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How to get into M7 from India?
Admission Consulting
Posted on: 14th April 2025
How to get into M7 from India? The M7- comprising of seven of the world’s top business schools- are renowned for their exceptional education, influential alumni networks, and transformative impact on careers. However, despite Indian students making up nearly 30% of MBA applicants globally, they represent only about 9% of the student body for elite universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. So, how can you stand out in the competitive M7 admission process?
In this article, we will explore the significance of M7 schools, their rankings, and admission criteria and share insights on how Indian candidates can enhance their chances of securing a spot at these globally renowned institutions.
What are M7 Business Schools?
How to get into M7 from India? The M7 Business Schools, also known as “Magnificent Seven” or “Magic Seven”, comprises of a prestigious group of elite US Business schools renowned for good quality education as well as global reputation. These are considered to be best in the world and have also formed an exclusive network for collaboration and also share insights on graduate business education.
List of M7 Business Schools
|
Business School |
University |
Location |
Notable Features |
Avg. GMAT Score (Approx.) |
Tuition (Per Year) |
|
|
Harvard Business School (HBS) |
Harvard University |
Cambridge, MA |
Case method, strong alumni network |
~730 |
USD 81,374 (INR 67.70,460) |
|
|
Stanford GSB |
Stanford University |
Stanford, CA |
Entrepreneurial focus, Silicon Valley access |
~737 |
USD 87,096 (INR 72,46,540) |
|
|
Wharton School |
University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia, PA |
Finance powerhouse, flexible curriculum |
~733 |
USD 95,681 (INR 79,60,830) |
|
|
Booth School of Business |
University of Chicago |
Chicago, IL |
Analytical approach, flexible curriculum |
~732 |
USD 88,211 (INR 73,39,310) |
|
|
Columbia Business School (CBS) |
Columbia University |
New York, NY |
Strong finance & consulting focus, NYC location |
~729 |
USD 90,392 (INR 75,20,770) |
|
|
Kellogg School of Management |
Northwestern University |
Evanston, IL |
Team-based learning, marketing strength |
~730 |
USD 86,801 (INR 72,22,000) |
|
|
MIT Sloan |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Cambridge, MA |
Tech & innovation-driven, strong quant focus |
~730 |
|
Read Also: US Universities with Most Indian Students
M7 Business Schools Rankings
How to get into M7 from India? The M7 business schools consistently secure the top spots in MBA program rankings, earning their prestige through decades of producing successful graduates, conducting groundbreaking research ,and also maintaining strong ties with the business world. These institutions regularly vie for top rankings globally, highlighting their dedication for excellence in business education:
|
Business School |
QS World Ranking 2024 |
US News Ranking 2024 |
|
Harvard Business School |
3 |
5 |
|
Stanford Graduate School of Business |
1 |
6 |
|
The Wharton School (UPenn) |
2 |
3 |
|
Booth School of Business (UChicago) |
14 |
1 |
|
Columbia Business School |
7 |
11 |
|
Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern) |
12 |
2 |
|
MIT Sloan School of Management |
6 |
4 |
Admission Criteria for M7 from India
How to get into M7 from India? The admission criteria that are essential in M7 from India are:
|
Admission Criteria |
Details |
|
Bachelor’s Degree |
A 3-year or 4-year undergraduate degree from a recognized institution (preferably with a strong academic record). |
|
GMAT/GRE Score |
Competitive GMAT (typically 720+ recommended) or GRE equivalent. |
|
Work Experience |
3-5 years of work experience preferred, with leadership roles or impact-driven contributions. |
|
Extracurricular Activities |
Strong involvement in leadership, community service, or entrepreneurship adds value. |
|
Essays & SOP |
Well-crafted essays that highlight career goals, achievements, and fit with the school. |
|
Letters of Recommendation |
Usually 2 recommendations from supervisors or mentors who can vouch for leadership and impact. |
|
Interview |
A crucial component, typically conducted by alumni or admissions officers. Focuses on leadership, goals, and personality. |
|
Diversity & Global Exposure |
International work experience, unique perspectives, or contributions to diversity can strengthen the application. |
|
TOEFL/IELTS |
Required if the undergraduate degree was not in English. |
Read Also: GMAT registration fees
M7 Business School Acceptance Rate
Examining the acceptance rates at M7 Business Schools provides key insights into the highly competitive nature of these elite institutions. Given below is a detailed overview of class sizes, total applications received, and acceptance rates for each M7 school in the most recent academic year:
|
Business School |
Class Size |
Applications |
Acceptance Rate |
|
Stanford Graduate School of Business |
424 |
6,152 |
6.1% |
|
MIT Sloan School of Management |
484 |
5,560 |
8.7% |
|
Harvard Business School |
1,015 |
8,264 |
12% |
|
Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern) |
559 |
4,471 |
13% |
|
Columbia Business School |
844 |
6,177 |
13.6% |
|
The Wharton School (UPenn) |
877 |
6,319 |
13.8% |
|
Booth School of Business (UChicago) |
621 |
4,352 |
14.2% |
GMAT Score Requirements for M7 Business School
How to get into M7 from India? It is vital to understand the GMAT score requirements at M7 Business Schools for getting valuable insights into academic standards:
|
Business School |
Average GMAT Score |
Average GPA |
|
Stanford Graduate School of Business |
737 |
3.76 |
|
Harvard Business School |
730 |
3.7 |
|
MIT Sloan School of Management |
730 |
3.62 |
|
The Wharton School (UPenn) |
733 |
3.6 |
|
Booth School of Business (UChicago) |
729 |
3.6 |
|
Columbia Business School |
729 |
3.6 |
|
Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern) |
729 |
3.7 |
Read Also: How Many Attempts You Can Take The GMAT?
