ISB Class of 2014 aspirants.

Jobs & Careers
1746
@amukherjee.ntpc said: Hi puys..aspirant of isb..i just wanted to know whether experiance of PSU is valued or not..??
Hi,
Make your experience sound valuable, whether it is within a PSU or in a private company.

There are no benchmarks about a particular sector's experience being valued or not. Focus on the highlights of your career in the application and explain how that has been important to your organization.

Namita, MBA Decoder
1747
@saicharantej said: 1)I want to work on a wide variety of problems armed with the knowledge capital gained from an MBA.Don't want to be limited to just the technology related problem-solving/IT consulting. With me coming from an IT background, does ISB view my move to "Strategy Consulting" rather than "IT consulting" a bit illogical? 2)What are the options available to students who pursue "Strategy" concentration post-ISB? 3)What exactly is taught as part of the "Strategy and Leadership" concentration at ISB?Any kind of information about the above queries would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance!!
Hi, I will answer part 1 of your question and hopefully some current ISB students/ alum will chip in for the other 2.
The admissions team do like to see a logical career progression. If you have a reason for why you want to make a shift to another function/ industry, its perfectly alright. Here's how you can build your story: you have been working on projects that involve business strategy. You find yourself constrained there because of your technical background and want to get an overall business perspective through the MBA, so that you can take on a larger role within these projects.

In general, the strategy concentration is helpful for careers in management consulting, general management, as well as in functional roles in marketing, finance, operations, etc. You will be increasingly involved in making strategies in any function as you move up the corporate ladder.

Namita, MBA Decoder

1748
@mba-help said:
Hi, I will answer part 1 of your question and hopefully some current ISB students/ alum will chip in for the other 2. The admissions team do like to see a logical career progression. If you have a reason for why you want to make a shift to another function/ industry, its perfectly alright. Here's how you can build your story: you have been working on projects that involve business strategy. You find yourself constrained there because of your technical background and want to get an overall business perspective through the MBA, so that you can take on a larger role within these projects.In general, the strategy concentration is helpful for careers in management consulting, general management, as well as in functional roles in marketing, finance, operations, etc. You will be increasingly involved in making strategies in any function as you move up the corporate ladder.Namita, MBA Decoder
Thanks a ton!! This information is really useful.
1749

@mba-help thanks namita
1750

can smeone help regd recommendation. when should we get it ready

1751
@nik864u
@ivyctor2010 thanks for the info. it's indeed useful
1752
@ivyctor2010 thanks..will keep this in mind
1753
@ivyctor2010 said:
Hi @saicharantej I am a class of 2012 ISB alum. Answer to your questions:1)I want to work on a wide variety of problems armed with the knowledge capital gained from an MBA.Don't want to be limited to just the technology related problem-solving/IT consulting. With me coming from an IT background, does ISB view my move to "Strategy Consulting" rather than "IT consulting" a bit illogical? Nothing seems illogical as soon as you can explain it and show your passion for it.2)What are the options available to students who pursue "Strategy" concentration post-ISB?Post ISB you can go into corporate strategy roles with various different organizations. Some of these jobs come to campus and some are where you can be in touch with recruiters and carve out roles for yourself.3)What exactly is taught as part of the "Strategy and Leadership" concentration at ISB?There are a variety of courses. In the initial terms there is a basic course of corporate strategy. In the latter terms you can choose from a variety of electives. There are courses on Technology Strategy, Strategy and Economics, interdisciplinary courses on strategy and finance such as Mergers and Acquisitions etc.Regards, Varun [email protected]
Thanks a lot Varun for the info!! This cleared my doubts..
1754
@ivyctor2010 can u plz tell if any HR related roles r given during placement at ISB..??
1755
@ivyctor2010 Thanks a ton. Was kinda in a dilemma whether to go for xlri pgpmir or a one year course. I have 3 years exp in HR of a leading maharatna PSU. Wanted a degree which would aid to it.
1756
Hi,

Please find below my profile:
Indian/F/31
Acads -
State Board 10th = 74%
State Board 12th = 63%
B.Sc (Chemistry Hons.) from BHU (Faculty of Science)= 70%
PGDPM (Finance & Marketing) from Indian Institute of Planning & Management, New Delhi = 68%

Work Experience -
2 years 2 month : Customer Service Manager (Asst Mgr), ICICI Bank, New Delhi
8months : Senior Business Analyst, Evalueserve.com, Gurgaon, HR
1 year 6 months : Business Analyst to CEO, Airtel, Lucknow
1 year 2 months : Revenue Planning Manager (to COO) STel Pvt Ltd. , Gurgaon, HR
3 Months : Business Analyst to CRO, Telenor India, Gurgaon, HR

Overall 6 years of experience. Currently fully devoted to GMAT preparation, left job.

Extra-curricular & other summary-
--Founded SITA (in 2010) which works for free preliminary education and IT education for girls. Till date we have educated more than 100 girls. Though I am into free tutoring (free education to underprivileged children) since 2002.
--Was a Class Representative since KG to 12th in all schools I attended.
--Practicing Tae Kwan Do for last 12 years, won two state championships, train girls.
--Have been NCC cadet (Army Wing).
--Singing (Have been associated with local band.)Play guitar, Won many singing as well as dancing competitions
--Have accomplished Mountaineering course. I am a trekker and mountaineer.
--NCFM certification in capital market, derivative market & debt market. I actively trade in stock market.
--Have ranked among top 25 employees at ICICI Bank (debut company)
--Participated and won several quiz competions at the inter-school level
--Actively participated in all official functions
--Have recommendations from circle CEO Airtel (earlier supervisor) & CEO SIVA Ventures (earlier supervisor)

I have a gap of 4 years in my studies between 12th and B.Sc. because of my father's sudden demise. During that period I took care of family's monetary needs through full time tuition.

