Alumni Spotlight – Laira Aggarwal

Meet Laira Aggarwal, a Jr. Associate at McKinsey & Company. She graduated with a double major in Math & Economics from Claremont McKenna College and studied Master of Finance from MIT Sloan School of Management. 

We asked her about her college experience and learnings and here is what she had to say:

1. What did you study in college, and what stood out about the US education system?

My love for solving mathematical problems and applying them to economic issues led me to study math and economics at Claremont McKenna College. The US education system’s flexibility allowed me to explore these subjects deeply while broadening my horizons through diverse fields like philosophy, astrology, and Hinduism. This expanded my knowledge and sharpened my communication and critical thinking skills.

Weekly office hours with exceptional faculty via FaceTime were invaluable, helping me clarify concepts and form lasting relationships. Even today, many of my professors remain trusted mentors, guiding me in my career and personal growth.

 

2. College journey and unexpected experiences—how did you make the most of it?
Before heading to the US, I underestimated how transformative foreign education could be. The diversity at CMC challenged me to rethink my perspectives, teaching me to unlearn and relearn social norms, cultural values, and worldviews. Engaging with peers from varied backgrounds helped me shed inhibitions and embrace new opportunities like orientation trips and campus activities.

The freedom to shape my academic path was empowering. I maximized it by planning my days effectively, balancing studies, co-ops, extracurriculars, and research projects. This experience not only built my confidence but also taught me valuable time management and work-life balance skills. 

 

3. Post-college life – academic journey & valuable takeaways from college to which you attribute your career trajectory.

Immediately after graduating from CMC, I decided to pursue a 1-year Masters in Finance degree from MIT Sloan, continuing my quest for knowledge and learning. Despite the highly competitive nature of the program at MIT, I didn’t give in to the pressure and completed my graduation with flying colors. This taught me the importance of resilience and perseverance and the value of forging meaningful relationships and networks during my college years.

 

4. What role did CollegeCore play in preparing you for college?

Before I joined CollegeCore, I had a limited understanding of US-style education or the application process. The college core team provided invaluable guidance by helping me identify the universities that best suited my interests and giving transparency and structure to the entire application process.

I am specifically grateful to the exceptional editorial team, who assisted me in creating a compelling and engaging Common Application essay.

 

5. Any other advice you feel would benefit prospective freshmen.

My only tip to prospective freshmen would be to be open-minded in their overall learning and development. It is a good idea to try out new courses to learn as much as possible and try to make the most of the diverse cohort by making friends from different countries and learning about the various cultures!