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isbcandidate
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isbcandidate
Thanks for the response, I will surely book a call to understand further.
­Sure! Looking forward to speaking to you.
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isbcandidate

However I have a gap of 6 months till now (since jan 2024) 
­So isbcandidate, why are you not working and how long do you expect this status to continue? As you've rightly assessed, such gaps are not great for the application.

You might also find this article related to gaps, useful.

Profile comes across as average right now, but can be made above-average through a good GMAT score (665+). However, since you are currently at 585, humungous effort needs to be put in, to make this considerable improvement. Am sure you are aware of the magnitude of challenge that awaits you, in this regard.

All the best!
--
Ashish.
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Hi,

  If you have a productive gap period its fine, it will not be a direct negative in any application. A lot depends on the story that you have to share. 

All the best!
isbcandidate
­Hi, I am planning to apply at ISB for R1.
I am yet to take GMAT (I have a score but its 585, so planning to take again to maximise my score).
Here's my profile : 2020 Grad from , Tier 2 college.
3 years of work experience
2 years at Caterpillar as Analyst
1 year at o9 Solutions into Product Management.
Extracirrricular - Past member of Toasmasters POR :(VP Ed, VP PR), Excecutive member of indian institite of industrial engg during college time, attended events for ecell during college, trained Odisi dancer.
Education background - 10th - 9.8 CGPA,12th - 83%, Undergrad - 8.11 CGPA.
However I have a gap of 6 months till now (since jan 2024) - During this gap - Pursued Product management course, built product portfolio, did few freelancing projects and started working on one startup idea ( on progress - creating PRD, wireframing), content creation on Instagram (in progress)


Can anyone please help me evaluate my profile and let me know if I even have a chance at ISB (considering my gap).
Also what should be a safe score for me.
Also I need suggestion for consultants who can help me create my application (only for ISB- I dont intend to apply abroad).

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.




 
­
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Quote:
Dear @isbcandidate,Your profile exhibits several strengths. Your tenure at Caterpillar and o9 Solutions demonstrates strong analytical and product management skills, essential for an MBA. High academic performance (10th - 9.8 CGPA, 12th - 83%, Undergrad - 8.11 CGPA) underscores your intellectual capability. Noteworthy extracurricular involvement, particularly in Toastmasters and as a trained Odissi dancer, highlights leadership and cultural depth.

To enhance your application, focus on:


  1. Achieving a competitive GMAT score (635+ in the FE) to strengthen your academic credentials.
  2. Clearly articulating your startup vision, its potential impact, and your role in its development.
  3. Emphasizing your proactive approach during your gap period, showcasing how it has prepared you for future challenges. There is no shame in taking a gap. You just need to make sure you are able to clearly articulate the underlying circumstances in which you took the gap.
  4. Why do you want to put your entreprenuerial goals on standstill and join a full time MBA program. Are you not passionate enough about it? Or are you trying to throw in the angle of "Startup" to get some brownie points - this creates a red flag (potential)!
I am an ISB alum, CO15, and have been guiding applicants successfully ace the application for last 7 years. Feel free to reach out to me via the following means:
Email : arijit.biswas@crackadmission.com
Phone (including Whatsapp) : +91-9701215544

In the meantime, feel free to read my analysis of this year's ISB essays from : https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/crackadmissions-in-depth-analysis-isb-pgp-2024-25-essays-syvkf/

Cheers and Best of luck!!
­
­
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CrackAdmission - Thanks for the feedback, the 4th point makes sense, and I have given a thought about it too, and for the same reason, I was exploring this new course launched by ISB- IVI, since this is the first cohort, I was a bit sceptical to apply, also currently I do not have any co founders with me or any kind of experience in launching a startup, so looking for networking and proper business knowledge .
Do you have any insights on this course?
Also, would love to connect with you to understand how to actually put forward the 4th point, without portraying being flake or a red flag. Thanks
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[quote="Dear @isbcandidate,"][/quote]
­
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Hello, isbcandidate

Your profile for ISB is competitive due to your strong academic background in the 10th and 12th grades and a good CGPA in undergrad. You bring valuable work experience, having spent two years as an analyst and one year in product management, showcasing your analytical skills and business acumen. Your extracurricular involvement, including leadership roles, executive membership at the Indian Institute of Industrial Engineering, and participation in E-cell events, highlights your communication skills, leadership potential, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Despite a recent 6-month gap, you utilized this time effectively with a product management course, building a product portfolio, freelancing projects, and working on a startup idea, demonstrating proactive learning and entrepreneurial drive. Aim for a GMAT score above 700 to maximize your chances.

If you have any further questions related to your profile or want to have a 1:1 discussion with our top profile experts, feel free to schedule a complimentary profile evaluations session with our experts . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools.­
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isbcandidate
­Hi, I am planning to apply at ISB for R1.
I am yet to take GMAT (I have a score but its 585, so planning to take again to maximise my score).
Here's my profile : 2020 Grad from , Tier 2 college.
3 years of work experience
2 years at Caterpillar as Analyst
1 year at o9 Solutions into Product Management.
Extracirrricular - Past member of Toasmasters POR :(VP Ed, VP PR), Excecutive member of indian institite of industrial engg during college time, attended events for ecell during college, trained Odisi dancer.
Education background - 10th - 9.8 CGPA,12th - 83%, Undergrad - 8.11 CGPA.
However I have a gap of 6 months till now (since jan 2024) - During this gap - Pursued Product management course, built product portfolio, did few freelancing projects and started working on one startup idea ( on progress - creating PRD, wireframing), content creation on Instagram (in progress)


Can anyone please help me evaluate my profile and let me know if I even have a chance at ISB (considering my gap).
Also what should be a safe score for me.
Also I need suggestion for consultants who can help me create my application (only for ISB- I dont intend to apply abroad).

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 
­Hello isbcandidate,

Thanks for writing in.

Practically speaking, your chances at receiving an interview call depend on the following:
-Your GMAT score - Aim for a score in excess of 675 to have a good chance. Needless to say, the higher your score the better it is going to be.
-The portrayal of the last 6 months - There needs to be a valid reason for you having opted for this gap and the projects/activities you have been involved with should, in some way, be linked to your proposed goals. Avoid showcasing this as a gap; instead, focus on how you have upskilled yourself.
-How well the career goals sync up - What you intend to do after PGP will be crucial in determining the strength of your application; please ensure that your proposed goals are in sync with your existing experience.

Should you wish to discuss your prospects in greater detail, please feel free to get in touch with us for a free profile evaluation session.

Hope this helps.

All the best!