From 14 Years in Tech & Finance 3 MBA Admits- with a Modest Score

Question

Born and raised in Gobardanga, a quiet, close-knit town in West Bengal surrounded by rice fields and fruit-laden trees, Anupam Chatterjee grew up immersed in community values, nature, and youthful curiosity. His childhood was filled with bike rides, soccer matches, fishing trips, and shared dreams with his high school sweetheart, now his wife. 
 
Motivated by a desire to explore the world beyond his small town and experience different cultures, Anupam left home after high school to pursue engineering in Kolkata. That decision set him on a two-decade journey of personal and professional growth across India and the U.S. 
 
From earning a degree in Computer Science & Engineering at West Bengal University of Technology to rising into leadership roles at Tata Consultancy Services and Citibank, Anupam built a solid 14-year career in tech and financial services. Today, he serves as Assistant Vice President at Citibank, managing large-scale technology initiatives and vendor platforms. 
 
With 14 years of work experience, Anupam’s profile aligned more with an Executive MBA, but he chose to apply to part-time MBA programs. Despite a modest GMAT score, he collaborated with us on applications to three MBA programs—McCombs, Kelley, and SMU Cox. He received admission offers from all three schools, earning scholarships of $22K from Kelley and $12K from SMU. Anupam will be joining McCombs this fall. 
 
Watch this interview to learn how Anupam’s disciplined approach, clarity of goals, determination, and other key factors, combined with our guidance, led to his success despite his above-average work experience and modest test score.

Anupam shares insights into the following:

Anupam’s academic and professional background  1:14  
 Why MBA/Career Goals and Long-Term Vision 2 .35  
 His preference for McCombs over other programs 3.  59  
 Rationale for choosing a part-time program over EMBA 6. 57  
 Application process, Brainstorming questionnaire, and Essays 12. 15  
 Resume building 14.56 
 Interview Insights  18: 07  
 Importance of non-work experience in the application  21:51  
 Key Factors behind his success  23:12  
 Work-Life-School Balance  27:37  
 Advice for prospective applicants  29:50  
 Final Reflection  32:53

Let’s dive into a conversation with Anupam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PB8aOmrQ4w

Anupam’s Academic and Professional Background   
   
Poonam:  Thank you for your time for this conversation. It has been pending for a long time, and I am glad that we are finally able to connect after your success with three programs. You got into three good programs. We collaborated on Kelley, McCombs, and SMU Cox, and Kelley and SMU Cox offered you scholarships. So, congratulations. How does it feel?  
  
Anupam:  It feels great. Thank you for all your help. I am happy to be here today. I am looking forward to starting the program this fall.

Poonam:  I am really excited for you that you are going to start your MBA journey now. Can you tell our viewers about your academic and professional background? 
  
Anupam:  My undergrad was in Computer Science and Engineering. I completed it at West Bengal University of Technology. Right after my engineering, I started working at Tata Consultancy Services. I worked in Chennai for four years for one of the leading United States banks. Later, I moved to the United States for an on-site opportunity and started working for Citibank. I worked for Citi as a contractor for eight to nine years. During this time, I led multiple projects and worked in every phase of the software development life cycle. 
 
After eight years, I joined Citi full-time as an Assistant Vice President. In this role, my responsibilities increased. I still lead projects, but I now manage three vendor applications for Citi. At this point in my career, I am looking to transition into Technology Strategy, and I want to pursue an MBA to help me on that journey.

Why MBA / Career Goals and Long-Term Vision   
   
Poonam:  You have 15 years of work experience. You have progressed well in your career and currently hold the position of an Assistant Vice President at Citibank. What motivated you to pursue an MBA now?  
  
Anupam:  My entire career has been in technological development. But I now want to move to product management or product strategy roles, and I believe an MBA will help me make that transition. 
 
As I move ahead in my career, my expectations of myself are changing. My managers expect me to lead larger teams, take on more responsibilities, and drive initiatives. I believe an MBA will help me build the soft skills I lack today and prepare me for leadership roles.

His Preference for McCombs Over Other Programs   
   
Poonam:  You were accepted into Kelley, McCombs, and SMU Cox, and received scholarships from two of them. McCombs did not offer a scholarship, but you chose McCombs. What convinced you that McCombs was the right choice?  
  
Anupam:  There were two priorities for me. First, I did not want to move out of Texas or travel long distances for my MBA. So, McCombs was the obvious choice because of its location. 
 
