogg, LBS, INSEAD, Ross, and Fuqua. ISB, Darden, CMU Tepper, Cornell Johnson, UCLA Anderson, and USC Marshall are all realistic targets with a strong GMAT and well-executed applications.

Your post-MBA goal of consulting in financial services and risk aligns naturally with your experience, but your essays should clearly explain why consulting is the logical next step. Academics are not a concern given your professional trajectory and achievements.
You could also consider Tuck, Duke Fuqua, UVA Darden, Georgetown McDonough, Emory Goizueta, UT Austin McCombs, and UW Foster as additional strong options, depending on your final GMAT score and career preferences.

Happy to connect if you’d like to discuss your profile in more detail.

Phone: +91-9892714308
WA@mbw7899
Hi everyone, I’m looking for an MBA profile evaluation and guidance on the GMAT score I should target.

Background

* Indian male, 27
* Class 10: 84%
* Class 12: 88%
* B.Tech Computer Science, SRM University: 79.12%, First Class with Distinction
* Work experience across TCS and American Express

Professional experience

At TCS, I worked as a software engineer on a multiyear modernization program for a UK travel-technology client, migrating customer-facing platforms from legacy to modern technology. I was promoted, served as interim Scrum Master for a quarter, interviewed new joiners, and my team won Best Team of the Year in the Travel and Hospitality unit.

At American Express, I have progressed across three roles:

1. Bureau data stewardship: Helped establish monitoring and governance controls across 56 bureau-data tables covering 17 markets, including the US, Canada, UK, Japan, Spain, Hong Kong and Italy. Reduced issue identification and resolution timelines from approximately 30–35 days to 7 days. Independently led the activation of 50 critical data elements over eight months, coordinating contributors in a matrix structure. Received a strong rating and promotion.

2. Federated Data Officer, Credit and Fraud Risk: Acted as liaison between the Enterprise Data Office and four risk teams, working across seven teams in total - four risk teams, two data office teams and my own team. Managed 20+ stakeholders and coordinated governance compliance for 100+ critical data elements.

3. US Banking Risk Strategy and Product Delivery: Transitioned into banking, credit, fraud and payments strategy for the US and Canada. Independently delivered initiatives associated with approximately $15 million in pre-tax income benefit out of the $60 million delivered by my team over two years. I also worked on risk-framework globalization and optimization, broader adoption of risk metrics, stronger control coverage, improved scalability and operational efficiency. I mentored an intern and supported team-level operational-efficiency initiatives.

Recognition and leadership

* Analyst of the Quarter: 2023, 2024 and 2026
* Teaching volunteer through Amex Prayaas since 2023, teaching English and logical reasoning to annual cohorts of 35+ students preparing for government and public-service exams
* Sports club lead, organizing weekly cricket and badminton events
* College committee head for organ-donation awareness campaigns, animal welfare vaccination drives, lake clean-ups and fest operations through event organisation
* NCC experience and former regional-level cricket player
* During COVID, independently raised ₹52,000 to support education needs and fees for underserved children and help maintain continuity in their education

My post-MBA goal is management consulting, particularly in financial services, risk, analytics and transformation.

My target schools include Kellogg, Darden, Fuqua, Ross, Tuck, INSEAD, LBS, HEC Paris, IESE and ISB

Could you please assess:

1. My overall competitiveness
2. The GMAT score I should target
3. Which schools are realistic, competitive and reach options
4. Whether my academics are a concern relative to my professional progression and leadership
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The detail buried in your post that matters most: you have delivered $15M in attributable pre-tax income at Amex, and that number is sitting in the middle of a paragraph where most adcoms will miss it unless your resume and essays surface it front and center.

•⁠ ⁠That $15M figure is the kind of quantified business impact that separates data-governance profiles from strategy profiles in an adcom's reading, but only if it is framed as a strategic decision you owned, not a team output you supported. The framing matters as much as the number.

•⁠ ⁠On academics, 79% from SRM with a CS background will draw scrutiny at M7-adjacent programs alongside your Indian IT pool, but three promotions and a lateral into banking strategy is the counter-narrative. The risk is not the GPA in isolation; it is if your essays lean technical rather than showing the judgment calls behind the governance work.

