Calling all ISB Applicants - (2016 Intake) Class of 2017

Debrief post ISB Interview @ Delhi, 20 Nov 15
Info gleaned by chatting with the AdCom rep checking you in(I make friends fast!):- The interview at Delhi is always held at ITC Sheraton, Saket (other locations being Hyd, Moh, Bbay, Bglr and Kol). The Delhi 1st round interviews this year are over 2 days - 20th and 21st Nov. On 20th there were 6 panels (each panel is in one hotel room, configured with a table, 3 interviewer chairs, 1 candidate chair, water bottles, writing material and the AC set to a comfortable temperature). On 21st, they have 14 panels. Each panel is generally comprised of 3 interviewers - 2 Alumni and 1 AdCom member, though mine only had 2 (the 3rd name was listed though! ) and they do about 10 interviews a day. So that translates to about 200 folks over these 2 days at Delhi. I heard one of the candidates say something about a ratio of 9:4:1 about applicants:interviewed:selected, but digest that at your own risk!
One room on the same floor as the panel rooms is configured into a waiting room, where a super friendly AdCom rep (my source of info in the 1st para) checks off your name on arrival, and you sign in. Then the long wait starts! They call you an hour before the interview slot, whereas they could easily have made that 30 minutes. So even if you think you are stuck in traffic and may end up 15 min late, don't worry! The only activity as you wait is the 'famed 1 word essay'! What that means is they give you a sheet of paper with the ISB logo and a word printed in bold on it, and you are required to write 50-100 words about it. Don't sweat - it is just a simple adjective/ trait on which you need to write out your thoughts.
They ask you to carry your passport, but nobody had their PP or identity document checked, in the time I was there. Moral: If you have forgotten yours, just keep quiet, they may not even ask. And if they do, perhaps any ID document you have may suffice (credit card?)!
Folks, one advice - everyone out there is competing for a slot at ISB, but don't let that deter you from having fun while you wait. We did just that and by the time our turns came, we didn't want to go away from the room!
Well, one panel member comes and meets you, then walks you to the room. They are very informal and chilled out, and if they see you are nervous, try to set you at ease - so don't be in the first place!
Everyone gets questions/ situations depending on the candidate, the panel & the time of day (did they have a good lunch, are they sleepy after it, was their coffee cold... too many variants, so don't worry about predicting that)!
Mine was a candidature from "outer space", meaning that I come with 15 years of work ex, am almost 42 and a soon to be Indian Navy veteran. So my questions can't be extrapolated to a typical candidate who is 27-32 with work ex of below 9 years, I guess!
Anyway, I can speak of mine and a few before that, and it seems a high probability that they check out what you say you are or did, in your resume. I could tell they are trying to judge whether you can prove the calibre again, by putting you in an imagined situation "on the ball" where you need to give out your actions/ thoughts clearly, which would match what you say on the resume. So if you said you helped launch the latest INSAT into orbit, don't think ''chewing gum'' when they mention orbit!
So for those who have not done their resume or essays themselves, that would be bad news! But if you know your stuff, you will be really comfortable. They ask you a few more questions and before I knew it, they were telling me it is my time to grill them! So I did my bit, and came to know of an interesting system where every student is given 4000 points at the start of the course, which you use to bid for various courses, majors etc. A really unique system, from what I have studied of various schools.
All in all, I would rate this a lovely experience, where you can rediscover a bit more of yourselves, with the questions tailored to the candidate and the interview conducted in a very relaxed and informal manner. And no, they didn't ask me to describe myself, or why MBA, why ISB..nothing. Guess the essays were pretty clear. I now know for a fact that the panel does not know your GMAT score,but has your resume, photo page (if uploaded) and essays too! Perhaps the GMAT is skipped to give everyone a uniform chance at the interview.
So folks, just go ahead and have a ball at the ISB interview, and don't forget to chat up with the others in the waiting room. But remember that everyone there is like you (and me!) and not an AdCom member; so swallow inputs with a pinch of salt, and add some lemon and tequila too, for the high!And hope to see you there next April (ie. if my missing 1-word essay and this detailed debrief don't disqualify me!)
Good luck!