Hello Kenny, From what i read is that you got admitted into HEC Montreal, what about Desautels McGill, did you get any reply ?

Thanks for sharing the details @Antoniochicchon! With 7 years of consulting experience, a 3.5 GPA, and a clear goal to remain in the consulting industry post-MBA, your profile seems decent, especially as a Peruvian candidate, which adds geographic diversity.

However, a key missing piece is your GMAT/GRE score. Rotman’s average GMAT is around 670-680, so aim for at least a 20,30+ point score to stay competitive, to maximize scholarship chances, and strengthen your academic profile. Your experience shall make you attractive, but top programs will still expect strong test performance and well-articulated career goals. You can take a look at this blog on: How to frame practical Post MBA Goals Essays.

Focus your essays on leadership, impact, and why consulting remains your path forward. A clear, compelling narrative will be key. If you're open to discussing your test score plans, extracurriculars, and long-term geographic goals, we can help refine your strategy further. We'd be happy to learn more about your journey to assess your profile in detail. Feel free to book your profile evaluation session.

Hello Nishta,

You have a strong academic record (3.92 GPA), good test score (675 GMAT Focus), and solid work experience at JPMorgan. For part-time programs, your GRE/GMAT is workable since professional maturity and career trajectory weigh more heavily than scores.

Your rotational experience and clear goals around data strategy for small business make sense, and you are already showing community-minded motivation. To be competitive at Haas and Stern, your essays should highlight leadership beyond analytics, such as driving change, influencing senior stakeholders, and mentoring others.

Scholarships at part-time programs are limited but your academic strength and career clarity could help. Overall, you are well positioned for your school list.

Ameer Khatri, Admissions Consultant – Schedule 1-on-1 call with me for detailed profile review
https://admitportal.ameerkhatri.com/pro ... n-calendar

Are you trying to go from T2 to MBB? I'm trying to understand your school choices. Might add 1-year at Kellogg.

Hello Snigdha,

You bring a solid mix of entrepreneurial and corporate analytics experience, but your GRE 316 is well below median for Ross, Anderson, Darden, and Tepper. Without raising this to at least 322–325, your chances at the top end of your list are low.

Seven years of experience is above the average for U.S. MBAs, so your application must position you as a senior leader ready for strategic roles, not as a mid-level analyst. Quantify your entrepreneurial achievements, revenue growth, customer acquisition, operational savings , and highlight leadership examples from Zomato and Noon.

If your goal is strategic or PM roles in tech, make sure your resume and essays show product influence and cross-functional decision-making.

Ameer Khatri, Admissions Consultant
Schedule 1-on-1 call with me for detailed profile review
https://admitportal.ameerkhatri.com/pro ... n-calendar

Nice profile @Snigdha Nagpal! You’ve got a compelling vocational arc: analytics at recognisable tech firms > founder/entrepreneur experience > aiming for product/strategy leadership. That combination sells well because it shows technical chops, operator experience, and owner mindset. Admissions will look for proof that your startup + analytics experience produced measurable impact, that you’ve led people/projects, and that an MBA is the right next step (what specific skills you lack). The two immediate red flags to address: a 316 GRE (okay for many target schools but below median for some; raising it helps) and needing clearer quantification of impact and leadership stories. If you raise your GRE score by 8-10 points, your candidacy becomes stronger. You can take a look at this success story.

Strengths to lead with Operator + founder blend. Show you know both how to build and run (analytics + entrepreneurship). Analytics experience at big tech firms, highlight models you built, decisions you influenced, and business outcomes. 7 years is a great spot for MBA recruiters looking for mid-level hires into PM/strategy roles. As an entrepreneur, you likely wore multiple hats, use that to show cross-functional leadership and execution under uncertainty.

Quantify impact aggressively: Admissions and recruiters want numbers. Highlight results:
“Improved DAU retention by X% over Y months through A/B test and model”
“Reduced acquisition costs by X and increased Y%”
“Scaled operations from X to Y users, enabling $Z revenue”... etc.

