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

Dear Mr.Menon ,I planned to do an MBA at the start of My carrer but because of family financial crisis.I am working as a maintenance manager in a FMCG and have 7 years of experience right now.Will that much experience go negative for me?I will be applying for ISB next year.I am planning to do my specialisation in Operations.Moreover I have only two to three lacs of money to spend on education , Is it possible to get the balalnce amount as a loan from bank?RegardsVikas

Dear Sir,
I planned to do an MBA at the start of My carrer but because of family financial crisis I delayed the decesion because of the huge cost incured.

Right nowI am working as a maintenance manager in a FMCG and have 7 years of experience .Will that much experience go negative for me?I will be applying for ISB next year.I am planning to do my specialisation in Operations.
Moreover I have only two to three lacs of money to spend on education , Is it possible to get the balalnce amount as a loan from bank?

RegardsVikas

Hello Sir,

I have a query regarding recommendations.
Six months back,I joined a new project in the company which sent me to client-side and since then I am working with the client's manager for development of tool.Can I get the recommendation from this manager ,as in my opinion he will be a better person to judge my potential ,than my project's manager with whom I haven't work for a single day?

Regards,
Nagraj

Hello Sir,
I am a Doctor by Proffession and after completing my Masters, I am working for UNICEF Mumbai, as one of the officer looking after the HIV/AIDS programme of Mumbai under Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
I have to manage various National Programmes initiated by Govt. Of India in HIV/AIDS and also look after the other issues like finance, human resource, supply chain management and general adminstration as per the needs.
I now wish to do an MBA from a premier institute like ISB for the foll reasons.
1) To improve my existing skills and gain other skills neccessary for the management of various organisation
2) To widen my career prospects for all Health care fields as well as other fields.

Request you to comment from your experience on whether ISB would be the right place for a person with my background to acheive my stated purpose.

Regards
Dr. Maulik
Dear Mr. Menon,

This question is related to my profile and future options after ISB. I'm a CA with 6.5 years of Financial Services experience in managerial roles. I was wondering if ISB prepares one for taking up individual performed roles in equity research, etc. Do we have companies coming in to hire people specifically for financial research oriented roles (as opposed to Financial consulting).

Thanks,


Dear forbidden_apple,

ISB will prepare you for equity research roles you will have to choose the right electives for that. We had several companies hiring for similar roles this year. Call us on +91 40 2318 7474 if you need more detailed information.
Menon
vikas130678 Says
Dear Mr.Menon ,I planned to do an MBA at the start of My carrer but because of family financial crisis.I am working as a maintenance manager in a FMCG and have 7 years of experience right now.Will that much experience go negative for me?I will be applying for ISB next year.I am planning to do my specialisation in Operations.Moreover I have only two to three lacs of money to spend on education , Is it possible to get the balalnce amount as a loan from bank?RegardsVikas


Dear Vikas,

Your work exp will only add to your learning, it will not go against you.
ISB has a tie-up with banks which offer completely collateral free loan to ISB students for your expenses here, which can be repaid over 10 years. These banks provide funding to cover up to 95% of the programme cost. Therefore lack of sufficient savings should not be the criteria of not applying to ISB.
Admissions Team
Hello Sir,


I have a query regarding recommendations.
Six months back,I joined a new project in the company which sent me to client-side and since then I am working with the client's manager for development of tool.Can I get the recommendation from this manager ,as in my opinion he will be a better person to judge my potential ,than my project's manager with whom I haven't work for a single day?

Regards,
Nagraj


Dear Nagraj,

Yes, you can get the recos from the client side.

Admissions Team
Hello Sir,
I am a Doctor by Proffession and after completing my Masters, I am working for UNICEF Mumbai, as one of the officer looking after the HIV/AIDS programme of Mumbai under Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
I have to manage various National Programmes initiated by Govt. Of India in HIV/AIDS and also look after the other issues like finance, human resource, supply chain management and general adminstration as per the needs.
I now wish to do an MBA from a premier institute like ISB for the foll reasons.
1) To improve my existing skills and gain other skills neccessary for the management of various organisation
2) To widen my career prospects for all Health care fields as well as other fields.
Request you to comment from your experience on whether ISB would be the right place for a person with my background to acheive my stated purpose.
Regards
Dr. Maulik


Dear Dr. Maulik,

Yes, absolutely. We have more than 15 doctors in the current batch.

