Profile evaluation for ISB

Hey there akhil247!

I hope you are doing well. ISB is a competitive program, but you have some strong points to highlight! Your GMAT score of 720 is fantastic! That definitely puts you in a good spot for ISB.  While your earlier academic record has some variation (9.2 CGPA in 10th, 84.50% in 12th, 73.97% in B.Tech), a strong explanation for the gap year (2017-2018) and a stellar GMAT score can help mitigate any concerns.

Four years of experience with a shift to data science in banking and finance is a great fit for ISB. Quantifying your achievements in both roles will showcase your impact and growth.

Having an MBA already (even if it was more theory-focused) demonstrates your interest in business education.  Highlight how this experience, combined with your data science expertise, positions you for a specific career goal at ISB.

Publishing research papers in data science is a strong plus!  While awards and NGO experience are great, your dedication to Jiu-Jitsu also demonstrates discipline and perseverance, qualities valued by ISB.

Your profile has a compelling mix of academics, relevant work experience, and a unique personal interest. To maximize your chances, crafting a strong application essay that explains the gap year, highlights your career goals, and showcases your unique story is key.

Want some personalized insights?  Our admissions experts would love to chat with you in a free profile evaluation call. They can offer a more detailed analysis of your fit for ISB and suggest specific strategies to strengthen your application. This free consultation can help you refine your application approach and increase your chances of admission. 

Click here to schedule your free profile evaluation call today at your convenience.

Email: hasan@mbaandbeyond.com

We look forward to connecting with you soon!


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Hey there sarthakbaijal!

I hope you are doing well. ISB has a competitive program, but you have a lot of interesting experiences to showcase!

Five years running your own consulting business is impressive, especially with a shift to a program management role in a global company.  Focus on quantifying the impact you made in both ventures to really highlight your leadership and problem-solving skills.

A 4.0 GPA is fantastic, and scoring in the 85th percentile on the GMAT FE is a good starting point.  While the Quant section might be a weaker area, your high Verbal and Data Insights scores balance it out.  Consider retaking the GMAT if you have time to potentially improve your Quant score and overall standing.

Targeting strategy consulting (MBB) aligns well with your experience and demonstrates clear career ambition.  Focus on how ISB can equip you with the specific skills and network to achieve these goals.

Toastmasters, public speaking engagements, and awards showcase your communication and leadership qualities.  Frame these experiences to demonstrate how they'll translate to success in an MBA program.

Your profile is well-rounded with a strong mix of entrepreneurial experience, global exposure, and leadership potential.  However, a higher GMAT score and a well-crafted essay that ties your experiences to your future goals could strengthen your application.

Our admissions experts would love to chat with you in a free profile evaluation call. They can provide a more detailed analysis of your fit for ISB and suggest specific strategies to make your application shine. This free consultation can help you refine your approach and increase your chances of landing that ISB admit!

Click here to schedule your free profile evaluation call today at your convenience.

Email: hasan@mbaandbeyond.com
We look forward to connecting with you soon!



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­Dear Bhagyaaggarwal,

Let's begin by acknowledging the strengths of your profile, which are quite evident from the data provided. Your consistent academic performance from 10th grade through to your engineering studies speaks volumes about your capability to thrive in the rigorous academic environment of the PGP program at ISB.

ISB places great value on diversity in work experience among its PGP students, and your tenure as an Operations Manager at Amazon adds a unique dimension to your application. Operations management lies at the core of e-commerce enterprises like Amazon, and your expertise positions you well for leadership roles within such companies, as well as in consulting—an observation drawn from our experience with ISB graduates' career trajectories.

Regarding areas for improvement, it's worth noting that your current GMAT score falls below the typical median score of ISB's student body. However, it's important to remember that scores are just one facet of the application process. Equally crucial is your ability to effectively convey your journey, aspirations, and how you intend to leverage the ISB experience to achieve your goals, particularly through your application essays.

We are genuinely eager to learn more about your profile and to assist you comprehensively throughout the application journey—from refining your essays to providing guidance pertaining to letters of recommendation and preparing for admission interviews.

At Team FLY, we are a collective of ISB alumni dedicated to supporting prospective ISB candidates with profile positioning, essay critiques, and interview preparations.

Please feel free to book a 15 min free session for a detailed discussion with us- https://calendly.com/reachusfly/15min

With warm regards,
Team Fly
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reachusfly/

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­Hello,

Can anyone please help me with a profile evaluation for applying to ISB.

