Don't lose hope is the moral of the story ...660 and made it to ISB

After long pondering and planning to study in best business school, I decided to give GMAT on 27th July 2015, I had studied a lot for GMAT exam and made sure not to leave any stone unturned. I was getting the score in range of 690 to 730 in Mocks, however while giving exam I could not keep control on my nerves and GMAT caught me … the exam won and I lost… seeing a score sub 700 was heartbreaking and disappointing... I can do better than this ... why me ?? why I have got this score??
I planned to give GMAT again but due to work and other commitment could not give GMAT again, so decided to apply with the same score… but I want to go to the best college, will this score be sufficient … everywhere on all forums .. only answer was not possible, I have good profile, good work experience and done quality work, but still answer was no.

I didn’t loose hope and started application for my dream college ISB. I attended few webinars conducted by ISB and read blogs on ISB site – they clearly said “GMAT is a part of application and we look at the holistically” – this was positive affirmation I needed, with full hope and confidence I started writing essay I had many interesting things to write … I didn’t know if what I have written is the best, so decide to consult someone.. I asked my senior in office to review essays – he read them – and his answer was not impressed... but I really had put in lots of effort in this … why are you not impressed … decided to consult some admission consultant – after searching a lot and reading many posts…. Decided to call Gyanone … shared my profile and asked to review my essays… the first person in entire journey except ISB staff in their webinar, who said yes you can get admit to ISB … they gave me clear cut insights .. on what’s missing … resolved all my doubts and told not only essays every part of application is important… don’t leave anything blank … adcoms wants to know you ... tell them clearly what your goals are, what your accomplishments are .

After finishing essays and completing my application with a recommendation from my reporting manager, with whom I have been working from past 5 years, I submitted the application on 5th Jan’16 … and then the wait starts … I stayed positive and whatever little time I got I prepared for my interview … FINALLY got the call for interview … amazed and super happy .. I got the call, 5 days before interview … I had already gone through various posts and seen many interview videos on youtube, however this was the chance I cannot loose .. no way – make it or make it … decided to again ask Gyanone for guidance … although I called them just 3 days before interview .. they supported me and conducted mocks that provided clear answers to what my weakness are… I worked on my weakness and strengths …attend the interview with full confidence and it went really well…
After interview, I started analyzing what I have done wrong… I could have done better… however still stayed positive started looking for year ahead … result got announced on 4th March’16 … I was in office didn’t checked ISB portal … reached home – opened the ISB portal, keeping all fingers crossed checked my result … “offered” .. read it thrice .. refreshed the page again to recheck …. I made it …

Only three key points to keep in mind:
1. Stay positive and believe in yourself
2. ISB adcoms says that the look at profile holistically – they mean it – all the aspects of profile are important
3. Always take advice and guidance from best people around you – in my case many – my manager, friends and Gyanone … they kept the trust in me.