How Deepak, an Indian ECE Engineer, received admits from Kellogg, LBS, and Ross with a Full Scholarship

A sibling to 6, Deepak was born in a small village called Krutha in Bihar. Growing up in a modest household in a small village meant that often, there were days when he had to study under a candle lamp since electricity was a luxury that his hometown still couldn’t access. The quality of education was still not at par with that of a decent school in the city, and there wasn’t a single English medium school. So, till the age of 10, he studied in the local Hindi medium school. However, around the time when he turned 10, Deepak’s parents realized that he was a bright kid and the local school wouldn’t help him realize his potential. So they decided to take a hard call and got him admitted into an English medium boarding school in Gaya. 


Getting assimilated into boarding school wasn’t easy for him. Suddenly, he had to not only learn to speak, write, and read English fluently but also study all his subjects like Science, Social Studies and Mathematics in English. In his first and second term exams, he failed in three subjects: English, Science, and Social Studies. However, his strong quantitative skills allowed him to be in the top five rankings in Mathematics. Getting strong scores in the subject boosted Deepak’s confidence and strengthened his resolve to work hard and improve. From then on, he never looked back.

Experiencing this failure early on prepared Deepak for the challenges that might come his way and nurtured in him a never-back-down attitude. Striving for academic excellence led him down the path of the IIT-JEE entrance examination. Competing alongside hundreds of thousands of applicants, he earned himself a spot at IIT Kharagpur in Electronics and Communication Engineering Engineering. At IIT, he excelled both academically and in extracurriculars. Being a Merit-cum-Means Scholar, he burnt the midnight oil to maintain a high GPA. 

 

Along with this, he pursued academic research and got one of his research papers published in a reputed journal. Simultaneously, he served as a Hall Advisor for 500+ students, organizing several events to increase student engagement on campus. He founded IIT Kharagpur Mental Health Club and grew the membership to 35 members within the first year. Lastly, he was elected as a mess auditor and managed $100k bills per semester. These engagements provided Deepak with a well-rounded exposure and helped develop his leadership skills, and he received a “Special Mention” for his stellar performance. 

 

Upon graduation, Deepak joined Qualcomm, a leader in mobile technology, where he worked for 5+ years. He contributed to designing and testing cutting-edge technologies, including 5G and AI chips. Receiving multiple Qualstars and filing 2 patents, he became the youngest Engineer in the team and earned a fast-track promotion within 2 years. Despite his success, he yearned for a broader business perspective and greater impact. Inspired by his father’s encouragement to pursue excellence, he decided to pursue an MBA to transition into strategy and leadership roles.

 

Deepak scored an impressive 770 on the GMAT in his first attempt and connected with Admissions Gateway for the next steps. Working closely with Jason, an AG consultant, Deepak spent time reflecting on his journey thus far, weaving together stories of personal hardships and professional achievements into compelling MBA application essays. Jason’s guidance helped him articulate his unique narrative, particularly in essays like Stanford’s “What Matters Most to You and Why.”

 

Deepak’s passion for social impact shone through in his work with the New Progressive Women Farmer Association in Manipur, where he proactively contributed to initiatives around women empowerment, education of the girl child, and COVID-19 awareness programs. These initiatives complemented his long-standing belief in the transformative power of education.

 

Applying to five schools in Round 1, including Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, LBS, and Ross, Deepak received admission offers from Kellogg, LBS, and Ross, with a full scholarship from Ross. His decision to choose Ross was influenced by the school’s collaborative culture and generous financial aid. His interactions with Ross students further solidified his choice, as their approachability and willingness to support prospective students really reflected the school’s values.

 

Now at Ross, Deepak is thriving in its close-knit, collaborative community. He is actively exploring experiential learning opportunities and engaging in courses that align with his passion for technology and leadership. His story exemplifies how determination, self-reflection, and strategic planning can transform challenges into stepping stones toward success.

To read more such stories of folks who got into their dream business schools to pursue their lifelong passion, check out our success stories.

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