Acads - 10th 78%, 12th 84% , Engineering 64% and previous MBA 2.71 (out of 4 CGPA) - was more like a Masters in Finance program

I have reasoning on why I'm going for second MBA - was having health issues during my engineering and could not concentrate on my Degree and MBA - had to travel back to home a lot during the time. Planning to learn once again. Have 4 certifications related to Investment banking and a PMP in project management .

Work Experience: Have 6 years of work experience till now - 3.5 years in Middle office Investment banking and 2.5 years as a consultant in a Big 4 company.

Previously have given GMAT in 2021 scored 730 (however, did not apply to any college). Will give GMAT once again this year.

I have good work experience and have worked with leadership (C-suite execs) and have diversified finance industy knowledge along with real time implementation of the said knowledge.

With my not so good looking grades, do I even stand a chance to aim for an admission at ISB or should I look for other business schools.

Can someone please suggest me whether I can target ISB - I do not want to waste another 3-4 months preparing for GMAT once again.

Thank you ­

 

­Hi! I feel your acads are decent and I have personally seen a lot of candidates get into ISB and IIM-A,B,C (one-year full-time programs) with even lower acads but a GMAT in the range of 700 to 730. So, yes you definitely stand a chance. You will have to come up with a solid reasoning for "why second MBA" and "how this MBA will help you with a career growth that you are looking for". This has to be articulated well in your essays and interviews (will be more like a deal breaker for you). You will definitely get an edge with IB experience and your certifications (again you will have to use your certifications to your advantage in essays and interviews). Ofcourse the leadership experience will come in handy as well.

To be honest, you don't really need to retake GMAT but if you have time on hand then go for it and aim for 750+ (equivalent to 705+ on new GMAT Focus Edition). GMAT Focus Edition may bring in a little bit of learning curve for you, so think about it wisely (if you haven't gone through the GMAT changes).

We have a 40+ mentors, out of which few mentors are on ISB admissions interview panels and also review ISB admissions essays (submitted by applicants). If you are interested in a thorough profile evaluation, then you schedule a complimentary profile evaluation call with them. In this call they will provide insights on how you can use your work experience, leadership experience, and certifications to your advantage in essays as well as interviews. Visit IvyCrackers to know more about our mentors.

Dear all!
I'm helping people with their profile evaluations, essays, application and interviews for ISB PGP Co'26. I'm a PGP Co'24 graduate and helped last year too, with people applying for Co'25. I know the struggles & stress of application and would love to help out wherever possible.
Please feel free to reach out to me. 
-Arvind

 

­Island7799 There are several nuances to the low GPA concerns affecting admission odds. I have written extensively on overcoming a low GPA in B school applications on this platform. You can see some of the tips on this link

Navigating the Challenge of a Low GPA in Your Application : The B-School Applications (gmatclub.com)


Specific to your case, I would say that sometimes schools, when they really like your profile, will take into consideration the circumstances that affected your performance in your undergrad and MBA. Needless to say, you must provide additional proofs to back your reasoning around your health issues and their impact on your grades. Since you already have a first Masters, the schools would look at your performance in the MBA courses to evaluate your academic orientation. Remember, the onus is on you to provide the schools with all the relevant materials they need to make a holistic judgment about your case. Don't expect them to revert with further questions and clarifications. Start preparing your case from now itself. You can specifically identify courses that adcoms would like to see you excel in and so you can pursue additional certifications for those areas from reputable online courses or business schools.

Every school has a slightly different methodology to evaluate candidates, so you must research what it is for your target schools. Talking specifically about ISB, I know that there is a weightage assigned to your college scores, and it would be hard to escape judgment on that. The other areas ISB will evaluate you on are the GMAT, your professional experience or career trajectory, and the interview performance if you reach that stage. You would have to maximize your scores in the other sections to offset the GPA evaluation. I like your career history and I see you have the potential. I encourage you to take your chance, but with good preparation. Reach out to me should you want advice one-on-one.

Get personalized advice tailored to your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. Reapplying? Get a free ding analysis

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alum, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting 
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­
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Hello,

  Coming to your questions as below:

1. With my not so good looking grades, do I even stand a chance to aim for an admission at ISB or should I look for other business schools.

Yes, you do stand a chance at ISB, it is not impossible. It also depends on what story you have to tell. However, you should definitely look at a mix of schools as well. It is absolutely required to keep your options open. There may be atleast 2 - 3 programs where you can achieve those, expand your research.

2. Can someone please suggest me whether I can target ISB - I do not want to waste another 3-4 months preparing for GMAT once again.

You can definitely target ISB with this score. Just confirm that you have a valid incentre test score as on the application deadline date. Go for the GMAT again only if you are on an uphill track with the score, otherwise straightaway focus on other aspects. It is not easy coming back to books after a few years, and thats ok.

