ISB 2018 Intake Class of 2019: Calling all applicants

Hi AG,

Thanks for looping us in the conversation.

So while we are talking about ISB, I'd just add one thing which really strikes me about it- thanks to their affiliations at the time of founding the b-school, they get faculty from the best business schools in the world to teach the class. That's an unparalleled advantage for Indian students. Every time I talk to students, this emerges as a key benefit of their experience.

Of all the IIMS, IIMA PGPX has students with highest work experience. Things may shake up a little at IIMA as they are doubling their class size this year. IIMB put a cap last year, discouraging applicants with 12 + years experience to apply and that continues this year. So these factors may govern your decision to apply to these colleges.

As to your question of applying with lesser experience- I think its a subjective thing. You may have built real quality experience within your 5-6 years, as compared to a guy you has about 8. Think in terms of your leadership potential, career progress and the ability to make an impact (with solid examples to back this up). So it really depends on how strong can you make your application. That said, if you think you should wait 1-2 years before you apply, that approach is also ok. I can have a look at your profile in more detail to help you make that decision.

Thanks for the response. When a school has 8.5 yr avg experience(IIM A) or 7 yrs avg exp (IIM B) that to me clearly indicates that school favors managerial experience more over leadership experience. I think IIM's still consider their I Yr programs as Executives programs that are targeted to mid level managers and want to move to sr. managerial roles. The facts that you have provided are good but those are available in their website as well. I was looking more info on the above lines, something that only consultants would know as they have worked with several applicants in the past. Thanks again!

I will be reapplying in Round 1. Applied last year in Round 2, had my interview in Feb, however couldn't convert.

1. Is there any advantage of applying early even in Round 1 (before deadline)
2. My Gmat score is 670 only. Should I try it again?

Please let me know your suggestions.

Applied last year in R2 with GMAT 660. Targeting R1 this year.

Also, after attempting GMAT twice, second time the score was 630!, and getting disheartened with GMAT i am writing GRE in September. Will it be a negative sign from application point of view?

I will be reapplying and have not given my gmat yet.

I am not confident about my preparations to give GMAT again before september.
I have 3 years of experience in manufacturing as on July 2017 and my gmat score is 660.
Is it beneficial to apply with the same score or should I wait for R2?

Applying in R1, GMAT on 10th Aug! Fingers crossed!!!

Have you written to ISB admissions and inquired about the reason for the rejection? If low GMAT score was one of the reasons it is highly recommended that you re-take and wait for R-2. Give you best shot. No matter even if your GMAT score improvement is not as expected because on a flip side it would also show that you act upon the advice and have shown your resilience when the situation challenged you. Some of the qualities of a business leader. I was recently browsing videos of Ross Business School, University of Michigan on youtube and the director of admissions, Soojin Kwon exactly echoed the above. Sometimes it is not just about the end results but the choices you made. Good luck!

Here is the link of the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp3ROa8G4Es
(She is awesome! You may end up watching all her videos)

That's very informative...thanks for sharing!!

Sent from my A0001 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app

Hello, I am Mohit (Age-32). Kindly review my profile for ISB Application.
I got 690 Score( Q-50, V-33) in GMAT (second attempt). I have 7 years of work experience in Production Planning and Control department in Steel industry. I am M TECH in chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay (CGPA - 8.3) & B E in Chemical Engg. from VNSGU, Surat (65% aggregate). 12th - 64% & 10th - 84.5%.
Have founded a start up in K-12 Education system which provides practical learning approach to children (involved with job in the venture for 4 years).

I think 690 is a decent score. With the amount of experience you possess, I do not think ISB will reject you because of your GMAT score. Focus on the building a strong application - focus on your short term, mid term and long term goals, there shouldn't a logical disconnect in the flow. If you can take care of this, I think you will get an interview call.

For the first essay, speak about an unique experience from your work life (or personal life) which you feel sets you apart. Give credible examples, backed by facts.

3 major areas of focus:

Academic analytics, including GMAT, GPA, and exam scores
Leadership ability, including promotions at work and involvement in extracurricular activities
Personal interview used to assess a candidate’s communication skills and presence

Acceptance rate around 22%

4 major pools: P1, P2, P3, and P4

P3: The single best category to fall into is P3 meant for the very top of the applicant pool. A P3 is rejected only if there is a significant reason to reject.” In other words, pretty much every applicant designed a P3 gets the chance to interview, and these applications are read once

Creamy layer of applicants
High GMAT, impressive all-round profile

P4: is the reverse of P3. It’s someone with a weak GMAT from a weaker school. We still read those applications because sometimes we get some interesting sparks.” But generally the applicants who fall into the P4 pile are not going to get an invite to the school.

Weak GMAT & UG school
Average profile
Need an extraordinary spike to make it

P1: totally diverse people. candidates who are outside that mainstream so that the class can be more diverse. P1 candidates have the next best chance to get into ISB because of its formidable challenge to craft a diverse class from largely only Indian applicants, the majority of whom have engineering backgrounds

Totally diverse candidates
Unconventional professional experiences
Next best chance to make it


P2: the largest category. IT Male Engineers working in technology and software companies.

Most common pool with majority applicants
Dominated by IT & Engg background
Would have to showcase a unique story

Acceptance Preference:
P3 > P1 > P2 > P4

Applicants:
P2 (2000) > P3 (1000) > P1 (500) > P4 (300)
(54% , 26% , 13% , 7%)

All short-listed candidates are interviewed–roughly one in every two and one-half applicants. The interviews last about half an hour “happens in ‘discussion’ mode around competence of the candidate,” says Menon. “The overall weight for interviews would be close to the GMAT.”

Will not be a negative sign at all. Note that ISB's GRE range was 315-334 for last year, with an average of 323. If you can get close to 320 you should have a decent chance with a strong app.

Women in manufacturing are under-represented at ISB admissions, so you will have the diversity factor going for you. There are folks we see every year who make it with scores of 640-670, but we would still recommend that you raise your score by at least 20 points. In case you cannot do so for R1, there is no harm at all in applying in R2 with a higher score.

What is the conversion rate of R1 vs R2? Also can an applicant be wait listed in R1 and then selected in R2?

This article will help you: https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2013 ... dmissions/

Thanks a lot for the motivation!

[quote="souvik101990"]The first cycle deadline is Oct 15 2017. Are any of you guys reapplying?


I am reapplying.
Could you give profile assessment for the same?

GMAT: 700 (Q49 V35)
B.tech : 72% (Mechanical Engineer)
12th : 85%
10th : 85%

Work Experience: Total 5 years in Automotive R&D (Bosch Ltd)
-Worked on emissions reduction technology and key development member for BS-VI technologies in India.

Improvements over last year's application:
- Got promotion
- More consequential leadership experience

NGO work: Average. (HelpAge India, Art of Living etc)

Extra Curricular: Decent
- Nonfiction author for a local magazine.
- Event Organizer for Art of Living
- Executed a flash mob on company campus

Why MBA?
Need to transition from product development to product management. Need to combine technical experience with business knowledge to reach product manager role.

Regards