My Story: From Dreamer to Doer
Hello there!
I’m excited to learn that you’re considering studying abroad! I was once like you, a dreamy-eyed 20-something that wanted to make it big internationally. And I did just that. Here’s my story!
After graduating with a Computer Engineering degree from VJTI, a reputed institute in Mumbai, I started a career in Information Technology. At Syntel (now Atos-Syntel), I was recognized as a top performer and got selected to work at our client Allstate Insurance in Chicago in just two years! Working in a client-facing role, I gained valuable international and stakeholder management experience. While my career was growing, I knew I needed to learn more to reach my true potential. So I took the GMAT and scored 750/800. I was thrilled and decided to apply to top MBA programs in the USA – my journey with dream universities had begun.
But I had no idea where to start. For weeks, I researched online forums, read books, and talked to anyone who could guide me. Slowly, a picture emerged – I learned that I needed to write compelling essays and ace tough interviews to get into my dream MBA program! It was definitely much more than that, but at least I had a starting point. Then came the most exciting phase of my life!
Over the next few months, I researched MBA programs, visited campuses, talked with current students and faculty, sat in on demo classes, read admissions books, and watched tons of YouTube videos about MBAs. But the most interesting – and gruelling, I must add – part was writing my essays. My first few drafts went nowhere! They gave me clarity on how to improve, but I still wasn’t close to what I wanted to project. So I did more research and figured out the critical elements every essay must have. With this formula – which wasn’t perfect after all – I rewrote (and rewrote, and rewrote…) my essays until I felt confident. Working 16 hours a day? Check!
Then came interviews and another round of steep learning. To put it plainly, I was completely off the mark about MBA interviews. While my content was fine, I lacked the storytelling aspect. I practiced with friends, colleagues, current students and alumni from my target programs – their varied feedback helped me understand the need to craft stronger, more compelling responses and to deliver my thoughts with confidence. With hundreds of hours of practice, I managed to weave that wow-factor into my interviews. The actual interviews helped too, and I improved throughout the process.
11 schools. 6 interview calls. Done, right? NO. After all this effort, I only reached the stage just before success – I was waitlisted at NYU Stern and CMU Tepper, both top 20 programs and coincidentally my first and last interviews! I realized my battle was far from over and got back to work, this time figuring out how to convert my waitlists. I wrote to admissions teams, gathered more program information, and even got recommendations from current students who by then knew I was a deserving candidate. Some efforts paid off, others didn’t, testing my patience throughout.
Finally, through all the ups and downs, I was admitted to Boston University, a top 40 option I’d kept for myself, with not just admission but a full scholarship. To top it off, the program offered a dual-degree option. Now I could work towards two international degrees, not just one. I was on top of the world! A few weeks later, I saw a waitlist convert from NYU Stern, but with no scholarship.
And there I was at the final crossroads – attend a lower ranked program with full scholarship or a higher ranked program with crippling student loans. I decided to prioritize financial freedom over rankings, and it worked out. Graduating with zero debt allowed me to carve my own path – to pursue a non-standard career in education and even return to India without financial stress.
Over this year-plus journey, I learned, failed, re-learned, and even unlearned. Throughout, I realized the admissions process is like a real-world challenge – there’s little information available and sometimes you just don’t know if you’re on the right track. What if there was a genuine way for students to get proper guidance? With this thought, I entered the test-prep and admissions consulting space after my MBA.
Over the last 15 years, I’ve guided several hundred students – most to their desired programs – MBAs, Masters, PhDs, even undergraduate programs. I don’t take credit for their success, but I know the guidance they received played a catalyzing role. I want to help aspiring candidates, make a difference in their lives, and do it with genuine passion.
If you are ready to embark on your own incredible journey — and want someone who’s been through every twist, every turn, and every triumph — I would be honored to guide you.
If you’re ready, let’s start yours.