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

Aaaaaaand
8

Mine is at 2:30 pm.All the best !!

Thanks Ankur ! Your insights had been instrumental in everyone's preparation !
Hope to get it fine !

Hi ankurgupta03 , Will they be declaring all the round 2 admits on 14th Feb. or they will start sending admits few days before 14th and finish by 14th.
Do they put out any waitlist as well? I mean some of the selected people may choose not to go to ISB and opt for another school instead (even after paying the initial confirmation amount). What happens to those seats? How does ISB factors these things if they don't have any waitlist?

I'm sure they invite somewhat more than the batch size. I dnt think there is a waitlist since the adcoms have a fair idea of the yield rates from past.

Posted from GMAT ToolKit

Had my interview today.
My Background: Indian IT Male, Work ex: 5.5+

It was scheduled at 2:45 pm. Reached venue at around 12:50 pm. The sheet to write one word essay was handed over and the word was Proactive. Needless to say, it was an easy one and I guess I wrote it quite well. Waited for some killing 2 hrs and then my name was called up at around 3:15 pm.

So here is my interview debrief:
There were 3 people, 1 from AdCom and 2 alum. Let’s call them P1, P2, P3.Really good looking and smart people. In my essays, I wrote about my start-up. The moment I entered,
P1: So your app is Android based or IOS based? What is it all about? Tell us more about it. (Was not expecting this as first question, no Intro, walkthrough etc.
Ans: Was prepared, told them the concept.
P1: What’s your role?
Ans: Told them that mostly around coordination and making B-plans etc.
P1: So you already having a MBA flavour with this venture?
Ans: I said not really, but yes trying to get that taste.
P1: Why you think people will use your application, how it will help me?
Ans: Answered it by giving him a scenario to which he agreed.Then he asked what other features my app has to which I also replied.
P2: You have worked in IT Infrastructure domain for 5 years, tell us which company did you find better? ( I have switched two companies, so they asked about it). Which one would you find better and why?
Ans: Told them in detail
P3: Difference between cultural diversity of both companies. And which one suits you?
Ans: Answered some random things, on the fly which strike my head at that point.
(Did a bit of goof up here to which P3 replied, this is not what I am asking )
P2: So you are a Project lead, why don’t you transform processes, what stops you? (In previous qn response, I told them some technicalities and process related things)
Ans: Answered it in detail.
P1: So how do you estimate the sizing of your project? (I wrote that I do sizing of project). They gave me a scenario of Fixed Bid project and asked me to calculate efforts. Handed me a piece of paper and asked me to take time as I believe they figured out that I was getting nervous
Ans: This was real cakewalk for me and I nailed it in detail. ( This is what I do as a part of my job role) Some cross questioning on my approach but they were quite convinced with my approach.
P2: So you wish to be in product management domain. Do you think really you doing justice with your profile? ( Very sarcastically this questions was asked)
Ans: Answered it more around how my goals are aligned with my profile.
P2: No Offence, but do you really think companies will hire you to teach skills that you are aiming to?
Ans: I said, I am not looking for companies to teach me, it’s the experience and the whole journey that will transform me. ( No further qn after this from P2)
P3: So have you researched what companies like Google, MS looks for in a Product manager? Do you think MBA is a pre-requisite for it?
Ans: I told them qualities and said how MBA can help me. He was neutral on my answer.
P3: What I told is more of a generic answer. I am interested to know what Google looks for in a Product Manager. Have you done research in this context?
Ans: I answered it more thoroughly with good terminologies and seems like this time he was convinced
P1: So, lets say you are hired as a Product manager for LinkedIn. Have you seen your profile page on LinkedIn? ( I said yes) Then tell me how would you improve it?
Ans: I got completely out of mind with this question. (Thought that its already perfect, why to improve it ) I answered them with couple of Ideas around how UI could be improved and could be made more intuitive and also suggested some add-ons.
P2: So if you are hired in Google ( man, they were after this) , will you continue to pursue your start up venture? Are you really serious about it?
Ans: I said yes and I am serious about it.
P2: In ISB , the curriculum is quite exhaustive and even after ISB , once in Google , you wont be getting time. More over post MBA , you will be earning good CTC on one hand, and on other yur start-up is still not in shape, how will you manage these things? Also, what your other team member think of you as they will be doing it full time and you won’t be able to devote time as needed?
Ans: I replied, currently I am also working but I dedicate my Out of office hours to it. And moreover, with ISB , I will have lot of learnings which will help my venture somewhere. I said with a job after ISB, I will have one year inhand from now and that will be decisive how my start-up is being perceived by end users. And if any point of time, If I will feel that I am not able to devote 100% as needed, I will quit and focus solely on my venture.
P2 replied, this what I intended to hear and smiled.
P3: We are already running out of time, so last question: Tell us for whom you are building this product, what your revenue model will be and how you see this venture in 2 years. He also said that there are other similar products and established ones, how will you beat them?
Ans: I was prepared for this, answered in detail.

