Hello Sidharth! Let’s uncover how you got into ESSEC for Masters in Management!
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Pre application:
“Can you tell us about your undergrad journey, the internships that you might have done and how all this led to your decision of pursuing an MiM?”
Undergraduation and internships
I completed my undergraduate degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering at PS University. However, early on in my studies, I realized that electronics wasn’t my calling. Once I acknowledged this, it became clear to me that I needed to pivot. To transition from electronics engineering, I decided to take up a minor in business education within my university, which had a business school on campus. This allowed me to dip my toes into the field and explore whether a management degree would suit me. As I delved into the subjects, I found them much more relatable and engaging compared to my major. This experience led me to pursue an internship at a sports-focused startup, where I got to handle various roles—from testing and analysis to marketing and fieldwork. This gave me the full gamut of a startup experience, and I quickly realized that my skills and interests aligned more with the management side of things.
Leveraging my bachelor’s degree and the business minor, I managed to secure a role in business analytics. While I couldn’t directly transition into management consulting at that point, this role acted as an intermediary step. Business analytics is often a stepping stone to becoming a consultant, and this job allowed me to build on my undergraduate experience.
In my role as a business analyst, I worked primarily in automating processes for a company called Just Energy, which is a natural gas and electricity provider in Canada. My daily responsibilities involved understanding their various business processes, creating flowcharts, and mapping out these processes to automate them using Salesforce. My work was heavily focused on leveraging Salesforce’s Flow feature to streamline business functions, which involved a lot more technical work than I had initially anticipated. Over time, I navigated from a strictly functional role to a more techno-operational one, where I was not just automating incoming processes but also working closely with the operations team. This exposure helped me understand various backend processes across operations, field services, marketing, and sales.
Work experience
My daily work life primarily revolved around using Salesforce to automate business processes. Over the two years, I became quite proficient with Salesforce, specifically with its Flow tool for process automation. My technical skill set includes strong proficiency in Salesforce, Excel, and Power BI—essential tools for any business analyst. Excel was like my bread and butter, a must-learn skill that I mastered over time.
An interesting aspect of my job was the unique work hours. Since I worked with a Canadian team, my workday would start around 3 PM in India and end around 11:30 PM, sometimes extending to 1 or 2 AM. This unusual schedule actually provided me with some flexibility. It freed up my mornings, which I could use to study, pursue certifications, prepare for exams, or even engage in volunteering work.
What inspired you to pursue a master’s degree?
When I took my job after my undergraduate studies, I always knew it was a temporary move—a stopgap solution. I planned to stay for a couple of years and then pursue higher studies. The job wasn’t some sudden epiphany; it was part of a broader plan. However, working in that job turned out to be invaluable because it taught me a lot about soft skills—how to interact with directors, handle pressure from managers, and manage life in general. When someone is paying you, there’s always an expectation of output, and understanding that is crucial.
During my time in the role, I discovered a more analytical side of myself, which gave me an edge over some of my colleagues. I highly recommend that people spend some time working before going to business school. Even if you have a clear idea of what you want to do, work experience provides a unique perspective. It helped me identify my strengths, understand my weaknesses, and clarify what I wanted to focus on in my career.
Why Masters in Management?
As I mentioned, my goal was to move into strategy and consulting roles, particularly those that were more client-facing. I realized that this was where I could grow quicker in my career and where my strengths would shine. However, working in a backend, technical role was not allowing me to leverage these strengths. That’s when I decided that going to business school was the way forward.
When considering business school, there were three predominant options for someone with zero to two years of work experience: doing an MBA in India, going abroad for a Master’s in Management (MIM), or waiting a few years to gain more experience before pursuing an MBA. Each choice has its own opportunity costs and direct costs.
