Profile Review for ISB. International Work Ex, GRE 321

Question

Hello everyone, I need some advice regarding my profile and chances to get into ISB for 2026 intake.

Age - 28M 
 
Work Ex: 3 years and counting 
 
  2 years as a healthcare provider  
  0.5 years internship at a research institute in NYC.  
  Currently serving as a NYC public servant with oversight over all mayoral and non-mayoral agencies, liason between the City and Federal, State Dept of Labor; providing technical support and advisory services to NYC govt agencies. Also, participate in Union- Management meetings.
   
 Academics: 
 
  10th: 7.2 CGPA (CBSE)  
  12th: 76% (GSEB)  
  BDS (Dentistry): 65% - India  
  MPH (Public Health): 3.87 GPA - NYC, USA
   
 GRE: 321 (157Q, 164V) 
 TOEFL: 114 If it matters. 
 
Some other things of note: 
 
  Volunteering during COVID-19  
  Cleared UPSC Prelims (dunno if it's useful or not).
   
 Currently, my future goals are to prepare myself for consulting roles, sectors such as regulatory compliance, public policy but I am flexible. I also aim to return to India. Do you think I have a fair shot at ISB? 
 
I am also wondering if I should give GMAT to apply to more schools. Will giving GMAT make me more competitive for ISB or is 321 GRE enough for my profile? 
 
Thank you for your time. I appreciate it. I look forward to your comments which will be very helpful for me.

bhargavhhhhhhhh · Answer

Strengths:

Your MPH from the US with a high GPA and NYC government experience are excellent differentiators.

The transition from clinical healthcare to public service shows adaptability and a clear trajectory toward policy and consulting.

Volunteering during COVID and clearing UPSC Prelims definitely add weight—UPSC especially shows academic rigor and discipline.

GRE vs. GMAT: Your GRE score of 321 is solid and competitive for ISB, especially with 164 in Verbal. A GMAT might marginally boost your odds only if you believe you can score 700+ and want to apply to other schools too. But it's not necessary just for ISB, unless you feel you can significantly outperform your GRE.

Recommendations:

Be crystal clear about your transition goals: from public health/public policy to consulting—how ISB is the bridge.

Craft a powerful application that ties your diverse experiences together into a cohesive narrative.

Leverage your cross-sector impact and international exposure—they’re gold for ISB’s AdCom.

In short, yes, you absolutely have a fair shot at ISB for 2026. Best of luck—and feel free to reach out if you need help refining your story or essays!

GMATinsight · Answer

HI @ dhairya8889 Honestly, even though your GRE is good if you see any potential to improve it then I suggest that you should work on it. For an engineer, I would have said that 321 is not enough but since your background is non-traditional for Business schools so I believe that you have no downside. I see your work seems great however what's left is to decide whether you have a compelling story with goals in which MBA story fits well. I remember that a girl from similar background but more experience than yours made it to Cambridge and Oxford both. UPSC prelims doesn't matter to ISB so don't go that way where you have to reflect more on your failure than on achievements. I believe that you would be overall a good candidate and if taking GMAT is not much trouble then I won't stop you from taking that as a good GMAT score can only help you with the process. We do help with admission consulting and GMAT prep so in case you are seeking any professional assistance then I will be happy to take the discussion forward.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ucp.php?i=pm&mode=compose&action=quotepost&p=3561215

NextstopISB · Answer

I advice you to take GMAT, profile is good

Gmat750aspirant · Answer

Good profile for ISB, all the best.

