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Hi,

I need yout help in evaluating my profile for ISB Hyderabad. Heres is a snapshot of my profile -

GMAT Score - 660: Quant - 48, Verbal - 34, AWA - 5.5.
I have 5 yrs of experiece is IT Systems (ERP, Business Intelligence) development and Support.
Eduction - BE (Computer Science, 2004), MBA (Marketing and Systems, 2006).

Pl help in understanding my chances to make it through ISB. Thanks a

Hi,

Following are a couple of the points you would need to look at for ISB:

1) Second MBA: You would need to really build up a strong case as to why you need a second MBA.
2) GMAT: Indian IT applicant pool is really competitive and hence a GMAT of 660 as a lower side. A score of 710+ would be a competitive score looking at your 5 yrs work experience.

You haven't mentioned your extra curricular activities or achievements at work that could set you apart as an individual so its not possible to comment on the realistic chances you have for ISB. However, with the given information it seems a bit of stretch.

Please feel free to reach out to us in case of any questions.

Hi,
I am an ISB aspirant. Please have a look at my profile and tell me what should I do for building my profile suitable for ISB apart from a high GMAT score. Btw I am planning to write GMAT this june.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My Details:--
X- 83.4%
XII- 72.2%
Grad- 81.8% (B.tech- Electrical engg.)

Work ex- 18 months
I am currently working at Infosys technologies Ltd. Have worked on 2 projects so far, one was based on Java and the 2nd one was based on Datawarehousing. Both these projects were for US clients in the Telecommunications Domain.
Have worked well here so far and have also received client appreciation in my current project for the impact analysis I have done.
I have also successfully completed Infy training which is one of the toughest training in the IT industry.
And have completed quite a few certifications in Retail domain and also Java.
_______________________________________
BTW in July, I would be joining Mu-Sigma, Bangalore as a 'Business Analyst'. It`s a leading analytics provider. So would go for a profile change i.e. from an IT background to the analytics/consulting field.


xtra curriculars:--
1)Part of the editorial board of the Infy magazine.
2) Part of the initiative called 'soliloquist' were I send daily mails comprising quizzes, words,etc. and have been appreciated for this. This club has grown to around 10000 members including overseas DCs.
3) Have organised inter DC events at Infosys, Chennai. Also actively involved in VoY (voice of youth) which is an HR initiative of Infosys where we organise events and also come up with innotive ways to make our DC better.
4) Have organized Fests in my college.
5) Also actively involved in the CSR wing of Infosys i.e. 'Sneham' where we help the disadvantaged. We have organised blood donation camps, organised weekly classes at nearby govt. schools,etc.
6) Have a keen interest in foreign languages. Have completed A1 level for both German and French.
7) Member of International Red cross society.

other achievements:--
1) Have won a scholarship of Rs.80000 from the 'Yogoda satsang society' for my graduation studies.
2) Have won certificates for my participation in science olympiads, green olympiad, ntse, etc.
3) Have completed A1 level for German and French from Goethe institute and Allianse network respectively.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now I want a career in Consulting. So plz tell me what should be my way ahead. I mean what more should I add to my profile? Should I do more community service, should I join an NGO?

Anyway, I would be applying next yr R1... by then my workex would be more than 2.5 yrs So just wanna make sure everything falls in place.
please help.

Thanks & Regards,
Sayan

Hi Sayan,

Its good that your know that you need a high GMAT score.
Its also good that you have made a move to analytics but it will still be bucketed into ITeS and you wont get a lot of "diverse background" brownie points.

Dont get into NGO and all because ISB discounts that as they know that aspirants join NGO just to get that on the profile. Its better if you can work on some business idea from scratch or join something part time. This venture should be something totally not related to your domain so as to make your profile multidimensional.

Also, though you have mentioned a lot of extra curriculars but all these are something which dont highlight a single or couple of strong attributes unless you project them in such a way.

Pick up a couple of these and work on these for next 1 yr so as to make a considerable achievement.

Hope that helps.

Hi,

Could you please evaluate my profile below and let me know of my chances of getting through ISB this year in round 1.

Indian/Female/25 years

Bachelor of Engineering (IT) : First Class with distinction
School Academics: Pretty strong with Distinctions all throughout and merit certificates at board level

Work Ex: Have been working in quality assurance for 3.8 years. Worked in various projects belonging to Insurance and Retail Domain with big clients. I have lead teams twice and now awaiting for Onsite Assignments, with an H1B visa.

Extra Curriculars:
1. I am a short filmmaker and have three-four movies to my credit, that I make in collaboration with various people.
2. Also working as an part time assistant director to other Film Directors.
3. Budding novelist and screenplay writer.
4. Classical Kathak and Western Dancer.
5. Won a lot of inter-school and inter-house elocution and impromptu debates competition both in Hindi and English.

GMAT Score : 690 (Quant- 49, Verbal-34,AWA-5.0)
Toefl Score: 119/120

Additional Attributes:
1. Have a strong army background as both and dad and elder sibling are in the army.
2. Good communication skills and presentation skills.
3. Good writing skills.
4. Out of the box thinking.
5. Adventurous and risk taking capability.