For me, to get into a consulting role in India, I would likely need to attend one of the top institutions, such as IIM A, B, C, or ISB. As a general engineering male (GEM) candidate, I wasn’t confident enough in my chances, and I also didn’t want to continue living in India. I’d already done my undergraduate studies there and experienced Indian academic life. Staying in a similar environment and speaking the same language seemed less interesting to me.
Why Singapore or Europe?
Once I decided against staying in India, the choice was between an MIM in Europe or an MBA abroad. To get into a top-notch MBA program abroad, I would need at least five to six years of work experience. The opportunity cost of waiting that long was too high for me. After researching, I found that while an MIM may not be as big of a deal as an MBA in some countries, it offers tremendous exposure and flexibility.
For example, in Europe, programs offer different durations—one year, two years—and multiple campus options like Paris, Singapore, or even Rabat in Morocco. They also have exchange ties with top institutions across the globe. This variety allows for a customizable education experience that fits different needs and career goals.
Another key factor for me was the type of roles available post-graduation. In India, front-end consulting roles are less common compared to developed nations like Europe, Singapore, or the US. Gaining access to these roles in India would be challenging, so I chose a path that might be seen as unconventional but aligned more with my long-term goals.
Evaluating the Risks and Rewards
Choosing the MIM over an MBA was a calculated decision. I knew I might be going for a degree that’s perceived as “lesser” compared to an MBA, but I also knew that with the right brand and career services from a top business school, I could compensate for that difference. It’s important to understand that an MBA has a different value in different parts of the world. For instance, in India, the MBA is highly valued due to its association with US business school culture. However, in Europe, MIMs have significant recognition, and the early-career MBA is not as big of a deal.
The downside of going for an MBA later, after several more years of experience, was the high tuition fees and lost time. For me, the opportunity cost was simply too high. Therefore, I opted for a European institution that would provide the education and exposure I needed, without requiring me to wait longer or spend excessively on an MBA.
Application Process:
“Once you knew that MiM is what you wanted, how did you start off with the application process; profile building, GMAT, LORs and more”
What was your approach towards the application process
Once I decided on the path I wanted to take—pursuing a Master in Management (MIM)—the process became relatively straightforward. There are typically only about five to six key colleges that MIM candidates, including myself, consider. This made narrowing down my options less overwhelming. There are, of course, various details to consider, such as whether the program is one or two years long, whether it offers a specialization in marketing, whether it includes an internship, and so on. But broadly speaking, I always had my eye on the top five or six schools, including London Business School (LBS), ESSEC Business School, INSEAD, ESCP Business School, HEC Paris, and Rotterdam School of Management.
Given that my focus was on early career acceleration, which is what the MIM is designed for, I wanted to complete my program in one year instead of two. I had already gained two years of work experience, and the typical MIM is designed for those with zero to two years of experience. A longer program would mean graduating quite late, and at that point, I might as well have pursued a one-year MBA. So, to make the experience worthwhile, I focused on schools where I could complete the program in one year. This narrowed my choices down to institutions like LBS and ESSEC, which fit my criteria.
How did you build a profile
Once I had narrowed down the list of potential schools, the next step was to build a strong profile. Different schools look for different qualities in candidates. For example, LBS and ESSEC have different criteria based on their locations and institutional cultures. LBS, being in London, is an English-speaking environment and looks for certain qualities that differ from ESSEC, which is in Paris and places more emphasis on knowing some French and integrating with the local culture.
ESSEC, from what I gathered, is somewhat less focused on past academics compared to some other schools. Understanding these nuances is crucial for tailoring your profile to each school. For instance, if you have completed a French A1 or A2 language course at Alliance Française, it would be worth highlighting in your ESSEC application since they might value it more compared to LBS. Similarly, highlighting experiences that align with the culture and expectations of each school can make a significant difference.
Building a profile isn’t something that starts two or three months before applying—it begins years in advance. When I talk about building a profile, I mean accumulating relevant experiences that align with your career goals and the expectations of the schools you are targeting. If you are aiming for a consulting role, consider joining a pro bono consulting organization or doing some free consulting work to build experience. If you lack volunteer experience, get involved with an organization or club that offers leadership opportunities. Most undergraduate colleges have plenty of these opportunities where you can gain leadership experience.
