LBS Master in Management graduate and former alumni admissions interviewer. Interned at a global PE firm during LBS. Started career at MBB (promoted), currently investing at a leading Nordic mid-market PE fund.


I run Northbound (northboundcoaching.carrd.co), where I coach candidates through MIM admissions, MBB case prep, and European/Nordic PE recruiting. Free intro calls available for prospective clients.

I contribute on this forum because I learned a lot from these communities when I was applying. Happy to pay it forward and weigh in on questions where I can add a useful perspective.

Im preparing full time gmat to get the best score! I've 8 backlogs in engineering which i completed within the course duration with a gpa 6.67(upward curve through the semesters)! Ive 2 years of experience as administrative assistant in a logistics company apart from that i used to manage my fathers business on and off for the rest of the time for about 4 years! I know my profile has a lot of flaws! And a great gmat score would only cover some of those to a small extent! my dream is to get into one of the best bschools or just scrape the plan entirely! my question is am i at a stage where i could do nothing to attain my goal. If yes, understood! If no whats everything i can do to achieve my dream and could you please mention some of the schools i could get into if everything goes right just for motivation purpose! As i said im currently working on my gmat very hard! Regardless of the of the chances of me getting into a top bshool im gonna continue studying and give it anyway on august! If i get an exceptional score which im taking as a challenge is anyone there to help me guide and navigate me to get into a great school. I want to create a story where my profiles as bad as mine could also get into some of the best b schools. If get that magical score is any one ready to work with me to create that story?

Background:

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering low GPA. While my academic record isn’t strong, my professional journey shows a clear upward trajectory.

Work Experience (6+ years):

World largest refinary (Data Scientist) – Currently part of a specialized AI/ML team driving Industry 4.0 and digital transformation initiatives in refinery and manufacturing operations. Working closely with plant heads and SMEs to deploy ML solutions for process optimization and efficiency improvement.
Consulting startup (Data Scientist) – Worked on industrial analytics, sustainability, and energy optimization projects across manufacturing sectors. Also involved in client-facing roles and solutioning.
IT company (Data Analyst Intern) – Built ML models across regression, classification, and NLP use cases.
Production Company (Chemical Production) – Managed production planning in a large-scale chemical plant (500 TPD operations).

Key Achievements:

Delivered measurable business impact through AI/ML (cost savings, efficiency improvements, predictive analytics).
Transitioned from core chemical engineering → data science → AI/ML leadership in industrial transformation.
Experience working cross-functionally with business, technical, and leadership stakeholders.
Exposure to sustainability and energy optimization initiatives.

Post-MBA Goals:
Short-term: Transition into Product Management / Tech Strategy / AI Consulting roles in global MNCs.
Long-term: Lead digital transformation initiatives in industrial or energy sectors, focusing on AI-driven innovation.

Target Programs:
MBA programs in India/US/Europe with strong focus on technology, analytics, and consulting, and good scholarship opportunities.

GMAT:
Currently preparing, targeting ~650.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND & IMPACT:


Over 5 years, I’ve operated at the intersection of quality engineering, production stability, and cross-functional delivery in high-velocity IT environments across Shipping, Telecom and B2B e-commerce. As a Test Lead & Production Support Specialist, I’ve consistently bridged technical execution with business continuity-owning end-to-end release cycles, leading incident management for mission-critical systems and driving process improvements that reduced defect escape rates and accelerated time-to-resolution.

Social Impact & Mentoring:

Founded a technical bootcamp focused on bridging the "campus-to-corporate" gap. I provide low-cost mentoring, resume building and interview prep for non-privileged students entering the IT sector.

MBA OBJECTIVE & STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT:

I’m willing to pursue a full-time MBA in Europe to transition from technical delivery leadership into strategy consulting. While my background has equipped me with analytical rigor, stakeholder management and operational resilience, I seek formal training in advanced project management, data analytics, corporate finance and strategy formulation to solve complex business problems at scale.

Post-MBA Path:

Join a top-tier strategy/operations consulting firm, focusing on data-driven project delivery, tech modernization and market-entry strategy. Long-term, I aim to lead consulting practices or build an advisory venture at the intersection of technology, strategy, and emerging markets.

Project Risk Manager with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and 3+ years of experience currently working in Saipem Abu Dhabi, UAE for Offshore Projects worth 3 billion USD in Execution Phase (QatarEnergy LNG, Saudi Aramco, North Oil Company). Previously worked in Shell India and executed some of the prestigious and High CAPEX projects in the field of Oil & Gas, LNG, and New Energies lines of businesses. I’m a skilled risk professional supporting Project Risk Management - function (Qualitative Risk Management & Quantitative Risk Analysis – QSRA & QCRA) in Pre-DG3 projects in PTP Hub – Houston and Calgary, and Post-DG3 phase projects in Netherlands, Australia, Qatar and Saudi Aramco assets. Externally trained in Project Risk Management in Oracle Primavera Risk Analysis, Shell Project Academy: Advance Risk Management course in June 2024 and recently completed Postgrad course in Project Management from IIM Indore in April 2026.