“Why MBA, why now?” clarity: Which skills (strategy frameworks, stakeholder influence, finance, product strategy, scaling orgs) you will gain from an MBA, and why those can’t be learned on the job. Tailor this to each school. Prepare a “Why MBA / Why School” for each target school, focusing on the school's values and fit.

On-campus recruiting into PM often expects strong product-case storytelling and some technical familiarity (SQL, analytics, metrics). Your analytics background helps. Convert it into a PM narrative like “I used data to define user segments, prioritized features, and measured outcomes.”

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.

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

Hi Snigdha,

Your 7 years of work experience, split between entrepreneurial ventures and analytics roles at major tech companies, gives you a solid foundation for transitioning into strategic business or product management roles post-MBA. However, a GRE score of 316 may limit your chances at top-tier MBA programs, especially in competitive tech-focused tracks. To strengthen your application, consider retaking the GRE or GMAT to aim for a higher score (320+ ; ideally ~325), and emphasize leadership impact, entrepreneurial achievements, and strategic responsibilities in your essays. Your experience is a strong asset if paired with improved test scores and a clear, focused post-MBA plan.

Highlighting your leadership, professional achievements/tangible impact, 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 experts for a more detailed discussion. You can also contact us directly at [email protected] or +91-7780769732.

Hi @Snigdha Nagpal,
An AdCom member would look at your profile thus:

Your Work Experience of 7 years is clearly above average for all listed schools; You will need to carefully frame yourself as “seasoned but not overqualified"
Your belonging to an overrepresented applicant pool (Indian, Tech) will mean higher competition though at most U.S. programs, your gender would help offset overrepresentation risk, but only slightly
Your GRE of 316 (~equivalent to GMAT Classic 650–660) is clearly below average for these schools. You should aim for GRE of around 325 for a more competitive profile for these schools
While your GPA of 3.5 can come out to be strong, if it is from a Tier-1 college, it is still not stellar to offset your low GRE
Apart from putting in a very strong application, it is important for you to CLEARLY communicate your why MBA in terms of Career acceleration, evolution of leadership.

Finally, all these schools emphasise strong leadership in your non-proefssional space, esp in promoting diversity beyond the generic types. As such, compelling application essays, and strong LORs would be a big help.
You should try improving your GRE substantially for a good chance at these schools, or widen your overall school choices

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 Buddy,

I'm also planning to apply for IMD, I wanted to know how you received scholarship and what is the employment chances ?
Also, did you take any counsellor's help for the application process ??

Hello, I recievd admit to IMD. Are you planning to Join? Can you ping me I would like to clarify few questions.

Yes, I’m also planning to apply

Hey @Jackson2019,
Solid WE, and esp the transition from a whitewater rafting guide to the military; a sound application from you could focus not only on stories from your military experiences, but also highlight the discipline in real life, and how it has trained you to stretch.
The GMAT FE score is decent for all the schools listed.
Assuming you have LORs that show you in a flattering light, and a resume that is designed to impress, you would do well to show WHY a career in Strategy consulting suits you.

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
https://www.linkedin.com/in/balkrishna/
2. 100% 5-Star Reviews on PoetsandQuants
Poetsandquants(dot)com/consultant/bala-bal-krishna-shukla/

Congratulations 🎊

Hi, your profile brings outstanding depth, maturity, and leadership. Two decades in the Indian Army with a technical edge (M.Tech in Structural Engineering) and large-scale infrastructure oversight places you in the rare, high-impact applicant pool.

Your GMAT Focus score of 685 (~650 GMAT classic) is slightly below average for INSEAD and Stanford MSx, but your exceptional leadership, global operations exposure, and academic rigor (Top 1% of class) strongly offset that. For MIT Sloan Fellows, Stanford MSx, and USC IBEAR, you’re a highly competitive candidate due to your age, seniority, and intent to pivot to global roles in sustainable infrastructure and supply chain.

Your story resonates with schools looking for real-world problem solvers with strategic vision. Highlight cross-functional, inter-agency coordination, measurable project impacts, and how your MBA goals tie into national transformation narratives.

