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pranavseth1698
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ISB Profile Evaluation 01 Oct 2024, 23:34
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Hey Everyone,

I am looking for advice in regards to improving my application for ISB Round 2.

10th - 10/10 CGPA
12th - 93%
B Com (Accounts & Finance) - 9.76/10 CGPI
GMAT FE - 655 (Q85 V83 DI 80 I believe I can get a better score but not sure if worth taking again)
CFA - Level 3 completed. Not yet received charter.

Work experience - 4.5 years in Grant Thornton
(Worked in 3 different teams - 8 months in Public Sector Due Diligence, 4 months in Surveys and Analytics, 3.5 years in Finance team supporting GT UK)

Achievements-
Awarded multiple rewards for outstanding team commitment.
Received promotion every year
Held position of responsibility during both school and college. (Co-Editor of the school magazine, part of Investment Cell in college and Member of fun team at company responsible for holding events every month for our team)

Extra-curriculars -
I regularly play Squash, Badminton and Football (not competitively)
Being a CFA, I like to follow the stock market and like to read about topics relating to Finance and Investments.
I love to draw during my free time.


I am aiming to improve my extra circulars. Thinking of joining a NGO. Open to any advise how to improve upon this area.

Also, will GMAT be a big issue if I decide to not give it again?

Thanks in advance
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ISBeacon
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ISB Profile Evaluation 01 Oct 2024, 23:43
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pranavseth1698
B Com (Accounts & Finance) - 9.76/10 CGPI
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Which college?
Quote:

CFA - Level 3 completed. Not yet received charter.
Show more
Great. Make sure you do not mention "acquiring knowledge in Finance" as a reason to do MBA;).

Quote:
I am aiming to improve my extra circulars. Thinking of joining a NGO. Open to any advise how to improve upon this area.
Show more
I am pretty sure that joining NGO so late at this stage would not make a difference.
Quote:
Also, will GMAT be a big issue if I decide to not give it again?
Show more
Well, 655 is a decent score. But considering that there are still two months before the deadline, see if you can bump that score up by 20+ points. Especially if you were scoring more than 655 in your official mocks, I would encourage you to consider a re-attempt pranavseth1698.

By the way, what are your post-MBA goals?
--
Ashish.
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ISB Profile Evaluation 01 Oct 2024, 23:50
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pranavseth1698
Hey Everyone,

I am looking for advice in regards to improving my application for ISB Round 2.

10th - 10/10 CGPA
12th - 93%
B Com (Accounts & Finance) - 9.76/10 CGPI
GMAT FE - 655 (Q85 V83 DI 80 I believe I can get a better score but not sure if worth taking again)
CFA - Level 3 completed. Not yet received charter.

Work experience - 4.5 years in Grant Thornton
(Worked in 3 different teams - 8 months in Public Sector Due Diligence, 4 months in Surveys and Analytics, 3.5 years in Finance team supporting GT UK)

Achievements-
Awarded multiple rewards for outstanding team commitment.
Received promotion every year
Held position of responsibility during both school and college. (Co-Editor of the school magazine, part of Investment Cell in college and Member of fun team at company responsible for holding events every month for our team)

Extra-curriculars -
I regularly play Squash, Badminton and Football (not competitively)
Being a CFA, I like to follow the stock market and like to read about topics relating to Finance and Investments.
I love to draw during my free time.


I am aiming to improve my extra circulars. Thinking of joining a NGO. Open to any advise how to improve upon this area.

Also, will GMAT be a big issue if I decide to not give it again?

Thanks in advance
Show more
Hey, pranavseth1698


A GMAT score of 655 is a solid start, but if you believe you can increase it to 665 or higher, it's worth considering a retake since it could give your application an extra edge, especially for Round 2. In the meantime, focus on boosting your extracurriculars by getting involved in community activities and taking on leadership roles. This will help create a well-rounded application that showcases both your professional accomplishments and personal passions.


You will also need to have a strong reason for WHY MBA. And try to show a connection between your current industry and the post-MBA industry.


Good luck


Feel free to reach out if you have any queries
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ISB Profile Evaluation Updated on: 05 Oct 2024, 21:24
Originally posted by FLY.reachout on 02 Oct 2024, 13:51.
Last edited by FLY.reachout on 05 Oct 2024, 21:24, edited 1 time in total.
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pranavseth1698
Hey Everyone,

I am looking for advice in regards to improving my application for ISB Round 2.

10th - 10/10 CGPA
12th - 93%
B Com (Accounts & Finance) - 9.76/10 CGPI
GMAT FE - 655 (Q85 V83 DI 80 I believe I can get a better score but not sure if worth taking again)
CFA - Level 3 completed. Not yet received charter.

