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6 years
2026
Pre-MBA industry: Other
Post-MBA industry: Other
IESE
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
29 Aug 2025 11:08
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8 months ago
30 Aug 2025, 07:50
Hi @PedroAgro ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Shantanu Sharma
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8 years
India
2026
Male
GPA: 7.03
Pre-MBA industry: Media/Entertainment
Post-MBA industry: Technology
Foster
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 2, 2026
InterviewedFeb 13, 26
AcceptedMar 21, 26
Scholarship50%
1 month ago
21 Mar 2026 12:03
Tepper
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 2, 2026
WaitlistedMar 3, 26
2 months ago
4 Mar 2026 06:03
McCombs
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
AcceptedDec 16, 25
Scholarship50%
4 months ago
22 Dec 2025 11:12
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8 months ago
30 Aug 2025, 07:50
Hi @m7runner ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Shantanu Sharma
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3 years
2026
Pre-MBA industry: Consulting
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
Imperial College
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
29 Aug 2025 02:08
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8 months ago
30 Aug 2025, 07:49
Hi @zainrahman ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Shantanu Sharma
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10 years
India
2026
Male
Pre-MBA industry: Manufacturing
Post-MBA industry: Manufacturing
Stern
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
29 Aug 2025 02:08
Stern
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
29 Aug 2025 02:08
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8 months ago
30 Aug 2025, 07:49
Hi @surendrasaini1 ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
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Pre-MBA industry: Consulting
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
HEC Paris
September Intake
September Intake
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
29 Aug 2025 09:08
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8 months ago
30 Aug 2025, 07:48
Hi @architectoquo ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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6 years
Viet Nam
2026
Female
Score: 625 GMAT Focus
GPA: 3.0
Pre-MBA industry: Retail: E-commerce
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
Anderson
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
20 Aug 2025 01:08
Marshall (USC)
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
20 Aug 2025 01:08
Haas
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 2, 2026
8 months ago
20 Aug 2025 01:08
Yale
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
20 Aug 2025 01:08
Sloan MIT
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
20 Aug 2025 01:08
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8 months ago
20 Aug 2025 01:08
As a first-generation Vietnamese female college graduate with seven years of experience in market research, headhunting, e-commerce, and non-profit education, plus a side small business, I’m passionate about pivoting into technology entrepreneurship. Would love to know how I can improve my chance to get into listed top schools
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8 months ago
20 Aug 2025, 07:34
Thanks for sharing your profile @Evelyng! Let's start! 6 years of professional experience from Vietnam, representing a first-generation undergrad female candidate with a unique, multicultural outlook. 3.0/4 GPA is lower than ideal for top programs, but not a deal-breaker. GMAT FE score of 625 is low. Broad exposure across market research, headhunting, e-commerce, non-profit education, and managing a small side business this speaks to adaptability, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Why the gap matters & how to bridge it: GMAT & GPA are significant signalers in the schools' holistic evaluations. With a 625 GMAT, you're currently below the average range, which risks being screenable in early rounds. If possible, retake the GMAT (target: 675, 685+, higher the better) or consider the GRE if that aligns better with your strengths. Take a high-level analytics, statistics, or entrepreneurship course and earn top marks; mention these in optional essays.

Questions to personalize your story further:
1) What specific type of tech entrepreneurship are you aiming for e-commerce platform, edtech, fintech)?
2) Do you have any metrics from your small business (growth %, user base, revenue, impact)?
3) Have you led any cross-border or tech-focused consulting initiatives?
4) Are you open to European-only programs if the U.S. remains statistically out of reach at your current score?

We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

Join our Coffee Session: “MASTER YOUR MBA APPLICATION ESSAYS FOR INSEAD, HEC, LBS, AND IESE!” on August 22, 2025 | 9:00 PM IST | 11:30 AM ET. KNOW MORE DETAILS

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Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
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8 months ago
30 Aug 2025, 03:06
Thanks for your response, I'll review the plan
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8 months ago
23 Aug 2025, 03:34
Hello Evelyng,

Your story as a first-gen Vietnamese female adds valuable diversity, but your current stats are a barrier. A 3.0 GPA and 625 GMAT Focus fall well below averages at Haas, Yale, and Sloan, and even Anderson and Marshall are stretches with those numbers.