It is imperative to focus on the story and the narrative for your applications. You do have a lot of explanations to give, while putting up a strong application. Its going to be a tightrope walk. If you think a slightly relatable story would help, check this ISB PGP admit story.

All the best!

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Hey there Island7799,

I hope you are doing good. Your profile looks good on the surface. Your 730 GMAT score is fantastic, exceeding ISB's average and demonstrating strong quantitative and analytical skills. However, the lower GPAs require addressing in your application. Be upfront about the health issues you faced during those programs and explain how you've overcome them and are fully committed to academic success now.

Speaking about your work experience, six years of experience, including 3.5 in middle office investment banking and 2.5 with a Big 4 consultancy, is impressive. This showcases a strong understanding of the financial industry and the ability to apply that knowledge practically. Having worked with C-suite executives is a valuable asset too. Highlight specific instances where you demonstrated leadership qualities or initiative in those interactions.

Your profile has a lot of strengths, particularly the GMAT score and work experience. While the lower GPAs require a compelling explanation, showcasing the reasons and your growth can mitigate concerns. The certifications in investment banking and project management demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, valued at ISB.

ISB is competitive, but you have a shot. 

Want some personalized insights?  Our admissions experts would love to chat with you in a free profile evaluation call. They can offer a more detailed analysis of your fit for ISB and suggest specific strategies to strengthen your application. This free consultation can help you refine your application approach and increase your chances of admission.

Click here to schedule your free profile evaluation call.

Email: hasan@mbaandbeyond.com


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­Dear Island7799,

I'd like to begin by emphasizing that ISB evaluates each application through multiple facets including the 'quality of work experience,' 'GMAT Score,' and 'Academics.' Typically, excelling in two of these aspects greatly enhances your chances of securing an interview shortlist, particularly if you can articulate your journey effectively in your essays.

Your work experience immediately stands out as a strong point. Your background in IB and Big 4 undoubtedly adds weight to your profile, and your early exposure to leadership sets you apart from many other applicants.

Regarding your GMAT score, it appears solid, and a reattempt may not be essential at this stage to strengthen your profile.

Turning to academics, I understand that personal reasons may have impacted your performance. It will be crucial to explain this effectively in your essays and during the interview process. Furthermore, elaborating on why you pursued your earlier master's in finance, how it contributed to your career development, the value of certifications obtained, and what additional benefits you anticipate gaining from the PGP at ISB to steer your career in the desired direction will be vital.

In summary, with well-crafted admission essays, we believe you still have a strong chance of securing an interview invite. We are genuinely eager to learn more about your profile and to assist you comprehensively throughout the application journey, from refining your essays to providing guidance on letters of recommendation and preparing for admission interviews.

At Team FLY, we are a collective of ISB alumni dedicated to supporting prospective ISB candidates with profile positioning, essay critiques, and interview preparations.

Please feel free to book a 15-minute free session for a detailed discussion with us: Calendly Link

Warm regards,

Team Fly LinkedIn: Reach Us Fly­

 

­Hello Island7799,

Thanks for writing in.

Your GMAT score looks good for ISB; of course, if you can improve it, you will have a greater edge; however, it does not need to be your top priority; in your case, the most crucial aspect is going to be how you explain your need for a second MBA; you should be candid and upfront about it. Rest, of course, it goes without saying that the essays will be very important.

All in all, there is a lot working for you and we feel ISB is worth a shot. 

The following video might prove to be of help in so far as the essays are concerned; while this is from last year, the broad theme will remain the same:



All the best!

­Hello there,

I am planning to apply for ISB this year for Co'26. Really appreciate experts' evaluation of my profile!

10th - 10/10 CGPA (CBSE) - 2015
12th - 92% (CBSE) - 2017
B.Tech - NIT Surat - 8.83/10 CGPA - 2017-2021
GMAT Focus - 675

Work Experience - 
16 months in Analytics/Pharma Consulting in ZS
15 months in Risk Management as a Risk Analyst in Amex - If relevant, got fast-track promoted

Past Internships -
Reliance Group - 2 internships in Pet-chem industry as well as in Jio

Achievements:
Multiple awards in both companies 
99+ percentile in JEE Mains (pretty old)
Governor Awardee in Bharat Scouts and Guides (pretty old)
Held positions of responsibility during college days and work

Extra-curriculars :
I like to read and learn what is relevant & beyond my work (technical or business knowledge upskilling)
I also like to read and learn about investing and finance.
I also love writing and watching movies and series.
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Hello ­gmatnil,
Outstanding academics and a just about right GMAT score (cohort mean). 

