Kanishka’s Journey: Overcoming Challenges And Securing A Spot At Harvard Business School

Kanishka Manderna’s journey is a compelling tale of resilience, purpose, and quiet determination. Raised in Chandigarh after growing up in the small town of Bhiwani, Haryana, Kanishka was shaped by an early awareness of the societal constraints limiting women’s access to education and professional opportunities. This subtle yet profound challenge became her driving force, pushing her to break generational barriers with unwavering ambition.

Securing a seat at IIT Delhi, one of India’s premier engineering institutes, marked a significant milestone. Yet, the transition to its competitive environment was overwhelming, leaving her grappling with self-doubt. Kanishka overcame this by diving into campus life, serving as General Secretary of her hostel and immersing herself in the Wellness, Aeromodelling, and Economics Clubs. These experiences honed her leadership and adaptability, laying a strong foundation for her future.

Her professional path took flight with an international internship in Zurich and a summer role at ITC, a leading Indian conglomerate. Drawn to the intensity of operations, she joined ITC full-time during the uncertainties of the COVID-19 job market. Over four years, she excelled in manufacturing, operations, and supply chain roles, managing indulgent categories like chocolates and coffee, and earned a promotion to Supply Chain Manager. Beyond her professional success, Kanishka championed social impact, mentoring blind and autistic children and advocating for women’s representation through ITC’s women-in-manufacturing ERG.

When Kanishka decided to pursue an MBA in 2024, she faced the daunting challenge of preparing applications for five top-tier business schools—Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, and Kellogg—under tight Round 2 deadlines while balancing her demanding role at ITC. Partnering with Admission Gateway, she transformed this pressure into opportunity. Their guidance helped her craft authentic, compelling narratives, particularly for her Harvard essay on curiosity, which connected her diverse experiences into a cohesive story. Scoring a 695 on the GMAT Focus Edition, she secured interview calls from all five schools and admission offers from four, including Harvard with $175,000 in financial aid.

Kanishka’s vision extends beyond personal success. She aims to explore consulting post-MBA before returning to India to lead initiatives in the CPG sector, focusing on clean-label foods to address lifestyle-related health challenges. From a small town in Haryana to the global stage at Harvard, Kanishka’s story is a beacon of tenacity and purpose, inspiring others to dream beyond societal expectations and create lasting impact.

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