Hi @reiciendisdolores ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experiences, 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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Hi @fugarepudiandae ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experiences, 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 @ullammolestiae ! 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 @AjoeCy ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experiences, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target school more accurately. Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Hi @ayon68 ! We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, professional experiences, and personal journey so we can offer a more tailored assessment of your profile and evaluate your chances at your target school more accurately. Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

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Not sure if any of these Full Time MBAs would allow your application without a test, although for many Executive, PT/ evening programs, taking a much shorter EA may help.
Anyway, details of your College, College Standing, Professional accomplishments (not just your role), ECs etc would immensely help. Without those, unfortunately your current list looks more like a wish-list, devoid of the much needed homework on your part.

Hope that helps. Please submit your profile for a Free Assessment over a 1:1 call. https://theivyleagueedge.com/index.php/contactus/
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Thanks for sharing your profile @mewsmas . You seem to be a competitive candidate for top US tech-oriented MBA programs if you take and score well on the GMAT Focus. With 8+ years, you fit the preferred experience band for FT MBAs and are well-positioned to recruit into product management and senior product roles after MBA. Key remaining lifts are: (1) an admissions-grade GMAT, (2) tightened storytelling to show product/strategy readiness (not just agile/team management), and (3) clear examples of ownership & measurable impact.

Booth, Kellogg, Ross, and McDonough medians show mid-to-high 600s-730+ GMATs and average work experience of around 5-7 years. Your experience is on target, but your score will materially affect admission/scholarship chances.

Take the GMAT / GMAT Focus. Top programs still use test scores heavily to compare quantitatively across applicants. Booth & Kellogg medians are high (Booth ~728 avg; Kellogg ~733 avg historically). A strong quantitative score opens doors and scholarships.

You have the right experience length. With 8+ years, you’ll be at or above the mean experience for many FT classes, good for senior roles and R1/R2 timing. (Part-time students show higher variance and often have 6-8+ yrs.)

Full-time is the stronger path for a role pivot to senior product/strategy. If you want to move into product leadership (director → VP) and recruit via school pipelines, an FT MBA can give the best access to career services, internships, and on-campus recruiting, with good networking and research on your own. Part-time is great if you must keep working, want to avoid opportunity cost, and don’t need a full pivot. (See part-time class profiles and outcomes.)

What each school values, and how you can position:
Chicago Booth (target / reach to lock): Strong analytics/strategy culture and product roles via tech recruiting, emphasizing metrics, A/B results, and analytics you used as Scrum Manager. Booth class GMAT ~728 and average work exp ~5 yrs.

Kellogg (reach/ target): Leadership, product management, and collaborative culture. Kellogg's median GMAT is historically ~733. Sell cross-functional leadership (engineers, PMs, stakeholders) and product strategy exposure.

Michigan Ross (target): Action-based (MAP) and strong product/tech pipeline; medians around high 600s-720. Position as operator → product leader, with examples of strategic initiatives.

Georgetown McDonough (target/ match): Slightly lower numeric medians (GMAT ~696 avg) but strong for those wanting East Coast tech/strategy roles. Good if you seek a balance between rigor and slightly more accessible stats.

Full-time vs Part-time:
If your priority is a substantive industry/role pivot (Scrum Manager → Director Product / Head of Product), → Full-time MBA is typically better: internship opportunities, full recruitment cycle, dedicated career coaches, alumni access, and on-campus interviews.

If you must keep income / senior role and cannot leave job → Part-time/evening /weekend can work, especially for promotions within your company or slower lateral moves. But note: on-campus recruiting and internship signals can be weaker for part-time students. (See Kellogg Evening & Weekend and Booth Part-Time profiles; they show higher average experience and different recruiting expectations.)

Concrete gaps & how you can fix them:
1) GMAT: Set a target early.
2) Product signal beyond agile title: Admissions care about what you own, product metrics, launches, roadmap decisions, prioritization tradeoffs, and cross-functional initiatives. Convert “Scrum Manager” bullets into product/impact bullets (numbers: % retention improvement, time-to-market, revenue enabled, cost saved). If you lack product ownership, create a product project: build a roadmap + prototype + metrics.
3) Leadership at scale: With 8+ yrs, provide 3-4 stories showing strategic influence: leading cross-org initiatives, shaping product strategy, P&L influence, or mentoring leaders. Use STAR + metrics.
4) Networking & internships prep: Booth/Kellogg/Ross, prepare to secure a summer internship if changing function. Start informational interviews with alumni now.

