Varsha Seshadri, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2023
Age: 25
Hometown: Chennai, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Three years, Strategy and Product Management at Gartner
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I’d thoroughly enjoyed my professional journey so far, working in agile teams and solving challenging problems, but I wished to step out of my comfort zone and learn more. Having no formal business education, I knew that an MBA was the right next step to advance my career. It would help me hone my strategic thinking, build my network and enhance my leadership skills.
Why did you choose LBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Deciding which school to attend involves a myriad of personal and professional factors. Firstly, the diversity at London Business School (LBS) was very important to me. Having spent most of my life in different parts of India, I wanted to go to a business school that was truly diverse and would help me build a global perspective and network. Secondly, I was looking for a programme that provided the flexibility for me to charter my own course. The experiential learning at LBS through LondonCAP and term-time internships seemed perfect. Most importantly, the location – London is an epicentre of innovation brimming with exciting opportunities.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
This is a tough one! I’d say that donning the hats of analyst, internal consultant and product manager has significantly enhanced my business acumen. I understand numbers well and my experience enables me to define the story that they’re trying to tell.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I am a trained pianist.
Post-MBA career interests:
Strategy Consulting, Product Management
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to students and alumni; it is the one thing I would recommend every applicant do. The websites provide plenty of information about how a school can empower you, but talking to students will help you understand if you belong at the school. These conversations are not only insightful but also a major motivator to work through the intensive application.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
This may sound like a cliché, but reflect on what you want out of the MBA early on. Understand why a school excites you and whether it will help you achieve your academic and career goals. The sooner you figure this out, the easier it would be to pick the right school!
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT. It can be extremely challenging to prepare for the GMAT with a full-time job. So, allow yourself enough time and focus your prep on areas that aren’t your strong suit. Get the exam done before starting your essays and don’t forget that your GMAT score is only a part of your application!
What is your initial impression of LBS’ students/culture/community?
The student community is active, inclusive and fun. My study group at LBS is extremely diverse with students from Brazil, Thailand, Hong Kong, France and the US. The community is so close-knit that it’s very easy to find someone while trying to explore or learn something new. It is also amazing to see how closely the students work with the School on new initiatives. In summary, I’d say the LBS community, especially stream SpiCy, is extremely vibrant! (see accompanying snapshot from our recent trip to Scotland).
What is one thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
I knew when choosing LBS that I’d be part of a professionally, academically and ethnically diverse class. What surprised me though is how similar and inclusive everyone is despite these differences. The enriching experiences that people bring to the class reflect their motivation to create a net positive impact in their own way. Be it through advising companies as a consultant, starting their own venture or identifying and backing high-potential start-ups, I have no doubt that my classmates will be successful leaders.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
The pandemic only accelerated my application process. With work from home, I could manage my time better and dedicate the needful hours to build out the best version of my application.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Managing my time across academic, career and social spheres. Every day there are simultaneous, equally exciting events and prioritizing the ones that I want to be a part of is super challenging.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Making new friends and traveling with them. I’m just six weeks into the MBA and have been on three trips already.
