Tarun Khandelwal, UMD Smith MBA Class of 2026
Age: 28
Hometown: Surat (India)
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Indira Gandhi National Open University, B.COM (Accounting & Finance); Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, CA (Accounting & Finance)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 6.5 years. Sr. Accounting & Controls Specialist, FedEx, Sep 2023 to Jul 2024; Sr. Accounting & Controls Specialist, FedEx, Jun 2022 to Aug 2023; Financial Accountant, FedEx, Feb 2020 to May 2022; Finance & Operations Manager, Electric Link Pan Africa, Apr 2019 to Dec 2019; Finance Controller, Mount Meru Petroleum Rwanda Limited, Feb 2018 to Mar 2019
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
While growing up, I’ve always aspired to emulate my father. He was a businessman, and observing him navigate business challenges efficiently through strategic and financial decisions sparked my initial interest in business and management skills. This led me to pursue commerce in higher education, doing a bachelor’s in commerce and then taking CA as a professional course.
After working for more than six years in the finance domain, Now I am envisioning a career as a management consultant and my growth trajectory necessitates proficiency in management techniques and thus I want to pursue an MBA.
Why did you choose UMD Smith? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Firstly, Smith’s specialization in Consulting emphasizes a quantitative approach to Business decisions, which goes hand-in-hand with my academic and professional experience. I am also keen to learn and gain insights from Professor Dr. Rajshree Agarwal on Entrepreneurship.
For me, the most crucial factor is experiential learning opportunities such as the Pitch Dingman Competition at Digman Center of Entrepreneurship, Maryland Consulting Club, and the opportunity to consult Maryland Social Entrepreneur Corps (MSEC), which will complement the courses and will mold me for real-world challenges.
And the location of Smith, College Park – it is just miles away from DC and gives access to Fortune 500 companies. Maryland has great options for hiking and nature walks. Also, Eppley Recreation Center is, I could say – a work of ART. And the cost of living is reasonable. So, a win-win for international students like me.
Over the years, a lot of graduates from Smith have chosen Consulting as a career, and this opens the gate to networking opportunities for an aspirant like me.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
In Term A, we have Financial Accounting and Financial Management. I have academic expertise and practical experience in the same domain, so I am able to contribute to class discussions with real-life examples I have experienced and also assist peers in understanding the concepts.
Also, I have started a club for “sports enthusiasts” and am trying to promote the culture of sports in my batch, as I believe sports play a major role in team building.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
In the winter of 2021, I successfully completed a trek to Everest Base Camp, leading a team of three without a guide or Sherpa.
(Additionally, I can swim 1.55 miles in an hour.)
Post-MBA career interests
My post-MBA goal is to pursue a career as a Management Consultant, specializing in strategy, working with industry pioneers such as BCG, and Big 4 firms, to gain valuable experience from a rich variety of client engagements.
The plan is to join an industry pioneer post-graduation. However, If that doesn’t work out, I will consider:
(1) Other consulting firms (Kotter Inc., Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton), which might provide unique opportunities (e.g. working with an NGO) and may be more accessible.
(2) In-house consulting teams for companies like Amazon, Google, IBM, Siemens, and Samsung.
(3) Cross-functional roles – E.g., data analysis, financial planning.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would attempt the GMAT again. While many schools offer waivers, a higher GMAT score can significantly increase your chances of admission and sponsorship.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would reach out to alumni and current students at my target schools to gather first-hand experiences. This would provide reassurance about my choices and help me better prepare my application.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I wish there had been a faster and easier way to research programs and business schools. I tackled this with a friend, and we shared information through a shared document, which provided both practical help and moral support.
What is your initial impression of the UMD Smith MBA students/culture/community?
The week of August 19, 2024, was a dream come true for me. I was immediately struck by the size and beauty of the campus. The cohort is highly diverse (with 73% international students), and there is a strong sense of inclusivity, community, and unity. From the Admissions team to the Career support teams, faculty, and peers, it feels like we are one big family.
What is one thing you have learned about UMD Smith that has surprised you?
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that UMD is a smoke-free campus. This is something I truly appreciate and am proud of.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
As an international student, I am concerned about securing an internship in my desired role, as not all companies offer sponsorships.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
As this is my first time in the United States, I am excited to embrace and experience the rich cultural diversity that the country offers.
