Profile Evaluation & Guidance for 2026/2027 intake

Question

Hi,
I’m planning to apply to B-schools for the 2026/2027 intake and would appreciate feedback on my profile—strengths, gaps, and areas to improve before applying.
Profile Overview
Education & Test Scores:
 
 B.Tech + M.Tech (Dual Degree), IIT Kharagpur (Entrepreneurship & Innovation Micro-Specialization) 
 GMAT: Planning to take it in  Mid-March   
Work Experience (3+ years by matriculation)
 
 Vertical P&L Lead,  Covvalent  (Nexus Partners Backed Startup): Commercialized 8+ chemicals for 5+ enterprise clients, built $45M+ sales pipeline, and expanded into the U.S. ($1.5M ARR). Optimized working capital (CCC ~50% of industry avg.), securing WC lines with banks & NBFCs. Established a sustainable supply chain accounting to a 12% reduction in carbon footprint 
 Strategy & Operations: Led B2B expansion via a full-stack IP/design-led model, targeting a $50B+ market. Drove a 20% sales cycle reduction and 99.7% OTIF through OKR-driven execution. 
 Product & AI ( Sprinklr ): Led $12M ARR chatbot projects, integrated ChatGPT & BARD, trained 200+ consultants  
Leadership & Extracurriculars
 
 General Secretary Social & Cultural, IIT Kharagpur Student Gymkhana, Managed 50+ members, secured 1st-ever Inter IIT Cultural Meet win, and allocated a ₹2M budget for campus-wide initiatives. 
 Social Impact: Led COVID relief campaigns, NGO volunteering, and education initiatives for underprivileged students.  
Target Programs:
M7, LBS, INSEAD
Would love insights on positioning my P&L ownership, product & AI experience, and startup leadership, and areas to strengthen before applying. Also I am planning for a job switch wherein I would be working as a part of the  GTM  team for an AI company pitching and conducting demos for potential clients.

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Hi soumya_patel31 ! Your profile stands out with some good differentiators, P&L leadership in a startup, deep product & AI experience, and strategic expansion work in B2B and international markets, complemented by your IIT Kharagpur background and leadership roles. These factors make you a compelling candidate for M7, LBS, and INSEAD, but there are key areas to strengthen before applying. First, your 3+ years of experience at matriculation is on the lower end for these programs, making it crucial to highlight the depth of your impact rather than just tenure. A job switch to a GTM role in AI could enhance your profile if framed strategically, but frequent moves may raise concerns about stability. Second, without a GMAT score, it’s hard to assess competitiveness, but a 675+ GMAT FE score for M7, LBS/INSEAD would be ideal, especially given the competitive IIT applicant pool. What's your latest mock score? Third, your story must clearly align with your post-MBA vision, whether in product leadership, AI-focused consulting, or tech strategy. Funding considerations also matter, as M7s rarely prioritize scholarships for younger candidates, whereas LBS and INSEAD may offer better options if your impact is well-positioned. To strengthen your candidacy, prioritize GMAT prep, ensure your job switch builds leadership and client-facing skills, and craft a clear, compelling narrative that aligns your experience with your post-MBA goals. With these refinements, your profile is well-positioned for top programs. You can take a look at BLOG1 and BLOG2. If you’d like, we are happy to hop on a 1:1 call with you to learn more about your profile and provide a detailed evaluation and gauge your chances to the best-fit schools. Please feel free to schedule a profile evaluation call according to your convenience. “Join Our Exclusive Webinar!” “Bonus Offer: Get 4 schools for the price of 3 - Maximize your chances!” Limited slots available - Book your Profile Evaluation Now! Cheers! Shantanu Sharma Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond Email: valuecreation@mbaandbeyond.com

