MBA Decision Tracker: Monitor Application Status in Real Time

gmatclub

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12 minutes ago

Hi
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, you have a very strong profile for top MiM and Finance Master's programs.

What stands out immediately is your academic record. Being in the top 3-4 students in a cohort of roughly 1,000 is a significant achievement. The Trading & Investment Major and CFA Level I also show a clear commitment to finance.

Your M&A internship is another strong point. Exposure to valuations, acquisition analysis, transaction support, and working within a private equity-backed platform gives you relevant experience for someone targeting IB.

Have you held any leadership positions, club roles, or extracurricular activities during university?
Are you targeting investment banking only, or would you also consider private equity or other finance roles in the future?

I think your biggest strengths are your academics, strong finance focus, and relevant M&A experience. The next step is continuing to build transaction-related experience and making sure your applications clearly explain your motivation for investment banking and your longer-term career goals.

I’d be happy to offer you a free profile review for your target 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!

MBAGuide

3 hours ago

Hi!

Seemingly a good profile, but since you have some of the most coveted programs on your list, I would like to be a little critical with this evaluation. At your age and level of experience, it is fairly common to have spent most of your time in highly analytical and finance-focused but inward-facing roles. You seem to have the right credentials and knowledge, so what has stopped you from taking more aggressive bets in your career and moving towards roles that give you heavy client engagement or, in fact, even significant leadership exposure in startup-like environments?

Applicants who have a great start to their careers but fail to show any takeoff points thereafter run the risk of falling into generic applicant profiles from that pool, which, in your case, is consulting. Proximity to finance is not always the same as proximity to decision making. People can become extremely technically strong in internal finance environments while still remaining one layer removed from those actually making decisions.
The world needs problem solvers and people with actual domain knowledge, genuine industry depth, and the ability to drive action rather than just advise on it. As a young applicant, you need to look deeply into what motivates your goals. Generic consulting profiles could run into challenges, as the world does not need any more consultants but really needs people who have built great products and can drive action from the ground up.

Feel free to discuss further

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- [email protected]

Comments 6 comments

MBADecoder

2 days ago

Hi, some more details like what you studied for undergrad would help.
Your profile looks good otherwise. 5 years is substantial work experience to apply with. If you are in a support role ( delivering reports, assisting with industry assessment and thought leadership etc.)), you should still make sure that you are able to convey the $$$ impact of your contributions, as thats what helps create a strong resume. Secondly, with consulting as a goal, it will be helpful to demonstrate relevant transferable skills.
It seems you are still to take the GMAT. Work towards getting a higher score than 675 if thats your target.
It will be easier to assess your chances for these bschools once i have a better idea about your work experience. Feel free to reach out for a consultation.

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011

CuriousT

Hi,

Thank you for the feedback — really helpful pointers.

To answer your question: I completed my Bachelor's in Engineering from a Tier 2 college in India.

A few quick clarifications on the areas you flagged:

Work experience & impact: My role goes beyond support — I work closely with stakeholders day-in-day-out, and at times lead engagements myself. I'm confident I can quantify the impact of my contributions in dollar terms on the resume.

Transferable skills: The skills I've built are very much a subset of the consulting ecosystem — stakeholder management, structured problem-solving, and industry assessments — so I feel well-positioned to frame these for consulting goals.

GMAT: I haven't taken it yet. Targeting a score well above 695.

Would love your assessment of my b-school chances once you have the full picture. Happy to connect for a consultation.

Thanks again!

Happy to know the details you have mentioned. I understand that profile evaluation messages can sometimes fall short on the details, but now i have a better picture.
Your experience is very relevant . As i mentioned in my earlier message, you will need to focus on the points i have mentioned earlier. Demonstrating leadership+ achievements + career purpose are the most crucial adpects in your applications.We can surely have a discussion, please write to me at [email protected]

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011

1 day ago

Hi, hope you are doing great! I am an INSEAD alumna, a former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer, and specialize in EU MBA programs.

To begin with, your experience trajectory is not clear to me. Did you do risk advisory first or supply chain first? You will have to find a strong underlying theme in your work experience and connect your career decisions through that thread with intentionality.

I have had a fairly long career in supply chain and operations, and I routinely help MBA applicants from supply chain, procurement, and operations backgrounds prepare for top business schools with targeted post-MBA strategies. So I can tell you that depth in this field is very much needed to make the AdCom firmly believe in your potential, because this is one area that requires a very strong analytical mindset and a focused understanding of how an industry operates.

