[Intro by Arvind Kumar]
There’s always more behind an MBA admit than meets the eye – reflection, long hours, and tough decisions. Harsh’s journey to multiple scholarships from US Top-25 MBA programs is proof of that.
With a background in tech and hands-on experience across Product Management and entrepreneurship, Harsh had explored multiple sides of the technology world. But he felt it was time to take things a notch higher – to shift geographies, step into leadership and better understand the “why” behind the work he was doing.
An MBA felt like the right next step. For Harsh, the US stood out not just for its thriving tech ecosystem, but also for the peer learning culture, scholarship opportunities and the sheer diversity that makes the MBA experience both global and grounded.
But with so many moving parts, from school research to essay writing and interviews, he knew he needed a clear game plan and the right guidance to bring structure to the process.
That’s when we connected. In our initial conversations, I could tell that Harsh was reflective, thoughtful, and driven – someone who’d really benefit from my mentorship.
In 2023, Harsh had already applied to several US B-schools (working with another consultant) but felt his application lacked the clarity he needed.
Despite an IIT pedigree, a solid GMAT score (675), and strong experiences in Product Management and entrepreneurship, his profile faced challenges, notably a low GPA.
This time around, we worked to address these gaps, strengthening his narrative to focus on his vision and the meaningful impact he wanted to make.
We began with admitStreet’s StreetMap framework, which helped uncover the many layers of his personal and professional journey. We explored his motivations, unpacked career transitions, and identified key themes that would anchor his application.
From there, we shaped a strong and cohesive narrative – one that embraced his challenges and used them to highlight growth, resilience, and clarity of thought. The tone remained honest and personal, while aligning with what top US MBA programs are looking for.
Through multiple feedback rounds, we fine-tuned the essays and CV, and also made sure school-specific nuances were factored into each application.
Fast forward a few months – Harsh received admits from Foster and UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA programs, both with scholarships totaling to about USD 85K! A huge win, and a well-deserved outcome.
Over to Harsh, to share his MBA application journey in his own words.
Background
I am Harsh Bhardwaj, originally from Patna, Bihar. I graduated from IIT Kharagpur with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
I have a total of around 6.5 years of work experience across various startups in both B2B and B2C sectors, including e-commerce, advertising, and study abroad. Out of this, I have spent ~4.5 years in Product Management.
Motivation for an MBA
The first major reason was my desire to do an MBA outside India to learn from and engage with some of the best minds in my field, both during and after the program.
The second was to gain a formal business education. I graduated as an engineer, solving chemical engineering problems, but considering that careers span 30-40 years, I felt the need to take one or two years to build a strong foundation in business concepts. Over the past 4-5 years, my learning has been more on-the-go—whenever I encountered a problem, such as a growth/product adoption challenge, I would read up on how to solve it. However, I never had a complete, structured understanding of the bigger picture. I believe that having a solid foundation is essential for long-term career growth.
The third reason was the global network that an international MBA provides. Studying abroad would expose me to professionals from various countries, not just India, allowing me to experience different cultures and perspectives. I find that valuable and fulfilling – not only professionally but personally – as it pushes me out of my bubble/comfort zone.
Focus on US Schools
Apart from the tech ecosystem in the US, there are several other factors that influenced my decision.
First, US schools offer more scholarships compared to schools in other regions, which makes them financially more accessible. Second, the diversity of nationalities in US business schools is significantly higher, providing exposure to a wide range of perspectives and cultures. The third factor is the presence of several top-tier peer schools. There is a strong culture of cross-learning, particularly through competitions and collaborative events.
Moreover, a large number of Indian students choose US schools, further enriching the experience and making the learning environment more familiar in certain ways.
This combination of diversity, opportunities, and strong peer networks made the US my preferred choice.
Application Strategy – GMAT
I took the GMAT thrice. The first time, in July 2021, I wasn’t very serious about it. I approached it with the mindset of just giving one attempt, which, in hindsight, is not the best way to go about it. I only prepared for about a month and didn’t do an in-depth study, which resulted in a 690 score.
For my second attempt in August 2022, I was more serious. My biggest challenge was in the Verbal section, particularly Sentence Correction. Despite this, I managed to improve my score to 710. After that attempt, I took a break, realizing I needed to figure out a better strategy to improve further.
My final attempt was in August 2024, where I scored 675, which is around the 96th percentile. (730 in old GMAT)
My study plan was structured as:
- First, strengthen Quants fundamentals
- Then, focus on Verbal preparation
- Finally, practice Data Insights once I was confident with the other two sections
Even though I practiced DI, it turned out to be my weakest section during the actual exam. I scored 77th percentile in DI, which brought down my overall score. Verbal and Quants went well, but DI was an area where I could have done better.
If I were to take the GMAT again, my focus would be on improving Data Insights.
Profile: Challenges
One major challenge, which I believe many Indian applicants face, is that Indian males in tech are an overrepresented demographic in MBA applications. This makes the competition significantly tougher.
Differentiation is critical, and Indian applicants, especially from tech backgrounds, need to put extra effort into identifying and showcasing what makes them unique compared to other candidates from similar profiles.
Profile: Differentiating Factors
One key factor was thorough research about each school. I made sure I had a deep understanding of the schools I was applying to.
We created detailed documents on each school, covering six to seven key areas of research – where graduates typically go, practical applications of the curriculum, available concentrations/courses, what the school values, and research centers.
