[roadtoisb]

FT.com / Global MBA 2009 - How the FT compiles its MBA league tables

Was going through the FT site. Found this interesting.
Thought would share it with you all.

[sunilmba2009]

Hi Puys,

Count me in a well.
I will be a re-applicant for 2011.

[rsb1982]

Originally Posted by thrust

Puys,

I am almost convinced that it is absolutely necessary to have a very good GMAT score to better your chances at ISB, or for that matter any 1 year Indian program, especially if you are an Indian IT Male with OK kinda acads and ECs. And this is not because ISB requires so, but just that the incoming applicants are too competitive and they have surely raised the bar. Last year, the GMAT Indian IT average at ISB was 730, this year I am guessing (~740-750) ?? I am thinking of a retry as well.

Anyone shares a similar feeling?

Thanks.

The GMAT has to be placed in context. As such, it only tells of your quant and verbal aptitude, not your achievements. If you have had other avenues to express yourself - work, academics, etc, something over 700 should suffice.

If you look at it statistically, there was not much difference between the average GMAT for accepted candidates and other applicants in R1 (if I remember, it was a 5-pt difference). So ISB isn't kidding when they say that they look at the _entire_ application.

Still, if you feel this was the stumbling block, go ahead and give the GMAT again, but then your aim should be to do substantially better. A 10-20 pt difference won't make much of a difference.

ATB

RSB

[rohit1551]

I see a few reapplicants already... a tough year of MBA apps ahead...
not sure though if i will be participating, but will support all puys anyways

[octavian]

Hiya,

This is the first post on Pagalguy although I have been following various threads for quite a while now...

I am seriously considering doing an MBA from the ISB...but the problm is I am not sure where 2 begin...

Well 2 begin with: my profile in brief -

Studied in a military school entire life...active participation in almost all sport events - cricket, football, volleyball, marathon, cycling, badminton, chess...etc
College - nothin much except football..and other non-sport events, quizes, etc...
was in NCC and have participated in Republic Day parade...representing a certain state...
10th - 87%
12th - 76%
B.Tech - 70%

Worked in insurance sector for few months...got bored....moved to IT..Infy, TCS...working as SAP consultant for BW and Planning...currently leading a team for both technologies...since past 1 yr...
have overall 3.5 yrs exp..would b having 4 yrs by the time I apply for R1...

Yet to give GMAT...actually yet to start preparing...

My gut feel is to apply for R2 of the ISB rounds...since I guess...for R1, adcom would have the liberty to reject you expecting better profiles to fill your positions...although by R2, that window of freedom with the adcom would be smaller..and we might just have a better chance...given the probability that almost equal level of selection persists in both rounds...as was last time...

My profile is a bit long....but any suggestions and inputs regarding my chances and how to better them for the best would be appreciated...

TIA
Octavian

[ChanchalKumari]

Hi all,
First I would like you to have a look on my profile:
10 - 82.6%
12- 78%
Schooling - Army Public School
B.E. (IT) - 70.14% (DCE)
Currently working in Perot Systems having 2.5 yrs of exp.
Has been awarded.
Co-Curricular activities not much.
But leaded a team and mentored some juniors but that too offline.
Involved in development work but also worked with business analyst team.

Please suggest where should I improve profilewise.

I have yet to start my GMAT prep, so please suggest some books for the same.

I am little bit weak in writing essays, so what should I do in this regard.

Waiting for your guidance.

Thanks.
Chanchal

[thrust]

Hi ChanchalKumari,

I applied this year to ISB and based on that experience, I think ISB has become much more competitive than previous years.

To improve your chances, you can:

1. Try to get a very good GMAT score - ~ 750 (because again you belong to the most competitive IT group of applicants)
2. Build up on your EC's if you can.
3. It goes without saying, you need to work hard on the essay's as well...

For GMAT preparation, please do refer the GMAT related threads on PG. Tons of useful information is available. I could have posted the link here but too lazy for that... . Use the Search and should be able to find it... All the Best...

Thanks.

[floyd_rose]

Originally Posted by ChanchalKumari

Hi all,
First I would like you to have a look on my profile:
10 - 82.6%
12- 78%
Schooling - Army Public School
B.E. (IT) - 70.14% (DCE)
Currently working in Perot Systems having 2.5 yrs of exp.
Has been awarded.
Co-Curricular activities not much.
But leaded a team and mentored some juniors but that too offline.
Involved in development work but also worked with business analyst team.

Please suggest where should I improve profilewise.

I have yet to start my GMAT prep, so please suggest some books for the same.

I am little bit weak in writing essays, so what should I do in this regard.

Waiting for your guidance.

Thanks.
Chanchal

Over the years i have observed few things pertaning to schools like ISB or other reputed international schools. GMAT score is not the only thing that puts you ahead. These schools are in search of people who have a well rounded personality. They would like to see your technical, analytical, behavioral, team building, leadership aspects, creative etc aspects. So, if you are planning o apply to these schools, you must involve yourself in activities other than related to your job. One way would be joining an NGO and actively contributing in it. This, for instance, covers your humanitarian aspect. I mean how you are and will be acceptable to the society. Improve upon your ECs if you can. I know it is not easy at this stage. But joining a community (not a social for this) or learning to play an instrument or contributing in your company (not technically). You must understand there would be a number of applicants who will have got a good score but when you can prove the above traits it will give you an edge. You must imagine the boost this all will give to your personality once you become an active part of this.

One more thing. If you are planning for something, analyze all the pros and cons associated with it. You must also ask "why i am doing this?". Once you are able to convince yourself, you wont have any problems facing the interview. And most importantly, try to infer the learnings out of your involvement in all the gatherings. Like playing for a band reflects your attitude towards team work.

In short, once you start tracing out the missing links you will enjoy your preparation for ISB or any other college and you will not have any problems while writing essays.

On how to prepare for GMAT, i would advise you to look for the GMAT Prep specific threads. They have loads of information. There is a GMAT Query thread at your disposal too.

All the best.

[ChanchalKumari]

I have been learning german language in my comp only, does this kind of activity will help me??

[floyd_rose]

Originally Posted by ChanchalKumari

I have been learning german language in my comp only, does this kind of activity will help me??

That may be considered as one of the activities. But then again the proficiency level in that matters once you have learnt it. Plus things like, how this is going to help you; is it a project requirement; how often you will be using it; what are your learnings from learning this language; will you able to teach german to starters in near future. In simple words, you must start believing in the fact that "everything happens for a reason".
Social work has a lot of weightage these days. They want to see you as a part of the society. Try joining that.
I hope you are understanding why all this is important. All this has to affect you.