June 23: Live Profile Evaluation Chat with The Red Pen

Question

Live Profile Evaluation Chat with The Red Pen MBA admission consultants

Monday, June 23, 2025, at 9:30 AM PST | 10:00 PM IST | 12:30 PM EST

Ready to start your MBA journey? Share your profile and get live insights from The Red Pen!
Pre-MBA Role/Industry, Years of Experience, GMAT/GRE Score, CGPA, ECs
Post-MBA Role/Industry

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Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hello Everyone! We have a live MBA chat session with the Red Pen today at 10:00 pm IST | 09:30 am PDT. Stay tuned

Get your profile ready, we are going to start the session in 5 minutes.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Thank you TheRedPen for joining, Let’s start the session

TheRedPen · Answer

Hey everyone, I’m Manan, MBA Admissions Consultant from The Red Pen
Looking forward to interacting with you all and helping you with your queries.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Welcome Everyone! To the live chat

First question is received from @Vignesh1007

Question: How do we decide which stories to be written for essays and which one to summarize for the behavioral questions during interview? Is it subjective

umeshv · Answer

can i send my profile ?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

umeshv , Sure

krutarth21 · Answer

Demographics
* Nationality / Gender: Indian Male
* Age: 27 now
Academic Background
* Undergrad: B.E. Computer Science & Engineering, Maharaja Sayajirao University (Tier 2–3 in India)
* GPA: 3.82 / 4.0
* GMAT Focus Edition: Planning to give GMAT
Professional Experience
1. Tiger Analytics — Full-Stack Developer (Mar 2022 – Present)
 * Partnered with PepsiCo for one year: built cloud-migration and data-synthesis pipelines that fed enterprise dashboards, enabling faster commercialization insights.
 * Since 2023, core engineer on Tiger’s flagship AI demo platform; designed ML-driven modules that cut client turnaround times by ~70 %. Platform success helped Tiger win several Fortune 500 data-transformation contracts.
 * One promotion; collaborate in a 10-person agile squad. Influence > authority—no direct reports yet, but own multiple product features end-to-end.
2. Nubrix (US Startup) — Contract Full-Stack Engineer (Feb 2023 – May 2025, concurrent)
 * Led build-out of payments and appointments portals, PDF-chat AI, and insurance-claims processing tools.
 * Delivered customer-facing features single-handedly, accelerating go-to-market and supporting new-client acquisition.
3. PGP Glass (Blackstone PE portfolio) — Azure Data Engineer (Oct 2020 – Mar 2022)
 * Digitized production-line data flows for a global glass manufacturer; analytics solutions drove multi-million-dollar cost savings and higher plant yield.
 * First role post-graduation; recognized for rapid ramp-up on Azure stack and cross-functional stakeholder management on shop-floor projects.
Leadership & Extracurriculars
* AIESEC Baroda (2016-18): Two-year tenure, final year as Vice President — Incoming Exchanges. Raised two corporate partners (≈ 20 global internship slots) and headed experience management for international interns.
* Current-Affairs Enthusiast: Track technology policy, digital-economy trends, and Indian start-up ecosystem; participate in online policy forums and write occasional LinkedIn pieces.
Target MBA Programs INSEAD | Cambridge Judge | Oxford Said | Imperial College | LBS | NUS | NTU | Kellogg | Chicago Booth | Yale SOM | NYU Stern | Columbia
Career Goals
* Short-Term: Pivot to Product Management within Big Tech (Google / Microsoft) or a high-growth AI-first scale-up, leveraging full-stack and data-engineering background to guide customer-centric product roadmaps.
* Long-Term: Launch or lead a product-led business unit focused on AI-powered data platforms and prior consulting experience to bring transformative tech products to market.
PS: I would also appreciate insights into what would be considered a competitive or safe GMAT Focus Edition score for my target schools, particularly in the context of strengthening my overall profile relative to their GMAT expectations.

