Pursuing an MBA at a top U.S. business school had always been Anirudh’s dream.
With a B.Tech from IIT Hyderabad and ~6 years of experience in market research, his career spanned both Big 4 and boutique consulting firms like Zinnov, Deloitte and Netscribes.
Despite a hectic work schedule, he secured a GMAT Focus Edition score of 645 – a bit on the lower side for top programs. In the previous application cycle, he had applied to several US MBA programs (working with another consultant) but unfortunately couldn’t convert any of them.
This time, he was determined to turn things around. Given the intense competition at top U.S. schools, he knew that crafting strong applications and acing interviews were essential to stand out beyond just numbers.
When he first reached out to me (admitStreet) in May, his questions were direct and thoughtful. He was well aware of the strengths and challenges in his profile and was looking for a mentor who could guide him through the process.
From the start, I believed in his profile and made sure he had the confidence as well. We began by prioritizing the right mix of Ambitious, Reach, and Safe B-schools, factoring in his GMAT score, career goals, and overall fit.
Over the next six months, we worked meticulously on every aspect of his application. Brainstorming sessions helped uncover compelling anecdotes, multiple iterations/ feedback refined his CV and essays, and mock interview sessions sharpened his delivery.
All the effort paid off. Anirudh secured admission to Georgetown McDonough and Rice Jones MBA, the latter with an $80K scholarship!
This success story dives into Anirudh’s background, his motivation for an MBA, his application strategy, interview experience, and advice for future applicants.
Over to Anirudh to share his journey in his own words!
Background
I am Anirudh, a 2019 graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science from IIT Hyderabad.
For the past five years, I have been working in market research-based consulting across big-4 and boutique consulting firms.
I have worked across various industries, and my work has focused on building market intelligence, company intelligence, and industry intelligence reports. In these roles, I have successfully managed multiple projects, translating complex data into clear, concise reports that have helped clients make informed decisions.
Motivation to Pursue an MBA
An MBA has always been at the back of my mind since my undergraduate years, but I became firm on this decision during my minor in Entrepreneurship.
I was fortunate to be taught by industry leaders such as Ajay Chowdhary, one of the founding members of HCL, and BVR Mohan Reddy, Chairman of IIT Hyderabad and founder of Cyient, along with many other inspiring leaders and entrepreneurs. Listening to them sparked my curiosity about the different functions involved in a business and deepened my desire to learn every aspect of it.
Further being associated with the management consulting industry has further honed my interest in doing an MBA. Here are the primary reasons:
Upskilling: To excel further in my career and become an influential leader in my field, I believe an MBA is the right path. It will help me gain a broader perspective, develop holistic thinking, refine my current thought process, and enhance my understanding of various business fundamentals.
Reskilling: Having worked in market research consulting for the past five years, I now aspire to transition into strategy and management consulting, where I can work on more in-depth problem statements. An MBA will equip me with different frameworks, strengthen my problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and sharpen my mental agility.
Overall Personality Development: My undergraduate journey transformed me completely. Before that, I was reserved and shy, but interacting with diverse peers throughout my studies helped me open up and develop confidence. At this stage, I believe an MBA will play a similar role by further shaping my personality through collaboration with a diverse cohort, learning from their experiences, and gaining new perspectives on the business world.
Application Strategy
My priority was to secure admission to one of the top schools in the US.
After reviewing the rankings, I maintained an Excel sheet to track key details such as class size, employment numbers, average GMAT, GPA, and other essential information. Using this data, I identified schools that aligned with my career goals and where I felt I would be the best fit.
Next, I reviewed each school’s application criteria to ensure I had all the necessary information and created a roadmap for my application process. This approach helped me stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Following Arvind’s advice, I attended info sessions for all my target schools. I participated in in-person events hosted by schools in Hyderabad and joined virtual admission sessions, where I asked all the questions I had in mind. Additionally, I reached out to current students and alumni on LinkedIn, and many were kind enough to respond and have detailed conversations.
Overcoming Challenges
One of my major concerns was my GMAT score, which wasn’t as high as I had hoped. However, after reading success stories of applicants with similar scores who had secured admits, I remained motivated.
I focused on telling my story authentically and compellingly in my essays and interviews.
