Where did you end up going and did you like it?

Any news from johnson?

Did you get an interview invite from Kellogg ?

Congrats! Curious about what your decision will be.

what's EC?

congratulations. where do you plan to join?

Have you received any scholarship? Can you guide me?

Thank you for sharing your impressive profile @Curious_1234. With 6 years of experience in strategy and analytics consulting at a Big 4 firm, a stellar GMAT Focus score of 755, and a strong academic record (undergraduate GPA of 9.63 and a postgraduate GPA of 3.25), you seem to be a competitive candidate for many of the top European MBA programs.

Academically, your undergraduate GPA stands out as exceptional and reflects your intellectual capability and drive. The GMAT Focus score of 755 further reinforces your quantitative and analytical strengths. While your postgraduate GPA is slightly lower, it is not a red flag, especially when balanced against your professional achievements and GMAT score. The combination of a strong quant profile, solid academic background, and consulting experience makes you a well-rounded applicant from a scholastic perspective.

Your professional journey at a Big 4 firm focusing on U.S.-based clients shows that you’ve been exposed to international business environments and strategic thinking. However, admissions committees will want evidence of leadership and measurable impact. Even if promotions have been delayed due to macro business reasons, it’s essential to highlight how you've gone beyond your role, initiatives you've led, results you've driven (like cost savings, revenue growth), and your involvement in digital transformation projects. These stories will show that you're not just another consultant, but a proactive leader with vision and execution ability. You can take a look at this blog on How to Exhibit Different Forms of Leadership

Your post-MBA goals seem clear and aligned with your experience. Consulting is a popular post-MBA path, especially for those from analytics and strategy backgrounds. Your aspiration to work in the Middle East is feasible, particularly if you apply to INSEAD or LBS, which have strong recruiter ties in the region. Your long-term goal of moving into a C-suite operations role shows foresight and ambition. However, ensure your essays show why you're passionate about operations and supply chains, perhaps referencing any past exposure or interest you’ve had in these areas. You can take a look at this blog on How to bring collinearity in your post-MBA goals?

In terms of school fit, INSEAD and LBS can be good bets; they cater to experienced professionals and have placement records in consulting. IESE and HEC can also be good fits given your goal of international consulting. Oxford Saïd is a compelling brand but places fewer candidates into Middle East consulting roles, so it would be strategic to include it as part of a broader mix. You might also consider IMD or ESMT Berlin if you’re open to smaller, leadership-intensive programs with consulting ties.

To make your application stand out, here are a few suggestions. First, craft resume bullets that quantify impact and demonstrate leadership, even in informal settings. Second, build out your extracurriculars, particularly those that show teamwork, social impact, or leadership outside work. Third, in your essays, explain why consulting and why now. Tie your past work and future goals into a cohesive narrative that admissions officers can believe in and root for. Make sure to prepare strong recommenders, ideally, supervisors who can highlight your leadership potential, strategic thinking, and ability to thrive in global teams.

We would love to learn more about your journey. If you'd like, please feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

We’ll soon be opening up a few limited spots for our INSEAD Application Bootcamp: 3-Hour Power Package > where you can take a deep dive into standout essays, craft a leadership-driven resume, and unlock powerful recommender strategies to elevate your application.

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

Hey
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Congratulations on that stellar 755 GMAT score. That places you well above the average at your target European schools and signals strong academic readiness.

With ~6 years of consulting experience especially in analytics and strategy within a Big 4 firm, you're well-positioned for top-tier European MBA programs. Your international exposure through U.S.-focused work is a plus, and your experience in a client-facing role will help demonstrate leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration.

Your short-term goal to stay in consulting and pivot to the Middle East is credible and aligned with the geographic placement strength of programs like INSEAD, HEC, and LBS, which have strong alumni networks in the Gulf region. Your long-term aim of a supply chain leadership role also shows functional depth and progression potential.

Your GPA is solid too. Just ensure that your essays clarify academic rigor and any coursework related to quant-heavy areas. Ensure that your leadership stories go beyond execution, highlight influence, team impact, and initiative. For schools like INSEAD and LBS, highlight international collaboration and adaptability across cultures. Can you demonstrate how you've mentored others or led initiatives outside client work?

I’d be happy to offer you a free profile review for top 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

📄 ARINGO is offering a free resume review to 5 lucky applicants.
Get expert feedback on how to highlight your impact, leadership, and global potential.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE RESUME REVIEW

You can also email me at: [email protected]
Good Luck!