sandave · Answer

Hi,

thanks for the profile evaluation these are details

📌 Profile Summary – MBA Applicant for 2026 Intake

Nationality: Indian, 31 yr old Male 
Current Role: Junior Engineer, Reserve Bank of India
Total Work Experience : 9 years

🎓 Education

B.E. in Electrical Engineering

CGPA: 8.21/10

💼 Work Experience

Tata Power (5.5 years):

Diverse roles in commercial and operations

Budgeting Capital and revenue expenditure 
2 patents granted, 1 design registration
Process reengineering and bringing at PAR with Business Excellence practices 
Nationally recognized by The Economic Times – 3rd place for capex reduction project
Published papers in journals
Led recovery of approximately ₹10 lakhs from govt. institutions pending from 7 years 
Active in quality circles and business excellence initiatives

Reserve Bank of India (3.5 years):

Managing infrastructure projects end-to-end (design to execution)
Vendor management, budgeting, on-site supervision
Focus on asset management and maintenance

📈 Career Goals

Pivot into strategy consulting or project management

🏫 Target MBA Schools (1-Year Programs)

ISB (India)
IIM A (one year MBA) 
IIM B (one year MBA) 
INSEAD (France/Singapore)

umeshv · Answer

qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) with over 7 years of diverse experience spanning Risk Advisory, Forensic Audit, Internal Audit, and Due Diligence. I am currently a Partner at CA Firm, where I lead three core verticals—Risk Advisory, Due Diligence, and Forensic Audit—for clients across manufacturing, ports, retail, and telecom sectors. My career also includes a leadership role at in internal audits during my articleship.

In addition to my CA qualification, I hold an LLB and B.Com, with several exemptions in CA exams and consistent academic performance. I am also the founder of a boutique wealth management firm , managing a growing portfolio and AMFI registered.

My work has contributed to significant cost savings (₹25+ Cr), implementation of SOPs, enhancement of IND AS compliance, and uncovering of frauds in high-value engagements. I’ve led teams of 10+, mentored over 50 students, and received direct client recognition for performance in forensic engagements.

Target School - T15 US and Global

TheRedPen · Answer

That depends on your profile and would vary. However, in general, you should look to use your most high-impact, differentiating stories in the essays - highlight your values, motivations, and turning points.. Also, have a bank of stories preapred for answering behavioural questions during the interview. If you’d like to dive deeper into your MBA journey, you can book a free call with The Red Pen for a personalized discussion. https://theredpen.in/book-an-appointmen ... _Club_2025

umeshv · Answer

already booked a free call

TheRedPen · Answer

You have a very solid and well-rounded tech profile - fast progression, cross-border work (Nubrix), and strong impact stories at Tiger and PGP Glass. Also a strong GPA. For your GMAT, given you would belong to an overrepresented pool, you should aim for a 695+ score to stay competitive for top-tier programs. If you’d like to dive deeper into your MBA journey, you can book a free call with The Red Pen for a personalized discussion. https://theredpen.in/book-an-appointmen ... _Club_2025

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Question received from @atvmanjaly

Kelloggs MMM suitable for entrepreneurship ? Is it easy to pay off studnet loan.

TheRedPen · Answer

Strong profile with deep operations and infrastructure experience across both private (Tata Power) and public (RBI) sectors. The patents, published work, and national recognition show initiative and technical depth. Your RBI role differentiates you among the typical pool of MBA applicants. With 9 years of experience, a 1-year MBA is a smart choice. GMAT - you should aim for a 695+ score to strengthen your application and stay competitive for top-tier programs. Strong profile overall - just focus on tightening your narrative and showing how an MBA bridges your pivot. If you’d like to dive deeper into your MBA journey, you can book a free call with The Red Pen for a personalized discussion. https://theredpen.in/book-an-appointmen ... _Club_2025 Impressive profile with expertise in risk, audit, and due diligence, plus strong leadership as a Partner &founder. The CA + LLB combo adds intellectual rigor, and your tangible impact: 25 Cr+ in savings, fraud detection, SOPs position you well for top-tier programs. The wealth management firm futher showcases the entrepreneurial side. Focus on articulating your goals and career transition plan clearly - make sure your goals are specific and well-defined. Also your motivations and how the MBA will bridge the gap. GMAT - you should aim for a 695+ score to strengthen your application and stay competitive for top-tier programs.

