ISB Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation

Hello Everyone,

As a prospective aspirant of ISB, i am writing in to get some clarity on my profile for the class of 2021(PGP Management). I need a sincere feedback.

My credentials are as follows:

Age-30
Status- Married Female(Sikh)
Residence- Mumbai

Qualification: I am a chartered accountant, having cleared it 2013 in the first attempt. I have done my training of 3 years in Audit and tax from one of the big fours for one year and two years in a mid size firm.

Work experience: Post completion of my CA, i joined Citibank (Mumbai) in the division of treasury operations. I was part of the derivative team and have handled the product across various desks like deal authorisation, settlement, statutory reporting, documentation, controls etc. I have worked there for approximately 3 and a half years.

Then with the keenness of learning something new i took up a role in Weatherford, it is a US based Oil drilling and services company. There i was part of a new team in which we had to set up a whole new finance desk in the Mumbai office taking over responsibility from Dubai for the books of accounts of the African region. It was an absolutely new experience and challenging task demanding a set of new skills in terms managing and setting up new procedures.

After a stint of one year in Weatherford and after getting married i moved on to understand the family business of the family i got married into. It is a manufacturing as well trading company diversified into Pumps and food machines. Having been in a job for a long time, i realised there is a lot more exposure needed to manage the business. It is an extremely interesting and satisfying role to run a business but also extremely challenging since it is not an absolutely professional set up. I felt i need some more managerial experience outside my family circle to manage my people and make it a more professional organisation.

Fortunately, i got an opportunity to work for the treasury operations of RBL bank. My current role is of an Assistant Vice President handling both the FX and derivative product and managing a team of 5 people. Since the bank is in the state of expansion the learning curve has been steep.

By all the opportunities that i have got and with an experience of approximately 6 years, i have the ambition of moving from operations to business side of the organisation. Having learned the ground work, i am confident that i can add value to any business but i also need the support and guidance of an institution like Indian school of business. I want to widen my horizon and get attuned to all the business functionalities. ISB will help me to get my feet in the world of consulting and then eventually help me build more structure and professionalism in my own organisation.

GRE Score- 309
My biggest concern is my score, which i know is on the lower side. I had thought of giving it again but with all the commitments at work and home, i am finding it really difficult to manage.
I am also running out of time due to my age and do not want to delay my MBA any further. And doing my MBA from ISB has been my dream.
PS: I know nothing is impossible but i have also tried giving GMAT for the last 2 years and switched to GRE(due to a low GMAT score), only to realise that i am not great at these structured exams.

Considering, all this i really want to know whether i should go ahead and apply in the round 2 with this score or should i really take the exam again.
Would really appreciate a response. Thank you so much for the help.

Guneet

Hi,
Indian, Male and Engineer.
GMAT: 710
UnderGrad: 8/10, majors in Computer Science and Engineering, NIT Patna
Work experience of 3 years including 2 years in a tech-startup and some experience with freelancing and an MNC and a brief stint at my own startup
Delivered products that are used by brands like OnePlus and Apple in multiple countries including Netherland, USA, China, Malaysia
Founded E-cell in college, part of college football team, headed clubs and vice house captain in school.
A little understanding of Microeconomics and Game Theory because of taking online courses.
Got an award for excellent service in professional career.
Taught underprivileged kids for free in the first year of college (Got no certificate to claim this)

Do you think I got a chance an ISB?

Hi All

I am planning to apply for Round 2 of Interviews, Please evaluate my profile

Age:24

Work Experience: 3 years as of March 2020

Working for a SAAS unicorn company for the past 2.5 years

2017-2019 - Worked as a Product Consultant ( Sales Engineer) with a small stint abroad
2019- Present - Working as a Business analyst in the Revenue Operations team ( CRO's Office) of the same company

I have both customer-facing & internal stakeholder facing experience ( External customers were mostly CIO's & CTO's of SMB & MM companies,most of my internal stakeholders are VP's and Directors), I would like to pursue Management consulting post my MBA.

Educational Background:
10th - Matriculation - 93.8%
12th - TN State Board - 95.9%
UG - BE Mechanical Engineering - 8.7/10

Awards & Extracurriculars:
Good ratings within the company
Won a few awards for good performance
Was a working partner of a student-run cafe in College ( I was part of the marketing & Finance Team)

I am yet to give my GMAT exam, I would like to know what my chances are to get an admit and a minimum GMAT score that I should aim for.

Thanks

Can somebody please evaluate my profile.

Hi Pau1,

With 3+ yrs of technology experience you will need a GMAT score higher than the class average (710+). Your profile in interesting and what sets you apart from other applicants is your exposure to co-founding a start-up, running a delivery kitchen and your business analysis background. A strong application and stellar essays will be essential for you to get interview calls. Focus on that and complete your GMAT soon.

