Would you believe if we tell you that it is possible to get a scholarship of $30,000 even after having a professional gap of 16 months and a GMAT Classic Edition score of only 650? Difficult to believe, right? Now, add to this the fact that Vaibhav applied in Round 4!
"What worked?" you might ask. In most cases, the way you portray your stories through your essays, video assessments, and live interview can make or break your candidature. With our dedicated MBA Admissions Coach, Tanmay Singh's help, Vaibhav was able to highlight his most impactful stories & get the well-deserved $30,000 scholarship to pursue the Ivey MBA.
#1) Vaibhav, could you please briefly describe your profile?
I am an Economics graduate from the University of Delhi with five years of work experience in airline revenue management. Currently, I serve as an Associate Manager in the Revenue Management department at Air India, where I am responsible for optimizing the revenue of long-haul international flights. Prior to this, I worked at IndiGo, where I managed revenue strategies for flights across the Middle East, SAARC, and APAC regions.
#2) Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
After five years of work experience, I reached a point where I felt that my learning had plateaued. I was ready to take the next step towards a leadership role. To be a successful leader, I believe that understanding how an organization functions as a whole is crucial, and that’s where an MBA comes in. I wanted to learn about other critical domains like marketing, sales, and operations. These are areas that I haven’t directly worked in but are essential for holistic leadership.
The decision to pursue an MBA was further solidified when I worked in cross-functional transformation projects post Air India's acquisition by the TATA Group.
#3) What were your top 3 reasons for selecting Tanmay Singh to be your mentor for your Ivey MBA application?
From the very first Discovery Call, Tanmay showed an impressive understanding of my ambitions. He immediately identified what I needed to highlight in my application, making me confident that he could guide me effectively through the process.
Tanmay created an environment where I felt comfortable voicing all my concerns, no matter how small or seemingly irrelevant. He sincerely addressed every question, ensuring that I had a clear path forward.
Given my strict work hours, it was a relief to have someone like Tanmay who was flexible with time. He conducted many of my mock interviews even late at night. This level of support made a huge difference in my preparation process.
#4) What 3 tips would you like to share with an aspirant working on their study abroad application?
A) Conduct thorough research of your school beyond the surface. Don't rely solely on what’s available online or in promotional materials. Make the effort to connect with current students or alumni from your target schools. Tanmay’s workshop will help in this. This will give you genuine insights and help you make a well-informed decision about where to apply.
B) While GMAT or GRE scores are important, they aren’t everything. Start working on your essays early, as writing compelling essays takes much more time than expected.
C) Focus on what makes you unique and pitch that effectively throughout your application. Your “spike factor” should tie into a consistent story across your essays, recommendations, and interviews. Ensure that every element of your application is aligned and free of contradictions.
#5) How did you prepare for the interview after submitting the Ivey MBA application? What all steps did you take to prepare for the interview?
After submitting my Ivey MBA application, Tanmay provided me with a list of potential interview questions tailored to my profile, which gave me a clear idea of what to expect. I began drafting responses to these questions.
Once I had refined my responses, Tanmay conducted several mock interviews to simulate the actual interview experience. These sessions were invaluable, as Tanmay offered constructive feedback on my delivery, tone, and how to better emphasize certain aspects of my profile.
#6) What questions did Vicky Smith ask you during the Ivey MBA interview?
My interview with Vicky Smith went on for 50 minutes.
She asked me the following questions:
1. Talk to me about your journey, how did you end up being where you are today?
2. Can you talk about a time when you led a team? What were your learnings?
3. Why MBA now and why Ivey?
4. What are your short term and long term goals?
5. What is that one thing about you that people often misunderstand?
6. How are you contributing in the transformation of Air India?
7. Talk about time when you faced a conflict. How did you resolve it?
8. What are your sources for reading and keeping yourself up to date with the business world?
9. What motivates you? What keeps you going?
10. How will you contribute to Ivey Business School?
11. Are you planning to work in Canada after MBA or will you go back to India?
12. Tell me about a thing from your personal/professional life that you're most proud of.
13. Do you have any questions for me?
#7) How do you think you performed in the interview with Vicky?
I felt quite positive about my interview with Vicky. Since most of the questions, or at least the general themes, were covered in the list of questions provided by Tanmay, I was able to approach them confidently. The interview itself was quite conversational in nature.
#8) How was Tanmay’s mentorship important while working on the Ivey MBA application?
Tanmay is truly an expert in what he does. Coming from a niche industry, I struggled to articulate my experience in a way that the admissions committee could easily understand without losing the essence of my work. Tanmay guided me in shaping my essays effectively, ensuring that my story was not only clear but compelling.
Tanmay’s mentorship extends far beyond just the application. He provided valuable support with my IELTS preparation and even helped me navigate the visa process after my acceptance.
#9) Congratulations for receiving a scholarship of $30,000! How did that happen? What did you do to bag that scholarship?
Tanmay has an incredible ability to push you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to work harder. His approach is supportive yet challenging, and that constant push made a huge difference in my journey. Thanks to his encouragement and guidance, I was able to write an impressive 500 word essay that effectively highlighted my leadership experiences and community involvement.
#10) What are your final ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ for a study abroad aspirant?
Do:
Apply early to enhance your chances of receiving scholarships.
Attend university webinars or coffee chats. Some schools offer application fee waivers for attending these sessions.
Create an account on the application portal early and familiarize yourself with the application process.
Don’t:
When considering B-schools/universities, don’t follow rankings from various organizations blindly.
Don't wait until the last day to submit your application. You don't want technical glitches to jeopardize your chances of getting into your dream school.
Don't hesitate to reach out for help; whether it's from mentors or peers, seeking guidance can provide valuable insights.
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