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi dhairya8889 It's a breath of fresh air to read about your profile in a pool of seemingly homogenous candidates. Your American work experience is the highlight of your profile, and I want to take the liberty to say that if you did not have that, it would have been difficult to get noticed, so well done in making that conscious career call. If you want to get into consulting, you need to show utmost clarity about the kind of roles you would want to pursue, and it goes without saying that thorough research and understanding should come through clearly in your application and essays. Be very detailed about why certain organisations of interest would be willing to hire you, what specific skills and knowledge do you bring? If you have had a chance to engage with these organisations in any manner pre-MBA, definitely highlight that. I am somewhat concerned about your GRE score. Since you come from a non-quant background, the school may be concerned about your ability to do well in rigorous finance subjects. Even though ISB looks at the overall score, that isn't looking too great either. I would suggest a retake so you can pull it up to about a 327, which will keep you safe. ISB is reapplicant-friendly, but its better you cover the GRE issue in the first attempt. Wondering how your profile stacks up? Get a free profile evaluation and discuss a tailored MBA plan that aligns with your goals. Best wishes Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer) Founder, MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanchal-sahni-83b00819/ |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

dhairya8889 · Answer

Thank you for the comment and feedback. I will take care to apply your recommendations as I prepare my application. Appreciate it!

dhairya8889 · Answer

Hi, thank you for the comment and feedback. Also glad to learn that someone from similar background as me was able to make it in such prestigious schools like oxford and cambridge! I may reach out to you later when I begin the application process.

dhairya8889 · Answer

thank you for the feedback. appreciate it.

dhairya8889 · Answer

thank you for the kind words! appreciate it.

dhairya8889 · Answer

Hi Aanchal, thank you for the feedback regarding my profile!

I will ensure to present my future plans in full clarity. I will be honest, this is a big pivot for me so I am still learning about my options to achieve my goals, but that should be finalized sooner than later.

I understand the situation regarding my GRE score. However, even though I am from non-quant background I have significant quantitative data analysis experience (R,SPSS) from during my MPH and internship. Even in my current position we work with a lot of data, though it's not really a data analysis position, but part of my responsibilities include interpreting data, communicating our findings, and making policy for the government. I am open to retaking GRE but truth be told I am a bit rusty (gave GRE in 2022). Will these experiences showcase and strengthen the case for my quant abilities?

Thank you for your time again. Really appreciate it.

ISBeacon · Answer

Don't sell yourself short Dhairya. 321 is unlikely to take you places. Please consider re-preparing.

Just for your reference, the average GRE score for the current batch is 328/329.
--
Ashish.

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hello  dhairya8889 ,

Both GMAT and GRE work equally well. You should look at retaking the GRE as 321 is on the lower side and an improvement will definitely help boost your chances.

Hope this helps.

All the best!

AdmitScholar · Answer

Hey Dhairya,
Thanks for sharing such a detailed and thoughtful breakdown of your profile. Honestly, there’s a lot to like here—and your journey is genuinely unique, which can work in your favor if framed well.

You’ve had a really interesting trajectory—from dentistry in India to an MPH in NYC, and now working in the public sector with the NYC government. That kind of exposure, especially your current role where you’re interfacing with multiple government agencies and managing high-level coordination, is something very few applicants bring to the table. Add to that your goal of returning to India and pivoting into consulting or policy-related work—it all makes sense and feels purposeful.

A few things to think about as you prepare for ISB:

First, your GRE score of 321 is quite solid, especially paired with a 3.87 GPA from your master’s and a 114 TOEFL. That already tells the adcom you can handle academic rigor. Could a GMAT boost your chances? Maybe slightly, if you hit a 710+—but it’s not essential unless you’re applying to other global B-schools where the GMAT might carry more weight. For ISB alone, I’d say you’re fine with the GRE.

Now, the academic side from your undergrad (dentistry) is on the lower side, but you’ve done a great job compensating for that with your master’s performance. What matters more is how you tell your story. You’ve made a few career pivots, which is totally fine—as long as you clearly explain why each step happened and how it brought you to where you are today.

That’s going to be key: crafting a narrative that connects your healthcare foundation, your work in public health and government, and your interest in consulting and policy in India. Show them the  why  behind each decision, and where ISB fits into that bigger picture. Your UPSC prelims attempt, for example, can add a layer to your story about wanting to contribute to systems and institutions in India—it’s a nice subtle detail if you weave it in the right way.

And lastly, consulting as a post-ISB goal works well. Firms are increasingly looking for folks with domain expertise, especially in sectors like healthcare, government, and sustainability. Your background gives you a genuine edge—just be sure to highlight the skills you’ve built along the way: stakeholder management, strategic thinking, navigating complex systems, etc.

