Hey guys,

I too am applying to ISB this year. Got dinged last year and trying my luck again The threads mentioned by bornforyou and dhamby were getting a bit stale so this thread is a good initiative.. Time to recharge the batteries!

My profile -
GMAT - 780 & 6
Work Ex - (IT) 2+ years
Extra Currics - Decent
Acads - Average
Long term goal - Entrepreneurship

In many ways I'm glad I did not get through last year - The work exp I'm getting right now is invaluable

-- Anupam Jain

Gr8 Score! anupam
did you get i/v call last year?

Hey ppl...

im targeting Round 1 ISB.

GMAT : 710
Acads : decent
EC : some in college and some at work
work ex : 6 yrs with 3+ yrs of ppl management

Interested in Finance

ATB

Hi B4U,

Will appreciate if you can please answer my queries made in post #20.

Thanks,
Stigmatic

Hi Bornforyou,
I am going to apply to ISB in R1 this year. Have been following your posts for quite some time and have found them to be helpful.
I have started to think about the ISB essays for this year and am coming across a problem. The first essay asks you about how you will contribute to the diversity at ISB. Such questions generally need you to know the culture of the school well. For eg: Kellogg has a completely team-oriented and student run milieu. On the other hand, Chicago GSB emphasizes on "Challenge Everything" and "freedom to choose whatever you want" culture.
Unfortunately, not too much info is available on the culture at ISB. Could you please elaborate on the general culture at ISB?
Hope that this question doesnt sound too open-ended :-)

I do not know if I can give a tag-line like that. I would probably call it the "spirit of rising India" or "a finishing school to get you future ready". ISB is a young school and its culture is evolving. All I can see here is that every stakeholder(Students, Alums, Profs, visiting profs) are proud of their association with ISB. As someone suggested read ISB blogs, attend info sessions and if possible visit the school. I hope my answer is as open ended as your question !

Hi BFU !!

Im back to you with a couple of more queries -

1) I and a friend of mine launched an entrepreneurial venture and now have a full fledged IT services and product company running under us. He has been a good friend since my college days. So is it a good idea to get a recommendation letter from him as a superior along with whom I worked? Or will the adcom find it little unconvincing?

2) Does the adcom request a personal interview with the recommender? He has a got a foriegn slang and it is at times a little difficult to interpret. However he has good writing skills.

Your suggestions please..

-Ezo

I hope your entrepreneurial partner has more wordly experience than you and it manifests in terms of position or experience. Just so that the reco is not perceived to be rigged. AdCom may contact recommenders and they do understand that recommenders have diverse backgrounds. So don't worry about that.

Thanks Mate!
Wanted a name that rhymed with something like JLo. so got a EZo


I want to specialize in Strategy Consulting.
1. From my research, I see that ISB does not have a very special focus on SC unlike a few foriegn BSchools. Did my research miss anything?

2.I see BoozAllenHamilton and McKinsey on the list of the 2007 recruiters.But statistics do not show the number of recruitments made by these companies.
Any figures to give me an idea ?

-Ezo.

Specifically w.r.t to BoozAllen and McKinsey I have to go by memory trying to remember what I heard during the induction program. I think 2 got into Booz, around 10-15 into McK. And if strategic consulting is your focus ISB is definitely the place. The consulting club has 300 members. And there are many good firms that recruit like BCG, AT Kearney, Diamond and many more niche consulting firms. I think overall around 100-120 from Class of 2007 got into Consulting.

I am no BFU to give you an idea about the culture of ISB but try visiting the blogs of ISB students to get the real picture of the life @ ISB. "My Ramblings" of BFU is a good place to start.

That is just my 2 cents.

-Ezo

Hi BFU !!

Im back to you with a couple of more queries -

1) I and a friend of mine launched an entrepreneurial venture and now have a full fledged IT services and product company running under us. He has been a good friend since my college days. So is it a good idea to get a recommendation letter from him as a superior along with whom I worked? Or will the adcom find it little unconvincing?

2) Does the adcom request a personal interview with the recommender? He has a got a foriegn slang and it is at times a little difficult to interpret. However he has good writing skills.

Your suggestions please..