Your eclectic experience across e-commerce, headhunting, non-profit, and entrepreneurship is interesting but needs to be tied together into a coherent post-MBA vision.

If consulting or tech entrepreneurship is your goal, you will need a much stronger GMAT (680–700+) to be taken seriously. Without it, the schools on your list are mostly out of reach.

Ameer Khatri, Admissions Consultant
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https://admitportal.ameerkhatri.com/pro ... n-calendar
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8 months ago
30 Aug 2025, 03:07
Thanks for your response, i understand the situation, I will retake the GMAT to improve the chance. Is it possible to submit the application the update the school with new GMAT score ( after the deadline) ?
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8 years
United States
2026
Male
Score: 316 GRE
GPA: 2.37
Pre-MBA industry: Military
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
Jones Rice
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
26 Aug 2025 05:08
Kellogg
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
26 Aug 2025 05:08
McCombs
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
26 Aug 2025 05:08
McDonough
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Early Action, 2026
8 months ago
26 Aug 2025 05:08
Ross (Michigan)
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
26 Aug 2025 05:08
Tepper
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
26 Aug 2025 05:08
Wharton
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
26 Aug 2025 05:08
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8 months ago
26 Aug 2025 10:08
Hi everyone!


I’m wondering what my chances are with a 316 GRE score (162V 154Q AWA: 4.5). I am going to be applying to U Mich Ross and UT McCombs, and CMU Tepper to list a few.

Short term goal: land a strategy consulting job (Texas preferably; but very flexible).

Long term goal: internal strategy in tech or media. Grow my personal media brand via YouTube and web articles on the side.

My background:

Demographics: Black, Male, 30 y/o

MBA Applications: Class of 2026. U Mich Ross, UT McCombs, CMU Tepper, and others

Undergrad: Service academy (think Naval Academy, West Point, Air Force Academy) 2.37 GPA due to immaturity

Major: Political Science

Job experience: 8 years of military experience as an Officer doing general management, project management, team leadership, liaising, teaching, training, policy management and creation, and program management.

Extras: D1 college athlete, volunteer for underserved community service in a poor project, in the starting stages of building a media brand (1 video on YouTube, 1 article on substack, multiple LinkedIn posts)

Sorry if I missed any profile inclusions. If you need any more info, I’m happy to add it! Thanks for the honesty and help!
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8 months ago
26 Aug 2025, 21:57
Hello GuyRandom,

Your leadership and management background from the military is a strong differentiator, and schools like Ross, McCombs, and Tepper value candidates with that experience.

However, your GPA (2.37) and GRE (316) are well below averages at your target schools. While your service academy will be recognized as rigorous, you will need to explain the low GPA clearly and show evidence of academic readiness, either through a stronger test score or additional coursework.

Right now, Tepper and McCombs are within reach if you apply with strong essays, but Wharton and Kellogg are out of range unless your GRE improves. For consulting goals, you need a program with strong MBB/Big 4 consulting placement, so retaking the GRE into the 320s+ should be a priority.

Let’s discuss how to position your leadership experience and overcome the academic concerns.

Schedule a 1-on-1 call here: https://admitportal.ameerkhatri.com/pro ... n-calendar

Ameer Khatri, Admissions Consultant
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8 months ago
28 Aug 2025, 22:14
Sir there is no easy way to say this but I’d recommend getting another job.
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8 months ago
29 Aug 2025, 06:16
Thanks for sharing your profile @GuyRandom ! You’re in a unique and competitive segment of the applicant pool: military officers from service academies. Let's start! GPA: 2.37 (from a U.S. service academy; Political Science), is below average at most top MBA programs but offset by (a) the prestige/rigor of a service academy, (b) demanding military career, (c) leadership record. GRE: 316 (162V / 154Q / AWA 4.5). Verbal is strong, Quant is a bit low for M7 schools like Kellogg/Wharton, but can be competitive for many programs. 8 years as a military officer → strong leadership, management, operations, and strategy transferable to consulting. Cross-functional skills: policy creation, training, project mgmt. That breadth is good for consulting. Most schools actively seek military veterans and underrepresented minorities.

Extras: D1 athlete → shows discipline, teamwork, perseverance. Community service with underserved populations → aligns well with “impact-driven” essays. Early-stage media brand → could be a differentiator if framed as an entrepreneurial initiative.

