Applying as an Indian applicant in R3/R4 may not be the best decision.
-Dee (MBA admissions consultant and management consultant)

Agree with Dee about R3 applications. Moreover, your goals are all scattered. You have given so many options for the long term goal- it shows that you don't have any clear career path in mind, and that will harm you in the application. Mostly every b-school requires a written goals essay and the goals questions also come up in interviews. Having a scattered answer with multiple differing career options will be a red flag.

I suggest you wait it out and aim R1 applications. By then you can retake GMAT for a 20-30 point increase, get more clarity on the career goals, do your b-school research by talking to students and apply as a stronger applicant.

Feel free to reach out for a profile evaluation.

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: contact@mbadecoder.com
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation : https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011

Hi @Kanika Jain, your GMAT score (645 Focus and 610 Classic) is a key weakness, especially for competitive programs like LBS, Columbia, and Fuqua in later rounds, where available seats are limited. If possible, consider retaking the GMAT/GRE to improve your competitiveness, aiming for 20+ points. Additionally, Round 3/Round 4 admissions are highly competitive, and waiting until Round 1 next year with a stronger application could significantly improve your chances at top schools. HEC Montréal may be the safest bet, while LBS, Columbia, Fuqua, and Cornell remain reaches unless your essays, recommendations, and networking efforts strongly differentiate you. Given the challenges of breaking into top consulting firms post-MBA without a high GMAT score, you may also want to explore alternate pathways, such as internal strategy roles before transitioning into consulting. If you'd like tailored guidance on positioning your story effectively and selecting best-fit schools, a deep-dive profile evaluation would be beneficial.

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

Hi! You might hear back from HEC Montreal, but otherwise, it’s a long shot. In late rounds, top business schools are either looking for candidates who bring exceptional value in terms of diversity to the class or those who can help schools meet their target GMAT averages. Do you resonate with either of these areas? I would have liked to know more about your work history and career growth progression to advise you better. In any case, feel free to reach out for a one-on-one discussion.


Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927(message for faster response)| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­

Hi Kanika Jain
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, your GMAT score is a slight concern. I would recommend a retake and aiming for a score close to 695-705, considering your target schools. Also, I would recommend adding a few safe schools to your list. Apart from that, aiming for Round 3 or 4 as an international applicant might not be the right choice. You should consider applying in Round 1 next year, it would significantly boost your chances.

Your goals—consulting leading to broader strategy—are well-defined, and your family business background adds a nice touch. I'm curious, with your tech background, what specific areas within consulting are you most passionate about, and what's driving your strong preference for London?

FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION
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You can also email me at: priyankak@aringo.com

Hi Kanika, I have similar profile and experience as yours. Can i connect with you on LinkedIn?