[Intro by Arvind Kumar]
Shantanu is one of the most perseverant, hard-working and determined candidates I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring.
While his profile presented notable strengths: IIT pedigree, 665 GMAT FE score (94th percentile), UAE exposure, and management experiences in building and scaling hyper-growth startups; it also presented some challenges: GMAT split skewed (slightly more) towards Quant/ DI, work-ex above the class average, and the need for a robust narrative covering his journey and career goals.
What began as a candid feedback/ conversation on GMATClub gave Shantanu the confidence to work with me on his application journey. This set the stage for our intensive discussions, brainstorming sessions and essay reviews.
Was the journey enjoyable, intensive, and sometimes exhausting? Yes, it was all of these. But Shantanu’s smile in front of the INSEAD campus, where he’ll be joining in January, makes it all worthwhile! On a side note, Shantanu also received an admit from HEC Paris MBA.
This success story delves into Shantanu’s background, motivation for an MBA, preparation strategies, application process, and how I (and admitStreet) helped him achieve his dream INSEAD admit.
Over to Shantanu!
Video Debrief
Background
I graduated from IIT Bombay in 2015. Over the past eight and a half years, I’ve worked in management roles across two different startups—one in India and one in the UAE.
My career began with helping clients in product engineering services, which involved making presentations, understanding problem statements, and offering operational solutions. Then I moved to an in-house strategy team at an online startup in India, where I focused on sales strategy and business growth, working closely with CxOs and sales leaders.
Currently, I lead a vertical at an online automotive platform in the UAE. Here, I manage a team of 35 people and work on making the car buying and selling process easier for customers in the UAE market.
Motivation to Pursue MBA
3 main reasons motivated me to pursue an MBA:
- While my experience had equipped me with strong business operations skills, I realized I needed to enhance my long-term strategic planning abilities. I believe that acquiring this skill set will be crucial for my long term goal of becoming a C-suite leader.
- I started my career in management consulting but later moved into technology startups. I now want to combine these experiences and return to management consulting, specifically targeting top consulting firms in my preferred region. An MBA is the best way to make this transition.
- In today’s world, having an international network helps to bring in diverse perspectives which is useful for both personal and professional growth.
My Profile: Strengths and Challenges
Here are a few key angles which I believe helped differentiate my profile:
- Graduating from IIT-Bombay and scoring a 665 (94th percentile) in GMAT Focus Edition helped strengthen my academic profile.
- My unique blend of strategy and operations roles in hyper-growth technology startups has given me valuable skills that are relevant to sectors such as consulting.
- I had moved internationally (to the UAE) and have worked with a team of diverse professionals, which helped differentiate me amongst the “Indian Male” pool.
On the other hand, there were some ‘challenges’ or rather areas that needed careful consideration:
- My GMAT verbal score (70th percentile) was a bit on the lower side, compared to my Quant (85th percentile) and DI scores (98th percentile).
- My work experience (8+ years) was higher compared to the average of the class.
My MBA Application Journey
Program Selection
The first step in my MBA journey was thorough research. I looked into various MBA programs and their offerings, focusing on those that aligned with my career goals.
I focused on European schools because I wanted to return to the Middle East after graduation. Moreover I was looking for a duration of 1 year ideally or 16 months maximum. So INSEAD and HEC Paris were the clear top schools that I targeted.
I applied to both INSEAD and HEC Paris, and am glad to share that I received admits from both.
Application Strategy
Once I identified the programs I wanted to apply to, the next step was crafting a compelling application.
My approach for the application process was initially that I’d do it myself, but then I found myself in a challenging situation:
- Not able to navigate multiple applications at the same time while managing my hectic work schedule.
- Was unclear how to highlight all the aspects of my profile within the word-counts set by the essay prompts.
So I started looking out for admissions consultants who could help me in this journey.
I had written a post on GMATClub, and Arvind (admitStreet) was the only one who analyzed my profile in-depth and replied with honest, concrete feedback. Others replied in a generic way, and this is when I connected with Arvind immediately for a deep-dive on my application process.
Navigating the Application Essays
The INSEAD essay process was intense.
With 8 essays to tackle in the main application, I had underestimated the complexity. It wasn’t just about listing achievements but about understanding what each question aimed to uncover about my personality and aspirations.
Arvind (admitStreet)’s guidance was instrumental. He helped me to think deeply and make a list of all the good and bad events that happened in my life, which we eventually used to craft the essays.
While I was initially only focussed on key achievements/ failures and building stories around that, My personality (beyond numbers and degrees) was missing. This is a key angle for INSEAD as they also want to see the emotional side of you.
This was particularly challenging when discussing my weaknesses or failures. As Indians, we often shy away from highlighting our vulnerabilities, but the process taught me the importance of being open and honest.
Arvind helped me see beyond the surface of each question, encouraging me to reflect deeply and provide genuine answers backed by anecdotes. His detailed feedback and guidance helped me present my profile in the best light.
Preparing for Interviews
The interviews, conducted by two INSEAD alumni, were a significant part of the process.
Preparation was key. Through my mocks with Arvind (admitStreet) and a final mock interview with an INSEAD alum (from one of my target firms), I learned to articulate my reasons for pursuing an MBA clearly and to support my answers with concrete examples.
I was initially nervous about my actual INSEAD interviews, expecting a formal and high-pressure environment. However, the interviews turned out to be more conversational and relaxed than I anticipated. They were designed to assess my motivations, fit with the program, and how I could contribute. Given that I had prepared rigorously, I believe I was able to connect with the interviewers well.
Working with admitStreet
Arvind (admitStreet) is the reason why I got into my dream school, INSEAD.
Arvind works on the application process as if it is his own application. He listened to all my stories and journey very patiently. It was because of this that he knew my deeper motivations of pursuing MBA and brought together different pieces of my profile for the INSEAD essays.
Through brainstorming sessions, Arvind asked me the right questions, which guided me to think in a particular direction. These helped to get my best stories out. Subsequently, his comments on the essays and his ability to view the application holistically (from the AdCom’s lens) was extremely helpful.
We did 10 versions of my INSEAD essays and he never said anything. Usually, in my discussions with other people in the businesses, they mentioned only 3 versions and every feedback after that would be charged additionally.
He got my final mock interview done by INSEAD alum which was a game changer for me.
Thank you Arvind (admitStreet) for everything. This post goes beyond words and whoever is reading this: if you want somebody who would put effort in understanding you and put together a great application, then admitStreet is the right place for you.
Tips for MBA Applicants
The MBA application process was demanding but immensely rewarding. It challenged me to introspect, articulate my goals, and present my best self.
Some tips for future applicants:
- Know why to do MBA. Start writing anecdotes from your life: deep introspection (and/ or brainstorming) is needed. This will help you to portray your best.
- It’s not about having a flawless profile but about showcasing your growth, aspirations, and fit with the program.
- Particularly for INSEAD, aim to highlight your international mindset. They want to see you as a person beyond the numbers and degrees.
- Be clear if and how INSEAD can provide you with what you want in the short-term and long-term, both professionally and personally.
- Attend the meetup sessions arranged by AdCom. This is a great way to learn insights about the school, which will reflect on your essays.
- Working with the right Admissions consultant can ease out the pressure of the process while managing your day job.
I hope my experience helps you in your journey.
Embrace the process, be honest with yourself, and stay focused on your goals. Good luck!