If you are targeting MBB firms, please also note that these companies want to hire talent with deep-rooted experience in specific industries where their clients come from. The more industry exposure or strong brand associations you can demonstrate in your essays and resume, supported by a solid knowledge foundation, the stronger your positioning will be in the admissions process.

An international focus is definitely a plus, but it is not really a differentiator for INSEAD anymore. It is more of a baseline eligibility criterion.

Should you want to discuss your profile in detail, feel free to reach out.

Feel free to get a free profile evaluation and discuss your MBA plan

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- [email protected]

It was doing strategic research planning and aiding BD at both places
First at the supply chain company and then at the risk advisory firm

MBAandBeyond

21 hours ago

Thanks for sharing your profile, @CuriousT. The good news is that you have 5 years of relevant experience, a consulting-adjacent background, stakeholder-facing work, cross-border exposure (SEA and US clients), and formal recognition.

The challenge is that you're competing in one of the most crowded applicant pools: Indian male engineer targeting consulting. Your academics are decent, but not a major differentiator, so the GMAT becomes extremely important. If you land a 695+ GMAT FE score, your profile moves into a much stronger bracket. Your biggest strength is that your work is already strategy-oriented rather than operational, which makes the consulting goal credible.

The biggest risk is that your profile can easily be perceived as "research support" unless the impact is framed aggressively. Schools and recruiters won't care that you produced reports; they'll care if your insights influenced a market-entry decision, shaped a BD strategy, improved win rates, identified a growth opportunity, or impacted revenue. Your application should be packed with quantified outcomes. If you can show ownership of workstreams, client-facing interactions, and instances where senior stakeholders acted on your recommendations, the profile becomes much stronger.

For extracurriculars, don't chase random activities. Schools prefer depth over last-minute volunteering. The best additions would be: mentoring junior professionals, leading a nonprofit strategy initiative, teaching business skills, contributing to procurement/supply-chain thought leadership, or taking a leadership role in a professional association. Given your background, creating something around career mentorship, business intelligence education, or supply-chain analytics would feel authentic.

Also consider strengthening your international profile through cross-border projects, certifications, or language learning. Current consulting recruiting trends favor candidates who already possess consulting-like skills, so your profile is better positioned than applicants attempting a complete industry pivot.

Questions I'd push you on before applications:
Have you received promotions or accelerated ratings?
What was the exact nature of the company-wide recognition?
What is the largest quantified impact you've driven?
Have you managed junior team members?
Why MBB specifically VS staying in strategy roles?
Why ME/EU over India?
And what leadership experience outside work best demonstrates influence without authority?

You can take a look at these success stories: Mr. Remote Engineering Consultant Secures INSEAD R1 Admit with 605 GMAT FE | Ms. Analyst with 720 GMAT got into INSEAD and LBS with 55K £ Scholarship | Mr. Consultant (Social Impact Consulting), got an admit to HEC Paris. | Mr. Finance Advisor, GMAT- 670 (IESE, ESADE & SDA BOCCONI)

Your application should present you as someone who influences strategic decisions and is ready to lead them. We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, work experience, international exposure and personal journey for a tailored profile evaluation and an honest school assessment. Please feel free to book a profile evaluation session from here.

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

You can also be a part of our upcoming webinar on “Early Action Programs, INSEAD & LBS”, which is scheduled on 11th June, 2026, at 9.00 PM IST | 11.30 AM ET.

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To address your question about GMAT waiver first, i think its better to avoid applying through that route as it will always a little more risky. If things work out for you then well and good, if they don't, then it will feel like a bad idea. You will have to take the GMAT for another attempt at applications, and you may have to apply as a reapplicant, which will be a drain on cost and effort. Also, your undegrad and masters grades are average and so it becomes crucial for you to show your academic capability. Additionally, with a high GMAT score, you can apply to a higher ranked list of programs

Profile wise, i see a lot of potential. Your work experience in agrotech combined with a masters degree in the same field suggest a career purpose which adcoms are likely to appreciate. You will need to ensure that your career goals tie in well with your past experience. This requires considerable thought and research of your target programs to build an understanding of post-MBA career opportunities.
Feel free to reach out for an evaluation.

