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

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vijay556

Joined: 08 Apr 2013

Last visit: 28 Sep 2016

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Location: United States

Concentration: Operations, Strategy

Schools: ISB '17 (D) Cox '18 (A) NUS '18 Foster '18 Olin '18 Simon '18 Madison '18 Kelley '18

GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V36 Verified score

WE:Engineering (Manufacturing)

Schools: ISB '17 (D) Cox '18 (A) NUS '18 Foster '18 Olin '18 Simon '18 Madison '18 Kelley '18

GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V36 Verified score

Posts: 15

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06 Nov 2015, 05:05

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unimportant

Hi ,

Is any one scheduled for an interview at Hyd on 7th Nov around 11.30??

Scheduled at 10 45.
When do the interviews usually start in the morning?

padhy02

Joined: 14 Jan 2013

Last visit: 23 Mar 2018

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Location: India

Concentration: Strategy, General Management

GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V40 Verified score

WE:Consulting (Computer Software)

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06 Nov 2015, 09:20

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vijay556

unimportant

Hi ,

Is any one scheduled for an interview at Hyd on 7th Nov around 11.30??

Scheduled at 10 45.
When do the interviews usually start in the morning?

I have mine at 10. I guess that's when it starts.

rajatmehrotra20

Joined: 18 Apr 2015

Last visit: 01 Jan 2016

Posts: 5

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Location: United States

Concentration: Operations, General Management

Schools: ISB '17 (A) Duke '18 NUS '18 Ross '18

GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V35 Verified score

GPA: 3.12

WE:Manufacturing and Production (Manufacturing)

Schools: ISB '17 (A) Duke '18 NUS '18 Ross '18

GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V35 Verified score

Posts: 5

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06 Nov 2015, 09:25

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Hey,
How to check whether you have been shortlisted for the Interviews or not ?

Thanks

AdmitJA

Joined: 04 Jul 2014

Last visit: 26 Mar 2018

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Location: India

GMAT 1: 640 Q44 V34 Verified score

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06 Nov 2015, 09:43

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rajatmehrotra20

Hey,
How to check whether you have been shortlisted for the Interviews or not ?

Thanks

Go to your application status page. Good luck!

askakyyy

Joined: 11 Jun 2014

Last visit: 25 Jan 2016

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Location: United States

Schools: ISB '17 GMBA '16 Goizueta '18 (A)

GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V30 Verified score

GMAT 2: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

Schools: ISB '17 GMBA '16 Goizueta '18 (A)

GMAT 2: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

Posts: 23

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06 Nov 2015, 10:19

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grvpatel

Hello,

I gave my GMAT on 2nd Nov (Scored 660 only (Q48, V-32), I was aiming 700+ but didn’t happen

. This was my 2nd attempt. In my first attempt last year the score was 580. I was so keen on applying to ISB this year. But because of this low score I am doubtful, but I am still thinking of applying for R2. Please somebody tell me that whether I have any chance of getting shortlisted.

Profile

Work Experience –
3 years and 2 months
Company – Indian Oil corporation Limited

Roles & Responsibilities
At IOCL, I am responsible for coordinating marketing and sales activities of Western Zone. Aimed at increasing sales and improving operational efficiency, my work involves interaction with professionals across the value chain. This also gives me insight into domains like logistics, pricing and channel management. I played a key role in increasing the sales of our zones vis-a-vis last year by taking some initiatives
a) Liquidation of slow moving inventory through discount negotiation with customer and strategizing the positioning of grades in the overall grade basket.
b) With the help of effective coordination with dispatch team and advance delivery planning, I succeeded in increasing the sales of our zones.

Academics
Graduated in Polymer Science and chemical technology from Delhi College of engineering
Distinction – 75.74%
X – 82.8%
XII – 83%

Paper Publication –
Got research paper published on – “A Framework for Imbibing Sustainability in Supply Chains: Learning’s from Cases of India Inc.” in an international conference - HAMBURG INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF LOGISTICS

Project-
Coordinator – BAWANA INDUSTRIES DEVELOPMENT
We group of 6 people undertook a project for the regeneration of Bawana SME cluster having more than 7000 industrial units. The project was carried out for 5 months to showcase the problems faced by the entrepreneurs. Exhaustive field survey was done. Created unique Government-Industry-Academia interface meets to solve the problems prevalent in the Industrial Cluster.

Event management:-
Organised a two day executive certificate workshop on Internal branding and corporate communication: strategy and practice at DMS IIT Delhi. The program was coordinated by one of the prominent faculty at DMS , IIT Delhi.

