Profile Evaluation

Question

Niharika Yadav

Academics: Scored 92.5% in Class 12 and 9.8 CGPA in Class 10 (CBSE). Graduated with an 8.79 CGPA in B.Com (Hons) from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University—one of India’s most prestigious undergraduate institutions for commerce.

Work Experience: Has 2 years of experience at Ernst & Young (EY) as an Audit Lead Associate, specialising in US GAAP and IFRS-based financial statements for major clients in the education sector. Received multiple high achieving awards—Exceptional Client Service and GDS User Recognition—for outstanding performance and client delivery.

*Entrepreneurship: Currently the Founder & CEO of Girls & Glitters ,a women-led event décor brand based in Delhi. Built the company from the ground up.

*Volunteered with multiple NGOs to teach and raise funds for underprivileged students. Founder and Director for section 8 NGO.

*Published research on the financial prospects of e-commerce in rural India. Certified in Financial Modelling, Google Data Analytics, and beginner-level Korean and Spanish. A trained dancer with multiple awards at intercollegiate cultural festivals like IIT Bombay, BITS Pilani, DU colleges.

Aiming for 720+ GMAT score

Please help me evaluate my profile

admitStreet · Answer

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ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hi  Niharika8 ,

There is definitely a lot working for you considering your academic pedigree, entrepreneurial experience, and professional background. Just focus on getting the GMAT out of the way; once you have a score you are satisfied with, you should look at shortlisting the programs. In case you are targetting the USA, you will need to check if your target schools accepts a 3 year undergrad degree.

Rest, ISB, will be a good choice too.

For now, the score is important as that will determine what you should be aiming for.

All the best!

MBADecoder · Answer

Hi Niharika, Nice to read your profile, especially because I am an Elsa as well. I know how the college helps develop well rounded individuals and I see that in your profile as well. Your work experience sounds above average but it will be important to get a sense of your quantifiable achievements, as you will need to put them down in your resume. If there aren't many of them, it will be helpful to wait a year before you apply. The entrepreneurial experience is a great add on to your profile. Continue doing this. Juggling a venture with a full time job is not easy and it speaks to your passion and determination. If you are making profits through this venture, it will be even more impressive. The volunteering gig rounds out your profile. Overall, I am quite satisfied with your profile and feel confident about your chances. This year may be a little early to apply as your work experience is on the lower side. I will suggest that you take the GMAT/ GRE. If you achieve a good score (705+/330+) then go ahead and apply, otherwise wait for a year and retake GMAT/GRE. I have seen high-potential applicants with lower work experience get admits to b-school; however, another year of experience will only make your profile stronger. Feel free to reach out for a deeper profile evaluation. Namita Garg, Founder, MBA Decoder Email: contact@mbadecoder.com Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation : https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/ Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011

ARINGO · Answer

Hi Niharika8
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, it looks good on the surface. On the work front, your time at EY adds serious credibility to your candidacy. Two years of hands-on experience in audit, especially working with US GAAP and IFRS, shows that you’ve been exposed to global frameworks and high-stakes client delivery.

Plus, your entrepreneurial streak is an add on. It not only showcases leadership, risk-taking, and creativity but it also brings in a completely different dimension to your profile. Plus, the fact that it’s women-led, adds a social and empowering layer that aligns beautifully with the values of many global MBA programs. Your target schools will appreciate this side of you, given their strong emphasis on social impact, values-driven leadership, and community contribution.

A few questions will help us assess your profile better.
1. What’s the long-term goal that’s motivating your MBA journey?
2. How are you planning to connect your corporate + entrepreneurial + social impact experiences into a cohesive story?

A 700+ score will definitely add great value to your profile, if you are planning to apply to top schools, they usually look for candidates with 3+ years of experience, make sure you add your answers to 'Why MBA?' and 'Why now?'

Feel free to connect- Click here
you can also email me at: profileevaluations@aringo.com or priyankak@aringo.com

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi Niharika8

A little late to your post, but I hope that my comments will give you some additional insights nevertheless.
You have a top-tier undergrad pedigree and strong work achievements to boast about in a short span of time. I work with a lot of audit candidates, and I also speak with many every year who do not make it to their dream schools for ding analysis. Since you are at the very beginning of your career, I would like to be candid and say that typical audit-type profiles come with their own set of challenges. The reason being that the general perception in the minds of adcoms is that audit profiles are very much focused on staying within boundaries, they can be overrepresented and often lack differentiation. Auditing is often seen as checklist-driven, compliance-focused, and retrospective in nature, irrespective of the industry focus, and more about validating what already happened, rather than driving business strategy or innovation. That doesn't scream "future leader" unless you connect the dots in the application.

These are elements that you could work on in the next 1-2 years to show strong takeoff points in your career. What are your goals? If you want to move into a specialised focus area/ industry it will help if you can try to make this switch pre MBA and it will open a lot of strategic roles for you post MBA.

