Stepping into my 10 years long MBA dream!

How it started?

It was in 2008 when most of my classmates weren't much clear on what to do in short term and long term, I made a decision that I would first go for computer science engineering - because I love coding, and then MBA - because I had been involved in alot many leadership stuff in school and I love leading and managing teams.

I faced alot many difficulties to get into a decent engineering school and grab a seat that I wanted. But since I got a target, I was able to achieve it. It was then when I realized hard work and strong determination to achieve something can really help you achieve your goals.

I have already explained my Post engineering and GMAT journey. So, I will jump to how my MBA journey was and how I failed n times just to stand high.

Year 2016 - A big Failure - Rejected by 7 Schools without any interview call

Okay, Once I was done with my GMAT Exam, I thought it's the good time to apply for my MBA applications. I was a naive. I heard alot that I would need an admission consultant to go over the process. By talking to a few people and by reading reviews about one of the admission consultants - It is a big one in the market - I decided to go for it. Being a GMATClub moderator I got some special discounts. But despite that, the amount was alot. It was freaking $2200 for one school essays. This is alot of amount for an Indian Engineer. (It was the time when dollar was at its peak and literally it screwed my bank balance.)

I knew that I would need the help, so why not go with the best? So, I paid them the money. Since I was a naive, I didn't know what was bad or what was good. I thought whatever my consultant was guiding me was the best. I tried to replicate the same guidance for all the other schools and submitted my applications. I was excited that I have worked with such a great consultancy and I would hear good news very soon - atleast a few interview invites.

Result - No Call. All rejects. I got demotivated. I thought it was me who was at a fault and whatever my consultant told me was THE BEST.

Year 2017 - A big success - Currently I hold 3 admits with huge $$$ and 3 waitlists

Now what? I had two options - 1) Forget about MBA - I was already bankrupt and with zero results 2) Remind myself about my past experiences on how I struggled to get to an engineering school and stand up again to fight for it. I chose the 2nd one.

By this time, I knew that I was not going to get anything easily. I am a kind of person who has to fight against his luck with his very hardwork.

I talked to a couple of people. Rohit6 and souvik101990 told me about ApplicantLab. Both of them suggested me to go for it.

Since it was just for a few bucks, I thought let's go for it. I bought the tool and started working on it. I showed my last years Resume to a couple of people and everyone was like "Hey, did you really apply to Business schools with this resume?". I was highly embarrassed. Come on, I paid so much for this and now you are laughing at me on this resume?

My Essays writing journey started!

I thought let's use the tool to see how can I build my resume. Trust me: I got awestruck when I saw Maria's advice on how to build a resume for MBA school. At that time, I wanted to punch my consultant too badly. I mean how dare he made me make a resume that was the worst resume in the world. Maria has made a comparison on what a good resume is and how badly you can make your resume. And all the qualities of a bad resume were there in my old resume. It was a BS.

I worked on my resume again and followed the advice that was provided on the tool. I felt a bit confident that atleast I have made something better this year than what I did the previous year. This also made me realize that some of the "big" consultant companies are using their big names to get the business but are hiring low quality consultants to provide services.

I started using the advice mentioned and brainstormed myself to understand what should I write in the essays. Initially it seemed very difficult but later it became a cup of cake. There are many sanity checks that ensure that you are adding the information that the essay is looking for. The best thing is you have very specific information for every school.

I even realized that my previous consultant was not even providing me any direction or ideas to write my essays. He was just asking me to remove this and add something better. But ApplicantLab has very well explained videos for every school. Maria has provided alot many ideas/examples for you to think and has provided right directions to help you get further ideas.

Feeling more confident now, I started working on my first essay and this way I ended up submitting 10 applications within 30 days. I did use Maria's personal advice just to ensure I am not missing anything. I was more cautious this time because I wanted to get in anyhow. She advised me on what schools I should apply to and how should I make my story to catch the eyes of the reader. Finally She helped me fine tune my essays by guiding whatever I didn't notice while watching the videos.

Lucky and unforgettable Festival Day

It was Diwali night (A North Indian Festival) when I received my two interview invites within a span of 30 minutes. I got excited and started preparing for the interviews. I prepared all the general and behavioral questions and thought of tons of ideas I could use to answer those questions. This went in my favor. I prepared well and started receiving interview calls from a couple of more schools in the mean time. My interviews went awesome.

I ended up spending less than what I spent last year and got admitted to 3 schools with huge $$$s. Luckily, I started my part time business just to get out of the bad mood and it grew to heights I would have never thought of in my life. I was able to cover all admission process expenses easily. . Not only that, I have friends around the globe now and alot people know me now.

Now, I realize "Everything Happens for a Reason". I came to know alot about my potential, which I would have not realized last year. Today, I am more confident and strong than what I was an year ago.

