Shivam Desai: U.S. Recipient of the Schwarzman Scholarship at Tsinghua University, China

Hi everyone, my name is Shivam Desai, and I’m from the NJ/NYC area. Before joining the Schwarzman Scholars program, I spent six years in New York City driving partnerships, scaling teams, and generating millions in revenue at consumer and financial services growth-stage startups. Notably, Jet.com was acquired by Walmart, while Better.com went public, and SoFi went public during my tenure. I’ve collaborated extensively with CXOs and Fortune 100 leaders at companies like Tesla, Progressive, and Walmart, gaining a strong foundation in business development, financial product innovation, and cross-functional strategy

Schwarzman Scholarship Details

I am part of the 2023-2024 Schwarzman Scholars cohort. This prestigious program offers a one-year, fully funded Master’s in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University, one of China’s leading universities. The scholarship covers airfare, lodging, food, tuition, partial domestic travel, and a semi-annual stipend.

Educational Background

I earned my undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and minors in Political Science and Asian Studies. I maintained a GPA of 3.5. This multidisciplinary background equipped me with a strong understanding of political economy and finance, which directly aligns with my interests in global affairs.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Tsinghua University?

While the Schwarzman Scholarship doesn’t require standardized test scores, I prepared for and took the GMAT as I was also considering an MBA. I scored 700, with a strong 49/51 in the Quantitative section.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Schwarzma Scholarship?

I started by seeking advice from alumni, friends, and family to gain third-party perspectives about my strengths and unique qualities. Their insights helped me reflect deeply and articulate a strong, cohesive narrative in my application.

What Made Your Application Stand Out?

I’ve been deeply invested in the "India and Asia Growth Story" for nearly a decade. My personal thesis in 2015 predicted Asia’s rise as the epicenter of global growth, a trend that has materialized with China, India, and ASEAN driving much of the world’s economic development today. My undergraduate thesis, “Internet Access and Social Network Influences on Behaviors and Consumption Decisions of Indian Consumers,” further underscored my focus on understanding this region.

Professionally, I built on this foundation during my tenure at Walmart’s eCommerce division, where I spearheaded import/export strategy and collaborated closely with China’s Global Sourcing teams. This experience deepened my understanding of China’s critical role in global trade and eCommerce.

Following Walmart, I took leadership roles at growth-stage startups, where I scaled teams, drove significant revenue, and forged partnerships with Fortune 100 companies. This combination of strategic vision and operational execution likely distinguished me as a candidate who brings both academic insight and professional expertise.