From Fashion Design to the MBA: How Ashwini Landed at Kellogg with a 700+ GMAT Score
Release Date: 11/19/2025
What Today’s MBA Candidates Really Want (According to the Data)
Inside the GMAT
“Candidates aren’t chasing career switches—they’re investing in long-term skills.” If you’re considering business school, you’ve probably asked yourself some big questions: Is it worth it? What should I prioritize? And how are other candidates making this decision? In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with his colleague Andrew Walker, Director of Industry Communications at GMAC, to unpack insights from the —featuring perspectives from over 4,000 candidates worldwide. Together, they explore how candidate motivations are shifting, what “ROI” really means...
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English Proficiency & the MBA: Inside the Duolingo English Test with Elie Bechara
Inside the GMAT
“Testing isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about proving you’re ready to succeed.” When most people think about business school admissions, they focus on test scores, essays, and interviews. But for many candidates around the world, there’s another critical piece of the puzzle: proving you can succeed in an English-speaking academic environment. In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach is joined by Elie Bechara, Head of the Duolingo English Test in Europe, to break down how English proficiency testing fits into the modern MBA application—and why it matters more than...
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Going Beyond Tips & Tricks with Brian Prestia, Reason Test Prep
Inside the GMAT
“It’s not about the rules and formulas—it’s about the decisions you make in how you approach a question.” Most GMAT candidates start their prep the wrong way: by diving straight into content, formulas, and practice questions. But what if that approach is actually holding you back? In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with Brian Prestia, founder of , to break down what the GMAT is really testing—and why success has far more to do with how you think than what you know. Together, they explore the difference between memorization and reasoning, why “tips and...
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EA Prep Week 10: Test Complete! The End of an EA-ra
Inside the GMAT
"The score isn't the end. It's just the starting point." After ten weeks, GMAC Zach has finally taken his EA exam! In this candid debrief episode of Inside the GMAT, Zach sits down with instructor Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep to break down his real testing experience—from last-minute rescheduling to test-day distractions and everything in between. Zach walks through how he handled each section, what threw him off (including a chaotic testing environment and a few “wait, is this a typo?” moments), and where his strategy held up—or didn’t. Together, they unpack the psychology of...
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The Case for Reasoning Skills in the Age of AI with GMAT Buddy's Ayham Shakra
Inside the GMAT
"Lose the urgency. Accept the learning process.” In a world where AI can generate answers instantly, what actually sets great decision-makers apart? In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with GMAT tutor and founder of , Ayham Shakra, to unpack the real skill behind success—not memorization, but reasoning. Ayham explains why the GMAT isn’t a math or English test, but a training ground for structured thinking: the ability to filter noise, identify patterns, and make decisions under pressure. Together, they explore why so many test-takers struggle, how...
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How to Eliminate Careless Mistakes on the GMAT
Inside the GMAT
“You should actually get a little bit excited when you make a careless mistake—because you’re about to get better.” Everyone makes careless mistakes on the GMAT—even well-prepared test takers. In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with Manhattan Prep instructor Stacey Koprince to break down why these mistakes happen and what you can actually do to prevent them. Stacey explains the critical difference between a true knowledge gap and a careless mistake—and why the latter is often the easiest type of mistake to fix. Instead of beating yourself up when you spot...
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EA Prep Week 9: Exam Day Tips and Listener Q&A with Stacey Koprince, Manhattan Prep
Inside the GMAT
“The biggest score killer isn’t one wrong answer. It’s inconsistent pacing.” Zach sits down once again with test prep expert Stacey Koprince—this time with a big milestone to share: his EA exam appointment is officially booked (date undisclosed, of course). From there, the conversation becomes a practical, stress-reducing roadmap for what to do after a practice test dip and before the real thing. Stacey helps Zach break down his recent practice exam results into three clear categories—strengths you can’t coast on, fixable mistakes worth reviewing, and true “kryptonite” topics...
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The Data Insights Deep Dive with Sergey Kouk of Admit Master
Inside the GMAT
“This section isn’t just about getting into business school — it’s about being ready once you’re there.” Host GMAC Zach welcomes back GMAT expert Sergey Kouk from for a deep dive into one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the exam: the Data Insights section. Together, Zach and Sergey demystify what Data Insights really tests, why it matters for business school and recruiting, and how test-takers should approach it strategically rather than emotionally. Sergey explains how the section builds on the former Integrated Reasoning questions, why Data Sufficiency now plays a...
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EA Prep Week 8: What Goes Up...Might Come Down Ft. Stacey Koprince, Manhattan Prep
Inside the GMAT
“This is why you take practice exams. So that you know what you DON'T want to do on test day.” Practice tests don’t always move in a straight line—and this week, GMAC Zach finds that out firsthand. After hitting a personal high on his previous EA exam practice exam with a 155, his latest score dips slightly, sparking an honest conversation about score fluctuations, confidence traps, and what really causes plateaus during EA prep. Joined, as always, by Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep, they unpack why the third practice exam is such a common stumbling point, how overconfidence can...
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AU is All-In on AI: In Conversation with Kogod's Dean David Marchick
Inside the GMAT
“AI is going to be as profound as fire or electricity. Even if that’s one-millionth true, we have to take it seriously.” In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with , to explore how business education is being reshaped by AI, career pivots, and the skills that truly matter over a lifetime. Marchick reflects on his unconventional career path and how those experiences shape his student-first approach to leadership. He explains why “psychic income,” not just financial return, drives his work in higher education, and why helping students experiment, fail, and grow...
info_outlineIn this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with Ashwini Deshpande, a former fashion designer turned MBA candidate whose two-month GMAT sprint transformed her entire career trajectory. Ashwini shares how she went from designing digital fashion at Meta to scoring a 750 on the exam (roughly a 715 on today’s scale), earning admission—and a scholarship—to the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
She walks through her unconventional path, why she approached GMAT prep like a creative challenge, how the right prep tools accelerated her progress, and why non-traditional applicants should see their backgrounds as an advantage, not a barrier. Ashwini also explains how her GMAT skills still show up in the classroom and in consulting recruiting—and how confidence, mindset, and self-reflection powered every step of her journey.
You can follow Ashwini's MBA adventures on Instagram, offering a behind-the-scenes look at classes, campus life, and what it’s really like to be a business student with a fashion-tech edge.
Explore GMAT Prep: https://www.mba.com/gmat-exam-prep
Register for the GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GMATbyGMAC
Takeaways:
- Creativity can lead to a successful MBA journey and prep plan.
- Self-reflection is key in GMAT preparation.
- Non-traditional backgrounds can be advantageous in applications.
- Choosing the right business school is crucial for fit.
- A strong GMAT score can open doors to not just top schools, but scholarship opportunities.
- Start preparing early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Utilize resources that match your learning style.
- Confidence is essential for non-traditional candidates.
- Success is achievable with dedication and the right mindset.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Ashwini's Journey
05:03 The GMAT Experience: Preparation and Strategy
10:23 Choosing the Right Business School
15:32 Leveraging a Unique Background in Applications
21:06 Advice for Non-Traditional MBA Candidates
25:59 Conclusion and Key Takeaways