Niche Aerospace Background, No Leadership Titles – How an Airbus Engineer with GMAT 695 Cracked Ross with a Scholarship: Mohit’s Story

[Intro by Arvind Kumar]

Mohit turned a niche aerospace background into a winning MBA story.

An electrical engineering graduate from RV College of Engineering, he joined Airbus in Bangalore, developing software for full-flight simulators used to train commercial pilots. Over four years, he worked on aircraft electrical and fuel systems, managing cross-functional stakeholders.

Coming from the over-represented pool of Indian male engineers, he knew he needed to stand out. His high GPA helped. His unique role at Airbus helped more. But he lacked formal leadership titles and volunteering experience – until he proactively joined a sustainability initiative at work just in time for his Ross application.

He took the GMAT twice, improving from 675 to 695 with a perfect 90 in Data Insights. Then came the real work: seven to eight CV iterations to quantify impact, essays that wove his limited anecdotes into compelling narratives, and mock interviews that prepared him for anything.

What sealed Ross for Mohit? An alumni network that responded warmly every time. A curriculum rich in operations and manufacturing electives. A deep emphasis on sustainability, close to his heart. His interviewer, a product manager in his target field, reinforced everything he had learned.

The result? A Ross MBA admit – with scholarship.

Background and Motivation

Mohit: I was born and brought up in Bangalore. I completed my engineering in electrical and electronics from RV College of Engineering in Bangalore, and after that, I joined Airbus in the flight simulation team. My role there was to develop and deliver the software used for training airline pilots. The work revolves around a device called a full-flight simulator. Pilots train on this device before they join and fly for commercial airlines. It is crucial that they are trained on the exact behavior of a real aircraft.

There are several different aircraft systems, and pilots need to be trained on the functioning of these systems and how they behave during a flight. My role revolved around developing the software for those systems, which was then delivered and integrated into a real-world simulator environment for pilot training.

Across my four years, I worked on several aircraft systems, such as the electrical system and the fuel system. My role extensively involved stakeholder management and dealing with multiple cross-functional teams to ultimately deliver these aircraft system models.

Mohit: There are actually two parts to this story. Initially, I wanted to pursue an MBA right after my undergrad. I was highly motivated by shows like Shark Tank, where they would present entrepreneurial ideas and discuss various business concepts, so I wanted to dive into an MBA immediately.

At first, I targeted programs in India and attempted the CAT exam. However, two to three years down the line, I realized that I wanted a more holistic evaluation of my profile. 

Simultaneously, through my actual work experience, I gained a clearer understanding of what I specifically wanted to transition into post-MBA. After four years of experience at Airbus, I decided to transition into an operations-focused role or something related to product management. 

That shift in perspective motivated me to start applying to programs outside India that offer a more comprehensive evaluation of a candidate’s profile, and that is how the journey truly started.

Challenges & Differentiating Points

Mohit: I will start with the strengths. Coming from an over-represented pool of Indian male engineers with a tech background, I believe my undergraduate performance was a major asset. Having a high GPA really counts because it signals to the admissions committee that you possess a strong academic work ethic capable of handling the rigorous MBA curriculum.

Secondly, my role at Airbus is quite niche, focusing on software development applied specifically to the aerospace domain. I believe that my unique background helped me stand out from other tech candidates.

Thirdly, through my essays and CV, I managed to build a very compelling narrative around why Ross specifically made sense for me. I clearly articulated how the skills gained from my engineering experience would transfer to my post-MBA goals and how I would successfully navigate that transition.

In terms of weaknesses, a primary challenge was a lack of formal leadership experience. Being only four years into the industry, I did not have formal leadership titles. To overcome this, I framed my essay narratives to highlight organic leadership qualities demonstrated through my project ownership and execution.

Another limitation was my lack of volunteering experience. Up until the application process, I did not have significant volunteer work in sustainability, an area I am deeply passionate about. Fortunately, during the application cycle, an opportunity came up to volunteer for a sustainability initiative within my company. This allowed me to strengthen that aspect of my profile right in time for the Ross application.

Application & School Strategy

Mohit: Initially, the GMAT felt a bit easier since I had already been preparing for the CAT exam, but I still wanted to have a more structured preparation. The exam structure is quite different, especially with the way it adapts based on your response to each question. To prepare for that, I first took a course by a test prep provider to get my basics sorted out. I also used some additional practice tests offered by the official MBA.com website, which really helped me understand the test structure and perform accordingly.

In my first attempt, I scored a 675 on the GMAT Focus Edition. Initially, I was satisfied with the score and thought I could use it to apply to my target programs. However, after some deeper self-reflection, conducting more research on the different schools, and speaking with you, I realized there was still scope for improvement. I decided to give it another shot.

During my second attempt, I managed to score a perfect 90 on the Data Insights (DI) section, which boosted my overall score to 695. I believe that the second attempt significantly contributed to increasing my chances across all the schools I was applying to.

Mohit: When it came to prioritizing schools, my initial lens was primarily geographic. I was targeting European programs first, largely because I had been working at a European company and was well-accustomed to that work culture. I naturally envisioned myself continuing in a similar environment post-MBA.

However, while interacting with you and diving deeper into the process, I realized the need for a more in-depth analysis of multiple factors. Since I was looking to transition into product management, I needed to identify schools that would best aid that specific career pivot, targeting brand names known for their strength in tech. Return on investment (ROI) was another crucial factor that weighed heavily on my decision-making.

Based on a combination of all these elements, we worked together to curate and prioritize a list of schools that best aligned with my career interests and personal motivations.

