ISB Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation

You are late for that munindra95


Did you not even make it to the interview stage?

If you did, you could get in touch with ISB for feedback. Incorporating that feedback in your reapplicant essay and showing specific action on that feedback, is generally a good way to approach the reapplicant essay.

Also, do mention that you have a vastly improved GMAT score (even if you do not mention the exact score) in the reapplicant essay.

ISB Reapplicant strategy
--
Ashish.
_________________

Hi Ashish
Thanks for the revert!

Regarding the mocks scenario, I was getting a score of around 700-730 during my preparation.
As for the existing role and my post MBA goals, I'd like to switch my role from the existing software development to the technical/product management domain. I understand that it's not an elaborate/ descriptive insight into my future goals but I hope you get the picture.

PS: This might not be the right forum to ask this but with the aforementioned profile, can I target some good/top B-Schools globally? If yes, could you please share your valuable insight on what all options could be reachable with this profile & score?

Thanks & regards

I have applied for the first round.
submitted my essays already.
Yes i did get the interview invite and problem was with communication and articulation of ideas. these were not at par as expected from a consultant.
I did mention my score improvement and also wrote that I have joined toastmasters for my communication improvement.
I just want to know what are the chances of a interview call and a final admit?
Plus how to prepare for my interview. I think interview was the culprit as communication and articulation mostly come in interview part.

Hi All,

Can you please evaluate my profile for an FPM program? Sorry for the long post but I wanted to be as detailed as possible

Academics:

10th. Std. : 87% (West Bengal State Board) - Completed in 2000 (Top 10% of my class)
12th. Std. : 79% (West Bengal State Board) - Completed in 2002 (Top 10% of my class)
B.E. in Chemical Engineering from Visveswaraya Technological University: First Class with Distinction (Top 15% of my Class) (Class of 2006)
PGDM in Development & Sustainable Finance from IFMR, Chennai (now Krea University): Ranked 3rd. in my Class (Class of 2011)
MBA from McGill University: GPA 3.84 / 4: Academic Dean's Honor List (Top 5 in Class of 2018)

GMAT:

720 (Q49, V40) (2014)
680 (Q48, V34) (2022)

I am trying desperately to push this to 700 but it becomes increasingly harder with a job, family life and a two-year old baby

Work- Experience: Overall 12 years of Work Experience predominantly in Banking and Insurance

Post B.E. in Chemical Engineering

a) Yokogawa India Ltd: - 1 year as an Executive Engineer - Maintained Distributed Control Systems, calibrated pumps, Near-infrared and Sulphur Analyzer systems at client (IOCL, Vadodara) site

b) Srijan, Center for Community Welfare: 1 year as Head of Community Development - Led fundraising activities, event planning, project management and strategic planning working for an NGO (target beneficiaries: children who dwell in slums in Kolkata)

Post PGDM in India

c) L&T Finance Ltd: 1 year as a Credit Analyst in Construction Equipment Financing

d) Union Bank of India: 4 years - Started as a Probationary officer and got promoted to Branch Manager - Designed an innovative metrics to predict repayment capacity of self help groups by 95% (as a P.O. in a rural branch), managed a fairly large credit portfolio (credit adjudication, due diligence and financial modeling) at regional head quarters (as an Assistant Manager), led a team of 10 with general management responsibility of a mid-size semi-urban branch, developed and maintained a profitable portfolio while achieving all my targets every quarter (as a Branch Manager)

During MBA in Canada

e) McGill Business Consulting Group: Managing Partner - Internship Experience for 10 months - Formulated a business plan for a healthcare mobile app to reduce adverse drug events, helping the client market the business idea and secure VC funding of $500,000 CAD

Post MBA in Canada

f) Royal Bank of Canada: 8 months - Commercial Account Manager at Canada's largest bank - Developed needs-based sales strategies, underwrote new credit proposals up to $2 million CAD and renewals up to $5 million CAD, maintained a credit portfolio of 15 clients

g) Continental Casualty Company (known as CNA Canada - this company is the 7th. largest P&C insurer in the US): 4 years and counting - Started as Operations Support and Underwriting Assistant (Commercial Auto) and then got promoted to Underwriting Audit Analyst - Major achievements include improvement in turnaround time for Operating procedures such as rating, garage policy issuance, drafting the first manual for automobile rating process, drafting SOPs to improve processes, coaching employees, preparing dashboards and performance metrics to report Operating performance to the executives and initiating a couple of impactful projects that drew the attention of top management

