ps25 Says

Guys whats the progress on your application? I haven't even started writing even one essay! :(

Why hurry, mate? Aren't you applying for 2014 like me?

While composing my essay, can I state incidents from personal life? Given that I had less than a previleged childhood and student life, can I mention these in my application? or is it strictly about professional accomplishments?

fantastic stuff, basu

Hello Shravan,
Uniqueness can be the diverse perspective or knowledge that you bring on the table. There can be many instances - say academically knowledge of finance , strong quantitative skills (ie which are not directly related to your field), or exceptional leadership skills thru community service or at work; from diversity perspective - say a unique experience, ex-ccr achievements - things that would make you stand out. Being from IT background - competition would be stiff - hence portraying your uniqueness through your essays would be essential.

The ultimate reason for this is peer learning - in class discussion or thru ELP or study groups. In my study group I have a doctor(who helps us with his healthcare knowledge), a senior IT consultant(he is our data / number cruncher and tells how IT helps in cost control), a manufacturing engg (he brings in knowledge about hi-tech engg and manufacturing industry). Another example, some of us are planning for an ELP with an online-sports retailer. There are people from sports background here in our batch (national level volleyball player, international golf player). Hence, having them the team would definitely help others understand the consumer perspective - say lifetime/tenure of a golf club to understand repeat purchase, or how many golf balls on average a player would need in a month. This diverse knowledge base becomes very imp in case analysis, assignments ELP. etc

Working in community service develops us in a well rounded manner - I am from non-profit background too. Good to hear that you are aligned towards this. It will definitely count - provided you can connect the dots in essays or showcase your learnings and leadership skills.

Hope this helps.
Warm Regards,
Basu.

thanks a ton, mate. I am going to work towards this now.

Keep visiting the thread, mate. We need all the help we can get from you guys

ps25 Says

Anybody from Pune applying this round? Do get in touch.

Hi mate,

I am from Pune. Want to meet up this saturday/sunday?

Regards,
Shravan

Hi Elbarto,
Admit decisions are made not just on profiles. It evaluates you holistically based on 4 parameters - academics, leadership background,work experience and diversity. Your academics and tenure of work experience is in synch with the ISB averages. You have to use the essays to showcase your diversity and leadership. Essays are an integral part and will be closely read. Since you belong to the IT pool - please expect to face stiff competition. In the next one year, perhaps you could focus on sharpening your uniqueness - be it specific knowledge or skills that would help the classroom discussion and your study group. Adcom would definitely make a note of that.

I would suggest you to work in an NGO only if it means something to you and not for the sake of application - else it might raise questions.

Warm Regards,
Basu.

Hi Basu,

Thanks for the reply. When you said "sharpening the uniqueness that will help in the classroom discussions or study groups", could you perhaps provide some example so that I can be clear on this front? It would help me massively.

I have joined the NGO well before I took my GMAT :). Also, being an animal lover, I have been lending a helping hand in some animal shelters for some time now. But animal shelter work counts for nothing, doesn't it?

Regards,
Shravan

Hi Basu,

Please let me know what I can do in the next one year to have a good chance of getting into ISB. This is my profile so far:

Work Ex: 5 years till date in a reputed IT company as software engineer. It will be 6 years by the time I apply next year.

10th: 88.83%
12th: 88.1%
Grad: 7.11 CGPA
G-MAT: 710 with 4.5 in AWA

I joined a well known NGO to serve for the next one year.

So please let me know how my profile is at the moment.

Thanks and regards,
Shravan

Hi Guys,

Please let me know what I can do in the next one year to have a good chance of getting into ISB. This is my profile so far:

Work Ex: 5 years till date in a reputed IT company as software engineer. It will be 6 years by the time I apply next year.

10th: 88.83%
12th: 88.1%
Grad: 7.11 CGPA
G-MAT: 710 with 4.5 in AWA

I joined an well known NGO to serve for the next one year.

Awaiting a quick reply :)

Cheers