Admissions Team

Respected Sir,
Again and Again i have been enquiring about ISB consideration for such a profile..but still with the feedback i always realise that every1 just gives me a Motivation to Excel, but i want to see the realistic picture..
Thereby,i ask you sir please tell me will this profile would be accepted ,please see to it and see the acads marks closely ..all bad acads was becaz too much of football play and fashion Modelling..i have certificates for sports but not modelling ..In college also i have Been Mr fresher and did in my office also was Mr.Company..(THe MNC im working in)

My Script:

Class 10th: 64%..
Class 12:52% (prepared for IIT..lost it Big time..never bothered of CBSE boards )..With this % also i hot Physics Honours in DU ..mailny becaz of extra ecurrics sports..

now,
Btech (CS)..4+ 1 year-> 5 years

1)But in this GAp year i worked for a Big Telecom firm at gurgaon who normally takes only IITs,NiT's for 6 months---but all was in INTERNSHIP..i GOT STIPEND IN THAT..SO CAN I WRITE THIS IN MY APPLICATION..that i did worked..

a2)Then i worked for ERP in and currently would be joining a new start up whos branch is open in CANADA..

3..I also look for getting CFA L1,L2 done before applying to ISB..please tell me can everything be considered..i dont want to run for MBA ..i want to do it when i feel im most suited to do it in my carrier growth..i think it would be after 4-5 years..

So after having workex still my acads will be barreir aur i can compensate with a good infact high GMAT score +CFA L1,L2,Social Community,Sports..have Golds in Basket Ball and Football,m a good at Gymnastics.. and Cfa Levels(1+2)..


1)..Acads-big barrier for me before even thinking for doing MBA..Please guide me upon this..
2)..The Gap years can they be filled with..5-6 years of workex + a veruy good Gmat score of 750 +..CFA L1,L2..social community..


Thanks,
Abhishek

Dear Sir,

I'm considering a applying to ISB for the 2009 batch. In the short term, I'm looking at an MBA as a way to move into a product marketing role in a technology company in the emerging markets. I wanted to get in touch with an ISB alumni to talk about the ISB MBA program. I registered on the website in May to get connected with an alumni but I didn't receive any info as yet. Should I register again on the website? (after the admissions session started)
I also have a query about how students decide on their concentrations at ISB. At this moment, I have a career path in mind but I don't want to shut my mind off to other opportunities available at business school. Do a lot of students change their minds on the concentrations after the core courses are complete? Do they have the time to make such a decision?

my short profile:
* WorkEx: Hardware engineer in a systems company in California (4+ years)
* Undergraduate: Computer Engineering from an IIT
* GMAT: 770

thanks!

We are surprised that you did not receive any mail. Usually, when we receive a contact alumni/student request, we take the following steps:
  1. We search for similar profiles in students and the alumni,
  2. We then forward your mail to them and request them to contact you,
  3. Usually, all such requests are heeded to within 15-30 days.

Till date, no such mail requests are pending. All mails are cleared on a daily basis. Please understand that there can be various reasons as to why you did not receive a response. It is possible that we did not receive your mail due to technical reasons and the same might be applicable in case of the alum.
In a rare occurrence as yours, we request you to register again and mention about your previous mail as well. We will do it on priority basis.
The first half of the year, students have to study mandatory courses and in the second half, they choose their electives. So, they have enough time to select their electives/concentration.

Admissions Team

Dear Mr Menon

I would like to thank you for taking efforts to reach out and guide us, ISB aspirants.

Kindly help me understand my chances at ISB by evaluating my profile. Please advice me on areas that I should improve in my profile to better my chances of securing admit at ISB. Looking forward to your valuable inputs

I am a bit worried about by low GMAT score. Will it be prudent to retake GMAT?