Weaknesses & areas to improve: Low GPA (2.37) – Will raise red flags. Needs active mitigation. Highlight quant/analytical aspects of your military roles in your resume/essays. GRE 316 (esp. Quant 154), below average at Wharton/Kellogg (typical middle 80% ~ 320-330 GRE). It’s fine for Ross, McCombs, Tepper, and Jones, but it could limit M7's chances. If you can push your score in the 320+ range(higher the better) with a retake, it would materially strengthen your app. The media brand highlights an early stage, so you can position it as “entrepreneurial interest/initiative”. Start networking with your target school students and alumni.

Key questions for you:
1) Are you willing to retake the GRE, or do you want to move forward with 316?
2) Do you want to target M7 as a “reach” (knowing odds are lower), or focus on slightly more achievable programs?
3) Would you be open to 1-year MBAs (Kellogg 1Y, Cornell Tech, or accelerated European programs) given your 8 years of work experience?
4) Consulting is highly structured recruiting. Do you have a preference for MBB (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) or are you open to Tier 2 firms (Deloitte, Strategy&, Accenture Strategy)?

You can read this blog on "Journey of a Military Veteran to MBA"

We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

Register for our Coffee Session: “Tackle MBA Applications for Canadian Business Schools- Rotman, Schulich, Ivey & More”, which we are hosting on 5th September, 2025 | 9:00 PM IST | 11:30 AM ET. KNOW MORE DETAILS

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
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8 years
India
2026
Female
Pre-MBA industry: Consumer Packaged Goods
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
Said
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 4, 2026
8 months ago
28 Aug 2025 09:08
Judge Cambridge
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 3, 2026
8 months ago
28 Aug 2025 09:08
Comments 1 comment
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8 months ago
29 Aug 2025, 04:59
Hi @aj1007 ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

You can take a look at this SUCCESS STORY.

Register for our Coffee Session: “Tackle MBA Applications for Canadian Business Schools- Rotman, Schulich, Ivey & More”, which we are hosting on 5th September, 2025 | 9:00 PM IST | 11:30 AM ET. KNOW MORE DETAILS

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Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
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Pre-MBA industry: Other
Post-MBA industry: Other
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September Intake Class of
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Rolling, 2026
8 months ago
28 Aug 2025 11:08
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8 months ago
29 Aug 2025, 04:56
Hi @iustotempora ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target school more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Shantanu Sharma
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3 years
2026
Pre-MBA industry: Transportation
Post-MBA industry: Technology
Stern
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
28 Aug 2025 11:08
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8 months ago
29 Aug 2025, 04:55
Hi @legacyhope ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target school more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Shantanu Sharma
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9 years
2026
Pre-MBA industry: Other
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
INSEAD
January Intake
January Intake
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
29 Aug 2025 12:08
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8 months ago
29 Aug 2025, 04:55
Hi @expeditasimilique ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Shantanu Sharma(INSEAD Alumnus)
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5 years
2024
Score: Waiver
Pre-MBA industry: Finance: Diversified Financial Services
Post-MBA industry: Energy
Alberta
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
8 months ago
29 Aug 2025 03:08
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8 months ago
29 Aug 2025, 04:52
Hi @delectusdolore ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target school more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Shantanu Sharma
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5 years
India
2026
Male
Score: 615 GMAT Focus
GPA: 7.4
Pre-MBA industry: Law
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
Desautels McGill
Full-time 2 Year MBA
Full-time 2 Year MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 05:08
Fuqua
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 05:08
Johnson (Cornell)
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 05:08
McCombs
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 05:08
Rotman
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 05:08
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8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 05:08
With my experience in litigation and intense practice before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India, as well as advising and consulting my clients on various legal compliance and administrative matters, I now want to transition into management consulting by bringing a lawyer's perspective to the field.
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8 months ago
27 Aug 2025, 21:43
Hello Nikhil,

Your litigation and Supreme Court practice background is unique, but your 615 GMAT Focus is a serious roadblock for the schools you’re targeting.

Fuqua, Cornell, and McCombs typically see mid-700s Focus scores from Indian applicants, and 615 will place you well below the competitive range.