-Ezo

Hi Bornforyou,
I am going to apply to ISB in R1 this year. Have been following your posts for quite some time and have found them to be helpful.
I have started to think about the ISB essays for this year and am coming across a problem. The first essay asks you about how you will contribute to the diversity at ISB. Such questions generally need you to know the culture of the school well. For eg: Kellogg has a completely team-oriented and student run milieu. On the other hand, Chicago GSB emphasizes on "Challenge Everything" and "freedom to choose whatever you want" culture.
Unfortunately, not too much info is available on the culture at ISB. Could you please elaborate on the general culture at ISB?
Hope that this question doesnt sound too open-ended :-)

Hello junta,

Even I am applying to ISB in R1. My brief profile:

1. BE (Electronics). Mumbai Univ - 2005
2. Lots of extra currics during college days
3. Been working in a reputed IT firm since then
4. Got a good amount of extra currics at work place too
5. GMAT 750 (AWA 6)

Best of luck to all of us!!

Thanks Mate!
Wanted a name that rhymed with something like JLo. so got a EZo


I want to specialize in Strategy Consulting.
1. From my research, I see that ISB does not have a very special focus on SC unlike a few foriegn BSchools. Did my research miss anything?

2.I see BoozAllenHamilton and McKinsey on the list of the 2007 recruiters.But statistics do not show the number of recruitments made by these companies.
Any figures to give me an idea ?

-Ezo.

@mba_2008...My take is that the designation of the recommender does not matter so much. What matters is the fact that your relationship fits a professional context that the recommender knows you well enough. I donno if I wrote this anywhere before, there are questions like "Describe the sense of humour of the applicant?". More often than not it is a peer or the immediate boss or the one above who can comment on this well enough. A VP sitting several rungs above you may give u a reco but may not do justice to questions like these.
In the same vein also choose recommenders who not just support you but also know to pen down thoughts clearly. ATB !

bornforyou, thank you very much for your reply. That really helps!

Hi Bornforyou,

I believe the first essay this time is more or less similar to the one last year:

"What in your opinion makes you distinct from other applicants? How will that add value to the other students and ISB?"

in that both of them speak about the diversity factor. Please let me know if I am misisng something here?

Also, do reapplicants need to get their recos. again irrespective of the reco. questions changing or not?

Cheers,
Stigmatic

Hello all,

I'm planning on applying to ISB in R1. My profile:

Undergrad: IIT - CGPA: 6.5/10 - Mech. Engg.
Grad (MS): USA (above avg univ) - GPA: 4.0/4.0 - Mech. Engg.
Work-ex: 3 yrs, by Jun 2008
Area: R&D; division of a highly reputed automotive company in US
GMAT: 690

bornforyou: (1) I read, in one of the threads, your opinion on getting the evaluation from the current job rather than from the university professor. Since the company I'm working is pretty steep in hierarchy, I will not be able to get an evaluation from, say, a Vice President. Would it be o.k. if I get one evaluation from my direct supervisor (director), and another from a person two levels above me (a tech specialist)? I was inclined towards getting an evaluation from my professor (advisor) rather than not-so-high-in-position person from the company. Please give your opinion.
(2) Eventhough ISB website says that there is no minimum GMAT score, most of the people admitted to ISB last year seemed to have very high GMAT scores. Should I need to think about re-taking GMAT, given my current score?

Thanks!

And BTW I think your GMAT is good enough (as you have compensated with a 4/4 in MS and with an R&D; background). With good essays you have every reason to expect an interview call.

Hello all,

I'm planning on applying to ISB in R1. My profile:

Undergrad: IIT - CGPA: 6.5/10 - Mech. Engg.
Grad (MS): USA (above avg univ) - GPA: 4.0/4.0 - Mech. Engg.
Work-ex: 3 yrs, by Jun 2008
Area: R&D; division of a highly reputed automotive company in US
GMAT: 690

bornforyou: (1) I read, in one of the threads, your opinion on getting the evaluation from the current job rather than from the university professor. Since the company I'm working is pretty steep in hierarchy, I will not be able to get an evaluation from, say, a Vice President. Would it be o.k. if I get one evaluation from my direct supervisor (director), and another from a person two levels above me (a tech specialist)? I was inclined towards getting an evaluation from my professor (advisor) rather than not-so-high-in-position person from the company. Please give your opinion.
(2) Eventhough ISB website says that there is no minimum GMAT score, most of the people admitted to ISB last year seemed to have very high GMAT scores. Should I need to think about re-taking GMAT, given my current score?