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011

krprince

Thanks for highlighting, Will surely stick to standardized tests and will try to close this year. And then focus on rebuilding my profile.

22 hours ago

Thanks for sharing your profile, @krprince. Your profile has a compelling differentiator. Schools value candidates creating financial inclusion and social impact at scale, and your story sits at the intersection of fintech, product management, and emerging markets. However, the biggest hurdle is not your GPA or your Agribusiness MBA (6.6), it is the fact that you already hold an MBA. For a second MBA, schools will ask a simple question: "Why can't your goals be achieved without another MBA?" If your answer is simply "career acceleration" or "better brand," adcoms will be skeptical. If your answer is "I need global product leadership exposure, design innovation, venture-building capabilities, and access to a US/EU tech ecosystem to scale financial inclusion products globally," the case can become much stronger. A strong GMAT score (~705+ FE equivalent) is highly recommended and will help offset academic concerns. Do not assume a GMAT/GRE waiver; most top schools still prefer strong test scores, especially for applicants with lower academic performance and a prior MBA.

Between now and 2028, focus on building evidence of senior leadership: product P&L influence, revenue impact, user growth, financial inclusion outcomes, patents, product launches, team leadership, and measurable impact on women's livelihoods.

Questions I'd like to discuss before assessing your odds further:
How many users do your products serve?
What business impact have they created?
Have you managed PMs or cross-functional teams?
Why did you pursue the Agribusiness MBA initially, and why is another MBA now essential?
Have you worked internationally or with global stakeholders?

Most PM applicants talk about building products. Very few can say they built products that improve financial access and economic opportunity for underserved communities. The real question is, whether you can craft a compelling reason for why a second MBA is the catalyst that transforms you from a successful PM into a global product leader shaping financial inclusion at scale.

We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, work experience, international exposure, and personal journey so that we can provide a tailored profile evaluation and an honest school assessment. Feel free to book an evaluation session.

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

You can be a part of our upcoming webinar on “Early Action Programs, INSEAD & LBS”, which is scheduled on 11th June, 2026, at 9.00 PM IST | 11.30 AM ET.

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1 year ago

Hi @Manishy29

I am Priyanka, Client Manager at ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, the WE looks on the lower side. It will be important to highlight impact and leadership skills from your previous work experience. A GMAT score of 705+ would also be crucial. Please share further details about your profile, including Work experience, ECs, previous academic history. Also are you only targeting ISB? If yes, your reason for the same.

Feel free to connect for a detailed discussion.

Click here to connect for a detailed profile analysis.
You can also email me your CV at: [email protected]

Vashi99

Hey Manishy29,

Vashi here from LilacBuds.

Based on past trends Round 2 applications at ISB become more competitive. Target GMAT score should be around 665+FE to get you that advantage. Highlighting skills/ extra-curriculars you have been involved in will be an added bonus and will better your chances for an admit. Clear communication of your strengths and the right narrative in your essays will be crucial.

You can connect with our Expert ISB Mentors to initiate your Admission planning & consultations. More details about you profile would be needed to provide a detailed assessment.

Please reach out to us via https://lilacbuds.com/services/mba-cour ... mpaign=GCV or drop a message on +91 8448335484.
You can also mail your CV at [email protected] for a detailed profile evaluation.

Hoping to hear from you.

Hi Prashant, I am an INSEAD alumna and former MBA admissions interviewer. If you have only worked in your family business, your experience would carry more weight if you could speak to these things

What changed because of you?
What negotiations have you led?
What contracts have you managed?
What operational crises have you solved?
What efficiencies have you created?
Did you grow the business?
Did you professionalize processes?
Did you enter new markets, new geographies, How?
Did you digitize anything?
Did you improve margins?

The rest of the profile is alright, but I would be more interested to know the status of your Independent Tech Solutions Delivery business. Where is it at currently and what success have you achieved with it? Feasibility of Management consulting goals also depends on the industry depth you bring with you. Feel free to speak for a detailed profile evaluation as in the write up there may be lot of context missing still.