The GPA is fine, and your legal experience can be positioned as a differentiator, but without a higher GMAT, your chances at these programs are slim. McGill and Rotman are more realistic, though even they will prefer a stronger score.

If consulting is your goal, you should not proceed with applications at this score. A retake into the 660–680+ range is essential. Otherwise, your profile will be filtered out before the essays even come into play.

Let’s connect and map out a GMAT retake and application strategy that keeps your timeline realistic.

Schedule a 1-on-1 call here: https://admitportal.ameerkhatri.com/pro ... hatgpt.com
Ameer Khatri, Admissions Consultant
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8 months ago
28 Aug 2025, 06:12
Thank you for sharing the details @nikhil malhotra ! Starting with the strengths of your profile, your unique pre-MBA background, coming from litigation and high-level courts, is uncommon. Few lawyers from India target MBAs, so this can differentiate you if positioned well. Your legal practice already involves consulting-like skills (structuring cases, compliance advisory, strategy under constraints). AdComs value this if you show transferable skills. Arguing in front of the High Court/Supreme Court signals strong communication, persuasion, and leadership under pressure.

Gaps & areas to improve:
GMAT Focus 615: This is your biggest challenge. The average scores at Fuqua, Cornell, and McCombs are ~700-720 on the GMAT classic scale. McGill/Rotman is slightly more flexible, but still competitive (670–680 classic range). A retake aiming for 665+(focus edition) would be a better place.

Translation: You need to show how litigation → consulting is logical. Without positioning, AdComs may question fit.

Frame your legal work as problem-solving, strategic advisory, managing stakeholders, and risk consulting, not just courtroom practice.

Leadership beyond law: Have you led teams, mentored juniors, or initiated reforms in your practice? Consulting schools love tangible leadership stories.

Extracurriculars / Community: If you’ve done pro bono work, teaching law, NGO involvement, or leadership in bar associations, highlight it strongly. Consulting-oriented schools love candidates who’ve impacted communities.

Sharpen career narrative: Why consulting? Why now? Show how you’ve already done consulting-like advisory in law. Clarify long-term goals (do you want to stay in consulting or later move into corporate strategy, compliance, or risk management?).

Highlight differentiation: Courtroom advocacy → client advisory → risk mitigation → business consulting. Very few Indian applicants come from pure law + litigation, so lean into that uniqueness.

We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

Register for our Coffee Session: “Tackle MBA Applications for Canadian Business Schools- Rotman, Schulich, Ivey & More”, which we are hosting on 5th September, 2025 | 9:00 PM IST | 11:30 AM ET. KNOW MORE DETAILS

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
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8 months ago
28 Aug 2025, 07:37
Hi Nikhil.

Many applicants do an MBA with corporate law experience. Come from litigation, you should find some business elements in the work you have done to make your profile relevant for an MBA. Shantanu has made a nice point on this and I agree about showing a consultative element in your current role. Also, while building your resume, show quantifiable impact- I hope you get to work with corporate clients / governments on their business issues and can highligh that experience in the resume and the rest of the application.
You should connect with other lawyer MBA candidates and understand how your current experience will be relevant. This will help a great deal especially in your Fuqua contribution essay.
Coming from a non quant academic background, I do not recommend applying with your current GMAT score. Take another attempt with an eye on 700+

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
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7 years
India
2026
Male
Score: 740 GMAT Classic
GPA: 7.5
Pre-MBA industry: Manufacturing
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
Goizueta
One-Year MBA
One-Year MBA
AppliedAug 28, 25
InterviewedSep 15, 25
WaitlistedOct 8, 25
7 months ago
9 Oct 2025 06:10
Kellogg
Full Time 1 Year MBA
Full Time 1 Year MBA
Round 1, 2026
InterviewedOct 6, 25
7 months ago
7 Oct 2025 09:10
Tepper
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
Invited to interviewOct 6, 25
7 months ago
7 Oct 2025 09:10
8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 11:08
I have 6+ years of Leadership Experience at Bajaj Auto in Sales, Digital Transformation and Network Planning & Expansion. I already have MBA from IIM Calcutta ( 2019 Passout ). I am targeting Round 1 applications for Top 1-Year MBA programs like Kellogg's 1 Year MBA, Yale MAM, Tepper Accelerated MBA & Emory One-Year MBA.
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8 months ago
27 Aug 2025, 21:44
Hello Maurya,

Your case is unusual: you already hold an MBA from IIM Calcutta, which raises the question of why a second MBA is necessary. Top U.S. programs will want a very clear rationale beyond “career pivot.” Your 740 GMAT is excellent, and your leadership at Bajaj Auto across sales, digital, and expansion is strong.

