I had my interview on the 2nd of Feb in Hyderabad.

The interview started 15minutes before time. The panel consisted of 3, one looked like a current student and remaining two were from Adcom.

They were looking at my essays and resume all the while. -

1. Explain what do you do - told them I'm a 6 Sigma Black Belt. Work as an internal consultant with Caterpillar work on various projects from Cost reductions, strategy to employee engagement improvements.
2. What are your 2 work related achievements - did that
3. Tell me have you applied 6 sigma in your life ? - told them how I maintain checklists for everything even for picking up by wallet, id, specs, etc when I leave for work, so that I dont forget anything - to this someone commented you are like Gajini - and then there were laughs all around.
4. Then they asked me about the 2 children I am sponsoring - how do I do it , which class they are in, etc
5. You have an excellent resume - why MBA .. - told them about my longterm goal and then about my short term goal and how MBA is a critical piece to take me there.
6. You are a fast mover in ur company, How will ISB take u to ur short term goal, why not ask for a horizontal switch.
7. How will you contribute to ISB -- I started with what all I have done so far - but they cut me short - they wanted to know in specific details.... told them about the recruitment, theater club and event management

That was it. Came out in 20 minutes. I had to write the essay later. The word that I got was 'Setback'

One suggestion to all future applicants... use a spare white sheet to write a draft essay and then transfer it to the main page. They give u enough time, so there is not much need to hurry. this will help u in avoiding any overwriting and scribbling.

Now I am waiting for the results. Any news on that anyone ?

vscid Says

is this the the essay that we write in the GMAT exam or is it there a separate essay we have to write at the time of application to ISB?

Its the essays u write while filling up the INDIVIDUAL application forms for the respective B schools.. No one will ask u a word about ur GMAT essays..

Sam

goldberg23684 Says

I was talking to a friend of mine and he was a passout from ISB last year and he said- expect to be grilled about your essays. Thats about it and he said its more like a personality based interview to see how well you fit into ISB. Kept harping on the essays though. Said, they would have scrutinized it inside out, so be ready to defend/justify everything you have written in it.

is this the the essay that we write in the GMAT exam or is it there a separate essay we have to write at the time of application to ISB?

Guys any idea when results will be out?

The waiting period is killing me and more so after the FT rankings

-------------

Called up the ISB office yesterday and they confirmed that results will be out on or before 15th Feb positively.

Best of luck to all candidates.

Just finished interviewing. Interview was on campus. Was kind of a historic moment today with ISB making it to the 20th rank on the FT rankings.

There was a huge party and I was invited too. After the dean's address I was summoned for my interview. (after writing that 100 word thingy)


There was a 2 member panel (both adcom). I walked them through my resume and told them about why I think I do a crucial job for my firm.

There were some questions on challenges I face in my job everyday.

Then came the most important question in the interview. Why do you want an MBA since you already are a Business Development Manager?

Luckily I had a good answer to that question. They seemed to agree in principle.

Then came my turn to ask them questions. The questions that I asked were relevant and ISB had the right answers to those.

Here goes nothing.

Impact of the Ranking:
1) Greater brand recognition worldwide (that was always a concern earlier vis a vis a global school)
2) Better leverage while negotiating salaries.

hi guys ..congratulations to al the ISB call getters.
I had a question regarding fee payments to ISB.

Do you have to pay the tution fee at one go or in installments?
this is very important for my financial planning...plz reply asap...

Quoting from the webstie.

"1) Can I pay the tuition fees in instalments?

Tuition fees can be paid in two instalments; however, the ISB allows a discount on fees paid one time in full. "

You can find this information in FAQ section.

I had my interview on 28th december, and the wait for the result is killing..

hi guys ..congratulations to al the ISB call getters.
I had a question regarding fee payments to ISB.