Second, I have been working in financial services and technology. My post-MBA goals align well with McCombs, given its strong presence in tech and financial services. That was very important for me. 
 
What also stood out was the culture and community at McCombs. From my first interaction with the school, I felt that everyone was helpful and eager to support each other. It felt like a genuine and welcoming community.

Lastly, although ranking is not the top factor, McCombs is a highly ranked school, and it is right next door. So, it was an easy decision for me.

Poonam:  So, you accepted the McCombs offer right away?

Anupam:  Yes, it was an easy decision. I had always wanted to go there, and once the offer came, there was no second thought about waiting for other schools.

Poonam:  You had valid reasons- location, comfort, ranking, culture, community, and alignment with your goals. 
  
Anupam:  Yes. Whatever I have achieved so far, I did not do it all by myself. I believe we grow by helping each other, and that is what I saw in McCombs' culture. That was very important to me.

Preference for Part-Time Program Over EMBA

Poonam:  With 15 years of work experience, most professionals would prefer Executive MBA programs, which are designed for mid-career professionals. Yes, you chose a part-time MBA, where most of your peers will have 6–7 years of experience. What led you to that decision? 
  
Anupam:  That is a very good question. I was also trying to determine where I fit best. McCombs, like other schools I applied to, offers different formats. 
 
At McCombs, I visited Austin and attended classes for both the Executive MBA and the Professional MBA. I wanted to see where I fit better. The Executive MBA cohort had very senior professionals, some already in C-suite roles. Given my experience and the kind of roles I had, I did not feel I was at that level yet. I was not leading a large team or driving business functions. I have mostly been working in tech.

I want to contribute to class, not just learn from others. That is why I felt the Professional MBA was a better fit.
 
Also, when I attended both types of classes, I noticed a difference in teaching style. In the Professional MBA, professors started from the basic concepts without assuming you already know everything. In contrast, when I attended the private equity class of the Executive MBA, I felt as if the professors assumed you had significant background knowledge. 
 
That confirmed it for me, the Professional MBA was the better fit. And now that I’m in the program, I see many classmates with 13–15 years of experience, just like me.

Poonam:  That is wonderful. You attended sample classes for both programs and made an informed decision. 
  
Anupam:  Yes, another factor was interaction. I wanted more interaction with the cohort. The Executive MBA class meets only once a month, but in this format, we have classes two weekends a month. Also, I am based in Dallas, and the Executive MBA is in Austin. I would have to travel every month. The Professional MBA program is in Dallas, and my classmates are all here. We have already started meeting outside of class, even before the program started. So being in Dallas gave me more opportunities to network and build relationships. 
   
Poonam:  I remember you mentioned that one of your interviewers also asked this question.  
  
Anupam:  Yes, my McCombs interview began with that question. She asked if I had visited the school. I am glad I did that research in advance because I could clearly explain why I chose the Professional MBA over the Executive MBA. 
   
Application Process: Brainstorming Questionnaire– Idea Generation Exercise

Poonam:  Self-reflection is a key component in the application process. Before we even started working together, I shared a questionnaire of 25 questions to help you reflect on your personal and professional accomplishments, experiences, and goals. I remember you submitted a 25-page document. How did this exercise help you with your essays? 
  
Anupam:  That questionnaire was very comprehensive, and I spent a lot of time on it. The questions felt like I was already writing my essays. I knew that if I invested my time and effort there, I could use those stories for the actual school essays. It helped me analyze my entire journey. I told myself that it didn’t matter how small the story was, I would include it if I thought it was applicable. That helped throughout the application process. Even for the interview prep, I referred back to it a dozen times to find the right stories for each question. It was a really an amazing resource, and if someone invests in it seriously, it can be very helpful during the entire process. 
   
Poonam:  That’s something new! No one has told me before that they used the questionnaire repeatedly, even for the interview prep.  
  
Anupam:  Yes, as I said, it was a pretty comprehensive document. I just needed to pick and choose what fit where. And because it was all documented in one place, it was easy to refer back.

Résumé Building   
   
Poonam:  True. It is designed as a content-generating document. After the questionnaire, we picked up résumé before working on the essays. I remember you mentioned that all three admission officers commented that your résumé reflected clear career progression and growth. Can you share your insights into that process?  
  
Anupam:  Sure, Poonam. The résumé was quite a journey, looking back at where I started and where I ended up after working with you. I still remember the first draft I created. With 15 years of experience, I struggled to fit everything on one page. I was constantly trying to cut content, maybe fit it into two pages. I had left out my certifications, accolades, and awards just to save space. 
 