Hi @Curious_1234
Thanks for sharing your profile

To begin with, kudos on securing a 755 GMAT score. With this in hand, you are extremely competitive for all your target schools. Your 3.25 GPA is also good enough, and complements your GMAT strength. It would be best if you could provide some clarity on you’re undergrad degree so we can better understand your academic context and relativity to the MBA.

On the work front, 5 yrs is optimal for Full-Time MBAs and experience in a Big 4 within analytics/strategy consulting is well appreciated by AdComs. Also, working with US clients gives you a globally transferable background, so another plus point on your profile (INSEAD will love this as they look for some international experience in their students). However, you have to emphasize details of your work in your applications so that AdComs can better assess you. Provide insights into your scope of responsibilities, promotion velocity, people/team management, and project impact (quantified if possible). Moreover, have you had the opportunity to work on Middle East projects or anything related to supply chain works (even if remotely)? The reason we’re asking this is because your post-MBA goals revolve around this so if you have had any experiences, you can mention them strategically in your essays to show how your current work profile is the foundation for your future goals. Also, do explain why the Middle East specifically? AdComs will be curious why you’re drawn to the Middle East over traditional markets like Europe or the US. So, whether its specific firm relationships, market growth, or anything else, explain that in your essays.

Your goals need a lot more specificity and thought, especially when it comes to your long-term goals. You haven’t really elaborated on why you intend to work in the supply chain sector nor provided much insights into how you intend to pivot from strategy consulting into ops-focused work. Would suggest that you spend time thinking about your goal evolution so that AdComs can get a clear picture when reading your application.
School-wise, INSEAD is the top feeder into MBB firms in the MENA region, LBS too is excellent for consulting, and HEC also has a good track record in MENA markets.

We’d love to offer a 1-on-1 profile evaluation to dive deeper into your strengths, discuss more about your portfolio, 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: [email protected]
Phone/WhatsApp No: +91 88502 49409
Website: https://thembaedge.com/

Warm regards,
The MBA Edge Team

Hi Curious_1234,

You’re in the classic consultant mold. Strong GMAT, 5 years in Big 4 strategy, and clear goals. Nothing jumps off the page, but nothing is weak either. You’re above average across the board. GPA is okay, not great.

Schools like INSEAD, LBS, and IESE are realistic targets.

What you’re missing is depth outside of work. No visible leadership, no community impact, nothing that makes you memorable. That’s going to be a problem in essays and interviews.

You need to show influence, not just execution. Drive an internal initiative, mentor people, or get involved in a nonprofit.

You’ll be competitive, but without more leadership or ECs, you’ll blend in with a very crowded pool.

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=2025-06

@Curious_1234, some thoughts and clarifications on your profile:

1. Your GMAT score is solid - well done. The undergraduate and postgraduate GPA's look alright, which universities were these from?

2. Your ~5 years of Big-4 experience looks interesting, were there any promotions? And which key domains/ topics did you work on? It'd be crucial to have a strong narrative covering your experiences, career goals and how the MBA fits in at this juncture.

3. Anything on the extracurriculars side?

The target school mix looks alright. With a strong application, you'd stand a fair chance.

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

Hi @deesvs , I hope you are doing well!

Your profile demonstrates good academic credentials, including a Carnegie Mellon CS degree with a minor in entrepreneurship and 2 fully funded MSc degrees, reflecting your intellectual rigor and global exposure. With over 3 years of experience in an early-stage startup, where your projects earned national recognition, you showcase initiative and impactful contributions and it is a great plus. Your international study and work experience, combined with significant extracurricular involvement, including founding clubs, mentoring, and volunteering, highlight leadership and a global perspective. However, without a GRE/GMAT score, it’s difficult to assess academic competitiveness. Additionally, with 3 years of work experience, emphasizing leadership and quantifiable achievements will be crucial. Starting late in the application cycle may reduce your chances, but crafting a strong narrative with a clear vision for your post-MBA tech goals and a competitive test score can position you well for top programs. Overall, your profile seems to have good chances with a strong GMAT score. All the very best for your exam!

If you’d like, we are happy to hop on a 1:1 call with you to discuss your profile in detail to gauge your chances to identify the best-fit schools. Please feel free to schedule a profile evaluation call according to your convenience.

“Join Our Exclusive Webinar!"

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

Hi deesvs
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, I see a strong mix of academics, international experience, impactful work and extracurriculars. Your background in data analytics and PM, along with award-winning projects, really stands out. Plus, your community work and entrepreneurial spirit add a great depth to your application. While your GPA is slightly low for some top programs, your two fully funded master’s degrees and unique experiences make you a strong candidate.