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

Hi
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, if you are targeting a FT MBA program, I would recommend that you appear for a GMAT/GRE test. A strong score will enhance your profile. Your age will not be a hindrance to your profile, you will just have to have strong answers for 'Why MBA?' and 'Why now?'

It will be crucial for you to figure out which type of MBA program you wish to apply for. I hope our article MBA over 30 helps you to plan your MBA journey.

I’d be happy to offer you a free profile review for your target MBA programs to see where you stand and how to boost your chances, happy to help!
No pressure, no strings - just helpful insights on where you stand and how you can strengthen your chances.

Feel free to connect- Click here
You can also email me your CV at: priyankak@aringo.com
Good Luck!

Hi Ananya
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, I see a strong and focused foundation. With about 4+ years of experience in statutory audit, you are likely to bring a solid understanding of financial systems, risk, and compliance, skills which are highly valued by the adcoms. Transitioning from audit to consulting is a well-trodden path, and many candidates with similar backgrounds have made successful pivots.

You should aim for a score close to 695-705. Anything above would be further strengthening your profile. Can you focus on highlighting what differentiates your audit experience, worked with global clients or cross-functional teams? Any involvement in mentoring or firm-wide initiatives can strengthen your leadership narrative.

I’d love to take a closer look at your profile to help you identify what aspects of your experience to highlight and how to position yourself for your target programs.

FEEL FREE TO CONNECT FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION
CLICK HERE TO CONNECT.
You can also email me at: priyankak@aringo.com or profileevaluation@aringo.com
Good Luck!

Hi Ananya,

With over 4 years of experience in statutory audit, you’re well-positioned to pursue an MBA, especially with a clear goal of transitioning into consulting. Your audit background provides a strong foundation in analytical thinking, attention to detail, and client management - skills valued in consulting. Make sure your consulting goals are specific and well-defined. For programs like ISB and Oxford Said, your GMAT score will play a critical role in strengthening your profile. To stay competitive, aim for a score of 685+.

It will be important to clearly articulate why consulting, why now, and how your audit experience translates into a consulting skill set. Highlighting your leadership, professional achievements, relevant skills, career goals, unique experiences, and fit with the program effectively will be crucial in crafting a compelling application. To maximize your chances, consider applying to a balanced mix of reach, target, and safety schools. Feel free to book a free call with our MBA consultants for a more detailed discussion. You can also contact us directly at team.mba@theredpen.com or +91-7780769732.

Thank you for sharing your background and goals @Ananya 1801! With nearly 5 years of experience in statutory audit, you're approaching the work experience sweet spot for most global MBA programs, especially those in India and Europe. Your intention to transition into consulting post-MBA is a common and achievable pivot, especially from an accounting/audit background, provided you build a compelling story and secure a strong GMAT score.

Let’s talk about school fit. ISB routinely admits applicants from Big 4 or audit backgrounds looking to transition into consulting, especially if they can showcase analytical thinking, client exposure, and leadership. However, Indian male applicants from finance/audit are part of an overrepresented pool, so you'll need to differentiate yourself with a strong GMAT score (ideally 710+), extracurricular depth, and a crisp articulation of why consulting.

When it comes to IIMA PGPX, the average work experience tends to be around 7 to 8 years, so you would be applying slightly on the younger side. Success at IIMA will depend on whether your work has had accelerated impact - team leadership, client ownership, or large-scale audit/project responsibility.

At Oxford, the average work experience is around 5 years, and they value applicants who bring international exposure, intellectual curiosity, and a global perspective. If you’ve worked with multinational clients or in diverse teams, be sure to highlight that.

To make your candidacy even stronger, focus on nailing the GMAT and showcasing leadership & initiative in your current role. One common challenge for auditors is being perceived as lacking leadership experience. Try to highlight any client-facing engagements, mentoring roles, team supervision, or special projects where you took the lead. If you’ve done cross-functional work or driven change in any way, spotlight it in your resume and essays. You can take a look at this blog on: Exhibit Different Forms of Leadership.

Finally, spend time clarifying your post-MBA goals. Break it down: Are you targeting strategy consulting with MBB? Implementation-focused roles with firms like Deloitte or PwC? What industries or geographies excite you most? Schools want to see a logical and well-researched transition plan, not just ambition.

Would you like help preparing your resume for MBA applications, shortlisting schools based on scholarship opportunities and consulting outcomes, or crafting essays? We’d be happy to learn more about your profile and journey. Let’s chat. Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

Join our next coffee session on: INSEAD Sept 2026 Intake.

