Full Circle: The IIT Kharagpur Classmates Who Became Wharton Classmates

Some stories come full circle not because they’re planned that way, but because two people share the same curiosity, grit, and belief in one another. Rohan and Krishna’s journey from IIT Kharagpur classmates to Wharton MBA classmates is one such story, a rare mix of shared dreams, individual excellence, and the quiet strength of partnership.

From Classmates To Partners And Back To Classmates Again

Rohan and Krishna first crossed paths at IIT Kharagpur. Both came from humble beginnings: Krishna from a small town in Maharashtra and Rohan from Kolkata, but they shared an innate drive to excel and a deep appreciation for learning, consistently pushing each other to grow.

Rohan built his foundation in strategy and investing, first at LEK Consulting and later at WestBridge Capital. Krishna, on the other hand, pursued strategy consulting and impact investing, most recently at Omidyar Network India, focusing on responsible technology and social impact.

When they decided to get married, both were independently contemplating the next chapter of their careers. “We had been thinking about an MBA even before our wedding,” Krishna shared. “It wasn’t a joint decision initially, but when Rohan decided he wanted to apply that year, it just made sense to do this together.”

While Rohan wrapped up his GMAT early and began applications in Round 2, Krishna’s GMAT journey stretched a little longer. “I took my GMAT quite late in the process,” she admits. “Balancing a demanding job, intense prep, and the uncertainty of timing was tough, but Rohan kept reminding me that we were in this together.”

They submitted their Round 2 applications while simultaneously preparing for their wedding, juggling essays, mock interviews, and vendor calls often in the same week. “It was chaotic,” Rohan laughs, “but in hindsight, it also made the experience incredibly memorable. We were literally building two big chapters of our lives side by side.”

When the admits rolled in first—Krishna’s, then Rohan’s—it felt like the perfect culmination of that whirlwind phase. “We started as classmates at IIT,” Krishna smiles, “and now, we’re classmates again, this time at Wharton.”

The Journey To Wharton Built On Collaboration 

Applying to business schools can be a lonely, high-pressure process. But for Rohan and Krishna, it became a shared mission, one powered by mutual support and late-night teamwork.

They both worked with Admissions Gateway, which gave them a shared framework and rhythm for approaching their applications. “Since we were working with the same consultant, we were always aligned on what schools were looking for,” Rohan said. “Krishna applied to Wharton in Round 1, and I did in Round 2, so we constantly exchanged notes and refined each other’s stories.”

Krishna adds, “It’s such a mentally taxing process. Having someone who understands exactly what you’re going through, who can push you when you’re low and celebrate with you when something clicks, makes all the difference. Some nights, after hours of essay edits, we’d just play a game of Catan to clear our heads.”

The results were nothing short of spectacular: both received admits from Wharton and Columbia, making it possible to attend business school together.

Crafting Distinct Yet Complementary Narratives

While their journeys intertwined, their professional paths and goals remained distinct.

For Krishna, the motivation stemmed from a career that straddled consulting and impact investing. She had witnessed the power and pitfalls of technology and wanted to shape how responsible tech could empower communities. “At Omidyar, I was investing in tech for good, but I wanted to understand how to scale such impact sustainably. That’s where Wharton came in — to deepen my understanding of tech strategy and investing while keeping impact at the core.”

For Rohan, the MBA represented exploration and clarity. Having seen both consulting and investing up close, he wanted to understand which path, investing or entrepreneurship, truly aligned with his long-term aspirations. “Wharton’s ecosystem, from its entrepreneurship programs to its finance depth, gives me the best of both worlds,” he shared.

Their essays reflected that sense of purpose and introspection, as well as an honest exploration of what they wanted to learn next.

Choosing Wharton

Both had the enviable choice between Wharton and Columbia, but the decision was clear. Wharton’s breadth across finance, entrepreneurship, and technology, along with Krishna’s scholarship, made it the ideal fit. “It wasn’t about where one of us would go,” Krishna said. “It was about where both of us could thrive together.”

Rohan adds, “Wharton also has one of the strongest alumni networks in India, especially across startups and investing, that really tipped the scales.”

Lessons From The Journey

Their journey, like any couple’s, wasn’t without challenges. Managing demanding jobs, GMAT prep, wedding planning, and multiple rounds of applications required discipline and constant encouragement. But through it all, they remained each other’s sounding boards.

“If there’s one thing we learned,” Rohan reflected, “it’s to get your GMAT done early. It gives you the mental space to focus on storytelling and introspection later.”

Krishna adds, “And reach out for help. Whether it’s seniors, peers, or your consultant, you’ll be surprised by how generous people are with their time. Every conversation deepens your understanding of what schools value and what you want.”

They both agree on one mantra that carried them through: trust the process. “Admissions Gateway gave us structure when everything felt overwhelming,” Rohan said. “Rajdeep helped us see the bigger picture, how to connect our goals with who we are.”

Full Circle And Forward

Now settled in Philadelphia, Rohan and Krishna often joke about déjà vu — walking to classes together, splitting group assignments, and sharing study breaks just like their IIT days.

For them, Wharton isn’t just the next step; it’s a continuation of a shared story built on trust, ambition, and love. “We started our journey in the same classroom,” Krishna smiles, “and now, years later, we’re learning side by side again just with a little more perspective, and a lot more gratitude.”

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