However, U.S. adcoms may see your prior MBA as sufficient unless you frame your story around global exposure, U.S. placement into consulting, and skill gaps that your IIM MBA did not address.

Programs like Kellogg’s one-year MBA and Duke Accelerated MBA are designed for candidates like you, but you must explain the “second MBA” convincingly. Without that, your application will struggle even with strong credentials.

A second-MBA application requires a very precise positioning strategy. Let’s discuss how to craft that case.

Book a 1-on-1 session here: https://admitportal.ameerkhatri.com/pro ... n-calendar?

Ameer Khatri, Admissions Consultant
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8 months ago
28 Aug 2025, 07:24
Hi Maurya,

With 7 years of experience, it will be important to show your leadership skills and impact on teams/clients/organization impressively- and these are what will work very well for Kellogg and Duke- both programs high on collaboration, leadership and empathy.
Justifying a second MBA is not difficult, but yes, you must have your reasons that fit in well with your career vision and future career goals.
I'd be happy to have a chant. We helped someone crack Kellogg last year for his second MBA (and he was a reapplicant), So i'd be happy to share my insights with you should you have any difficult questions. You may also want to look into LBS Focus, you'll have to check though whether IIMC qualifies in their second MBA eligibility criteria, but any how impressive that you went to IIMC. Some of the best professionals i know and have worked with before I got into admissions consulting are from there. So, you have a strong lineage

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
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5 years
India
2027
Female
Score: 565 GMAT Focus
GPA: 6.92
Pre-MBA industry: Transportation
Post-MBA industry: Transportation
Rotterdam
International Full Time MBA
International Full Time MBA
Feb Round, 2027
8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 12:08
IE
January Intake Class of
January Intake Class of
8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 12:08
ESSEC
Global MBA
Global MBA
8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 12:08
Rotman
Full Time MBA
Full Time MBA
Round 1, 2026
8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 12:08
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8 months ago
27 Aug 2025 12:08
I started with a automobile manufacturer, Honda Cars. I worked in their quality department for 1,5 years. During my tenure, I oversaw the launch of 2 new models. I was on a break for personal reasons from 2021 to 2023. Since a little over last two years, I have been working with one of the biggest 2 wheeler manufacturer in their R&D department. I am working in Program Management Office leading a team of 3 people. My role is to manage projects ensuring that they are on track. I directly work with CXOs and VPs in my company.


Through my MBA, I want to catapult myself to get into senior managerial role in automotive industry in their strategy division. I am focused on colleges where sustainability is important like Copenhagen Business School. I want to incorporate these aspects in my role. I am primarily targetting European colleges.

I know my GMAT score is on the lower end. I am going to give again in December but not sure how much I will improve. I want to know if I stand a chance in these colleges with this GMAT Focus score.

Extra Currics - Worked in college automotive team, Lead a team of dancers for 3 years doing flash mob, currently working in rural NGO

Thank you!
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8 months ago
27 Aug 2025, 21:45
Hello Mish,

Your work at Honda and now in a leadership role at a major two-wheeler manufacturer gives you a clear and relevant automotive trajectory. The break from 2021–2023 will need to be explained carefully, but your progression since then is solid.

The main weakness is your 565 GMAT Focus score, which is too low for Rotman, ESSEC, and even IE. European schools like Rotterdam and Copenhagen may still consider you if you articulate a strong sustainability/automotive narrative, but realistically, you need to push that score closer to 620+ to improve your chances.

Your extracurriculars are decent, especially leadership in college and NGO work, but they won’t compensate for a weak test score. If you can show improvement on the GMAT in December, your application will look much stronger. Without it, you are likely looking at lower-ranked European programs.

Let’s connect to discuss how to position your break, highlight your leadership, and craft a school list that fits your goals.