When you reviewed it the first time, you asked, “I don’t see any of your awards or certifications?” I said, “Oh, I have a lot of those.” And you said, “Go ahead and include them.” That shifted my perspective. Then you went above and beyond—you spent almost two hours on a call with me to help fix that first version. By the time we finished, the résumé told my full story in a clear, sequential pattern. 
 
Since my experience is entirely in technology, you helped me explain everything in layman’s terms so that anyone could understand my work. It also showed clear career progression, including all my extracurriculars and awards. That is why every school I interviewed with mentioned that my résumé showed strong growth. So, thank you for that. 
   
Poonam:  I enjoyed working on it! You had two promotions before moving to Citi full-time, tons of awards at Tata Consultancy Services, some at Citi, and extensive community involvement. It was all there; you just had to bring it together.

Anupam:  Yes, and you really helped me do that effectively. Thank you.

Interview Insights  
   
Poonam:  Can you share your interview experience, Anupam? Was there a time when you felt that you were truly connected with the interviewer?  
  
Anupam:  Yes, Poonam, I felt that in all three interviews. After the first few minutes, I could feel a genuine connection with the interviewer, and the conversations flowed in a positive direction. The guidance you shared through your blog and our discussions was also very helpful. The STAR method you recommended helped me practice and structure my answers in advance. 
 
In terms of content, the interviews mostly revolved around my experience so far, what I have done, what I am currently doing, and where I want to go. Every question felt like it was ultimately pointing toward one central theme: why I want to pursue an MBA at this point in my career. When I was preparing, I visualized it like a spider web, with “Why MBA” at the center. I connected everything that came up during the interview: career choices, personal growth, and long-term goals to that central idea. Thanks to my wife, since she helped me prepare with the 'Why MBA' part.' 
   
Poonam:  I remember you told me your wife helped you a lot with mock interviews. And I love the spider web analogy. I never heard of this before.  
  
Anupam:  Yes! I created a kind of mind map. At the center was "Why MBA," and everything from my career and personal life radiated out from there. I tried to connect every story or theme back to that. It gave me a lot of clarity. And yes, my wife spent countless hours helping me prepare. I could not have done it without her.

Poonam:  You were so happy and excited after your interviews. 
  
Anupam:  Exactly. That was my approach—to be completely authentic. I highlighted my strengths without hiding or downplaying my weaknesses. I did not want to pretend to be someone I am not. I think that authenticity made a difference.

Importance of Non-Work Experience in the Application  
   
Poonam:  I remember you saying that the interview questions were designed to verify the authenticity of your personal and professional experiences  .     
  What role do you think your non-work experiences, like volunteering, interests, hobbies, as well as your awards and certifications, played in your admission success?  
  
Anupam:  They played an important role. In every interview, at least 10% of the time was dedicated to my extracurriculars. That gave me a chance to showcase who I am as a person outside of work. 
 
You do not need to do a lot of things, but whatever you do should reflect your passion. I enjoy music, soccer, and photography. I have also been involved in some community work. Most of the extracurricular-related questions were focused on those areas. Again, it is not about doing a ton; it is about being passionate about what you do, which helps present a fuller picture of who you are, not just as a professional but also as a person.

Poonam:  You also play the piano. Right?

Anupam:  Yes, I play Western classical.

Key Factors Behind His Success   
   
Poonam:  To sum up, what do you believe were the key factors behind your remarkable success- securing admits from three programs despite a modest test score and work experience better suited for an Executive MBA?  
  
Anupam:  First and foremost, I had clarity on why I wanted an MBA and what my post-MBA goals were, especially short-term goals. In all the interviews, they focused heavily on how an MBA would help me achieve those. My long-term goals were mentioned too, but short-term goals were the key. 
 
Second, my professional experience. I have worked across multiple geographies and led several critical projects at Citibank, which helped showcase a diverse and valuable background. 
 Third, school research. I made sure I thoroughly researched every program I applied to-visited schools, interacted with current students, and the admissions committee. It was important for me to confirm that I was a good fit. I made sure all those interactions were meaningful and reflected in my application. 
 
Throughout the process, I stayed authentic, highlighting my strengths, not trying to hide my weaknesses. And lastly, my wife’s unwavering support. There were moments when I felt I did not belong, or that it would not work out. Her belief in me kept me going.

Poonam:  True. And I also played a small role!

Anupam:  Of course! I mentioned all of that earlier- you were a big part of it.
   
