Hello
AdarshGoyal5,
I hope you are doing well. Your profile looks good on the surface. 4+ years of work experience is a good asset, especially with promotions and international exposure. Your experience in sales, marketing, and business development is relevant to an MBA program.
Coming to your academics, A 540 is below the average GMAT score for ISB (650+) and may put your application at a disadvantage. If possible, consider retaking the GMAT to improve your score. An undergraduate CGPA of 6.22 may not be the strongest, especially compared to the competitive Indian applicant pool. You can emphasize any significant academic achievements or projects in your essays.
Speaking about your ECs, diverse activities like participating in an MTV show, social clubs, and internships demonstrate well-roundedness. Awards like Prompt adaptor, Best Candidate, and Star Intern showcase leadership potential. Getting interview calls at IIM Kozhikode and IIM Lucknow with your CAT score highlights the strengths in other aspects of your application.
While awards and activities are good, try to quantify their impact with specific metrics or results. For example, mention the number of people your club initiatives influenced or the revenue generated through your sales efforts.
Applying to ISB R3:The decision to apply to ISB R3 depends on your priorities and risk tolerance:
Potential benefits: You might still get through if your essays, recommendations, and work experience are exceptional. Getting feedback could be valuable for future applications.
Potential drawbacks: Lower GMAT score might significantly decrease your chances. Admission in R3 might be more competitive due to fewer seats available.
If you are willing to retake the GMAT and improve your score, it might be a better strategy to wait for next year's application cycle. This would give you time to strengthen your application further and increase your chances at ISB and other top schools.
If you decide to apply in R3, ensure you craft compelling essays and highlight your strengths effectively. Be prepared to explain your lower GMAT score if asked during the interview.
Good luck!
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AdarshGoyal5
Hi,
Could someone please look over my application and tell me the areas of improvement and if I should apply to ISB or not in R3 (on 21st Jan'24)?
My profile:GEM
Age- 28 (if matters)
GMAT- 540 (I know

)
10th- 80.14%
12th- 70%
UG- 6.22 CGPA (54.7%

), B.E in CSE from a decent-known college in Bangalore.
Achievements/Activities:1. Runner up in an MTV Show (only have a video proof as runner up doesn't get a certificate).
2. Was invited as a Delegate for the HPAIR Malaysia conference (I didn't attend due to financial issues).
3. Prompt adaptor award from School
4. Best Candidate Award from College
5. Star Intern award from OYO Rooms.
6. Worked with many companies as an intern or campus ambassador- OYO, Viacom18, BookMyShow, Smaaash, IIT Delhi,etc
7. Part of social clubs- Xiaomi fan club, Google Local guide Bangalore club (been to Google Office).
Work Ex: 4+ years (50 months)
1st company- As a Sales and Marketing Executive in a freelancing startup in Bangalore (1.5 years)
2nd company- as International Business Development Executive in HR tech company, WFH (2 months

)
3rd company- as an Account Manager, promoted to Sr. Account and Operations Manager in a Canada based lead gen startup (2.5 years)
Only positive is that I got interview calls from IIM Kozhikode (PGPBL) and IIM Lucknow (PGPWE) on my CAT 77%ile and essays and good recommendations.
Please let me know if I should apply in R3 considering other things as i have seen the class has students whose marks are in range of 530-760. I know 540 is less but will I get a chance for interview considering other things and I can get feedback based on these so i can work on those and reapply in 2025.
Thanks in advance!
