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EducationAisle
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Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2029 20 Jun 2026, 20:32
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Manav510

Work Experience:


2. ⁠ ⁠Founding Engineer – Toast Studios
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Curios to know why you left Toast Studios Manav510?
Quote:
By the time of application, I will have approximately 3 years of work experience.
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ISB actually looks at the work experience you would have, by March 2027.
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GMAT:

•⁠ ⁠Took an official GMAT Focus practice test without preparation and scored 565.
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So, a 565 tells me that you have a long way to go.
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•⁠ ⁠Planning to prepare seriously and apply next year.
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Not clear. Are you looking for Class of 2029?
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2.⁠ ⁠What would you consider the biggest weakness in my profile?
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Your modest academics need to be addressed through a sterling GMAT, preferably 695+.
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Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2029 20 Jun 2026, 22:53
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Since it can be asked here, I too have a question about ISB 2027 intake,
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Chirag2594
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*srishtichoudhary writes:*
Since it can be asked here, I too have a question about ISB 2027 intake,
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Yes
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Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2029 20 Jun 2026, 22:57
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I got interview call in 2026 but couldnt convert, I have an economics degree from hansraj. now 3 years of work ex in family business. I had score of 595 in gmat, although my DI score were lesser on other two i scored kindda decent, I am retaking gmat after preparation soon. what improvements should i do in my profile now? i am planning to apply in R1. I had call with ISB about my interview round, they said the panel didnt find me self motivated, as I mentioned having long term goal to start my own business and they asked why not begin now, I told them i want to enter informed, also they thought my answers were before prepared.
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Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2029 20 Jun 2026, 23:05
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Quote:

*srishtichoudhary writes:*
I got interview call in 2026 but couldnt convert, I have an economics degree from hansraj. now 3 years of work ex in family business. I had score of 595 in gmat, although my DI score were lesser on other two i scored kindda decent, I am retaking gmat after preparation soon. what improvements should i do in my profile now? i am planning to apply in R1. I had call with ISB about my interview round, they said the panel didnt find me self motivated, as I mentioned having long term goal to start my own business and they asked why not begin now, I told them i want to enter informed, also they thought my answers were before prepared.
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I think your background in your family business combined with your post MBA career in entrepreneurship made the panel feel that you already have the requisite understanding to start your new venture. So maybe you can change your post MBA stance to something like I want to go into consulting which will help me get a broader understanding of different industries which can help in my long term goal of starting my own venture. Also your GMAT score is quite low. You should aim for anything above 640 atleast.
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Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2029 20 Jun 2026, 23:34
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srishtichoudhary
I got interview call in 2026 but couldnt convert, I have an economics degree from hansraj. now 3 years of work ex in family business. I had score of 595 in gmat, although my DI score were lesser on other two i scored kindda decent, I am retaking gmat after preparation soon. what improvements should i do in my profile now? i am planning to apply in R1. I had call with ISB about my interview round, they said the panel didnt find me self motivated, as I mentioned having long term goal to start my own business and they asked why not begin now, I told them i want to enter informed, also they thought my answers were before prepared.
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I believe that your background in family business was a prominent reason why you even received an interview invite at a rather modest GMAT score of 595.

So, you might have actually given up this leverage in the interview, by deferring your plans of entrepreneurship to long term.

You are on the right track by planning to retake the GMAT.

Good luck!
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I think your background in your family business combined with your post MBA career in entrepreneurship made the panel feel that you already have the requisite understanding to start your new venture. So maybe you can change your post MBA stance to something like I want to go into consulting which will help me get a broader understanding of different industries which can help in my long term goal of starting my own venture. Also your GMAT score is quite low. You should aim for anything above 640 atleast.
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yes I am working on my gmat scores, I am scoring good in mock tests and have worked on my weakness. Also I wrote my short term goal to be consulting only. and not that I said it i am genuinely interested in consulting as I want exposure. and I have plans to atleast begin my business this year before going to ISB, maybe they assumed i have the assets and freedom of movement to beging my venture, but my family business limits me georgraphically atleast as of now, as I need to be mostly physically present for the work. can you suggest anything else? also can you help me out with the interview?