Research Experience

United Nations Habitat: 22 months - Part-time Researcher - Global Municipal Database Project in collaboration with NYU Stern - Conducted surveys, interviewed the Mayor of Kolkata, academics, real estate developers, lawyers and experts on informal sector to present data on urban planning regulations, infra development and access to jobs to the UN team in London, analyzed the municipality budget to identify trends and patterns of investment and allocation of capital costs in different sectors

Bandhan Bank (then an NBFC): 4 months - Internship during the PGDM program in India - Analyzed the impact of Bandhan's different programs on beneficiaries from a neutral perspective, conducted surveys and interviews involving BDOs, local elites and general population across West Bengal

The Collaboration Vector: 6 years and counting - Pro-bono consulting on research on impact investment, CSR, community and stakeholder engagement etc.

Extra-Curriculars

Founded an organization to train low income women on financial literacy, helping them realize the importance of savings - Helped connect over 100 beneficiaries to formal banking system and avail micro loans over 2 years

Co-founded an organization in Montreal to help refugees and newcomers find meaningful employment in the community, helped the newcomers with French language training, designing CVs and Cover Letters, organized a job crawl that helped 20 people secure employment in 6 months

VP of Net Impact Club at McGill: Net Impact is a nonprofit membership organization (with 400 global chapters across continents) for students and professionals interested in using business skills in support of various social and environmental causes. My responsibility was to organize events and promote the mission of the organization within McGill community.

VP of Samarthan: IFMR's (now Krea University) oldest Club - Organized various events promoting social, cultural and environmental awareness in Chennai

Research Interest: Something to do with microfinance, development economics, CSR, bottom-of-the-pyramid marketing strategies - I am yet to narrow down on my research goals

Target Schools: ISB, IIMs, IIT Delhi, IIT Chennai, XLRI, Symbiosis

👋 Hey Hadrian97,

I came across your profile evaluation query on the forum and thought I'd reach out to offer some assistance from my own experience.

So here is what I would suggest:

Strengths:

➡️ Solid Academic Record: Your high marks in Bachelor's percentage, present you as a strong academic candidate.

➡️ Professional Growth: Your quick progression from an Analyst to a Manager in the AI MNC indicates strong professional skills. Your current role in a Fortune 500 company adds weight.


Areas for Improvement:

➡️ GMAT Score: 660 is below ISB’s average and needs to be improved for a more competitive application.

➡️ Limited Diversity in Work Experience: All your roles are in finance and corporate strategy, making your profile somewhat unidimensional.


Suggestions:

➡️ Improve GMAT: Aim for 690+ to become a more competitive candidate.

➡️ Detail Achievements in Extra-Curricular Activities: Your achievements in debate and leadership roles in college can provide strong examples of soft skills like communication and leadership.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a FREE call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

You can setup a call via this link:

👉 https://bit.ly/3DSH5km 👈

👋 Hey abhisheksingh2525,

I came across your profile evaluation query on the forum and thought I'd reach out to offer some assistance from my own experience.

So here is what I would suggest:

Strengths:

➡️ Diverse Professional Experience: Your background in content marketing, PR, and startup ecosystem adds a multifaceted aspect to your profile. Your role as a founding member and content leader for multiple startups showcases entrepreneurial flair and leadership.

➡️ Extracurricular Involvement: Your work as a pro bono legal consultant and sessions guitarist adds depth to your profile and can serve as compelling examples of empathy and creative talents, which could set you apart from the typical applicant pool.


Areas for Improvement:

➡️ Undergraduate CGPA: With a 6.55 CGPA from a National Law University, you're at a slight disadvantage given ISB's competitive academic environment.

➡️ GMAT Score: While you're targeting 700+, currently having no GMAT score puts you in a risky situation.


Suggestions:

➡️ Aim High on GMAT: Given your lower undergraduate CGPA, a GMAT score of 710+ could add strength to your academic credentials.

➡️ Highlight Professional Achievements: Your experience in startups is ripe for showcasing soft skills like initiative, leadership, and adaptability. Narrate instances where you had significant impact—be it in reaching an exceptional number of readers or enhancing brand awareness through your content strategy.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a FREE call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

You can setup a call via this link:

👉 https://bit.ly/3DSH5km 👈

Chances of an interview call are very bright (provided that essays are in decent shape); chances of a final admit will obviously depend on how you perform in the interview.
--
Ashish.
_________________

Frankly, I do believe that you can consider a re-attempt after a month's prep. A 730 is definitely better than a 700.