.

hey anand, I am currently on the WL for the jan intake. could you share what helped you convert to an admit?

V

Hi @attemporibus ! 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
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond

Hi @explicaboquasi ! 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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Hi @quietCFO ! 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
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond

Hey Sri- Any thoughts on all Visa issues and job prospects ? Fellow applicant

Target applying for 2027 intake. A WE of min 3 years is recommended when applying.
Assuming your GRE/GMAT is decent (685 or more), Imperial would be shooting too low
Also, assuming your WE accomplishments have been decent, and your college standing at least Tier-2, you may be able to target T-10s in US, and top-5 in Europe as well.


Hope that helps. Please submit your profile for a Free Assessment over a 1:1 call. https://theivyleagueedge.com/index.php/contactus/
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Thanks for sharing your profile @Sri Sivathmika ! Starting with your strengths: Distinctive non-work leadership (dance/music + national TV = strong storytelling edge). Early awards (“Best outgoing student 2023,” city topper in Math/Accounts) → academic signal. Consulting + venture → shows initiative and client exposure.

Watch-outs: Only 2 years of work experience. Most targets average ~5-6 years, but the range includes 2-13, so you’ll be on the junior side; your impact depth must pop. GMAT not taken yet → this will largely set your range (see targets below).

Reality check: what top programs want.
LBS: ~5 years avg; range has included 2-13 years. Kellogg: ~5 years avg, GMAT classic ~730-740 (Focus ~685). Stanford GSB: ~5.1 years avg, GMAT avg ~738. Johnson (Cornell): ~5.3 yrs avg, ~710 GMAT median. HEC Paris: ~6 yrs avg, GMAT classic ~690. NUS: ~6 yrs avg, GMAT classic ~670. Imperial: avg ~5 yrs, min 3 yrs typically.

What can you improve before R2:
1) Score early → leaves time for a retake.
2) Finance pivot proof. Coursework: Accounting/Valuation (Coursera/edX/Harvard CORe) & a financial modeling certificate.
Thought leadership: Short LinkedIn posts on India→SEA finance themes.
Deal/transaction exposure in current role; if possible, internal rotation to valuation, or corp-fin engagements.

3) Leadership at scale: formalize mentoring, lead pro-bono finance project for an NGO/social enterprise (measurable outcomes).
4) Recommendations: choose supervisors who can evidence analytical rigor, client impact, and team leadership, not just titles.
5) Entrepreneurship clarity: quantify your venture (revenue, margins, growth, customers); “X% turnover” → frame as YoY growth or margin with numbers.

Scholarships skew to earlier rounds; R2 still gets merit if execution is crisp.

Questions for you to reflect on:
1) Which finance role are you targeting first post-MBA (like equity research, corporate development, investment banking, asset mgmt, fintech strategy)?
2) Any deal/valuation work already (even small)?
3) Constraint on location post-MBA (US, UK, Singapore, India)?

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

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Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond

Applying for Deferred MBA you would need a stellar profile - Think GMAT 705+, though Darden may consider your case.
Alternatively, apply post WE of 3-4 years

Hope that helps. Please submit your profile for a Free Assessment over a 1:1 call. https://theivyleagueedge.com/index.php/contactus/
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Hi @RandomCanoe,
1. Many details from your profile are missing, and therefore, an understanding of your profile is uninformed at best.
2. Without your CGPA, your Undergrad College, your degree, and your GMAT, I can only assume you would be up against the most over-represented minority (Indian Male Engineer). A high score in these that shows your academic callibre would help differentiate your case against the pool you are pitted against.
3. The Career Trajectory that you plan, from Technology to Consulting, is fairly common, and achievable, though that also means your Resume, Essays, LORs etc have to highlight your accomplishments well, and your narrative compelling.
4. Just writing HEC thrice does not improve your chances 3x. You need to show maturity by understanding the need for back-ups, and seek backups in other good schools, both higher and lower ranked than HEC (depending on your profile).

Hope that helps. Please submit your profile for a Free Assessment over a 1:1 call. https://theivyleagueedge.com/index.php/contactus/
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154 EA may just about be around the threshold for IB & PE career goals, and for these top Universities,
Unless the GPA is in the top percentile, it weakens your demonstrated academic calibre a little further.
Your ethnicity may get you points in diversity

That said, you have already applied. Why are you even looking for a profile assessment now?

