Sanjana Chakrasali, Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2024
Age: 28
Hometown: Bangalore, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: KLE Technological University, Engineering – Information Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Cybersecurity consultant at Mercedes Benz Research and Development India for 6 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I had been thinking about going to business school for a while. I was confident it would be a terrific way to advance my career or make a transition. I had been an individual contributor in all my roles Pre-MBA so I knew that attending business school would provide me the chance to develop my leadership abilities, broaden my knowledge of many industries, and lay a solid business foundation for the next phase of my career.
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I experienced an amazing sense of community during the McDonough School of Business’s admissions process. Everyone, from the admissions office to alumni to current students, took the effort to get to know prospective students personally. I immediately felt like a part of the community before I even accepted my offer.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
When I applied to McDonough, I noticed that not many people come from a cybersecurity background. I am confident that throughout our time at McDonough, my background in technology and cybersecurity will provide my classmates a unique viewpoint. I will leverage my technical background and help my peers by keeping them informed about the technicalities of the next disruptive technologies.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My name will live on the surface of Mars in perpetuity. In 2017, I registered to have my name engraved on a microchip installed aboard the Insight spacecraft, which landed on Mars in November 2018.
Post-MBA career interests:
Management Consulting or Product Management
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
You will undoubtedly experience imposter syndrome and feel like you don’t belong to enroll in or thrive at a prestigious business school. Everyone experiences these feelings occasionally (or frequently). Despite being a legitimate feeling, it is not real. The fact that you have made it this far is proof that you are made for this and will be successful!
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talking to current students and alumni from the universities I wished to attend. I loved listening to their experiences at school, which you wouldn’t normally be able to find on the school’s website. By having candid conversations, I was able to better grasp the culture of the school and determine whether it was a good fit for me.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Taking the standardized test very early in the process. I wish I had gotten that out of my way and just focused on my essays since it involves a lot of introspection, and there were days I was not making any progress on my application, but at the same time, I also had to prep for the GRE which made the process more daunting than I’d like. With that being said, considering that the GRE or GMAT is only one component of the application, I’d place more emphasis on the overall application and the narrative.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Standardized tests. I had to retake GRE multiple times to get my desired score and although it worked out in the end, the months leading up to it were stressful and made me doubt myself multiple times. Envisioning myself at one of the best business schools is what kept me going, and of course, my family and friends who kept motivating me to keep going.
What is your initial impression of the McDonough students/culture/community?
Given that everyone here is so interesting and intelligent, conversations are never boring. I always get to learn something new, and it’s also one of the most diverse communities I’ve been a part of. It’s been fascinating to step outside of my comfort zone back when I was in India and hear so many points of view.
What is one thing you have learned about McDonough that has surprised you?
How interactive the classroom discussions are. The professors expect you to participate in discussions with diverse opinions and, in many cases, drive the class’s direction. You get to learn a lot from your peers this way, and it keeps the class fun and engaging.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Balancing Academics, Recruiting and Social life. There are a ton of things to do so I am always worried about missing a major event since I can’t possibly keep up with all three at the same time. So learning to balance all of it while also focusing on my mental health is something I am trying to achieve.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am studying with some of our generation’s smartest and most ambitious individuals. I am most excited to get to know each one of them. I am confident that I will learn a lot from them, and the rest of my professional and personal journey will be shaped by these relationships and friendships.