Work experience - 4.5 years in Grant Thornton
(Worked in 3 different teams - 8 months in Public Sector Due Diligence, 4 months in Surveys and Analytics, 3.5 years in Finance team supporting GT UK)

Achievements-
Awarded multiple rewards for outstanding team commitment.
Received promotion every year
Held position of responsibility during both school and college. (Co-Editor of the school magazine, part of Investment Cell in college and Member of fun team at company responsible for holding events every month for our team)

Extra-curriculars -
I regularly play Squash, Badminton and Football (not competitively)
Being a CFA, I like to follow the stock market and like to read about topics relating to Finance and Investments.
I love to draw during my free time.


I am aiming to improve my extra circulars. Thinking of joining a NGO. Open to any advise how to improve upon this area.

Also, will GMAT be a big issue if I decide to not give it again?

Thanks in advance
Show more
Dear pranavseth1698,

Upon reviewing your profile, I am pleased to highlight several strengths that stand out. You have demonstrated excellent academic performance and shown initiative in upskilling yourself in your area of interest through the CFA. Your work experience is impactful, showcasing consistent progression, and your GMAT Focus Edition score is decent as well.

Currently, your GMAT score is close to the median for applicants accepted at ISB. While it’s tempting to think that a higher score is always better, we recommend retaking the GMAT only if there is a significant difference between your current score and your mock exam performances. Otherwise, it would be more beneficial to concentrate on crafting a solid application through well-written essays, a comprehensive profile, and strong recommendations.

Regarding extracurricular activities, we would love to understand your interests better to provide tailored suggestions. It’s clear you have a passion for sports—badminton, football, and squash—as well as a potential interest in writing, evidenced by your role as co-editor of the school magazine. Even if you aren't competing in sports at a high level, articulating how these activities contribute to your personal growth can effectively showcase aspects of your personality beyond your professional life. Additionally, if you have published any work after school or written opinion pieces, these could enhance your profile as well.

In summary, you have a promising profile. However, your chances of securing an interview will largely depend on how effectively you present yourself in the admission essays. We are eager to learn more about you and assist you on your application journey.

At Team FLY, we are a group of ISB alumni dedicated to supporting prospective candidates with profile positioning, essay critiques, and interview preparations (complete interview preparation and mock interviews).

Please feel free to book a 15-minute free session for a detailed discussion with us at: https://calendly.com/reachusfly/15min

We are also excited to announce the launch of our new website and are currently offering an inaugural 20% discount on all our services. Visit us at: https://www.teamfly.org/

Warm regards,
Team FLY
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reachusfly/
ISB MBA Admissions Interview Preparation Series
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ISB Profile Evaluation 04 Oct 2024, 03:31
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pranavseth1698
Hey Everyone,

I am looking for advice in regards to improving my application for ISB Round 2.

10th - 10/10 CGPA
12th - 93%
B Com (Accounts & Finance) - 9.76/10 CGPI
GMAT FE - 655 (Q85 V83 DI 80 I believe I can get a better score but not sure if worth taking again)
CFA - Level 3 completed. Not yet received charter.

Work experience - 4.5 years in Grant Thornton
(Worked in 3 different teams - 8 months in Public Sector Due Diligence, 4 months in Surveys and Analytics, 3.5 years in Finance team supporting GT UK)

Achievements-
Awarded multiple rewards for outstanding team commitment.
Received promotion every year
Held position of responsibility during both school and college. (Co-Editor of the school magazine, part of Investment Cell in college and Member of fun team at company responsible for holding events every month for our team)

Extra-curriculars -
I regularly play Squash, Badminton and Football (not competitively)
Being a CFA, I like to follow the stock market and like to read about topics relating to Finance and Investments.
I love to draw during my free time.


I am aiming to improve my extra circulars. Thinking of joining a NGO. Open to any advise how to improve upon this area.

Also, will GMAT be a big issue if I decide to not give it again?

Thanks in advance
Show more

Hello pranavseth1698,

While the GMAT will not be an issue, we suggest that if you have time (+ feel you you have the potential to improve your score), you should definitely look at improving your score.

With regard to joining an NGO, please see if you can really have some impact; volunteering alone is just a talking point and does not add much value (that too so close to the deadline).

Rest, a lot will depend on how well you define your career goals and portray your strengths. The following video will be helpful:



All the best!
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ISB Profile Evaluation 04 Oct 2024, 19:34
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pranavseth1698 - Some thoughts:

1. Your GPA sounds fine, what was your undergrad college?

2. Since you believe you can get a better GMAT score, I suggest going for a retake. You always want to put your best foot forward!

3. Work-ex sounds interesting, given the brand-name, promotions and stints across domains. It'd be crucial to have a strong narrative covering your professional arc, achievements, post-MBA goals, and how/ why ISB fits in. Some guidelines and best-practices for the ISB essays can be found here

4. Your sports, stock market interest and arts involvement are good angles. An NGO isn't the only/ major extracurricular you need to have on the profile. Besides, getting started with a new activity just few months before the application deadline wouldn't help much.

Feel free to reach out for a deeper chat.

Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | Request a free chat­
W: https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com | LinkedIn
pranavseth1698
Hey Everyone,

I am looking for advice in regards to improving my application for ISB Round 2.