My profile is as follows

Work Exp:


1. IL&FS;: e governance and ICT4D project coordinator (dec 2006 to July 200

- Commissioned and managed pilot Common Services Centers which are rural ICT business hubs; part of the team that developed a tele ophthalmology model; commissioned a network of 10 telemedicine centers in West Tripura, worked with Government ad private stakeholders and vendors; commissioned and managed pilot telemedicine centers in Jharkhand and Rajasthan; part of the operations planning team for Bhamashah project - creating a biometric enabled smartcard based banking network to serve 5 million BPL population in Rajasthan

2. CTS: Java Resource (July 2005 to July 2006)

- worked as part of the XSL team that built and continues to maintain eBay's portal

Acads:


1, Btech Electronics - MIT, Anna Univ, 7/10
2. 12th, 95 %
3. 10th, 90 %

Extra curriculars:


1. Librarian in Personality Development Association, MIT (part of the 3 member team that established the library for PDA at MIT)
2. Hostel and Mess representative for 2 years (2001-2002)
3. Organised relief efforts on behalf of MIT student body to help tsunami victims (2004)
4. Organised scribe work at MIT for visually handicapped in the year 2003
5. School Pupil Leader (1996-1997)

GMAT


680, 5.5 awa

Thanking you

Giridharan S

Dear Sir,
I am a re applicant. I was rejected after interview last year.
I have a couple of questions.
1. Can I retain the same recommendation letter as last years? I wish to retain one of them and ask my present supervisor to add one this time. Please let me know how this can be done.
2. Also, the FAQ says the following: "If you wish to update part of your previous application, include the fresh material with your reapplication."How can I update part of my previous application? When I log on with my previous id, a message pops up saying that the email id does not exist in the ISB adcom database.
Thanks a lot for your time...
Shruti.

Dear Mr.Menon ,

I visited the , electivecourses.ISB web page, to see the courses in operations management.I have found out 1 -2 courses are offered per term and as per website, a candidate has to elect minimum three 3 courses per term.

I am wondering , how a student can decide upon his subjects , other than his previous work ex area ,for which he is having a little knowledge that too when every subject offers a unique area.Moreover , Does ISB asks initially the choice of specialisation from a student?

Is it possible for me to have data , How many students of each specilisation are absorbed at what industry and at what functional level?

Thanking you very much in advance for your replies.

Regards

Vikas

Respected Sir,
Again and Again i have been enquiring about ISB consideration for such a profile..but still with the feedback i always realise that every1 just gives me a Motivation to Excel, but i want to see the realistic picture..
Thereby,i ask you sir please tell me will this profile would be accepted ,please see to it and see the acads marks closely ..all bad acads was becaz too much of football play and fashion Modelling..i have certificates for sports but not modelling ..In college also i have Been Mr fresher and did in my office also was Mr.Company..(THe MNC im working in)

My Script:

Class 10th: 64%..
Class 12:52% (prepared for IIT..lost it Big time..never bothered of CBSE boards )..With this % also i hot Physics Honours in DU ..mailny becaz of extra ecurrics sports..

now,
Btech (CS)..4+ 1 year-> 5 years

1)But in this GAp year i worked for a Big Telecom firm at gurgaon who normally takes only IITs,NiT's for 6 months---but all was in INTERNSHIP..i GOT STIPEND IN THAT..SO CAN I WRITE THIS IN MY APPLICATION..that i did worked..

a2)Then i worked for ERP in and currently would be joining a new start up whos branch is open in CANADA..

3..I also look for getting CFA L1,L2 done before applying to ISB..please tell me can everything be considered..i dont want to run for MBA ..i want to do it when i feel im most suited to do it in my carrier growth..i think it would be after 4-5 years..

So after having workex still my acads will be barreir aur i can compensate with a good infact high GMAT score +CFA L1,L2,Social Community,Sports..have Golds in Basket Ball and Football,m a good at Gymnastics.. and Cfa Levels(1+2)..


1)..Acads-big barrier for me before even thinking for doing MBA..Please guide me upon this..
2)..The Gap years can they be filled with..5-6 years of workex + a veruy good Gmat score of 750 +..CFA L1,L2..social community..


Thanks,
Abhishek


Dear Abhishek,

You can compensate for your low academics with a high GMAT score. Also, since you plan to apply after 4-5 years, you automatically fulfill the minimum work exp requirement. Any gap years will have to be backed by a very strong case.
Please keep in mind that the programme is rigorous, and since its duration makes it even more challenging you should be able to convince the ISB Admissions Committee of your ability to cope with the curriculum.
Admissions Team
Dear Mr Menon

I would like to thank you for taking efforts to reach out and guide us, ISB aspirants.

