Profile evaluation for ISB, GMAT Focus 675, Other background, from India

gmatclub

Comments 9 comments

1 year ago

Hey @Varun Kasat ,

Your background in digital marketing, coupled with experience in customer acquisition, retention, and product marketing, demonstrates a solid foundation for a career in marketing. However, with GMAT scores of 655 (Focus) and 650 (Classic), it’s important to acknowledge that your scores fall in the ISB’s average range. Your steady career growth from a marketing executive to a product marketing manager, shows both advancement and adaptability. If you focus on highlighting your contributions to revenue, retention rates, or product growth at each stage can strengthen your application. Also, your experience across a digital agency, gaming, and insurance sectors reflects flexibility and breadth. For ISB, framing this as a unique perspective you can bring to classroom discussions could work in your favor. Active participation in sports, such as badminton, cricket, and football, and freelance writing for gaming websites showcases well-rounded interests. The large LinkedIn following is a positive signal of engagement and thought leadership in your field, which can resonate with ISB’s leadership-oriented culture. While ISB sometimes grants flexibility for candidates with unique backgrounds or significant achievements, your 700+ could help offset any perceived weaknesses in your profile and improve your chances. Specific metrics, such as “increased retention rate by X%” or “grew product usage by Y%,” will make your achievements stand out. ISB values candidates who bring measurable impact to their roles, so try to incorporate these details into your application. Connect your transitions from digital marketing to gaming and insurance with a good story that aligns with your post-MBA goals. If your goal is to remain in marketing, illustrate how each step has built your understanding of customer behavior and strategy. Given ISB’s emphasis on leadership and innovation, your story could be framed around the ways you have leveraged data and analytics to drive retention in a highly competitive field. For example, discuss how you developed a strategy to optimize customer lifetime value in the gaming industry or tackled a retention challenge that had a major impact on business outcomes. These stories demonstrate practical business impact, showing ISB how you’ll contribute in a classroom setting. If possible, aim for leadership roles or projects that have visibility and high impact in your current role in product marketing. Additionally, consider relevant certifications or short-term courses in digital marketing analytics or customer behavior that align with your goals and demonstrate proactive learning.

While your profile has many positive aspects, what's going to matter most in your application is how you connect the experiential dots and build a great story to stand out from other applicants in the pool.

If you’d like, we are happy to discuss your profile in depth and assess your chances to top B-schools and strengthen your application with impactful stories.

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

Varun Kasat

Thanks a lot Shantanu for the detailed writeup, it is really helpful.

I will use all the tips you have shared in my essay writeup, do you think 655 FE ( ~710 Classic equivalent ) still doesnt offset my relatively weak academics, or will you suggest one more attempt then, or if good essays, writing impactful stories can offset the same. ( and GMAT improvement isnt necessarily needed )

Hey @Varun Kasat, you're welcome!

Not that our previous applicants have not made it to ISB at 710 or 700 Classic equivalent, looking at current scenario, we would recommend upping your score to 675. Competition is never absolute, it is always relative. Good luck!

11 months ago

Hey, I listened to your advice and got a 675, is it okay now?

Hey @Varun Kasat, that's really great! All the very best for your next task, crafting impactfull essasys. Good luck !

ARINGO

Hi Varun Kasat
Priyanka here from ARINGO. Speaking about your profile, your career has been marked by consistent upward movement—from a Marketing Executive to a Senior Marketing Executive within a year in a digital agency, then shifting to the gaming industry as a Marketing Associate focused on retention. This variety demonstrates your adaptability, strategic growth, and commitment to broadening your marketing expertise across customer acquisition, retention, and product marketing.

Adcoms at ISB greatly value applicants who can demonstrate leadership, adaptability, and a strong commitment to impact. Your mix of customer acquisition and retention experience gives your profile a well-rounded perspective. Additionally, your ECs such as writing sports articles, building a presence on LinkedIn, and representing your school and college in sports, highlight your dedication to both personal and professional growth.

FEEL FREE TO CONNECT.
Click here to connect.
You can also email me your CV at: priyankak@aringo.com
Good Luck!

Hey, thanks for the evaluation, what do you think of the GMAT score, is it sufficent, do I need to again attempt it

A 655 FE translates to 710 on the classic version, which is around the average for your target school. I would recommend utilizing time now to focus and work on other aspects of your application.

Hey, I reattempted and got a 675 GMAT FE. Do my chances now increase?