Faith Career's Study Abroad Coach, Tanmay Singh, admires his student Sarthak Chawla's grit & resilience. Just like Atanu's story, his story is also a testimony to the fact that one can receive scholarship even with an average GMAT score. What one needs to put in is hard work, trust in oneself and in the process, coupled with oodles of perseverance.
#1) Sarthak, can you please briefly describe your profile?
I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Amity University in 2019 and have since pursued professional certifications like CFA and FRM. In total, I have 3 years of full-time work experience. Currently, I’m working with a boutique management consulting firm, primarily with their private equity practice. I help clients in a variety of financial advisory engagements like devising investment frameworks, investment opportunity assessment, and transaction advisory. Previously, I worked in the real estate financial advisory space.
#2) Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
I gained clarity on my goals through my professional experiences. In the short run, I want to pivot to a similar PE consulting practice in an advanced economy. I believe a global MBA is synergistic to this goal, as I would not only be able to bridge knowledge gaps in functions like strategy, but will also have a platform to pursue job opportunities.
#3) What were your top 3 reasons for selecting Tanmay Singh to be your mentor for your Warwick MBA application?
I was introduced to Tanmay through a mutual contact, and from the get go, I quickly recognized his exceptional enthusiasm and holistic approach to the entire process. Opting to work with him was an easy decision for several reasons:
Approachability: In contrast to other competitors, Tanmay stands out for his approachability. He serves as the sole point of contact and is always happy to help. As a result, he ensures a seamless and personalized experience.
Authenticity: Tanmay will equip his students with all the ammunition to self-reflect, organize thoughts, and eventually create a compelling application. Throughout the process, he promotes authenticity and motivates all his students to show their unique stories.
Attention to detail: Tanmay consistently highlights subtle yet impactful details / action-items throughout the application process. These insights prove to be extremely valuable and help applicants in standing out in the masses.
#4) What 3 tips would you like to share with an aspirant working on their study abroad application?
Conduct thorough research: Conduct thorough preliminary research, delving into aspects such as the preferred country, reasons behind the choice, career aspirations, identifying knowledge gaps, and understanding how the chosen course will bridge those gaps.
Find a value fit: Prioritize value fit when shortlisting schools. This approach facilitates essay drafting and enhances the likelihood of securing admission.
Introspect: Embrace introspection as a crucial element in essays and motivation. Often neglected in daily life, self-awareness adds depth to an application and contributes significantly to the development of a personal brand.
#5) How did you prepare for the interview after submitting the Warwick MBA application? What all steps did you take to prepare for the interview?
Tanmay’s guidance was instrumental in my interview preparation. First, I drafted responses to Tanmay’s comprehensive list of interview questions. We then conducted a series of mock interviews to refine these responses, and worked on other behavioral aspects of the interview. This not just helped in having crystal clear answers ready, but also gave me immense confidence for the interview.
#6) What questions did Laura Anderson ask you during the Warwick MBA interview?
Walk me through your resume.
What do you want to do after MBA?
How will Warwick MBA help you?
How will you contribute to the cohort?
Have you lead teams? What is your leadership style?
How would your colleagues describe you?
If you were the CEO of your firm, what would you do?
How do you measure success?
Tell me about a time when you were a leader and the person you were working with wasn’t doing well?
Tell me about a time you solved a problem? What did you do?
Have you worked in diverse teams? How do you approach that?
Have you traveled to the UK? How was your experience?
Overall, a lot of questions were similar to those in Tanmay’s list of interview questions.
#7) How do you think you performed in the interview with Laura?
The interview took on a conversational tone and primarily focused on my motivation to pursue an MBA and my leadership capabilities. Tanmay prepared me for both conversational and one-way interviews, so I was very confident.
#8) How was Tanmay’s mentorship important while working on the Warwick Business School MBA application?
First and foremost, the valuable learnings gained from my collaboration with Tanmay during the application process not only paved the way for my admission to Warwick Business School's flagship MBA program but also provided me with a clearer understanding of my professional and professional self.
Beginning with a thorough Discovery Call, Tanmay established a solid foundation of trust. Through various informative workshops on networking, essay writing, and personal branding, he ensured I was well-prepared for the application process. His guidance on how to approach the interview was crucial and greatly assisted me in making the most of it.
#9) Congratulations for receiving a scholarship to pursue the Warwick MBA! How did that happen? What did you do to bag that scholarship?
The key element in obtaining the scholarship lay in demonstrating my compatibility with the school's values. Thus, I made an effort to incorporate anecdotes and examples from my professional journey that highlight this alignment, not only in my scholarship essay but also throughout the entire application process.
#10) What are your final ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ for a study abroad aspirant?
Do:
Commence the application process well in advance. This allows ample time to identify the ideal combination of country, university, and program.
Inject a personal touch into the essays, maybe through an additional essay. Remember, one not just contributes professionally but also personally to the cohort. Showcase the unique aspects of your journey.
Maximize every opportunity provided by the admissions team, including participation in online events and taking advantage of profile evaluations.
Don’t:
Settle for the initial essay draft. Complete it early, then engage in a thorough and critical review. There are always subtle (or significant) adjustments that can augment the quality of an essay.
Have a casual approach towards short-format questions on the application portal. Recognize that these questions are designed to unveil an applicant’s personality and can serve as pivotal factors in the decision-making process.