Sounds good.
--
Ashish.
_________________

Hi munindra95,

Since you have got the shortlist last year for interview and your score has improved, you should get a shortlist this year as well unless you have done something terribly wrong with your application. Candidates from ICOL/BPCL/HPCL/ONGC etc generally get the interview call with a decent application at an 680+ score.

Your profile is good, but profiles dont matter that much for admission.

About your selection chances, well, no one can predict that. Reason - GMAT and profile has nothing to do with your interview performance. We have seen candidates working in same city in same plant of IOCL with same work profile getting opposite result to their respective GMAT score. Candidates with 690-700 have qualified, while candidates with 730-740 have not qualified with exactly same work profile. That means interviews are very important and your admission depends on how you perform there.

As you have already submitted your application, you should focus completely on interview part. And hope that you have also applied to other colleges as well.
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Runawaybon

Solid academic background with the Q50, and the PEC pedigree.

You are a relatively young applicant for 1 year PGP MBA or a 2-year MBA in the US (although you could apply for ISB deferred admit with a super strong application); however, if you give yourself some more time to enhance your profile (At least 1-2 more year before you can apply) you could grab projects and professional opportunities that add a new dimension to your portfolio. The profile enhancement would need to show as a take-off point in your career graph depending on your goals. For example, in a strategic role in a startup or in strategy where you get hands-on experience in the building blocks of businesses, negotiate an international assignment, or get into beginner roles in an industry you want to break into post-MBA. I feel there would be no dearth of opportunities for someone young and ambitious.

You should try to showcase how you are different from other similar applicants given your early promotions, thorough industry insights, project management, and crisis management exposure, and mature overall outlook.

Do not hesitate to reach out for a candid discussion. We do not cap discussion hours for our applicants

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

munindra95

You have a solid academic background and an impressive undergraduate pedigree.

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't secure admission to ISB last year. In my discussions during ding analysis, I've encountered several applicants from the army and public sector who faced similar challenges in their initial attempts. There appears to be a common pattern in these situations.

Admissions committees often hold preconceived notions about candidates from government or public sector jobs. These perceptions may include a perceived lack of autonomy, limited diversity in responsibilities, and slower career growth opportunities. However, it falls upon you to break through these stereotypes and showcase your unique qualities. Demonstrate what sets you apart and how you consistently exceed expectations. Highlight your proactive nature, adaptability, and track record of delivering exceptional results. Emphasize your eagerness to learn, grow, and expand your skill set by pursuing further education, acquiring new skills, and tackling complex projects. Remember that admissions committees can only gain a comprehensive understanding of your profile through your application materials, such as your resume, essays, and letters of recommendation. Make the most of these documents to convey your true potential. Prepare well for the interview. Speak about your goals narrative with someone who understands the MBA journey and beyond.

This bias isn't limited to individuals in the public sector. I, too, worked in R&D for a private company for five consecutive years, and during my MBA interview at a top global school, I was confronted with "While you've worked in various countries, your responsibilities appear to have remained consistent. How would you describe your career evolution?" To be honest, I wasn't prepared for this question at the time and felt somewhat caught off guard. With the benefit of hindsight and experience, I can now confidently tell you that regardless of your background, whether it's in the government or private sector, you should anticipate and prepare for your growth narrative, and do better than most PSU applicants. This is especially crucial, given your extensive five-plus years of experience in the same domain.

I routinely work with military, naval, manufacturing, and operations applicants, and I have 10 years of industry experience in manufacturing and operations design and management. Please contact me should you like a candid discussion about your profile.

Get personalized advice for your specific situation. Do not hesitate to reach out to us should you need help navigating your interviews.

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

👋 Hey sayandeepbasak1,

I came across your profile evaluation query on the forum and thought I'd reach out to offer some assistance from my own experience.

So here is what I would suggest:

Strengths:
➡️ Academic Diversity and Excellence: With degrees in Chemical Engineering, Sustainable Finance, and an MBA, your academic portfolio is not only strong but also multifaceted. A GPA of 3.84 at McGill further amplifies your credibility.

➡️ Versatile Experience: The transition from engineering to community welfare, then finance and banking is a remarkable journey. This eclectic mix could make you a fit for a broad range of research topics.

➡️ Leadership and Innovation: Your role as Branch Manager with Union Bank of India involved innovative metrics and a leadership role. This shows an ability to lead and innovate concurrently, which is critical for an FPM program.

➡️ Research and Impact: Being part of the United Nations Habitat project adds a layer of gravitas to your application. Your ongoing pro-bono consulting work is a testament to your commitment to impactful research.