I would also like to thank Arvind, especially in this regard, because he was the one who cleared all my doubts, supported me and motivated me that I can still make it to the top schools with my GMAT score.
Unique Selling Points
The main factor that I believe made my application stand out was authenticity. In both my essays and interviews, I was direct about what I want to do, why I want to do it, and what motivates me. I structured the events of my life in a logical flow and presented them compellingly to the admissions committee, which played a key role in securing my admits.
The combination of my academic background and professional experiences – where I demonstrated leadership, resilience, and communication – helped me build a strong application for MBA programs.
Interview Experience
My interview experience was smooth, thanks to Arvind’s guidance. He helped me calm down and be prepared for the interview. The key to a successful interview is remaining calm, composed, and confident.
Georgetown’s interview was straightforward and aligned with the questions Arvind had shared, making preparation easier.
By the time I interviewed with Rice, I was at my peak confidence level. I answered every question in a very clear and comfortable way. It didn’t feel like an interview as the interviewer was also very cool and it was more like a conversation with a current student. I felt most positive at the end of the Rice interview, and I was fairly confident I would make it.
The interview prep document from Arvind was one of my most valuable resources. We had a follow-up discussion on key points to highlight, and mock interviews helped refine my responses. Mocks help you understand what is lacking, which points need to be stressed upon and how to make it more personalized.
Speaking with current students and alumni also provided insights into campus activities and differentiators that I incorporated into my responses, demonstrating my genuine interest in the schools. I also highlighted various food options and nearby attractions in those places, which I guess worked in my favor.
Experience with admitStreet
Firstly, I would like to state that if not for Arvind, I don’t think I would have gotten admits from the colleges I did (Georgetown McDonough & Rice Jones). From our initial conversation in May/June 2024 until the end of the application process in December 2024, Arvind provided unwavering support.
I loved the personalized approach Arvind takes when he works with someone. He conducted in-depth discussions to understand my profile and career aspirations, ensuring that the right elements were highlighted in my applications. His structured planning, including an application tracker, which is like a project management tracker, helps you keep on your toes, work hard and stay motivated during the application process.
Unlike other consultants, Arvind encouraged me to freely express my thoughts in my essay drafts without restricting word limits initially. He did not impose a word limit or ask me to shorten my writing. This was immensely helpful because it allowed me to fully express my thoughts and story. He then reviewed my writing and suggested which parts were most important and how they could be presented more effectively.
For the essays, he also guided me on structuring the flow. The beginning and end of a story are crucial, and he will help you organize your thoughts and tailor your story based on the essay prompt.
During the interview process, Arvind ensured I understood how to be authentic, present myself effectively, and highlight key points. This helped me gain confidence in my story and present it well to the admissions committee.
Advice for Prospective MBA Applicants
- The first step is to ask yourself why you want an MBA and why now. This will help build the foundation, which is crucial for building a strong application.
- Consider your post-MBA goals to help shortlist schools that align with your aspirations.
- Have a top-to-bottom approach or vice versa, and shortlist the schools that match your interests and that suit your career goals. Read the school’s website – academics, employment, clubs, activities – everything and make sure to note down the important things that matter to you and are important to you. This will help you in shortlisting the schools.
- Connect with current students and alumni, attend info sessions, and take advantage of opportunities to engage with admissions teams. There are a lot of top schools that host sessions in India across various cities starting in July/August. Try and attend these. This will help you get a fee waiver and also help connect personally with the adcom.
- The application process can be overwhelming. Plan your application process meticulously, set internal deadlines, and track progress to avoid last-minute stress.
- Understanding what each school values is essential. For example, Georgetown emphasizes quantitative abilities, and both Georgetown and Rice focus on leadership skills. Conversations with students, alumni, and admissions teams help uncover these nuances, allowing you to tailor your application accordingly.
- Make your applications personalized, aligning your story with the school’s values and priorities. This effort will make a significant difference in crafting a compelling and successful application.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, my MBA application journey was challenging but incredibly rewarding.
The process taught me resilience, self-reflection, and the power of authentic storytelling. If you’re on this path, stay focused, seek guidance when needed, and trust that with the right approach, you will find the best-fit MBA program for your goals.
Special thanks to Arvind and admitStreet for their unwavering support. I couldn’t have done it without them!