Have you worked on ways to showcase your international and entrepreneurial experiences in your applications?
FEEL FREE TO CONNECT FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION
Click here to connect.
You can also email me at: [email protected]

Hey, are you going ahead with UCR?

Hi , I also got admitted to UCR. I have few doubts on finding accommodation etc , and is there a group for all the admitted students ?

Hi, I am also from Taiwan and am considering this program. May I contact you? Thank you.

Hi, could you please share more information about the scholarship you received? Did you get a full-time GRA position, or something else?

Hi @Sherlock94
Could you please provide more insights into your profile like your GPA, GMAT score, which energy sector did you work in, your roles, responsibilities, and career progression, and your defined post MBA plans.

This info will help us understand your application better.

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

Warm regards,
The MBA Edge Team

Look at schools that have a strong presence in the energy sector: Haas, McCombs, K-F, and Rice. Other than its badge, HBS, UCLA, and Fuqua are misfits in your list based on your stated goals. Your 720 in GMAT Classic may not lend you strength, given your ORM profile and higher experience. You will also need to consider if your BD experience is portable to the region.
- Dee
MBA admissions consultant and management consultant
[email protected]

HI Sherlock,
You've got good experience and I am upbeat about your admission chances, I do feel however that your GMAT score is low for an top 15 MBA program and if you can retake, it will be wonderful.
Your career goals are valid, but there's a word of caution for you. You will have to research heavily and school wise for them. If you are looking at energy companies and startups, then you will need to check if the do visa sponsorships. Any of the large energy companies (likes of Exxon, Chevron) don't sponsor visas. You can explore consulting as a viable option- MBBs, tier two firms ( Kearney, Roland Berger), and the big 4 advisories. You may also apply to some European programs like LBS, IESE, IMD, Oxbridge - the advantage would be that your GMAT would not be considered low for the European MBA programs.
I'll agree with Dee's suggestion on the b-school choice. Just want to want out about the EDGE initiative at Fuqua (https://centers.fuqua.duke.edu/edge/)

Do reach out if you'd like to discuss your profile further

Namita Garg, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Testimonials: https://mbadecoder.com/testimonials/
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation : https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011

Hi Sherlock94, thanks for reaching out.

Your nearly decade-long experience in oil and gas, particularly your BD leadership, shows depth and progression.

A 720 GMAT is within the range for many top schools, but HBS and Stanford will still be a stretch unless your story is deeply compelling.

The pivot to cleantech/renewables makes sense and can be a powerful narrative, especially if you back it up with industry involvement or upskilling (e.g., energy policy, ESG analytics).

Schools like Fuqua, Haas, and McCombs are particularly strong fits given their focus on energy and sustainability.

Ensure you frame your story around transformation and future impact, not just industry switch. You’re in a good position, let’s refine it further.

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=2025-06

Diterima dmn saja?

Hi, an Indonesian applicant here applying in round 3 also (interviewed last month). May i know whether you have received the decision for Stern? Thanks

Congratulations on Marshall and BU Questrom!

Sry but when you receive the interview invitation from Johnson and how long it took from under review to schedule interview?

Hi mate, just wonder about GMAT test in VN, did you test in HCMC? And how was a testing center?

Hi, Can you please share how was Cornell Johnson Interview and what kind of questions they asked ?

Hi can you share interview question list in fuqua pleaze?

Hi, Can you please share when you received the interview invitation from Goizuaeta and how was the Interview and what kind of questions they asked ?

Hi Tra Truong,
I hope you don’t mind me reaching out! I saw that we have a similar background—I also got a 675 and come from a consulting role. I’m currently exploring my options and was really inspired by your profile. If you don’t mind sharing, could I ask whether your work experience was based on a English speaking country? And was it with a well-known international firm or a local company?
Really appreciate your time, and thank you in advance!

Hi, congrats on Tuck admission. When you received the call from them?

Hi WICHWICH,
I hope you don’t mind me reaching out! I saw that we have a similar background—I also got a 675 and come from a consulting role. I’m currently exploring my options and was really inspired by your profile. If you don’t mind sharing, could I ask whether your work experience was based in China or overseas? And was it with a well-known international firm or a local company?
Really appreciate your time, and thank you in advance!

Amazing, congrats!

Woohoo congrats!

안녕하세요, 혹시 준비 과정에 컨설팅 업체 사용하셨는지 궁금하여 댓글 달게 되었습니다!

Congrats on Columbia and Booth!

Congrats on Judge Cambridge and IESE! We've helped a number of applicants get in to both those schools and it's always great to see folks get accepted!