School Recommendations:
➡️ Your profile resonates with research-oriented schools like ISB, IIMs, and IITs. Your diverse background will enrich their academic environment.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a FREE call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

You can setup a call via this link:

👉 https://bit.ly/3DSH5km 👈

👋 Hey munindra95,

I came across your profile evaluation query on the forum and thought I'd reach out to offer some assistance from my own experience.

So here is what I would suggest:

Strengths:
➡️ Exceptional Academic Credentials: Achieving an 8.45 CGPA from a premier institute like IIT BHU is no small feat. It showcases not just your academic prowess but also your dedication and focus. The GMAT score of 730 further adds weight to your academic accomplishments, placing you in a favorable position compared to other candidates.

➡️ High Industry Impact: Your role at IOCL involved streamlining the production process and achieving significant savings. With the quantifiable impact of INR 20 crores in savings, you have demonstrated the ability to bring about change at a corporate level. This experience positions you as a hands-on problem solver and an invaluable asset for any organization.

➡️ Technical Expertise and Research Involvement: The presence of three publications and a presentation about waste-to-fuel technologies indicates a strong inclination towards research and development. This adds another layer of depth to your profile, highlighting you as someone who can excel in both academic and corporate environments.

➡️ Well-rounded Extra-Curricular Activities: Your accomplishments in lawn tennis and your involvement as a marketing executive during a college fest indicate a well-balanced profile. It shows that you can manage your time efficiently to excel not just in your professional life but also in your personal interests.


Suggestions:
➡️ Enhance your leadership portfolio by taking on strategic roles, either in your current job or in volunteer settings.

➡️ Consider enrolling in a course or workshop that specifically addresses business management or leadership skills to further amplify your managerial credentials.


School Recommendations:
➡️ The Indian School of Business (ISB) would be a great fit for you, given their focus on leadership, diversity, and impact. Your profile aligns perfectly with these criteria, making you a strong candidate for their competitive applicant pool.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a FREE call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

You can setup a call via this link:

👉 https://bit.ly/3DSH5km 👈

👋 Hey Runawaybon,

I came across your profile evaluation query on the forum and thought I'd reach out to offer some assistance from my own experience.

So here is what I would suggest:

Strengths:
➡️ Strong Academic Foundation: Scoring 91.6% in B.Tech is an achievement that speaks volumes about your ability to handle complex technical subjects. This strong foundation can help you adapt to the rigorous academic environment of any advanced management program.

➡️ Promising Early Career Track: Your role as a Software Engineer at a reputable company suggests a strong start to your professional journey. Your technical skills are an asset that many business programs look for in potential candidates.

➡️ Holistic Personal Development: Your participation in debates, exhibitions, and sports activities indicates a well-rounded personality. This level of engagement outside of academics and work is a sign of excellent time management skills and a zest for life.

➡️ Ready for Competitive Exams: A GMAT score of 700 is competitive for many good business schools. It highlights your ability to perform under pressure and achieve good results, key attributes for anyone considering an advanced degree. But remember that GMAT is just 1/4th of your application and the rest depends on your work ex, achievements, EC’s, volunteer work, certifications or projects.


Suggestions:
➡️ Consider expanding your skill set by participating in relevant workshops or online courses that align with your career aspirations.


School Recommendations:
➡️ Given your current profile, the Indian School of Business (ISB) seems like a good match. The school's focus on technical expertise and leadership skills align well with your experience and achievements. You have both the academic and professional background that ISB appreciates, making you a strong contender for their program.

➡️ But remember that ISB only accepts students with 2 years of experience. Don’t worry, as you can go for an Early Entry Option.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a FREE call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

You can setup a call via this link:

👉 https://bit.ly/3DSH5km 👈

👋 Hey Sainz_Sri,

I came across your profile evaluation query on the forum and thought I'd reach out to offer some assistance from my own experience.

So here is what I would suggest:

Strengths:
➡️ Highly Relevant Professional Qualifications: Both the CFA (Level 3) and Chartered Accountant qualifications signal domain expertise. These are considered challenging credentials to earn and indicate a strong grounding in finance and accounting—two skills highly valued in business management roles. The CFA could make you a strong candidate for finance-related roles post-MBA.

➡️ Strong Work Experience: Your 5-year stint at one of the Big4 accounting firms adds significant weight to your profile. Your progression to a managerial role in just 4 years can be an excellent example of leadership and quick professional growth.


Area for improvement:
➡️ GMAT Score: Your 650 GMAT score could be slightly below the average of ISB.


Suggestions:
➡️ GMAT Retake: Given your strong credentials otherwise, a retake aiming for 690+ could significantly boost your chances.