Post MBA - Finance, I'd like to switch my career / industry to Finance.
Scored 395 on GMAT Mock Test and my Target is 765+, Self-Studying - OG and ManhattanPrep Books.

Working in a consulting firm focused on pharma (ZS A)

I'm a Supply Officer in the US Navy with an undergrad degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia.

I know I'm not a top (non-feeder school, non-stem, ok GPA) candidate, but I am unfortunately hoping for H/W. Could I know how to leverage essays? Anything to improve? i feel like that's all I can rely on right now. Stats feel horrible.


GPA - will graduate with around a 3.3/4.00 in Japan--> usually translates up to 3.6 in US GPA

GRE- 162 Q :( 168 V --> 330 total

Demographic - Asian F, come from a Philippines (not Manila, random island)

School - Waseda University Econ (Top 3 Japan)

Post MBA Goals - Hope I can go into strategy for FMCG or cosmetics --> long term goal is entrepreneurship (social enterprise) in emerging markets

EC's - Head of student union, finance team for google developer group waseda, one older volunteering thing (president), study abroad in Paris 6 months

W/E- one luxury EC internship of global brand, one small SEO internship at a firm that consulted for SMEs and Start-ups in Japan, one internship at a social enterprise in the Philippines that helped grow local souvenir demand with locally sourced coconut sugar,

Recommendations - HEC MiM grad internship boss, Oxford Econ grad professor (relationships are pretty good so I'm guessing good?)

HBS-leveraging leadership and also entrepreneurial goals right now
Wharton- similar but pushing more my international background and extracurriculars for what i bring to the community

*note: also applying to other schools like Yale Silver scholars and Sloan but can't find the deferred program selection on this website

8+ years of experiance from companies like Intel, Samsung, John Deere and Larsen Toubro.

Expecting a GMAT score of 705 in retake.
Work Experiance:
Contributed to development of a framework which is getting adopted all over the company including the the head office.
Worked on a critical project that lead proved to be bedrock of an ex company's foray into a new sector.
Also worked on projects of national importance with one project being worth 850 million.
Reduced the time required by design and verification teams by factor of 10 by developing a new framework that streamlines the usage of development tools getting renown all over the company.
Completed masters in USA and worked in USA for 2 years after masters.

Extra curricular:
Worked as Director of Personality for local Rotaract club
Arranged multiple events for personality development and social work often taking a lead role in the projects.
Worked for 2 years in the club.

Profile Review Request: M7 / T15 Chances for Global Supply Chain Applicant Pivoting Toward Consumer / Regulated Goods in Emerging Markets


Background:
Indian male
Raised in the Middle East
International applicant
Age at matriculation: 27

Education:
Top 15 US engineering school
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
GPA: 3.4
GMAT Focus: 695 (Q90, V84, DI79)

Work Experience:

Fortune 500 industrial / manufacturing company: Cummins Inc (5 years upon matriculation)

2022–2024: Product Engineer, United States

Worked across product engineering, design for manufacturing, documentation control, and supply-related work.

2024–2025: Senior Product Engineer, United States

Promoted in approximately 2 years.

2025–Present: Senior Engineer / Supply Chain role, United Kingdom

Transitioned into a more supply-chain-focused role with international exposure.

Key work highlights
Currently leading engineering execution for a confidential global initiative expected to generate $10–20M in savings, spanning suppliers across the US, UK, India, China, and Thailand
Led a previously stalled design/manufacturing project that:
- Reduced component cost by ~60%
- Enabled automation across multiple manufacturing lines saved approximately $250K annually
Worked on several tariff mitigation / cost optimization projects

Leadership / extracurriculars:

Fundraising Chair, Society of Women Engineer's - Engineering nonprofit / professional organization chapter

Organized events with 50–100 attendees
Raised $1,200 in one fundraising event
Helped support a larger annual industry event with ~1,000 attendees

Failure / growth story:
Created a process improvement initiative that worked locally but was not scaled because I failed to align stakeholders and formalize support. Another team later expanded the concept more effectively. Learned a lot about communication, stakeholder management, and scaling through others.

Post-MBA goals
Long-term:

Build a cross-border distribution and retail platform in MENA / Africa focused on regulated consumer goods, beginning with alcohol and potentially expanding later into adjacent premium categories.

Current exposure to target space:

I have already begun exploring supplier / buyer dynamics in this industry through early-stage conversations with suppliers and customers across multiple countries, although no transaction has closed yet.

