From backend research role to ISB and IIM A

Nikita Singh

When Nikita approached us, her dream of making it to INSEAD was unshakeable. But from the start, we had an honest conversation about the challenges her GMAT score, her limited client-facing exposure, and her lack of international experience were gaps that could not be overlooked. Throughout our engagement, we never downplayed these hurdles, but we were also committed to making the best possible case for her.

In many ways, her situation is not unique. Certain profiles tend to get typecast in MBA admissions. Just like sourcing roles often struggle to be seen as core supply chain, financial research profiles too face a similar bias. The work can come across as backend, execution heavy, and difficult to translate into broader leadership or impact. We saw this very closely with Ishita as well. Breaking out of that perception required going deeper into her experience, mining for hard data and more importantly, uncovering strong, credible stories that could position her differently. That shift ultimately played a key role in her success at ISB and IIM Ahmedabad.

With Nikita, we worked for months to craft a compelling application, but she still ran into what I often refer to as the unspoken bias against backend consulting candidates at schools like INSEAD and LBS, a topic I will be happy to elaborate on. The rejection from INSEAD hit her hard, and she began to question her ability to apply to other top Indian programs like ISB, as she only wanted to study at the best.

But with the solid foundation we had built together and her determination to bounce back, Nikita shifted her focus. She leaned into the rigorous interview preparation sessions we conducted, and it paid off in the best possible way she received admission offers from both ISB and IIM Ahmedabad.

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