@papgust, No I did not get my profile assessed before applying. Just applied.

An Assessment day is an integral part of the admission process at IESE and I too have never seen any other school with a more thorough selection process. The process is pretty serious in a way but really a great experience. I totally enjoyed it.
For more information on the event, visit this post that i wrote a few days back https://hariformba.blocked/2010/02/ ... f-mba.html

Guys, here is a PM that i received from Giorgio, who is a prospective applicant to the IESE Business school. I thought i would put my responses in this thread for the benefit of all.

Hello mate!

Congratulations with IESE acceptance!

I'd like to ask few questions regarding admission process, since IESE is one of my dream schools!

My profile :
Age: 23 at entrance
Nationality : Georgian
GMAT: 690
GPA: 2.63
Working experience :4 Year, My current position is Money Market and Liquidity Manager at largest Georgian bank.

As you can see my undergraduate GPA is very low , but the explanation for this is that I was employed full time during my 3rd and 4th year of studies. and an employment was full time and relevant ( Financial Specialist at HSBC Bank Georgia)

Since you were attending IESE events and saw many prospective students , what do you think how well may i fit to IESE MBA program?

In addition to that , I have raised a claim with GMAC regarding my 690 Score ( that was affected due to disturbances during my test) and I am sure that they will offer a free retake , so I hope to score around 720+ .

@Giorgio, Thank you for the message and for the wishes.

I think your GPA situation can be well understood by the adcom members as you have a very valid reason. Actually, they would appreciate your eagerness to work - being independent and your quest for practical knowledge to supplement your studies.

I think you GMAT score is pretty good compared to the applicant pool and i don't see a need why you should retake it - unless your scores are not balanced in both the Quant and verbal sections. Also due to the quantitative nature of your work in finance you can utilize your optional essay to offset your low GPA scores.

Your fit with the IESE school and the program is one thing i cannot judge upon, its for you to know. There are many ways to know the fit - talk to alumni, students and staff members. My experience with them has been extremely pleasant and i found that everyone was happy and readily willing to talk. As far as your professional experience goes its inline with the typical applicant. From the events i observed several bankers and financial analysts in the applicant pool. So it would be important for you to stand apart from them with your experiences. Talk about your personal life too in the essays, discuss your passions or hobbies. Let them know what kind of a person you are outside work. These will definitely be unique and will help you stand apart from the crowd of bankers.

Please feel free to ask any further questions and I'll be more than happy to give my views.

ATB

Hi HK, thanks for sharing your experience.
I'm hoping to get accepted in IESE myself. Right now I'm revising my essays for the nth time.
I'm aiming for the Apr19 deadline. Do you think it's too late already? I was rushing the application,
I decided to get the MBA November last year. I had less than 2 months to prepare for the GMAT.
got 640 as well, lower than I aimed for but I'm not planning to get another one since I don't have time already.
What do you think I should focus on my essays? I'm having a hard time honesty. too few words in the limit.

I am not the best person to tell you if its too late to apply. You might want to email the admissions office with this query. But since IESE has 2 more (if i'm not wrong) rounds of application, i still think you can make it.

Coming to your essays, yes i agree that they are short. But its a good way where you can eliminate all the unnecessary data/information and include only the aspects that are relevant to your application. I don't think 640 is a bad score. Heck, i got in with that score Just make sure you present yourself in the best possible way in your essays, and in your interview.

Best,
Hari

thanks Hari, I love your blog btw. Hope to meet you this september.

Hey thanks! So are you going to be joining IESE too or ESADE?

i just submitted my IESE application. IESE is my ONLY choice so fingers crossed. Hopefully I'll be lucky enough to meet you in Barcelona!

Hello,

Congrats to you! I like IESE as well. I spoke to a recruiter via phone. Like the overall mission of the school.

I do have some queries:

1. DO you feel IESE has a good career center? Are you planning on working in Europe after school?

2. How did you work out the living situation? That always concerned me, since I am an American.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Cheers,
Angie

congrats Hari. BTW thanks for sharing THE kit on your BLOG. Your admit shows way for those who got low gmat score.

IWillSurvive wrote:Hello,

Congrats to you! I like IESE as well. I spoke to a recruiter via phone. Like the overall mission of the school.

I do have some queries:

1. DO you feel IESE has a good career center? Are you planning on working in Europe after school?

2. How did you work out the living situation? That always concerned me, since I am an American.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Cheers,
Angie

Hi there, Please see my responses below:

1. DO you feel IESE has a good career center? Are you planning on working in Europe after school?

I think its career service center is pretty good. They host a lot of events and host a career forum which is one of the boggest of its kind in Europe. Many many recruiters participate in this forum which forms the major source of employement for Internships and full time jobs for the students. Yes I'm planning on working on Europe for some time post MBA.

2. How did you work out the living situation? That always concerned me, since I am an American.

Well if you are asking about the finances, then I'll be using my savings and will borrow some money from my father to cover the expenses. If your query is regarding the housing, then like almost all other students i'm planning to share a house or apartment with fellow students. There are many places and Barca seems to have many apartments for rent..

Hope this answers your questions.

Hello,

I do appreciate your answers!

This was always a bit of a concern (housing). However, after speaking face-to-face with a rep from ESADE, I was a little more relaxed. I know you can find a place almost anywhere.

My main concern, which never really gets mentioned, is the healthcare. If you could answer a question about that, I would be really grateful. Did you buy a healthcare plan separately? Are the hospitals/docs/etc. any good? I realize this is not a typical question, but I have had some experiences where I have needed medical care, and I know how important this is.

Thanks so much!

Hi everyone!

I have just applied to IESE for September 2010 intake, even if it is the last round and I am a bit late, I was told by an dmission officer that I could still apply for sep 10.

How long time does it take to recieve (or not) an pre-admission notification?

Actually I have also score 640 at gmat...

thanks for your help!

hey hari,
firstly congratulations... thats jus amazing....IESE is jus awesome
can i have ur email id...
im a complete fresher and want to know some details
so if ur free plz let me know
i shall contact you through email
thanks and congrats again
Sameer

hk wrote:thanks a lot money9111. Yup probably this is the month of acceptances! Many of my friends got in. Heres to all!

Hi Hari..I have been waitlisted at IESE after going through the interview and the assessment day...any idea about my chances? i feel a little strange to be waitlisted after an assessment day as peple are usually wait listed after an interview and then called for assessmen day.

hi Hari

firstly congrats on graduating. I saw the youtube video! I just have a few more questions, I know you may not check this blog in the near future but I thought I would give it a try anyways. I've got an interview with IESE shortly

okay I have very simple questions for you
1) what is your favourite class and why
2) what do you think makes your school set apart from other schools
3 ) whats your favourite part about the school
4)whats your least favourite part about the school
5) and if you had to describe the school's atmosphere and culture in 5 words what would they be?!
6) Favourite professor
7) where you happy?
Also what are they interview questions like? Are there a lot about general knowledge like the european crisis/fiscal crisis etc or is it mainly about you and the school and your goals. Is there any area I should specifically focus on when prepping you would say?