CANDIDATE: SM, India
QUALIFICATION: BSc (Hons) Physics, University of Delhi; MBA (IIM Ranchi)
PRE-MBA INDUSTRY: Asset Management (Multi-Asset Strategies)
EXPERIENCE: 48 months
GPA: 9.38/10
GMAT: 715
ADMITTED TO: Yale School of Management
SM grew up around the realities of running a small business. When his father’s billing company collapsed in the post-COVID digital shift, SM took over managing the family’s limited savings, achieving a 25–30 percent XIRR. It kept them afloat, but raised a larger question: why do so many small businesses in India struggle to access capital?
This experience shaped his long-term goal of building an investment platform that connects small businesses with the proper funding. After a BSc (Hons) in Physics from the University of Delhi and an MBA from IIM Ranchi (top 1 percent of his class), he built deep asset management expertise. At JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, he managed portfolios exceeding $ 10 billion, led a record $2.8 billion fund launch, and developed strategies that delivered real returns. He wanted to pursue an MBA abroad to build a more innovative and inclusive investment ecosystem for India’s small businesses. However, despite strong credentials, SM faced the challenge of explaining why he wanted to pursue a second MBA.
We began by addressing the core question: why a second MBA, and why now? Through honest conversations and reflection, SM identified key gaps: international exposure, a global investor network, and hands-on experience in private markets to support his entrepreneurial goals. We helped him highlight pivotal moments, such as saving a $200M fund launch with a creative futures-based solution that captured market upside and delivered $1M in ARR. In his optional essay, he directly addressed the second MBA concern, explained how Yale aligned with his goals, and showed why this was a strategic step forward, not a repetition. Together, we shaped a narrative rooted in clarity and purpose.
SM’s journey proves that with the right clarity and framing, even a second MBA can make perfect sense. He’s now headed to Yale SOM with a clear mission.
Future MBA and business master’s applicants can now access services through Admit Beacon, now part of The Red Pen. Current applicants will continue to receive uninterrupted support.