This is a mission-driven, globally relevant profile, positioned to lead.

Ameer Khatri, Admissions Consultant
Schedule a 1-on-1 review
https://admitportal.ameerkhatri.com/pro ... n-calendar

Hey
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, with 20 years of military experience in infrastructure, logistics, and leadership, you are entering the MBA pool with a uniquely valuable and globally relevant background. Your M.Tech in Structural Engineering and a 685 GMAT, paired with an EA score of 163, place you well for your target programs, where maturity, leadership, and a global outlook are highly valued.

Your work in strategic project execution, defense infrastructure, and multi-state operations oversight speaks to high-stakes decision-making and large-scale impact, qualities that top executive-format MBAs seek. Schools like Sloan Fellows, Stanford MSx, and USC IBEAR are designed for experienced leaders like you aiming to pivot or scale impact. Your goal to enter global sustainable operations and eventually uplift India's infrastructure ecosystem shows clear vision and purpose.

How are you preparing for the culture shift from public service to private sector leadership, and do you have examples of cross-sector or international collaboration? Also, have you begun mapping out how your military leadership will translate to corporate operations or supply chain roles post-MBA?

Also, to help sharpen your positioning across platforms, ARINGO is offering a free LinkedIn profile optimization, which can help you better align your story for both adcoms and recruiters.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR FREE LINKEDIN OPTIMIZATION.

I’d also 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 at: [email protected]
Good Luck!

Hey @NSK1984,
Having helped experienced uniformed and corporate professionals to top schools Fellows program, I can see MIT would be a great fit for your WE & Profile, thought IBEAR, Stanford & maybe even LBS would consider your application very seriously. Without additional insights into your profile, I would also recknon that NUS, ISB, Oxford Said & Cambridge Judge may not help you get your desired employment outcomes.

For each of the fellow programs, however, it will be extremely important to emphasize and demonstrate your passion.

Hope that helps. For a free, 1-to-1 profile review over the phone, please submit your profile on TheIvyLeagueEdge(dot)com/index(dot)php/contactus/

_________________
Regards
Bala
The Most recommended Admissions Consultant on Linkedin, WORLDWIDE
Coaching success for admissions and scholarships to the World's best - MBA and MS
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Hello Miguel, thanks for sharing your details. Some thoughts:

1. Your academic record is strong, given the GPA, pedigree and international semesters. However, your GMAT Classic score of 680 is unfortunately below average for Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and Columbia. A retake targeting 685+ (Focus Edition) would help increase chances.

2. Your professional experience is solid, given the McKinsey brand, promotion, international projects and upcoming transfer. Extracurriculars look interesting in undergrad, anything since then? As a first-generation student, these demographic aspects add a unique dimension to your profile and can be powerful differentiators in your essays.

3. Returning to McKinsey post-MBA is a common goal for candidates from your background, though the 'why MBA', 'why consulting' and 'why our school' angles would need strong differentiating narratives.

Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out through the links below for a deeper chat.

Regards,
Arvind Kumar (Founder, admitStreet)
Testimonials: https://admitstreet.com/testimonials/ | Free profile evaluation: https://admitstreet.com/#contact

Hello Miguel,

Your trajectory is good with McKinsey fast track, international project scope, first-gen status, and LGBTQ+ identity all adding unique angles.

The academic side is equally solid with a 3.75 GPA and dual global exchanges.

The biggest blocker right now is the 680 GMAT, which is well below par for HBS, GSB, and Wharton, even with a stellar resume. A retake could move the needle significantly as your profile has Top 3 potential if that piece is fixed.

If retaking is off the table, CBS is your best realistic shot among M7. We can also explore how to structure your reapp strategy if needed.

Let’s talk through it.

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

Thank you for sharing your impressive and well-rounded profile @miguelsergio355. You have a good foundation with standout elements that will appeal to top-tier MBA programs. Academically, your 3.75 GPA and graduating #1 in your class from a top university, with international semesters at Bocconi and SMU Singapore, show intellectual excellence and global exposure. These experiences, along with founding a student association and completing 2 internships, speak to both leadership and initiative during your undergraduate years.

