Ask Jyothi how she got into ISB

Talk to current MBA students about life in MBA programs (not for app advice/discussion)
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Ask Jyothi how she got into ISB

by beatthegmat » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:54 am
On Thursday, Dec. 16 at 10 AM Pacific, I'll be sitting down with Jyothi LIVE to ask her how she got into the Indian School of Business, one of the most competitive MBA programs in the world.

You'll be able to see this event here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/tv

I know that many people in our community are interested in this program--this is the perfect opportunity for you to ask your questions and get them answered by Jyothi herself, LIVE.

I'd like to build a list of questions now--can you please respond to this thread if you have a question for Jyothi?

Don't miss this event! https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/tv
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by The Jock » Thu Dec 09, 2010 6:19 pm
Hey Eric,

I have a question for Jyothi and it is a very simple question. My question is "Why ISB?" and why not some well known US or Europe schools?
I am also an Indian and ISB seems a good choice to me also(both in monetary terms and being in India). But I just want to know how Jyothi zeroed in on ISB and what was the critical factors for that.

Thanks in Advance.
Thanks and Regards,
Varun
https://mbayogi.wordpress.com/

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by BellTheGMAT » Thu Dec 09, 2010 8:17 pm
My questions to Jyothi are -

1) I understand the statistics must be well available at the ISB homepage, but I was unable to find. Hence, if you can let me know/ provide the link for -
- Mean and Median of GMAT scores of current batch
- Mean and median years of expr of current batch
- Rough estimate about Profile of selected candidates (along with GMAT score and cirriculum bckgrnd).
I know I am asking for too much of detail, but this would atleast help to reduce myth about selection process.

2) With IT background being the most common profile applyed to ISB in India, how much GMAT score would you rate as safe bet considering academics and cirriculum activites of the candidate to be average/ consistent. I know there are few with 650 score who do get admit, but they do have strong cirriculum to back them.... This relates with above question itself.

3) Did you zeroed in your specialisation before applying for ISB. Do let us know about your professional background and how to thought about/ convince the panel about your preferred specialisation.

4) Almost all colleges look for some "key aspects" in the candidates. What are the KPIs of ISB?

5) How would you differentiate IIMs vs ISB - course, and any other aspect. I think ISB do allow candidates with 3yrs+ expr, but for IIMs only 5+ are allowed....

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by bacchewar_prashant » Fri Dec 10, 2010 3:42 am
With IIM( Indian IT Male) background what is the competitive GMAT score for applying?

How much importance goes to extracurriculars?

Will stuff like community service be a plus?

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by mohamedakasamm » Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:02 am
Hi,

My question is about career switching. ISB course being an one year MBA (with no internship breaks) and the main chunk of employers being IT companies, what is the realistic chance of switching from IT to another stream (in specific, Operations) with ISB MBA?? In what ways the ISB course helps people to try that??

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by fibbonnaci » Sat Dec 11, 2010 1:43 am
Hi all, Thanks for those wonderful questions. I will answer each one separately.

@ The Jock- I want to venture out after ISB. My venture deals with indian fashion designers and traditional artisans. I wanted an Indian centric course focus with an International appeal. ISB was the only school that fit my bill. Also, as you mentioned, monetary benefits were an added plus. My Post MBA goal played a key role in selecting ISB as my choice of top B school

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by fibbonnaci » Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:02 pm
@BellTheGMAT:

1. Here is the link to the mean, median age, work exp etc- https://www.isb.edu/PGP/2011Profile.Shtml

2. Yeah, A person with 650 GMAT score and IT experience, needs to have a strong profile. But I do know a couple of my IT friends who applied to ISB with scores such as 740 and 760 and they didnt make it through! So from this, we can understand that there is no particular safe score. It all depends on your background, profile, essays etc. That being said, a higher GMAT score is always an added plus to prove your analytical prowess.