At last the final question, any question for us?
Ans: I asked one which they answered in detail.
I said no more questions and they greeted me and I was done.

No idea how it went but a lot of cross questioning and indirect questions on why MBA, goals and Why ISB. They grilled a lot, really lot (don’t remember all the qns but there were few more). It lasted for 40-47 mins. Was not expecting to be this long. All the three were constantly firing up questions and I believe they really tried to make me puzzled . I goofed up at one place but except that I answered them to my best. Also, no usual question , no hobbies, no essay related question nothing. All about my start up, my goals and workex.
Most of other interviews before me lasted for not more than 20-25 minutes. Now fingers crossed and yes finally a night to relax as its all over now. All up to AdCom now, hope they make 14th to be a memorable one for me!

Thanks Ankur, and all other members who did posted their debriefs and share their thoughts. You guys rock !! All the best to everyone waiting for 14th, I am there in same boat now !

Hello All,

I had my interview today, it was through skype.
There were 2 alums & no one from adcom, Alum 1 : Cool & cheerful & Alum 2 : Serious all time
Questions asked were in this manner :
A1 : Why you not make up to Hyderabad ?
A1 : Than Questions about my work ? <The embezzlement that i caught >
A1 : Again on work related to question 1 < Looks satisfied with my ans >
A2 : Why i changed job frequently during early days ?
A2 : What was the project ? < Project which i built in engg. >
A1 : how it works ?
A1 : Explain it in layman terms ?
then we all start discussing about its future prospectus < In this conversation, A1 looks happy but A2 looks as i asked him for his kidney >
A1 : Again Explain it to me ?
A1 : Essay related question ?
A1 : A problem given to solve ?
A1 : Do you have any question ?

I told him, No & greeted thank you for spending their time on sunday.

I have no idea, how it goes !!
I am preapared for the worst
All the best to all
Cheers that we came so far !!

Here is my debrief of the interview I had on Feb 6th, 3:15 pm. The interview lasted for almost 20-25 mins.

My Background (Indian IT Male) : Indian, Manager at Product Based IT Company, Experience - 10+ years
2 interviewers of which one was an Alumni while the other was a very senior member of ISB (associated with ISB from its inception)

Q) Question about "Mobility" in my product within a minute.

Q) Elevator Pitch

Q) More details about my role in the organization.

Q) Why MBA.

Q) Impediments to move to the new role without an MBA.

Q) My role as a manager

Q) I was asked about Extracurriculars (I told sports)

Q) What are the 2 things that need to be changed in International Cricket ?

Q) What are the changes required in Test Cricket.

Q) Asked about ISL.

Q) What are the changes that can make ISL better.

The interview experience was very good and the interviewers were very friendly.

** I connected with Llewellyn Desouza for interview preparation. I benefited a lot from the interactions that I had with him. **

I read on this forum that the successful applicants will be informed on 14th and only the dings will be handed out on 15th. Wanted to re-confirm if that's the case.

