Mr. Future Large Corp

You bring an impressive background to your candidacy at IMD. Let’s start with the basics. Your 720 GMAT is 40 points higher than the 680 median at IMD. Your GPA is within range. Your big wins in the Air Force show that you have really made a difference there. And I very much like your post-MBA goals and believe that you can easily achieve them with an MBA from IMD. As you know, IMD enrolls a class of only 90 students and invests heavily in making sure every single one of those students will be important contributors to the learning of the class and the culture of the institution. As a result, IMD will invite a fair number of applicants to a full-day assessment. How you perform in that assessment will pretty much determine whether you get an admit or a rejection. I’ve had the opportunity to be a fly on the wall for this process and have to tell you it’s a major investment by the school and is a serious part of the application. Frankly, it makes setting your odds more difficult than at other schools where the interview doesn’t weigh as heavily on your chances. Given your experience and maturity, I think you will do well with it but even the wrong attitude can sink you. You can read about it here: https://poetsandquants.com/2019/09/23/imd-assessment-day-mba-admissions/

This is Deepak Punwani from MBA Exchange. You have a very differentiated profile and we have worked with Armed forces personnel in past who have successfully made it to top programs including Stanford, MIT and INSEAD. IMD should be very impressed with your background. Your goals also seem connected to your past experience and expertise. If you can demonstrate Leadership and an international mindset, you are definitely in play at IMD. Just a couple of more points. Would ideally encourage you to think more deeply on industry you want to be part of. While Unilever and RR may both be “consumer” industries, it would make sense for you to think deeply in FMCG’s are more your kind of firms or consumer durable firms (including automotive). It will help to explain your motivations and signal that you have done a lot of research. And would also encourage you to speak about your “out of work” activities with some depth. Good luck

Hello Mr. Future Large Corp! Krista Nannery from mbaMission here.
I’ve worked with a lot of military candidates over the years, but never someone from the India Air Force. I think that’s a good thing in that you will be a very non-traditional (in a good way) candidate for b-schools. Also, your military AND logistics background is going to be in demand by CPG companies. So your goals are very logical.
Here’s what I want you to think about: One school strategies are inherently risky. Are there a few other programs you can add to the mix? In addition to IMD, how about HEC, IE, IESE, or ESADE? Maybe even an Oxford or Cambridge? Check out their employment reports and see who is hiring. I’d like you to have a few back-up options all in the same round, not because I don’t think you’ll be successful at IMD but rather…because you are so interesting, I want you to have multiple offers! Please give that some consideration. I wish you all the best for your applications.
Krista

Hi this is Melisa from Stratus Admissions. You have strong stats and experiences that will be attractive to IMD and other programs. And your military operations background will be attractive to CPG companies. As you mentioned, the logistics and operations of CPG companies are global – so finding a program that gives you global experiential learning opportunities, will be a benefit to you. I agree that if you believe now is the right time for you to do an MBA, looking at some additional options will help make sure you are getting the most out of the program you attend. If you are interested in going a bit further, you should look into Rotman which places graduates at large CPG companies. By opening yourself to additional schools, you can get a flavor of the different cultures and opportunities available. Best of luck!