3. I have done my engineering in Biotechnology. After college, I started my own venture- a customized gifting solutions company that catered to corporate and individuals. My post MBA goal is in line with my venture experience. Since I had experience and skill in my post MBA goal, I could make the panel see my vision. I plan to specialize in entrepreneurship. It was a natural choice and hence the panel could understand why this specialization is important for my post MBA goal.

4. ISB produces the best managers of Asia. It is looking for candidates who can display leadership, confidence and maturity to fit the roles offered at the end of the course.

5. I have a 3 years work experience and hence IIM Executive MBA course did not fit into my options. I was very keen to join an Indian school that has significant international exposure. Some of the best professors in the world come to teach courses at ISB. The curriculum is line with international standards and is similar to any top US B school.

I hope I have answered all your questions..Feel free to revert back to me in case you have few more questions to ask.

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by fibbonnaci » Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:13 pm
@bacchewar_prashant:

There is no fixed competitive score for applying. your academics, work experience, projects handled, extra curriculars, GMAT all together decides your admit into ISB. There are no special brownie points for just excelling in extra curriculars alone. Your extra curriculars could be used to display certain qualities that your work experience cannot. In sum, you can show your overall sound profile that makes a perfect 'fit' to ISB.

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by nehagmat » Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:07 pm
hI Jyothi,

i wanted to enquire about ur prep brief,and how best to step up the quant score.any specific resources,tips would be of great help
M a medico with long time having touched maths.
the questions i see in OG not wha they appear on tests.

Neha

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by humblebee » Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:25 am
I noted in the class profile that there were about 30 non-indian passport holders. Just curious, what nationality are these people?

For example do you have any westerners or chinese?
wannabe business school consultant

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by skprocks » Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:27 pm
Jyothi, What was your answer to

1.Why MBA?
2.What are your Career Goals?
3.How will an ISB degree help you achieve them?
4.What are your short and long term career goals?
5.What was your GMAT score?
6.Will you sit for placements?

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??

by mbaroadie » Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:06 pm
??
Last edited by mbaroadie on Tue Sep 06, 2011 11:09 am, edited 1 time in total.

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by fibbonnaci » Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:43 pm
@mbaroadie:

1. The answer to this question would be NO! IIPM does not fit into my selection of schools and ISB is no comparison to IIPM!

2. I have worked with several qualified people and hence my recommenders were right in place for my applications. As for the writing recommendations on their behalf goes, I dont know anyone who would stoop to that level while applying for international B schools. I, for one, did not write my recommendations. My recommenders who are MIT and Harvard alum (and with whom I have worked) would not appreciate it either. I hope this answers your question and in case you are thinking about writing your own recommendations, I would strictly advise NO!! Admission committee can very easily see through your recommendations. I hope you dont try this, unless you want to take a chance with the school

3. Well, to a person who has never done community service and who is stubborn enough not to do it in future, my simple advice would be- dont mention about community service in your applications! There is no relevance for you to talk about community service in your applications. Highlight what you have achieved. And yes, I did talk about community service because I have taken couple of initiatives for the past 6 years. Highlighted few impactful ones in my essay

4. What ISB offers is a subjective question. To answer this, I ask this question to you- What do you want out of an MBA from ISB? The answer to the question will tell you what ISB offers other than the ones you have mentioned.

5. I dont represent the admission committee and cannot comment on whether CABM will help an applicant's candidature. I did not take any business management course. You could take a counseling session with the admission committee at ISB and ask them this question. They will be able to answer it!

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by varunmehta » Tue Dec 14, 2010 10:36 pm
Hi Jyoti,

I have Mining Engineering background but I would like to do my MBA in finance and post MBA work for a Investment Banking/Risk Management Firm in Energy Sector.
I would like to know How strong is ISB's MBA in Finance sector. What kind of job offers people recieve in finance function?

Secondly, Does ISB view career switching like mine as a negative?

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by neuronprats » Wed Dec 15, 2010 1:26 am
Hi Jyothi,

I am a medico who has applied to ISB and expecting an interview call.


What was the interview like ?
How long did it last ?
What did you wear for your interview ?
What were your interview questions ?


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