Ameer Khatri, Admissions Consultant

Schedule a 1-on-1 call here: https://admitportal.ameerkhatri.com/pro ... n-calendar?
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8 months ago
28 Aug 2025, 05:35
Thanks for sharing your profile @Mish06 ! At 565 GMAT FE, most targets are high reach. What’s working for you, direct, relevant industry experience (OEM quality → PMO in R&D) with CXO/VP interface and team leadership, is great raw material for strategy roles. Clear sector focus (auto/EV/transportation + sustainability). Schools love focused, plausible goals. Leadership signals (team lead at work + dance team lead + NGO work).

What to shore up, GMAT Focus: This is important to unlock admits. The average GMAT scores of your target schools are around 680-690, except for RSM(~640). So, the target 645+ (Focus) will be a better place.

Career gap (2021–2023): Must be addressed head-on (brief, positive, outcome-oriented). Show what you learned or built (courses, care responsibilities, certifications, projects) and how it makes you a stronger leader now. Translate PMO achievements into business outcomes (time-to-market, cost, quality, revenue impact, sustainability metrics). Sustainability story: Tie your work to measurable ESG impact (like emissions reduction, circularity, safety, supplier compliance).

School fit & tips with a good GMAT FE score:
ESSEC Global MBA: Good for industry switchers with a global lens; supportive of leadership pivots. Build your case around mobility + sustainability and international exposure.

IE Business School: Pitch your program management + cross-functional strengths and entrepreneurial touch (flash-mob/dance leadership can humanize you).

RSM: Aligned with operations & sustainability. Emphasize European supply chain exposure, stakeholder management, and the business case of sustainability.

Rotman: Pipeline into Canadian industry and product/strategy roles. Odds: Reach → Stretch, but doable with a stronger score and crisp story.

What to work on next:
Gap statement: 3–4 lines, factual and forward-looking (no defensiveness).
School research calls: Network with students/alumni in auto/EV/industrial strategy; reference these in “Why School” essays.
Scholarships: Target mission-aligned funds (women in leadership, sustainability/ESG, industry focus) at ESSEC/IE/RSM. A stronger score helps here, too.

A few questions for you to reflect on:
1) What P&L or hard-dollar impact can you quantify from your PMO work (cost saved, launch acceleration, quality KPIs)?
2) Any EV, battery, or software-defined vehicle exposure? That would sharpen the sustainability/strategy narrative.
3) Can your recommender credibly discuss your CXO interactions and decisions you’ve influenced?
4) Are you open to continental Europe post-MBA, as a stepping stone, or is Canada also a live option?
5) Any certifications or sustainability coursework you have or can complete before apps?

We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

You can register for our Coffee Session: “Tackle MBA Applications for Canadian Business Schools- Rotman, Schulich, Ivey & More”, which we are hosting on 5th September, 2025 | 9:00 PM IST | 11:30 AM ET. KNOW MORE DETAILS

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
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8 months ago
28 Aug 2025, 07:14
Hi Mish06,
Its nice to read your profile. The first work experience looks like you would have had a fair bit of learning and made some impactful contributions in your ops-heavy role. I will assume that the career break was for compelling reasons that eventually afforded you a chance to learn and grow. If there is a story that shows resilience and growth, it can be woven into your application material. I like the fact that you were able to bounce back with seems equally strong work experience as the first inning.
Now with a strong work profile, it would really help to get more out of your MBA by applying to better ranked MBA programs and as already pointed out, your GMAt score can be the hurdle there. So, do retake and shoot for early to mid Nov so that you are able to then start working on your applications. This is important because when applicants take GMAT closer to their deadlines, they mess up the score more (saying from anecdotal evidence). I realize some of your deadlines will not be before mid Jan to Feb, but having a score early will allow you to plan for some other higher ranked programs such as IESE which have deadlines in January first week. Several UK and European b-schools have good focus on sustainability, so you will have a wider range of programs to select from depending upon how strong your profile is on paper.
Also, your college ECAs are valuable, but its important to have some recent ECAS as well. Continue to volunteer and do impactful work here.


Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
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Hi @isaac9022 ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target school more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Hi @quisquamquaerat ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target school more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Hi @omaramer15 ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target school more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Hi @admeliora ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target school more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Hi @nisivoluptas ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experience, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target schools more accurately. If you'd like, feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Shantanu Sharma
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