Salary After Graduating from M7 Business Schools
High employment rates are among the graduates from the M7 Business schools, who secure positions with the top-tier companies in fields of consulting, finance, technology, and healthcare, among others:
|
Business School |
Median Salary (USD/INR) |
Signing Bonus (USD/INR) |
Performance Bonus (USD/INR) |
% Offers (3 Months) |
|
Stanford GSB |
182,500 / 151.84L |
30,000 / 24.96L |
50,000 / 41.60L |
89% |
|
Booth (UChicago) |
180,000 / 149.76L |
33,000 / 27.45L |
NA |
95% |
|
Harvard Business School |
175,000 / 145.60L |
30,000 / 24.96L |
40,000 / 33.28L |
86% |
|
Wharton (UPenn) |
175,000 / 145.60L |
NA |
NA |
97% |
|
Columbia Business School |
175,000 / 145.60L |
30,000 / 24.96L |
31,000 / 25.79L |
84% |
|
Kellogg (Northwestern) |
175,000 / 145.60L |
30,000 / 24.96L |
NA |
94% |
|
MIT Sloan |
170,000 / 141.44L |
30,000 / 24.96L |
40,000 / 33.28L |
90% |
Why Choose an M7 MBA Over Other Global B-Schools?
| Criteria | M7 Business Schools (USA) | INSEAD (France/Singapore) | LBS (UK) | ISB (India) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Prestige | Considered the gold standard for global MBAs; top companies across industries actively recruit. | Highly ranked, known for one-year format and international diversity. | Strong reputation in Europe and Asia, good finance and consulting placements. | Top B-school in India with rising global presence; good ROI locally. |
| Alumni Network | Massive, influential, and highly active alumni network globally (HBS, Wharton, Stanford). | Strong, diverse alumni with international spread, especially in Europe and Asia. | Excellent UK & EU alumni network; growing influence in Asia. | Strong Indian network; limited global alumni access compared to M7. |
| Program Duration | 2 years – allows more internship opportunities and deeper learning. | 1 year – fast-paced, ideal for experienced professionals. | 15–21 months – hybrid of both styles. | 1 year – cost-efficient, but fewer global internship options. |
| Career Opportunities | Consistently top-tier placements in MBB, Big Tech, PE/VC, and Fortune 500 firms in the US and globally. | Strong international placement; limited US access due to visa issues. | Excellent UK/EU placement; US entry is harder. | Strong domestic placement; international roles limited. |
| ROI (Return on Investment) | High salaries, signing bonuses, and long-term career growth offset higher tuition and living costs. | Quick ROI due to short program, but average post-MBA salaries are lower than M7. | Competitive ROI in Europe; lower salaries vs. US peers. | Excellent ROI in India, but global earning potential is lower. |
Profile Building Tips for Indian Applicants
| Focus Area | Tips & Strategies |
|---|---|
| Standing Out in a Competitive Pool |
- Highlight a unique personal or professional journey beyond traditional paths. -Align your goals with the specific values and strengths of each M7 school to demonstrate fit and clarity of purpose. |
| Non-IIT/Non-Consulting Backgrounds | - Use your domain expertise (e.g., healthcare, manufacturing, public sector) to show industry depth. - Frame your work in terms of problem-solving, innovation, or scale. - Demonstrate cross-functional collaboration and leadership potential in non-traditional sectors. |
| Leadership Development |
- Take ownership of high-impact projects, team initiatives, or social ventures. -Demonstrate influence without authority—leading cross-functional teams, peer groups, or initiatives beyond your job role. |
| Global Exposure |
- Gain international experience via global projects, exchanges, or collaborations. - Highlight any involvement with multinational teams, offshore coordination, or participation in international conferences/events. |