Do you have to pay the tution fee at one go or in installments?
this is very important for my financial planning...plz reply asap...

hi people,
i had my interview on 24th january at hyderabad.
the word was FISSION. 100 words on it.
there was a bit of confusion as to which panel should interview me. there were 2 panels. the interviewers in one panel knew the candidate they have to interview very well so they had to swap the candidates. so i went to panel 2 rather than panel 1. and i think because of this reason they didnot have much time to prepare about me. to frame particular questions related to my field.
interviewers asked me to go through my career and asked me i would go back to the UK after the course. i have given all open ended answers. i didnot want to commit myself at this stage and make my candidature too narrow for them to select me.
lets see what happens.
good luck to all

hi:-

my profile- 740/4.0, 5+ yrs of exp in IT services, good acads and extracurriculars.

i had my telephonic interview yesterday.

interviewers- luwalin d'souza (i guess i got the spelling correct), sandeep khurrana (alumni)

i was asked to talk on the word 'finicky'. i asked for its meaning and they said i should try to guess its meaning and talk if i wasnt sure what it means :). but they gave me another 'passion'. i believe i did pretty well there and got a good feedback from luwalin.

1. asked about the work i do - explained it
   
2. do you enjoy your job?
   
3. if you enjoy your current job then why mba?
   
4. what roles after mba? dream companies if any?
   
5. i had mentioned about the ngo's with whom i worked. asked me to describe my work there. what activities did you do in the last one year with them?
   
6. then asked questions about an accomplishment that i had mentioned in my application- explained it
   
7. asked questions regarding the issues that happened in sydney test (i had mentioned cricket big time in my app)
   
8. any questions for them. asked one and they answered it well

that's it. overall it went fine, but the only worrying factor is that it lasted only for 20 mins (definitely not more than that)

all the best for the folks who have their interview scheduled in the coming days.

thanks,
-venkat

Hi Ppl/..
It time for me to put my adventure as well..
My profile :- 760, Chem Engg, Decent EC, 3 yrs work ex.

Had my telephonic interview..
Called up on time..
Got Mr.Dsouza, Mr Madhavan, and some guy called Jospeh..
so it started with speaking on the "liablity" for a minute..
This I did..They seemed impressed ..

Then the questions ..
a) How did u go about organising a Rock show ? ( I had done this in my last yr at College)
b) Descrbe your experience at college..
c) Then asked me about my involvement with mentoring children..
d) then Madhavan asked in that I cam across as some body very driven and who seems to be taking a number of initiatives.. so what was it that drives me ...?
e) a few initiatives that didnt work..
f) Then they asked me about why MBA..and my long term goals.. Here i think I faltered a bit cos Dsouza then cross questioned on my long term idead and asked me if I was aware that my ideas were already fuctioning in Mumbai..and he seemed suprised that I didnt know it..
g) Then Joseph enters.. and asks me to take him thru my career path..
h) He seemed unconvinced because I had done my chem engg , did two internships - one at Chem factory and the other at an auditing house.. this was followed by working as a engineerin and marketing guy for two yrs and now as a manager at my current company that dealt in FMCG.. so he could see a clear focus... So I said that in every role, I was exposed to the marketing function, interacting with clients.. so the marketing thing was clear..
He seemed unconvinced..
h) Later Joseph questioned me about my first foundation course of CFA.. again the lack of focus was the main issue.. while I countered that by saying i was looking at diversity ..while the main thrust was marketing..
i) He asked me why would a marketing company hire me ? ..
..

Asked me if I had a few questions.. i asked a couple .. the last one dsouza answered by by sayin that the question was addresed to the wrong panel.. and my question was more likely to be aptly anwsered by some different panel..

There was nothing from the essays.. no market sizing.. I could not give them a concrete reason for an admit... they thought my working in diverse roles was a sign of improper career planing or lack of focus...


Guess.. I think that was my farewell ticket to ISB...
What a pity.. I really wanted to convert this one...

A few words of advise.. the extempore speaking holds a special significance in telephonic interviews cos this is your first impression and you will have to speak on it... so be prepared on that one.. practise..

Show a clear focus ...esp on the post ISB plans.. and if possible try to include a X-factor..something that will make you stand out... give them something concrete..

now the wait begins.. its like the fourth day of a 5 day testmatch and I need 400 runs and i have lost my top three batsmen..
hehe...

Cheers
Rascal

Hi guys....

I had my int'l intvw today....
i hink i dint go the way i wud have wanted...was very short 20mins, and the guy seemed uninterested...i cud hear only one guy ....joseph, no one else talked.

there was no cross questioning ...some of the ques asked were...

1. word: Passion.....
2. asked about my job
3. then he asked if ur job is going so good then y u want to go for an mba...
4. checked with one of my EC activity..
5. asked about myself...

thats was it....i replied to all the ques...but i think i was a litl nervous during the intvw...

guys from R1, please tell me if someone has still made it thru after an uninteresting interview...that was such short...