I joined Rotaract early on, in my third year of engineering, with this in mind. I genuinely wanted to contribute, but I was also aware that these experiences would help strengthen my application profile. When you are planning to apply abroad, it’s essential to think ahead and strategically accumulate experiences that will enhance your profile.
Tips for Building Your Profile:
- Plan Early: Start building your profile at least a couple of years in advance.
- Accumulate Relevant Experiences: Join clubs or organizations, take on leadership roles, and seek out experiences that are relevant to your career goals.
- Certifications and Awards: If you are working and earn certifications or awards, make sure to mention them. They can add weight to your profile.
- Learn to Market Yourself: It’s important to know how to present yourself well in your application. You don’t have to boast, but learning to highlight your achievements effectively is key.
- Maintain Strong Academics: While some people say grades don’t matter much, they do. It’s always beneficial to keep your grades as high as possible, as it can make a difference in getting into the college you want.
Reflecting back, if I could have put in just 20-30% more effort in certain areas, like pushing my grades higher or getting a slightly better GMAT score, it could have improved my chances even further. So, I’d advise anyone applying to take these aspects seriously and not underestimate their importance.
Preparing for the GMAT and TOEFL
When I was preparing for my applications, I was aware that the average GMAT score for London Business School (LBS) was around 690, while for ESSEC, it was closer to 680. Knowing these benchmarks, I set my target a bit higher—around 710 to 720. Being an Indian engineer from a general category background, there is always a bit of extra pressure to exceed the average scores.
GMAT Preparation Strategy
For my GMAT preparation, I initially took a course from a company called E-GMAT. However, it didn’t quite work for me; it didn’t resonate with my learning style. I tried quite a few resources, but nothing seemed to click until I discovered a YouTube channel called GMAT Ninja. The channel had various instructors, including one named Charles, who were excellent. They covered everything comprehensively, from verbal sections to analytical writing assessment (AWA) and integrated reasoning (IR).
In the last month leading up to my exam, I focused intensely on GMAT Ninja’s resources. My score improved significantly during this period. However, I didn’t deliver my best on the actual test day and ended up with a 680. This score is just about average for the schools I was targeting, like ESSEC and LBS. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite enough for LBS.
The takeaway here is to aim as high as possible. A higher GMAT score not only improves your chances of admission but also increases your chances of getting scholarships at these institutions. If you can score 20-30 points above the average, you have a good shot at getting into the top schools.
For those preparing for the GMAT, I’d suggest spending two to three months on a good prep course if you prefer structured learning. If you are okay with a more unstructured approach, platforms like GMAT Club are very useful. Either way, aim to get 20-30 points above the average GMAT score for your target schools to strengthen your chances.
TOEFL/IELTS Preparation Strategy
As for English proficiency exams like the IELTS or TOEFL, they are generally a requirement for almost all these institutions. I took the IELTS, which is a pretty straightforward exam, especially if you speak English regularly. Indians aren’t considered native speakers by default, but since most of us speak and use English daily, it shouldn’t be too difficult. But if a student’s native language is not English then it would be wiser to put in more effort.
The listening and reading sections of the IELTS are quite manageable if you’re comfortable with English. The main area to focus on would be the writing section. Most schools set a minimum requirement of 6.0 or 6.5, depending on the institution, so aiming for a 7.0 is a safe bet.
To prepare, a couple of weeks should be enough. They provide study material, including books and practice tests, which you can use to familiarize yourself with the format. Just put in some focused effort on the writing section, and you should be fine. Unlike the GMAT, you don’t need an exceptionally high score in the IELTS or TOEFL; you just need to meet the minimum requirement set by your target schools. That being said, I was able to secure an 8 in IELTS, which is a comfortable score.
