Calling all ISB PGP Applicants: 2024 Intake Class of 2025

The essay topics were changed last year. This is the list of the essay prompts from 2023 (last admissions cycle) -

Essay 1 - Provide an honest portrayal of yourself, emphasizing your strengths and weaknesses. Highlight the key elements that have shaped your personal journey. Give relevant illustrations as needed. (400 words)

Essay 2 - Contemplate two distinct situations—one where you experienced success and another where you faced failure. Delve into the personal and interpersonal lessons you learned from these instances. (400 words max)

Essay 3 - Given your previous experience and future aspirations, how do you plan to use the PGP at ISB to fulfil your professional goals? Note: It is not necessary for you to write this essay. Please use this space only if there is something really significant that you would like us to know. (250 words max)

­Dear PGP aspirants
Are you thinking about applying to ISB but seek honest feedback on your profile’s strengths and areas for growth, potential career paths, and the best fit MBA programs?

Grab this opportunity for a complimentary consultation with me, Aanchal, Founder of MBAGuide Admissions Consulting (INSEAD Alumna and former INSEAD MBA Admissions Interviewer) to gain clarity on your career trajectory and the MBA options that are right for you.

After the free session you will have a better understanding of:
1. What you hope to gain from an MBA
2. Your career growth progression and what you can do more to improve
3. Prospective career pathways to explore
4. Time commitment and financial investment required for an MBA
5. Your strengths and weaknesses
6. Your readiness for the academic rigor of an MBA program
7. Ideal business schools based on your personality type, geography preference, and goals­

Sign Up Here- FEEDBACK SESSION

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

Inflation’s on the rise, interest rates are climbing, and who knows what geopolitical curveballs are coming our way? It’s enough to make anyone question the value of an MBA. But here’s the thing – with the right approach, these economic uncertainties can actually be your ticket to an even stronger MBA advantage.

Here’s what you need to keep your eye on:
1. ROI
2. Skill Sharpening for the New Landscape:
3. Flexibility
4. The Entrepreneurial Spark

Want to get a head start? Join us and a panel of experts for a free webinar on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 at 9:00 PM IST. We’ll be diving deeper into these trends and answering all your questions about navigating the MBA application process in today’s economic climate.​​​​​​​

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER​​​​​​​

Hi - does anyone have access to any good materials for Verbal section? Something like Manhattan Prep or any other?

Try Karishma - ANA prep

I applied for YLP this year as well as for last year. I got selected for Stage 2 last year, but apparently did not get selected even for R2 this year. Does anyone know the reason to it?

Ig it’s because you applied during round 2

I’m in the same boat

Aren’t the results supposed to be out today for ylp?

 

­Hey Sarthak! Sorry to hear about not getting selected. I think we can decode it if you give us little more information about your application and interviews. Also, what was the reason for not accepting the admit last year?

Btw, we have 40+ mentors from ISB and some of them are on ISB's admissions interview panel. Currently, we are running a campaign "Free ISB ding analysis" and you can book a call here. This call will be led by one of our mentors who is on ISB's admissions interview panel. In this call, we will delve deeper into your applications of both this year and last year, discuss your interview experiences and share detailed possible reasons for a ding. We will also discuss the action points for future applications (EEO can be an option if you are targeting ISB).

Checkout the profile of our mentors.

 

­Hi! Sorry to hear that you. Generally applying in R2 isn't the real reason, the chances maybe slightly less but a lot depends on other aspects such as interview, essays, goals, acads+GMAT, LOR. It's important to understand the possible reasons as it will help you build a better application or improve your interview experience. So, why don't you also go ahead and book "Free ISB ding analysis" through our campaign. This call will be led by one of our mentors who is on ISB's admissions interview panel. In this call, we will delve deeper into your applications of both this year and last year, discuss your interview experiences and share detailed possible reasons for a ding. We will also discuss the action points for future applications (EEO can be an option if you are are graduating this year are targeting ISB, if you will be ).

Checkout the profile of our mentors.

We should not apply in 2nd round?

 

­
sarthakjain02 The admissions committee likely felt you didn't adequately address the weak areas of your profile. Not being able to show an awareness of your weaknesses is often why applicants see indifference from the adcoms in reapplications. Another reason could be the lack of significant improvement since your last application, leading the committee to pass on an invitation. Feel free to connect for a detailed analysis of your profile.

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

 ­

Thnaks for the reply. However, I got into last year Stage-1. Stage-2 was where I didn’t get selected further because of my GMAT score.

In stage-1 they ask for basic details like 10,12,graduation, extra curricular, awards, internships etc and an essay. Eveything was same as compared to last-year because these kind of details don’t change as they are a thing of the past. And I did clear stage-1 last year meaning it didn’t require a lot of changes right?


Profile:

Graduation: IIT Bombay
CGPA: 8.72
10th: 92.8
12th: 96.4
Job Offer: Management Consulting role at Nomura Research Institute
Interned at: Deloitte, Nomura, Sauce.vc, Indiabulls and Capri Loans
Extra Curriculars: Writing (Editor in students magazines), Debating.
Cleared Stage-1 last year with these as the basic details. Did’t get selected for Stage-2 this time.

­Hey! That's not true at all. It depends on your overall application, essays, acads+GMAT/GRE, LORs, and interview. Along with this, it also depends how well have you been able to articulate your jouney, goals etc. in both essays and interviews. When are you planning to apply?

Worried about a Low GMAT/GRE score?​​​​​​​

Join us for a webinar to discuss the importance of a GMAT/GRE Score in MBA Applications. You will get first-hand insights directly from our successful applicants who made it to Cambridge Judge & Rice Jones with a Low GRE score and GMAT waiver.

Speakers:
1. Anirukta Srivastava: Got into Cambridge Judge with 325 GRE & Scholarship.
2. Pooja Singh: Got into Rice Jones and John Hopkins with GMAT waiver and scholarship.

📅 May 30, 2024
🕘 11.30 AM ET | 9.00 PM IST

At the end of the session, get a sample optional essay to explain your Low GMAT/GRE score.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SESSION.​​​​​​​

 

­sarthakjain02
You have a very impressive profile, and I see lots of potential for the future. But that does not necessarily mean that the adcom thought you are ready to be handed another interview and admit just yet. You did not mention if you improved your GMAT and informed the adcom about it. And maybe the adcom wasn’t convinced with the nuances in the essay. It’s not possible to give you the exact reason like this, but understand that adcoms take into full consideration your future potential and where you stand currently to decide whether they can move you forward in the YLP process.

If they felt that you will do just fine applying directly to the PGP later with your strong credentials and lucrative professional opportunities ahead of you, but at this point, you have some area you need to focus on, they might have decided to pass on an invitation for stage 2 this time. This is not a reflection of your capabilities but rather a hint that they feel some deep introspection (and maturity) is required, perhaps around your objectives or other aspects. Deferred MBA programs have an aim to provide opportunities for candidates who want to explore diverse paths (or at least have a vision) beyond just climbing the corporate ladder. How you did in this area surely impacted the adcom’s perception of you.

Feel free to speak should you want professional advice

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

Thanks for the advise and the message Anchal. It means a lot!