MBA ApplyWire

Originally from India, completed undergrad from UCLA in Econ + Stats with high GPA. Currently working at a prestigious econ consulting firm since 2.5 years. Don’t hate the job but don’t love it. I have a strong quantitative and data background and I enjoy investing in the markets. Realizing the econ consulting industry is too niche and want to pivot out ASAP.

Eventual goal is to move back home as I don’t want to get caught up in the visa race in the US. I believe either business facing or finance roles will give me the highest upside to do so.

Applying for Round 2 (CBS) and Round 3 (Stern). Taking the GRE soon, practice test: 320. Aiming for 320-325.

Undergrad: Top 20 public, top 50 in US. International student from HK.
Honors: Psychology Honors, Communication Honors, Honors Research Scholar, received several awards for thesis.

Been working at Ivy League as a Research Assistant in the Department of Psychiatry for 3.5 years. Have led 7 different projects on teen mental health and digital technology, and collaborated with 15 different clinical sites. Trained 10 new RAs in my time. Done UX development and testing in collaboration with behavioral health startup for mental health app. Recruited suicidal participants from emergency departments and outpatient clinics.

9 research publications (1 first-author, 1 second-author), 3 conference presentations.

Story: Want to pivot into healthcare consulting to make tangible impact on healthcare organizations operations to improve patient outcomes.

First things first—Alex and Graham, I listen to your podcast every week without exception. You guys are incredible, and I truly appreciate the work you do. It has helped me tremendously. My name is Flavio Amboss. I'm originally from Brazil, and I moved to the United States in 2021 to pursue my master's degree in Construction Management at the University of Illinois at Chicago. During school, I received a job offer from a general contracting firm, where I currently work. As an immigrant, I’ve been facing some challenges with the visa process. My green card application was rejected earlier this year, and I had to restart the entire process. My company will enter me into the H-1B lottery in February 2026, and if selected, I will finally be able to pursue my dream of attending the Booth Part-Time MBA (unfortunately, full-time is not an option for me). Sports have always played a major role in my life. I competed in and won several events throughout my childhood and adulthood—including soccer, judo, and tennis. More recently, I began training for triathlons, and in my first year, I placed 4th in my age group at the Tri Gravel Lemont event. I have also always been very involved in volunteer work. In my latest experience, I joined the Willow Creek Church choir in September, singing and serving with children with special needs. Since then, I’ve been performing regularly at the South Lake campus. Professionally, I bring nine years of experience at the largest development and construction company in Brazil, where I worked primarily in the field as a civil engineer. I also spent three years at a mid-size construction company as a preconstruction manager. Given my background, my short-term goal is to transition toward the real estate development side to strengthen the areas where I have less experience. In the long term, I aspire to become an entrepreneur and build my own development and construction company. I’ll admit that I’m not the strongest standardized test taker, and with my first son arriving in May, I don’t expect that I’ll be able to retake the GRE. Please see my GPAs and GRE scores below:
GRE Q: 165 V: 145
UERJ – Civil Engineering GPA: 3.2 (Google conversion from Brazilian GPA 7.22/10)
FGV – Project Management MBA GPA: 3.9 (Google conversion from Brazilian GPA 8.75/10)
UIC – Master’s in Engineering and Construction Management GPA: 3.77

Is there any way I could also attach my resume and essays for you to give me your thoughts on my application?

I am trying to decide whether to apply to Booth or Haas in Round 2 this cycle or wait a year, focus on my new role, and apply to H/S/W for the 2027 intake with a stronger story and possibly better scholarship chances.

My profile: • Nepali male, 25 • Computer Engineering undergrad • GMAT 740 • 3.5 years in Public Sector Consulting at a Big 4 in India • Recently joined the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) in an Africa country office • Two month into the role

R1 status: • Interviewed at CBS and Kellogg • Waiting for result • I will be taking loans for the MBA, so scholarship likelihood matters

My dilemma:

Right after submitting my R1 applications, I accepted the CHAI offer and relocated to Africa. Now I am confused about whether I should send R2 applications to Booth or Haas while I wait for R1 outcomes, or whether I should settle into the CHAI role for a full year and apply next year to H/S/W with a clearer path and more impact.

Extra Curriculars:
Ran a bootstrapped startup during college and been investing and advising startups in underserved places across Nepal and India.

Goals:
Growth Equity firm post MBA

Applying to NYU, UCLA, and CBS round 1 with EA score of 160. Interviews with all 3 complete. If I get into CBS, I will only apply to Sloan (that's my number 1, number 2 is CBS). My GRE score is lower (321, 156V 165Q) but the quant is significantly higher... hopefully this offsets for Sloan? Strong profile, Masters in CS, undergrad in CS from service academy.

Work experience (full-time): 
* Startup 1 (3.5 yrs) – Sr SWE / tech lead / founding engineer at a Series B+ transportation startup. Tech lead for a ~10-person team, led engineers with 6–10 more YOE, presented regularly at 120-person all-hands.
* Startup 2 (1.5 yrs) – Sr SWE at a biotech startup focused on disease prevention that IPO’d during my tenure. 

Internships
* Apple – product design (2 summers, 2 patents)
* Google – technical program manager intern
* Tesla – manufacturing/mechanical design

Misc:
* I was accepted/enrolled to a MechE PhD in 2020 (AI adjacent, mostly a simulations phd) but withdrew before starting to take a founding engineer role — no regrets.
* Age: 30M, ORM (white)

I'm an architect-turned-business strategist with an unconventional path into AI. Majored in architecture with a minor in economics at IIT, co-founded one of India's largest student standup comedy societies, growing it from 2 to 90+ members. Participated in a global hackathon guided my team to victory at a global hackathon judged by Steve Wozniak. Joined an AI startup where I transitioned from AI research to strategy, working to define company direction in this rapidly evolving field. At 24, I became the youngest owner of AI initiatives at my firm with a $500k+ budget, led solution ideation and execution solo for a Fortune 500 client. Developed an AI-powered social news app now live on the Play Store in my free time.

GMAT Score 695 (But I intend to take it again and get 700+); GPA: 8.1/10

Post-MBA, I aim to tackle what even tech giants are struggling with: figuring out business strategy for a post-AI world. I plan to work at AI startups solving revenue and commercial challenges before eventually transitioning into VC with an investment in AI focus.

Thinking of retaking GRE, but would really like to apply before Round 2. Let me know if I'm being unrealistic with the schools I'm choosing to apply to.

-Undergraduate at Minnesota / Carlson: Management Info. Systems; 3.0 GPA
-GMAT FE: 755 (83Q/90V/90DI)
-Work Experience: 2 years IT / Security Manager at small gov't municipality; 2 summer internships at mid-market IB's (doing IAM/cybersecurity)

GPA is low and work experience is mediocre at best. I'm hoping GMAT score will help compensate.

My background:

I am from Somalia (Not a very popular place, which I understand).

Studied accounting and graduated with a 3.3 GPA.

My GPA dropped a bit because I was working as the oldest male in my household, and I had to provide, or at least be independent, and I wasn't fully focused on my academics.

After graduating, I spent three years as a teacher and then became a school principal (two different institutions).

In the principal role, I actually implemented changes and had an impact.

I also previously worked in marketing, administration, and sales.

Currently preparing for the GRE and hoping to score high, I am doing the online version of the test.

MSc in Finance (17/20) and BSc in Management (15/20) from Nova SBE in Portugal

Case Club President, Students Union experience

Yale SOM Aug 2026 entry, Columbia J-Term 2027

Looking solely at part time programs.
Prior military - Navy Nuke Officer
Post military: Worked at big 3 defense company, currently at a large tech company