ISBeacon
I believe that your background in family business was a prominent reason why you even received an interview invite at a rather modest GMAT score of 595.

So, you might have actually given up this leverage in the interview, by deferring your plans of entrepreneurship to long term.

You are on the right track by planning to retake the GMAT.

Good luck!
--
Ashish
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I didnt quite get it? as in me wanting to enter in consulting and business makes a pressure on placement pool? they wanted me coz I already have family business to go back to? or did I interpret it wrong?
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Oh no, I didn't mean to imply anything about "placement pool".

Since you are already in family business, why would you want to take a long term break, before you come back to Entrepreneurship/family business?
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Quote:

*srishtichoudhary writes:*
> I think your background in your family business combined with your post MBA career in entrepreneurship made the panel feel that you already have the requisite understanding to start your new venture. So maybe you can change your post MBA stance to something like I want to go into consulting which will help me get a broader understanding of different industries which can help in my long term goal of starting my own venture. Also your GMAT score is quite low. You should aim for anything above 640 a
yes I am working on my gmat scores, I am scoring good in mock tests and have worked on my weakness. Also I wrote my short term goal to be consulting only. and not that I said it i am genuinely interested in consulting as I want exposure. and I have plans to atleast begin my business this year before going to ISB, maybe they assumed i have the assets and freedom of movement to beging my venture, but my family business limits me georgraphically atleast as of now, as I need to be mostly physically present for the work. can you suggest anything else? also can you help me out with the interview?
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Getting an interview call with a 595 GMAT suggests ISB already liked something in your profile, likely the Hansraj + family business combination.

The issue probably wasn't entrepreneurship itself. It was whether the panel found your need for an MBA and your motivation convincing enough. If someone is already in a business and wants to start another venture eventually, the obvious question becomes: Why ISB now and why not start building directly?

I would not completely change your story to consulting just because of the rejection. Generic consulting goals can sound manufactured. Instead, build a stronger bridge between your family business experience, consulting exposure, and long-term entrepreneurial goals.

For a reapplication, the biggest things are:

1. Improve the GMAT significantly (I'd target 675+).
2. Show meaningful growth since the last application.
3. Refine your "Why MBA, Why ISB, Why Now" answers.
4. Sound authentic rather than overly rehearsed.

Also, I don't think Ashish meant ISB preferred you because you wouldn't use placements. His point was probably that your family business background was a differentiator, and moving too far away from that story may have weakened part of your uniqueness.

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ISBeacon
Oh no, I didn’t mean to imply anything about "placement pool".

Since you are already in family business, why would you want to take a long term break, before you come back to Entrepreneurship/family business?
--
Ashish
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yes this question makes sense.

CareerSimplified
Getting an interview call with a 595 GMAT suggests ISB already liked something in your profile, likely the Hansraj + family business combination.

The issue probably wasn’t entrepreneurship itself. It was whether the panel found your need for an MBA and your motivation convincing enough. If someone is already in a business and wants to start another venture eventually, the obvious question becomes: Why ISB now and why not start building directly?

I would not completely change your story to consulting just because of the rejection. Generic consulting goals can sound manufactured. Instead, build a stronger bridge between your family business experience, consulting exposure, and long-term entrepreneurial goals.

For a reapplication, the biggest things are:

1. Improve the GMAT significantly (I’d target 675+).
2. Show meaningful growth since the last application.
3. Refine your "Why MBA, Why ISB, Why Now" answers.
4. Sound authentic rather than overly rehearsed.