Professionally, your 3 years at McKinsey with a rapid promotion to Associate and consistent top 1% performance evaluations reflect not only strong analytical and strategic capabilities but also your ability to thrive in high-pressure, results-oriented environments. The international nature of your project experience, including work in France, Germany, Puerto Rico, Peru, and an upcoming transfer to Panama, adds significant cross-cultural depth. This global footprint will be a major asset, particularly at schools that value international leadership potential like INSEAD, Wharton, and HBS.

Your goals post-MBA, returning to McKinsey with a long-term transition into a leadership role in the consumer goods sector, are both credible and compelling. The clarity of your career path shall work in your favor, especially with schools like Columbia and Wharton, which appreciate defined post-MBA goals. However, it will be essential that you explain why an MBA is needed now, despite your already accelerated trajectory at McKinsey. This is especially important for schools like Stanford and Harvard, where career momentum without an MBA can raise questions unless paired with a clearly articulated personal and professional inflection point. You can take a look at this blog on Importance of Personal Anecdotes

One clear area of improvement is your GMAT score of 680. While not disqualifying, it falls below the median for the M7 schools you're targeting, where scores typically hover in the 720-740 range. Try to get a higher score, 685+ could substantially boost your competitiveness, especially at Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. If you feel there's room to improve and you have time available, it’s strongly recommended to consider a retake.

As you move forward, focus on deep, reflective essays that go beyond resume points to explore your motivations, challenges overcome, and values. Secure strong recommenders who can validate your leadership and interpersonal strengths. If you've contributed to LGBTQ+ initiatives or any form of DEI work at McKinsey, make sure to include those; they add powerful layers to your candidacy.

We’d love to understand more about your journey to provide a more accurate and personalized assessment of your profile. If you'd like, feel free to schedule a profile evaluation session.

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

Thanks for sharing your profile @swedishcheese! Good GMAT FE score of 735. It offsets any concerns regarding the “non-traditional” pre-MBA industry background. Good for all your target schools, including HBS and Stanford. Good GPA 3.8, top-tier academic performance, especially if from a rigorous undergrad program. This reinforces your intellectual capability. With 7 years of work experience, you’re at the upper edge of typical MBA cohorts, which can work in your favor if your leadership trajectory and goals are mapped. Schools will expect mature career clarity and managerial experience at this stage.

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: “Candid conversation with a successful MBA Applicant to US & EU schools!” on August 7, 2025 | 9:00 PM IST | 11:30 AM ET. Register for the session now!

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

Hey
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, congratulations on your amazing GMAT score. It puts you in a very competitive position, especially for schools like Wharton, Booth, and Columbia, where strong quant ability is a big plus. With 7 years of experience and a 3.8 GPA, your academic and professional foundation looks solid across the board.

Targeting a shift into IB post-MBA is a common, but ambitious pivot, especially at schools like Harvard, GSB, and Wharton, which look for clear motivation, maturity, and leadership. Please tell us more about your pre-MBA industry as it is important to establish how your previous work builds a strong case for finance and how the MBA bridges that gap.

Could you share a bit more about your current role, leadership exposure, and any finance-related experiences so far? That’ll help us better gauge your story fit for each school. Also, ARINGO is offering a free LinkedIn profile optimization to help sharpen your post-MBA positioning.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR FREE LINKEDIN OPTIMIZATION.

I’d also 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 at: [email protected]
Good Luck!

tldr: Good profile; improved score will be key; Aug attempt means you can only target R2 because school selection will depend on multiple variables, including the score, and 13 schools seem like a random selection; not every school is liberal on scholarships.
Healthcare consulting is a logical step and aligns with your long-term stated goal.
Happy to speak if you wish to.
- Dee (MBA admissions consultant and management consultant) | E: [email protected]

Thank you for sharing your detailed profile, Dr. Harsh Aggarwal @DrHarsh. We commend your strong track record in healthcare, social impact, leadership, and academics. You seem to be a mission-driven candidate with unique strengths, especially in the healthcare domain, which top business schools value.