10th - 10/10 CGPA
12th - 93%
B Com (Accounts & Finance) - 9.76/10 CGPI
GMAT FE - 655 (Q85 V83 DI 80 I believe I can get a better score but not sure if worth taking again)
CFA - Level 3 completed. Not yet received charter.

Work experience - 4.5 years in Grant Thornton
(Worked in 3 different teams - 8 months in Public Sector Due Diligence, 4 months in Surveys and Analytics, 3.5 years in Finance team supporting GT UK)

Achievements-
Awarded multiple rewards for outstanding team commitment.
Received promotion every year
Held position of responsibility during both school and college. (Co-Editor of the school magazine, part of Investment Cell in college and Member of fun team at company responsible for holding events every month for our team)

Extra-curriculars -
I regularly play Squash, Badminton and Football (not competitively)
Being a CFA, I like to follow the stock market and like to read about topics relating to Finance and Investments.
I love to draw during my free time.


I am aiming to improve my extra circulars. Thinking of joining a NGO. Open to any advise how to improve upon this area.

Also, will GMAT be a big issue if I decide to not give it again?

Thanks in advance
Show more
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pranavseth1698
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ISB Profile Evaluation 06 Oct 2024, 07:18
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ISBeacon
pranavseth1698
B Com (Accounts & Finance) - 9.76/10 CGPI
Which college?
Quote:

CFA - Level 3 completed. Not yet received charter.
Great. Make sure you do not mention "acquiring knowledge in Finance" as a reason to do MBA;).

Quote:
I am aiming to improve my extra circulars. Thinking of joining a NGO. Open to any advise how to improve upon this area.
I am pretty sure that joining NGO so late at this stage would not make a difference.
Quote:
Also, will GMAT be a big issue if I decide to not give it again?
Well, 655 is a decent score. But considering that there are still two months before the deadline, see if you can bump that score up by 20+ points. Especially if you were scoring more than 655 in your official mocks, I would encourage you to consider a re-attempt pranavseth1698.

By the way, what are your post-MBA goals?
--
Ashish.
Show more
Hey ISBeacon, I really appreciate your feedback and apologies for the delayed response. The college was H.R College of Commerce and Economics. I am definitely including that as one of my reasons to do MBA. What would you suggest i do in the meanwhile to improve my extra curriculars. I was getting more than 655 in my mocks and so am considering giving another shot at GMAT. My post MBA goals are to leverage my CFA qualification and finance background along with the MBA degree to secure a position in investment banking, private equity, venture capital, or a valuation/financial advisory role at a top consulting firm.
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pranavseth1698
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ISB Profile Evaluation 06 Oct 2024, 07:25
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admitStreet
pranavseth1698 - Some thoughts:

1. Your GPA sounds fine, what was your undergrad college?

2. Since you believe you can get a better GMAT score, I suggest going for a retake. You always want to put your best foot forward!

3. Work-ex sounds interesting, given the brand-name, promotions and stints across domains. It'd be crucial to have a strong narrative covering your professional arc, achievements, post-MBA goals, and how/ why ISB fits in. Some guidelines and best-practices for the ISB essays can be found here

4. Your sports, stock market interest and arts involvement are good angles. An NGO isn't the only/ major extracurricular you need to have on the profile. Besides, getting started with a new activity just few months before the application deadline wouldn't help much.



Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet ­

pranavseth1698
Hey Everyone,

I am looking for advice in regards to improving my application for ISB Round 2.

10th - 10/10 CGPA
12th - 93%
B Com (Accounts & Finance) - 9.76/10 CGPI
GMAT FE - 655 (Q85 V83 DI 80 I believe I can get a better score but not sure if worth taking again)
CFA - Level 3 completed. Not yet received charter.

Work experience - 4.5 years in Grant Thornton
(Worked in 3 different teams - 8 months in Public Sector Due Diligence, 4 months in Surveys and Analytics, 3.5 years in Finance team supporting GT UK)

Achievements-
Awarded multiple rewards for outstanding team commitment.
Received promotion every year
Held position of responsibility during both school and college. (Co-Editor of the school magazine, part of Investment Cell in college and Member of fun team at company responsible for holding events every month for our team)

Extra-curriculars -
I regularly play Squash, Badminton and Football (not competitively)
Being a CFA, I like to follow the stock market and like to read about topics relating to Finance and Investments.
I love to draw during my free time.


I am aiming to improve my extra circulars. Thinking of joining a NGO. Open to any advise how to improve upon this area.

Also, will GMAT be a big issue if I decide to not give it again?

Thanks in advance
Show more
Hey admitStreet, Apologies for the delayed response. My undergrad college was H.R College of Commerce and Economics. I was getting more than 655 in my mocks and so am considering giving another shot at GMAT. Would really appreciate your advice as to what extra circulars would you suggest i could take on in the meanwhile to improve my application other than those i already mentioned. Thanks in advance !