Extra curricular & Achievement ( can’t say whether significant or not)
1. Association with I-Volunteer an NGO for 5 months in college. Participated in various events for under-privileged children.
2. Infrastructure head of annual technical symposium by our branch at college.
3. Event head of “Radical-Business plan” in fest.
4. Active participation in sports
a) Captained cricket team of my department in college
b) Active member of school Basketball team. We stood 3rd at zonal level. Received a certificate of merit for that.

Please help.
Thanks in Advance !

I was like you last year. Posting profile evaluations on application threads. Hoping someone somewhere with whatsoever standpoint could judge and tell me if i am good enough.
A year of stalking web forums and i have grown a lil more informed
So grvpatel, i encourage you to stalk forums some more. Read replies.. and you will have your answer.

ISBmantra

Admission Consultant

Joined: 21 Oct 2013

Last visit: 03 Sep 2025

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06 Nov 2015, 21:08

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grvpatel

Hello,

I gave my GMAT on 2nd Nov (Scored 660 only (Q48, V-32), I was aiming 700+ but didn’t happen

Hi grvpatel! 660 isn't high enough indeed, but you have a good profile. We have a similar candidate in R1 working with IOCL and a similar profile as yours in the East zone getting an interview with a 690. In our opinion, you have enough time to put some more effort and improve your score, but that can happen even in January. In the mean time, you must start working on your application.

All the Best
'ISBmantra'

Apply now for a 100% waiver on any of the ISBmantra services [exclusively for GMATClub members]:
https://www.isbmantra.com/gmatclub-free-consulting

Now sign up for our Interview Services even before you have an interview call and get all your fees back in case you end up not getting a call!

ISBmantra

Admission Consultant

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06 Nov 2015, 21:10

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rajatmehrotra20

Hey,
How to check whether you have been shortlisted for the Interviews or not ?

Thanks

Hi rajatmehrotra20! Normally you would receive an email about 7-10 days before your scheduled date. You may also check your status by logging in to your ISB application page.

All the Best!
'ISBmantra'

Apply now for a 100% waiver on any of the ISBmantra services [exclusively for GMATClub members]:
https://www.isbmantra.com/gmatclub-free-consulting

Now sign up for our Interview Services even before you have an interview call and get all your fees back in case you end up not getting a call!

sreerupa89

Joined: 01 Sep 2015

Last visit: 30 May 2019

Posts: 5

Given Kudos: 3

Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Leadership

Schools: Oxford"20 (A) Cambridge"20 (A)

GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38 Verified score

Schools: Oxford"20 (A) Cambridge"20 (A)

GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38 Verified score

Posts: 5

Kudos: 0

06 Nov 2015, 23:04

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arizone

hey guy!

Congrats on getting your respective call!

How are you guys planning to prepare for the subsequent stages... especially those from Kolkata?

Has anyone from Kolkata received an invite yet?

AdmitJA

Joined: 04 Jul 2014

Last visit: 26 Mar 2018

Posts: 276

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1,243

[9]

Given Kudos: 420

Location: India

GMAT 1: 640 Q44 V34 Verified score

GMAT 2: 710 Q49 V37 Verified score

GPA: 3.58

WE:Analyst (Accounting)

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[9]

07 Nov 2015, 04:51

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Interview Debrief:

My interview was schedule for 2PM at Bangalore today. Interview started at 2:30PM though as the panelists were short staffed. An amazing conversation with an Associate Director of ISB in the waiting room made me stop staring at my watch much.

Talking to him I realized that panelists are allocated based on the experience and background of each applicant. Today there was 2 panels to interview 7 yrs experience +, one for the YLP and the rest for 2 to 6 experience bucket. The interviewers do read your application before and during your interview and have very specific questions for you! Talking to him I also understand that in Bangalore they are interviewing 132 (or something) candidates this weekend. They have covered most of the ISB Bangalore location preferred interview candidates in this weekend and wouldn't return to Bangalore this cycle.

The one word essay was nice and easy initially. I first wrote my response on my note book and thereafter copied my answer to the sheet ISB provided, so that I don't do a lot of scratching and plan my sheet usage poorly. I indeed did a smart thing by doing so, but I failed to brainstorm better on the essay topic 'perfect'. After I wrote out my answer I wondered why I didn't write 'Why ISB was the perfect fit for me and why I am a perfect fit for ISB'... Anyways...

So one of my interviewers, a CA like me, escorted me to the interview room. There were 3 panelists
a) a CA who is now an Investment Banker
b) a techie who continues in tech and
c) an architect who is now a xxx (Ooops I forgot)

While some of interview lasted for between 15 and 20 minutes, my interview went on for 30 to 35 minutes. No idea what to draw of it...

