IIT Delhi grad who got into UCLA MBA with $80,000 scholarship explains why he skipped IIMs & ISB

For decades, having an IIT + IIM combination on the resume has been the gold standard to gain respect in India. And then, the IIT + ISB combo joined the club.

But trends and aspirations change over time. While IIT still remains an aspirational brand, many IITians pair it up with an international MBA degree, instead of joining an Indian business school.

IIT Delhi grad, Anshshiv Garg, explains why and how he did it.
 

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Why I skipped IIMs and ISB after IIT

How I got into UCLA Anderson with $80,000 scholarship

by Anshshiv Garg

 
As a child, I was always academically driven. Although neither of my parents came from academically inclined backgrounds, they always emphasized the importance of education. With their support, I pursued my B.Tech. at my dream college — IIT Delhi.

Though I majored in mechanical engineering, I developed a deep interest in tech which changed the trajectory of my career. I pursued a minor in Computer Science, completed software engineering internships, and eventually landed a role at Salesforce as a software engineer.

While I enjoyed solving exciting challenges as a software engineer, I found discussing customer journeys and business requirements with Product Managers most captivating. Instead of going deeper into the technical realm, I wanted to pivot into the product space, where I can drive innovation on a larger scale.

An MBA seemed like the perfect launchpad for this transition. It would equip me with the strategic and business skills needed to become a Product Manager and eventually build my own venture — an aspiration inspired by my father, a first-generation entrepreneur.

Having already studied at a premier Indian institution, I wasn’t keen on applying to IIMs or ISB. I was looking for an international MBA to gain global exposure, diverse perspectives, and international career opportunities.

Top concerns

When I began working on my applications in 2024, I was plagued by self-doubt. I felt I had a “generic” profile — a software engineer without any formal leadership titles, international experience, or significant extracurriculars during college. My 705 GMAT score was good, but I feared I wouldn’t stand out in a competitive applicant pool.

I had heard from multiple sources that admission consultants are necessary for cracking top MBA programs abroad. Since I already had four years of work experience, I didn’t want to take chances and risk wasting a year by applying independently. That’s when a friend’s recommendation led me to MBA Crystal Ball.

One thing that stood out about MCB was their approach. They don’t spoon-feed you. They push you to reflect deeply, do the hard work yourself, and grow through the process. I appreciated this style because I didn’t just want to submit a strong application, I wanted to come out of this process more self-aware and articulate.

I signed up for their MBA Mock Application Process (MBA MAP) and a 2-school essay editing package. A few weeks in, based on my positive experience, I upgraded to the 3-school package, and eventually the interview package too.

Review of Admissions Consultant

I worked with Manish Gupta, the Chief Consulting Officer at MCB. From the very beginning, his feedback was brutally honest and that’s exactly what I needed.

My first draft was met with a blunt critique:

“EXTREMELY bare bones with barely any emotions.”

It stung at first, but as we worked through multiple revisions, I began to see what strong essays really look like — ones that contain substance, convey energy, and resonate emotionally. That level of nuance and storytelling is something I couldn’t have achieved on my own.

Manish helped me unearth stories and experiences I had overlooked and helped me build a compelling narrative.

The MBA MAP process gave me an early opportunity to receive structured feedback from Manish on both my writing and interviewing skills. It helped me identify my strengths and gaps early in the journey, shaping a focused application strategy and clarifying where I needed to invest more effort.

Application strategy

I applied to nine schools, eight in the US and one in Europe (LBS). Given my post MBA goal of staying in Tech, I applied to schools that have strong track-records in Technology recruitment.

I worked with MCB for three schools and applied independently to the remaining six. While some essay topics overlapped, I quickly realized that each application demanded a unique and tailored approach and reusing essays wasn’t an option.

Thanks to the skills I developed through MCB, I was able to craft strong, tailored essays even for the schools I applied to independently. In fact, I got into UCLA Anderson — a school I applied to without direct help — with an $80k scholarship.

I applied to seven schools in Round 1, and received three interview invites — Kellogg, Darden, and Anderson. Based on the feedback from my MAP mock interview, I knew I had work to do.

Manish suggested that I invest more time in crafting strong responses to common interview questions. I decided to sign up for MCB’s interview package, where I had two high-impact mock sessions with him. These sessions were intense and incredibly helpful. They mirrored the actual interviews closely and gave me the confidence I needed.

Results

I was waitlisted at Kellogg and admitted to UCLA Anderson with a $60K scholarship. With Manish’s guidance, I was also awarded the Transformative Leader Fellowship at Anderson, which increased my total scholarship to $80K.

I’ve now committed to Anderson. Its strong track record in tech recruitment, West Coast location, and collaborative culture make it an ideal fit for my short-term goal of transitioning into product management, and support my long-term aspiration of building a tech venture.

Closing thoughts

The MBA application process was transformational. It pushed me to reflect, clarify my goals, and recognize the value of my journey so far. There were moments of self-doubt — when I wondered if all this effort was even worth it — but pushing through those doubts led to a stronger sense of purpose and clarity.

Thanks to MCB, I didn’t just get into business school — I grew as a professional and as a person.

In hindsight, I wish I had started the process earlier. That would have given me more time to strengthen my profile and approach the applications with even more depth.

To fellow MBA aspirants, if possible, engage MCB early. Their guidance can help you identify gaps and take meaningful action well before application season begins.

Finally, be clear about your goals before you embark on this journey. The MBA application process is exacting — it will test your self-belief and resilience — but with clarity and commitment, it can be incredibly rewarding.

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You don’t have to be an IITian to work with us on your MBA applications. And we help with the one-year MBA programs at ISB and IIMs too, if that’s what you’re aiming for. Get in touch: info@mbacrystalball.com

– UCLA MBA Anderson Interview with Associate Director of Admissions
– Best Part-time MBA in California: UCLA Anderson (FEMBA) and Berkeley Haas
– Best MBA in California (USA) for international students
– Life as a London Business School MBA student and alumna