Hope that helps. Please submit your profile for a Free Assessment over a 1:1 call. https://theivyleagueedge.com/index.php/contactus/
_________________
Bala

1. The MOST recommended Admissions Consultant on Linkedin, WORLDWIDE
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Hey Eva. Your profile looks similar to mine. Could you do a review for my profile and guide me on what helped you in getting admits from INSEAD and ISB?

Training others on IB topics shows that you have built up a solid conceptual understanding over the years. But if your goal is to move into a front-office position after the MBA, for eg. in M&A, capital markets or coverage, you will need to demonstrate not only your expertise, but also your experience in deal execution, client engagement, and financial modeling, likely from the past IB experience.

At the moment, your description suggests you have been in more of a middle-office or support role (but maybe I am wrong). That’s not a deal breaker, but you need to be strategic. Schools and recruiters will want to see why the move makes sense and how your previous experience will add value to a front office role. You might want to do that:
1. Start telling a story that connects your previous work to your deal making skills.
2. Highlight any modeling, valuation or pitchbook experience.
3. Showcase a vision in terms of industries or problems you want to impact.

Your GRE is too low. Target upwards of a 327 as you are focused on a finance heavy domain.


Wondering how your profile stacks up? Get a free profile evaluation and discuss a tailored MBA plan that aligns with your goals.
Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanchal-sahni-83b00819/ |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­

Hi @bellabournvita
Thanks for sharing your profile!

You’re at the senior-most end of the full-time MBA applicant pool with 9 years of work-ex, especially for programs like ISB, HEC Paris, and Imperial. That said, your depth of domain exposure within Investment Banking, both in front-end roles and more recently in Learning & Development, makes for a unique profile but also comes with certain risks in terms of perception and re-entry into front-office roles.

You hold 74% (~3.7 GPA) from your undergrad which is decent. But the GRE score of 315 is currently the weakest link in your profile. Given the high competition at ISB and global schools, and your aim to pivot back into front-office IB roles (which themselves are extremely selective post-MBA), your GRE needs to be at least 327+ to be considered competitive. It's good that you're planning to retake the GRE as this will be a make-or-break factor for schools like HEC and ISB.

Your 7 years of front-end IB work in multinational firms is a major strength, especially if you can showcase deal exposure, leadership in transaction execution, and progression across roles. The pivot to L&D is unusual and may raise questions, not because it lacks merit, but because it may suggest a drift away from the core finance track. That said, you can frame this well if you present it as a strategic pause where you deepened your domain expertise and developed training/leadership skills while staying within the IB vertical.

To strengthen your work narrative:
- Quantify your deal experience (volume, sectors, clients).
- Clarify why the switch to L&D happened and how it connects to your renewed drive to return to front-office roles.
- Speak of your mentorship and leadership in your L&D tenure.
- If available, talk about international exposure in your IB role

Your stated goals which is to return to Investment Banking in front-end or strategy roles are clear but need better nuance. Schools will want to know:
- What kind of IB work — M&A advisory, ECM, DCM, restructuring, sector-focused?
- How will an MBA fill gaps you currently face in getting back into IB?
- Are you open to corporate finance or strategy roles as a bridge?

IB hiring, especially in front-office, is still extremely competitive, even for traditional candidates. Your background will be respected, but re-entering IB after 2 years in a non-transactional role and with 9+ years of experience puts you in a trickier position unless you can clearly articulate your continued relevance and preparedness. You might want to hedge your post-MBA plan slightly by being open to roles in corporate development, financial strategy, boutique advisory, or even PE operations. These often welcome more seasoned professionals.

Speaking of your School Fit & Application Strategy:

- ISB: A good fit but remember that ISB is very GMAT/GRE sensitive. A 315 won’t cut it, but a 325+ might.
- HEC Paris: Strong for finance, especially in Europe. However, EU IB roles are tough to crack for non-EU citizens unless language or work rights are present. Again, GRE must improve.
- Imperial: This is a more realistic selection but also not a major IB feeder. Could work well if you're open to post-MBA UK roles in corporate finance or strategic finance.
- IIM EPGP: Good choice if living in India and fast-tracking to senior roles in this region is your objective.

For global mobility and IB aspirations, consider adding ESMT Berlin, ESADE, or Rotterdam as geographic hedges.

We’d love to offer a 1-on-1 profile evaluation to dive deeper into your strengths, talk through your fit across schools, and co-create a tailored application game plan!

