Profile evaluation [Indian Female, 710 GMAT]

dchaurasia1992, SRM does have a good pedigree. I presume the 3.8 is a converted number? Don't do that unless explicitly asked for.

The peer group pedigree will help a lot - make sure to leverage that correctly. The onsite stints will help a lot too.

Overall, I'd say that barring the GMAT, the profile looks to be in a solid shape.

Hi dchaurasia1992 hope this finds you well

Impressive profile overall! I think you would be a strong fit for the European schools on your list because

A. The number 1 criteria for evaluating applicants is the growth trajectory
With 7.5 years of work experience in analytics, you sure would have navigated your career conscientiously over the years to be in a FAANG company. If you project an upward trajectory reflecting on your career decisions and achievements, you surely would impress the adcom on this aspect.

B. The 2nd most important criterion for evaluating applicants is employability.
You come from a feeder brand. Since you have prior connections in the UK job market which is the target market for most Indians studying in Europe, you show immense promise on this aspect.
Bonus tip: Getting stellar recommendations from senior colleagues in the UK office showcasing interest in having you back at FAANG in a leadership role can be your ticket to LBS, INSEAD and OXFORD

C. International Experience
You check this box as well since you have worked very closely with FAANG teams in other geographies.

D. Above average ECs in the Indian demographic


Harvard and MIT with a 710 can be a stretch. For the other M6 you may have to consider retaking GMAT, but not saying it is impossible to get in with a 710. Kellogg should be a likely target if considering the M6 in US. In the US top 10, you should consider Ross and Berkeley Haas as well.

Best wishes

Hi dchaurasia1992,

Thanks for sharing your profile. Good to hear from you. After examining your profile, we would like to highlight a few points. Considering your academic performance, being a silver medalist with a GPA of 9.5 from a top university will help you in your application. Your GMAT score is quite good, but being from the overrepresented pool, if you can increase your score by 20 points, it will help you maximize your chances.

On the work front, 7.5 years of work experience is quite impressive. Your work, which has directly impacted >$100M worth of revenue for the company, should be highlighted. It exhibits you as a high-performing individual. Awards, especially global ones, add weight to your profile. International exposure obtained while working is a boon to the application. Your work experience should highlight the career trajectory, impact, and leadership roles.

Talking about your extracurricular and social activities, your association as a faculty at FAANG, delivering guest lectures at top MBA schools, and being an active LGBTQIA+ ERG member will bring diversity to your application. Being clear with your post MBA goals will help you narrow your search for colleges. Considering your goals, INSEAD, LBS, and MIT Sloan appear to be the right choices. A strong LOR will add weight to your application.
Overall, your profile seems good. However, we would like to know more about your work experience to gauge your chances better. If you'd like, we are happy to hop on a call with you sometime this week to discuss your profile in length and further help you with shortlisting MBA programs; feel free to book a free session with us at your convenience.

Let's prepare a 2-month action plan for Round 1

Cheers!
Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager, MBA and Beyond
Testimonials
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com

While 7.5 years of your WE concerns me a bit, some of your career trajectory can also justify it. From my work with 100s of Indian applicants, I also believe you have strengths in your profile that may not have come out well. From the info from your question however, I am very confident you can be strong enough for some top schools (including some M7, though Harvard, Wharton, Stanford are overreach). As a consultant, I have scored 97%+ success with Indian candidates (typically the most competitive pool). Let me know if you feel the need to refine your career goals, stories and your application.

Hello dchaurasia1992,

Thanks for writing in.

Barring your GMAT, the rest of the profile looks very strong, indeed. So, if you have decided that you will not be re-attempting the test, it is time to just focus on everything else you can control without really bothering about your chances per se. Your essays must focus on your leadership experience, international exposure, awards, and extra-curricular activities, showcasing how you don't just stand to gain from the MBA but also actively contribute to the program and peer group.

Would definitely recommend having a couple of more practical options in your target shortlist as all your current options are fairly aggressive.

Good luck!