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rahulbatra65
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Joined: 30 Jul 2022
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
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Location: India
Schools: ISB '27 (D)
GMAT Focus 1: 665 Q85 V82 DI84
GPA: 8.01
Schools: ISB '27 (D)
GMAT Focus 1: 665 Q85 V82 DI84
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Advice Needed | 665 GMAT - No Interview Call From ISB 25 Nov 2024, 08:11
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Hi Folks,

I'm in a little bit of a situation here. Before I move forward, here is my profile:

GMAT - 665
Undergrad - Eco (H), Symbiosis Pune, 8.01/10 with a "Dissertation of the Year Award.
YOE - 3. Copywriter across boutique and network agencies, currently a functional team lead, promoted every year. I handle teams of 10-15 on varying accounts, and some of my work caught the eye of the media in India.
12th - 83%

I applied to ISB R1 after multiple consultants told me that I had a very good shot at the program owing to my "stellar" profile. Much to my disappointment, I didn't even get an interview call.

I want to understand, would giving the GMAT and perhaps aiming for a ~705 help? Is my YOE lower? Or are multiple people in the same boat as me leaving consultants dumbfounded and we write this off as just a bad year to apply?

Any advice/help would be great. TIA.
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Nymeria26
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GMAT Focus 1: 595 Q79 V83 DI76
GMAT Focus 1: 595 Q79 V83 DI76
Posts: 30
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Advice Needed | 665 GMAT - No Interview Call From ISB 26 Nov 2024, 06:49
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rahulbatra65, pls tag consultancies for quick replies
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rahulbatra65
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Joined: 30 Jul 2022
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
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Location: India
Schools: ISB '27 (D)
GMAT Focus 1: 665 Q85 V82 DI84
GPA: 8.01
Schools: ISB '27 (D)
GMAT Focus 1: 665 Q85 V82 DI84
Posts: 35
Kudos: 7
Advice Needed | 665 GMAT - No Interview Call From ISB 26 Nov 2024, 07:18
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MBAandBeyond MananS4G AdmitExpert
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TheRedPen
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Advice Needed | 665 GMAT - No Interview Call From ISB 26 Nov 2024, 22:22
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rahulbatra65
Hi Folks,

I'm in a little bit of a situation here. Before I move forward, here is my profile:

GMAT - 665
Undergrad - Eco (H), Symbiosis Pune, 8.01/10 with a "Dissertation of the Year Award.
YOE - 3. Copywriter across boutique and network agencies, currently a functional team lead, promoted every year. I handle teams of 10-15 on varying accounts, and some of my work caught the eye of the media in India.
12th - 83%

I applied to ISB R1 after multiple consultants told me that I had a very good shot at the program owing to my "stellar" profile. Much to my disappointment, I didn't even get an interview call.

I want to understand, would giving the GMAT and perhaps aiming for a ~705 help? Is my YOE lower? Or are multiple people in the same boat as me leaving consultants dumbfounded and we write this off as just a bad year to apply?

Any advice/help would be great. TIA.
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Hi rahulbatra65,

Your profile presents a strong academic background, significant work experience in a relevant field, and impressive extracurricular achievements. However, the lack of an interview call from ISB could be due to a combination of factors, including:

Competitive Pool: ISB is a highly competitive program, and the number of strong applicants has increased in recent years.
GMAT Score: While a 665 is a respectable score, aiming for a higher score, ideally in the 700s, can significantly boost your chances.
Essay Strength: Your essays should effectively convey your unique experiences, career goals, and fit with the program.
Recommendation Letters: Strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your leadership abilities, work ethic, and potential can be crucial.

Next Steps:

Retake the GMAT: Aiming for a higher GMAT score can significantly improve your chances of admission to top-tier programs.
Strengthen Your Application: Focus on crafting compelling essays that highlight your unique strengths and career goals. Seek strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your leadership abilities and potential.
Consider Alternative Programs in India and internationally.
Seek Expert Guidance: Consider consulting with an experienced MBA admissions consultant to refine your application strategy.
Stay Positive and Persistent: The MBA application process can be competitive, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can achieve your goals.