Hello, ank_9163

Your profile stands out for top MBA programs, showcasing 8.7 years of finance experience, particularly in corporate development and M&A. ⁤⁤Your strong academic record, including CFA chart holder, CA, and high GRE score, proves your academic excellence. ⁤⁤Also, your leadership in (ECS) highlights your dedication and ability to work in a team. ⁤⁤Your international experience is a big plus. ⁤⁤To increase your odds, tailor your applications to match each school's culture and highlight your leadership qualities. ⁤⁤Explain your post-MBA investment banking goal, particularly in healthcare and life sciences. ⁤⁤Overall, your profile seems solid. ⁤⁤Just make sure to create a powerful application that will impress the AdComs.


We’d be happy to discuss your profile in more detail to enhance your application’s competitiveness.Feel free to schedule a call with us here for an in-depth profile evaluation and additional benefits.We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools.

Hey ank_9163,

Vashi here from LilacBuds.

With 8+ years of financial experience—particularly in business development and M&A—you have a good profile which sticks out for top MBA programs.
327 is a great GRE score and you have a good academic GPA (top 10% in batch is crucial) as well. The professional qualifications of CA, CFA chart holder & CS (rank holder) are going to be very valuable when you present your profile to the Adcoms.
⁤⁤Your foreign experience is quite beneficial. ⁤⁤Customize your applications to the specific culture of each institution and emphasize your leadership abilities to improve your chances. ⁤⁤ Describe your post-MBA investment banking objectives, with a focus on the life sciences and healthcare. ⁤⁤Furthermore, your leadership in (ECS) demonstrates your commitment and teamwork skills.
Also consider reaching out to alums/ current students of these schools to know more about these programs.

We at LilacBuds would love to assist you by connecting you to alums/ mentors of top B-schools and would therefore request more details about your profile. You can connect with our team for a detailed profile analysis at https://lilacbuds.com/services/mba-cour ... mpaign=GCV or leave a message on +91-84483 35484 for a direct reachout.
You can also share your CV on [email protected] .

Hoping to hear from you.

Get your packaging and positioning right, and you should be well placed. Best wishes.
- Dee
MBA Admissions Consultant and Management Consultant
[email protected]

Hi ank_9163
I am Priyanka, Client Manager at ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, CA, CFA and CS, Wow! Having all three accreditations makes your profile super impressive. A 327 GRE is strong too. With 8+ years of experience, I am sure you will have a lot to talk about to the adcoms. Highlight your major achievements, your international exposure, your leadership skills. Talk about your work during the pandemic.

Overall, your profile looks very strong and stand a chance at your target programs. You should categorize your goals into short and long term and highlight how an MBA from these top schools will help you achieve them.

FEEL FREE TO CONNECT FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION
Click here to connect.
You can also email me your CV at: [email protected]
Good Luck!

Thank you everyone. I got this feedback from few that 327 is a risky GRE score for CBS, considering I am an Indian male applicant. Contemplating retaking GRE and applying in R2 to CBS. Any views?

Hi. GRE seems to be one of those things that won't keep a good person out of a program but a stellar score will also NOT get you in, so not going to make a huge change if you upgrade it to 330. Won't hurt but I don't think that's going to decide your fate.

P.S. Darden is also a solid IB school by the way, and often generous with $$

Updated my outcomes. Feedback would be really helpful

Congrats! Awesome job with the results. Surprised Darden ding. They are into IB, so really puzzled with that.
4 WL's is brutal. Sorry. https://gmatclub.com/forum/waitlisted-n ... 10212.html - a bit of a WL feedback here

ank_9163- that's a harsh application cycle. your profile looks strong and getting waitlisted at Booth, Tuck and Kellogg shows that you are a strong candidate. However something hasn't worked in your favour and that's a pity. MY assumption is perhaps a better application or better interviewing would have helped. I'd be willing to look into your application and help you figure out if there were any problems there. feel free to reach out

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Testimonials: https://mbadecoder.com/testimonials/
Profile evaluation: https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/

Hey ank_9163,

Vashi here from LilacBuds.

Tough results here and now its kind off a waiting game. As stated by you earlier looks like the applications needed more work & we would like to get on a call with you to help you out with an analysis.

We at LilacBuds would love to assist you. You can connect with our team for a detailed profile analysis at https://lilacbuds.com/services/mba-cour ... mpaign=GCV or leave a message on +91-84483 35484 for a direct reachout.
You can also reachout on on [email protected] .

Hoping to hear from you.

Evaluating whether to go ahead with Ross. The IB outcome for internationals is not encouraging

Congrats on Ross!

how was your GMAT score?

gmat score ??

Congratulations!