Thanks!

@mba_2008...My take is that the designation of the recommender does not matter so much. What matters is the fact that your relationship fits a professional context that the recommender knows you well enough. I donno if I wrote this anywhere before, there are questions like "Describe the sense of humour of the applicant?". More often than not it is a peer or the immediate boss or the one above who can comment on this well enough. A VP sitting several rungs above you may give u a reco but may not do justice to questions like these.
In the same vein also choose recommenders who not just support you but also know to pen down thoughts clearly. ATB !

@ BornForYou ...
Pleaseeeee!!!.. Everybody kept telling me this funda and had my hopes soaring by leaps and bounds.

1st GMAT prep sans any preparation I scored a 720.
Every other prep scored like 750, 770 etc.
After a lot of hard work for 2 months , I was daydreaming about the 770 s.
Ended up with a 710.:(

So the point is your nerves on THE day weigh the same as your (equally important)preparation.

EZo.

Hey EvilZombie(Thats quite an id). You are absolutely right about holding your nerves during the test. So you should look at submitting sterling essays ! ATB

Hello all,

I'm planning on applying to ISB in R1. My profile:

Undergrad: IIT - CGPA: 6.5/10 - Mech. Engg.
Grad (MS): USA (above avg univ) - GPA: 4.0/4.0 - Mech. Engg.
Work-ex: 3 yrs, by Jun 2008
Area: R&D; division of a highly reputed automotive company in US
GMAT: 690

bornforyou: (1) I read, in one of the threads, your opinion on getting the evaluation from the current job rather than from the university professor. Since the company I'm working is pretty steep in hierarchy, I will not be able to get an evaluation from, say, a Vice President. Would it be o.k. if I get one evaluation from my direct supervisor (director), and another from a person two levels above me (a tech specialist)? I was inclined towards getting an evaluation from my professor (advisor) rather than not-so-high-in-position person from the company. Please give your opinion.
(2) Eventhough ISB website says that there is no minimum GMAT score, most of the people admitted to ISB last year seemed to have very high GMAT scores. Should I need to think about re-taking GMAT, given my current score?

Thanks!

Moi profile :

710/5 - Another IT engineer - 4 year work ex - decent extra curr - 3.5 GPA

@ BornForYou ...
Pleaseeeee!!!.. Everybody kept telling me this funda and had my hopes soaring by leaps and bounds.

1st GMAT prep sans any preparation I scored a 720.
Every other prep scored like 750, 770 etc.
After a lot of hard work for 2 months , I was daydreaming about the 770 s.
Ended up with a 710.:(

So the point is your nerves on THE day weigh the same as your (equally important)preparation.

EZo.

Hi guys

Am also planning to apply for ISB this year

My profile

GMAT: 730 & 5
Experience: 3 years (Consulting at Big 4)
acads: Good
Extra-curricular: Decent

precious

Hi Puys,

Will be applying this year to ISB...
am a re-applicant...couldnt make it last time

My profile -
GMAT - 730 & 4 (last time applied with a 680)
Work Ex - (IT) 3+ years
Extra Currics - Decent
Acads - Good
Plan to Major in Finance...

-K

Hey guys,

I too am applying to ISB this year. Got dinged last year and trying my luck again The threads mentioned by bornforyou and dhamby were getting a bit stale so this thread is a good initiative.. Time to recharge the batteries!

My profile -
GMAT - 780 & 6
Work Ex - (IT) 2+ years
Extra Currics - Decent
Acads - Average
Long term goal - Entrepreneurship

In many ways I'm glad I did not get through last year - The work exp I'm getting right now is invaluable

-- Anupam Jain

Do you mean you got ding with 780 GMAT? or 780 is improved GMAT?