Yup that is the case.
All the best!

Thanks Ankur

Interview Date: 8th Feb 2015, 10 AM IST.

Overall Experience: Each question was based on my previous response. I would categorize my interview as 'Feed Me' kind of interview. Basically, you can weave your interview questions the way you want it to be.

No questions on Why MBA/Why MBA now/Why ISB/Goals.

Goals came into picture when I was given the oppurtunity to ask questions.

Profile: GMAT: 700, Work-Ex: 3.5 years (1 year Intl. Workex), Domain: Tech Consulting/ IT QA/ E-commerce clients

Panel: Alum 2008 and Alum 2011.

Mode of Interview: Skype (Audio was fine in skype so they asked me not to dial-in to landline#)

Duration: 31 minutes

Questions in short, message me for details

1) Give an intro with couple of things that are not mentioned in Essays/Application.

2) What are the initiatives I took at work?

3) Based on your strengths, how do you rank 1) Team Work/Building 2) Initiatives 3) Analytic

4) Why did you choose Team Building as #1. Examples?

5) Puzzle on analytical ability as I ranked as #3.

(Initiatives was already covered)

6) I pitched in diversity factor as strength (interned in Thailand, working in USA) asked for examples and experiences.

7) Follow up question - How do you develop professional relationship with Non-Indians at work, examples?

8) I mentioned I learnt bit of Thai in Thailand.. Basic Thai language questions. (Couldn't recollect one translation)

9) Challenges that you faced at work? How did you motivate the employee (based on my answer)?

Questions I asked
1) E-commerce placements roles?
A: The alums replied and one of them asked follow up questions what is your plan and how is the question relevant to my plan.
2) How integrated Mohali and Hyd campus are?
A: Positive response, well integrated. NCR better than Hyd in terms of job market and job that I would be interested in. Better facitlies as it is a new campus. Faculty currently is better in Mohali.

Hi All,
My interview- 7th Feb- 10:45 AM, Hyderabad.
They started by saying' you have a very interesting profile' and then during the interview they did not ask me any of the standard questions like Why MBA, Future goals, Why ISB questions etc.
all the questions they did ask me centered around my industry (i come from paper industry) and my achievements and how i achieved them. It looked like they were interested to know more about paper industry.
My interview lasted for 45-50 minutes- I don't know if i should take this is as a good sign ?
Any inputs are welcome . Thanks.

Hi All,

Please find below my interview debrief:

Interview Date: 08th Feb at Hyd

Panel 7- I think all three were alums

Interview time: 2:00 pm

GMAT: 690

Work: 3 years 8 months in Pharma Sales Consulting

Essay: Pro-Active

The interview started with a couple of members in the panel. We started with small chit chat regarding where I came from, where I was staying in Hyd, etc. I mentioned that my company had the option of returning back to them after MBA, and they asked me whether I planned to go back to my company after ISB and I said no I was interested in pursuing my family business.

Then they started asking me questions around What family business I had, How did I plan to scale it up, How did I stay in touch in spite having a full time job. This lasted for around 10 minutes. This was when the third member walked into the room. Then they asked me about my greatest accomplishment at work. I talked about it for another 5 minutes. After this they said they were done and asked me for questions.

I asked them a couple of questions around how ISB would help a person aspiring to go into family business. It took another 5 minutes.

The interview lasted for around 15-20 minutes only and it was very conversational in nature. I think I was able to explain everything they wanted to know but I was unable to read their expressions. I was asked none of the why mba, why isb or anything about my work.

I am not really sure what such a short interview suggests? Did anyone else had a short interview? Did anyone else had the chance to meet panel 7 on 08th Feb. Any thoughts will be welcome because I have no idea how to interpret my interview. Thanks!

Does anyone know if ISB calls the admits or do they notify via email ?

Email and portal update

Thanks man. Now I know not to keep staring at my phone in anticipation.