MBA aspirants often dream of securing admission to ISB Hyderabad, which is one of the most prestigious business schools in India. It was indeed a challenging journey that involved acing GMAT, writing compelling essays and performing well in interviews. This blog post delves into Mohini’s successful journey to ISB Hyderabad admission.
Through this blog, we aim at giving future applicants to the ISB application process valuable insights by sharing her experience, strategies and tips. If you are just starting or nowhere in your application process, Mohini’s story will motivate you and provide you with some practical ideas for attaining your objectives.
Mohini, we would like to know about your profile. The idea of this conversation is to learn from your journey, understand the challenges you have faced, and how you have worked on them, so future applicants can use these insights.
Q. Please share your profile with us and why you were focused on the ISB Hyderabad admission?
I completed my B.Tech from Manipal Institute of Technology in 2020, majoring in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. I then worked for about a year at GE General Electric, where I was part of the supply chain team, though it was a more technical role. After about a year at GE, I made a drastic shift to marketing. For the past two and a half years, I’ve been working for an alcohol company called Pernod Ricard in the trade marketing team. I am based out of Hyderabad, where I handle about two to three brands for the state. I was sure I wanted to aim for an ISB Hyderabad admission.
The main idea was that although I had been working in marketing for about two and a half years, I felt like I lacked a foundation. I wanted to understand the basics of not only marketing but also business, so that going forward, I could become a better marketer and make better decisions as a manager. When I was applying, I had about three to three and a half years of work experience and was looking for a good one-year program to complete my MBA. ISB, being one of the best programs in the country, was my main target. That’s how I decided on ISB.
Q. It has been a long journey to get to the ISB Hyderabad admission. The first step is the GMAT. As a working professional, what challenges did you face, and how did you tackle the GMAT preparation?
Out of all the different phases, GMAT preparation was the longest. Since my work hours are very erratic, the first problem I faced was not being able to find those fixed two hours within the day to sit and study. Finding that sweet spot took me about a month or two. One thing I lacked, which I'd like to tell future applicants, is the importance of being disciplined with your prep. Even if you study for just one or one and a half hours, doing it consistently is crucial. I learned this a bit late. I gave two attempts at the GMAT. My first attempt was in August after about four to five months of preparation.
One mistake I made was that the name on my passport did not exactly match my registration name, so I wasn't allowed to take that attempt. So, a quick tip: make sure to read the email with all the instructions carefully. I gave my proper first attempt in October after another month or two of preparation, but it did not go well. I ended up with a 600. That’s when I reached out to you and decided to start on the application because the essay prompts had changed, requiring more introspection.
While working on my second GMAT exam attempt and the application, your guidance was very helpful. After going through the questionnaire and brainstorming for our application, I was able to manage both. By the third week of November, I had given my second attempt, got my desired score, and was ready with my application. The stress of the last couple of months paid off. I used an online resource for my GMAT preparation, went through the course, did a lot of quizzes to ensure I was passing certain topic milestones, and took about four to five mocks before the actual GMAT.
Q. Although we didn't work with you on the GMAT journey, we have been along with you in this process. Many future applicants ask what resources to use for GMAT preparation, whether to take a class or self-study. The key is to be disciplined and identify where you need help. What would you suggest on this front?
When I started, I had the same question. I chose to stick to one paid resource without live classes, ending up with a course called E-GMAT. It worked well for me, but different people might find different paths to success. My suggestion is to first speak to people and explore different platforms. For some, self-study is enough if they are disciplined. I knew that wasn’t the case for me, so I chose E-GMAT. It had everything I needed. As a new student, it’s crucial to introspect and assess where you are and how far you need to go. I needed to start from scratch, especially for Quant, while my Verbal was stronger. Knowing your commitment level and whether you can attend live classes is important.
Q. Coming to the ISB application, there are many stories and personal brands to consider. What was the application process like, and what worked for you for the ISB Hyderabad admission?
Your help was invaluable because everything was structured. We first filled the questionnaire, which made me introspect on the different things I’ve done in my life—successes, failures, achievements, decisions, and paths I’ve chosen. I spent about a week to 10 days reflecting on my life. After gathering our stories, the next step was to form the application strategy and find a common thread in these milestones. It’s crucial for the entire application to be tied together with a common thread that reflects my brand. For me, it was creating impact. We brainstormed and picked a few standout stories to make my profile unique. After writing two to three drafts, we finalized the ISB essays. Having a clear goal and narrative in mind made writing the essays easier.
Q. What was the ISB interview experience like for you?
I spent at least 10 good days preparing for the ISB interview, covering everything from previous work experience to current responsibilities and the impact I’ve created. Your help was again very thorough. I focused on why I wanted to do an MBA, how I could contribute to the school, and general knowledge about my industry. This preparation gave me confidence. The actual interview was comfortable and revolved around my work experience, particularly my marketing role in the Alco industry. The interviewers were two alums who made me comfortable and asked in-depth questions about one project I had worked on. They spent 15-20 minutes on that project, understanding it from all angles. The interview lasted about 40-45 minutes, longer than average, but it was comfortable and not stressful. Preparation played a major role, and I drew confidence from it.
Q. What would be your dos and don’ts for future MBA applicants who aim to secure the ISB Hyderabad admission?
Firstly, have clear expectations of what you are looking for from an MBA. Another tip is not to self-reject. ISB was the only college I applied to because I knew it had everything I was looking for and I could provide value. Thorough research and knowing the fitment is crucial. Don’t just chase brands; know why you want to apply to a specific college. It’s a two-way street. Focus on what you are doing, take it one day at a time, and believe in yourself. Self-doubt is common, but in retrospect, these small pieces of advice can make the journey easier. Believe in yourself and take it one day at a time.
Q. People often ask, "I have this GPA and GMAT score, what are my chances of getting into ISB?" How relevant is this question, and what’s your take on it?
I have strong opinions about this. It’s the worst mistake to make at any point in your journey. B-schools have a holistic application process, and no single aspect of your profile can make or break it. If you have a low GPA, there are multiple other factors considered. It’s a strength-based evaluation, looking at what you bring to the table. My GMAT score was below average, but my work experience and leadership projects compensated for it. It’s never the deciding factor. Don’t let specific numbers define your worth. Evaluate your entire profile, including leadership projects and extracurriculars.
Q. What's your feedback for GOALisB ISB Admission Consultants?
My feedback for GOALisB is very positive because I was looking for someone fully invested in helping me. I didn’t want to interact with too many people. I wanted someone who would be with me from start to finish, responsive, and available for any advice. The first call with you gave me realistic feedback and a smooth process. Juggling the GMAT and application was challenging, but your timely help made it easier. I was nervous before approaching the essays, but your structured process made everything manageable. I am very happy and would recommend GOALisB to anyone applying to B-school.
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