Hi everyone,

well i am quite late in deciding to try for ISB 2008. I plan to join some classes for the same as wish to give the GMAT in october and apply for second cycle of ISB. It would be very nice if you could help me regarding which class should be better, have only known that IMS and TIME are good for GMAT. Pls advise. Also, anyone knows the difference between applying in the first cycle and the second?

thanks.

Before you decide to sit for coaching get a copy of the OG12 and take the diagnostic test. My thumb rule would be that you can get a final score that is 70-100 points more than your mock score without any prep (assuming dedicated self preparation for 2 months). Decide based on that.

Hi everyone,

well i am quite late in deciding to try for ISB 2008. I plan to join some classes for the same as wish to give the GMAT in october and apply for second cycle of ISB. It would be very nice if you could help me regarding which class should be better, have only known that IMS and TIME are good for GMAT. Pls advise. Also, anyone knows the difference between applying in the first cycle and the second?

thanks.

Mandeep

You may get the essays from ISB website. Once you start filling your application details. You may just copy it from there.

Hello Dear,

I am also interested in applying to ISB though i had an offer from HULT & Leavey B-School for this fall.

My Profile:
======
GMAT: 670
Exp: 3+ (IT-ERP)
Acads: Distinction (BE-Comp. Sci.)
Extra Curriculars: Decent

Do you have the essay questions and other stuff that is required for the application ??

Please share your comments !!

Hi

My name is Ashish Dhanuka


Glad to know of such a forum especially for ISB. My credentials are:

Chartered Accountant with nearly 5 years of work experience.
Presently working as Business Analyst with Satyam Computer Services Limited.

Worked with Companies like IGate, Dun & Bradstreet, Deutche Bank.
I am interested in majoring in Finance.

I am yet to take my GMAT. (Planning to take it by mid-August)

Just saw the application form.

I was initially looking at inputs for wriing the essays.

Cheers

Hi All,

We are having a PG GMAT MEET in Chennai on coming Sunday, 8th of July . A couple of admits from top schools and a few aspirants have already agreed to join in:smile:. Interested Chennai or nearby Puys can PM me or just visit and contribute to the forum.
http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/b-scho...s-chennai.html (PG GMAT meets - Chennai)

Cheers!
Sourabh

ISB Application has started for R1 2007-08. All the applicants can get together on this thread and we can have a discussion of what to and what not to include in each of the essays. The topics are: Progress in Life: ISB Essays, 2007-08 because essays form a very important component of admission in the ISB admission process.

1. The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB? (300 words max)

2. A million dollars or knighthood: what would you choose and why? (300 words max)

3. You have a new manager who has just joined your organisation. As a part of the handover, the outgoing manager is describing each person reporting to him. How do you think the outgoing manager will describe you to the incoming manager? (300 words max)

4. (Optional) Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. Please do not repeat information which has already been stated elsewhere in the application. You may use this to clarify any breaks in education/work, inform about any other item which you think has not been covered elsewhere etc. (300 words max)

ISB alum and current students can probably give their inputs so that we can benefit.

Hey guys,

I too am applying to ISB this year. Got dinged last year and trying my luck again The threads mentioned by bornforyou and dhamby were getting a bit stale so this thread is a good initiative.. Time to recharge the batteries!

My profile -
GMAT - 780 & 6
Work Ex - (IT) 2+ years
Extra Currics - Decent
Acads - Average
Long term goal - Entrepreneurship

In many ways I'm glad I did not get through last year - The work exp I'm getting right now is invaluable

-- Anupam Jain

Dhamby..Good initiative starting the thread for this year. I'm a current student at ISB and I benefitted a lot from a similar thread last year. So keep it coming applicants. I'll chip in with info/thoughts from time to time.

Applicants may also want to read http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/b-school-discussions-mba-abroad/15252-aiming-for-isb.html

Hello Dear,

I am also interested in applying to ISB though i had an offer from HULT & Leavey B-School for this fall.

My Profile:
======
GMAT: 670
Exp: 3+ (IT-ERP)
Acads: Distinction (BE-Comp. Sci.)
Extra Curriculars: Decent

Do you have the essay questions and other stuff that is required for the application ??

Please share your comments !!