Hey guys,

Need some objective feedback on my situation:

My Profile:

• UG: B.Tech from an old IIT
• Work Ex / Gap: Worked for ~4 months at a startup, then took a break. Currently assisting with ops/analytics at a friend's small-scale venture to cover the gap on paper.
• Current Situation: I recently converted DSE MBA (Business Analytics) and the fee deadline is right around the corner. However, I’m deeply conflicted:

1. DSE BA: Low fees/high ROI, but I’m worried about peer group alignment, placement stats for the BA track, and whether I’d be settling too early.
2. Parents' Push: My parents are pushing me to go abroad for any Masters/MBA program, but I only want to target top-tier MiM programs (HEC Paris, INSEAD) if I go abroad—and I frankly lack the confidence to score a 660+ on GMAT Focus right now.
3. The Dilemma: Should I take DSE as a safety net, attend classes, and prep for CAT/GMAT on the side? Or is it better to skip DSE, work at a full-time job/startup to fix the gap, and target CAT?

Would appreciate brutally honest takes from current B-school students or alums.

Hi all,

Looking for profile evaluation and realistic strategy advice for European MiM programs.

Profile:

• UG: B.Tech from a top Indian institute (IIT Kharagpur) — ~7.6 CGPA
• Work Ex: 4 months in core consulting post-grad + 1.5 years managing operations/analytics at an early-stage venture (proprietorship). Total ~2 year gap/non-traditional timeline post-graduation.
• Target Schools: HEC Paris, INSEAD (MiM), ESSEC, St. Gallen (Autumn intake).

Questions:

1. GMAT Focus Score Requirement: Given my non-traditional gap and engineering background, what target score on the GMAT Focus Edition do I realistically need to stand out for top European MiM programs?
2. Prep Overlap: I’m considering preparing for Indian entrance exams (CAT) alongside GMAT. How feasible is it to build a Quant/DI base via CAT prep and then transition to GMAT-specific Critical Reasoning / Data Sufficiency using TTP (Target Test Prep) or Official Guides?
3. Addressing the Gap: How critically do top European adcoms view a 2-year post-grad gap if it's backed by actual startup/small-business operations experience?

Thanks in advance for the advice!