Profile Review | 685 GMAT Focus | Marketing background

Question

Hey everybody! I'm Siddhartha from India, and I'm in the process of shortlisting schools that would be relevant to my profile. I'm seeking help from experts, admissions folks, alumni, admits, and whoever was in a similar situation before.

GMAT:  685 (97th percentile) - Q89 V84 DI79

About me 
Indian, Marketer, Male

UG Details 
University: University of Delhi
Degree: B.A. Hons (English Literature)
CGPA: 6.23/10 (Weak point - although our course was low scoring)
POR: President, Bricolage (Literature Festival)

Work Experience

Full time:

Marketing Head of India’s biggest luxury eyewear retailer (June 2023 - July 2024)
 
 Complete ownership of marketing, branding, strategy and e-commerce 
 Scaled their e-commerce revenue by more than 4X during my tenure 
 Improved conversion rate by 30% 
 Optimized performance strategy and maintained a blended ROAS of ~6 
 Managed a team of writers, designers, developers and agencies    
 Content and SEO Manager at boAt Lifestyle (May 2021 - June 2023)
 
 Got 2 back to back promotions within 14 months (started as a Copywriter > Content Lead > Content and SEO Manager) 
 Complete ownership of three verticals - Content, SEO and Retention. 
 Scaled revenue from retention channels by ~800% during my tenure 
 Scaled organic visibility from 3 keywords in Top 3 of SERP to 72 keywords in Top 3 of SERP (non-branded) 
 Awarded with the ‘Star Sailor’ accolade at the annual company awards.   
 Copywriter at Frogideas - a B2B focused marketing agency (Nov 2018 - May 2021)
 
 Got first-hand experience of working with Fortune 500 brands like Bosch, Tata and Twitter. 
 Lead copywriter for the launch of Oaksmith Gold and Oaksmith International - Japanese blended whisky in the IMFL category which today have occupied a significant market share and have won multiple international accolades too. 
 Worked on an award winning campaign for Bosch called Spirit of the Ride.    
 Part time

Built and executed the SEO strategy for Britannia’s CSR campaign.  
 Entrepreneurial

Founding member of an outdoor advertising business that dealt with LED based advertising to allow businesss to communicate better through videos, which was earlier ununavailable in India. Exited 6 months post setting because of job change. The business is still running. 
 In the process of building an FMCG brand in the home and kitchen hygiene space. Company registered and will move into production soon.  
 Extra curricular activities 
Writing non-fiction, making comics, playing football, reading

Post MBA Goals

Short term: Strategy / Growth / Digital product management at leading e-commerce brands / consumer brands.  
 Long term: Industry leader in driving growth for digital-first brands.  
Until now, my target schools are ISB, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and INSEAD. I'm not sure about American schools, or other top B-Schools in the EU. My logic is, if I don't get a Top 15 program, I don't want to spend that huge chunk of money on any other program. I'd rather stay in India and try to get into ISB/IIMs. Scholarship is another major factor for me.

Any suggestions and advice would be very helpful, and I'll be grateful for your kindness. Thank you!

TheRedPen · Answer

Hi  JSiddhartha ,

Your profile demonstrates strong academic achievement, professional experience, and entrepreneurial drive. Your experience in marketing, particularly in the digital space, coupled with your leadership roles, positions you well for top MBA programs.

Your roles in marketing, advertising, and entrepreneurship showcase your versatility and adaptability. Your entrepreneurial ventures and leadership positions demonstrate your ability to take initiative and drive results.
Your undergraduate degree from a top Indian university and subsequent academic achievements highlight your intellectual capabilities.

While your initial focus on ISB, IIM Ahmedabad, and INSEAD is understandable, exploring other top-tier programs in the US and Europe can broaden your options. Schools like Wharton, Kellogg, and Booth might also be suitable given your profile.

Many top MBA programs offer merit-based scholarships. Focus on building a strong application that highlights your achievements and potential to contribute to the program.

To optimize your chances of admission, would you like to  schedule a free consultation  with one of our MBA experts to delve deeper into your profile and develop a tailored application strategy? We can help you maximize your chances of admission to your target schools. Our contact number is +91 7780769732.

kingbucky · Answer

Hi Siddhartha,

Thank you for sharing your profile! You have a strong background in marketing with impressive achievements, particularly in scaling e-commerce revenue and leading teams. Your GMAT score of 685 is solid, especially considering your percentile ranking, and your work experience is quite compelling.