Feel free to reach out to us at the coordinates below!
Email: gwyneth@thembaedge.com
Phone/WhatsApp No: +91 88502 49409
Website: https://thembaedge.com/

Warm regards,
The MBA Edge Team

Thank you for sharing your profile @bellabournvita. Based on your profile, there’s a lot of depth, leadership potential, and domain expertise that you bring to the table.

You’ve built a relevant foundation in investment banking across multinational firms, which positions you well for an MBA with a post-MBA goal in the same industry. The 7 years of hands-on experience in front-end IB roles are valued, particularly at schools that recruit heavily for finance. Transitioning to a domain-focused Learning & Development role in the same space can also be seen as a leadership-oriented pivot, as long as it is framed correctly in your application as a deliberate step that reinforced your expertise, communication skills, and mentorship capacity. You might want to take a look at this BLOG on How to Exhibit Different Forms of Leadership. Your academic credentials, including a 74% in a Commerce degree from Delhi University, which fall within an acceptable range for international MBA programs, especially if your transcripts include quant-heavy coursework.

The most immediate area for improvement is your GRE score. Great that you are already planning a retake. A 315 is below the average for your target schools, particularly ISB, HEC, and IIMA PGPX, where the average tends to fall in the 325-330+ range for competitive applicants. You may find this blog on Navigating Low GMAT/GPA Scores in MBA Applications particularly insightful. A 325+ GRE score will significantly improve your odds and help offset your age and slightly unconventional recent experience in L&D. Given your goal to return to front-office finance, the score will also serve as a signal of your analytical aptitude and preparedness for an MBA.

Another area to reflect on is the 2-year stint in L&D. While this experience is not inherently negative, it might raise questions about your trajectory. Adcoms may wonder whether the shift was driven by a slowdown in your IB career or by a strategic decision. Your application essays must clearly articulate how this phase complements your overall story and adds leadership and communication strengths that will enhance your post-MBA success in IB or strategic finance roles. This blog on Strengths and Weaknesses could be worth checking out!

ISB can be a good target, but with 9 years of experience, you are on the higher end of their typical age range. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but your application will need to emphasize leadership and scale of impact. A strong GRE score and clear articulation of your “Why MBA, Why Now” will be critical. HEC Paris and Imperial College London can be good fits too, especially given their openness to experienced professionals and strong finance placement. At HEC, international exposure and deal experience will be key to strengthening your candidacy. If you have worked on cross-border transactions, this should be highlighted. Imperial might be more forgiving on the GRE and is a strong brand in Europe for finance, though placement into front-end IB may require networking. IIMA PGPX can also be a good fit among your current targets. The program is designed for mid-to-senior-level professionals with substantial experience. You would need to demonstrate how your experience (especially the transition to L&D) aligns with your renewed goal to re-enter IB, while also showing the maturity and leadership that PGPX values.

Given your years of experience and goals, you may want to consider other global programs with strong finance recruiting and age flexibility, like INSEAD, Cambridge Judge, and Oxford Saïd.

Focus the next month on GRE prep, especially building quant strength. Simultaneously, begin introspecting on your career story and how to narrate the L&D switch effectively. Your age and experience are not liabilities per se, but they require a well-thought-out narrative that aligns career growth with post-MBA aspirations. Schools will ask: Why do you need an MBA now? How will it help you get where you want to go? Why did you step into L&D, and how does that make you a better leader?

Questions to Reflect On:
1)Can you point to deal-making or client engagement stories in IB that showcase leadership, ownership, and business impact?

2)What was the rationale behind your move into L&D, and how can you position it as a strength rather than a detour?

3)Are you geographically flexible post-MBA, or are you focused on returning to India or APAC?

If you’re open to it, we’d be happy to dive deeper into your profile to assess your chances. You can book a one-on-one profile evaluation with us anytime!

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond

Hello, thanks for sharing your profile. Your 9 years in IB and domain-focused L&D pivot are impressive. But with a 315 GRE, you’ll need a 325+ to stay competitive for ISB, IIMs, and HEC, especially given your re-entry to front-end roles.

Let’s connect to craft a winning reapplication and school targeting strategy.

Ameer Khatri, Admissions Consultant
Schedule 1-on-1 call with me for detailed profile review:
https://calendly.com/ameer-khatri/profi ... th=2025-04

Thanks everyone for the insights. I will update after next GRE attempt. A list of additional target schools for 1 year MBA, with good placement within IB, will be helpful too.

Hey could you please describe your role a bit pre mba

Hi Ruhi, Can i DM you for some guidance? I also have similar profile and targeting Insead this year