Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2024 Intake Class of 2025

Quite a significant drop NikitaChopade!

Surprisingly, you didn't mention your undergrad college. Nor did you mention your goals.

With 2 hours daily, it might take you quite a while, before you are prepared for GMAT. Are you targeting R2? Have you given any GMAT official mocks yet?

700+ would be good; obviously the higher, the better.
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Ashish.

Yes, I am targeting round 2. My official gmat practice test score was 590 and I have a long way to travel for 710+.
Thanks for the valuable inputs

Drop is because I was more focused on the JEE than the board exam.
Undergrad college - AVCOE, sangamner

You know nikhil0602 ....from all your messages, it seems that you already know that you would be scoring lesser than 710 and are preparing full-throttle for the actions you need to take, subsequent to that eventuality .

As for cancellation, hope you are aware that you don't have to take a call on cancellation, at the examination center itself! So, if you score in the vicinity of 710, don't cancel the score at the examination center; you would still have 72 hours after you come back, to take the call on cancellation (though I do agree it would cost you a bit, to cancel the score in that case).

The thing is that generally, overall score is all that matters. However, if you are focusing on some Finance focused schools, these schools do give more weightage to quant scores than to verbal scores. Hence, I am not inclined to give you any black & white recommendation about cancelling your scores, the moment you get less than 710.
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Ashish.

Will this drop in percent affect negatively for my profile

Long way indeed NikitaChopade, and I am glad you realize that, and are willing to put in the many months of consistent preparation that is required to break the 700 barrier.

All the best!
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Ashish.

Don't worry about this at all. The abrupt decrease just caught my attention.
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Ashish.

Yes, thank you very much

Thanks

Hi,
Requesting the experts to review my profile.

GRE - 324 (168Q 156V)

10th - 85% State board
12th - 79% State board
B.Tech Computer Science - 8.2/10

Work Ex - 3 years (Founder’s office in US based tech company, currently in Indian Ecommerce SAAS startup), also have set up a business of my own (a video production house in operation for last 5+ years with good revenue growth)

Role - Product Marketing & Analytics (responsible for early growth of the company and played major data-driven decision making role in the companies, involved in raising seed round funding of $3.3m, managed a team of 8 directly reporting to me)

Extras- National level rower with a gold medal in state level, winner at state level debate competitions, member of org committee debate club.

International Experience - US based tech company had people based out of US, China, India, Kenya, Vietnam. I was leading the in the business team based out of India.

Post MBA Goals - Product Management in Tech company

Overall quite decent profile nnvin.

If there is one thing I could pick from your profile as a possible area of improvement, it would be your GRE score.

The average GRE score at ISB is around 327 and so, yours is a bit on the lower side.
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Ashish.

okay, so your suggestion for me would be to retake the GRE and target a score closer to the average?

I am struggling with this choice myself as only ~40 days left for ISB’s R1 application

Yes...preferably higher than the average.

There is no struggle here; if you believe that 2-3 months of solid prep will enhance by scores by 5+ points, it would be better to apply in R2.
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Ashish.

Hi, could you guide which schools I can target with this profile. Thanks in advance

I kindly request a profile review for the Indian School of Business (ISB) as I am preparing to submit my application in Round 1.

GMAT: I achieved a score of 700 (V35, Q50, AWA 5.5, IR 8). Considering that I had an unfavourable test day experience, I am considering that I should retake the GMAT in the coming weeks to improve my verbal score.
I am going to attempt gmat again in mid August, aiming for 730+

Current Profile:

Academic Background:

Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (B.E. EEE) from BITS Pilani, with a GPA of 7.77. (Graduated in 2020)
XII: Secured 92% from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
X: Achieved a CGPA of 10 from CBSE.

Work Experience:

1. Software Development Intern at Samsung Research for 6 months.
2. Energy Market Analyst at Energy Exemplar, where I have completed 3+ years and received a promotion.
In my full-time role, I have been engaged in technical customer success, providing custom on-site and off-site training and workshops to clients across the EMEA region.