Remember, the MBA application process is holistic. While a strong GMAT score is important, it's equally important to demonstrate your unique qualities, leadership potential, and fit with the program.
At this point, we understand your concerns. However, we strongly recommend you schedule 1 free profile audit consultation with our MBA experts who will handhold you through the process and help you make sound decisions.

Alternatively, you can also call us directly at +91 7780769732
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MBAGuide
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Advice Needed | 665 GMAT - No Interview Call From ISB 26 Nov 2024, 23:01
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rahulbatra65 Don't be consumed with minor aspects that you miss the forest for the trees, failing to address the core issues at hand! GMAT may not be the real culprit here.

What are you trying to achieve with an MBA? I honestly find it difficult to answer when candidates ask for profile evaluations without even telling what they are trying to attain from an MBA/ what kind of opportunities they are looking at that would not be possible without an MBA.

When you are looking for insights on why you didnt get a call from ISB, and you have still not listed your post MBA plans as an important factor in the information you shared about yourself, you likely have some work to do still.

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alumna, former INSEAD admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

rahulbatra65
Hi Folks,

I'm in a little bit of a situation here. Before I move forward, here is my profile:

GMAT - 665
Undergrad - Eco (H), Symbiosis Pune, 8.01/10 with a "Dissertation of the Year Award.
YOE - 3. Copywriter across boutique and network agencies, currently a functional team lead, promoted every year. I handle teams of 10-15 on varying accounts, and some of my work caught the eye of the media in India.
12th - 83%

I applied to ISB R1 after multiple consultants told me that I had a very good shot at the program owing to my "stellar" profile. Much to my disappointment, I didn't even get an interview call.

I want to understand, would giving the GMAT and perhaps aiming for a ~705 help? Is my YOE lower? Or are multiple people in the same boat as me leaving consultants dumbfounded and we write this off as just a bad year to apply?

Any advice/help would be great. TIA.
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MBAandBeyond
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Advice Needed | 665 GMAT - No Interview Call From ISB 27 Nov 2024, 02:44
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rahulbatra65
Hi Folks,

I'm in a little bit of a situation here. Before I move forward, here is my profile:

GMAT - 665
Undergrad - Eco (H), Symbiosis Pune, 8.01/10 with a "Dissertation of the Year Award.
YOE - 3. Copywriter across boutique and network agencies, currently a functional team lead, promoted every year. I handle teams of 10-15 on varying accounts, and some of my work caught the eye of the media in India.
12th - 83%

I applied to ISB R1 after multiple consultants told me that I had a very good shot at the program owing to my "stellar" profile. Much to my disappointment, I didn't even get an interview call.

I want to understand, would giving the GMAT and perhaps aiming for a ~705 help? Is my YOE lower? Or are multiple people in the same boat as me leaving consultants dumbfounded and we write this off as just a bad year to apply?

Any advice/help would be great. TIA.
Show more
Hi rahulbatra65 ,

A 665 GMAT is a good score, and while raising it to 705+ can enhance your profile, the bigger issue might be how effectively your essays conveyed your story. The admissions process is holistic, if your leadership, career progression, and achievements weren’t clearly articulated, a higher GMAT alone may not have changed the outcome.

Your 3 years of experience is sufficient, especially with promotions and leadership of 10-15 member teams, but it’s critical that your essays demonstrated specific impact, innovation, and alignment with ISB’s values. Weak essays or generic recommendations may have been the key factors.

For the next steps, please reflect on your application materials, improve your storytelling, and consider retaking the GMAT and aim for a 10 or 20 + points, if it doesn’t detract from other preparation. If ISB remains a priority, reapply with stronger essays, while also targeting other schools like NUS or HEC Paris where your creative leadership could stand out. All the very best!

If you plan to apply for some more schools in the next rounds/ intake, we’d be happy to evaluate your profile and help refine your strategy. Together, we can identify strengths, address gaps, and ensure you present your best story to your dream schools.

Join the exclusive webinar on “INSEAD Jan 26 intake and Application strategies!”

Cheers!
Shantanu Sharma
Founder and Admissions Consultant, MBA and Beyond
Email: valuecreation@mbaandbeyond.com