imadi · Answer

Demographics: Indian, Male, 26 years old

Education:
Computer Science Engineering (Tier 2 University)CGPA: 8.4GMAT - 675

Work Experience (5+ Years):

Performance & Growth Marketer – Ed Tech Startup May 2019 – May 2020
- Oversaw $200K+ in performance marketing spends; contributed to sales team growth from 15 to 80+ with 70% of annual sales attributed to performance ads

Co-founder – Performance Marketing Agency May 2020 – January 2022
- Co-founded and scaled a performance marketing agency growing to a team of 10, working with 50+ eCommerce/DTC brands across different countries.
- Added $4M+ to partner B2C brands via performance ads; 3+ partner brands got funded on Shark Tank India

Growth Marketing Manager – Australia’s Online Retailer January 2023 – September 2023
- Responsible for setting up and scaling new performance marketing channels and growth optimisation across the user funnel

Product Manager - mid-sized SaaS in business productivity October 2023 - Present
- Switched roles and industries, currently responsible for the growth and retention for suite of apps catering to the B2C side of the firm

Paid Growth Consultant (Contract Role) – September 2023 – Present
- Consulting eCommerce & DTC brands with their growth specifically focused on performance

Career goals post MBA:- Break into mature product firms eventually moving into leadership positions within the product management role

Target Schools:NYU Stern
Berkeley HAAS
INSEAD
ISB

Question: Coming from an overrepresented pool without a stellar academic record, is there a fair shot at my target schools with any additional things to focus on for my profile to improve my chance? Are there any other programs I should consider given my post MBA goals and profile?

TheRedPen · Answer

Hey, we would require more information about your profile and a more detailed conversation to discuss this. Feel free to book a free 30 min. call with us https://theredpen.in/book-an-appointmen ... _Club_2025

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Everyone, we have around 15 minutes left in this chat session. Ask your questions quickly

umeshv · Answer

one year MBA is good or two year ?

Based on my profile

qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) with over 7 years of diverse experience spanning Risk Advisory, Forensic Audit, Internal Audit, and Due Diligence. I am currently a Partner at CA Firm, where I lead three core verticals—Risk Advisory, Due Diligence, and Forensic Audit—for clients across manufacturing, ports, retail, and telecom sectors. My career also includes a leadership role at in internal audits during my articleship.

In addition to my CA qualification, I hold an LLB and B.Com, with several exemptions in CA exams and consistent academic performance. I am also the founder of a boutique wealth management firm , managing a growing portfolio and AMFI registered.

My work has contributed to significant cost savings (₹25+ Cr), implementation of SOPs, enhancement of IND AS compliance, and uncovering of frauds in high-value engagements. I’ve led teams of 10+, mentored over 50 students, and received direct client recognition for performance in forensic engagements.

Target School - T15 US and Global

review already done

TheRedPen · Answer

You have a strong and differentiated career story, from performance marketing to co-founding a successful agency to pivoting into product management. Like you rightly said, coming from an overrepresented pool, your 675 GMAT is on the lower side for top-tier programs. I’d encourage you to retake the GMAT and aim to improve your score by 20–30 points (695+) to strengthen your application and stay competitive. To strengthen your application - Based on your trajectory, be clear on why MBA now and why product management. Schools need to see the intentionality in your pivot. Effectively highlight leadership and impact in your work like client outcomes, product ownership. https://theredpen.in/book-an-appointmen ... _Club_2025 Each has their pros. It’s difficult to answer without understanding the context, your requirements, priorities etc. We can discuss this during your free call with us

June 23: Live Profile Evaluation Chat with The Red Pen

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