Also, I don’t think Ashish meant ISB preferred you because you wouldn’t use placements. His point was probably that your family business background was a differentiator, and moving too far away from that story may have weakened part of your uniqueness.

https://careersimplified.co.in
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thankyou for your help!! will keep this in mind
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Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2029 21 Jun 2026, 06:14
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Quote:

*srishtichoudhary writes:*
I got interview call in 2026 but couldnt convert, I have an economics degree from hansraj. now 3 years of work ex in family business. I had score of 595 in gmat, although my DI score were lesser on other two i scored kindda decent, I am retaking gmat after preparation soon. what improvements should i do in my profile now? i am planning to apply in R1. I had call with ISB about my interview round, they said the panel didnt find me self motivated, as I mentioned having long term goal to start my own business and they asked why not begin now, I told them i want to enter informed, also they thought my answers were before prepared.
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Just a piece of fact is

One of the candidates in ISB Hyderabad is studying who is graduate from DU and got in at score of 595.

Having said that, the probability of 595 scorer to get into ISB always remains unfavourable.

So uplifting a score is important however giving you a target of 675 o more looks like pushing too hard so I would suggest that target to get 635-645 at least.

Also, as already mentioned, that since you got a call for interview so your story must have had merit so use that merit and make compelling case of being a reapplicant

Last point: Don’t think if your answers are seemingly prepared or rehearsed... own it proudly and say *YES They are rehearsed because it’s probably one of the most important interviews of your life so far and you have prepared for it well* 😀
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Manav510 This may seem somewhat counterintuitive if you are only getting started with your application journey, but adcoms do not care as much about your profile stats and work details as they do about how you interpret and speak about your experiences.
Whether you stand out will not depend so much on the technologies you worked with as on whether you can demonstrate that you identified opportunities before others, solved meaningful problems, and drove outcomes through initiative. This is why, all else being equal, a candidate with an interesting story and clear impact can be just as competitive with a 695(or even a 675) as with a 715+.

But a 655 is different because, at that level, the decision may come down to academic readiness if there are other equally good candidates in the pool. And when I say candidates, I deliberately do not say profiles, because personality and the quality of thinking matter more than the resume pointers.

The biggest gap I noticed in your evaluation is that you looked at your work experience in isolation. Adcoms will not, because they will evaluate it through the lens of your future goals. Do not make that mistake in your essays. Spend more time understanding why you want to pursue your chosen path, and then build the application backwards from that end objective.

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanchal-sahni-83b00819/ |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- [email protected]­
Manav510
Looking for an honest assessment of my ISB PGP chances

Profile:

•⁠ ⁠Male Engineer
•⁠ ⁠Age: 25
•⁠ ⁠B.Tech in Information & Communication Technology (ICT) from DA-IICT
•⁠ ⁠College CGPA: 6.69/10
•⁠ ⁠Class 10: 9.4 CGPA
•⁠ ⁠Class 12 (CBSE PCM): 71.4%

Work Experience:

1.⁠ ⁠Frontend Next.js, Pixi.jsDesign Studio (Current)

* Developed and maintained gaming products using Svelte and Pixi.js
* Worked on scalable frontend architecture, animations, and real-time systems
* Mentored junior developers and collaborated with product/design teams

2. ⁠ ⁠Founding Engineer – Toast Studios

* Building real-time gaming and web applications using React, React Native, Next.js, Pixi.js, and Socket.IO
* Worked on multiplayer gaming products, dashboards, analytics systems, and customer-facing applications
* Ownership of product features from development to deployment

3.⁠ ⁠SDET Intern – Amazon (Just Walk Out)

* Worked on frontend migration projects and automation frameworks
* Built testing and monitoring solutions using React, AWS, and Selenium

By the time of application, I will have approximately 3 years of work experience.

GMAT:

•⁠ ⁠Took an official GMAT Focus practice test without preparation and scored 565.
•⁠ ⁠Planning to prepare seriously and apply next year.

Concerns:

1.⁠ ⁠How much will my 6.69 CGPA and 71.4% in Class 12 impact my chances at ISB?
2.⁠ ⁠What GMAT Focus score should I realistically target to compensate for my academics?
3.⁠ ⁠Assuming decent essays and recommendations, how competitive would I be with:

* 655 GMAT Focus
* 695 GMAT Focus
* 715+ GMAT Focus
1.⁠ ⁠Does my work experience stand out enough compared to the typical engineer applicant pool, or is it fairly average?
2.⁠ ⁠What would you consider the biggest weakness in my profile?
3.⁠ ⁠If you were evaluating this application, what specific improvements would you focus on before applying?