Statement of Purpose (SOP), Resume, and Letters of Recommendation (LORs): In-Depth Insights
When applying to business schools, various elements contribute to the strength of your application. The key components are your SOP, resume, LORs, CGPA, and GMAT scores. Based on my experience, I’ll break down each of these elements, rank them in terms of their importance, and share tips on how to approach each one effectively.
It’s important to note that the importance weightage for LORs, SOP, resume etc isn’t strictly fixed and can vary depending on the strengths and weaknesses of your application. In general, I would say all of them could hold around 25% weightage each. The benefit of applying to universities abroad is that if one element is weak, you can compensate with a stronger showing in another area.
For instance, if your CGPA is low but your GMAT is stellar and you have an excellent resume, it can balance out the overall profile. Similarly, if your GMAT isn’t as high but you have a strong SOP and impactful LORs, you can still present a compelling case.
How to Approach the SOP (Statement of Purpose)
The SOP is crucial because it’s where you communicate directly with the admissions committee about who you are, what motivates you, and why you want to attend their program. Both for ESSEC and London Business School (LBS), the SOP wasn’t a single essay but rather a series of questions aimed at understanding your motivations, career goals, and fit with the program.
Common questions included:
- Why ESSEC (i.e. any other university you’re applying for)?
- Why are you interested in studying in Singapore, France, or London?
- What are your career goals?
- How do you plan on contributing to the school?
- What unique qualities do you bring to the table?
These questions are designed to get to know you better as a person and understand how you align with their program and culture. To write a good SOP, it is crucial to have a clear, honest depiction of yourself. Be genuine about your motivations and what you want from the program.
A common mistake I see is people going to agencies to get their SOP written or heavily edited. This often results in an SOP that does not genuinely reflect the candidate. Remember, it’s okay to admit if you lack a certain skill but are willing to learn. Honesty and authenticity are key. If you approach the SOP with a clear mindset and are true to yourself, it will naturally take care of itself.
How to Approach the LOR (Letter of Recommendation)
LORs are another vital aspect of the application process. I got one LOR from my college professor, with whom I had worked closely for more than a year on my final year project. My second LOR came from my manager at work, with whom I had also spent a significant amount of time.
The most important advice I can give is: Don’t chase the highest designation; choose someone who knows you well. Some candidates make the mistake of thinking that a recommendation from a high-ranking person, like a CEO, will automatically carry more weight. However, business schools are more interested in how well the recommender knows you and can speak to your strengths and weaknesses.
Admissions committees often ask specific, personalized questions to the recommender. A generic response from someone who doesn’t know you well won’t be very impactful. Therefore, it’s more beneficial to get a recommendation from someone who has worked closely with you and can provide detailed and authentic insights into your character and capabilities.
For both ESSEC and LBS, the LOR process involved a mix of multiple-choice questions and brief descriptions about the candidate. The recommender needed to answer questions thoughtfully, which requires genuine familiarity with the applicant.
Test scores and resume
Your CGPA and resume also play crucial roles in your application. The relative importance of these two elements can depend on the specific program and how you present your overall profile.
For instance, if your CGPA is low but you have a GMAT score of 750, you’ve likely done enough to cover for the lower CGPA. However, if your CGPA is low, your GMAT is just average, and your resume doesn’t reflect substantial work experience, then you’re not compensating for the weakness in your academic record.
On the other hand, if you have a decent CGPA, a decent GMAT score, and a stellar resume that demonstrates experience at a top investment banking firm or similar high-impact work, then your resume can help cover up for a slightly weaker academic performance. It’s about strategically balancing the components of your application to present the strongest case possible.
Application Process, Timeline and Deadlines
When it came to applying to ESSEC, there were four rounds of admission timelines. For Indian applicants, I would recommend applying by Round 2 or, at the latest, Round 3. Round 1 typically ends in October, Round 2 in December, and Round 3 around February or March. These rounds are about when you submit your application, not when the interviews happen.