Extracurricular Involvement:

Participated in a 6-month leadership workshop organized by my current employer.
Secured first place in the company-wide Hackathon held in 2021.
Won a prestigious ideation event named "Futurethon," where I proposed a product for the company’s portfolio expansion in the next 5 years.
Recognized with the "Share the Future" award, a quarterly CEO award honouring exceptional client engagement.
Actively involved as a member of the Nirmaan organization.

Interests:
Apart from my professional pursuits, I enjoy reading books and painting. Recently, I have also taken up new activities such as swimming and surfing.

Long-term and Short-term Goals:
My short-term goal is to secure a strategy consulting role, while my long-term aspiration is to either establish an Ed Tech venture or work in a senior corporate strategy position.

My Questions:

1. Considering that my application was rejected last year in Round 2 (without being waitlisted), I would greatly appreciate any feedback on potential weaknesses in my profile. I am committed to addressing these areas, apart from my GMAT score, of course.
2. In light of my intention to retake the GMAT, I would like to know which other aspects of my application I should focus on improving.
3. I believe my extracurricular involvements may require further work. Could you kindly provide suggestions on how I can work on them over the next few months or present them more effectively?
4. I have obtained a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from my direct manager in the Indian team. Would it be advisable to also secure a LOR from a manager in the EMEA team, given my close collaboration with them?
5. If anyone would be willing to review my essays, I would be grateful to share them, as they may have contributed to my previous rejection.

Hi Muskaan09

While there is no score that can guarantee an interview call, a 720+ (with balanced Quant & Verbal scores) should place you in a comfortable position. ISB's average GMAT score is ~710. Of course, the higher the better.

Regarding evaluator, has this person worked with you closely, and can speak about your strengths/ traits/ motivations and give precise anecdotes? If yes, please go ahead. I am assuming that you do not have any (full-time) work experience. If you do, getting an evaluation from your direct superior (or someone senior who worked closely with you) would be much better.

Depending on your post MBA goals, gaining practical exposure to certain industries or sectors can be a great way to strengthen your profile. For example, if consulting is your post MBA goal, interning in a (pro-bono) consulting firm or working on a live consulting project can be a great way to differentiate yourself. Doing certifications related to your areas of interest can help too, but I would strongly prefer working on a live project to something more theoretical.

Regards,
Arvind
HEC Paris MBA alum, Admissions interviewer
W:https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

Danush649 please feel free to reach out, and I can connect you with ISB alumni based on your specific domain/ sector of interest e.g. Consulting, Product Management, etc. for a quick chat.

Regards,
Arvind
HEC Paris MBA alum, Admissions interviewer
W:https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

So, did you apply with a 700 GMAT score last year? Additionally, your work-experience was obviously on the lower side last year. Strategy Consulting comes across as a very generic role. Since you are working as an 'Energy Market Analyst', wouldn't it be better to have goals aligned with the energy sector (perhaps in renewable sector).

Primarily refine your goals and work on the essays, since they are significant different this time, than they were last time. Also put up a good re-applicant essay.

ISB Reapplicant strategy

Perhaps the one thing you could do, is to do online certifications, if available, in your field (energy sector). Please note that joining a philanthropic organization (part time) this late in the application cycle will be of no use. Don't fret too much about this aspect.

The role of Extracurricular in ISB Application

Of course; direct manager preferable, but if you've worked with EMEA team manager more closely and if you believe that s(he) can vouch for your proficiencies and give a better LoR, why not?

What should the Letter of Recommendation comprise

As I mentioned, since the essays for this year are almost completely different from last year's, would suggest that you move forward ayushiiiarya. You have a very decent profile; don't let the last year's setback weigh upon you.
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Ashish.

Hi ashish, thank you for your reply. Yes I applied with 700 gmat last year

I agree, I intend to transition to a consultant role in the same sector, but I wasn’t able to convey it properly in the essays I guess.

There were some gaps in the interview too