Here are the questions:

a) What is your current role in your organisation? What exactly do you do? (A lot of digging on this)
b) Why I joined this role after my failed start up (I said I will have to take them through my resume before I answer this better and did so)
c) a lot of questions on my start up - why it failed, why from an audit back ground i moved to an operations consulting role, a lot of questions on my partnership model, why i closed it
d) questions on extra curricular activities on my resume
e) a moment I am proud of in addition to what I have written about in my essay
f) Plan A & Plan B post PGP
g) Why operations consulting
h) questions for them -1
i) thereafter again they asked if I had any questions for them - so I asked one more

I was expecting some guesstimate questions and questions on current affairs, but there weren't any.

Good luck everybody!

swagnikb

Joined: 16 Jan 2015

Last visit: 07 Feb 2017

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07 Nov 2015, 05:01

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sreerupa89

arizone

hey guy!

Congrats on getting your respective call!

How are you guys planning to prepare for the subsequent stages... especially those from Kolkata?

Has anyone from Kolkata received an invite yet?

Kolkata interviews will be held at the end...from 4th-6th december probably.

sreerupa89

Joined: 01 Sep 2015

Last visit: 30 May 2019

Posts: 5

Given Kudos: 3

Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Leadership

Schools: Oxford"20 (A) Cambridge"20 (A)

GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38 Verified score

Schools: Oxford"20 (A) Cambridge"20 (A)

GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38 Verified score

Posts: 5

Kudos: 0

07 Nov 2015, 06:16

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I was told by the admissions team that it will be between 14-15 Nov. Could you please let me know how you came to know of the dates?

rohitkumar1

Joined: 23 Nov 2014

Last visit: 11 Oct 2017

Posts: 48

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Given Kudos: 64

Location: India

Schools: AGSM '16 (A$) Oxford'17 (M) Judge'17 (D) Insead July'17 (D) ISB '17 (D)

GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V40 Verified score

GPA: 3.14

WE:Sales (Consumer Packaged Goods)

Schools: AGSM '16 (A$) Oxford'17 (M) Judge'17 (D) Insead July'17 (D) ISB '17 (D)

GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V40 Verified score

Posts: 48

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07 Nov 2015, 10:18

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Anyone else get Panel 1 in Hyderabad today?

unimportant

Joined: 12 May 2015

Last visit: 31 Jan 2016

Posts: 16

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[1]

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Schools: ISB '17 (A)

GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V37 Verified score

Schools: ISB '17 (A)

GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V37 Verified score

Posts: 16

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[1]

07 Nov 2015, 17:34

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Hi all,

I finished my interview yesterday at ISB Hyderabad campus.

I was scheduled at 11.30, but was called in around 12.10 or so.

While all the other candidates were interviewed for 20-25 mins , mine took almost 45-50 mins.

I just have only a couple of tips to give away.

The panel isn't there to grill..Its only there to understand two things. How clear you are about your goal and how well you can articulate your thoughts and communicate as well. Sit there and talk like you are explaining your future goals to a friend. Nervousness is not going to help you. They ask you questions either because you are not articulating your thoughts to them well or they are very interested in what you are saying. So figure out which side is happening to you while you are answering them.

The panel usually doesn't want to know anything more than what you have written in your essay. But if they do find your work interesting and if they are of not that background you are in for a super fired up session. they continuously shoot questions like a curious kid.

P.S..If you are from an consulting background or from a analytics background, be prepared for case studies like what will you do with this huge data, what parameter can we draw from such huge data etc.

PPS.. Talk to a lot of your fellow applicants while at the campus.. talk to them about what profiles they have, what background they come from. Helps you to relax. We talked about who is the cutest player in cricket to how ford sold its own company.

AA2014

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07 Nov 2015, 23:19

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unimportant

Hi,

Firstly, all the best for your final result now that you're one step ahead of us.
I has some questions about the PI.
I'm at BHEL (a manufacturing PSU). Since my firm's history goes long back to about 50 years so can there be any grilling about the "FACT BOOK" of companies. I mean are the company-specific questions concentrated on our work profile or the facts about the firm like " whats the annual turnover" or "the major highlights of last FY".

Also, do we need to study about Current Affairs of Business World etc.?

Any help would be vital as I've no idea about this interview apart from general questions.

Thanks for reading.

askakyyy

Joined: 11 Jun 2014

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Location: United States

Schools: ISB '17 GMBA '16 Goizueta '18 (A)

GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V30 Verified score

GMAT 2: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

Schools: ISB '17 GMBA '16 Goizueta '18 (A)

GMAT 2: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

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08 Nov 2015, 00:26

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Any docs that need to be taken along for the interview apart from the id?

unimportant

Joined: 12 May 2015

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08 Nov 2015, 01:16

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askakyyy

Any docs that need to be taken along for the interview apart from the id?

no documents are required. if you haven't uploaded certificates , do carry them. if you have submitted all of the certificates then no need.

unimportant

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Schools: ISB '17 (A)

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08 Nov 2015, 01:27

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Hi.

yes its always better to know about the facts of your company, like the annual turnover, how many people in your department, any recent noticeable development, stock price.and their technological developments. They won't for sure date back to more than 2 years unless something serious did happen in the company and you were present in then.They would want to know your opinion.

if you have mentioned that you wish to work with a particular sector, be sure to know about different top companies in that sector. They will ask you to name a few. This time only one panel asked straight forward questions like why MBA, why ISB etc. All the other panels( the applicants after their interview told us in the waiting room) wanted to mostly talk about what and how you went about your career.

