Interview Date: 27 Dec (mid-day)
Location: ISB, Hyd
Reached way earlier than my scheduled time. Chit-chatted with other candidates.
About 1.5 hours before my scheduled time, I was taken to a separate room and
strip-searched asked to write 50 - 100 words on the topic 'Normal'. Done in 20 mins. Noticed there was too much scratching out and bad handwriting. I asked for another piece of paper and re-wrote my
life's work rubbish.
Used the rest of the time to chit-chat again with other candidates. We often observed some panel members coming out for a break, and one of them looked particularly in a bad mood. I just hoped he wasn't my interviewer.
About 15 mins before my scheduled interview time, the same man came out and called my name. Not a good omen!
I followed him into a room where there was an elderly lady already seated. They introduced themselves (let's call them Grumpy Man (GM) and Inquisitive Lady (IL) for now).
GM: Please take a seat.
Me: Thank you. May I take a moment to switch of my cell phone, please?
GM: Sure.
Switched off my phone and put it back in my pocket.
GM: So you have an interest in astronomy? Tell me about Rosetta.
Me: It was in the news recently, but I can't recollect exactly...
A horrible startGM: OK. So, you work in the semiconductor industry. Which part of it - design, fabrication, raw materials vendor..?
Me: Explained my job. Tried to bring in some intl experience angle into the talk.
GM: So you're already working where you are making maximum impact?
Me: Correct!
GM: Then why MBA?
Gave my reasons.
GM: So as I understand it, the semiconductor value chain works like this. (He went on to explain his understanding of the value chain).
Me: That's correct.
GM: Can you draw a parallel from there and talk about the value chain of this table (pointing at the table in front of me)?
Tried to do my best to come up with an explanation.IL: So what is your style of working when you're in a team, and when you're leading a team?
Me: I have experiences with both. While working in a team, I am a complete team player. While leading a team, I tend to be more integrated into the team than some of the other leaders I have worked with.
IL: So do you have an example where there was a tough team member you had to deal with?
Gave an example of a person who had ego whom I (unsuccessfully) tried to motivate. I fumbled along explaining this incident while recalling from my memory.
IL: Why ISB?
Gave my reasons
IL: What if you don't get admission at ISB?
Me: Frankly speaking, I'm applying to a couple of other schools outside India as well.
IL: So if you don't get admission at ISB, then?
Me: What can I do then? I can't force my way in, right?
IL: No, I mean, let's say you get into 2 other B-schools and you are denied admission at ISB, then would you reapply next year, or would you accept an offer from one of the other schools?
I thought this was a pretty redundant question. I have already admitted to applying to other schools. If my intention is to reapply to ISB next year, why would I apply to the other schools this year?Me: I would go to another school.
IL: Okay (smiles).
IL: Tell me about anything you want to talk about.
Me: Umm.. anything?
IL: Yes, tell us about anything that is not in your essays.
Me: Okay.
Took the opportunity to talk about extra-curriculars.IL: Alright. I think we're done. Oh wait, do you have any questions for us.
Me: Actually, I do have a couple of questions.
IL: Sure.
Me: ISB has a 1 year compressed curriculum and finance is a core subject. As such I don't have any background in this subject. Before beginning my MBA stint, would it be wise do some basic course on this subject?
IL: IF you get admitted to ISB (and she really stressed on the "if" part)... and she went on to explain why I wouldn't need any pre-course, but suggested I read ET and some other newspaper regularly.
I asked a few follow up questionsMe: One more question: How do you decide whether an admitted candidate would go to the Hyd campus or the Mohali campus?
IL: There's an algo based on certain parameters. We basically look at where you with your experience would be more impactful. But if 2 students want to switch, we allow that as well.
Me: Ohh, you do?
IL: Yes, but finding someone who would be willing to swap with you is rare.
GM chipped in about how the learning experience is the same, rather slightly better at Mohali due to the building being designed more recently.
Me: Okay.
IL: You still look like you want to ask something more.
Me: No, that's it.
I stood up and thanked them for their time. Total time was ~ 25-30 mins.
Rest of the afternoon was spent in talking to some current students at ISB and enjoying a cuisine in their cafeteria.
So, not a good interview experience. I just hope my pre-interview score is high enough to cover up for my lapses in the interview. That's my only hope!
24 Dec 2014, 21:41
Posted from GMAT ToolKit 
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Hope I'll be closing this year on a good note. 
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