MBAGuide · Answer

soumya_patel31 hope this finds you well. You have a solid academic arc—that's always a good starting point. You did not mention what you want to do in the long term, so I’m not entirely clear on how your next job in GTM for AI products will fit into the larger vision. However, in terms of story lining potential, there is plenty for you to elaborate on. Rather than pitching your achievements as how you did in your brief, the greatness of which can be difficult for the reader to grasp, focus on the problems you solved for the industry or company. Start basic. To give you a simple example, "Commercialized 8+ chemicals for 5+ enterprise clients, built a $45M+ sales pipeline, and expanded into the U.S. ($1.5M ARR)" doesn’t evoke any feeling because I don’t understand what exactly you are going on about. But if you set the context that you category-managed business in a startup solving the sourcing and supply chain challenges for the specialty chemicals market globally(solving what challenges there for various companies/ countries), that would stick. Focus on impact —and it doesn’t always have to scream numbers. You need to go deep into how you positively impacted your market, clients, customers, and colleagues. At the same time, how did the experiences transform you as a person/professional. Also, emphasize learning . Speak about the thought leaders you have closely worked with and learned from. You need to unpack your experiences and reconstruct your stories to demonstrate that working on business-oriented projects in your current organization has equipped you with direct engagement with leadership, hands-on experience, experiential maturity, and the ability to contextualize business problems specific to your area of work- better than many profiles applying with similar age and experience. Admissions officers have a weakness for applicants who are, in the well-traveled term, "passionate" about pursuing their dreams. It is only human to respond to enthusiasm. Schools will use the essays to make an indirect assessment of the quality of your mind and thought process. Do you think critically about the problems in your company or industry? Can you craft a compelling case that links your past, your goals, and your respective target schools? What is your unique story? You'll need to be strategic with your professional storytelling to justify your candidacy beyond the academic stats. Feel free to speak for a deeper discussion 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

soumya_patel31 · Answer

Hi Shantanu,
Thank you for your insights, Will schedule a 1:1 at the earliest to understand more.
Regards

ARINGO · Answer

Hey soumya_patel31
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, it looks good on the surface. Your academic history from IIT Kharagpur, especially with the Entrepreneurship & Innovation focus looks great.
I think what really stands out is your experience. Leading P&L, commercializing those chemicals, and especially the working capital optimization – that's gold. Also, scaling into the US market and building that kind of pipeline is another achievement and then your Sprinklr experience, diving into chatbot projects and AI integration, shows you're definitely keeping pace with the tech world.

Your leadership in the Student Gymkhana and the social impact work are also amazing ways to show the adcoms that you're a well-rounded individual. For your target schools, you should aim for a score close to 705 or above. I would also like you to highlight how your GTM role at the AI company fits into your overall story? Plus, what are your long-term goals?

FEEL FREE TO CONNECT FOR A 1:1 DETAILED DISCUSSION
Click here to connect.
You can also email me at: priyankak@aringo.com

TheRedPen · Answer

Hi  soumya_patel31 ,

You have a strong profile with a good foundation for top MBA programs. Here's a breakdown:

Strengths:

Strong Work Experience: Your experience at Covvalent is impressive.
P&L ownership and driving significant revenue growth are major achievements.
Focus on optimization (working capital, sales cycle) demonstrates a strong analytical and results-oriented mindset.
Experience in product development and AI integration aligns well with current industry trends.
Leadership Experience: Your role as General Secretary of the Student Gymkhana and your leadership in the COVID relief campaigns demonstrate your leadership and organizational skills.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: Your experience with the startup and your focus on innovation showcase your entrepreneurial drive and ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities.
Academic Excellence: Your graduation from IIT Kharagpur with a strong academic record is a significant asset.
Areas to Consider:

GMAT Score: While you haven't mentioned your GMAT score, aim for a score of 720+ to be competitive for top-tier programs.
International Exposure: While your work at Covvalent may involve some international interactions, actively seeking international experiences (e.g., short-term projects, travel, volunteering abroad) can further enhance your profile.
Career Goals: Clearly define your post-MBA career goals. How will an MBA help you achieve your aspirations in the tech industry or other sectors?
Quantify Achievements: In your essays and interviews, quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use data and specific examples to illustrate your impact in your previous roles and extracurricular activities.

Positioning Your Experience:

P&L Ownership: Emphasize the impact of your P&L ownership on Covvalent's growth. Quantify your achievements by highlighting revenue growth, cost reduction, and other key performance indicators.
Product & AI Experience: Highlight your experience with product development, AI integration (ChatGPT, BARD), and your ability to lead and execute projects successfully.
Leadership in Student Gymkhana: Emphasize the skills you developed as General Secretary, such as team management, budgeting, event planning, and stakeholder management.

We can help you work on your Target Schools list as your profile has good potential.

Key Strategies:

GMAT Preparation: Dedicate sufficient time to GMAT preparation and aim for a score in the 720-740+ range.
Compelling Essays: Craft compelling essays that highlight your unique experiences, career goals, and fit with the program.
Strong Recommendations: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your leadership abilities, work ethic, and potential.
Networking: Connect with alumni of your target schools to gain insights and potential mentorship.
Interview Preparation: Practice common interview questions and develop effective communication skills.

By focusing on these areas and leveraging your strengths, you can increase your chances of admission to top-tier MBA programs. Feel free to  schedule a complimentary call  with our MBA consultants. You can also connect with them via call or WhatsApp at +91 7780769732

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