For my application, I aimed for Round 2, which had a deadline in December. I submitted my application in December, got an interview call in March, interviewed in March, and received the result in April. The GMAT prep started around August, and I took the test by the end of October. Completing the application, from the start of GMAT prep, to polishing your resume and getting the LORs, took about 4-5 months in total.
Application Process and Requirements
There are three stages in the admission process. First, you submit your application, which includes your GMAT scores, LOR, SOP, and other required documents. Once you submit your application within the deadline of a particular round, you might be invited for an interview within a month or two, depending on how strong your application is. The final result is usually released about a month after the interview.
Speaking of the LORs, they can be quite tricky. If you know your manager or professor well, you might get them quickly. But if you’re not in regular contact or need to follow up several times, it could take longer. I had to remind my professor several times since I was a year out of college and wasn’t meeting him regularly. For most schools, you don’t just upload a PDF; instead, the university sends an email to your recommender, and they have to fill it out within a specific timeframe. So, make sure you keep them informed and ensure they complete it on time. Otherwise, even if you’ve finished everything on your end, your application could get delayed to the next round.
Interview Preparation and Experience
Regarding interview preparation, it’s always good to hold off on submitting the application until a few days before the deadline. This gives you time to refine and make last-minute changes if needed, but don’t push it until the last day either.
The interview itself is typically a 40-minute conversation with the Admissions Committee. For ESSEC, my interview was with two professors—one from Singapore and another from France—and a current student. They asked straightforward questions like why I chose ESSEC, why Singapore, and why a particular track. Since I opted for an intensive track, I was asked about the Indian economy, my engineering background, and my cricketing experience. It’s important to be well-prepared to discuss anything you’ve mentioned in your SOP or questionnaire. These answers should flow naturally if you’ve been honest and authentic in your application.
Many people try to embellish their profiles, claiming they’ve built companies or worked on big projects. But during interviews, the gaps in their stories become apparent. These committees are quite experienced and can tell when someone is exaggerating or lying. So, the key is to be honest about your experiences. If you can hold a genuine conversation, you’ll be fine.
You can look up sample questions online, as many alumni share their experiences and the types of questions asked. However, be ready for questions unique to your profile. For instance, I’m a huge Formula 1 fan, and I got asked about that during my interview. I was also asked why I chose Bahrain over another track and what I found unique about Bahrain’s economy. Because I was genuinely interested and had a natural answer, I could confidently discuss the topic. So, always talk about things you know well, and you’ll be on solid ground.
Post application:
“Now that the applications and admits are done, what are the things I’ve to consider regarding cost of tuition, accommodation, internships and job opportunities”
Financing your education and scholarships
When it comes to financing your education, especially for programs in Europe, the options can be a bit different compared to the US. Generally, European schools offer fewer scholarships compared to US institutions, largely due to the smaller endowment funds available. However, it’s not impossible to secure a good scholarship; I’ve heard of people receiving 30-40% scholarships.
For ESSEC Business School, the cost is around €49,000 for the two-year program or approximately €37,000 for the one-year program, which translates to over 35 lakhs INR. I personally took out a loan to cover about 80% of the tuition and living expenses.
In terms of financing, you can either pay the fees upfront or take out a loan. Paying upfront might be beneficial for tax reasons in India, as educational loans have lower tax implications compared to regular loans. If you pay out of pocket without an educational loan, you’ll face a higher tax rate. For educational loans, the tax benefit is significant, with lower tax rates on the interest paid.
Another interesting option at ESSEC is their “apprenticeship” program in France. This program allows you to sign a work-study contract with a company, where you work three days a week and study the other three days. In return, the company covers your tuition fees and living expenses. This can be a great way to finance your education, especially if you’re considering staying in France after graduation. However, it’s a two-year binding contract, so it requires a commitment.