You’ve got a unique profile with international exposure, a clear impact focus, and a strong story—now it’s just about packaging it well.

If you’d like, we at  Admit Scholar  can help you shape that story in your essays and interviews, connect you with ISB alums who’ve made similar transitions, and help you think through whether applying to other schools with the GMAT makes sense for you. More than happy to support you through this!

Book A Free Consultation Call

admitStreet · Answer

dhairya8889 - Your work experience and international exposure present strong angles. Having said that, the score is on the lower side. I would suggest a retake (or switching to GMAT, if you're more comfortable there) to increase your odds. All the best! Regards, Arvind Founder, admitStreet | Request a free profile evaluation W: https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com | LinkedIn

FLY.reachout · Answer

Dear  dhairya8889 ,

One glance through your profile tells us that while your academic performance has been about average, one bright side we clearly see is that your  distinct specialization  will help you stand out, especially when a large portion of applicants come from an IT background. Your  international exposure  also adds solid weight to your profile and can be a strong differentiator.

Your profile certainly shines in the  work experience  section. The kind of roles you have taken up, especially in public service and your advisory responsibilities in New York City, indicate both depth and maturity. We do see potential to draw out  strong impact stories  in the application essays from this.

On  extracurriculars , we only have limited information based on what you have shared, so it is difficult to comment in detail. That said, highlighting what motivates you, and any activities that helped you develop certain qualities, will be a good value addition to your essays. Even something like  clearing the UPSC prelims  reflects discipline and intent and can be thoughtfully woven in, if it aligns with your story.

With regard to the  GRE score , while ISB does accept it, your current score of 321 is a bit on the lower side when compared to the median of successful admits, which typically lies around  325 to 330 . If you feel you had performed better in mocks and there is scope to improve, we would  recommend a reattempt . However, do keep in mind that  GMAT or GRE is just one part of the application , and we do see potential in your profile, with many strong elements and good avenues to bring out impactful narratives.

At  Team FLY , we are a collective of ISB alumni dedicated to supporting prospective MBA applicants with  profile positioning, essay reviews and interview preparation . We also regularly post videos on application guidance on our YouTube channel, and our latest video on ISB admissions essays can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZPE97krOHo 
For the first time ever, we are also offering a  50 percent value-back guarantee , keeping in mind our commitment to outcomes and to make our offerings more applicant-centric.

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

With warm regards,
  Team FLY 
  www.teamfly.org

AdmitExpert · Answer

Hello Dhairya,
You have a strong and differentiated profile for ISB. Your diverse experience—spanning healthcare, public health, and a current high-impact role in NYC’s government—combined with an MPH from the U.S. and international exposure, positions you well. While your undergrad and school academics are modest, your 3.87 GPA in the MPH and a GRE score of 321 (with a high verbal) can offset that.

Your goals in consulting and public policy align well with ISB’s strengths, especially with your intention to return to India. Your experience in advisory roles, stakeholder management, and public service, along with volunteering and even clearing UPSC prelims, adds further depth. The GRE score is a little on the lower side for ISB, and retaking the GRE or GMAT, if you feel you can significantly improve the score, can help. However, it is more important to have a compelling story and narrative that aligns with ISB's ideals, so we would recommend starting to build on that as well. It takes time to craft a strong application, irrespective of the test score.
For a free profile evaluation, you can contact our team.

ISBmantra · Answer

Hi  dhairya8889 ,

You have a very unique and diverse profile, Dentistry in India, MPH in the US, and now working with the NYC government in a regulatory/policy space. This mix will definitely help you stand out at ISB.
Your GRE 321 is within range and does not require you to take the GMAT separately. That said, if you can push your GRE to 325+, it will strengthen your chances significantly, given your diverse background. Feel free to reach out to ISBmantra for a free profile evaluation.

Contact ISBmantra

Best Wishes! 
 Team ISBmantra

🌐   https://www.isbmantra.com 
 📞 1800-1020-885

Profile Review for ISB. International Work Ex, GRE 321

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