It was 2 weeks after the interview of one of the schools that I came to know I got admitted and that too with unexpectedly high scholarship.

Advice for the applicants:

1. ApplicantLab has alot many good advises that can help you reach your dreams. I would say even if you are working with consultants, have the tool as your sanity checker. Had I knew this, I would have asked my consultant at that time - "Hey, what the hell are you trying to convert my resume into?". But looking at what I learned about myself in this one year makes me feel proud about myself.

2. If you are not self motivated to get into your schools, please don't think of applying. If you are motivated, do whatever it takes you to get into your dream school.

3. If you are an Indian IT male, you are already screwed. So, focus alot on your GMAT, profile building and your essays. Trust me, any one factor could lead you to get rejected.

4. Apply early in the application process (either early entry or R1) because this can really help you stand out. Otherwise it's a very tough job for later rounds.

5. Don't think of applying as a reapplicant. The waitlists/rejections I am holding are only from those schools where I applied last year as well. I would prefer deciding it now or never.

6. Select your schools wisely. Always have more reach schools than dream or safe schools.

Finally, I learned alot about myself in this journey and I have become a fighter than a looser. If I can, anyone can.

Feel free to shoot any questions or advice you need. I am happy to expand my debrief further to help you all.


_________________

Quite a motivational and enlightening post . Congratulations Abhimahna !!
you definitely are the famous personality of the gmatclub

You are very determined person and I believe that success in your journey is evident.

Keep the spirit up

Incredible journey abhimahna - from the RC ladder approach to looking at applicantlab modules together. We have come a long way. Cheers to more years of collab and helping each other out.

Posted from my mobile device
_________________

Many congratulations, inspiring story not only for typical Indian Engineering applicants but for all MBA aspirants.
Journey makes the end sweeter, All the Best for your MBA.

Congratulations Abhimahna! You are an inspiration to many of us. All the best for MBA


Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum

abhimahna. Thank you for this post and also your debrief. Congratulation for what you have achieved and thank you for helping others in their journey. I just created an account and explored applicant lab. Seems like a nice tool. Appreciate your insight.

Hey, I would like to thank you a lot for such kind of simplified and informative story.
Right now I am looking forward to a tough journey as my verbal sucks.
And thanks for mentioning those persons who helped you a lot on your journey. I would like the most to follow them all.

Sorry souvik if this is a dumb question, but I could not find the RC ladder approach. Can you please guide me to the right post which talks about it.

Can you please take on the below given questions:-
1. If you score good GMAT score then is it covers your academic transcript i.e Xth, XIIth, Bachelor's?
2. If we give 2-3 time GMAT for improvising our score then is it be notified in our application?
+1 Kudos

Hey VibhorGarg ,

Happy to help

Here are the answers:

1. If you score good GMAT score then is it covers your academic transcript i.e Xth, XIIth, Bachelor's? --> Yes and if you can give a solid reason for low/sub optimal scores in your high school.
2. If we give 2-3 time GMAT for improvising our score then is it be notified in our application? --> Nope, unless you explicitly mention that to the school. Some schools such as Columbia do ask for the number of attempts though.

I hope that helps!
_________________

I'm very happy for you!

How old were you when you applied for MBA and how much of an impact did that play on the admission process?

I was 28 yrs old and I think that's the perfect age to go for it!
_________________

Thanks for replying. I thought you were older when you applied considering you had been dreaming of it from 10 years. I was trying to find some similarities in your story.

Posted from my mobile device

Lol, sorry for that.

I started my MBA dream when I was 18
_________________

Good for you man.

It was at 27 that I thought of going for second master's. I was naive when I finished my MSc at 24 and kinda lost my way after that. At 26-27, I decided to pursue MBA but life took a different turn and now after 10 years I'm trying for it again. I am doubting myself now moreso after having been denied after an interview at Kenan Flagler. I don't know if I should re-apply or just let go of my dream.

Posted from my mobile device

Do not be so pessimistic. You do what you dream of with some rational. It is never too later. KF interviewed you and did not deny your application from the beginning. This means that they saw something in you but it did not probably show up during the interview. There are other schools who can accept you.

Thank you for your kind words.

I think I will be re-applying in October with a stronger application. With the last application, I was wrong with everything that I could do wrong with.
I prepared for GMAT for merely 2-3 months and appeared for the actual exam without a single Mock test. I wrote my essays in a rush in a matter of two days. I applied in the last round of admissions: Round 4. I wasn't prepared for interview as much as I should have been. I applied to only two schools Kenan-Flagler and Jenkins and they're not even in the same league. Jenkins is yet to give their decision but I think I will probably ask them to defer it for next year.

I will PM you soon.