A short interview does not essentially mean a reject. Sometimes though the interviewer looks bored, he might actually be making a lot of mental notes. Dont lose heart. ATB.

Hi guys....

I had my int'l intvw today....
i hink i dint go the way i wud have wanted...was very short 20mins, and the guy seemed uninterested...i cud hear only one guy ....joseph, no one else talked.

there was no cross questioning ...some of the ques asked were...

1. word: Passion.....
2. asked about my job
3. then he asked if ur job is going so good then y u want to go for an mba...
4. checked with one of my EC activity..
5. asked about myself...

thats was it....i replied to all the ques...but i think i was a litl nervous during the intvw...

guys from R1, please tell me if someone has still made it thru after an uninteresting interview...that was such short...

Here are the questions they asked my husband

1. Asked to ..

Whoa! You and your husband are both applying to the ISB? Thats interesting. ATB to both of you guys.

Here are the questions they asked my husband

1. Asked to speak on the word " Recreation"
2. You have been an achiver throughout why do you want to do MBA now. A lot more questions on that.
3. If you are doing so well in your job then why an MBA?
4. Case study - estimate that market size the loan scheme for the Tata Nano. Hema said the analysis was pretty insightful
5. Question on one particular project which was listed as one of his achievements.
6. Question on US economy
7. What steps TCS was taking to combat that
8. Since you are doing so many things together, how do you manage your time?
9. Any questions

I think that was it. Again it was very thorough but with no purpose of grilling and stressing out the interviewee. In case I missed out something I will post it in a later mail.

One question I missed out from my interview : What differentiating factor I have and what makes me unique.

Hope this helps

Hi Guys,

I had my telephonic interview from the bay area yesterday. They gave me the same word "Ridiculous" and asked me to speak on it.
The rest of the questions were as follows:
1. You have portrayed yourself as a risk taker , what risks have you taken?
2. Do you always take risks ?
3. What drives you to always want to face challenges
4. Post ISB career goals (mine is entrepreneurship)
5. What kind of business? Details on that
6. Since you don't want to start business right after graduation what you want to do ?
7. How will be compete with other qualified students for a marketing role which are in demand (I think they ask the same question to everybody - they asked the same to my husband as well)?
8. What kind of different kinds of client communication you have had? Describe your experience of working in different client locations.
9. Have you even met with failure?
10. What did you learn from that? What steps did you take as a manager?
11. Any questions for us?

That was it. It wasn't a stress interview but they asked a lot of questions. I will post my husband's questions in a separate thread since he does not have a login here.

Last of all , a big thanks to this forum providing a lot of insight into the admission process.

Edited.......

Hi all,

had my isb interveiw at mumbai .

the interveiw panel consisted of amitesh sanjay and anuradha.

well, first i waited outside an empty interveiw room for say 10 minutes...

was wondering did they forget that there was one more candidate---was a bundle of nerves at that time .

voila ---first question so your are a reapplicant. were you not interveiwed the first time ??-yep.
asked what did i do at firm. u selll ctv?- i corrected him i told him i manage airconditioners-- could not convince them that there is more to work than sales.

how do u rate yurself at work-best
so what did u do at to turn around at work-- gave a detailed answer fro both turnaround at work.

lot of cross questioning here- but it was aimed to understand more what i do.

my hand movement were rapid but the content i spoke was relevant crystal clear.long answers.

all above questions were from sanjay.he seemed pleased now.

amitesh ow asked me-- about my essay on diversity- what observation had i made. he asked me please specify exact observation.........about customers.

i stated that with confidence.....amitesh than argued what i said is essentially wrong.They asked me if i agreed, i dodged it as i did not agree- but did not want to go into a deadlock. ??:

in my opinion there were more dyanamic factors at play...which i did put across but amitesh seemed unconvinced.hmmmmm
amitesh seemed an intresting guy.

i gave a lot of examples with propernouns.comparing geograpies and brands.

sanjay than said we are running short of time. which prompted me to make my answers crisper...:razz: i speak a lot.

what plans post isb...

i told them my plan- they asked me to aim lower and transition from sales to marketing will take time.

i answered why i aim higher and did not answer that the transition from sales and marketing has already begun that a big regret---i have more to my personality than mere sales, but the panel did not probe me at allllll...