Regards,
Tridisha

Hi Guneet,

Since you cannot retake the GRE, I would urge you to apply. You have a good profile (from the limited information given), but you definitely need to think more on your future goals. A lot will ride on how you leverage the application and the essays to highlight your profile, and i would urge you to focus on that for now.

Regards,
Tridisha

Hi Tridisha,

Thanks for the reply. That helps! Also, in case I don't get in this year...what are the parameters I should improve on for better chances next year?

Hello people,
I was wondering if anybody has applied to the ISB with GRE scores and received an interview invite? I only see people with GMAT scores.

Thank You

Posted from my mobile device

Well that's not correct. Several of our students who opted for GRE, have received interview invites.

Hi JK2808, very decent acads and career profile.

Your aspiration for Management consulting post-MBA, would need brainstorming. You should target 700+ on GMAT; obviously, the higher, the better.

You certainly do mrishan1993. Decent UG college, a startup, and Product development experience will all work in your favor. Make sure you highlight them in your application.

You've not stated your career goals though. Articulating them well, will go a long way to boost your chances on an interview call.

Indeed gsetia001. GRE score is on the lower side Guneet and can influence your profile that is otherwise quite sterling (CA in first attempt, great professional experience, family business experience etc.).

Your concern about time running out is also not unfounded. Since you've already had a long tryst with standardized tests, I would now suggest that you should focus all your energy in crafting an immaculate application that does justice to your profile. The expectation will be that your application compensates for your score.

All the best!

What an interesting profile sashankvissa. TFI and various social initiatives are a big plus. Your goals also seem to be aligned with your experience in the non-profit sector.

Articulate your profile and your goals well in your application, and 680 on GMAT should not be a problem.

Hi,

Please review my profile

Graduation:
2018 BBA graduate with 71.68%

Work experience:
Have been working with my family for 14 months as of now

School Education:
10th score = 83.8%
12th score = 94%

Extra Curricular activities:
Participant for various b-fests in college
Organized college fests
Member of the writing club of my college
Member of the NGO of my college

I am giving my attempt for GMAT in the 1st week of November. I am aiming for a score of more than 700.

Kindly provide me some insight on my chances.

Thank you.

Regards,
Keshav Kothari

Hello,

I am a 27 year old female.

Just wanted to know how much GMAT score shall I target and what are my chances to make it?

Will be writing GMAT in 1st week of November. Targeting 2nd round.

Graduation – 69% B.tech. (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) (Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology)
12th – 78% (CBSE)

Work Ex –
1 year – Technology Analyst with ZS Associate.

4 years (current) – Started my own brand for E-commerce under my family business. The brand is doing great.

Leadership – Built a team of 20 employees, Built and launched 3 products, increased my revenue by 400%, successfully launched and monitored marketing campaigns etc.

Extracurricular – Successfully holding painting exhibitions for past 5 years, won various awards in paintings, Acted in College Street play team and won various awards, School newspaper editor.

Thanks in advance

Hello nesting, 680+. Obviously, the higher, the better.

JUST A DETAILED REVIEW OF WHAT I DO

Background and nationality-
26 years , Indian, male,

Undergrad Information- Aerospace Engineer - SRM UNIVERSITY
7.32/10 GPA- top 25% of the class- (university level- TOP 40 in India)

GMAT: 730 ( on 3 gmat prep mocks -- test on Nov 7th with target of 770)

Work experience and leadership - largest public sector bank of the country... State Bank of India (TOP 50 global bank) .. selected as one of the 2000 probationers out of 2 million applicants.

1. Credit analyst- 6 months- Commercial Credit- State Bank of India
Ensuring risk quality and credit quality aspects of proposals appraised keeping in view the credit policy of the bank. Performing industry analysis, due diligence processes, etc. Obtaining and analysing relevant financial information, including operating statements and balance sheets for carrying out CRA exercise/preparation of proposals for underwriting new loans, increasing loan commitments, periodical review or substantive changes in terms.Preparation of reports of Special Mention Accounts (NPA) for submission to the appropriate authorities.
Carrying out inspection of units as and when required and mandated in the loan agreement.Ensuring compliance with the bank’s credit policy, local regulatory requirements and compliance with the central bank. Coordinate with officers handling opreations to ensure timely updating and modification of data/terms and conditions/ date of review/approval etc are in the system as and when such change takes place for ensuring correctness of data and information. Achieved more than 35% growth over existing loan book of the asset management team that I worked in a span of 4 months. Appraised credit facilities to the tune of $99 million (Rs 705 cr). Handled 17 corporates accounts with a total exposure of $244.36 million.