➡️ Emphasize Leadership in Essays: When writing your essays, be sure to emphasize your leadership responsibilities and notable achievements in your managerial role. For example, discuss how you led a team to meet tight deadlines or implemented a new assurance protocol that saved time or reduced errors.

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a FREE call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

You can setup a call via this link:

👉 https://bit.ly/3DSH5km 👈

👋 Hey raunakjr97,

I came across your profile evaluation query on the forum and thought I'd reach out to offer some assistance from my own experience.

So here is what I would suggest:

📚 Academic Strength: Your UG percentage is decent for Schools like ISB and IIM-A, but remember that you are just at par.

🎯 GMAT Score: Your 680 GMAT score is slightly low, however it is just 25% of your application, so you need to showcase quantifiable results in your work ex, EC’s, undergrad achievements, volunteer work and certificates, etc.

🎉 Extra-Curriculars: Your involvement in a large-scale annual fest displays commitment and leadership. Your election as class rep underlines your peer recognition and leadership skills. B-schools look for these characteristics as they indicate potential for community involvement during the MBA and as alumni.

💼 Work Experience: Six years in sports content, particularly with notable leagues like IPL and NBA, should make your application stand out. Your varied roles from media to data analytics make you a T-shaped professional — broad knowledge complemented by deep expertise.

🎯 Career Goals: Your articulated plans to move into product and consultancy roles, backed by your existing skills in SEO, team management, and product planning, makes a strong case for why an MBA would be a value-add for you.

📑 Consultant Work: Definitely include this and reflect your quantifiable results. It reflects a different skill set like adaptability and should be seen as a positive differentiator.

🎯 School Recommendations:
➡️ Dream Schools: ISB, and perhaps even some global programs like INSEAD, could be your stretch goals.

➡️ Competitive Schools: IIM-A, IIM-B, and IIM-C would be within a competitive reach for you. Your unique work experience would be a great asset here.

➡️ Safe Schools: XLRI, SP Jain, and NMIMS could be considered safe bets.

Your profile is rich and offers a lot to be desired by top B-schools. With targeted effort, and a compelling application, there's a strong chance you could not just get into one of your dream schools, but also thrive there. 🌟

If you need more help, we'd be happy to set up a FREE call and give more pointers on how to improve your profile and the right schools you should target.

You can setup a call via this link:

👉 https://bit.ly/3DSH5km 👈

Hi All,

Could you please evaluate my profile ( Target School - ISB ).

Age: 25 yr

GMAT Score: 690 [Quant:49 , Verbal:34, I.R.: 6 ]

Educational Qualifications:

M.Tech - 9.32 CGPA - Signal Processing and Machine Learning - IIT, Guwahati
B.Tech - 9.52 CGPA - Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering - JNTU, Hyderabad
CLASS XII: 96.7%
CLASS X: 9.7 CGPA
Secured All India Rank - 55 in GATE 2019 Examination

Work Experience:

1.5 Years work experience at Accenture, Japan ( Tokyo Office )

Extra Curricular:

1) Best Delegate Award at MUN ( During B.Tech )
2) Have a first author research paper in an International Machine Learning Conference
3) Passed Japanese language basic level certification exam
4) Actively publish poems and analysis of research papers on personal blog.

Hi All,

Could you please evaluate my profile ( Target School - ISB ).

Age: 25 yr

GMAT Score: 690 [Quant:49 , Verbal:34, I.R.: 6 ]

Educational Qualifications:

M.Tech - 9.32 CGPA - Signal Processing and Machine Learning - IIT, Guwahati
B.Tech - 9.52 CGPA - Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering - JNTU, Hyderabad
CLASS XII: 96.7%
CLASS X: 9.7 CGPA
Secured All India Rank - 55 in GATE 2019 Examination

Work Experience:

1.5 Years work experience at Accenture, Japan ( Tokyo Office )

Extra Curricular:

1) Best Delegate Award at MUN ( During B.Tech )
2) Have a first author research paper in an International Machine Learning Conference
3) Passed Japanese language basic level certification exam
4) Actively publish poems and analysis of research papers on personal blog.

Hello,

Your grades are excellent. Your GMAT score is fine, unless you're considering a retake based on your preparation. You still have time before the Round 2 deadlines, (your current score is acceptable for applying); but you can think about retaking the test later.

International work experience would be a valuable addition. Your extracurricular activities look solid, especially as you've been keeping up with your publications. Knowing an International language always is a plus. Now, it's about telling your unique story. Take a moment to reflect on what can truly boost your application.

All the best!


_________________