•⁠ ⁠For GMAT, given your pool (Indian male, IT-origin), a Focus Edition score around 675 to 685 (roughly Classic 730 to 740) keeps Darden, Tuck, and Ross genuinely in range; below 665 Focus and Kellogg becomes a stretch on pure stats.

•⁠ ⁠INSEAD and LBS are realistic given your international exposure across 17 markets, and they weight work quality over pedigree more visibly than some US programs.

The path forward is less about adding schools and more about tightening how the Amex arc reads: three roles, one coherent story of escalating risk-and-strategy ownership, culminating in a consulting goal that follows logically.

Hope this helps. Feel free to come back with more queries as needed. Contact us directly - submit a query here.

WA@mbw7899
Hi everyone, I’m looking for an MBA profile evaluation and guidance on the GMAT score I should target.

Background

* Indian male, 27
* Class 10: 84%
* Class 12: 88%
* B.Tech Computer Science, SRM University: 79.12%, First Class with Distinction
* Work experience across TCS and American Express

Professional experience

At TCS, I worked as a software engineer on a multiyear modernization program for a UK travel-technology client, migrating customer-facing platforms from legacy to modern technology. I was promoted, served as interim Scrum Master for a quarter, interviewed new joiners, and my team won Best Team of the Year in the Travel and Hospitality unit.

At American Express, I have progressed across three roles:

1. Bureau data stewardship: Helped establish monitoring and governance controls across 56 bureau-data tables covering 17 markets, including the US, Canada, UK, Japan, Spain, Hong Kong and Italy. Reduced issue identification and resolution timelines from approximately 30–35 days to 7 days. Independently led the activation of 50 critical data elements over eight months, coordinating contributors in a matrix structure. Received a strong rating and promotion.

2. Federated Data Officer, Credit and Fraud Risk: Acted as liaison between the Enterprise Data Office and four risk teams, working across seven teams in total - four risk teams, two data office teams and my own team. Managed 20+ stakeholders and coordinated governance compliance for 100+ critical data elements.

3. US Banking Risk Strategy and Product Delivery: Transitioned into banking, credit, fraud and payments strategy for the US and Canada. Independently delivered initiatives associated with approximately $15 million in pre-tax income benefit out of the $60 million delivered by my team over two years. I also worked on risk-framework globalization and optimization, broader adoption of risk metrics, stronger control coverage, improved scalability and operational efficiency. I mentored an intern and supported team-level operational-efficiency initiatives.

Recognition and leadership

* Analyst of the Quarter: 2023, 2024 and 2026
* Teaching volunteer through Amex Prayaas since 2023, teaching English and logical reasoning to annual cohorts of 35+ students preparing for government and public-service exams
* Sports club lead, organizing weekly cricket and badminton events
* College committee head for organ-donation awareness campaigns, animal welfare vaccination drives, lake clean-ups and fest operations through event organisation
* NCC experience and former regional-level cricket player
* During COVID, independently raised ₹52,000 to support education needs and fees for underserved children and help maintain continuity in their education

My post-MBA goal is management consulting, particularly in financial services, risk, analytics and transformation.

My target schools include Kellogg, Darden, Fuqua, Ross, Tuck, INSEAD, LBS, HEC Paris, IESE and ISB

Could you please assess:

1. My overall competitiveness
2. The GMAT score I should target
3. Which schools are realistic, competitive and reach options
4. Whether my academics are a concern relative to my professional progression and leadership
Show more
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The career break is the detail most score calculators will ignore, but it is actually the thing that shapes your score strategy more than anything else.

•⁠ ⁠For ISB and the IIMs, the CA credential carries genuine weight in how adcoms read quantitative ability, which means the score threshold for you is less about proving quant competence and more about clearing the median comfortably: aim for a Classic 730 or a Focus 685 minimum, with 740 or 695 respectively giving you real cushion in the Big Four tax pool, which skews high on credentials.

•⁠ ⁠For INSEAD, LBS, and HEC Paris, the scoring bar is similar in range but the read is different: European programs at this tier tend to scrutinize career progression and role seniority more closely for senior profiles, so a 730 or 685 Focus with a crisp narrative around why an MBA now, after eight years and a break, matters more than a score a few points higher.