Here are some suggestions and advice for your MBA application journey:

1. Target Schools: Your current list of ISB, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and INSEAD is excellent. Given your goals and profile, you might also consider adding a few top U.S. and European schools that have strong marketing and e-commerce programs. Schools like Wharton, Kellogg, and LBS could be good fits. Research their programs to see if they align with your career aspirations.

2. Addressing Weak Points: While your CGPA is a concern, your professional achievements and leadership roles can help mitigate this. In your application, focus on how your experiences have shaped your skills and leadership abilities. Highlight your impact in your roles, especially your quantifiable successes.

3. Scholarships: Since scholarships are a priority for you, research schools that offer merit-based scholarships and consider applying to those. Many top programs have substantial funding available for strong candidates, so be sure to highlight your achievements in your applications.

4. Networking: Connect with alumni and current students from your target schools. They can provide valuable insights into the application process and help you understand what each program values. This can also help you tailor your application to each school.

5. Post-MBA Goals: Your short-term and long-term goals are clear and well-defined. Make sure to articulate how each program aligns with these goals in your essays. Schools appreciate candidates who have a clear vision of their career path.

6. American Schools: If you're considering U.S. schools, look into programs that have a strong focus on marketing and digital strategy. Schools like Columbia, NYU Stern, and MIT Sloan could be worth exploring.

7. Application Strategy: Since you’re focused on top programs, ensure that your application is polished and showcases your unique story. Consider working with an admissions consultant if you feel you need additional guidance.

Overall, you have a strong profile, and with the right strategy, you can make a compelling case for your admission to top programs. Best of luck with your applications!

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Hey,  JSiddhartha

Great profile overall, with a GMAT FE score of 685. Considering your 5.7 years of experience in marketing, you can be regarded as a potential candidate for MBA programs. Even though your CGPA is lower, your professional achievements and leadership roles can help mitigate that.

Your well-rounded profile, complemented by these extracurricular experiences, underscores your ability to balance multiple responsibilities and contribute positively to the academic community. Your choice to pursue strategy, growth, or digital product management aligns with the capabilities of leading MBA programs, and this shows that you are clear about your career objectives, which is something that appeals to the adcoms.

Prioritizing the top MBA programs is wise for better ROI through career opportunities and networking. Scholarships, like those from INSEAD, can offset international education costs. If unsure about U.S. or European schools, consider top European options like LBS or HEC Paris, though they may be expensive. If you don't secure a spot in a top program, ISB or IIMs in India are strong alternatives.

We’d be happy to discuss your profile in more detail to enhance your application’s competitiveness.    Feel free to schedule a complimentary profile evaluation session with our experts  . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools.

ARINGO · Answer

Hey JSiddhartha

I am Priyanka, Client Manager at ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, you have a decent GMAT score and when coupled with your professional experience, especially leading the marketing team for a major luxury brand, your profile looks strong. One major thing that concerns me is your low GPA. Do you have any additional certifications which can compensate for the GPA. Apart from being a 'low scoring course' is there any other valid reason for your GPA, or can you justify your scores being in the top percentage of your class?

I think your focus on ISB, IIM A and IIM B is spot on, given your strong Indian experience. However, considering your global mindset and career aspirations, exploring top European and US schools like HEC, Haas, Yale and Marshal could also be a great option. These programs often offer unique perspectives and have very strong alumni networks.
For scholarships, I’d be very honest, you will have to work on your GMAT score and build a very very strong narrative around your application.

I would also request you to throw some light on a few questions which will help me analyze your profile and give a better evaluation

1. Why are ISB, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and INSEAD your top choices? What specific aspects of these programs align with your goals?
2. How do you plan to contribute to the diversity of the MBA program?
3. What are your expectations from an MBA program, and how do you envision yourself leveraging the alumni network?

I'd love to learn more about your goals and explore your profile in greater detail. Feel free to connect for a detailed analysis.

Click here to connect for a detailed profile analysis.
You can also email me your CV at: priyankak@aringo.com
Good Luck!

Profile Review | 685 GMAT Focus | Marketing background

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