Hi @GettingToISB27
Thanks for sharing your profile

Your academic progression is strong but yes, the BCom percentage is a roadblock. However, you can compensate for this with your GMAT score. 700+ would be ideal for your profile, especially considering the immense competition for ISB. Having a CFA L1 certification works in your favor and enhances your overall application.

A 4-year work ex in tax-focused roles along with the Big 4 prestige, your promotion, and evident performance (top 5% rating) makes your career story very appealing. But here’s where the story will need sharpening: Transaction Tax is adjacent but not directly equivalent to M&A deal advisory / investment banking exposure. You’ll need to show evidence of skills like valuation modeling, deal structuring, capital markets understanding, etc. Without this, the IB pivot story will not seem aligned with your background. Also, the non-Big 4 role will need to be positioned carefully and your contributions and impact should be conveyed well. It’s good that you’ve worked with international clients but try to specify which regions were they based out of to add more depth to your application and to show awareness of those markets.

Moreover, AdComs will love the fact that you have used your professional skills outside your work and to help the society. But ensure that you show how this has nurtured you into a holistic leader.

Speaking of your goals, the outline is fine but specificity really matters. It’s important that you have absolute clarity on your plans. For your short-term goal in IB, think about
- What bank tier you want to work in?
- Which coverage / product area?

Even your long-term plan of working at C-suite level and then owning your company sounds very generic at the moment. There should be a connecting arc in your goals: transaction work – leadership path – entrepreneurship. Also, when speaking of establishing your company, you should emphasize what type of company, what services will it offer, who will be your target clients, etc. This should also tie into your backstory.

While ISB is one school you can target, we would suggest to target international schools, especially those in Europe and Singapore, as well since ISB has limited hiring for IB roles.

With R1 application submissions for ISB slated for September 14, 2025, we understand that building a carefully curated application is essential.
Hence, we’d love to offer a 1-on-1 profile evaluation to dive deeper into your strengths, discuss more about your portfolio, talk through your fit across schools, and co-create a tailored application game plan!

Feel free to reach out to us at the coordinates below!
Email: [email protected]
Phone/WhatsApp No: +91 88502 49409
Website: https://thembaedge.com/

Warm regards,
The MBA Edge Team

@GettingToISB27 -Your academic grades (schooling) look strong. The CA qualification and CFA Level 1 are strengths, though you'll need to address the lower grades in your B.Com. A strong GMAT score (ideally 20+ points above the published average of your target programs) will thus be crucial.

Your work-ex is interesting, given the exposure to Transaction/ Tax at both Big 4 and non-Big 4 firms, promotion and recognitions. A direct pivot to IB will require a very compelling narrative, highlighting your transferable skills. Alternatively, it may be worth reassessing the goals.

Feel free to reach out through the links below for a deeper chat.

Regards,
Arvind Kumar (Founder, admitStreet)
Website: https://admitstreet.com/ | Book a free discovery call: https://admitstreet.com/#contact