Kindly help me understand my chances at ISB by evaluating my profile. Please advice me on areas that I should improve in my profile to better my chances of securing admit at ISB. Looking forward to your valuable inputs

I am a bit worried about by low GMAT score. Will it be prudent to retake GMAT?

My profile is as follows

Work Exp:

1. IL&FS;: e governance and ICT4D project coordinator (dec 2006 to July 200

- Commissioned and managed pilot Common Services Centers which are rural ICT business hubs; part of the team that developed a tele ophthalmology model; commissioned a network of 10 telemedicine centers in West Tripura, worked with Government ad private stakeholders and vendors; commissioned and managed pilot telemedicine centers in Jharkhand and Rajasthan; part of the operations planning team for Bhamashah project - creating a biometric enabled smartcard based banking network to serve 5 million BPL population in Rajasthan

2. CTS: Java Resource (July 2005 to July 2006)

- worked as part of the XSL team that built and continues to maintain eBay's portal

Acads:

1, Btech Electronics - MIT, Anna Univ, 7/10
2. 12th, 95 %
3. 10th, 90 %

Extra curriculars:

1. Librarian in Personality Development Association, MIT (part of the 3 member team that established the library for PDA at MIT)
2. Hostel and Mess representative for 2 years (2001-2002)
3. Organised relief efforts on behalf of MIT student body to help tsunami victims (2004)
4. Organised scribe work at MIT for visually handicapped in the year 2003
5. School Pupil Leader (1996-1997)

GMAT

680, 5.5 awa

Thanking you

Giridharan S

Dear Giridharan,
Prima facie I would say your profile would be suitable for admission to the ISB. If you are not satisfied with your GMAT score, you can always retake it. A higher score will only increase your chances of being short listed.
Admissions Team
Dear Mr.Menon ,

I visited the , electivecourses.ISB web page, to see the courses in operations management.I have found out 1 -2 courses are offered per term and as per website, a candidate has to elect minimum three 3 courses per term.

I am wondering , how a student can decide upon his subjects , other than his previous work ex area ,for which he is having a little knowledge that too when every subject offers a unique area.Moreover , Does ISB asks initially the choice of specialisation from a student?

Is it possible for me to have data , How many students of each specilisation are absorbed at what industry and at what functional level?

Thanking you very much in advance for your replies.

Regards

Vikas

No, ISB does not ask for specialization at the time of admission. Also, we do not capture the kind of data you have asked for. If you need detailed information on the course structure, you can call us at +91 40 2318 7474.
Admissions Team
Dear Sir,
I am a re applicant. I was rejected after interview last year.
I have a couple of questions.
1. Can I retain the same recommendation letter as last years? I wish to retain one of them and ask my present supervisor to add one this time. Please let me know how this can be done.
2. Also, the FAQ says the following: "If you wish to update part of your previous application, include the fresh material with your reapplication."How can I update part of my previous application? When I log on with my previous id, a message pops up saying that the email id does not exist in the ISB adcom database.
Thanks a lot for your time...
Shruti.


Shruti,

If you are an applicant in 2008-09, you may use the same recommendations this year also by checking the relevant box in the evaluator details page of the online application. You can use one old and one new recommendation.
Regarding your second query, we have amended this starting 2009-10, you will not be able to update previous application, you will have to apply as a fresh applicant.
Admissions Team

Hi ,

I am not applying for any scholarship and my evaluations will be done online.

1) The application process is completely online and we do not have to send any packet containing any documents to ISB. Plz correct me if I am wrong.

2) Can you please let me know what are the mandatory documents which need to be scanned and uploaded ?

3) I can see that passport and photograph are necessary but I cannot find a place where I can upload my marksheets of engineering. Do i need to upload these.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Dear Sir,

I am a surgeon aged 34 years with 7 years of experience. I scored 770 in GMAT (Q49, V47). There are two questions

1. Is my age within the mid 80%?
2. I have worked in five different institutes. Will that go against me? (I have good reasons, but dont want to prolong the resume too much in trying to explain it all)

Shruti,

If you are an applicant in 2008-09, you may use the same recommendations this year also by checking the relevant box in the evaluator details page of the online application. You can use one old and one new recommendation.
Regarding your second query, we have amended this starting 2009-10, you will not be able to update previous application, you will have to apply as a fresh applicant.
Admissions Team


Shruti,

What went wrong with your interview last year?

Cheers
J:bigear: