What ISB MBA looks for in a candidate profile?

The ISB MBA (Indian School of Business) evolved from the need for a world-class business school in Asia. ISB, a top B-School globally, offers the acclaimed Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP), attracting corporate and academic leaders. ISB endows young businessmen with multidisciplinary perspectives and global exposure. Tailored program hones business skills via acclaimed curriculum, top faculty, and cutting-edge research for global perspective on evolving business.

ISB’s 12-month program in Hyderabad and Mohali caters to professionals with 2-20 years’ experience, nurturing leaders through innovative programs.

Review common yet crucial questions asked by ISB aspirants to craft your distinct strategy for approaching your ISB profile.

FAQS RELATED TO CANDIDATE PROFILE AT ISB BUSINESS SCHOOL

1) WHAT WOULD BE A SAFE/GOOD GMAT & GRE SCORE FOR ISB MBA?

GMAT/GRE scores are one of the most important aspects of a candidate’s overall profile.

ISB’s average GRE score is 320-325+ and GMAT is 710. For Indian/Asian applicants, aim for 730+ GMAT due to overrepresentation. Additionally, a strong overall profile is vital.

2) WHAT KIND OF SCHOLARSHIP CAN I EXPECT TO PURSUE ISB MBA?

ISB, like other top B-Schools, offers scholarships based on institution-defined criteria to eligible applicants. Moreover, the scholarships provided at ISB can be distributed according to the time at which it’s awarded. 

Merit waivers are based on overall scores. Scholarships vary from INR 5 Lakhs to full tuition. Need-Based waivers are from ISB and donors. Over 40 scholarships awarded. Criteria: family income below INR 12 Lakhs. Applicants submit essay and income proof. ISB Merit by Diversity enhances learning. Hence, to encourage students with diverse profiles ISB gives scholarships to up to 10 students for INR 5 Lakhs.

Scholarships given after the PGP admission offers are rolled out1) Bajaj Auto Scholar: Bajaj Auto sponsors three merit-based scholarships and the awardee is known as “Bajaj Auto Scholar”2) Jagannath Arora Scholarship: A need-based scholarship is sponsored by Neeraj Arora, an alumnus of the PGP Class of 2006 in the name of his father Mr. Jagannath Arora.3) Visiting faculty Scholarship: Awarded to an international student of the PGP program every year.4) Shapoorji Pallonji Tuition Grant: A need-based/merit-based tuition waiver to support the meritorious PGP students, every alternate year (Class of 2022, 2024, etc.) sponsored by Shapoorji Pallonji

Scholarships are given to graduating students of ISB

ISB’s Develop India Scholarship: The scholarship has been instituted by the b-school to help graduating students of ISB venturing into 

Social impact start-ups, 

Non-Profit / NGO 

Development sector or are returning back to PSU/Govt Sector.

3. MY CHANCES FOR ISB MBA IN PARTICULAR AND ALSO OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE MY PROFILE WITH POST-MBA GOALS: CONSULTING, STRATEGY, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT,  VC IN CONSUMER TECH, FINTECH.

First of all, let us divide your profile into three main components, namely

GMAT/GRE, GPA, Academic statistics, Certification & accolades  

Work experience, internships, and promotions

Extracurriculars, volunteering, and community services

Now after dividing your profile, you need to work through each part separately to try and find pros and cons in relation to previous batch profiles and mark yourself accordingly.

Moreover, always remember that each aspect of your profile is interconnected to the other. For example, if you have a bad overall GPA, you could fix it by backing them up with some substantial examples of leadership, decision-making, and analytical skills in your work tenure. Moreover, if you are short of leadership examples at your work, look for more examples of leadership in your ECAs, and community services.

Now since post-MBA goals vary from person to person, the process varies accordingly. For example, someone who wants to pursue a role in finance can go for CFA or FRM certification. Similarly, someone interested in product management must have a relatable experience either in project management or at some point must have a role in relation to product management.

These are some of the basic yet crucial points to ponder upon and then strategize your overall profile. Another important thing to remember is whenever you go through a career change, you need to give very strong reasons about why you think it was a good time for you to switch? What were your aims & aspirations regarding your career switch? Why did you choose this particular role? And finally, how would you link your past experiences and skill-set in diverse with your post-MBA goals? These are some of the crucial things one must keep in mind that would provide additional points for a well-rounded overall profile! 

4. ANY TIPS/ADVICE WHILE FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION/WRITING ESSAYS FOR ISB?

The most important tip could be to form a network of all the relevant aspects of your profile including your work experience, ECAs, academic & professional accolades, and post-MBA goals by connecting dots between them in your school essays to mesmerize the adcom. Moreover, try to incorporate every critical task or project led by you and even those ones where you played a massive role in making the project successful. Furthermore, it would help a lot if you are able to quantize your projects, especially for someone from a finance background, it could be a  game-changer!

5. I DON’T REALLY HAVE MUCH LEADERSHIP-RELATED STUFF AT MY WORK.

One thing you must keep in your mind is that ISB is a top B-School hence is no short of stellar profiles so you must strategize accordingly in order to book a seat in the MBA program. Characteristics of leadership are something that is a pre-requisite for someone who wants to be a global leader. Hence, it’s crucial that you present to the adcom with examples where you stepped up as a leader and handled a difficult situation. Now, for those with relatively low leadership opportunities at their work, it’s important to showcase similar characteristics of leadership through your ECAs, volunteering, and community services. It would be crucial for you to bank upon your leadership examples in your ECAs and mention all about your contribution, the challenges faced, leadership roles played, the impact generated as a leader, and the relevant actions taken at critical moments throughout your services! 

6. SHOULD I APPLY FOR EARLY ADMISSION TO THE PGP PROGRAM AT ISB IN 2022?

In my opinion, It’s always a good idea to use the Early admission for the PGP program at ISB to book your seat. The Early admit/Entry Option is a deferred admission offer to the ISB Post Graduate Programme in Management. The Early Entry Option allows recent graduates with less than 24 months of full-time work experience to secure admission to the ISB PGP. Candidates selected will secure a deferred admission and will be eligible to join the PGP upon completing at least 24 months of full-time work experience. However, since recent graduates are low or have less field experience, they need to bank on other profile elements and build an overall stellar profile.