How Indian Applicants Can Get Into A Top MBA Program

Demonstrate Leadership at Work and Beyond

MBA programs are searching for and shaping the next generation of leaders. Leadership is not simply defined by the size of the P&L you manage, but includes how you work on teams to solve problems, advance thought within an organization, and influence and motivate others. Candidates should develop these broad skills professionally by spearheading initiatives at work, either formally or informally by volunteering to coordinate activities. Cross-cultural collaboration is also extremely important and vital to success in today’s business environment. If you have not had opportunities to work internationally or cross-culturally, you can distinguish yourself by actively seeking and asking for the opportunity to grow as an international leader.

One factor that is routinely overlooked by Indian candidates is the importance of extracurricular activities. In order to demonstrate leadership skills and differentiate your candidacy in a meaningful way, you should get involved in community activities beyond fundraising about which you are passionate. By authentically participating in an operational capacity, you will be motivated to make a real impact in an organization. Getting involved in an extracurricular activity is also a great way to create an opportunity to take on a leadership role, especially if you have not had the opportunity at work.

Creativity and entrepreneurship are valued in business (and thus, valued in the admissions process), so if you are entrepreneurially inclined, I would encourage you to look for ways to become involved in a new venture. Last year, our team worked with an Indian candidate with a technical background to win scholarships to multiple MBA programs, including Fuqua and Cornell, by highlighting how creative pursuits outside of work enabled entrepreneurial success.

Develop Relationships with Recommenders

My colleagues and I often hear from Indian candidates that they are concerned about their letters of recommendation. The best recommendation letters come from managers who are intimately involved in your work. The recommender’s title is not as important as knowing you well and being your champion. The easiest way to a great letter of recommendation is to develop relationships and seek out mentors. The more you nurture the relationship, the easier it is to ask for a strong letter of recommendation. Additionally, the easier it will be for the recommender to write with an effusive tone about your candidacy — a cultural difference that moves a letter from simply being “good” to being “great.”

While U.S.-based admissions counseling firms are typically more expensive than admissions counseling firms based in India, if you work with a firm that has demonstrated significant success coaching Indian applicants, the additional investment is well worth making. American admissions consultants possess the most up-to-date information on what top MBA programs are looking for, as we are constantly interacting with students, faculty, and admissions officers through tours, interacting with our colleagues and as a member of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC).

For example, at Stratus Admissions Counseling, from our very first conversation with our clients, we collaborate closely, offering thoughtful suggestions on how to strengthen their profile, leadership and work experiences. We assist candidates in storytelling — developing a complete picture of themselves that is expressed through every piece of the application process, enabling them to truly stand apart from the rest of the applicant pool.

Salma Qarnain

Salma Qarnain, a graduate of the Harvard Business School, is a senior strategist and admissions counselor at Stratus Admissions Counseling, a leading test prep and admissions consulting firm.