If they reject me as MERELY a sales guy :tellme: i will be sad because actually i am much more ...


than ofcourse one questions from anuradha-- oops long answer again.

is there a formal process of passing on consumer insights when u leave your job- i said no process, but i personally did it when i left my last place- voluntarily and succesfully.- my personal example which i gave here may be out of place but the panel did not seemed bored.

that s it---

keeping my finger crossed- hope they dont reject me for a single dimension personality despite the fact that i am not.....

no question on gmat and acads-- SURPRISE

over all chill

folks just chill and go give your interveiw be yourself- because thats what they are looking for.

do mail me any queries.

Cheers

theapprentice Says

does anybody has a clue when wre the R2 results declared last yr...was it feb 15 or before that..if b4 then wat date did they start pouring in..

I remember someone answering this question somewhere. R2 results were out a week earlier last year. R1 results were out 3 days earlier this year..

does anybody has a clue when wre the R2 results declared last yr...was it feb 15 or before that..if b4 then wat date did they start pouring in..

Friends,
I am posting on this thread after quite a while.

I am a round 1 applicant for the session starting in Apr 2008 and was waitlisted after interview. Being a consistent performer, I was waitlisted in IIM Ahmedabad's PGPX too. :smile:

However I got an offer letter from IIM today and have made up my mind to skip ISB, even if my Waitlist here gets confirmed later.

I wish to thank everyone on this forum as I have benefitted immensely by being a participant here. Wishing all aspirants good luck as well.

regards,

hi, i am currently working as a doctor in the UK. I am selected for the interview for round 2. date is 24/1/08 at hyderabad.
How long do they take to give the results of the interview to tell me whether i am selected or not.
your help is much appreciated.
thank you

Hi researcher...the ISB site says that the expected date for Round 2 results is 15 Feb...although they announced the Round 1 results few days early than the expected date...all the best

hi mohith, my name is ramesh. i have a similar work experience as yours but mostly in the uk. do you have any quick advise based on your interview? my interview is on 24th January at hyderabad.

hi, i am currently working as a doctor in the UK. I am selected for the interview for round 2. date is 24/1/08 at hyderabad. my gmat score is 620 and my background is medical all throughout with 6 yrs experience, 2yrs in india and 4 years in the UK.
i would really appreciate if any doctor or any one for that matter currently in ISB to tell me what to expect in the interview and my chances of getting into ISB.
How long do they take to give the results of the interview to tell me whether i am selected or not.
your help is much appreciated.
thank you

reality_bytes Says

wow ...this estimation questions can be very tricky ...Can anyone tell whether you have to give nos. or percentages wud do...for example the percentage of who us spectacles in India is a figure I dont know ....say a probable 15-20 % ...how do we estimate ....

on this i dont think there is any standard ans...u just have to give the fig the int is asking for...in most cases its a number..

@

wow ...this estimation questions can be very tricky ...Can anyone tell whether you have to give nos. or percentages wud do...for example the percentage of who us spectacles in India is a figure I dont know ....say a probable 15-20 % ...how do we estimate ....

hi puys
had my int today @ blr...the interview was on expected lines...

started off with a 100 word essay on 'glorify'...wrote some stuff on india's T20 win & flimstars..looked a lot of crap but thts all i cud think off

then was called in for the int...thr wre 3 ppl...sanjay, jaishree from the adcom & a young lady called nirija shah (an alum most likely)

started off with my current job profile , why i had made a switch recenly & how mba fits into the scheme of themes...the first few min revolved arnd tht...

then the jayshree asked me why i wanted to come to isb..post isb goals...i told consulting.she said all 400 want the same thing..what will new will u bring to the table..i talked abt my strong acads & work-ex & how it will help..

sanjay asked me why i didnt go for MS or research..i had a gud reason for that...
finally since i mentioned consult as a post-isb career..they asked me a case study...

estimate the demand for glasses with an RFID kind of chip..i was a bit stumped since it isnt like the usual market size thing..but worked out a no basis some assumption..no of restaurants in 6 metros..req per restaurant...did the math & gave the no...

finished with me asking 2-3 question & then they said thank you...i said thank you..gave a nice smile to the young lady ( who was very pretty)..and game over!

the wait begins now!

cheers!
@

Hi all,

New to this site, and find it very useful....