If you choose a program like the one at ESSEC, it’s also worth considering other options, such as internships or shorter-duration programs, which can help reduce costs. For instance, ESSEC offers both a flexible and an intensive track. The intensive track is designed for individuals with more than a year of work experience and allows you to complete the program in one year instead of two or three. If you’re coming straight out of college, you might find the flexible track more beneficial, as it allows you to gain work experience through internships and apprenticeships.
About the MiM course at ESSEC
At ESSEC, the course structure offers a lot of flexibility and interesting components. For example, at the Singapore campus, we have the Asian Strategic Consulting Project, which started last week. This project is quite immersive; the first week is a boot camp run by consulting firms like McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. These firms come on campus to teach us the basics of consulting, including problem-solving, market strategy, and various consulting approaches. After this intensive boot camp, we are assigned a client to work with, focusing on projects like ESG strategy, market expansion, or other consulting tasks over a period of three to four months.
The choice of location is crucial and should align with your career goals. For instance, if you’re interested in luxury marketing, you might consider Paris. If you’re leaning towards consulting, the Singapore option with the Asian Strategic Consulting Project could be more suitable.
The program includes core courses, of which there are nine in total. These cover essential subjects such as finance, economics, operations, strategy, and marketing. I’m taking a mix of these core courses across different trimesters. Besides the core courses, you also choose electives based on tracks that align with your interests. For example, there’s a track focused on Business Management in Asia, which covers topics like geopolitics and negotiation specific to the region. Another track, Tech Innovation & Entrepreneurship, focuses on AI and business creation. You can pick electives from different tracks depending on your career goals. Since I come from an engineering background, I’m focusing on finance courses to strengthen my financial modeling and market understanding. I plan to explore AI in the next term and possibly some courses from the Business Management in Asia track.
For graduation, you need to complete nine core courses, one language course (French or Mandarin), and have at least one year of international work experience. If you’re doing the two-year program, you’ll need to validate this work experience again. Additionally, the consulting project is a key component of the program.
The program also emphasizes practical skills, such as CV building and career networking. There’s a focus on how to structure your CV effectively to pass automated checks used by companies and how to network and use tools like Excel efficiently. The school provides various career services, including networking fairs and connections with companies in different industries, which can be very beneficial for your career development.
Visa Process
The visa process for Singapore was quite straightforward. For a student visa, you generally just need to submit your admission certificate and documents, including your grades. After this, you receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA), which means your documents have been approved in principle, but you’ll need to verify a few things once you arrive in Singapore.
Upon arrival, you use the IPA for a one-time entry into Singapore. Then, you need to complete a medical test. Once your medical test is cleared, you submit the results along with the IPA to the immigration office, where you’ll be issued a Student Pass. This pass allows multiple entries into Singapore and is valid for the duration of your studies. With a Student Pass, you’re allowed to work up to 16 hours per week, but employment beyond this or full-time work is not permitted.
In contrast, the visa process in Europe, such as for the UK, is more complicated. It often involves going through a VFS (Visa Facilitation Services) center, declaring finances, and showing proof of a minimum balance, among other requirements. Singapore’s process is much simpler and less demanding in terms of financial documentation.
Finding accommodation and travel
Living in Singapore can be quite pricey, especially when it comes to accommodation. Scams are common, so booking a place from abroad without seeing it in person can be risky. To find a place, I used a Facebook group called “Indians in Singapore.” It’s a popular resource and has been incredibly useful.
I posted in the group looking for accommodation and received many responses. Besides that, there are several websites that help connect you with agents who can find you a place. I ended up with a condo, a four-bedroom shared condo with two bathrooms. I chose a condo for its amenities, which are generally better than what you’d get with a government-built HDB (Housing and Development Board) flat. HDBs are cheaper but lack the facilities and extras that condos offer.
