Hi all, requesting a profile evaluation and target GMAT FE Score.
Male, 26
Academic Profile:
- X- 9.2 CGPA (CBSE)
- XII- 92.4% (Commerce with Maths-CBSE)
- Graduation: B Com LLB – 8.15/10 CPI (equivalent 76.5%) (Nirma University, Ahmedabad – through CLAT) (top 5 private law school in India)
Professional Experience (3.9 years as on March 31, 2025):
- July 2023 to present: Working as a tax and impact finance consultant at a tier 1 law firm in India (Trilegal)
- Tax: Have been advising and representing clients on direct, indirect and international tax (a rarely skill set, as most lawyers / CA specialize in either direct or indirect tax) from an advisory, policy and litigation perspective. Clients are primarily based in technology / digital (crypto, fintech, gaming, marketplace, social media, software), PE / VC, BFSI and private client space (HNIs etc.), and range from some of the leading fortune 500 companies to early stage and growth startups.
- Impact Finance: Working in a niche area where finance and social sector are at intersect. My role involves assisting in finding structuring solutions for clients for implementing blended finance structures which are kosher from tax, FCRA, CSR and an Indian legal perspective. The variety of clients advised includes global philanthropies, impact focused funds, CSR implementing agencies, etc. Further, the list of sectors in which I have advised includes, climate finance, carbon credits, skill finance, WASH, etc. Key work highlight from a policy perspective includes advising the apex public policy think tank in India and an industry body promoting the alternate capital industry on setting up a climate bank for mobilising green capital to assist in meeting the net-zero target by 2070.
- I have been acting as a point of contact for some key client relationships, and simultaneously played associate level role in the team on various other assignments. I am due for promotion this next year (typically in Indian law firm structure, promotions are made after 4 years PQE).
- April 2021-June 2023: Worked as a tax consultant at one of the best international tax law firm in India (Nishith Desai Associates): Nature of work and role (similar to tax function described above).
Post MBA Goal: Pivot from a niche sector of legal consulting to broad based management and strategic consulting role + move towards business side from legal domain.
Extra Curricular: Have written over 30+ publications (individually and co-authored) on various topics which have been published in newspaper editorials, professional journals (ISSN numbered), magzines (taxmann, taxsutra, etc.) and blogs (International Bar Association), and policy papers with reputable think tanks (Dialogue, Bharat Web3 Association). Further, have taken training sessions for a few corporates, and law schools. Active member of the Corporate law cell during the law school. Merit-cum mean scholar in college (received 75% waiver on tuition fees).
LOR: Have a good relationship with the Partner in whose team I am working – should be able to get a decent LOR. Any other recommendation for a LOR is also welcome.
- Can you help me in determining the target GMAT FE score (including a range to get shortlisted for scholarship)?
- Any suggestions on profile?
- I have started preparing for GMAT since July 2024 only, and applying in R1 (my previous target to increase scholarship chances) seems over-ambitious (not able to devote more than 12-15 hrs in a week). From a strategic perspective, should I target R1 with a modest GMAT score or R2 with a better GMAT score?
- My goal is to work for MBB, and remain in India over a long term horizon. So, should I keep international business schools as well in consideration, or focus on ISB only?