2. Deputy Branch Manager of large branch- 1 year 2 months- State bank of India
Incharge of Branch Operations, the head of staff, and head of personal banking division at the branch level.Was directly responsible for the functioning, training, and working of 8 full time staff members. Was incharge of business development in the areas of customer acquisition, agriculture, bullion backed credit, personal segment advances, deposit mobilisation, and cross selling.
Achievements
MANAGING DIRECTOR’S CLUB- MUTUAL FUNDS- OUSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN Bank's MUTUAL FUNDS- 3RD IN THE STATE AMONG 19853 EMPLOYEES.
GOLD QUALIFIER IN YEAR END CAMPAIGN- MUTUAL FUND- FELICITATED BY CHIEF GENERAL MANAGER.. 7th among 19853 employees.
CHIEF GENERAL MANAGER’S CLUB- SBI GENERAL INSURANCE- TOP 3 IN THE STATE
Adjudged the best Deputy Branch Manager in the Network of 850 branches by the General Manager of the network
Adjudged the best Deputy Branch Manager in the Region of 48 branches by the Assistant General Manager/ Regional Manager

The following are the achievements of the team that I lead as the DBM
Gold loan campaign- Was among the 35 branches that qualified in the national level twice in 2 back to back months
QUALIFIED xyz CAMPAIGN- TOPPER AT THE NETWORK LEVEL AMONG 830 BRANCHES.
Achieved an Audit score of ‘AA’ a rare feat given the current banking scenario in india.
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER’S CLUB – NOMINATED BY ALL THE DGMS IN THE STATE TO BE BEST BRANCH AMONG 1300 BRANCHES.


3. Branch Manager – 8 months- State Bank of India
As branch manager lead a team of 4 staff members with Rs35 millions of business. Primarily responsible for business development of the branch, functioning of the staff, marketing, appraising MSME credit proposals, ensuring due-diligence of all liability and asset products, and overall security measures of the branch premises.As Branch Manager and team lead, I had along with my team successfully tripled the number of deposit holders in a span of 6 months, increased the agri-gold loan business by 150% over the previous fiscal, sourced and apprised MSME loans to the value of 300% the asset portfolio of the branch, made the branch a 100% digitally banked rural branch from 15% previously by conducting digital awareness programs in the nearby villages, with the help of Sarpanchs ( head of the village level government) and also insured 85% of salaried factory workers from a previous level of 3% a feat appreciated by the GM of the network.

4. Probationary officer - 2 years- State Bank of India
Mandatory time of 2 years of learning of the bank policies and assisting the branch functionaries in business development.
Handled crowds of about 20,000 everyday for 3 months during the demonetization exercise that took place in 2016 (the greatest challenge).
Increased business of a branch by 50%.

Leadership
Leadership (extra-curricular):

1. Organiser and Head of Planning Committee – DEPARTMENT FEST – 2013
Organized and planned the UN international Space week in Aerospace Department. Planned, Created, and set-up events for participation. Coordinated and Managed 50+ volunteers for the success of the technical fest.

2. Joint Secretary and English teacher- a student based NGO- 2012-2013
Was a part of the management team of a student based NGO. As Joint Secretary, I developed syllabus and teaching functions, guidelines for environment awareness focus campaigns , put together the online campaigning strategy, formulated HR policies including setting up of different verticals , conducting interviews for on-boarding of volunteers, conducting induction programs for new volunteers of the newly formed NGO. I had also introduced Volunteer incentive program for extraordinary recognition. I was also given additional responsibility of being in charge of the book wings program where I planned, organized, scheduled classes on a weekly basis for teaching English to under-privileged children.

3. Director & President – student based ngo -2013-2015
As the director of Go Green, I was directly responsible for 200 volunteers. Organized Beach clean-up programs, environmental cleanliness awareness campaigns, water conversation campaigns, animal habitat restoration programs, sanitation awareness programs etc., . As the director, I was in charge of proper policy implementation of the NGO to ensure effective outreach of the awareness campaigns, build relationships with the external agencies for planning events of a larger scale, ensuring that every volunteer is well versed on climate change & sustainable development goals relating to environment and helping the junior volunteers in the on-boarding by conducting induction programs and team building exercises. As the first Director, I had an additional responsibility of formulating polices on succession of the directors and voting of green-captains .

Community and others- (dont know what to write here) - Have a deep connection with nature and environment. Always been an active activist for environmental causes. Have been volunteering for the past 7 years of my life biweekly to raise awareness and continue to do so

Post MBA goals- Want to move to consulting with a specialization in public sector and climate policy and hope to make it to MBB after mba.