Please let me know what are my chances of getting through ISB if I apply this year for 2012 R1 applications. Also please let me know how can I make profile seem more impressive.

TIA

Hi TIA,

There are many strong elements in your profile which should be used strongly in the application.
So,despite an average GMAT score we see great chances. If you do even a little justice with your essays your should get an interview call atleast.

So, don't worry and start working on your essays. If you feel that you can get a 740+ on GMAT on the reattempt you can try that as you still have good 4 months for the R1 deadline. That will almost take you through. But even if you don't want to retake GMAT its OK.

You can get some essay tips here: https://www.goisb.com/ISB_essay_tips.php

Hope that helps.

Hey Thanks.... I am feeling quite positive and pumped up. I guess I would be working on my profile more now since I am already actively involved in that field and Also work on my essays. Thanks for the evaluation and the tips. Means a great deal to me.

Hello GoISB,

This is not exactly a profile evaluation question. Could you please tell me the appropriate time frame that we should keep aside to prepare a solid app ? I am asking this as I am planing to retake GMAT soon(stuck on 650(47/34) now); and hence want to fix a date. You mentioned we have a good 4 months left for R1 deadline. So when should we appropriately start preparing apps(essay etc) ?

I guess goisb is part of APPhelp ? I am in contact with one of ur reps already. But forgot to ask this question to him.

also I did apply to few colleges last year so my app work has to be started from say "10% ahead of scratch". At least some idea I have of how the whole thing works.

You can try finishing GMAT by July end or Aug first week. That will leave you with atleast a month for essays, LOR's and other stuff.

Hi could you evaluate my profile on prospective chances of making it through ISB:

26/Indian/IT/Male

690 in GMAT ( considering retaking by Aug first week)
Schools planning to apply(Majorly I am focusing on 1 year MBA) : NUS/ISB/INSEAD/AA

Currently working as Senior Engineer in Oracle. Working with teams in US and Germany. Earliest in my team to got promoted.

Education:
10th: 84%
12th: 82%
Graduation (B.tech in CS from Delhi College of Engineering) 71% ( top 15% of the class)

Extra Curricular:
1) Leading [email protected] Initiative at Work. Started Photography, Drama, Dance, Cycle, Go Green clubs.
2) Started my High School Alumni Club in current city
3) Founded " Sanskrit School" along with my grandfather in remote village. Currently 3rd batch is studying.( Caveat is I don't have any proof of me being the co-founder).
4) Was General Secretary of IEEE Chapter in my college. Also held position of financial controller during that time for same chapter. Awarded Best Volunteer all over Country by IEEE.
5) Started many EC clubs at college level like: Fine Arts, photography
6) One of the 7 members selected all over India for participating in ASES China.
7) Budding novelist, working on book, have completed it but not yet published.
8) Active blogger.

Hobbies:
1) Passionate about photography, Travelling( have visited many international destinations).
2) Avid football follower, played in college football team also.
3) Passionate about starting new initiatives and leading them to success
4) Theater enthusiast. Was founder of Drama club in college and established one at work place also.

Short Term Goals:
To work for sometime (around 2-3 years) in Management/IT Consulting firm in Asia-Pacific market.

Long Term Goal:
Shall start my own talent hunt firm to work from remote/ground up for people with less access to all resources. Have a plan on what to do, no business plan ready, wanting to learn more on that in B school.

Hi Gaurav,

Your profile looks balanced. GMAT is average and yes if you can retake and improve that will definitely help.

DCE is a decent brand name. Oracle on the resume will also help but just make sure that your profile doesnt sound too technical.

Focus on international exposure and extra currics. You can pick 2-3 and focus on that rather than mentioning a laundry list of extra currics.

So, your plan can be GMAT by Aug 15 and then 20-25 days for essays and recos. For sure apply in R1.

Hope this helps.

goISB Team

There are so many debates on this one.

Do we have a better(higher) chance if we apply in R1 ?

I had been to an Info Session of ISB where the Admission person said that ISB had offered admits to around 27% of their seats for C2012 in the First Round. Many candidates get waitlisted and are compared once again with those applying in R2 and final offers are sent out. They have a policy of not admitting over 50% of their seats in R1 but when I spoke with the Admission Person during the informal session, he said that around 30-35% of seats are given out generally by R1.

bblast wrote:There are so many debates on this one.

Do we have a better(higher) chance if we apply in R1 ?

This article will help you
https://blog.apphelp.co.in/2010/03/09/is ... s-round-2/

ISB last yr took very few students in R1 because they got very few applications ( given they shifted R1 deadline to 15 Aug last yr). Also we got to know that the quality of R1 apps last yr was not good.

ISB generally takes good number of applicants in R1 and chances are better in R1 as very few applicants apply.

goISB Team

bblast wrote:There are so many debates on this one.

Do we have a better(higher) chance if we apply in R1 ?

Hi bblast

After checking with the ad-com personally, I am writing this. "ISB does not have any reserve number of quota for the 2 rounds." Over the years it has been noticed that ISB receives almost equal number of applications every year and extend almost the same ratio of offers in the 2 rounds.

Your chances of getting in would not be better-off or worse-off by the choice of which round you apply in.

I hope this puts an end to all the debates flying around.

Best wishes for your preparations.

Cheers