Feel free to get a free profile evaluation and discuss your MBA plan
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- [email protected]

Thanks for sharing your profile, @Prashant Verma. Your profile is unusual in a good way. Top schools like INSEAD, LBS, HEC Paris, and ISB are not looking for only consultants, bankers, and FAANG engineers, they are looking for leadership, impact, and differentiation. Running a family business, managing government-facing operations, building AI automations, delivering software solutions internationally, and launching a food-delivery app during college are all far more distinctive than the average applicant profile. The Tier-3 college is not the issue many applicants think it is; if you achieve a 705+ GMAT FE score, your 98.2 CAT percentile and IIT Bombay admit already demonstrate academic horsepower. The key question will be scale: What revenue, cost savings, operational improvements, contract values, client wins, or growth metrics can you quantify? You can also consider IESE, it appreciates entrepreneurial and non-traditional candidates.

Your consulting narrative is good. The story is, Operator > Builder > Consultant > Entrepreneur. You've experienced procurement, government contracts, operations, software development, automation, and client delivery firsthand. That creates a credible bridge into consulting, especially if you position consulting as a way to accelerate your exposure to different industries and strategic problem-solving before scaling larger ventures.

The biggest risk is sounding like you're collecting experiences rather than following a coherent path. Schools will ask: Why not continue growing your business? Why do you need consulting specifically? Why MBA now? The strongest answers will connect your exposure to operational inefficiencies, AI automation, and large-scale systems with your desire to advise organizations undergoing transformation. For school strategy, I'd prioritize INSEAD and ISB if consulting is the primary goal, while LBS and IESE offer more flexibility if entrepreneurship becomes more prominent. Given the current recruiting environment, firms increasingly value candidates with operating experience, which works in your favor.

Before applying, focus on 3 things:
1. Lock in the highest GMAT possible,
2. Quantify business impact everywhere, and
3. Develop stronger leadership stories around people management, influence, and decision-making.

Questions I'd push you on in essay development:
What is the annual scale of the family business?
How many employees or stakeholders do you influence?
What measurable outcomes came from your automations?
What happened to the food-delivery app after launch?
What client outcomes resulted from your software venture?
Why did you choose not to pursue IIT Bombay, and what did that decision teach you about leadership and risk-taking?

Most applicants tell schools what company they worked for. Very few can say they have negotiated with government entities, run business operations, built software, automated workflows, and launched ventures before turning 30. The challenge is whether you're positioning your profile as a collection of experiences or as evidence of a future founder-consultant capable of leading large-scale transformation.

You can take a look at these success stories: From Engineering to INSEAD with €40K Scholarship: Aayushman’s Journey | GMAT 710 Classic | Mr. AI Engineer (700 GMAT) got into INSEAD and HEC with scholarship. | Mr. Senior Associate (Banking Sector) Secures HEC Paris Admit with a 645 GMAT FE | Mr. Technical Consultant with a 710 GMAT got into IESE with a 25% Scholarship.

We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, work experience, international exposure and personal journey so that we can provide a tailored profile evaluation and an honest school assessment. Feel free to book an evaluation session.

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

You can be a part of our upcoming webinar on “Early Action Programs, INSEAD & LBS”, which is scheduled on 11th June, 2026, at 9.00 PM IST | 11.30 AM ET.

dee1pug1

4 days ago

Beyond the obvious aspects of GPA and GMAT/GRE scores, you should focus strongly on your narratives re 'Why from healthcare to MBA to consulting?' ' AdComs would care less about your patient care metrics and more about how you led when the stakes are organizational (rather than clinical). Pharma titles are confusing and do not translate neatly to a business school's model of career progression. Focus on how your experiences can add value to the classroom. There isn't much else in your post to offer a meaningful profile review.
- Dee
MBA admissions consultant and management consultant | E: [email protected] | https://www.linkedin.com/company/success-catalysts/

Hi @Sepsis15. We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, work experience, international exposure, and personal journey so that we can provide a tailored profile evaluation and an honest school assessment. Feel free to book an evaluation session.

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

Happy to invite you to our upcoming webinar on “Early Action Programs, INSEAD & LBS”, which is scheduled on 11th June, 2026, at 9.00 PM IST | 11.30 AM ET.

Hi @KuntalPatel. We would love to learn more about your academic background, extracurricular activities, work experience, international exposure, and personal journey so that we can provide a tailored profile evaluation and an honest school assessment. Please feel free to book a detailed profile evaluation session, here.

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

Be a part of our upcoming webinar on “Early Action Programs, INSEAD & LBS”, which is scheduled on 11th June, 2026, at 9.00 PM IST | 11.30 AM ET.