Real Humans of the Drexel LeBow Class of 2019

Dhruv Gandhi, LeBow MBA Class of 2019

Age: 32

Hometown: New Delhi, India.

Undergraduate Institution and Major: Ohio Wesleyan University, Accounting Major.

Pre-MBA Work Experience: I spent the majority of my career thus far in start-ups with an industry focus was on private equity and food. I spent my time working on a strategic vision that aligns and engages diverse business partners. In addition, I analyzed markets, competition, and discovered new business opportunities. I was able to take advantage of my global experience when discovering new business opportunities.

Why business school? Why now? I don’t think I would have been able to do homework if I delayed it any further! Going to business school was always in the cards, it was just about finding the right time and opportunity. I was lucky that my career path was unconventional. Business school provided me with a framework to apply my previous career knowledge more effectively.

Why LeBow? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? The MBA cohort program was the biggest draw. Learning from my peers is a priceless aspect of my education and the program at LeBow lends itself to that. An additional benefit was the city of Philadelphia – I quite like Philadelphia.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2019? Our cohort has very diverse backgrounds and we are always learning new things from each other, especially in group work. In teams, we are able to look at the same problem from different points of view and hold healthy debates before reaching satisfactory conclusions. For example, four of us had been shortlisted to compete at the Buffalo case completion. We shared our analysis of the case with our cohort to help us prepare for the judge’s questions.

Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? As an 11-year-old, I spent a week in the Borneo jungle styling different insect species as part of an educational science class trip.

Post-MBA career interests? Explore more of the start-up world, explore the private equity sector in the US and hopefully find an exciting project where I can lend my experiences and skills.

Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants

One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? I shared some of my project-based work as supplement documents along with the application to leverage my work experience.

One thing you would change or do differently? I would spend more time on the motivation letter. I feel it’s the applicant’s opportunity to show his/her creative potential and stand out from other applicants who may have similar backgrounds, experiences, qualifications, etc.

Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? I was fairly comfortable with the application process. GMAT is a tricky hurdle, but with sufficient practice, it’s manageable.

Greatest highlight so far at LeBow? My teammates and I went to Buffalo for an MBA case competition. I was disappointed not to win, but happy to have represented Drexel LeBow and finish in second place.

One thing about Whitman that you didn’t expect before arriving? The professors are very approachable. I have spoken to a few of them outside of class about career advice, courses I should be considering, as well as course material.

Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? I was so excited about going back to school that I couldn’t wait to get started, but I wasn’t sure how I would transition back into academic life. Luckily, our MBA cohort made the transition less daunting.

Thing you are most excited about in your first year? I have enjoyed the classes thus far. Fortunately, I am enrolled in a real-world consulting course this term. This course allows me to help the clients achieve their goal. I am thrilled to be part of this course and there is another opportunity for a summer consulting course that I am also looking forward too.

regions: Philadelphia

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