You didn't know? It's possible to get into ISB PGP For a Second MBA! Success Story

Summary

The transcript features a conversation with an individual who has been admitted to the ISB for their second MBA. They discuss their diverse background, including computer science, entrepreneurship, and IT audit. The individual shares insights on choosing ISB for its one-year MBA program, focusing on strategy. They emphasize the importance of GRE preparation, aligning personal goals with the school's values, and crafting a compelling application narrative. The interview experience is highlighted, noting the depth and specificity of questions related to the applicant's essays and experiences.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The interviewee has a diverse background with a B.Tech in Computer Science, startup experience, family business involvement, and an MBA from A5 Business School with a specialization in Banking and Finance.
• 💼 Post-MBA, they worked as a senior consultant at Del for three years, focusing on IT audit and making technology safer for companies, which led to a desire to pivot towards strategy.
• 📈 The decision to pursue a second MBA was driven by a clear understanding of the specific skills and knowledge gaps that needed to be addressed, particularly in the strategy domain.
• 🏫 The choice of ISB for the second MBA was influenced by its one-year program, which aligns with the interviewee's focused goals and the school's reputation for promoting diversity.
• 📊 A high GRE score was achieved by preferring the GRE over the GMAT due to its question-skipping flexibility and consistent scoring in practice tests.
• ⏱️ Time management was identified as a critical factor in GRE preparation, as well as the ability to maintain accuracy under timed conditions.
• 📝 The application process was approached by aligning personal experiences and goals with ISB's values and the type of candidates they seek, emphasizing the importance of a strong personal brand.
• 📑 The essay writing process was meticulous, with a focus on specificity and the ability to discuss any part of the essays in detail during the interview.
• 🗣️ The interview at ISB was described as in-depth and focused on the details provided in the application and essays, requiring candidates to be thoroughly prepared and knowledgeable about their own experiences.
• 📈 The interviewee emphasized the importance of being genuine in the application process, as ISB and similar schools value authenticity and a strong, coherent personal narrative over standardized test scores alone.
• 🤝 Lastly, the interviewee expressed gratitude for the consultant's guidance, particularly in understanding the school's expectations and in crafting a tailored application strategy.

Q & A

What was the candidate's educational background before joining ISB?

The candidate completed a B.Tech in Computer Science from Hyderabad in 2014.

How did the candidate's career evolve after completing their undergraduate degree?

After completing their B.Tech, the candidate worked in a startup for a couple of years, then moved on to work in their family business for two to two and a half years, and later pursued an MBA.

What was the candidate's specialization during their first MBA?

The candidate specialized in Banking and Finance during their first MBA from A5 Business School.

Why did the candidate decide to pursue a second MBA?

The candidate felt a gap in their knowledge and experience specifically in the strategy side of business, which led them to consider a second MBA to fill that gap.

Why did the candidate choose ISB for their second MBA?

The candidate chose ISB because it offers a one-year MBA program, which aligns with their focused goal of gaining a strategic perspective, and ISB's flagship program was seen as a top choice in India for such a program.

What was the candidate's work experience before joining ISB?

Before joining ISB, the candidate worked as a senior consultant at Del for three years, focusing on IT audit to make technology safer for companies.

What factors influenced the candidate's decision between the GRE and GMAT exams?

The candidate chose the GRE over the GMAT due to the ability to skip questions and the more consistent scoring pattern in GRE mock tests.

What was the candidate's GRE score and how did they prepare for it?

The candidate scored 333 on the GRE, with a perfect Quant score of 170 and 163 on Verbal. They focused on timing and accuracy during their preparation.

How does the candidate view the importance of test scores in the MBA application process?

The candidate believes that while test scores are important, they are only one part of the application. A strong application and interview can compensate for lower test scores.

What was the candidate's approach to crafting their personal brand for the MBA application?

The candidate aligned their goals with what ISB promotes, such as diversity, and focused on creating a narrative that matched the school's values and their own experiences.

What advice does the candidate have for others preparing for the MBA application process?

The candidate advises applicants to be genuine, focus on their unique story, and research the schools to understand what they value in an application.

How did the candidate handle the ISB interview and what was their experience?

The candidate found the ISB interview to be in-depth and focused on specific details from their application. They recommend being prepared to discuss any part of the application in detail and to manage anxiety to set the tone for a successful interview.