Impressive profile!did you get any feedback on why you have been waitlisted? It’s confusing…

Congratulations!

Hi, can we please connect on LinkedIn?

Huge congratulations!

Hi @Kiran Patil , I hope you are doing well!

With 11 years of experience, including leadership roles in R&D and cross-functional collaboration, your profile demonstrates strong technical expertise and global exposure. Your GPA of 8.33 and a Master’s from BITS Pilani are solid academic credentials. However, transitioning to consulting from a manufacturing-heavy background will require you to clearly articulate how your technical expertise and leadership experience align with consulting. A competitive GMAT score (ideally 700+), coupled with well-crafted essays and a strong narrative, will be critical to strengthen your application. You can take a look at this BLOG1 and BLOG2.

If you’d like, we are happy to hop on a 1:1 call with you to learn more about your profile and provide a detailed evaluation. Please feel free to schedule a profile evaluation call according to your convenience.

Feel free to “Join Our Exclusive Webinar!"

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

Hi Kiran,

Thanks for sharing your background.

With 11 years of experience including cross-functional leadership and international exposure in the US, you’re well-positioned for one-year MBA programs.

The combination of a strong technical foundation from BITS Pilani and project leadership in manufacturing adds weight, particularly for schools like Kellogg’s 1Y,
USC IBEAR, and Ross.

However, not having a GMAT score yet is a limitation—strong scores (typically 700+) are vital, especially given the competitive Indian male engineering applicant pool.

Your post-MBA goal in transportation strategy/product development aligns well with these programs, but make sure to frame a crisp and forward-looking narrative.

I’d be happy to guide you through that process more deeply.

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=2025-06

Hi @Kiran Patil
Thanks for sharing your profile

An 8.33 GPA from a top-tier Indian institute like BITS Pilani is a strong academic credential, but the GMAT will still be a deciding factor. For 1-year programs (Kellogg 1Y, USC IBEAR) a 680–700 can work. For Booth, Stern, and Ross, especially given your high YOE (11 years), a 710+ will make the AdCom feel more confident about your academic readiness, particularly given the leadership weight you’ll need to show.

Your work ex gives you a strong backbone in engineering and manufacturing. 8 years in Indian automotive and 2 years in the US gives you valuable cross-market exposure. Leading an Engines Development Team on 3 projects is a significant leadership story, but your profile is missing some key details here. What was the business impact of these projects? Were you driving product strategy, managing P&L, influencing revenue? Without this, your move into business strategy post-MBA will look hopeful rather than grounded in prior experience. Also, your mention of “cross-functional experience” is too generic. Try to specify what functions (sales, marketing, supply chain, finance?) you worked with and how you influenced outcomes across them.

You’ve indicated an intent to explore “business strategy” and “product development” with global exposure, however, this is under-defined. Transportation is a very wide space and your narrative does not yet specify where you wish to position yourself post-MBA. Given your strong background in automotive product leadership and engines development (plus US exposure), you could talk about leadership roles in automotive strategy, mobility tech, e-mobility, or Tier-1 product innovation, or pivoting into consulting with a focus on manufacturing, or mobility. Articulation and clarity are key for cracking the goals essays in your MBA applications.

For Booth and Stern, you work ex is in the upper limit. Kellogg and Marshall are good bets for your profile and goals given you secure a strong GMAT score and appropriately structure your essays. Do consider adding more schools to your list for better chances.

We’d love to offer a 1-on-1 profile evaluation to dive deeper into your strengths, discuss more about your portfolio, 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: [email protected]
Phone/WhatsApp No: +91 88502 49409
Website: https://thembaedge.com/

Warm regards,
The MBA Edge Team

Hi Kiran,
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, with 11 years of experience, you're on the upper end of the range for traditional full-time MBA programs—so it’s great that you’re targeting 1-year programs like Kellogg, Ross, and Marshall, which are better suited for experienced professionals seeking a focused transition.

Your background, combined with global exposure and cross-functional leadership, positions you well for a pivot into strategy or product development roles. That said, with your level of experience, your application should strongly emphasize impact, leadership, and decision-making across teams and projects. Do you have a mock score yet? You should aim for a score around 695-705 to strengthen your application, a score above that would be greatly helpful. Are you open to consider other 1-year options like INSEAD? It will also be of great value if you can highlight specific business outcomes driven by your engineering leadership.

I’d be happy to offer you a free profile review for top 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

📄 ARINGO is offering a free resume review to 5 lucky applicants.
Get expert feedback on how to highlight your impact, leadership, and global potential.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A FREE RESUME REVIEW

You can also email me at: [email protected]
Good Luck!