Meet Sriram Emani, Sriram is an MIT Sloan alum and has been working at ARINGO since 2014. Here he talks to us about his advice for MBA applicants and studying in Boston.
Q: What’s a little known fact about you?
A: I was nomadic for a full year after graduating from Sloan, being hosted by 50 families across North America for about a week each.
Q: What was the best thing about your MBA program? What set it apart from other MBA programs? What is the city life like around that school?
A: The legacy and obsession with entrepreneurship at MIT rubs off so well on Sloan that I couldn’t help but start a company even though it was never my intention going in! There’s zero peer pressure on taking up conventional jobs, and lots of genuine interest from classmates and faculty on interesting ideas that you may have, and how those can become viable ventures.
City life in Boston is super fun given there’s a ton of universities within the Greater Boston Area. The strong presence of start-ups and tech companies further add to the vibe, and you’re always meeting interesting people everywhere!
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to an MBA applicant, what would it be?
A: Start as early as you can, give yourself enough time to sleep over the story. The creative process is better when it’s not forced into short, regimented timelines. Also, there is way too much information and opinions out there, and you should avoid the trap of paying heed to each piece of it which is anecdotal at best. Not only is your story and personality unique but also the context in which you are applying!
Q: What is your favorite part about working with ARINGO? How long have you been with ARINGO?
A: I have been with ARINGO since 2014, and I love being part of a team where each client’s materials are reviewed by different experts to bring more value and perspective. It always feels like you are working in a team that feels more responsible and takes genuine interest in making the application as strong as possible!
Q: Tell is about your favorite ARINGO success story!
A: There are so many, but last year there was a client who had a <700 GMAT and wasn’t sure if she would make it to any of the top schools. She was being really humble about her supremely impressive role at Disney, and an interesting background in South Asian dance teaching. After many rounds of convincing her that she should mention that she led a major portion of marketing for the movie Black Panther, and share some fab anecdotes from her dance experience and how it relates to her approach to work, she made it to Wharton, Kellogg AND Columbia. In my opinion this really demonstrated the value an admissions consultant can add, and on top of that she is one of the nicest clients I have ever worked with!
Q: Can you share some details regarding job opportunities and summer internships for students in your school? How strong is the career office? Did the school name/brand give you any advantage when looking for a job?
A: The career office at Sloan is very strong. They work closely with you to help you identify the right strategy to reach out to alumni and recruiters, especially if you have a non-traditional background. In terms of brand name, Sloan has the dual advantage of the MIT brand as well as the Sloan brand. Both are highly recognized and respected not only in North America but across the world!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A: I would travel to Kiribati. They say it’s sinking very soon, but regardless the islands look beautiful!
Q: Biggest mistake you could make on your application?
A: Put the wrong school name. It’s funny how often this happens!
Thank you Sriram!
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