Mukul Chaudhary, UGA Terry MBA Class of 2025
Age: 27 years
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Delhi Technological University, Electronics and Communication Engineering (Class of 2017)
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): 2 years in Consulting at Deloitte, 3 years in Startup-FoodTech, and less than a year in Technology Consulting.
Why did you decide to attend business school? Why now?
I have always enjoyed breaking down complex problems into simpler components. In my first job at Deloitte consulting, most of the deliverables revolved around simplifying processes and delivering efficient new solutions. I wanted to make my contribution more nuanced and broad. This is where an MBA comes into the picture. My mentor, also an MBA, told me that the learning curve in business school is very steep if you can keep up with classes, networking, job search, and personal development goals. Therefore, an MBA could bring the kind of finesse I am looking for in my skills. So, around 2018, I had already decided that I wanted to attend business school.
I also wanted my pre-MBA experience to be very broad and multifaceted so that I could make the most out of my MBA. Hence, I explored various industries such as consulting, foodtech, startups, and technology consulting and worked with companies from different sectors such as CPG, life sciences, food and beverages, and healthcare before applying for admissions. By the fall of 2023, the session I started my MBA, I had gained good cross-functional and cross-industry exposure.
Why did you choose UGA Terry? What factors influenced your decision of where to attend?
UGA Terry fits perfectly within the matrix I prepared for my business school choice. It has a large and accomplished alumni base across the country and industries. The school has an impeccable reputation in terms of the quality of education, infrastructure, and resources.
Additionally, the consistent and significant rise in the school’s rankings caught my attention. Besides these factors, the alumni I connected with were very helpful, warm, and welcoming. Their experiences with the faculty, staff, and the career center were also encouraging. I must mention the climate, which is quite similar to what we have in New Delhi, a huge plus!
What do you believe is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
I believe my diverse experience and socio-cultural background make my contribution unique. When analyzing cases, strategies, or business decisions, I always try to incorporate the ethical-societal element into the conventional analysis or business problem. I believe this improves the long-term strategic outlook of the decisions.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included in your application:
I enjoy bird watching, a hobby I started pursuing after Covid-19. I am still an amateur, but I intend to pursue it in a more organized fashion. I have visited six national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across northern India, including Chambal ravines, which are famous for the Indian Gharial. My small list of sightings includes the Indian Skimmer, Pond Heron, Flying Bat, Golden Jackal, and Indian Leopard, among others.
Post-MBA career interests:
I’d like to leverage my experience in consulting, analytics, and project management, along with the concentration I’ll be pursuing at UGA Terry. Consulting and analytics align best with my goals and transferable skills. So, I’ll explore the analytics and consulting space where I can help organizations generate value by making informed decisions.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
-What is one thing you would definitely do again:
Build a network. I always connected with at least two current students before working on my application. The insights, information, and guidance they provide are invaluable and unique. Even if you do not get admitted to the school, you’ll have a friend there.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently:
Start early. Plan ahead and complete your research well before the schools’ first deadlines. It helps you prioritize which schools to apply to in each round. Try to complete your applications early. I began applying in the last week of November, and for me, it was like drinking from a fire hose because I had to work on essays, networking, and coordinating with recommenders simultaneously.
– What is one part you would skip if you could, and what helped you get through it:
I would not spread myself too thin. While minimizing risk, everyone creates a list of stretch, target, and safe schools. I went a step further and also planned to apply to a few MIM and MSBA programs. Keeping in touch with alumni, admission teams, and my recommenders (also MBAs) really helped. It allowed me to understand my profile’s strengths and weaknesses, ultimately aiding in my application process.
What is your initial impression of the UGA Terry students/culture/community?
At Terry, the small batch size creates a close-knit classroom experience where everyone knows each other. As a result, the culture is highly collaborative, and both the staff and seniors are warm and welcoming.
What is one thing you have learned about UGA Terry that has surprised you?
The classroom learning experience has pleasantly surprised me. It is fun, interactive, and grounded in real-world scenarios. I am also intrigued by how each faculty member tailors their courses independently to fit the core requirements of the subject and ensure relevance. Despite being part of the same UGA learning community, every course employs different pedagogy and paradigms, showcasing a diversity of thought and a vibrant learning environment.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
As an international student, I believe I have much to learn from the country, city, university, peers, MBA program, and the experiences I am about to encounter. I already feel that I have a lot on my plate, and I need to strategically prioritize to make the most of my MBA journey.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Having graduated from my undergraduate university in 2017, the opportunity to study at UGA Terry is a blessing. I am excited to don the student’s hat again, be part of the university, and contribute to academia. Moreover, the football scene in Georgia is amazing, and I am eagerly looking forward to attending the games.
