It's back! -[2008] Ask ISB-Hyderabad: Admission Director answers your queries!

MBA
184

Thank you Sir

185
Hello Sir,

Its great to see your proactiveness in addressing the queries. Would like to know a few things:

I am a software engineer with a leading MNC in gurgaon. These days a lot of software companies keep employees on "bench" for a long time i.e., don't allot them projects for a long time. Does that count as a valid work-ex? After all that's also a full time employment.

As for me, I joined the company in August 2007 and willing to apply in ISB for the batch starting in 2009. Was on bench for 4 months, after which I was allocated a project. Though I was in the project, I had practically no work to do as the project was over with development phase:banghead:. In fact, every member in the project was practically free. Though I was allotted some excel sheet work by my project manager(which are done by the PA to the project manager and which gave me little insights into how a project is run and how he used to handle things etc;)), I had little technical exposure which a software engineer must have (Though I utilized the time in my mba entrance preparation). Things are going to continue in the same way as the project is far from getting over and the only way out of this is to leave the project, which anyway, would end me up on bench:huh:. No scope of company switch due to the little tech-exposure thing mentioned.

So I'm a little sceptical about the strength of my application at ISB, having heard that an experience in IT is already valued less than normal, with India churning out thousands of software engineers:idea:. Please advise me with a practical approach whether applying to ISB, which has a cut throat competition, makes sense. I'm taking GMAT in october(for II round), passed out of NIT(2007) with Metallurgical.

Expecting your early reply.....

Thanks!


Paekut,

You need to have a minimum of 2 years of work exp as on April 2009 to apply to ISB. If you fulfill this criterion then you can apply with a GMAT score.
Regarding your second query on work experience, let me tell you that it is more important for us to know as to how you made use of your time while you were on the bench.
Admissions Team
186

Dear Mr.Menon ,

Can I have the data of what % of people in the class are from FMCG and operations?and what is their average work ex and age?

Regards

Vikas

187

Thanks for your kind reply:laugh:

188

Dear Mr. Menon,
Is the information correct that the number of seats are going to be increased for the MBA course?
Also, can you please tell me the rough number of candidates that will be called for interview for those seats?

Also, I have worked in 2 companies till now. So, for recommendation, would it better to have one academic and one professional one, or both professional? I ask this because during academics, I have worked under a prof for a project for 14 months, and the project was quite significant.

Thanks

189
Dear Mr.Menon ,

Can I have the data of what % of people in the class are from FMCG and operations?and what is their average work ex and age?

Regards

Vikas


Vikas,

Around 12% of the students in the current batch are from the FMCG sector and 19% from operations. Their average work exp is 5 years and the average age is 27 years.
Admissions Team
190
Mr Menon,

Since, the min experience required for ISB is only yrs, i am very keen to know the value add of doing MBA @ ISB for mid-senior level managers, with 10+ Industry experience. Whats the % of exp folks in ISB and what kind of placements, lateral shifts, Role changes, these students could get?

Regards,
KB


KB,

About 7% of the class has over 8 years of experience. It is our experience that people coming from middle management positions typically get placed in the same industry at a significantly enhanced role or even if they do shift industry they go to a very similar role to the one they were performing earlier though even in this case there is an enhancement of the role. For your information the average incoming salary of the people with 8+ years of experience was Rs. 11.2 lacs and the average outgoing salary was 26.5 lacs.
Menon
191
Dear Mr. Menon,
Is the information correct that the number of seats are going to be increased for the MBA course?
Also, can you please tell me the rough number of candidates that will be called for interview for those seats?

Also, I have worked in 2 companies till now. So, for recommendation, would it better to have one academic and one professional one, or both professional? I ask this because during academics, I have worked under a prof for a project for 14 months, and the project was quite significant.

Thanks

  1. Yes, the number of seats is being increased to 560 for the next batch.
  2. The number of applicants short listed for interview will depend on the number of applications we receive. Since, the admission process just commenced a month back; we cannot even give you a rough idea.
  3. It is better to get recos from somebody who knows you well professionally and with whom you have worked closely; the recommender can either be your Professor or your senior or your colleague.
Admissions Team
192

Thank you Sir.
I also need information if thers is any upper slab on the students age or work ex, at which he needs to justify specifically his planning for an MBA at this age?

regards

Vikas


Vikas,

Around 12% of the students in the current batch are from the FMCG sector and 19% from operations. Their average work exp is 5 years and the average age is 27 years.
Admissions Team
193
Thank you Sir.
I also need information if thers is any upper slab on the students age or work ex, at which he needs to justify specifically his planning for an MBA at this age?

regards

Vikas

Applicants who come with 10+ years of work exp definitely have to justify the need for a MBA.
Admissions Team
194

Dear Sir ,
can a genuine reason of financial instability of ones family and forcing to be in job for more time , accepted by adcom?

Applicants who come with 10+ years of work exp definitely have to justify the need for a MBA.
Admissions Team
195
Dear Sir ,
can a genuine reason of financial instability of ones family and forcing to be in job for more time , accepted by adcom?