•⁠ ⁠The thing you did not ask about: the career break needs a proactive, specific answer across every application, not just an optional essay. Adcoms will wonder whether it was voluntary, and the Hyrox training and HPAIR speaker award actually give you strong material to show purposeful use of that time rather than drift.

The drumming certification and best speaker recognition at a Harvard-affiliated conference in Tokyo are genuinely differentiating; lean into them as evidence of a person, not decoration on a resume.

Hope this helps. Feel free to come back with more queries as needed. Contact us directly - submit a query here.

GaganB
Hi, my credentials are following:
Class X - 92.6%
Class XII - 91%
Professional qualification - CA + BCom
Work ex - 3 yrs in EY + 5.3 yrs in KPMG (Total 8+ yrs in tax consulting)
Career break - 1 year 3 months (currently going on)
Extra curricular - Drummer (Certified); Hyrox athlete; Received best speaker award @HPAIR (Harvard conference) held in Tokyo in 2025.

What should be my target GMAT score for following schools -
India - ISB or IIM A/B/C
Europe - INSEAD or Esade or HEC Paris or LBS
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Starting my GMAT prep for ISB. But does anyone know that between GRE and GMAT, does ISB prefer any one exam over the other?
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*KaviIyer writes:*
Starting my GMAT prep for ISB. But does anyone know that between GRE and GMAT, does ISB prefer any one exam over the other?
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No, percentile wise more or less fall in same range for both tests
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CareerSimplified

No, percentile wise more or less fall in same range for both tests
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ok thanks. Have started preparing for GMAT anyways. Let's see how things go.
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Hi everyone, I’m looking for a profile evaluation and guidance on the GMAT Focus score I should target for ISB PGP YL.

Background
• Indian male, 23 at the time of application for R1
• Class 10: 95%
• Class 12: 93%
• B.Sc. Economics (Hons.), Symbiosis School of Economics, 2021-2024: CGPA 7.02/10
• CFA Level I cleared
• Approximately 20 months of full-time work experience by the time of application

Professional Experience

1. Growth-stage climate-focused private equity fund | September 2025-2026
The fund had a targeted corpus of USD 250 million and focused on growth-stage businesses across agriculture, natural resources, energy, mobility and the circular economy.

• Led valuation work for the solar IPP portfolio of a UK-based investor with USD 5 billion AUM, presenting fair-value conclusions and value-creation opportunities such as BESS deployment to improve project IRRs.
• Evaluated four investment opportunities of USD 15–30 million each, identifying business drivers, conducting preliminary DCF-based assessments, and evaluating transaction structures using forward earnings multiples.
• Built a three-layer InvIT financial model for a proposed renewable IPP and transmission-asset monetization platform.
• As a founding team member, developed fund-governance and LP-facing materials, including portfolio reporting, NAV workings and fund-database processes aligned with institutional LP expectations.
• Led interactions with prospective LPs and investment banks, and represented the fund at industry events.

I resigned at the end of June because the fund’s first-close and capital-mobilisation timelines were deferred amid macro and geopolitical uncertainty. As I had already decided to apply for an MBA this year, I chose to focus fully on the application process rather than wait for an uncertain timeline.

2. Boutique startup consultancy | November 2024-2025
• Helped raise INR 20 million for a beverage brand through a proprietary investor network.
• Evaluated 20+ early-stage companies across India, the UK and Dubai, and supported 10+ transactions across B2B SaaS, D2C, health-tech and fintech.
• Built 10+ financial models and investor decks using DCF and market-multiple valuation approaches.
• Conducted industry mapping, market sizing and commercial assessments for early-stage companies.
• Sourced opportunities and signed 10+ mandates with seed-stage startups, helping build the firm’s internal deal pipeline.

Leadership and Activities
• Represented Symbiosis International University in an All-India cricket tournament; finished as the third-highest run scorer in a college-level tournament and fourth overall on the tournament MVP rankings.
• Won an inter-college football tournament.
• Completed 100+ hours of community service since high school, including teaching underprivileged middle-school students.
• As part of college fundraising and social-impact initiatives, collected 100+ kg of clothing for donation and participated in a Pune riverside-forest clean-up that removed 20+ kg of waste.
• As sponsorship team lead in college, secured the institution’s first collaboration with an international NGO.

GMAT Focus
I have taken four official mba.com mocks. My scores have ranged from 615 initially to 735, with my last three being 675, 735, and 715.