Looking for honest feedback from ISB admits, alumni, and admissions consultants. Please be as candid as possible.
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Hi,
12th -> 88% equivalent (IBDP)
UG -> 3.89/4.00; Dean’s Honor List; Top 30 Globally Ranked University in North America
GMAT -> 695
Workex ->
1. 2 internships in North America: Big 4 Consulting + Tier 2 Consulting (Strategy&, Kearney, Monitor, OW level);
2. Scaling and building a new family business into full-fledged manufacturing set up (major growth story etc. - nearly 3 YOE now)
ECs ->
1. Led all consulting clubs at my university
2. Student Mentorship programs
3. Ran a consulting club where we did paid projects with large firms with $80K+ yearly revenue

Flags and risk:
1. No corporate full-time work
2. No ECs post grad due to workload

Looking for honest feedback for how ISB might read through my application. Planning to submit soon, and want to know if any gaps should be addressed prior
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Hi srishtichoudhary Hope you are doing well. I actually found this point about the panel not finding you motivated enough to be much stronger and more serious feedback than anything I have heard others receive from ISB. This should give you a lot to think about.
Think about all the things in your profile that could point to this. You had a low GMAT score, which I know you are trying to overcome, so that is a good sign. The other major point of contention could be your work experience in the family business. I would not be exaggerating when I say that adcoms can be extra critical of family business profiles and look very closely for proof that you genuinely contributed and grew as a professional during that period of engagement, and that the business also grew through your targeted efforts.
There is a reason why B-schools have family business courses that they nudge many applicants toward when the effort put into profile building has not been substantial. Now, I do not know whether that came across well in your last application, so if you would like, I am happy to review your application and guide you.

In addition to that, if the panel did not feel during the interview that you had researched your goals or were generally motivated to drive your vision forward, then you likely did not give that impression. You want to enter the process informed, and that requires putting a lot of work into the application. In fact, executing the application should come at the end of your research around your goals: what industry you want to focus on, what potential recruiters look for, how you would be a good fit, what value you bring, and many other things.
Feel free to reach out if you would like a deeper discussion about your case.


Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanchal-sahni-83b00819/ |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- [email protected]­
srishtichoudhary
I got interview call in 2026 but couldnt convert, I have an economics degree from hansraj. now 3 years of work ex in family business. I had score of 595 in gmat, although my DI score were lesser on other two i scored kindda decent, I am retaking gmat after preparation soon. what improvements should i do in my profile now? i am planning to apply in R1. I had call with ISB about my interview round, they said the panel didnt find me self motivated, as I mentioned having long term goal to start my own business and they asked why not begin now, I told them i want to enter informed, also they thought my answers were before prepared.
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Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
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Quote:

*ajain2860 writes:*
Hi,
12th -> 88% equivalent (IBDP)
UG -> 3.89/4.00; Dean’s Honor List; Top 30 Globally Ranked University in North America
GMAT -> 695
Workex ->
1. 2 internships in North America: Big 4 Consulting + Tier 2 Consulting (Strategy&, Kearney, Monitor, OW level);
2. Scaling and building a new family business into full-fledged manufacturing set up (major growth story etc. - nearly 3 YOE now)
ECs ->
1. Led all consulting clubs at my university
2. Student Mentorship programs
3. Ran a consulting club where we did paid projects with large firms with $80K+ yearly revenue

Flags and risk:
1. No corporate full-time work
2. No ECs post grad due to workload

Looking for honest feedback for how ISB might read through my application. Planning to submit soon, and want to know if any gaps should be addressed prior
Show more
You have a very good profile highlights and a very good GMAT score

The first risk of no full time corporate experience can be mitigated by insuring that essays convey why it was mich more reqarding and associated with your journey here onwards

The second flag is just not worth worrying for. Most people in ISB pool have nothing significant EC during their corporate roles.

I think you should feel absoluely confident to go ahead and build you application. Just be careful about story in essays and during interviews.

