Why was I not selected at ISB

So I am at ISB finally. I always wanted to come here and I have, but not as a student. My wife is a current ISB student and I moved to the campus along with her. Well, both of us applied together and wished both would study together, but it did not happen. But anyways, I have not been wasting time. It was not much of an inconvenience moving here as I was already working in Hyderabad, so just moved out of the house to the ISB provided studio apartment. Anyhow before I get my feedback from ISB, I contemplated what could I have done better to improve my chances of admission here. Rather, what I should have avoided that might have ruined my chances. As I list the reasons, these also specify the lessons I learnt and should be followed by every re-applicant:

Photo by better not bitter

  • Apply in R1. I should have applied in R1. If I am a re-applicant, I genuinely show my interest in the program only if I apply early.
  • Grab every opportunity to sell yourself, show more passion. I should have been more focussed on selling myself during the interview. For example, when the interviewer asked the last question, "Is there anything else you want to add?", he was literally giving me an option to sell myself and talk about anything I liked. But that was a blackout time, I could not think of anything and moved on. When I was out of the interview room, I could count at least 10 things that I could have said. So guys, now you know how to be better prepared. :)
  • Show more maturity and a better fit. As I am a re-applicant, I was supposed to write an additional essay that talks about what has changed since I last applied. A lot was changed. It is two years since I last applied. And you know what I wrote... I mentioned the facts, I talked about the new job, new location, the purpose of my job change, and all. But I never told them what I learnt in these two years, how and if I am more mature now, what perspective have I gained. These are the things that would define me and that's what a B-school wants to know.

It has been three weeks now since I moved to ISB as a 'spouse' and all this time, I have seen life at ISB more closely that made me more motivated to apply again. I always knew that I want to do an MBA, but I'm never applying passionately. This time, I'll apply to more than 1 school to improve my chances of doing an MBA. Since my score is more than 3 years old now, it makes more sense for me to retake GMAT. I have scheduled my GMAT for mid-June and now starting my preparation.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Teacher,
Appreciate ur blog. though there are number of blogs to tell us what to do there are none to tell us what not to ...

Thanks !!

Pranab.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

First of all, your blog is very candid and straightforward. Great to see such things.

Could you please give some more insights into how the ISB interview takes place?

1. Like some say they ask for to write an essay on the spot.

2. Do they ask for education gap? I have a couple of years for entrance exams.

3. Length of interview, types of questions, management experiences etc.

4. Does professional certifications such as PMP, Prince2 helps to improve your chances. What is your take?

Truly apprecaite your response.

Narayan

Unknown said...

Time management:

MBA Entrance Exams :-- Last Week Tips on Time Management

With the pressure that builds up for the brain to perform, it needs rest as well to recuperate. So, do not
neglect rest. Move around for a few minutes after concentrating for an hour or two. Your body will give signal
for break when it needs. Stretch your arms and legs to release tension. Then come back to studies refreshed.
The time so spent should not be deemed to be time wasted but time well utilized. Your system needs it.

MBA Entrance Exams

Shelly said...

I think it's possible to get selection in 2012 exam in IAS thanks for best tips..

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