Post-MBA Goal
My immediate goal is to move into the buy side—private equity, venture capital, or an infrastructure fund. In the long term, I want to help scale businesses and infrastructure platforms.

I have developed a foundation in valuation, business analysis and fund building. I now want stronger leadership, communication, strategic decision-making and network-building capabilities to progress from assessing investments to eventually helping shape investment direction.

Questions
1. How competitive is my profile for ISB PGP YL, considering my 20 months of experience and current employment gap?
2. What GMAT Focus score should I target to be competitive?
3. Is my undergraduate CGPA of 7.02/10 likely to be a concern despite my strong Class 10 and 12 scores, CFA Level I, and quantitative work experience?
4. Are there specific gaps in my profile—especially leadership, work progression, or clarity of career goals—that I should address through essays and recommendations?

Thank you in advance for your feedback.
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Hi,

You have a strong profile and should be a competitive applicant for PGP YL. What stands out most is the quality of your private equity and investment experience, not just the length of your work experience. The employment gap shouldn't be a major issue as long as you explain it honestly and show that you've used the time productively.

Your 7.02 CGPA is a slight weakness, but it's balanced by your excellent Class X and XII scores, CFA Level I, and relevant finance experience. For the GMAT , I'd aim for at least 705, while a score of 725 or above would put you in a very strong position.
For the application, focus on real examples where you took ownership, influenced others, or drove meaningful outcomes instead of simply describing your responsibilities. It would also help to make your post-MBA goals more focused—for example, targeting growth equity or infrastructure investing rather than private equity or venture capital in general

Happy to connect if you’d like to discuss your profile in more detail.

Phone: +91-9892714308
RuleLark
Hi everyone, I’m looking for a profile evaluation and guidance on the GMAT Focus score I should target for ISB PGP YL.

Background
• Indian male, 23 at the time of application for R1
• Class 10: 95%
• Class 12: 93%
• B.Sc. Economics (Hons.), Symbiosis School of Economics, 2021-2024: CGPA 7.02/10
• CFA Level I cleared
• Approximately 20 months of full-time work experience by the time of application

Professional Experience

1. Growth-stage climate-focused private equity fund | September 2025-2026
The fund had a targeted corpus of USD 250 million and focused on growth-stage businesses across agriculture, natural resources, energy, mobility and the circular economy.

• Led valuation work for the solar IPP portfolio of a UK-based investor with USD 5 billion AUM, presenting fair-value conclusions and value-creation opportunities such as BESS deployment to improve project IRRs.
• Evaluated four investment opportunities of USD 15–30 million each, identifying business drivers, conducting preliminary DCF-based assessments, and evaluating transaction structures using forward earnings multiples.
• Built a three-layer InvIT financial model for a proposed renewable IPP and transmission-asset monetization platform.
• As a founding team member, developed fund-governance and LP-facing materials, including portfolio reporting, NAV workings and fund-database processes aligned with institutional LP expectations.
• Led interactions with prospective LPs and investment banks, and represented the fund at industry events.

I resigned at the end of June because the fund’s first-close and capital-mobilisation timelines were deferred amid macro and geopolitical uncertainty. As I had already decided to apply for an MBA this year, I chose to focus fully on the application process rather than wait for an uncertain timeline.

2. Boutique startup consultancy | November 2024-2025
• Helped raise INR 20 million for a beverage brand through a proprietary investor network.
• Evaluated 20+ early-stage companies across India, the UK and Dubai, and supported 10+ transactions across B2B SaaS, D2C, health-tech and fintech.
• Built 10+ financial models and investor decks using DCF and market-multiple valuation approaches.
• Conducted industry mapping, market sizing and commercial assessments for early-stage companies.
• Sourced opportunities and signed 10+ mandates with seed-stage startups, helping build the firm’s internal deal pipeline.

Leadership and Activities
• Represented Symbiosis International University in an All-India cricket tournament; finished as the third-highest run scorer in a college-level tournament and fourth overall on the tournament MVP rankings.
• Won an inter-college football tournament.
• Completed 100+ hours of community service since high school, including teaching underprivileged middle-school students.
• As part of college fundraising and social-impact initiatives, collected 100+ kg of clothing for donation and participated in a Pune riverside-forest clean-up that removed 20+ kg of waste.
• As sponsorship team lead in college, secured the institution’s first collaboration with an international NGO.

