They say success doesn’t come overnight, and I can certainly attest to that. Coming from a small town, Begusarai in Bihar, my journey took over 11 years, marked by several setbacks, before I finally secured an Oxford MBA admission.

Early Career at ISRO: Pride and the Journey Beyond

I cleared IIT-JEE, a turning point that set me on the path of chasing what once felt like an unfathomable dream. In 2012, I joined ISRO’s Space Applications Centre, one of the country’s most prestigious space research institutions. Writing flight software for major Indian space missions like Chandrayaan-2, NavIC, and RISAT was deeply fulfilling, but over time, I felt I was meant for more than just writing code in a cubicle. That inner nudge led me to attempt the UPSC Civil Services Exam. I prepared and appeared for six attempts, reached the interview stage four times, but never made the final list.

Six Failed UPSC Attempts: The Detour Before My Oxford MBA

How the Pandemic Tested My Resolve

The pandemic added its own layer of uncertainty. My final UPSC attempt ended in rejection again. The disappointment was real, especially when friends from other career paths seemed to be surging ahead. I wrestled with self-doubt and began questioning my path.

The Call That Set Me on the Path to an Oxford MBA

Then came a call from Ayush, a schoolmate, which shifted everything. He encouraged me to explore GMAT and B-school options. Around the same time, the Indian government launched a new space policy encouraging private participation. That, along with my father’s belief in entrepreneurship, reignited a dormant dream—to build something of my own. And an MBA seemed like the perfect bridge.

The GMAT Struggle Before My Oxford MBA Dream

But the GMAT wasn’t easy. I scored 640 twice, despite all the effort. Still, I refused to give up. I changed my approach, cracked a competitive score, and sent applications to my dream schools—Wharton, Stanford, Kellogg, and Tuck. I received interviews from many, but none converted. It was disheartening. But that’s when I met Rishabh Gupta—an admissions consultant who became a mentor. His faith in me never wavered, and he guided me to apply to top UK and European B-schools instead.

Oxford MBA: A decision that changed my life

With his support, I cracked HEC Paris and Oxford Saïd. The day I got that Oxford call is etched in my memory, and my family’s teary smiles made every rejection worthwhile. Choosing between HEC and Oxford wasn’t easy, but the legacy and global network of Oxford drew me in. I chose Saïd Business School, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. Oxford gave me much more than a degree. It gave me friendships, cultural depth, and a sense of belonging I hadn’t experienced before.

After my MBA, I received a job offer from an Italian space-tech firm to help lead the development of their first commercial satellites. While waiting for my visa, a close friend, Janvi, nudged me to think bigger. “Why not build your own venture?” she asked. That question reignited the founder in me. With the backing of a network I built at Oxford and a renewed sense of belief, I am now building my own startup in India.

The journey has only just begun, but it’s already rich in meaning. No matter how things unfold, I know I’ll come out wiser, stronger, and more grounded.

Final Thoughts: What This Journey Taught Me

The journey has only just begun, but it’s already rich in meaning. No matter how things unfold, I know I’ll come out wiser, stronger, and more grounded. Looking back, my Oxford MBA wasn’t just a degree—it was a turning point.

If this story resonates with your own MBA journey, explore our complete GMAT preparation resources or read more MBA success stories from candidates who took the unconventional route.