The second major factor was having clarity in our story and how we wanted to present it. We explored four to five different angles initially, then refined them down to two options, and after further discussion, we finalized one strong, well-defined narrative. There were multiple iterations to ensure our storyline was compelling and consistent.
Additionally, we paid meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of the application, not just in essays but even in the application form itself, carefully deciding what to write and where. This level of detail helped create a holistic and well-structured application for the admissions committees.
Re-application Strategy
I feel that earlier (in 2023 when I applied), I lacked clarity on why I wanted to do an MBA and what I planned to do immediately after or even 5-10 years down the line.
I hadn’t given it much thought back then. However, this time was different—I spent a lot of time reflecting on my goals and had a well-thought-out Plan B and Plan C as well.
The second major difference was in my application quality. Previously, my goals were somewhat misaligned with my past experiences, making them seem less relevant. That reflected a lack of deep thought in my approach.
I also hadn’t put in much effort into refining my resume. I assumed the first or second draft was good enough. Similarly, for Letters of Recommendation (LORs), I hadn’t had detailed discussions with my recommenders about their perspective on me or how their feedback aligned with my application.
This time, with Arvind (admitStreet), I approached every part of the application with much more depth. For instance, we went through 12 iterations of my resume alone. I gave each element of the process 10x more effort than before, ensuring everything was polished and aligned.
Working with admitStreet
I feel that from the very start, we were highly structured in our B-school selection process. Even though I took my GMAT a bit late (around August 1st), which left us with limited time. We ensured that we had a clear action plan in place within just 3-4 days.
Despite the time constraints, we were thorough at every step. We created a dedicated folder, drafted a detailed action plan, and set milestones for each school, including deadlines for every draft review. Having this structured approach reduced a lot of the anxiety about missing deadlines or not being able to complete everything on time. For instance, we did 12 resume iterations, ensuring it was polished to perfection.
Once the first school application was completed, we streamlined the process for the next ones. We had a template in place for how we would approach each school, and we ensured attention to detail at every level. I even remember being on a call (with Arvind) while submitting my first application, carefully reviewing all the application questions and responses. We also created a separate document for additional application questions, including reasons for job transitions, which we wrote and discussed in depth.
The support wasn’t just about completing applications: it was also about the larger goal of securing an admit, and we were willing to do whatever it took to achieve that. That trust and collaboration were key.
Through this journey, there were moments of uncertainty, especially when some of my friends were getting interview invites while we were still waiting. However, Arvind always maintained a sense of calm and positivity, which really helped in reducing anxiety. Instead of dwelling on setbacks, we focused on what was in our control—getting the next application done. That mindset made all the difference, and resulted in admits from UNC KF and Foster, with scholarships.
Interview Preparations
I feel that an MBA interview is quite different from a job interview—it’s not about assessing your skill sets or whether you can do a particular job. Instead, it’s more of a behavioral interview, where they are trying to gauge:
- Who you are
- Your motivations
- How strong your “why” is
- How much you genuinely need that seat in the class
Along with this, they are also assessing your communication skills, how well you would fit into the class, and what unique value you would bring to the program.
The more research you do beforehand and the clearer you are about your answers, the better prepared you will be for the interview. Of course, communication is a separate but crucial aspect – it can be the single barrier that determines whether or not you’re able to effectively convey your story. If you’re unable to communicate your thoughts clearly, the interviewer won’t fully understand your story, your motivations, or what drives you.
We prepared a document for each school with common questions they ask. I also researched my interviewer’s background and values. Preparing strong, insightful questions to ask the interviewer was very important and helped demonstrate genuine interest in the program.
I also practiced answering questions multiple times, focusing on clarity and conciseness.
Interview Experience at Foster & UNC KF
My UNC interview had a lot of on-the-spot questions related to your past work experience or professional life. They might ask specific situational questions like “Tell me about a time when someone was coming late to a weekly or daily meeting—how would you handle that?” or “If a teammate was not interested in a project, how did you tackle that situation?”
You can’t fully prepare for such questions in advance, as they require you to think on your feet and provide real-life examples.
On the other hand, Foster’s interview process was quite different. They followed a more standard template with questions like:
- Why do you want to do an MBA?
- Why Foster?
- What is your Plan B or Plan C given the current US job market?
- Why do you think this is the right time for you to pursue an MBA?
Since each school has its own approach, practicing beforehand is super important.
Advice for Prospective Students
I feel the first step is to do thorough research and think deeply about why you want to pursue an MBA. If you’re unsure, getting help from consultants can be beneficial, as they can help trigger the right thought process and guide you on what questions to ask and answer. If needed, you can also schedule a free consultation call to explore your options and reflect on your motivations. Talking to people who have gone through this journey or are currently doing an MBA is also extremely helpful in gaining their perspectives.
Once you have clarity on your goals, focus on your GMAT preparation and give the exam when you can dedicate at least two months to studying. After that, move on to your applications. Most colleges offer application fee waivers, so you should check for those while applying. Also, don’t see anything negative in your profile as a permanent barrier. For example, I had a low CGPA in my undergrad, but after discussing it with you and friends, I realized I could offset that by taking additional courses. So, I completed an MBA math course in 20 days and added that to my profile.
Basically, every problem has a solution. So don’t think that something in your profile is permanently holding you back. If you’re not ready to apply this year, you can always apply later. For example, my last attempt was for Fall 2023, but I took time to improve my work experience, gain clarity on my career goals, and talk to more people before applying two years later.
All the best!