Mohit: One of the standout factors for Ross is its alumni network, which is incredibly friendly and collaborative. Whenever I approached alumni or current students, I always received a warm, friendly, and prompt response, which was a huge driver in choosing the school.

Secondly, I was looking for a traditional MBA curriculum, and Ross offers exactly that, alongside a rich selection of electives in manufacturing and operations, which aligns perfectly with my primary interests.

Additionally, the school places a strong emphasis on sustainability, preservation, and environmental initiatives. That is a focus area close to my heart, so I took it into consideration when applying.

Mohit: I started directly with the official Ross website. It maps out all the resources the school offers, so going through the various professional clubs, course offerings, and the overall curriculum structure was an essential starting point to familiarize myself with the program.

From there, validating that information by speaking with current students and alumni was incredibly helpful. When connecting with alumni, I didn’t just ask about their time at the school; I also focused on their current professional roles. Since many of them were in positions I aspire to reach post-MBA, it gave me a firsthand understanding of exactly how a Ross education helps you transition into those target industries.

Ultimately, speaking to as many people as possible and gathering those personal insights is invaluable. It not only confirms whether a school is the right cultural and professional fit for you but also provides the specific ammunition you need to draft compelling essays that clearly explain why that particular program makes sense for your trajectory.

Application Process

Mohit: When we started, my CV was tailored for standard job applications since I hadn’t updated it in a long time after joining Airbus. It was in a fairly rudimentary state for an MBA application. We went through close to seven to eight iterations to transform it into an MBA-specific resume.

During these iterations, you heavily emphasized showcasing the quantitative impact of my responsibilities. Putting numbers to my experience was a crucial shift.

Another eye-opening perspective you provided was around prioritization. Initially, I had just listed the projects and activities that were top of mind because I was working on them currently. However, you pointed out that my previous roles within the company actually spanned a longer duration and carried significant weight.

Highlighting those foundational experiences proportionally to their duration really helped shape the final CV into a balanced, impactful document.

Mohit: When it comes to essays, listing out your achievements is the easy part, but weaving them into a compelling narrative is where the real challenge lies. Initially, we focused heavily on building the right structure for each prompt.

Because I had a relatively limited set of professional anecdotes from my time in the industry, a huge part of our collaboration involved dissecting those same experiences to pull out different angles and thematic strengths.

Through multiple iterations, we were able to develop a structure that was not only concise but significantly more impactful. We focused heavily on the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to make sure the core story and my personal contributions were crystal clear.

Interview Experience

Mohit: My interview experience was very smooth. I was interviewed by a Ross alumnus who works in product management, which is the exact field I am looking to transition into.

The conversation had a great balance of motivational and behavioral questions, with no unexpected surprises. The interview itself actually validated the core insights I had already gathered about the school. For instance, it highlighted just how incredibly friendly and supportive the alumni network is.

Additionally, the interviewer reinforced Ross’s strong emphasis on core values like sustainability, which further confirmed that the school culture was a great fit for me.

Mohit: To start with my interview preparation, I listed down all the key experiences from my professional journey up to that point. I spent time reflecting on the specific transferable skills and qualities I could highlight through those milestones. This allowed me to build out a robust repository of anecdotes, and I mapped them against various potential questions to ensure I could showcase different dimensions of my personality and experience.

Following that, the mock interview sessions we did together were incredibly helpful for building up my confidence. We also practiced handling unexpected or surprise questions, which kept me mentally agile and ensured I knew exactly what to expect and how to compose myself during the actual interview.

Working with admitStreet

Mohit: Sure. I initially found you through a Google search, which led me to your LinkedIn profile, where I reached out. In the past, I had some disappointing experiences with admissions services, so being able to genuinely trust the person I was working with was an incredibly important factor for me. Right from our very first interaction, I felt a strong rapport and knew that collaborating with you would be highly beneficial.

We started with a profile evaluation, and you suggested that taking a second shot at the GMAT could significantly boost my chances and make my application stand out. I focused on that first. Once we had the new score, we sat down together to finalize my business school shortlist.

I deeply appreciated how structured your approach was. You laid out a clear timeline, mapping out exactly when we would finalize the CV, when each essay draft needed to be ready, and when the Letters of Recommendation (LORs) should be completed. Managing a demanding job alongside intensive MBA applications is incredibly challenging, and having that structured roadmap made it completely manageable.

Another major highlight for me was the video essay preparation. A few of my target schools required video components, which I initially found quite daunting. Having a live timer running while trying to deliver a structured answer was unsettling. The way you coached and motivated me through those practice sessions completely changed my approach and built my confidence.

Ultimately, from the interview prep all the way through the anxious waiting period for results, you were a constant source of motivation. Having that steady, positive support throughout the entire cycle made all the difference.

Advice for Prospective Students

Mohit: My first piece of advice is to start your preparation early. Beginning the process around five to six months before the application cycle opens gives you the necessary runway to handle all components and allows you to deeply reflect on your post-MBA goals. You do not need to have absolute, flawless clarity on day one, but having a strong initial direction is essential for crafting a compelling narrative.

Getting the GMAT or GRE out of the way early is also a game-changer. Sorting out your test prep first allows you to fully focus on the more time-consuming aspects of the application, like essays and recommendations, later on. Balancing this process with a demanding job is tough, so clearing the test early relieves immense pressure.

Last but not least, make sure you thoroughly explore all the resources offered by your target programs. Gathering specific, nuanced information helps you make an informed decision about school fit and provides the depth you need to clearly convey to the admissions committee why their exact program is the right vehicle for your career journey.

Arvind: That is incredibly sound advice. Thank you so much for your time, and I wish you all the absolute best for an amazing experience ahead at Ross!

Mohit: Thank you, Arvind!