"At the end, all what you need is a compelling story!"

From Delhi to Yale, it has been an amazing journey full of incidences and experiences that went on to shape the stunning story of Ms. Shritelekha who connected with us through a wonderful webinar “How to crack the world’s toughest B-schools? The webinar was successfully conducted by Women in Business Club, Miranda House. Let’s trace this journey in her own words.

When it comes to MBA admissions, yes definitely it is a long road filled with confusion and chaos, questions ranging from GMAT to the work experience needed, these and many others are often left unanswered. Familiar with this situation, hence in WIB, we tried to get some answers of these and various other questions with Ms. Shritilekha Kar in this amazing session.

Shritilekha Kar is a DU alumna who completed her under graduation from Hindu College in BA Economics and is currently pursuing MBA from Yale University. When inquired about her amazing journey, she believes that there exist 2 types of currencies, Performance Currency and the Relationship Currency. Reaching Yale, she told us, was nothing that she had expected in her college. Being in DU after qualifying through cut throat cut-offs, students often contain this fabricated perception that they are the best in their field. But the real world starts after college and you realize how huge the market is and how high the competition is.

According to her the most common misconceptions about the perfect application is that when applicants assume marks are everything when in actuality they are not. In our society where marks are upheld as the suitable standard for intelligence, however unfortunately marks are not the determining factor for your application. What actually matters is what we want to do with our degree or how it is going to be helpful in the future, how we are able to present our best version in the application. Ms. Shritelekha equally believes in the importance of a good network. It is essential to have a functional and an active LinkedIn account to connect with people having similar paths and goals to learn from their experience and journey through a professional engagement.

She told us, we need not think too much about how to stand out in the pool of applications but focus on ourselves and learn from others' experience. We should first start believing in ourselves before making others believe in our potential. We should create an identity for ourselves rather than trying to be someone else. One of the most asked questions in the webinar was also how will students from a non-business background stand in the process? And her answer was very thought provoking saying that your difference in background will not be a liability but an asset that you can carry in your favour. You will be able to bring a whole new set of capabilities that other won't..

When asked about how we can lift our confidence level, Ms Shritelekha said that Self introspection and getting indulged with oneself is an important key. Equally important it is to look at past achievements and experiences and give yourself the credit and necessary appreciation. Sometimes giving yourself the feeling and security that you are at least there to listen yourself and you have come really far is really what counts. Talking to mentors can boost your level of confidence and bring better results.

When questioned about the nature of scholarships in Yale, the availability and the criteria. We came to know that there are scholarships available but the nature varies, the nature of scholarships is different, like Yale offers scholarships that are not need based but rather achievement based. “Based on certain professional and academic achievements, you can get a decent scholarship”, according to Ms Shritelekha.

When students asked her about the difference in education system of India and Abroad. She gave a wonderful answer saying “Outside, they have the ability to study and go for whichever subject the want, you know people with basic skills in Maths can go for higher education, it is altogether a different environment, not Grade focused as such but skill and learning oriented because that matters a lot.” In India we have this strange mentality of slogging on weaknesses waiting for some miracle to happen and then perfection will be achieved. Instead of that there is a need to focus on your strengths and not be bogged down by your weaknesses and shortcomings for we all bear them. “I also learned to shift my attention towards my stronger subjects and be best in them instead of lagging in subjects that can take me more time and energy and that too without providing me the desired results”.

When questioned about this general fear of getting this question in interviews "What do you have to offer that other candidates don't", She smiles and says “Well It is not a question that is actually asked in the interviews or applications, it’s a kind of judgement which we can bring in anything”.

About her opinion on Women leaders, she firmly believes “Women, more than men, need a backing or a support to be taken seriously in situations. Therefore, Sponsor is a must. Women helping women is the way to bring up more women in leadership positions’.  Moreover we should look at ones job, not just a job, but a calling, a passion, throwing yourself into it completely, your heart and mind. We should hold each other’s back and be supportive and help others rise, greatness comes not through positions of power but while helping build others. All those Women in positions of power carry an obligation, to pull others up. We need to celebrate each other’s being and success.

About the information regarding Business schools other than those in US and UK, she replied saying that there are many in Barcelona, France, Singapore, they are really good business schools. Other gracious suggestions that you she provided us was to read Wall Street journal, Economic Times. “Develop a habit of reading books, it is a creative habit that is going to be with you throughout your life being your most adorable companion”. Also she believes and suggests that it is important to be careful in the English phrasing and Grammar while approaching people as it definitely makes a huge difference.

 With this the informative session with Ms Shrtilekha ended, with a Hope to engage more in this fashion.

                                                                                                                  By Apoorva DV

                                                                                                                Mumtaz Mohiuddin

                                                                                                                       Anusha Pandey