From writing GRE to refining applications to the minutest details, all my efforts seemed worthwhile when I was invited to interview for Stanford #MBA. But, things didn’t work out well for me in the end - as I eventually couldn't make it.
At that point in time, I was stuck in a job that on ‘paper’ seemed stable with monthly income, which allowed me to afford a decent apartment and a lifestyle in New Delhi.
However, I was vying for more, and nothing seemed to be working out.
My quest to become an Indian Diplomat had already ended when I couldn’t qualify after my #UPSC interview and my desire to become a VC ended with the Stanford Rejection. On top of these rejections, my dream to become a startup founder had ended a long time ago - when I had failed in my first venture.
As cliche as it may sound, I continued to march ahead with all my second-best options in life.
So, did they work out?
To be brutally honest - All my Plan B options worked out really well.
Today many of you might have had to settle with your 2nd best choice (Tuck vs. Harvard), (IIT Guwahati vs. IIT Delhi), (Venky vs. St. Stephen’s), or (Tier 2 consulting firm vs. BCG).
Whether it is Stanford, ISB, or HEC Paris - no matter what your school ranking is (as long as it is in FT 50) - all of you will have access to similar kinds of professors, networks, and growth trajectories.
You are bound to succeed in life- as long you are doing more than you are asked of, you are working 10 times harder than your peers, with 100 times more clarity and focus.
I'm writing this, so someone somewhere who got rejected from either their ‘dream’ MBA Program or job, doesn’t feel dejected.
An MBA/MPP offers by your dream school is one of the many-many means to attain your ends.
If you are interested in learning about GGI's MBA Scholar program, you can learn here.
Author- Naman Shrivastava, Cofounder Global Governance Initiative, Ex- United Nations, Former Government of India Advisor
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