The GMAT Focus 655 and Classic GMAT 700 are on the lower side for M7 and other elite schools. With your goal of targeting scholarships and highly selective schools, retaking the GMAT and aiming for a 695+ will improve your odds. All the best for your GMAT retake! You can take a look at this success story.

Work Experience (4+ years): Significant breadth across government, private, and NGO sectors. Currently in a managerial role at a philanthropic healthcare foundation, this is a differentiator. Alignment with post-MBA goals in consulting and healthcare leadership.

In terms of extracurriculars & leadership, your profile shines well. Founder & Co-founder of impactful NGOs. Published medical researcher with 4 international papers. Organizing blood drives, CMEs, LGBTQ+ empowerment, and mentoring creates a compelling narrative of social impact and advocacy. Head Boy, event leader, quiz winner, good leadership theme.

Clarity on career transition is important: Moving from clinical medicine to business is bold and admirable. Ensure you clearly articulate why an MBA is necessary now. What skills do you lack? Why consulting as a bridge makes sense for your long-term healthcare leadership goal.

You can also explore schools like IESE, McCombs, Kelley, Carlson, HEC Paris, WHU, and Rotterdam.

With your background, you must ensure your narrative is tight, authentic, and MBA-relevant. Focus on leadership, resilience, social impact, and global vision. Don't be overly technical or medical.

Helpful questions to reflect on (and address in applications)
1. What specific skills are you lacking for the shift to consulting and healthcare strategy?
2. How have your leadership experiences shaped your perspective as a future healthcare business leader?
3. What is the measurable impact of your NGOs and mental health club? Can you quantify that more?
4. Can you show how your LGBTQ+ identity informs your leadership style or sense of empathy?

We’d love to learn more about your 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.

We are hosting a Coffee Session: “Candid conversation with successful MBA Applicant to US & EU schools!” on August 7, 2025 | 9:00 PM IST | 11:30 AM ET. Click here to know more details. Register for the session now!

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

Hi Dr. Harsh, this is an impactful profile.

Your MBBS gold medal, 4+ years across govt/NGO/private setups, and founding Sanjeevani (42k+ beneficiaries) create a powerful mission-driven story. The switch into consulting/managerial roles is feasible, especially with the public health + operational exposure.

A 700 GMAT Classic is just at the lower edge for M7, so retaking to hit 730+ would increase odds significantly at Booth/Wharton/GSB. Yale, Fuqua, Ross, and LBS are strong cultural fits given your social impact and healthcare track.

Your LGBTQ identity and grassroots leadership could make you stand out for scholarships if framed authentically. The GPA is strong, so focus the app on scale of impact, leadership under pressure, and why business education is the inflection point now.

You have a purpose-driven profile worth refining. Let’s sharpen the story and scholarship angle.

Ameer Khatri, Admissions Consultant
Schedule 1-on-1 call with me for detailed profile review
https://admitportal.ameerkhatri.com/pro ... n-calendar

Hey Harsh,
Great profile.
Having known people from Hans foundation up close, I also know your work there can come out very well.
And yes, as most comments earlier pointed out, the weakest link in the chain is the GMAT score.
Thankfully the GMAT score is
a) not beyond repair; with a 695-725, you can get the best of top schools, that focus on HealthCare Consulting, likely with good scholarships.
b) even with your current score, we could highlight the diversity of your profile, and likely get admits to top schools.

As such, I would even suggest you prepare parallelly for your GMAT retake, but also begin your applications yesterday, since you may still be able to manage 2-3 superstrong applications within R1

Hope that helps. For a free, 1-to-1 profile review over the phone, please submit your profile on TheIvyLeagueEdge(dot)com/index(dot)php/contactus/

_________________
Regards
Bala
The Most recommended Admissions Consultant on Linkedin, WORLDWIDE
Coaching success for admissions and scholarships to the World's best - MBA and MS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/balkrishna/
https://gmatclub.com/reviews/admissions_consultants/?/b ... na-shukla/

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