Kindly evaluate the profile. Your help on this would be much appreciated!

Yet to give GMAT on 10th Sep. Applying in the coming R1 (15th sep'12 last date).
Please advise on the safe GMAT score that I should obtain to be able to stand for ISB.

Needless to say that I am looking forward to an early reply as I'm taking GMAT on 10th Sep'12.

Thanks in advance.
1757

Hi Puys,

I am re-applicant to ISB. Applied last year with 710 GMAT(2nd Round) but no interview call. Planning to re-take my GMAT to improve my verbal and give another shot this year.
I have a doubt regarding the application. There is no option to choose our Major in PGDM in the application. Am I correct or am I missing something. Please help me in this regard.

My Profile
GMAT: 710 (34V, 50Q, 6 AWA)
Xth: 87.8 (CBSE)
XIIth: 91.5 (A.P State)
B.Tech: 73.06 (JNTU)
Work Exp: 4 Years 1 Month
Fair extra-curricular and social service activities.

Regards,
Partha Sarathy

1758
@ivyctor2010 Thank you....
1759
@ivyctor2010 Thanks a lot..will be in touch on 10th Sep with GMAT scores.
1760

what other colleges you are applying for other than ISB

1761
@nik864u Apart from ISB I don't have very good idea of any Indian B school (IIMA & IIMC last dates are over). So I'm looking forward to apply in York University and HEC canada as of now.

Wondering if anyone can help me suggesting which school I should apply considering financial limitations with me. I'm relying on scholarships and loan.
1762

Good Evening Puys!


I am new here (my first post as a matter of fact) and seek some solid advice from all ye learned folks!

As you can well guess, from the thread I am posting on, I am an ISB aspirant too (2014 / 2015). And I have absolutely no idea what is considered a good profile and what is a deal breaker. So let me give s small snapshot of my profile and may you guys can give me a reality check in return.

10th: 81%
12th: 67% (yeah, it eventually gets worse)
B.E : 58.1%
PGDM (Finance): 64.1 %

17 months of work experience so far. Which means it will be 36 months by April 2014.

I have worked for 12 months as a Business Developer & Soft Skills Trainer at a regional AIEEE coaching institute where-in I handled all sorts of responsibilities but on a pretty small scale (From 2009 to 2010).

I went for a PGDM in between 2010 and 2012 from LBSIM, New Delhi, a pretty decent tier II B school under CAT. I did my internship in 2011 at Indian Commodity Exchange Ltd.

Since April 2012, I am working as an Assistant Manager (Operations) at SBI Life Insurance Co Ltd., a Joint Venture between SBI and BNP Paribas. The kind of responsibilities I handle are

> I am the back up leader for the Renewal Vertical which means I will be leading it from 2013. I handle all kinds of interaction with HNI clients, sales heads etc.
> Underwriting of proposal forms, which is considered a very prestigious role in the insurance sector (though not as much as Actuaries)
> A bunch of other varied responsibilities I can BS about!

Regarding co-curricular activities, I have been a regular in quizzing, debates etc. but never won anything on a national level (On a state level, quite a bit).

As a poet, I've been published in a couple of reputed American poetry anthologies.

Just starting to get myself associated with a couple of NGOs wich means I'd have a quite a bit to speak about by 2014.

Now, that's more or less, what my profile has to offer. And I would want some honest suggestion about going ahead with my application or not. I had given GMAT back in 2009 with no preparation and I had scored a 660. I am confident that if I appear for it again next year, I can manage a 720. So assuming a 720 in GMAT and the profile I mentioned (assume that roles and responsibilities would go up a little in another year), do I stand a chance of being shortlisted by ISB or any other good global B school?
1763
@Srivs said:
Hi!
I gave GMAT on 22/08/12 and have scored 670 (Quant = 50 & Verbal = 29). I have a work ex of 5 years in Oil & Gas Sector (IndianOil Corporation Ltd.). I am a Engineering Graduate from IIT Kanpur (2007 Passout)
I wanted to apply into ISB, Hyd but because of GMAT Score of 670, I had some apprehensions and wanted to know what will be my chances for the same.
With GMAT Score of 670 and 5 years of work ex, what are my chances of admission in ISB?
TIA
Gaurav
Hi Gaurav,

A couple of people did make it through with a score of 670 last year (you can check last year's ISB threads). If you think you can increase your scores by the 2nd deadline, then it will be worth a consideration to retake GMAT. Else, concentrate on putting together a fabulous application and hope for the best.

Having 5 years of work experience does not put you at any disadvantage. You will need to explain very clearly:
1. your career progression.
2. your career goals
3. the need for an MBA from ISB.

Hope that helps,

Namita, MBA Decoder

Get some essay tips here


1764
@Russells_Teapot said: Good Evening Puys!
I am new here (my first post as a matter of fact) and seek some solid advice from all ye learned folks!

Now, that's more or less, what my profile has to offer. And I would want some honest suggestion about going ahead with my application or not. I had given GMAT back in 2009 with no preparation and I had scored a 660. I am confident that if I appear for it again next year, I can manage a 720. So assuming a 720 in GMAT and the profile I mentioned (assume that roles and responsibilities would go up a little in another year), do I stand a chance of being shortlisted by ISB or any other good global B school?
You are on the right track. Continue to do quality work, because business schools like to pick up candidates who have showed career progression, leadership potential and personality traits like initiation, out of the box thinking, inter personal skills and of course, intellect! Having a well rounded personality pays - and I specially like the bit that you are a published poet!

I would encourage you to retake the GMAT, and do it well in advance when you are not getting rushed to submit the application (before May of next year)

Namita, MBA Decoder

1765

whats the progress guys? How is your application shaping up?