How this Indian healthcare entrepreneur landed a $80,000 scholarship to the Georgetown McDonough MBA
In his second year of college, Mahesh launched a medical diagnostics start-up. After earning his undergraduate degree, he worked as a biomedical engineer at a hospital to understand how medical equipment worked, and how he needed to buy and maintain equipment for his own labs. Four years later, he switched to sustainability consulting, where he now helps build sustainable healthcare spaces.
We sat down with Mahesh to discuss his MBA journey as an Indian re-applicant in the healthcare space, how an MBA can help healthcare professionals, how he is preparing for his MBA, and how we helped him bag an $80,000 scholarship to the Georgetown McDonough MBA.
Watch the full interview here.
Q. Tell us about your MBA application journey.
Mahesh: It was a roller coaster!
Sam and I worked together for two consecutive years. This is actually my second year of applications. The first year, we had a great story and I was extremely confident, but I got too cocky and didn’t apply to the schools he suggested. He also asked me to apply in Round 2, and unlike other consultants, gave me the brutal truth – which means that while he was warm and took my story on board, he didn’t always tell me what I wanted to hear.
In that first year, I only wanted to apply to M7s. I wanted HSW and similar schools and all others were my backup options. Other consultants gave me cliche answers and didn’t see the work I actually did, saying that I wasn’t from a good school or I hadn’t worked with a reputed MNC. Sam saw potential in me, but he was honest about my background as an over-represented applicant, and gave me a reality check about my test scores. So it was hard at first, but once I started speaking with people from different schools, I realized that not everything is about the school’s ranking; in the end, what matters is the school taking you to your ultimate destination.
Sam: I want to build on what you said about being an over-represented applicant. The rule of thumb when I speak to Indian applicants is that you need a GMAT or GRE score that is something like 20 points above the class average. What that means for M7 schools is about 730 for the old GMAT, and around 685 for the GMAT Focus. Indians (Indian male engineers in particular) need a GMAT score for M7s that is well into the 700s. And that is something that a lot of people come into the process unaware of. And it’s one of the things that I give clients a very clear indication of.
Q. What were your biggest challenges as a reapplicant?
Mahesh: The first year I applied, my biggest challenge was acceptance. I felt I had a great story and essays, good test scores, so how could a school not accept me?
In the second year, I understood how things work. There were different challenges this time, because we couldn’t submit the same stories as my job had evolved. So the challenge was, how do I make the school understand this is me, but a better version of me?
Sam: That’s a really interesting dilemma that a lot of re-applicants are going to feel. You’ve already written the story once, which you feel was authentic to you. How do you write another application which can’t be the same?
In your case, we updated the school on your changed role and changed the narrative subtly, but also just enough for it to make a difference when you were reapplying.
Mahesh: Yes, that was amazing because we slightly modified my narrative to reflect my changed role and add a sustainability aspect to this. I was initially so attached to my first story that I wasn’t fully on board with my second story, but it really worked for my application. And after two years, I finally got my admit and a great scholarship.
Q. How does an MBA help healthcare professionals?
Mahesh: My vision is to expand my entrepreneurial venture, first throughout India and then globally. I know it sounds farfetched, but it’s supposed to be ambitious. I want to manufacture the equipment used in my diagnostic centers and understand how different markets work.
That’s why I decided to pursue an MBA from a US-based business school because of the diversity and access to the healthcare markets that they provide. I would get hands-on experience via the healthcare club and other spaces where I’ll be interacting with accountants, business owners, consultants. So, I don't need to hire BCG or Bain to help me solve my business problems, I can simply reach out to my peers!
If you're a healthcare professional applying for MBAs, read our blog on how an MBA can help you advance your career, post-MBA roles in healthcare, and the top 10 best MBA programs for healthcare professionals.
Q. Without corporate training, how can entrepreneurs prepare for the MBA interview?
Sam: As a healthcare entrepreneur, you haven’t received the classic corporate interview training, like many other applicants. How did you prepare for your MBA interviews?
Mahesh: I still remember our first mock interview, where I was extremely confident coming into it, but then I started blabbering. But with more practice interviews, it felt more natural. I think I did six mock interviews with three consultants in total. The detailed feedback I received for each answer gave me the confidence to believe that I could speak with anyone.
I loved every single mock interview because each had its own style – none were similar. I’m very comfortable with Sam, but not with other consultants. So it gave me the experience of interviewing with someone I don’t know, like how it is in an actual MBA interview.