If you need any more discussion on any point then feel free to reach out.

Bhoopendra Singh
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhoopendra1/
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ajain2860

Honestly, hard to comment on the odds without knowing the growth story and your contribution. See, when you work for traditional corporates, the growth is easier to prove. If the adcom doubts your more-than-justified claims for even a second, they can quickly call an alumnus or a colleague and get more realistic details about your professional positioning.
For applicants in these fields, most top B-schools have what is called a “feeder company” pipeline. The admissions team knows your titles. They know your career trajectory, uniqueness/specialization, and your likely post-MBA outcomes.

The challenge comes with startups and medium-sized companies or NEW FAMILY BUSINESSES that are either creative with titles or conservative with them. The adcoms know less about these companies. I tell prospective applicants all the time how much top B-schools love applicants with startup or small-company experience, but I also know that getting applicants to truly bring out their iconic contribution to the team/company and convince the schools of their potential is a huge challenge and takes a well thought strategy.
If you have worked in a small boutique, you can see an old post of mine where I discussed 4 factors adcoms look at in detail. For a detailed discussion feel free to speak.

How do you pitch your professional experience to LBS? : LBS

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanchal-sahni-83b00819/ |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- [email protected]­



ajain2860
Hi,
12th -> 88% equivalent (IBDP)
UG -> 3.89/4.00; Dean’s Honor List; Top 30 Globally Ranked University in North America
GMAT -> 695
Workex ->
1. 2 internships in North America: Big 4 Consulting + Tier 2 Consulting (Strategy&, Kearney, Monitor, OW level);
2. Scaling and building a new family business into full-fledged manufacturing set up (major growth story etc. - nearly 3 YOE now)
ECs ->
1. Led all consulting clubs at my university
2. Student Mentorship programs
3. Ran a consulting club where we did paid projects with large firms with $80K+ yearly revenue

Flags and risk:
1. No corporate full-time work
2. No ECs post grad due to workload

Looking for honest feedback for how ISB might read through my application. Planning to submit soon, and want to know if any gaps should be addressed prior
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Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2029 21 Jun 2026, 22:14
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ajain2860
UG -> 3.89/4.00; Dean’s Honor List; Top 30 Globally Ranked University in North America

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UG in which domain/specialization ajain2860?
Quote:
2. Scaling and building a new family business into full-fledged manufacturing set up (major growth story etc. - nearly 3 YOE now)
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So, if things are going so well in the family business, why are you considering moving away from it for at least a year?
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Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2029 22 Jun 2026, 23:53
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When Gitika stopped listening to the noise 🎓

Gitika came from three generations of Chartered Accountants. She cleared her CA, spent three years at EY, and then made the hardest kind of choice. She stopped.

She had left EY to prepare for CAT. Two months in, she knew it wasn’t her path. The brave part? Admitting it out loud, after she had already told everyone this was the plan.

So she pivoted. GMAT instead of CAT. International B-schools where her CA would “stand out”, not blend in.

It wasn’t simple. A tricky graduation timeline rule nearly filtered her out before anyone even read her application. But the real work was reframing what she had already done:

→ A ₹112M revenue error she caught
→ Audit hours she cut by 25%
→ A CSR program she built that reached 200+ young CAs across Maharashtra

Her goal wasn’t to escape the family firm. It was to transform it, and admissions committees believed her.

The result? Admits to ISB’s Young Leaders Programme and Imperial College. She is headed to ISB. 💙

Her advice: start with honesty about who you actually are, not the version that reads well in an essay.

Sometimes the bravest move isn’t pushing harder. It’s being honest enough to change direction.

Top admits aren’t built on perfect profiles, they’re built on compelling stories and smart strategy! Book a free consultation with us and discover how to position your profile for your dream school.https://calendly.com/weuniadvise/30min
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Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2027 Intake Class of 2029 23 Jun 2026, 14:19
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Is 80 percent of full time work experience counted as Full time or part time .

It says 12 months LTFT 80 - 10.9 months FT equivalent
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