Poonam:  I was just teasing! But I must say, you were also extremely diligent and had a methodical approach. You always updated me about drafts, delays, interview outcomes—everything. That discipline made our collaboration smooth.  
  
Anupam:  Thank you, Poonam. And I felt the same about working with you. You were extremely professional. You kept your word. Your turnarounds on essays were always fast, usually within a day, unless I sent something late Friday evening. Working with you was an amazing experience. I truly felt you were with me on this journey, not just as part of a service, but as someone who cared.

Work-Life Balance   
   
Poonam:  Thank you. You are working full-time in a senior role. How do you plan to balance the demands of a part-time MBA with your responsibilities at work and home?  
  
Anupam:  Yes, I know I will need to prioritize carefully. For the next two years, I plan to focus on what matters most and direct my attention accordingly. Even though the program has not started officially, I have already started receiving coursework to read in advance. This is giving me a glimpse of how intense it is going to be.

Since I studied for the Graduate Management Admission Test after work for two to three hours, I have some idea of how to plan my time. When the program begins, I want to focus on three things: school, work, and family.
   
Poonam:  Good that you have your family support and you are supported at work as well, where people understand that you must devote your time to school. You are an extremely disciplined and focused person, so I am sure you will not have any problem.  
  
Anupam:  You have brought out a very good point. My manager and teammates already know I am starting this program, and they have been very supportive. So, I feel confident that I will manage the balance.

Advice for Prospective Applicants   
   
Poonam:  What advice do you have for prospective applicants, especially those with similar profiles and experience?  
  
Anupam:  Do not wait. The best time to go back to school was yesterday. The next best time is today. If you truly want to pursue an MBA, this is the time. My work has always been demanding, especially since I moved onsite. My Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) preparation was sporadic. It depended heavily on my workload. Instead, I shifted my focus to achieving a competitive score I could use. I spent a long time aiming for a perfect 90 th  percentile GMAT score, but eventually realized that might not happen. So, I needed to work with a competitive score and strengthen the rest of my profile. 
 
The application is not just about test scores. There are so many other facets. If you have strong professional experience, use it. Yes, GMAT or GRE is important, but it is not everything. So do not hold yourself back. Just apply and go for it. 
   
Poonam:  That is valuable advice. The GMAT is critical, but not everything. Interestingly, this year I have worked with four candidates who got into strong programs despite modest test scores, because the other aspects of their profiles were strong, and we highlighted them well. And I would add one more takeaway from your journey: stay disciplined and consistent in your work.  
  
Anupam:  Yes, that is true. You have to take this process seriously. The kind of essays and questions schools ask require deep thinking and self-reflection. You must dedicate 6–7 months to build a strong application. 
   
Poonam:  And you also need to allow for unexpected situations like getting sick. I remember you got sick in January.

Anupam:  Yes, I got sick right a week before my McCombs interview. But I was glad I had prepared thoroughly, so it did not affect me too much.

Final Reflections  
   
Poonam:  It was wonderful talking to you. Is there anything I missed that you would like to share with our viewers?  
  
Anupam:  That is a good question, Poonam. I would highlight the human aspect of this journey, from preparing for the GMAT to applying and getting into the program. 
 The person I was when I started this process and the person I am today are not the same. I experienced profound personal growth during this, even though I have not even started school yet. There were highs and lows, moments of vulnerability, and the process became meaningful beyond just career advancement. 
   
Poonam:  That is such an insightful perspective. No one has told me that the application process itself changed them this much.  
  
Anupam:  Going back to that questionnaire, it made me reflect on my entire life. There were achievements, but also things I could have done differently- both personally and professionally. That level of introspection helped me shape who I am today. 
   
Poonam:  It was truly wonderful talking to you, Anupam. I am so glad we could have this conversation. I strongly feel people will benefit from your insights and experiences. Good luck with your McCombs journey and continued success in your career.   
  
Please stay in touch. I would love to hear about your experience at McCombs.  
  
Anupam:  Absolutely. Feel free to share my email or LinkedIn with anyone who wants to learn about the programs at McCombs—full-time, part-time, professional, or executive MBA. I would be happy to help or connect them with someone else at the school. And thank you for everything, you played a pivotal role in my success. Thank you. 
   
Poonam:  It was my pleasure. I really enjoyed working with you. Congratulations to your wife as well, she played a big role in your journey!

Anupam:  Thank you. Thanks again and have a great day!

Connect with Anupam : You can connect with Anupam via  LinkedIn .

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