Good luck.

unimportant

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Schools: ISB '17 (A)

GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V37 Verified score

Schools: ISB '17 (A)

GMAT 1: 730 Q50 V37 Verified score

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[3]

08 Nov 2015, 01:37

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Hi all.

During my interview at ISB I had the opportunity to talk to applicants of different sectors before and after their interview. I am going to post the different questions they were asked in their respective backgrounds for an understanding of the interview questions.

Entreprenuer:_

1) after you explain what type of plan you have in mind, they will ask you to explain its revenue model, funding process, expansion ideas, what is your plan B if you fail or don't receive funds.

2) you should consider being an X rather than an entrepreneur. So basically explain why you are not suited for X or why your thought process of being an entreprenuer is more suitable to you

3) if you want to start a start up as soon as you graduate how will you cover your student loan?

4) what are the risks and how will you over come?

5)have you considered an international market like the middle west. if you say yes you will have to explain why it is or it is not suitable. ]]

6) where do you see yourself as an entreprenuer or your company in next 5-10 years. after you explain they might ask you how will you overcome a market fluctuation in that period.

7) if you are talking in manufacturer sector make sure the product is unique or better or technically too advanced for the panel to understand (:P)

will be posting the consulting questions tomorrow.

Good luck all

varunchand

Joined: 17 Jan 2012

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Location: Kuwait

GMAT 1: 670 Q49 V32 Verified score

GMAT 2: 700 Q47 V40 Verified score

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WE:Marketing (Manufacturing)

GMAT 3: 710 Q49 V38 Verified score

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[3]

08 Nov 2015, 05:49

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Had my interview yesterday at the ISB Hyderabad campus, here's the debrief:

There were 10 different panels of interviewers functioning simultaneously and I arrived about 4 hours too early for my 3:30 PM appointment so I had a chance to chat with plenty of candidates: many engineers, a few consultants and even a doctor! The atmosphere was rather pleasant but subliminal tension still lingered.

I was bumped up after about 2:30 hrs and was invited in. My panel didn't really introduce themselves (and I didn't ask them to either, I wonder if this is a faux pas?!) but I got the feeling that there were all alumnus rather than adcoms or students. I'm not certain that this was a good thing at all.

The interview started jovially enough with an ice breaker about why I chose to conduct my interview face to face rather than opting for a skype interview when I was clearly eligible for one.
Next up: Questions about my career in sales and how/why I got there.
They also wanted details on one of my essays and I had to deep dive to talk about a particular incident that I had referenced in my second essay. So make sure you know your essays forward and backward.

After this, things started to get a little heated and the interview gradually morphed into an interrogation: Questions flew thick about my current role in sales, the sales team I currently manage. The panel also started to make pointed accusations about my judgement and choices (probably in an effort to rile me up? I'm just guessing now...). The chief issue at this point is that my interview turned into a fire fighting effort of futility: Though the questions weren't too hard, I barely got to the crux of one answer before the panel careened headlong into the next one.
Again, I'm NOT certain whether this was a pressure tactic or whether my answers were a little too long winded. Overall, it seemed like I was handling myself relatively well until this point.

The closing is where things got extremely dicey and a situational question (I guess you could call it a 'case' question, but there was little background information or possibility to expand on the topic) about moving expanding a current business model had me on the ropes because the background of the question was rather narrow. This is where it really got to me and I blew MY questions to the alumni about the institution.

I left the room not knowing what to make of the whole thing. TBH, I'm still rather confused and frankly speaking neither result would really surprise me.

askakyyy

Joined: 11 Jun 2014

Last visit: 25 Jan 2016

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Location: United States

Schools: ISB '17 GMBA '16 Goizueta '18 (A)

GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V30 Verified score

GMAT 2: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

Schools: ISB '17 GMBA '16 Goizueta '18 (A)

GMAT 2: 700 Q49 V35 Verified score

Posts: 23

Kudos: 12

08 Nov 2015, 10:13

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Bangalore interview.
2 member alumni interview panel.

Had a really short interview lasting 20-25 minutes. General questions.. Why mba? Plan b? What will u bring to isb? What if no mba this year?

I had an answer ready for each of the questions. Near about no counter question.. A friendly short interview.

Dont know what to make of it...