I recently wrote my thoughts on this very topic here, feel free to read and prepare yourself better for the challenges that will come, but nothing that you will not be able to tackle with the right plan

Why Top B-Schools Overlook Audit Applicants (And How to Beat the Odds) : ISB

Feel free to connect directly and discuss your case.

Wondering how your profile stacks up? Get a free profile evaluation and discuss a tailored MBA plan that aligns with your goals.

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanchal-sahni-83b00819/ |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Niharika8

Niharika Yadav

Academics: Scored 92.5% in Class 12 and 9.8 CGPA in Class 10 (CBSE). Graduated with an 8.79 CGPA in B.Com (Hons) from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University—one of India’s most prestigious undergraduate institutions for commerce.

Work Experience: Has 2 years of experience at Ernst & Young (EY) as an Audit Lead Associate, specialising in US GAAP and IFRS-based financial statements for major clients in the education sector. Received multiple high achieving awards—Exceptional Client Service and GDS User Recognition—for outstanding performance and client delivery.

*Entrepreneurship: Currently the Founder & CEO of Girls & Glitters ,a women-led event décor brand based in Delhi. Built the company from the ground up.

*Volunteered with multiple NGOs to teach and raise funds for underprivileged students. Founder and Director for section 8 NGO.

*Published research on the financial prospects of e-commerce in rural India. Certified in Financial Modelling, Google Data Analytics, and beginner-level Korean and Spanish. A trained dancer with multiple awards at intercollegiate cultural festivals like IIT Bombay, BITS Pilani, DU colleges.

Aiming for 720+ GMAT score

Please help me evaluate my profile

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Thank you for sharing your profile @ Niharika8  ! You seem to have a multidimensional profile that stands out across academics, work experience, entrepreneurship, and extracurricular involvement. Your academic track record is good, with a 9.8 CGPA in Class 10, 92.5% in Class 12, and an 8.79 CGPA in B.Com (Hons) from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, a premier institution in India. A GMAT score above 720, which you're currently targeting, would further enhance your candidacy and demonstrate your academic readiness for a rigorous MBA curriculum.

Professionally, your experience looks diverse. With 2 years at EY as an Audit Lead Associate, where you worked on US GAAP and IFRS-based financials, you bring in-depth corporate experience from a globally respected firm. Your awards for exceptional service show that you performed at a high level and were recognized for it. In parallel, you've founded and grown Girls & Glitters, a women-led event décor business. Building a company from scratch while managing a corporate role speaks volumes about your entrepreneurial drive, time management, and leadership potential. This blend of Big 4 experience and entrepreneurship is compelling. You can take a look at this article on  MBA Application Tips: Do’s & Don’ts from a Successful Admit  .

Beyond work, your extracurricular profile also looks good. You've founded and led a Section 8 NGO, volunteered with various nonprofits, and even published academic research on e-commerce in rural India. Add to that your certifications in Financial Modelling, Google Data Analytics, and language skills in Korean and Spanish, you’re clearly intellectually curious and growth-oriented. Your cultural and creative edge as a trained dancer with accolades from top college festivals also adds a layer of uniqueness. Great job on all of it : ) . Read this blog on  Extracurricular Activities for MBA

At this stage, what will really elevate your profile is having clear and specific post-MBA goals. While you have the foundation for multiple potential paths, consulting, social impact, entrepreneurship, or strategy, it’s important to articulate your short-term and long-term vision in a way that ties into your past experiences and the value you want to create post-MBA. Schools are increasingly focused on applicants who show direction and clarity, not just ambition.   Ask yourself: Do you want to grow and scale your event business? Transition into consulting for consumer/retail brands or social enterprises? Build a platform empowering women in business? The answer should drive how you craft your MBA story.  
  READ this blog on "   Strategies to ace your “WHY MBA essay  ”

In terms of school fit, you're already competitive for leading international programs. For  ISB , you can be a nice fit: academic strength, Big 4 experience, strong leadership, and entrepreneurship are highly valued. For  INSEAD , your profile aligns well with their emphasis on global exposure and entrepreneurial initiative,  although adding some international experience , if even in a small capacity, could enhance your story. Explore LBS, Oxford, and Cambridge, can also be good options given your interests and leadership depth. Explore more MBA programs, that align well with you, and it is suggested to apply after you hit at least 3 years of experience.

To further strengthen your profile, continue to develop leadership stories from EY, your startup, and your NGO. Emphasize challenges overcome, decisions taken, and outcomes driven by your initiative. Start networking with alumni from your target schools to understand program fit and boost your credibility.  And above all, keep refining your personal narrative: why you, why now, and how an MBA bridges your past to your future.

Would you like any help framing your career goals, choosing schools strategically, or developing a timeline for applications? Happy to learn more about your journey.  Feel free to book a profile evaluation session.

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
 Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond

LilacBuds · Answer

OVERVIEW

@ Niharika , your profile is very competitive for top-30 MBA programs globally. You have solid academics, strong work experience, clear leadership and entrepreneurial impact, social contribution, and diverse extracurriculars. Let me break down your profile section-wise, discuss strengths, areas for improvement, and give tailored school-specific advice.

