Undergraduate Institution
Pre-MBA Career:
Scholarship: EUR 100K
Admits
When Radhika started her career, an MBA wasn’t necessarily part of the plan.
After completing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from NMIMS Mumbai, she explored opportunities across media and business before finding her true calling in fintech. Over the next four years, she built a successful career at Rase Financial Services, eventually becoming a Product Manager responsible for developing investment products used by more than a million customers. Today, she’s preparing for her next chapter: joining the Cornell Tech MBA program in New York City.Background & Career Journey
Q. Radhika, tell us a little about yourself and your journey so far.
Radhika: Absolutely. I’m originally from Surat, Gujarat, and I completed my Bachelor’s in Business Administration from NMIMS Mumbai.
After graduation, I explored a few different opportunities across media and business before eventually finding my place in fintech. For the last four years, I’ve been working at Rase Financial Services, and for the past two years, I’ve been working as a Product Manager.
In that role, I worked on a stock market investment app that serves over a million users. What I enjoy most is building products from scratch and seeing them scale. That’s something I’m deeply passionate about and want to continue doing in the future. Now, as I prepare to join Cornell Tech’s MBA program, my goal is to grow into a stronger product and technology leader who can build impactful products at an even larger scale. I’m incredibly excited about what’s ahead.Why Leave a Successful Fintech Career for an MBA?
Q. You were already working in one of India’s fastest-growing industries and building a successful career in fintech. What made you decide to pursue an MBA in the US?
Radhika: Honestly, it wasn’t an easy decision. As you mentioned, fintech is one of the most exciting spaces to be in right now, especially in India. I was learning something new every day, and the pace of growth was incredible. The environment felt very startup-like, where things moved quickly and there was always a new challenge to solve.
But over time, I realized that I wanted broader global exposure. I wanted to be closer to the ecosystems where technology and innovation are often created before they eventually make their way to other markets. For me, the US offered that opportunity. The second reason was the MBA experience itself. Beyond academics, an MBA is about the people you meet and the perspectives you gain. I wanted to learn alongside people from different countries, industries, and backgrounds. That kind of exposure was something I felt would help me grow both professionally and personally.Navigating the MBA Application Process
Q. The MBA application process can feel overwhelming. How did you approach it?
Radhika: Initially, it definitely felt overwhelming.
There are so many moving parts—shortlisting schools, preparing for tests, securing recommendations, writing essays, preparing for interviews—and it can be difficult to know where to begin. What really helped me was bringing structure to the process. One thing that stood out while working with The MBA Edge was that the focus wasn’t only on applications and essays. A lot of time was spent understanding my journey, my goals, and my motivations. We spent time answering some very important questions: Why do I want an MBA? What kind of program is the right fit for me? What do I want my career to look like after business school? Once I became clear on those answers, the rest of the process became much more focused and manageable. Looking back, I would describe the journey as moving from complete chaos to having a clear roadmap and direction.The Interview Experience
Q. Let’s talk about interviews. What was that experience like?
Radhika: It was actually quite different from what many people expect.
The interviews weren’t focused on putting me under pressure or testing me technically. Instead, they were much more conversational. A lot of the discussion revolved around who I am as a person, my experiences, my views on different topics, the initiatives I’ve taken at work, and how I’ve helped others grow and develop. Of course, there were some questions around my professional experiences, but overall it felt less like an interview and more like a conversation. What I really appreciated was that it felt like a two-way evaluation. The school was trying to understand whether I would be a good fit for their community, while I was also assessing whether the program would be the right fit for me. That made the entire experience much more enjoyable and far less stressful than I expected.Choosing Cornell Tech
Q. Which schools did you apply to, and what ultimately led you to choose Cornell?
Radhika: I applied to about five or six schools and was fortunate to receive admits from USC Marshall, UNC Kenan-Flagler, and Cornell. After evaluating all my options, Cornell felt like the best fit for my long-term goals.
I was very clear that I wanted to continue building my career in product and technology. What stood out about Cornell Tech was how intentionally the program is designed around those areas. The curriculum goes beyond traditional MBA coursework and places a strong emphasis on technology, product development, and innovation. Being located in New York City also provides incredible access to companies, founders, investors, and the broader tech ecosystem. When I looked at where I wanted to be after graduation, Cornell felt like the program that aligned most closely with that vision.Advice for Future MBA Applicants
Q. Looking back on the last eight months, what advice would you give to someone considering an MBA, whether in India or abroad?
Radhika: There are three things that stand out for me.
First, be very clear about why you want an MBA. This sounds simple, but it’s probably the most important part of the entire process. If your reasons aren’t clear to you, it becomes difficult to build a compelling application.
Admissions committees spend a lot of time understanding your motivation, so your “why MBA” needs to be genuine and well thought through. Second, do thorough research on schools and programs. Don’t choose a program based only on rankings. Speak with alumni. Talk to current students. Understand the curriculum. Look at career outcomes. Make sure the program genuinely aligns with your goals. A program can be highly ranked, but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s the right fit for you. Third, give yourself enough time.One thing I learned during this process is that strong applications require reflection.
You need time to think about your experiences, understand your story, and communicate it effectively. Starting early makes a huge difference.Looking Back
Q. It’s been quite a journey—almost eight months of applications, essays, interviews, and decisions. Looking back, how does it feel?
Radhika: It’s definitely been a roller-coaster.
There were moments of uncertainty, a lot of revisions, and plenty of hard work along the way. But looking back, every step helped me gain more clarity about what I wanted from my future.
Now, as I prepare to join Cornell Tech, I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for everything I’ve learned throughout the process.
If you are planning to apply to MBA programs this upcoming application season, reach out to our team at info@thembaedge.com to explore synergies to collaborate together.
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