Calling all ISB Applicants - (2015 Intake) Class of 2016

Farhan Pls share the feedback

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They gave feedback on different criterion where interviewers judge you.
Communication, analytical skill, self awareness, knowledge about current field, prospective field, ISB research etc.

GMAT score was also discussed although it wasn't the sole criteria, a better GMAT score would have improved my overall chances.

So what did they say was the gray area in your profile in interview...

That I was good in all areas but I wasn't a wow candidate. Need to highlight my differentiators and stand out in the competitive pool. I am yet to figure out how but will start working on it.

And GMAT too

Hi Chetan,

640 will be low by ISB standards. But still, if you can share your work experience & extra currics details, we will be able to provide better feedback.

Apphelp Team

So here is how the info session went at Mumbai:(2 adcom member and 2 Alums)
1. Same movie that they showed last year, What do you believe in?
2. The presentation was similar to the details that they have online about admission process. Timelines for Early entry option have changed.
3. Alums discussed about their experiences at ISB and after ISB.
4. Loads of questions some really funny ones and some very specific to individuals(Offical time was till 1 but it went on till 1.40 pm)
5. Not much talk about 2014 placements, neither in the brochure, nor in the presentation
6. Very frank comments by Mr Manish Sapra (Adcom director Mohali), didn't look like he was trying to sell ISB. (International Placements very rare, only 9 foreign students in the current batch so cultural diversity limited, Exchange programs usually clash with the placement time so people prefer doing them after Term 8), honesty is the mantra
7. Time and again it was reiterated be honest in your essays, don't try and be a hero, they like people who have some flaws and are aware about them and working towards them.
8. Same goes for recommendations, honest recommendation are valued more than "Best person I know" recommendation

If you have doubts regarding anything during application, write to them rather than guessing or listening to other sources.

@griffins: thanks for introducing this. This will definitely benefit a lot of ISB applicants for 2014.

In terms of the definition, you are right. Innovation can be taken to be the introduction of something new, but it can also be taken to be the resourceful use of something that already exists. For example, in the Indian context, remember how 'missed calls' used to be so popular as a form of basic, free communication? This was the use of an existing process in a new way, to achieve a new objective.

@farhanc85 raises a great point too: not everyone gets the chance to be part of something innovative, so ISB has allowed applicants to also showcase their thinking through the examples of others who they have had a chance to observe.

For addressing this essay, it does not really matter much which stance the applicant takes (i.e. substantiating OR negating the idea). What matters is how one is able to form one's opinion and back it up through the examples that ISB asks for. There is no strict right or wrong answer here - it is more about how the applicant can show perspective. A few years ago, ISB had a similar topic ('Fame or a million dollars - what would you choose and why?'), and the assessment process for that one too had been similar (i.e. how can you argue your position, not which stance you take).

We have also put out a basic analysis of this year's ISB essays. This might help some applicants to get off the block in terms of thinking about them:
ISB essay analysis for the 2014 essays

Thanks, all.

I was in the process of writing my Essay, could you please tell me if I can focus all four essays featuring different diverse experience of mine. I mean can I write Innovation Essay based on my NGO experience, Goal Essay on my corporate experience, like this. Or do I need to focus on my professional and work related information in all 3 - 4 essays?

Hey sorry for the delayed reply.
Yous should focus on your diverse experience and try to bring out the qualities in you and the value added by you.
Focusing just on the professional and work related information will not bring all what you have in yourself.
You can identify your different qualities and then write them in the targeted essays.
All the best for essay writing.
Do let me know if you have any other questions.

Nice post to start. I am just curious to know how the Average base salary of $130,135 was determined. I see that INR median is around 17-18L, where did this eye-catching dollar figure come from?

Replied to a PM just now about How to start writing essays.

I think this might help others
Feel free to add points or correct me.

Step 1:
Start of with writing about your significant life events in a word file in bullet points. Some awards you have won, some appreciation you have achieved, some value addition which you have done, what work you do etc. In short any thing you find good about yourself, or which you think you are good at.
Your long term and short term goals. Just the goals.

Step 2:
Now look at the essays. Write 4 essay questions in 4 different word files.
Under each essay, see what you can plug in. Write that down in bullet points.
At this time, you may have overlapping things also. Do not worry about it.

Step 3:
Start writing and try to fit in the things which are most relevant to the particular essay.
For instance, for the question "Why a particular School".
In this case, you can write about your work ex and relate it with the courses.

"What will you bring to the school"
In this case, you can write about your skills, something your are good at and relate them to the School clubs.

And most importantly: START WRITING. You will automatically find ways yo go ahead
Happy Writing.

Hey good catch The actual average Salary is a bit low
Will update the same. The source for the updated salary is:

https://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolra ... nking-2014

Check out the essay analyses by Llwellyn Desouza on Pagalguy
https://www.pagalguy.com/gmat/isb-class- ... 1/28016319

ISB Mantras essay analyses
https://www.pagalguy.com/gmat/isb-class- ... 1/19988891

Also, do check out our essay analysis for ISB 2014-15:
https://mbadecoder.com/isb-essay-analysis-201/


Don't want to spam this thread, so will post the complete version on the ISB main forum.

You can ask me any queries with regards to the ISB essays/ application.

it's so because the weighted salary is US$ PPP equivalent and most probably three years after graduation...

i want to apply ISB this September.......havn't taken GMAT .........when should I give the exam????

You need at least two months to write good essays. That leaves you with a 15 day window till 15th of July.
If you have started preparing for the GMAT, you can go ahead and give it by 15th of July, max 20th.

Else I think you should apply in R2 if you are planning to kick start your studies.