GMAT Focus
I have taken four official mba.com mocks. My scores have ranged from 615 initially to 735, with my last three being 675, 735, and 715.

Post-MBA Goal
My immediate goal is to move into the buy side—private equity, venture capital, or an infrastructure fund. In the long term, I want to help scale businesses and infrastructure platforms.

I have developed a foundation in valuation, business analysis and fund building. I now want stronger leadership, communication, strategic decision-making and network-building capabilities to progress from assessing investments to eventually helping shape investment direction.

Questions
1. How competitive is my profile for ISB PGP YL, considering my 20 months of experience and current employment gap?
2. What GMAT Focus score should I target to be competitive?
3. Is my undergraduate CGPA of 7.02/10 likely to be a concern despite my strong Class 10 and 12 scores, CFA Level I, and quantitative work experience?
4. Are there specific gaps in my profile—especially leadership, work progression, or clarity of career goals—that I should address through essays and recommendations?

Thank you in advance for your feedback.
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Hi Guys, new to this forum sharing you my quick details here. 10th:

Hi everyone! I’m new to this forum and would really appreciate a profile evaluation, especially for top foreign MBA programs (and ISB if relevant).

My profile:

10th: 88%
12th: 98% (89% if all six subjects are considered—I’m not sure how ISB and other schools evaluate this.)
College: SRCC, 8.3 CGPA
Internships: CRISIL and EY
Work Experience:
2.3 years at Bain Capability Network (BCN) in consulting support/analytics.
Currently running my own marketing agency (around 3 months old). By the time I apply, I’ll have approximately 2.7 years of total work experience.

My agency is a performance marketing and social media company. We’ve worked with multiple brands, including a brand that has appeared on Shark Tank India.

A few questions:

Do I have a realistic shot at top international MBA programs (INSEAD, LBS, Oxford, Cambridge, etc.)?
Which schools would be a good fit for my profile?
What GMAT score should I target to be competitive?
Are there any gaps in my profile that I should work on over the next 1–2 years?

Any honest feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Ahsaas
Currently running my own marketing agency (around 3 months old).
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Looks like you are planning to apply only after 2-3 years.

Since you are an entrepreneur, a lot may change in these years. If it becomes super-successful, you might not need an MBA.
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1. The primary reason I’m not from a particularly strong financial background is that I wanted to build something for my brother. He had just graduated and was struggling to establish a career of his own. I leveraged my network, brand relationships, and marketing skills to start a conventional marketing agency, which he now manages. Today, he’s able to earn around ₹1–1.5 lakh per month from the business, and there’s still significant scope for him to grow it further.

2. I don’t intend to continue scaling this agency long term because the industry has a relatively low barrier to entry, leading to intense price competition and limited defensibility. While I believe I could have scaled it to around ₹5 lakh in monthly recurring revenue (MRR), I also believe I would eventually have hit a growth bottleneck. That’s one of the key reasons I’m looking at an MBA—to build the skills and network required to create something with much larger long-term potential.

I’d position it a lot better for my applications haha, but these are the actual reasons.
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Ahsaas
1. The primary reason I’m not from a particularly strong financial background is that I wanted to build something for my brother. He had just graduated and was struggling to establish a career of his own. I leveraged my network, brand relationships, and marketing skills to start a conventional marketing agency, which he now manages. Today, he’s able to earn around ₹1–1.5 lakh per month from the business, and there’s still significant scope for him to grow it further.

2. I don’t intend to continue scaling this agency long term because the industry has a relatively low barrier to entry, leading to intense price competition and limited defensibility. While I believe I could have scaled it to around ₹5 lakh in monthly recurring revenue (MRR), I also believe I would eventually have hit a growth bottleneck. That’s one of the key reasons I’m looking at an MBA—to build the skills and network required to create something with much larger long-term potential.

I’d position it a lot better for my applications haha, but these are the actual reasons.
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So you left your job just to help your bother set up his business? In that case, this venture would not figure anywhere in your career goals.

This needs to be thought thru. I don't think Adcom will find this narrative very convincing.
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Yes, still need to weave it through!
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