Additionally, there are co-living spaces run by companies like The Cove and apartments from The Keystone, which are good options for students but tend to be on the more expensive side. Generally, you can expect to pay between 1,000 to 2,500 SGD for a one-bedroom unit in Singapore. The cost varies depending on whether you prioritize amenities or not.
Career outcomes after graduation
Regarding future prospects, internships, jobs, salaries, and designations, here’s what I’ve observed so far:
Internships in Singapore are quite accessible. I personally haven’t started one yet and don’t plan to in the first six to eight months. However, I know friends who have interned at prominent firms like Bank of Singapore. Internships are available, but securing a full-time role can be challenging due to local employment regulations. Singapore has a system where jobs must be advertised to locals first before considering expats. This gives locals a fair chance at job opportunities, making it more competitive for foreigners.
In terms of salaries, for a full-time role in Singapore after completing a master’s degree, you can expect around 5,000 to 6,000 SGD per month. This is a decent amount to live on in Singapore, though costs can add up. For example, if you spend 2,000 SGD on rent and another 1,000 SGD on living expenses, you might end up with about 3,000 SGD left, depending on your lifestyle. To get an S Pass, which is necessary for employment, you need a salary of at least 5,000 SGD per month.
Internships typically pay around 1,500 SGD per month, which is quite a bit less than full-time salaries. The good news is that internships often last six months, and since many global companies have offices in Singapore, securing an internship here is relatively straightforward. This makes Singapore a great place to gain experience, especially if you’re pursuing a two-year program and want to explore marketing or other fields.
For those considering moving from Singapore to Europe or the Middle East, like the path often taken by students from programs like the one at a sec, Paris offers a gateway to the European job market. Paris provides access to various countries within Europe, which can be advantageous if you’re looking to work in the broader European market. Conversely, if you’re an Indian looking to stay closer to home or work in Asia, gaining experience in Paris and then leveraging that experience in Singapore can also be a viable strategy.
Ultimately, how you navigate your career path depends on your goals. Singapore is excellent for breaking into finance or consulting due to its strong industry presence. Internships here can be valuable and can help open doors elsewhere. If you manage to secure a position, it can be a great foothold for your career.
Final advice for anyone applying for MiM
For those considering studying abroad, here are my final words of advice:
First, don’t neglect the importance of your grades and test scores. While some people might tell you they’re not critical, having a solid academic record can make a difference. The most important thing is to have clarity about why you’re pursuing this path. Don’t go abroad just for the sake of it; it’s not as glamorous as it might seem. In my experience, I found myself doing more mundane tasks than studying, and the reality can be quite different from what you might expect.
Take your time to decide if studying abroad is right for you. If you feel that gaining more work experience before going abroad would be beneficial, then do that. There’s no rush, and you’re not in a race against anyone.
Focus on regular study and aim for good grades, as these can help with scholarships and other opportunities. It’s crucial to be clear about your goals and reasons for studying abroad. If things don’t go as planned, remember that there are many different paths to success. I know people who didn’t land their ideal roles immediately but eventually found success elsewhere.
In India, there’s often a rigid template for career paths—engineering followed by an MBA, for example—without much consideration of why we’re following that path. It’s important to think more flexibly and explore different options. Meeting people from different backgrounds can help broaden your perspective and inspire you to think outside the box.
Helpful resources and tools:
GMAT Resources – “What were the GMAT resources that you used?”
Accommodation – “Any important tools for finding your accommodation?”
- Group – Indians in Singapore
- Cove – Singapore
- PropertyGuru
Financing – “How did you finance your education, are there some reliable loan providers?”
- IDFC and HDFC Bank for loans
Other important resources (by the grad post):
- TTP
- MakeMyTrip – for air travel and temporary accommodations in Singapore
- HDFC Credit Cards – for help with international transactions and lounge access
- Yocket
Connect:
Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidharth-madhaven-002245146/
The Grad Post is organising 100s of such case studies for students going abroad. You can have a look at the website here.
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