Sriram Ramanujam,  a software engineer from India, was working as a product manager when he decided to pursue an MBA to advance his career. He collaborated with Poonam of MER ( myEssayReview) for his application for part-time MBA programs of Booth and Kellogg. He received admission offers from both. Sriram made his decision in favor of Kellogg.

Sriram, now a first-year student in the evening MBA program at Kellogg, talks about the following:

• His Background
• Reasons to pursue an MBA
• Career goals
• His preference for Kellogg over Booth
• Challenges during the application process
• Work-school-life balance
• Admission tips for prospective applicants
• His favorite thing about Kellogg

Poonam: Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad? What do you do now?

Sriram: I was born and raised in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. I completed my Bachelor's in Computer Science and Engineering at Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, and then went on to get my Masters's in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Currently, I work as a  Product Manager at Mediaocean, an advertising technology company.

Poonam: When did you start thinking about an MBA? Why now? What are your career goals?

Sriram: I initially wanted to pursue an MBA to transition from technology to product management, but I was able to make the transition before starting my MBA program. My goal is to use my MBA to advance to a senior management position and become an entrepreneur.

 Poonam: You applied to both Kellogg and Booth, and you were accepted by both. You finally chose Kellogg.  How is Kellogg the best school for you?

Sriram: Choosing between Kellogg and Booth was one of the toughest decisions I have made in my life. Ultimately, it came down to fit. Booth is ranked higher and has a great curriculum.  However, I chose Kellogg because of the school's diverse and outgoing student community, which helped me build a strong network. Additionally, Kellogg is one of the best marketing schools, which aligns well with my industry experience in advertising and marketing.

Poonam:  Balancing school, work, and family can be challenging. Do you have any time management tips for prospective students?

Sriram: To manage all these was daunting at first. Time management is definitely key when balancing all these responsibilities. After the first quarter, the school became a part of my life. My advice to prospective students is to focus on being more efficient with their time and to make sure they prioritize their responsibilities effectively.

Poonam: Looking back, what was the most challenging aspect of the school admissions process? How did you overcome it? What advice would you give to other MBA applicants facing similar challenges?

Sriram: The most challenging part was convincing myself that  I was good enough to be admitted to a top school. Once I was able to get past that mental hurdle and get the process started, I  needed hard work to get everything else to fall into place.

Poonam: Do you have any admissions tips for Kellogg part-time program (essays, résumé, recommendation letters, interviews, etc.)?

Sriram:  It might sound preachy, but the one thing that applicants should do is to be truthful about who they are. Each person is different, and all of us have done great things. It’s important to bring out their individuality in the essays, resume, and interview. It’s easy to stand out when you are yourself because you are unique. For essays, Poonam, your service suited me well because you truly stuck to the task of editing the essays and not rewriting them, which many of the other competing essay editing services do. Your suggestions and comments played a vital role in shaping my essays. As for interviews, be prepared to talk about your experiences and goals, and practice answering common interview questions.

Poonam: Thank you. What is your favorite thing about Kellogg so far? If you could change one thing about the program, what would it be?

Sriram: The best thing about Kellogg is the students. I have made many friends and connections. It’s impossible not to make friends at Kellogg. If I could change one thing, it would be to have more social events throughout the year. We have 1 or 2 big events a year, but one a quarter will be better. The social events are not just for fun but a great way to meet new people.

Poonam: What are your favorite non-school books?  What are your hobbies?

 Sriram:  It’s sad, but I don’t have a reading habit. When I pick a book, it's mostly a tech magazine, like Popular Mechanics. I play racquetball and love running. In the summer, I like to go on long rides on my motorcycle.

Poonam: Thank you, Sriram, for sharing your story with us. Good luck with your Kellogg experience and your future career.

Click here for Sriram's testimonial of MER services.

Click here for Sriram's GMAT Club review.

Note: You can connect with Sriram via www.linkedin.com/in/sriramramanujam

Since 2011, MER (myEssayReview) has helped many applicants get accepted into the top 20 MBA programs. (Poonam is one of the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club.)

Do you have questions about your application? E-mail Poonam at poonam@myessayreview.com or sign up here for a free consultation.