I am scheduled for ISB interview in Bangalore on the 12th of Jan...basically reading up on the kind of prep needed for the interview...i understand the essays are the key to a successful interview...my profile goes like this....640 / 5...3 yrs work ex in Big 4 consulting, Acads - above 75% agg., extra curriculars - impressive...

A few questions, does anyone know how long it ll take for the results of R2 to be announced and what exactly is the diff between the kind of questions in R1 and R2. Some light wud help....and are the pre interview assessments examined during the interview?

All the best to all the interviewees and hope i can crack the panel.

Cheers,
Gurleen

Hey guys,I knw this has been discussed b4 somewhr, but m not able to locate it...How do u handle the "estimation" questions?What kind of ques r asked on estimation & the correct approach for the same....?Thanks for the help... waitin to c a reply....interviews on 16th Mumbai !ATB to all !

Hi Indelible!

Nope!

You don't need to carry any certificates... Just carry a pen (for essay), lot of self belief and a bit of attitude...

ATB

Hey Sailor,
Thanks for reply,the basics are with me ,lets see what happens on Tuesday.
Cheers

Hi Guys,
I want to clarify on one aspect. do we need to carry anything for the interview such as certificates etc?

Cheers

Hi Indelible!

Nope!

You don't need to carry any certificates... Just carry a pen (for essay), lot of self belief and a bit of attitude...

ATB

Sorry Guys, but i wont be able to make it.
all the best

Guys,
I am in too.
7 pm this evening!

see you thr,
Tar

Hi Guys,
I want to clarify on one aspect. do we need to carry anything for the interview such as certificates etc?

Cheers

Hi Bangalorians,

Once again I confirm the schedule for the meet:

Day: This saturday
Time: 7 pm
Place: MG Road in front of Cauvery Emporium.

Regards
Manoj

Guys,
I am in too.
7 pm this evening!

see you thr,
Tar

Hi Bangalore janta,in for today't meet. R2 interview on 11'th Jan , bangalore.

Hi All!

My Stats: M35/710/workex 11 yrs (Shipping / Upstream Oil Industry)
Had my interview in Delhi 16:00 hrs with Panel 3 Conducted by Director of admissions Mr. Ranga Rao and one Alum.

1. Cross checked my workex.
2. My change from Shipping to Upstream Oil Industry. Lots of cross questioning...
3. Why MBA
4. Oil and future of oil. Is the price USD 100/bbl justified. Price of Oil 1 yr from now. (If I knew I wud be running a Hedge fund...:) )
5. India energy reliance on imported oil, will India be self sufficient?
6. Alternate forms of energy for India.
7. Expectations after MBA. . (I said None.. Am not looking for job, I already have one, am looking for best education in India... ) Mr. Rao said that I am a candidate with Senior profile and in a very niche category, he will write my comment about job on my application. He then mutterred that one should know that ISB is not a magic wand ... at this point he checked himself and changed the topic...
8. Which companies do you think will value your experience and MBA... (Chevron, Shell....)
9. Any questions?

Overall very specific interview, nothing from essays.

Was kicking myself on leaving out my experience in reducing 'Carbon footprint' and other stuff related to Greenhouse gases and global warming...

Interview was very cool, both the interviewers showed a lot of interest and many a times they stopped me and asked to explain some technical terms, I even drew a diagram explaining the oil - water separation procedure.

Overall very interactive discussion rather than an Interview.

ATB to all.

Cheers

Hi Puys...

i understand i am a novice in this field, but i guess i have done enough research on ISB and its admission processes to write this post..

Lately i have been seeing a lot of anguish from people who have high Gmat scores and amazing work-ex who have not been called for an I/V or been rejected after an I/V

The primary reasons that i see are..

1) Some of you may have a high G-mat but a badly compiled essay

2) Some people may have glorified their essays which may be really far from reality. The Adcom guys are used to such practises and can get your real intention in the interview.

3) Finally, guys with great Gmat and amazing extra curr and wonderful work-ex, you are discounting the fact that there may be someone whos done one better than you... All applications are considered relatively. None of them on a stand alone basis.
That means your applications are weighed against others' app (with the same work-ex and gmat and blah blah blah), and the better one wins

Hey Mohit,

That sounds like a pretty cool interview.. I think you fared pretty well- based on what you have written here.. No need to fret.. 15th Feb wil tell it all..

