From Data Specialist to Ivy League MBA: Riddhiman's Journey with LilacBuds

About Riddhiman

Riddhiman, an accomplished professional at Bain & Company's NPS Prism, had always been passionate about leveraging data to enhance customer experiences. With a strong foundation in electrical engineering from BITS Pilani and 3.5 years in a tech-intensive role, he aspired to transition into leadership and innovation on a global scale. This vision led him to pursue an MBA from a top U.S. business school.

Why LilacBuds? The Need for Professional MBA Consulting

Despite his impressive academic record—a 9.04 CGPA and a 705 GMAT Focus Edition score—Riddhiman recognized that navigating the MBA admission process required more than strong credentials. The complexity of crafting compelling essays, preparing for interviews, and differentiating himself in a competitive applicant pool led him to seek expert mentorship. LilacBuds provided the strategic guidance he needed to structure his applications effectively.

The Winning Strategy

LilacBuds designed a personalized approach to showcase Riddhiman's multifaceted profile:

• Showcasing Leadership and Innovation: His experience at Bain, where he worked with AI-driven customer experience solutions, was framed as a foundation for his leadership potential.
• Emphasizing Diverse Interests: His national-level debating, rifle shooting, and wildlife photography highlighted his diverse skills and adaptability.
• Structured Essay Development: LilacBuds guided Riddhiman through multiple essay drafts, ensuring his unique journey and future goals aligned with each school's values.
• Rigorous Interview Prep: Through mock interviews and feedback, Riddhiman honed his storytelling skills, ensuring he confidently addressed behavioral and scenario-based questions.

Result: Ivy League Success and Scholarships

Riddhiman applied to six prestigious MBA programs, with remarkable outcomes:

• Admitted to Yale School of Management (Ivy League)
• Admitted to UVA Darden School of Business
• Admitted to UCLA Anderson School of Management with a $60,000 scholarship
• Waitlisted at London Business School and University of Chicago Booth
• Rejection from Wharton, reflecting the high competitiveness but balanced by outstanding successes elsewhere

Riddhiman's feedbacks on LilacBuds’ MBA Consultation

Riddhiman credits LilacBuds for transforming his approach to MBA applications:

"LilacBuds made this journey personal and empowering. Rajiv treated my application like his own, pushing me to introspect and refine my narrative. Their guidance turned my vision into reality."

Why LilacBuds Made the Difference

• Holistic Support: From storyboarding essays to late-night interview prep, LilacBuds provided comprehensive guidance.
• Confidence Building: Unlike other consultants, LilacBuds instilled belief in Riddhiman's ability to target top schools.
• Strategic Planning: A clear, step-by-step approach kept him organized and focused throughout the application process.