Vikas,

I think you misunderstood me. Your high exp will not be seen in a bad light; in fact your high work exp will only add value and depth to class interaction, thereby enriching the discussion for students with low work exp. We ask for a justification only to gauge how focused you are about your career and what plans you have post-ISB.
Admissions Team
196

Dear Sir ,

Thank you very much.

The session has greatly helped in eliminating my doubts and given furher motivation to apply for ISB.

Regards

Vikas


Vikas,

I think you misunderstood me. Your high exp will not be seen in a bad light; in fact your high work exp will only add value and depth to class interaction, thereby enriching the discussion for students with low work exp. We ask for a justification only to gauge how focused you are about your career and what plans you have post-ISB.
Admissions Team
197

Dear Mr.Menon,

After I completed my B.E and Post graduation in Technology, i have started an online ad agency in India in Jan 2007. Secured seed/angel funding from AUS based VCs.

Now, we are a 60 people strong company with monthly revenue of about 1,500,000 INR and with 34% operational margin. Now, to scale up, my board thinks that I need an MBA.

I want to complete MBA from ISB and want to come back to my company to scale it up with out taking the placement offer at ISB.

I have taken GMAT and got 610.

So, should I apply for ISB. Will the MBA helps me in achieving my goals. And can my low GMAT score be compensated by my entrepreneurial achievements.

Please provide me with your valuable suggestion.

Regards,

Harsha

198
Dear Mr.Menon,

After I completed my B.E and Post graduation in Technology, i have started an online ad agency in India in Jan 2007. Secured seed/angel funding from AUS based VCs.

Now, we are a 60 people strong company with monthly revenue of about 1,500,000 INR and with 34% operational margin. Now, to scale up, my board thinks that I need an MBA.

I want to complete MBA from ISB and want to come back to my company to scale it up with out taking the placement offer at ISB.

I have taken GMAT and got 610.

So, should I apply for ISB. Will the MBA helps me in achieving my goals. And can my low GMAT score be compensated by my entrepreneurial achievements.

Please provide me with your valuable suggestion.

Regards,

Harsha


Please refer to page no. 9

Admissions Team
199

Hello Mr. Menon and the AdCom members,

I am new to posting on this forum and please excuse me if I have forgone "thread posting" rules.

I have a couple of Qs which are specific to my background:
This is my career background:
--> BE in Comp Sci from University of Madras - 2004 with 90%, 100% in Maths and overall 2nd rank in college.
--> Masters in Software Engineering from Carnegie Mellon,USA - GPA 3.8/4
--> Work experience of 3 years with HTC, Siemens Research and Oracle.
--> Plus interests lie in blogging, extra curriculars, loads of volunteering work with multiple NGOs.

Given the above:

a. What are the options that one gets if she choses to switch sectors - say from Process Consulting (IT) to another sector such as Finance?
b. What kinds of consulting roles are offered post-ISB?
c. W.r.t General management, what are the roles offered?
d. Given the huge initial investment in terms of fees, what could be the % increase in ROI, post-ISB?
Mod Edit: ISB, like all other b-schools, will prefer you achieve your highest GMAT score. They do not specifically state a particular score for a particular applicant based on her profile.

 Again, I must thank you for your time to answer my query and help similar prospective students.

Thanks,
Shini Menon

200

Do you keep statistics regarding the percentage of ISB students who worked in analytics consulting? Also, typically, where do they go post ISB?

202
Dear Mr. Menon,

Thank you very much for taking out time from your busy schedule and helping us!

Could you please help me with the following queries?

1) I am currently working with an Investment bank and want to continue working in the same field post MBA. Could you please confirm which IBs come to the ISB campus and ~ how many % students are placed with the IBs? Also if possible, could you provide a rough estimate on a) IB placements at Analyst vs Associate level b) Domestic vs international IB placements

2) I have been involved with many NGO activities, however i don't have certificates for most of these activities. Will my inability to provide certificates hamper my application?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Thanks & Regards,
Ajay
203

Hello Sir

My query is regarding filling employment details in online application form.

I am currently unemployed and have over 2 years of work experience .I have worked with two employers during my professional tenure.(17 months with first employer and 9 months with second employer)

In online application form under employment details there are following options:

1. 'Add current experience details'
I should not fill this as I am currently unemployed.

2.'Add previous experience details'
I can fill details regarding employment with second employer (9 month tenure)

Where should I state my earlier experience of 17 months as I could not see any provision for mentioning multiple experiences in online form.

Thanks for your time and help Sir.

Regards
Ssikka

204
Hello Sir

My query is regarding filling employment details in online application form.

I am currently unemployed and have over 2 years of work experience .I have worked with two employers during my professional tenure.(17 months with first employer and 9 months with second employer)

In online application form under employment details there are following options:

1. 'Add current experience details'
I should not fill this as I am currently unemployed.

2.'Add previous experience details'
I can fill details regarding employment with second employer (9 month tenure)

Where should I state my earlier experience of 17 months as I could not see any provision for mentioning multiple experiences in online form.

Thanks for your time and help Sir.

Regards
Ssikka


Ssikka,

Once you add your latest work exp, you will be able to the view the same link 'Add previous experience details' again, click on this link and you can now add your first work exp.


Admissions Team