Raome
Hello,
I am a 24F—chemistry major.
I have 2.3 years of experience in the cosmetic industry. Having worked exclusively in startup ecosystems, I have handled a wide range of responsibilities, including product development, consumer feedback analysis, vendor management, celebrity brand management (scheduling meetings with her, keeping her posted with the status of the product, feedback discussions etc), and even developed an inventory tool using AI.
However, I don't have a strong leadership role. Plus, I see people highlighting 1 single strong role, but throughout my work experience, I have been trained to deliver work, even if it's not my niche.
So, I am confused whether I need to go for ISB PGP or YLP. Please suggest
Background:
1. 10th- CGPA 9
2. 12th- 80%
3. Bachelor's in St joseph's University- CGPA 7.53
4. Experience- 2.3 years. Role- product analyst/developer
5. GMAT- will be taking the exam soon. (For your reference, mock test: ~685)
6. Extracurricular- I am a professional dancer. Trained for 14+ years. Now I am in a dance and theatre group. We perform regularly.
My questions:
1. As mentioned above, ISB PGP or YLP?
2. With the diverse responsibilities, in my essay, should I focus on my product development role only, or include others too? I don't want to come across as messy and confused. Since my niche is product development and consumer analysis, should I focus on that alone?
3. My extracurricular is very strong- since ISB likes it, should I make a creative portfolio?
4. If any of you have a similar portfolio, can we connect?
Thank you so much, guys!

Dear
Raome,
We want to begin by answering the very first question you asked regarding choosing between PGP YLP and the regular PGP. Since you already have
2.3 years of full-time work experience, you have crossed the eligibility threshold for PGP YLP, which is capped at a maximum of
24 months, and should therefore go ahead and apply for the
flagship PGP.
One look at your profile from what you have shared so far tells us that your
academic performance has been about average, but your
work experience and extracurriculars are where your profile truly shines. You bring with you a unique combination of a
chemistry background and experience in the cosmetic industry, which already helps set your profile apart.
You must now aim for the
best possible GMAT score, and based on your current mock performance, a
score close to 685 in the GMAT Focus Edition could be excellent, especially if you are able to maintain or improve upon your mock performance.
We also understand your concern around having handled
a wide range of responsibilities instead of just one focused role. But that can actually work
in your favour. It helps you come across as someone who is
versatile, adaptable and a go-getter—someone who can take ownership and deliver even outside their comfort zone. This has strong potential to come through well in your essays and allows you to present
diverse impact stories, which admissions teams genuinely appreciate.
As for your
extracurriculars, they are definitely a strength. Being a professional dancer with over
14 years of training and currently performing with a
dance and theatre group adds real depth to your profile. Sharing a link to a
creative portfolio could be a wonderful addition—it is definitely worth considering and can add a strong personal dimension to your application.
We also know of ISB alums who have had similar journeys and would be happy to connect you with them if it helps.
At
Team FLY, we are a collective of ISB alumni dedicated to supporting prospective MBA applicants with
profile positioning, essay reviews and interview preparation. We also regularly post guidance videos on our YouTube channel. You may find our latest video on ISB admission essays helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZPE97krOHoPlease feel free to book a
15 minute free session with us for a detailed discussion:
https://calendly.com/reachusfly/15minWith warm regards,
Team FLY www.teamfly.org