In addition to that, during my second application, I also had the liberty to reach out to other consultants at SWC to get their input on my story. What can be better? Is it unique enough? We not only got a third opinion, but a fourth opinion as well.
Sam: For context, here at SWC, clients typically interview first with their lead consultant, and then do interviews with other people in the team to get that fresh-face experience, which is a lot more realistic. Our process also includes getting that extra reassurance from other members in the team who have experience with different schools about key decision points, particularly in assessing that your goals and narrative are strong and palatable for the schools you are applying to.
Q. How can an admitted candidate prepare for their MBA?
Mahesh: I have my MBA orientation in June 2025. But right now, I’m having the time of my life!
But on a serious note, besides holidays, I’m reaching out to current students at Georgetown who have secured internships and members of student clubs, and trying to understand what soft skills or technical skills I lack and what I’ll need when it comes to recruitment. I want to try recruiting into consulting, so it will be a very hectic first semester. A consulting internship would be really good exposure to different industries and to get that breadth of experience I need for my long-term goals. So, I’m doing whatever I can in advance to make my first year go smoothly.
At the same time, I am also tackling the Visa process and getting my financial statements and documents in order.
Q. How is the job market for healthcare consultants?
Mahesh: The job market in the US right now seems to be pretty tough.
But for me, what’s more important is the overall MBA experience. I’m less focused on simply finding a job; I’m looking to get involved with people from different industries, understand their input, interact with leaders who come and speak at our schools, and learn how industry dynamics work in the US and other global markets. Once I get that input, I feel like I can survive anywhere.
Q. What advice would you give other MBA applicants?
Mahesh: Start early! It’s a marathon, and you get tired after the first round, but stick to it.
Don’t do what I did! I applied to a few schools in Round 1 and was so confident I’d get an admit that I didn’t apply to more schools in Round 2. I ended up getting waitlisted in Round 1 and had to wait till the next year to apply again.
In addition to that, it’s important to invest in a good consultant. I got a sizeable scholarship with Sam’s help, so I don’t see my consulting bill as an expense. A consultant will talk to you and constantly check on you, almost like a therapist. Once you start applying, you develop an imposter syndrome of sorts when you see other people getting into big schools like Harvard with scholarships, and you’re over here not even getting an interview. You know that you have an amazing story and application, but you’re not getting through and that beats you down. You’ll need someone to talk to; someone who has been in your shoes, has worked with multiple people and can help you think productively about next steps like waitlist updates, planning your next applications, or just keeping your vision forward-looking.
Sam checks in regularly and asks for updates. That gives you the nudge you need to continue working on your application. Even when I was waitlisted.
Sam: During the waitlist process, I pushed to look at the little gaps in your profile and see what we can update the school on, like the next project that you’ve started or the certificate you’ve just finally completed. The school likes getting those updates because it tells them that you’re still engaged and interested and haven’t joined another school.
Q. Tell us about the costs of doing an MBA.
Mahesh: The cost for my MBA program is around $120,000 for two years. I received an $80,000 scholarship.
However, I want to maximize my MBA experience. I want to travel, go on treks, and be involved in the MBA community, so those will be additional expenses.
Given how expensive Washington is, I’m budgeting around $60,000 for living expenses, MBA expenses like treks and trips, and for any visits back home per year.
I haven’t explored any loan options because I saved enough to fund my MBA. It’s the last option I’ll explore because interest rates are much higher now than they’ve been in a while. The bank was offering me a 9.6% interest rate, and other banks were offering me around 12%. So I prefer to fund my MBA directly.
Q. What other factors should an MBA candidate consider before starting at business school?
Mahesh: Georgetown’s MBA orientation is at the end of June. Everyone has been very helpful so far, and I’ve been looking at private accommodation options.
Sam: I opted for private accommodation too during my MBA. It was one of the biggest advantages in my MBA experience, because having private accommodation shared with other MBA students within a stone’s throw of the school meant that I could go home for lunch and walk back to the college in the evenings. I could go for beers with my friends after studying. It turned out to be a really important decision in the process.
Mahesh: The dorms in the US aren’t like they are in India, but I still need to have my own space in the evening after attending school. I would love to host dinners or parties and get to know my MBA peers!
Sam: Sounds fun, I hope I get an invite!
Are you a healthcare professional applying for MBAs? Get in touch for a free 20 minute consultation.
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