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ashwinnarayansr
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The Red Pen Representative
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GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
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ashwinnarayansr,

A few thoughts on your profile evaluation and plans:
  • The academic arc looks good given the Christ pedigree, GPA and CA qualification. The score doesn't quite do justice to this pedigree and a retake will be definitely recommended.
  • The professional profile is promising too, driven by the association with KPMG brand and the nature of your work in FDD. That being said, have you networked with peers from your specific team who have been admitted to top international programs beyond ISB? That can give some sense on things and precedence helps a lot. In terms of experience range, the average is 4-5 years at top schools. From what you've mentioned, chasing the 2025 intake can lead to challenges. Overall, you may consider ISB as a testing the waters application this year and then, go big next year. This is provided you'll be happy to go to ISB in case you make it this year.
  • The extracurricular efforts during college time sound alright. Anything since you graduated though?

Hope this helps. Do feel free to reach out on mcb@mbacrystalball.com with a recent resume for more discussion.

Cheers,
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Your profile has a strong foundation with a CA qualification and a good GPA from Christ University. Your KPMG experience in Financial Due Diligence is valuable, and your leadership roles showcase potential. However, a GMAT score in the 655+ range is crucial for top programs. While applying this year is feasible with a GMAT retake, we suggest gaining further work experience for a stronger application next year. This will allow you to assume greater responsibility, enhance your career progression, and refine your career goals.

We can help you talk to alumni/experts to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your profile for the schools you choose.
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ashwinnarayansr
Hi, I am a 25 year old Indian male, looking to do an MBA between 2025 - 27.
My GMAT score: 645 – V84, Q85,D77
Educational background
1. A qualified Indian Chartered Accountant
2. Graduation - Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Accountancy) – Christ University, Bangalore (CGPA 3.7/4 or 9.25/10)
Work experience:
1. Approximately 3 years of work experience in KPMG India in the Financial Due Diligence department (under the M&A transaction advisory department). I have also received a promotion in this job to the role of Senior Associate (where I have managed a team). I have worked on both buy side and sell side diligences of companies (including a couple of listed companies in India) across various industries.
2. Pre-qualification articleship experience (this is not full time employment) – 3 years in Grant Thornton in the statutory Audit department
Extra Curricular:
1. Have participated in several business case studies / festing competitions during my graduation. I have also been part of the organising committees of events hosted by my institution.
2. I am a regular quizzer and have continued to take part in quizzes
3. Certificate course on sport analytics
4. At high school level, I have been part of several clubs including being an office bearer for the interact club (School wing of the Rotary club) – [Not sure how relevant high school extra curricular is, but still putting it out]

Reason for MBA
Given my academic background and experience, I possess relevant technical skills in finance. I would like to take this as a first step to take up my leadership aspirations in the strategy and operational consulting fields. Further, as a long term goal, I also prefer to utilise such skills in the sport sector, to tap my skills in the area of interest. I feel, an MBA could help me streamline my skills to such goals.

Preferred schools & geographies:
1. I would like to know the best schools considering my profile and Gmat score (I do not have any specific restriction in geography).
2. I would also like to know if it will be a wise idea for me to write Gmat again, especially given that ISB’s Round 3 deadlines are by the third week of January.
3. Lastly, I would also like to understand, if I’d be recommended to work for some more time and gain experience, which may improve my chances in top schools later on. Having said this, please do let me know if this incremental experience will make a drastic difference, compared to pursuing an MBA in the upcoming cycle.
Requesting your evaluation basis the above points. Thanks
Hi ashwinnarayansr ! I hope you are doing well. Your profile seems to have a good potential with a great academic background as a Chartered Accountant, a 3.7 GPA in your Bachelor’s, and significant work experience in financial due diligence at KPMG, where you’ve earned a promotion to Senior Associate. However, your GMAT score of 645 is on the lower end for top-tier programs, which could hinder your competitiveness at schools like ISB, INSEAD, or U.S. top programs. While you have clear long-term goals in strategy and consulting with an interest in the sports sector, gaining additional work experience and improving your GMAT score (aiming for 20+ points) would strengthen your application. Given your current score, retaking the GMAT and applying in the next cycle after gaining further leadership experience could improve your chances at top schools.

If you’d like, we are happy to hop on a 1:1 call with you to discuss your profile in detail. Please feel free to schedule a profile evaluation call according to your convenience.

“Join Our Exclusive Webinar!"

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
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ashwinnarayansr - Your academic background (undergrad pedigree and GPA) are strong angles. The GMAT, is on the lower side particularly for schools such as INSEAD and ISB - a higher score can help increase chances.

The work-ex presents interesting angles as well, given the big-4 brand, M&A exposure and promotion. The career goals need some discussions/ brainstorming, and this in turn can help inform additional schools to consider.

If you're considering schools with a Jan intake, check out this article for details

Hope this helps a bit.Feel free to reach out for a deeper chat.

Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | Request a free chat
W: https://admitstreet.com | LinkedIn | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com


ashwinnarayansr
Hi, I am a 25 year old Indian male, looking to do an MBA between 2025 - 27.
My GMAT score: 645 – V84, Q85,D77
Educational background
1. A qualified Indian Chartered Accountant
2. Graduation - Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Accountancy) – Christ University, Bangalore (CGPA 3.7/4 or 9.25/10)
Work experience:
1. Approximately 3 years of work experience in KPMG India in the Financial Due Diligence department (under the M&A transaction advisory department). I have also received a promotion in this job to the role of Senior Associate (where I have managed a team). I have worked on both buy side and sell side diligences of companies (including a couple of listed companies in India) across various industries.
2. Pre-qualification articleship experience (this is not full time employment) – 3 years in Grant Thornton in the statutory Audit department
Extra Curricular:
1. Have participated in several business case studies / festing competitions during my graduation. I have also been part of the organising committees of events hosted by my institution.
2. I am a regular quizzer and have continued to take part in quizzes
3. Certificate course on sport analytics
4. At high school level, I have been part of several clubs including being an office bearer for the interact club (School wing of the Rotary club) – [Not sure how relevant high school extra curricular is, but still putting it out]

Reason for MBA
Given my academic background and experience, I possess relevant technical skills in finance. I would like to take this as a first step to take up my leadership aspirations in the strategy and operational consulting fields. Further, as a long term goal, I also prefer to utilise such skills in the sport sector, to tap my skills in the area of interest. I feel, an MBA could help me streamline my skills to such goals.

Preferred schools & geographies:
1. I would like to know the best schools considering my profile and Gmat score (I do not have any specific restriction in geography).
2. I would also like to know if it will be a wise idea for me to write Gmat again, especially given that ISB’s Round 3 deadlines are by the third week of January.
3. Lastly, I would also like to understand, if I’d be recommended to work for some more time and gain experience, which may improve my chances in top schools later on. Having said this, please do let me know if this incremental experience will make a drastic difference, compared to pursuing an MBA in the upcoming cycle.
Requesting your evaluation basis the above points. Thanks