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idliboba
Joined: 23 May 2023
Last visit: 24 Jun 2025
Posts: 51
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 6
Location: India
Schools: Kellog '27 (A)
10 May 2024, 19:57
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Hi everyone,
Sharing details of my profile. Would be great to get your views.
Basics:
27, M, Indian, Engineer (non IT). Currently general manager/chief of staff kind of role at a tech startup.
The hard facts:
GPA 6.5/10 (T2 Engg in India), GMAT 700 (Q46, V40). YOE - 4.
The interesting bits:
I run a 30 member division at my firm (specializing in digitising aspects of secured lending for financial services) - frequently drive high visibility and impact projects across business functions (product, sales, strat-ops). Improved all kinds of efficiencies and reduced plenty of costs.
I’m currently undertaking a consulting assignment with a leading development bank (think world bank/ADB/EIB) which may involve a fully sponsored trip to the target country (client is not Indian). No other in-person international experience, although I have worked with intl teams for ~2 years. I’ve also done pro bono consulting work in the past so there’s a link for impact and consulting.
Strong ECs in college with a mix of awards (non academic) and leadership (event organizing etc)
Post MBA:
Consulting ideally. Preferably ME. But not tied to one geography.
Target schools: INSEAD/LBS then Oxbridge
Considerations:
- I know my acads + GMAT are low. WLB is not great so retaking might not be possible. Is that a dealbreaker for INSEAD or Oxbridge? Hinging on my experiences
- Is the profile good enough for the target schools?
And general comments are welcome. Thanks
Sharing details of my profile. Would be great to get your views.
Basics:
27, M, Indian, Engineer (non IT). Currently general manager/chief of staff kind of role at a tech startup.
The hard facts:
GPA 6.5/10 (T2 Engg in India), GMAT 700 (Q46, V40). YOE - 4.
The interesting bits:
I run a 30 member division at my firm (specializing in digitising aspects of secured lending for financial services) - frequently drive high visibility and impact projects across business functions (product, sales, strat-ops). Improved all kinds of efficiencies and reduced plenty of costs.
I’m currently undertaking a consulting assignment with a leading development bank (think world bank/ADB/EIB) which may involve a fully sponsored trip to the target country (client is not Indian). No other in-person international experience, although I have worked with intl teams for ~2 years. I’ve also done pro bono consulting work in the past so there’s a link for impact and consulting.
Strong ECs in college with a mix of awards (non academic) and leadership (event organizing etc)
Post MBA:
Consulting ideally. Preferably ME. But not tied to one geography.
Target schools: INSEAD/LBS then Oxbridge
Considerations:
- I know my acads + GMAT are low. WLB is not great so retaking might not be possible. Is that a dealbreaker for INSEAD or Oxbridge? Hinging on my experiences
- Is the profile good enough for the target schools?
And general comments are welcome. Thanks
MBAGuide
Joined: 24 Jul 2019
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 2,358
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 28
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Marketing
Schools: Insead Sept'18 (A$$) ISB '19 (A)
10 May 2024, 20:30
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idliboba
idliboba I am not affiliated with applicant lab but I have a lot of experience with INSEAD admissions and other european schools so I decided to pitch in.
Your are very right in recognising that a low GPA, non feeder undergrad college and a below average GMAT for your demographic (Indian male) will put a lot of weight on your professional experiences and growth trajectory. What is the scale of business of the tech startup you are currently working at? How has the startup growth during the period of your association? Is this the only job you have had? I cannot see the upward career trajectory very clearly (very important for INSEAD and LBS). For example, it's different when you are awarded incremental growth opportunities and responsibilities every year than when you have spent your entire corporate career in one role.
What about promotions?
I will wait to hear more how you pitch your growth journey, but I am less optimitic about INSEAD and LBS, especially if you do not take the GMAT exam. Many male applicants I have talked to recently try to sweep the importance of a high GMAT score under the rug and still want to apply to Top 5 global programs with a sub optimal score. On the brighter side, I am quite optimistic about your chances at Oxford and Cambridge which are both great options considering the extended visa benefits. If you are keen to work in the middle east, I highly recommend IESE and HEC Paris. My candidates have managed impressive tech pivots in the current economy in the recent months at these schools.
Happy to advise you further
Get a free personalized advice session tailored to your specific situation in the B school application journey. We do not cap discussion hours with our applicants.
Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alum, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- [email protected]
idliboba
Joined: 23 May 2023
Last visit: 24 Jun 2025
Posts: 51
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 6
Location: India
Schools: Kellog '27 (A)
10 May 2024, 22:21
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Bookmarks
MBAGuide
Very interesting points - thanks Aanchal.
To answer your questions:
Revenue of the startup is now 2.5M USD annually. Size is ~150 people. Clientele is A list banks and NBFCs in India. I joined while it was still pre revenue.
I’ve had 2 promotions here in my 2.5 year stint. Timelines - 6 months, 8 months. No further growth with respect to position because it’s a chief of staff/ GM sort of role. I work with the founders and am one of the top operators at the firm. When you talk about leadership examples - I have plenty. I also work closely with the C suites or senior management among our clientele. Sometimes that means partners at Big 4 and the like.
Prior to this experience I spent about 2 years working on consulting projects - they were pro bono in the impact space. Nothing crazy here.
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