[Admissions@ISB]

Originally Posted by Prahlad Singh

Dear Sir,
I want to know will ISB be helpful for me in switching over my carrier to management. I am presently having a work experience in operation and maintenance of Oil tankers (merchant navy) as a senior watch keeping engineer. I have been doing my own trading business till I got into merchant navy. I have done extremely well in my professional life then compared to my academics. My experience in years is as mentioned below.
1) Computer hardware and scientific calculator trading—04years.
(This work I carried out while doing my BE)
2) Merchant Navy --------------------------------------04years.
(Fulltime after completion of graduation)
During vocation I help my family and friends in there business.

My academic achievement is as fallows.
10 Standard------54%
12 Standard------52%
BE ----------------62%

I have been awarded best team worker in my professional training at Singapore.
I have got a consistent promotion since I have stated working. Apart from good GMAT score what are the areas should I look into to apply for 2009-2010 batch.

Regards

Dear Prahlad,

Your business experience will not be considered as a full time work ex. So Work ex post your undergrad qualification will be taken into consideration.

You have to work on GMAT(higher) and essays before applying.(as you have an average academic record)
Regards
Ranga Rao

[Admissions@ISB]

Originally Posted by sikhoya

Hello Mr Rao
Many thanks for taking the time to respond to our numerous queries.

I'm an R1 Reject (application number 90402) and I respect the adcom's decision. However, I have sent an email asking for feedback on why my application was rejected, but haven't received a reply yet so I thought I'd use this forum to reach out to you.

I am giving a brief background on my application so that it will help you provide feedback on why I was rejected.

• I have projected myself as an entrepreneur. My website Welcome to SaheeDeals! Discounts & Deals in Hyderabad. Get the Best Deals in Hyderabad on cars. More products coming soon!! is in beta phase. It is about a website that offers city based discounts and deals on products like electronic goods, cars,etc. It also has a tool to allow users to buy products collaboratively. I am hoping to launch the website soon (within 1-2 months pending final talks with dealers).
• I have started a community project for the traffic in Hyderabad, which you may have seen if you pass through Cyber Towers in the morning (volunteers wear orange vests). Volunteers from IT companies in Hyderabad are getting involved in this initiative that aims to make the traffic better in the Hitech City area of Hyderabad. I was featured in the media for this initiative (The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Techies tackle traffic chaos) and CNN IBN wants to feature me as a Citizen Journalist and I am currently working with CNN IBN to create a reality show based on a "Which Indian city has the best traffic" theme (CNN IBN contacted me after Sep 15th after I left a msg on their website). My blog for this is : Hyderabad Traffic - Your chance to improve it!!
• I captain my company's cricket team and was captain of my school and college cricket team too.
• I have been involved in theater while in college.
• I received the Power of One award ( given to 2 employees globally every quarter) in my company .

My work ex : 3 years and 9 months as on April 2008. My GMAT score is 680 and 4.5 in the AWA writing assessments. Last year's average GMAT score in ISB was 710, so 680 is on the lower side and as I see it, the score is the only hitch in my application.

Even within my present company, I have played different roles, right from programming to project management to sales (my current role). So an applicant from IT with similar amount of experience would not have the kind of diverse experience that I have in traditional IT.

My post MBA goals are to either move into Product Management in an internet company like Amazon, Google, Microsoft or to start up my company in the internet space because I have tons of ideas that I'd like to implement. (please check Essay 2, I have listed an idea in that too)
The reason that I have written such an elaborate post is that re applicants have to display significant improvements when they apply the next time to ISB. I would like to know where I could show this improvement?



Looking forward to your reply.
Regards

Sameer Mehta

Dear Sameer,

It is not possible for me to feed you back basing on what you have written. The entire selection process is complex (An applicant has to satisfy several parameters before being short listed). I hope you understand this.
So, please show some patience and you can get your feedback in the month of May (provided you write to us).
Regards
Ranga Rao

[Admissions@ISB]

Originally Posted by vicksibm1

Dear Mr. Rao,

I am a new entrant to this forum and i must admit that this forum has been of great help to applicants. I appreciate you on your efforts to genuinely answer the concerns of some of the potential applicants.

Sir, i would be applying in R2 of ISB for the session 2008-09. I would appreciate if you could spend two minutes of your valuable time on my profile:

Age: 27 years
Education: 10th = 90%
12th = 82%
(Engineering) IIT Mumbai = CPI of 8.3/10 (Ranked 4th in the batch)
(MBA) FMS Delhi = 67%

Work Experience:
1) Worked with an MNC in the foods business in Delhi region as a management trainee for a period of 6 months.
2) Worked in family business for 3 years in the area of manufacturing.

Extra-Cirriculars:
Was actively involved in sports in college level in engineering. At MBA level was a member of various socieities in our college.

GMAT: 700

Sir, as you would gauge from my profile, i would be applying to do a second MBA to enhance my career options.

There are a few concerns as well.
1) I would like to pursue either management consulting or finance after ISB. Do we get enough opportunities.

2) How do companies and institute look at people with a second MBA degree.

3) Do R2 applicants stand a lesser chance (probabilistically speaking) of being called for interview and subsequently being admitted to the institute.

4) Can i talk to any alumnus of ISB with a similar profile of mine. Preferably one with a second MBA.

Thanks and Regards

Dear Vicks,

Let me offer my apologies for the delay in answering your question.

1) I would like to pursue either management consulting or finance after ISB. Do we get enough opportunities?

Yes, you get enough opportunities in ISB. It depends on your appetite (how much you can take?)

