How Smriti got into Kellogg MBA (US News rank #6)

Smriti used introspection and authenticity in her application to get numerous calls from top schools and chose to join Kellogg MBA (class of 2021) program.

Smriti (name changed to protect identity)

GMAT: 700+ score

Education: B.Tech, Top 15 engineering colleges in India

Work Experience: 3.5 years work experience in technology

Post MBA Industry of Interest: Management Consulting 

When and why did you first consider getting a global MBA?

I wanted to gain global exposure and build a strong network across the world. I was excited to be a part of a classroom that boasted of students coming from diverse backgrounds, cultures and work experiences. I felt it would grow me holistically which is vital for my career progression.

When did you start? What steps did you take?

I initiated my application process with schools selection.

1) I started researching the schools online and spent a lot of  time understanding the culture and profiles of current students and alumni. That gave a strong sense of the values that the school stands for.

2) Also, I personally visited a few of the schools that I applied to. The visits gave me a clear perspective of a possible fit with the colleges. The culture is represented by each and every person of the school be it a student or a professor or an alum or a staff worker. It is important to pay heed to minute details while interacting with them to get a sense of the values of the school.

3) After narrowing down on my list of colleges, I spent time reflecting on my personal story, my strengths and weaknesses and started to write my essays. I tried to highlight my past experiences and transferrable skills through my essays while keeping in mind the values of the school. I tried to get my essays verified by a few current students as well.

4) After receiving interview invites, I practised mock interviews with friends, family, alums and my counsellor.

Tell us your experience of the MBA application process. Did anything surprise or shock you?

I absolutely enjoyed the process. It was an eye-opener for me. Not only did I reflect on my past experiences but I also had the opportunity to think deeply about my future goals- both short term and long term.

What did you do to differentiate yourself?

Intensive research of schools and self-retrospection helped me keep my story true and spill out the passion in my essays. It is critical to marry past experiences with the values of the schools.

Any advice for future applicants regarding the application process?

Be passionate about the process, story and application. It is YOUR story and hence treat it like your BABY. Do not be in a rush to finish school applications. Remember there are two parts to any application/story- the narrator (you) and the audience (ad com member). So it is critical to spend considerate and equal amount of time to both sides of the story. Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, personal preferences, future career choices while keeping in mind the culture, values, alumni base of the school. (Also refer to the 2^nd question)

For more tips on this or other topics or to get regular updates on new articles, write to me:

sumeet [underscore] verlekar [at the rate] berkeley [dot] edu

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