1.   Academic Credentials  
 
   Class 12:  92.5% (CBSE),  Class 10:  9.8/10 CGPA.  
   B.Com (Hons), Lady Shri Ram College, DU:  8.79 CGPA.

Assessment:  LSR is a feeder to top global grad schools; excellent academics.  
   Concerns:  None, but ensure GMAT score backs this up (targeting 720+ is good).

2.   Work Experience  
 
   EY, Audit Lead Associate (2 years):  Specialization in US GAAP/IFRS; high-performer awards.

Assessment:  Big 4 brand is strong; 2 years’ work ex (Less Experience for some programs but fine for ISB, Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD  ), already trusted to lead and client-face.  
   Concerns:  For US/Europe MBAs, avg work ex is 4-5 years. For ISB/INSEAD/UK, 2-3 is minimum, though you are at the lower end but leadership/impact can offset.

3.   Entrepreneurship  
 
   Founder & CEO - Girls & Glitters:  Built from scratch, women-led brand.

Assessment:  Startup founder is a differentiator. Demonstrates risk-taking, leadership, vision.  
   Concerns:  Show traction/results (revenue, growth, press, clients, social impact).  
   Advice:  Quantify impact in your resume/application.

4.   Social Impact  
 
   NGOs, Teaching, Fundraising, Founder & Director (Section 8 NGO):

Assessment:  Strong community focus, which is highly valued by INSEAD, HEC, Oxford, Cambridge, and ISB.  
   Advice:  Clearly articulate your  why  for impact, specific results/scale, and lessons learned.

5.   Additional Profile Strengths  
 
   Research Publication:  Adds academic depth.  
   Certifications:  Financial Modelling, Google Data Analytics = proactive upskilling.  
   Languages:  Adds to diversity angle (esp. strong for INSEAD, HEC Paris).  
   Dance & Cultural Awards:  Widens your extracurricular leadership.

Assessment:  Top programs like diverse interests; these show you’re multidimensional.

Target Schools  
  ISB  
 
   Strong fit.   
  Entrepreneurial, academic excellence, social impact and diverse interests are deeply valued.  
  Ensure mature goals (post-MBA) and how ISB uniquely fits in your journey.   
  INSEAD  
 
   Competitive profile, slightly on the younger/low exp. end.   
  International Experience is highly valued   
  Show how you’ll add to the class diversity, adapt in a high-competitive, global cohort.   
  HEC Paris, Oxford Saïd, Cambridge Judge  
 
   Excellent profile fit.   
  HEC values leadership and social impact.  
  Oxford/Cambridge look for well-rounded, impact-driven, academically strong candidates.  
  Highlight your entrepreneurial journey, impact, and how you will contribute beyond academics.   
  US Top-25 MBAs (Wharton, CBS, NYU, Cornell Johnson, Darden, Duke, Michigan, Georgetown, Tepper, UNC – KF etc)  
 
  Slightly light on work experience for US programs, specifically for M7 and few S10 Schools (avg is 4-5yrs). But you can apply to Schools like Darden, Duke, Michigan, NYU, Cornell, Tepper, McDonough, UNC for 2026 Intake.  
  For Europe/UK, Your profile is solid; for US, might need 1-2 yrs more for best shot at M7.

Strengths  
 
   Academics:  Consistently strong.  
   High-Impact Roles:  Leadership at EY and as a founder.  
   Awards/Recognition:  Multiple, across domains.  
   Entrepreneurial Achievement:  Built a business from scratch—rare at this early career stage.  
   Social Impact:  Genuine passion, proven record.  
   Well-rounded:  Extracurriculars, hobbies, research, languages.

Weaknesses/Areas to Improve  
 
   Work Experience:  Slightly low for the top US MBAs, but fine for ISB, INSEAD, HEC, Oxford, Judge (if you apply this year for 2026 Intake).  
   International Exposure:  While not explicit, you can emphasize global clients at EY, cross-cultural elements of your business, though for INSEAD and LBS, International experience adds value.  
   GMAT:  720+ is the right target; >730 even better. (675+ plus should be a target but 705+ plus will be desirable)

Suggestions/Next Steps  
 
   GMAT Focus:  Crack 675+, aim for 705+ if possible (even more for scholarships at INSEAD/HEC/Oxford and US Schools mentioned).  
   Resume/Application:  Quantify impact everywhere: people led, clients served, revenue grown, students reached, events managed, etc.  
   Essays:  Articulate your goals, why MBA, why now, and how each school is uniquely positioned to help you.  
   Recommendations:  Get strong recos that speak to your leadership/impact, not just your diligence.  
   Interviews:  Prepare ‘why you, why MBA, why now, why this school’—plus stories for leadership, teamwork, failures, and diversity.

If you can share more on the business traction, your post-MBA goals, and your international/cross-cultural exposure, even more tailored advice is possible.

Best  
  Rajiv Ganjoo  
  Founder CEO  
  LilacBuds  
  www.lilacbuds.com

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