2) How do companies and institute look at people with a second MBA degree?

A second MBA can be for various reasons. As long as we see your aspirations valid we welcome you. Companies will gauge the value add from your 2nd MBA

3) Do R2 applicants stand a lesser chance (probabilistically speaking) of being called for interview and subsequently being admitted to the institute?

No.

4) Can i talk to any alumnus of ISB with a similar profile of mine. Preferably one with a second MBA.

Yes! You can write to us at admissions@isb.edu expressing your interest.
Regards
Ranga Rao

[Admissions@ISB]

Originally Posted by I.Narayana Rao

Sir,
Happy Vijaya Dasami
You might have missed my question due to high volume of traffic in this forum. Kindly answer my question as my problem is entirely different (I do not think you have encountered anybody with similar problem) and I need your guidance in this matter. Have you ever admitted one with such a handicap?

With best wishes,
Irrinki Narayana Rao

Dear N Rao,

Let me offer my apologies for the delay in my response.

We look into issues like these on a case to case basis. I don't remember having any such application so far.
Regards
Ranga Rao

[Admissions@ISB]

Originally Posted by madhu_s1

Sir,

My question: If so, I am wondering why you would not waitlist such R1 profiles instead of rejecting?

regards
Madhu

Dear Madhu,

We have kept few applicants in waiting list. However, If required (waiting list candidates not being enough) we we will also consider few rejected candidates.
Regards
Ranga Rao

[vasukarthik]

Sir,

Thank your very much for ypur patient approach in answering querries. I'm working with a major oil PSU, having experienced in operations and retail sales of petroleum products. I have put in 12 years in my company, working across 3 states.I think you get very few students from this sector

How do you rate the my job prospectus in petroleum retailing after the course at ISB. Do you get good placements in energy sector. , Isis it easy to shift my Industry. Kindly throw some light on the same.

V.K

[Admissions@ISB]

Originally Posted by harshRambles

Dear Mr. Ranga Rao,

I have been shortlisted for the interview. I am thankful to the ISB for giving me an opportunity.

I had talked about one of my entrepreneurial ideas in my application. But since then I am seeing greater potential in a different idea and have been researching that as well. Will my interviewers be concerned with how much I already know about the idea I proposed in my application and how I plan to implement it?

In the interview is the ISB more concerned about general personality, communication skills and behavior or are they looking for good answers to the behavioral questions or both?

Thanks a lot for your help!
Harsh

Dear Harsh,

My apologies for the delay in answering this question. Although your interview is finished I will go ahead and take this one as it might help other applicants.

The interviewers will be interested in every detail furnished by you in your application. You should prepare and do your home work before coming for an interview. Your career aspirations (how realistic are your aspirations? how much you know about them) are equally important. We would expect our prospective students to be matured enough to write well thought out aspirations.
Regards
Ranga Rao

[Admissions@ISB]

Originally Posted by jatanvij

Dear Mr. RaoI enrolled for my BCA from IGNOU in january 2001 but could not complete it due to professional and personal obligations.I completed it in December 2006 but I have been working since November 2003.Am I eligible for admission to ISB?regardsjatan

Dear Jatan,

All applicants should have two years of full time work experience post undergrad qualification. In your case your full time work ex will be counted only after your BCA graduation.

Regards
Ranga Rao

[Admissions@ISB]

Originally Posted by sinku_s

Hello Dr. RangaRao,

I am planning to take GMAT to be eligible to apply for ISB, Apr 2009 Session.
My profile is -

Work Ex:

• 5 yrs 4 mnths (as on Oct 2007) in IT (Top most Indian IT Company)
• 2 yrs international exposure
• started as Developer and now working as Project Lead
• has worked as designer, analyst, subject matter expert, technical lead, etc
• domain exp - Logistics and Finance

Academics -

• 10th - 68% (bihar board)
• 12th - 63% (bihar board)
• BE (CIVIL) - 76% from NIT (Distinction was in 68% only). 2nd topper in my branch.

Certification -

• IELTS
• Banking Security Compliance certification

Extra Curriculum - very less

I have excellent stint in client interface role and got appreciated also.
I want to change into Finance & Banking domain of any IT company or in IT of any Finance & Banking company in Consultancy role.
With this profile, what you think would be a good GMAT Score to secure a offer from ISB.
Also, there was a break of 3 yrs between completion of 12th and joining of BE. will that affect my candidature in any way?
Please advice, what I need to do to better my profile as I have time of around 1 year. Will it be good to switch company to get project manager role, though I am performing the same without the designation and I don't see, I am going to get that in next one year in my current company.

Thanks & Regards
Sinku

Dear Sinku,

1. A high GMAT is essential (May be close to our current average).
2. You have to give us an explanation what were you doing during that time. Why you had a gap of 3 years?
3. Don't change jobs for the sake of a B-school admission. Please plan and do things that inspire you the most.

Regards
Ranga Rao

[Admissions@ISB]

Originally Posted by vandana35

Sir,

I am a doctor working with a publi sector organisation for the past 9 years and have a GMAT score of 690, does ISB give opportunity for doctors to pursue a post grad in management and if they do what are the future prospects of doctors with an additional qualification in management?
Have any doctor already graduated from ISB?

Regards,
Dr Vandana

Dear Vandana

We have 9 doctors in the current batch. The interest for management programs from your industry is increasing. Careers for doctors post ISB have been discussed else where in this forum. Please look into them. You can write to admissions@isb.edu asking us to get you in touch with one of our doctor student/Alum. You can talk to them and get your queries answered.
Regards
Ranga Rao