Just one advice- There are certain questions (what I like to call the TEMPLATE type questions), like Why MBA, How do u manage your Hospital, and more questions about ur hospital again- because u an MBBS with a private practise.. It will be a good idea to write down the asnwers to these questions.. There is no diplomatic right or wrong answers.. But just jot down the points that you think you should touch upon or would surely like to tell them.. This will help you remember those points during the actual interview and u wont have to fish for words.. and it also makes you look more confident and prepared..

The only flaw i cud see in ur interview was that u sound like u were not prepared for it..

But overal i think it was good and u have no coz for worry..

ATB.. Keep us posted..

Sam

Hi puys

this is mohit.

i had my interview on 3rd jan 9:40 am.

I have gained a lot from this forum and would like to give back something. This is my interview experience. I will try to be as thorough as possible.

Background:
Age 32 yrs
10th 65.5%
12th 70.8%
mbbs 2001 55.6%
6 years medical work ex including 1 year in UK.
various international medical certifications
Presently working in my 25 bedded home hospital.
GMAT 690/3.5

I reached the centre (sheraton hotel new delhi) at 8:45 am. There was one other candidate waiting at the centre, whose interview was at 9 am.
At around 9:20 am, a person walked in and sat down next to me. We greeted each other and I found out that he was Dr. Rakesh, an alumni who would be taking my interview. We started discussing the present plight of doctors in UK.
9:25 am: 100 word essay on word: ERUDITE.
I had no clue what the word meant. I requested Dr. Rakesh if I could exchange the word for some other. He asked the person distributing the papers for another word. Since it could not be changed, he offered to help me with the meaning. He offered me his laptop to check the meaning on dictionary.com. By that time, I had already checked it on the computer in front of me.(it was a computer centre where we were sitting). I thanked him and i proceeded with the essay for about 10-12 minutes.

9:40 am: was taken to the 7th floor for the interview. This was Panel 3.
I was greeted by Mr. Ranga Rao. I was a little nervous on seeing him and blurted out "Dean of ISB?". He promptly corrected me that he was the director of admissions.
We shook hands and we took our seats.
2 people on interview panel: Mr. Ranga Rao and Dr. Rakesh.

It was a formal discussion and so it is difficult to write what were the exact questions but I will try.
1. How MBA?
2. What are the problems faced at your small nursing home?
I was at a loss at this question as the problems we face in a small hospital are very different from any other industry and I had not prepared a diplomatic answer to this question. I said that "I am not sure how appropriate the answer is at the isb table but major problems are with workers and with patients not wanting to pay, even if they have the ability to pay"
I just hope they do not take unkindly to this.
3. How do I know that a patient will pay or not??
Again, I did not have a diplomatic answer to this question but muddled through somehow.
4. I see one of your recommendations from Dr. XYZ. Why did you join that organisation and leave your own for 8 months. I told them of what I had learned in UK and in this corporate hospital and discussed evidence based medicine.
5. why did u go to UK and not the USA for higher studies?
6. why did u come back from UK?
7. Tell us your life story. ( this was asked at this juncture of interview)
8. Dr. Rakesh then told me that doctors are individualistic and egotistical and not good team players. How do I fit in?
I told them honestly that was true of me till 2003, when I went to UK and faced a lot of problems. A british doctor literally spoon fed me into the team working arena and that I am really thankful to him.
9. How do I perceive individualistic attitude? a bane or boon?
I could have answered this question a lot better if i had about 2 minutes to think. I was not very convincing.
I know that these interviewers are very observative and intelligent people and so I told them the truth. Lets hope they take it at face value.
10. I asked 1s question as to how they place doctors.
11. I ask 2nd question as to how to contact dr. harsha, a doctor who had practised medicine for 3 years before joining isb. I was provided with the contact details.
12. we shook hands and they wished me ATB.
13. I left the centre. at 10:22 am

Total interview time : 40 minutes.

This was my first interview outside of medicine. I am not sure how i did on this occasion and would like any inputs from the seniors.
The feeling that I could have done better is an understatement. Even I am not convinced with my own answers in Q2 and Q3.

Please feel free to give me constructive criticism so that I can improve my performance.

Thank you all.

Mohit