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Srihitha
Final Admit
UVA Darden School of Business
From Fashion to the Boardroom: Srihitha’s Success Story
Final Admit
UVA Darden School of Business
GMAT : 695
Background: Finance – Senior Associate at Macquarie Group, FRM Certified
Target Schools: HEC Paris, Cambridge Judge Business School, Georgetown University – McDonough, Cornell Johnson (Interview Invite), Duke Fuqua (Interview Invite)
About Srihitha
Srihitha, a dynamic professional with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from NIFT—India’s leading fashion institute—came to LilacBuds with a bold vision. Her background in fashion and demand planning gave her deep insights into consumer behavior and supply chains, but she knew she wanted more. Srihitha aspired to transition into a strategic, global leadership role within e-commerce giants—navigating category management, brand strategy, and business transformation at scale. But the road ahead wasn’t clear.
With a non-traditional profile and limited exposure to core management functions, she questioned whether top MBA programs would see her potential.
Why LilacBuds? The Need for Strategic Mentorship
Unsure how her creative background would be perceived by business schools, Srihitha turned to LilacBuds for honest, personalized mentorship. She sought not only application support but also the confidence to articulate how her story could resonate with global MBA admissions committees.
LilacBuds was the perfect fit—known for helping unconventional candidates find their voice, build their strategy, and turn doubt into direction.
The Winning Strategy
Together, Srihitha and the LilacBuds team took a layered, strategic approach:
- Reframing Her Background: Instead of downplaying her fashion industry roots, they highlighted how her cross-functional role in demand planning demonstrated commercial acumen, collaboration, and adaptability.
- Clarifying Post-MBA Goals: Her transition into category management and leadership roles in e-commerce was made tangible and purpose-driven.
- Tailored Storytelling: Each essay and resume draft was crafted to align her career goals with what each MBA program valued most—innovation, diversity of thought, and leadership potential.
- School Selection & Confidence Building: With LilacBuds’ support, she balanced ambition with fit, targeting programs where her profile would shine.
The Result: A Transformative Win
Srihitha’s perseverance and strategic storytelling paid off:
- Admits from:
- UVA Darden School of Business – Her final choice
- Indian School of Business (ISB)
Srihitha is now proudly joining the UVA Darden MBA Class of 2027, ready to bring her creative edge into the heart of business strategy.
Srihitha's Candidate Feedback on LilacBuds' MBA Consulting
Before LilacBuds, I wasn’t sure if my story even belonged in an MBA application. But they helped me see the value in my journey, refine my goals, and frame everything with purpose. Their belief in my potential gave me the confidence to aim higher—and succeed.