Short-term:

Still refining, but likely aiming for a commercial strategy / brand / route-to-market / general management role within a global beverage alcohol or broader FMCG company.

School list

HBS
Wharton
Booth
Kellogg
CBS
Stern
INSEAD
Yale SOM
Fuqua

Main questions
How competitive is this profile across my list?
Is my long-term story differentiated and credible?
How should I sharpen the short-term goal?
Is this list too ambitious, or appropriately balanced?

Hi everyone, I would appreciate feedback on my MBA profile, school selection, and career goals.


Work Experience:
WebMD.com, Senior Product Manager (2+ years, recently promoted from Product Manager):
I currently manage a product portfolio in Continuing Medical Education (CME) that serves about 1 million healthcare professionals and generates approximately $12M in annual revenue( WebMD operates within KKR’s private equity portfolio; product managers are directly accountable for measurable business outcomes)

My work involves defining product strategy, roadmap prioritisation, and launching new distribution channels and partnerships. Recently, I worked on expanding reach through pharmacy network partnerships (e.g., Walgreens, CVS) and led several cross-functional launches involving clinical, commercial, and technology teams.

YouGotaGift.com, Dubai-based Fintech, Associate Product Manager (1 year 9 months)
I managed an employee incentives and rewards platform built around a closed-loop wallet infrastructure. My role focused on product redesign and regional expansion across the MENA market. I led the revitalisation of the platform in KSA and launched phygital corporate-branded cards (digital + physical) for enterprise clients, integrating fintech rails for rewards and incentives.

o9 Solutions, Business/Technology Consultant (1 year 6 months)
Worked on implementing a Master Supply Planning solution for Estée Lauder, collaborating with global supply-chain stakeholders. My responsibilities included requirements gathering, solution configuration, and coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver planning capabilities for enterprise supply chain teams.

Entrepreneurial Experience – Creator Economy Startup (2024)
In 2024, I attempted to launch a startup focused on the creator economy to improve how brands discover and collaborate with influencers. I successfully built and launched the platform, onboarded four local brands, and validated early demand. However, due to co-founder misalignment and financial constraints, we paused the venture. The experience gave me hands-on exposure to early-stage startup challenges.

Education: Punjab Engineering College (PEC), India
B.Tech (CGPA: 7.6/10)
I realise my GPA may be slightly on the lower side. However, grading at PEC was relatively stringent; the highest GPA in my branch was 9.2, with only one student scoring above 9.
Based on WES conversions reported by other alumni from my school, this CGPA typically translates to approximately 3.3–3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

During college, I served as Chief Secretary of the Astronomy and Space Physics Club, one of the most active technical societies at PEC. The college has a strong aerospace legacy with alumni such as Kalpana Chawla and Satish Dhawan.
In this role, I managed ~70 student members and a ₹2 lakh annual budget, organised technical events and workshops, and led collaborations with institutions such as Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institutes of Technology.

I was also awarded a Certificate of Achievement and the Achievers Award by the Dean for consistently winning multiple Astronomy and Space Physics competitions over two years and for representing the college at the national level at various institutions.

Even after graduation, I continue to conduct astronomy outreach programs in rural schools to promote interest in science and STEM education. Each year, I lead two 15-day workshops during the summer and winter breaks, where we organise hands-on learning experiences for high school students. These workshops include DIY projects such as building simple radio telescopes, constructing Dobsonian telescopes, and conducting night sky observation sessions to introduce students to practical astronomy.
Through these initiatives, I have directly mentored and inspired around 50 students to pursue STEM-related education paths by sparking their curiosity in space science and physics.

Post MBA Goals:
Short term-
Product Management / Product Marketing / Strategy roles in Big Tech or high-growth tech companies (unicorns).

Long term-
Move into strategy-led leadership roles in technology companies, potentially combining product, growth, and platform strategy. My long-term aspiration is to build and scale technology products that operate at global scale.


I have not taken the GMAT yet, but I am currently preparing and targeting a score in the 685–705 range.

I would really appreciate feedback on the following:

1) How competitive does my profile look for top global programs and potential scholarships?
2) Does my school list look realistic, or should I rebalance it?
3) Are there other schools strong in tech/product management that I should consider?

2 years in consulting + 2 years in CSO office of Fortune 500 Fintech company. Recommenders - CSO of my company (supervisor, interviewed me, HBS alumnus who was my strategy professor)

After 12 years of active-duty as a Brazilian Navy Officer, I am looking to switch to IB.

Hello,

I am plannig to apply for MBA programmes this year. I am specifically targeting 1 year MBA programmes due to better ROI. I am based out of india and ISB fits as per my consulting / PE VC goal.

Profile
1. Btech Chemical from an IIT
2. 2 years experience in a global NPO
3. Currently working in a fintech startup.

I am looking for suggestions as to what other B-schools i can apply to increase my chances of admit this year.