Discover the Insider Strategies That Turn Applicants into Admits
Sunday, 28th Sep 2025
10 AM – 12 PM
Shailesh Otari
Step inside the mind of an admissions officer and learn exactly how to transform your MBA application into a winning one.
Understand what admissions officers really value when reviewing applications
Learn how strengths and weaknesses are weighed in real applicant profiles
Identify the common pitfalls that can sink an otherwise strong application
Discover frameworks that turn raw drafts into compelling, memorable essays
Watch anonymized essays get improved line by line in real time
Walk away with practical tools to apply directly to your own MBA application
Study Abroad Strategist
My Mentees making it to a top-tier MBA
Academics: B.Tech. in Computer Science, Tier 1 Indian engineering college, GPA: 3.8/4.0
Test Scores: GMAT Focus 715
Experience: 5 years as a software engineer at a well-known global tech company
Career Goals: Transition into product management in Big Tech
Special Challenge: Struggled with differentiating from other similar applicants
Final Admits:
Columbia (No scholarship)
Duke Fuqua (Scholarship: $10,000) – Attended
NUS, Singapore (Tuition Waiver)
Academics: BBA in Business Analytics, Tier 2 U.S. business school, GPA: 3.6/4.0
Test Scores: GRE 326
Experience: 3 years as a data analyst at a retail analytics startup
Career Goals: Launch a data-driven fashion-tech platform
Special Challenge: Lack of leadership experience in formal settings
Final Admits:
IE Business School, Spain (50% Tuition Waiver)
Rotman, Canada (Scholarship: CAD 15,000)
USC Marshall (Scholarship: $30,000) – Attended
Academics: BA in Literature, Tier 2 university in India, GPA: 3.5/4.0
Test Scores: GMAT 700
Experience: 6 years producing independent films and web series
Career Goals: Shift to a business strategy role in OTT/media-tech platforms
Special Challenge: No traditional professional background
Final Admits:
USC Marshall (Scholarship: $30,000) – Attended
Imperial College London, UK (Scholarship: £15,000)
ESADE, Spain (50% Merit Scholarship)
Academics: B.Com. and CA, Tier 2 Indian university, GPA: 3.1/4.0
Test Scores: GRE 318
Experience: 4 years as a national-level tennis player U19; 2 years as a consultant at a leading multinational firm, along with coaching U19 teams
Career Goals: Build a career in sports management and athlete development
Special Challenge: Career switch + unconventional professional background
Final Admits:
Michigan Ross (Scholarship: $35,000)
CMU Tepper (Scholarship: $70,000) – Attending
Cambridge Judge, UK (Scholarship: £10,000)
Academics: B.Com. Tier 1 Indian commerce college, GPA: 3.7/4.0
Test Scores: GMAT Focus 655
Experience: 6 years at Big 4 Consulting, 2-year break to raise a child
Career Goals: Re-enter consulting, focusing on workplace inclusion and equity
Special Challenge: Explaining work gap
Final Admits:
INSEAD, France (Spotlight Scholarship: €20,000)
Cornell Johnson (Scholarship: $20,000) – Attended
Georgetown McDonough (Scholarship: $35,000)
Academics: MBBS, Tier 1 medical college in India, GPA: 3.9/4.0
Test Scores: GMAT 680
Experience: 4 years as a practicing physician + co-founder of a telehealth startup
Career Goals: Scale impact via healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship
Special Challenge: Bridging clinical and business worlds
Final Admits:
Imperial College London, UK (No Scholarship)
Erasmus, Netherlands (No Scholarship)
ISB (No Scholarship) – Attending
Academics: B.A. in Psychology, Tier 3 liberal arts college, GPA: 2.9/4.0
Test Scores: GMAT 640
Experience: 2 years in NGO fundraising, 1-year career gap due to mental health, freelance projects thereafter
Career Goals: CSR and social impact strategy in a multinational
Special Challenge: Low GPA, career gap, and mental health disclosure
Final Admits:
University of British Columbia, Canada (Scholarship: CAD 10,000)
Queen’s University, Canada (Scholarship: CAD 10,000)
Melbourne Business School, Australia (Scholarship: AUD 20,000) – Attending
I wasn’t sure if I should even apply with my seven years of work experience and just a month left. But my mentor at Straight Admits encouraged me to take the chance and guided me through every step of the application process. His step-by-step guidance saved me so much time and gave me the confidence to complete the process. Thanks to him, the essays did complete justice to my profile and I received three interview calls from schools in Canada. I even got a scholarship at HEC Montreal, which my mentor insisted that I ask for. Straight Admits never spoon-fed me and I am grateful for that.
Samit J
HEC Montreal, MBA
As someone with a medical background, I had no idea whether an MBA would be a good move for me. But my mentor at Straight Admits explained how my profile could stand out and guided me through every step of the application process, from filling out the forms to building a resume. He even helped me weave the different parts of my medical background into a cohesive story. I am so grateful for his guidance and trust in me. Straight Admits is highly recommended!
Dr Harpreet A
ISB, PGP
My GPA was low and my GRE scores were average, so I never thought I could make it into UIC for my Masters program. But my mentor at Straight Admits acknowledged these problems and asked me to apply to a range of schools so that I could take my chances. I only had three weeks to prepare my essays, but my mentor guided me through the process and polished them up really well. All his hard work paid off in an admit. If you need an expert opinion and have some weaknesses in your profile, go with Straight Admits!
Devika S
University of Chicago, MSIS-MBA
Seats are capped to keep this workshop highly interactive, and spots are filling up fast. If you’re serious about your MBA dream, this is your chance to learn what truly works. Don’t wait—secure your seat today and step closer to your admit letter.