Devyani's journey isn't one of shortcuts or easy wins. It's a story of purposeful steps, quiet determination, and an unwavering belief in her ability to grow. From early career doubts to securing admission at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, every decision she made was guided by clarity, courage, and self-belief.
A bold early choice
After completing her undergraduate degree in engineering from Vishwkarma Institute Of Technology in India, Devyani entered the workforce full of promise. But within a few months, she realized her current trajectory didn't align with her long-term ambitions. The work didn't challenge her, and she wanted more, more impact, more learning, and more direction. So she made a bold choice: to pursue a master's degree in the U.S. This decision opened new doors, helping her expand both her technical expertise and her worldview.
Over the next five and a half years, Devyani built a successful career in R&D roles within the U.S. automotive industry at Cummins Inc. She loved working in a field driven by innovation and problem-solving. But over time, she realized she wanted to play a larger role in shaping the future, not just from a technical standpoint, but also from a strategic and business perspective. That's when the idea of an MBA began to take shape.
Owning an unconventional profile
Applying to business school as a working professional already holding a master's degree, and at 32, came with unique questions. Would her background be seen as unconventional? Would her years of experience stand out or blend in? Devyani didn't let the uncertainty derail her. Instead, she set clear criteria: she would apply only to top programs in Chicago, where she was based, and if the fit didn't work out, she'd explore part-time options instead. This clarity helped her stay focused and intentional throughout the process.
How Admissions Gateway helped
A key part of Devyani's success was her collaboration with Aparna, her MBA admissions consultant at Admissions Gateway. What started as a professional engagement quickly turned into a close, supportive partnership. Devyani admits that at first, she wasn't sure what would make her story stand out. She hadn't faced dramatic adversity, and her resume didn't include flashy accolades. But through reflective conversations with Aparna, she uncovered the deeper layers of her story, her quiet grit, her ability to adapt, and her drive to constantly grow beyond expectations.
One particularly powerful realization was how far Devyani had come since her school days. Growing up in a setting where English wasn't widely spoken, she had faced real challenges during her early academic journey. Fast forward a few years, and she was thriving in a global environment, leading engineering projects and preparing for a top-tier MBA. That arc, of growth, resilience, and transformation, became central to her application story. Her essays reflected the depth of that journey, not just the outcomes but the persistence that fueled them.
Aparna played a critical role in helping shape and sharpen every part of Devyani's application. With Devyani simultaneously planning her wedding and working full-time, time management was crucial. Aparna helped her stay on track, meet deadlines, and refine even the smallest details, from resume tweaks to short-answer prompts. By the time interviews arrived, Devyani was confident and well-prepared, drawing from a thoughtfully built foundation of stories and goals they had worked on together from day one.
A clear post-MBA vision
What made Devyani's application especially compelling was the clarity of her post-MBA vision. She wasn't looking to leave the industry she loved, she was looking to return to it with a new lens. Her long-term goal is to lead at the executive level in the automotive sector, combining her technical background with strong business acumen. Consulting, for her, is a way to gain broader exposure and accelerate her transition into leadership. This clear and credible goal helped strengthen her overall narrative.
The result
When her Round 1 results came in, Devyani had exactly what she had worked for, an admit from Booth, her top-choice program, in the city she calls home away from home. Though there was still time to apply to other prestigious schools, she knew this was the right fit and chose to pause there, turning her attention to her wedding and the exciting chapter ahead.
Devyani's journey is a powerful example of what it means to own your path. She didn't follow a traditional route, and she didn't try to fit into a mold.
Today, as she walks through the doors of Booth, Devyani carries with her the momentum of every step she took to get here. Not as a burden, but as a powerful foundation for what comes next. Her story is a reminder that there's no one formula for success, just the courage to keep moving forward, one intentional decision at a time.