Hello Vinashak,

Your background in investment banking is well aligned with Booth’s strengths, particularly given the volume of M&A deals and leadership roles you’ve held. The CA, CMA, and CFA combination speaks to technical depth, but the GMAT Focus score 695 is below Booth’s median. It may impact competitiveness, especially given the overrepresentation of Indian male finance candidates.

You’ll need to ensure the rest of your application (essays, LORs, resume) clearly demonstrates differentiation and clarity of purpose. Are you looking to remain in the front-end IB post-MBA, or do you see Booth as a step toward a longer-term pivot into roles like PE or strategy?

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

With all those awesome qualifications, you will need convincing and compelling answers to why you need an MBA education, especially since you want to go where you are coming from. Where exactly do you want to go, if not just an elevation in your level/grade/title? Your being in those <300 counts may not hold much sway.
Your total tenure of experience is not stated. I assume it is 7+ (not sure how much + though). As already stated, your Indian male profile sets a strong expectation to have a GMAT score that's higher than the average of the school by at least 20-30 points. You can do the math as to what improvement you would need in your score. And though not stated, your GPA may also be important.
- Dee (MBA admissions consultant and management consultant)
catalysts.success@gmail.com

Hi @Vinashak
Thanks for sharing your profile!
You’ve not mentioned your undergrad GPA which is crucial to ascertain your profile strength. A 695 on the GMAT focus is on the lower side for Booth which usually has an average of 720+. But you have a very competitive profile so this could offset your GMAT score.
As you are a CA+CMA+CFA holder, you will have a huge advantage in the applicant pool. What gives you a further edge is your work experience as you have worked with a Big4 firm and in the IB sector. You have earned 2 promotions in 3 years which will exemplify your professional growth and leadership strengths. Moreover, the quality of your work is exemplary and if explained properly in your essays will make your applications compelling.
Your post-MBA goal is to stay in the IB sector which will work very well for you given your current profile and the MBA pedigree. Only ensure that in your essays, you outline your short-term and long-terms plans in the IB industry.
Chicago Booth has very good alumni ties with bulge brackets and elite boutiques so you can expect a good entry in the US IB market. You will also have the opportunity to join the Booth Investment Management Group (BIG) which will give you access to major buy-side events.
So Booth is definitely a strong fit for you.
We’d love to offer a 1-on-1 profile evaluation to dive deeper into your strengths and co-create a tailored application game plan!
Feel free to reach out to us at the coordinates below!
Email: gwyneth@thembaedge.com
Website: https://thembaedge.com/
Phone/WhatsApp No: +91 88502 49409

Thanks for sharing your profile @Vinashak , your profile tells a powerful story of drive, grit, and exceptional achievement. With a rare trifecta of qualifications, CA, CMA, and CFA, you’ve already set yourself apart as someone who thrives in academically rigorous environments, which aligns perfectly with Booth’s analytical and data-driven approach. What’s even more impressive is your rapid career growth, becoming the youngest AVP at your firm, leading M&A deals worth over $100 million, and breaking new ground by steering McKinsey’s first M&A transaction in India. These aren’t just milestones, they reflect the kind of impact Booth looks for in future leaders.

Beyond the numbers, your leadership at GITEX and your foundational years at EY show a well-rounded finance professional who’s not only technical but also strategic. While your GMAT Focus score of 695 is good. If you’re able to bring your journey to life in your essays, highlighting not just what you’ve done, but why it matters to you and where you want to go, you’ll be putting forward a very compelling application. If you do have the bandwidth to retake the GMAT and push it up even slightly, that could further strengthen your profile, but even without that, you’re can be in the running. Keep that clarity and momentum going. We’d be happy to take a closer look at your profile, learn more about your journey, and provide a thoughtful assessment.Let’s chat. Feel free to Book a Session.

Meanwhile, we'd like to invite you to take a look at these articles: "Strengths and Weaknesses in MBA Applicantion" and ”Strategies from Successful MBA Applicants”

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Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond

Hey Vinashak
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, a 695 is a strong score. But the combination of CA, CMA and CFA is the major highlight of your profile. This combination will help you stand out amidst the pool of applicants. These qualifications also demonstrate your commitment to financial expertise and rigorous academic achievements.

Your rapid career progression at your IB firm and becoming the youngest AVP ever with two promotions in three years are very impressive. Furthermore, having closed over USD 100 million in M&A transactions in just three years showcases tangible deal experience and your ability to execute complex financial projects.

Booth's FT-MBA program is highly quantitative and analytically rigorous, which aligns well with your financial background and professional achievements. Adcoms at Booth value candidates who can contribute to their collaborative learning environment. It will be very crucial for you to articulate your motivations for pursuing an MBA at this stage and establish how Booth will help you achieve your goals.

Can you talk more about the challenges you faced while closing these M&A transactions, and also highlight the leadership lessons have you learned from that?

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You can also email me at: priyankak@aringo.com

Hi @Vinashak,

You have a strong profile that would be competitive for top MBA programs like Booth. Your academic credentials - a qualified CA, CMA, and CFA reflect technical depth and academic rigor, which align well with Booth. Professionally, your rapid rise to AVP and distinction as the youngest in your firm's history demonstrate clear leadership potential and high performance. Your M&A deal experience, including over USD 100 million in transactions and leading McKinsey’s first M&A deal in India, further reinforces the strength of your professional background.

Your post-MBA goal of continuing in investment banking is both focused and credible, which admissions committees value. While your GMAT Focus score of 695 is competitive, it’s slightly on the lower side for overrepresented candidates from Indian finance backgrounds. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if feasible, a retake to push your score higher could strengthen your application further.

Highlighting your leadership, professional achievements, 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 consultants for a more detailed discussion. You can also contact us directly at team.mba@theredpen.com or +91-7780769732.

@Vinashak - some thoughts/ clarifications:

1. You haven't mentioned your undergrad college/ grades? The GMAT is a bit on the lower side for Booth given the competitive Indian pool. Was it your first attempt, and do you foresee improvement if you were to retake?

2. Your professional experience is strong, given the finance/ IB exposure, impact of your work, and promotions. Is your firm F-100/ mid/ small sized? And what are your career goals post MBA?

3. Have you been involved in any extracurricular activities since undergrad?

At this point, it'd be ideal to improve your score to increase your chances. Either way, a strong application covering your professional/ personal angles, career goals, and motivation for an MBA would be important.

FYI, here's the list of top B-schools for finance careers along with their published hiring stats: https://admitstreet.com/blog/best-busin ... e-careers/

Feel free to reach out through the links below if you have questions or clarifications.

Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | W: https://admitstreet.com ­
Request a free chat: https://admitstreet.com/#contact