Petrochem internship to Analyst work experience needs some filling in. Since your internship seems irrelevant to your work experience, we would recommend not mentioning it. Whereas, the fact that you were fast-track promoted is definitely relevant. Do detail out the awards that you've won in your application for they are the "spikes" in your resume and application.

Governor awardee in S&G is a unique highlight, could be worth mentioning if that could help strengthen your profile - probably as a personality trait. The same goes with your college and work POR.

Your extra-curriculars need some quantification as it also helps you understand if that's worth highlighting. Reading about investing and finance can be connected to your during-ISB activities and post-ISB goals.

Overall, given that only 25% of the ISB cohort has under 3 years of work experience, it is highly recommended that you build an extremely strong application with crisp resume, powerful recommendation, and focused essays. If your total work experience crosses 3+ years by April 2025, then the odds of you getting in tremendously increase in your favour! 

At Team FLY, we are a collective of ISB alumni dedicated to supporting prospective ISB candidates with profile positioning, essay critiques, and interview preparations.

Please feel free to book a 15-minute free session for a detailed discussion with us: Calendly Link

Fly high!

Team Fly LinkedIn: Reach Us Fly

Hey there gmatnil

I hope you are doing well. Your profile looks good on the surface, and it's great to see you're aiming for the Co'26 cohort.

Your academic background is solid. Scoring a perfect 10/10 CGPA in 10th and a strong 92% in 12th showcases your academic foundation. The 8.83 CGPA from NIT Surat, a top engineering college, demonstrates consistent performance. While the 99th percentile in JEE Mains is impressive,  admissions focus more on recent scores like your GMAT. Your target score of 675 is within the ISB's average range. 

Your work experience is compelling. Switching from Analytics/Pharma Consulting in ZS to Risk Management at Amex highlights your adaptability and willingness to explore different areas of business. The fast-track promotion at Amex is definitely a feather in your cap and showcases your potential for leadership.

The internships at Reliance Group offer valuable industry exposure, particularly if you can tie them back to your career goals in your application essays. Achievements within both companies are fantastic, but be sure they showcase specific skills and results in your application.

While your extracurriculars demonstrate a love for learning and self-improvement, consider highlighting activities that showcase teamwork, leadership, or initiative.  Think about clubs you participated in, volunteer work, or any projects that demonstrate these qualities.

Overall, your profile is promising! To get a more in-depth analysis and personalized feedback, I highly recommend scheduling a free profile evaluation call with ISB alums and current students. They can provide invaluable insights based on their own experiences and give you specific pointers to strengthen your application.  

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A FREE PROFILE ANALYSIS SESSION WITH US.

Best of luck with your ISB journey!

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Hello Island7799

We understand that applying to business school is a significant
decision, and we appreciate your effort of reaching out to understand
your chances to get into the MBA program.

Your 6 years of experience, including 3.5 years in middle office
investment banking and 2.5 years as a consultant at Big 4, is
impressive. Working with leadership and gaining diversified finance
industry knowledge are valuable assets. Holding 4 certifications
related to investment banking and a PMP in project management
showcases your commitment to continuous learning and professional
development.

730 is a very good score and it will make up for your concern
regarding the academic %. With a valid gmat score, if the exam is
taken at the centre and not at home you can apply to the ISB's PGP
program.

We wish you all the best!

Regards
Team ISBMantra
http://www.isbmantra.com

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Hello sarthakbaijal

Below is your profile evaluation and recommendation:

Use your application/essays to showcase the impact of your
entrepreneurial venture, the skills you gained, and the challenges you
overcame. Use matrices and data to quantify the achievements of your
consulting business and your diverse experience in ship management
company.

The decision to retake the GMAT depends on your confidence in
improving your quant score. A higher score could significantly
strengthen your application for MBB roles.

We wish you all the best!

Regards
Team ISBMantra
http://www.isbmantra.com

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Hello gmatacer2023333

Below is the evaluation of your profile:

Your consistently high scores in 10th, 12th and B.Tech from NIT
demonstrates a strong academic foundation. Your experience as a
maintenance engineer and a Military officer showcases a blend of
technical expertise  and leadership qualities, this combination is
highly valued at the ISB.

Use your application to effectively communicate how your diverse work
experience has shaped your leadership skills, problem solving
abilities and teamwork approach. Clearly articulating your career
goals and the need of the program to achieve the career goal will help
you make a strong application and a contender for the program.

We wish you all the best!

Regards
Team ISBMantra
http://www.isbmantra.com

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