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Application Deadline

ISB admission 2024 Intake Round 2 Deadline: 3  December 2023.

 
ISB PGP Essays 2023

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What kind of profiles get selected for ISB?

The Indian School of Business (ISB) is one of the top business schools in India and attracts a diverse pool of talented individuals seeking to pursue a world-class management education. While the specific selection criteria for ISB may vary from year to year, there are several common characteristics and profiles that tend to be favored by the admissions committee.

 

ISB values diversity in its student body and seeks individuals with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Therefore, applicants with diverse professional backgrounds, such as engineering, finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and social impact, have a good chance of being selected.

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In addition to diversity, ISB looks for candidates who have demonstrated leadership potential and a strong track record of professional achievements. This could include individuals who have held managerial positions, initiated impactful projects, led teams, or demonstrated entrepreneurial ventures. Strong leadership qualities, such as the ability to inspire and influence others, are highly valued.

Academic excellence is another important factor in the selection process. ISB typically looks for candidates with a strong academic record, as evidenced by their undergraduate degree performance and, in some cases, standardized test scores such as the GMAT or GRE.

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Furthermore, ISB seeks individuals who can contribute to the learning environment and the overall student community. This includes candidates who have shown active participation in extracurricular activities, community service, and a passion for making a positive impact in society.

Lastly, ISB values candidates who can effectively articulate their goals, motivations, and how an MBA from ISB aligns with their aspirations. Strong communication skills and a compelling personal statement or essay are essential in conveying the applicant's story and potential contributions to the ISB community.

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It is important to note that while these characteristics are generally favorable for admission to ISB, each applicant is evaluated holistically, taking into account their unique strengths, experiences, and potential for growth.

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Below are some important numbers:

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  1. Average GMAT Score: 720 (median 710)

  2. Average GRE Score: 328

  3. Range of GMAT Score accepted in the past: 600 - 770

  4. Range of GRE Scores accepted in the past: 311 - 334

  5. Average Work Experience in class: 4.3 years (2 yrs to 24 yrs)

  6. Average Age in class: 26.63 years

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And the second part is your story. Every professional has a very distinct story which needs to be introspected and communicated. We specialise in the application process for ISB.

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The Class of 2023 at ISB PGP has 881 Students. It includes 40% women, 49 % engineers. The Batch has an average work ex of 4.4 years.

What is the admission process?
  1. Plan: Determine your timeline for taking the GMAT or GRE exam, aiming to complete it as soon as possible.

  2. Choose Admission Round: Based on your test completion timeline, select the appropriate admission round (ISB EEO and PGP offer three rounds during the application year).

  3. Online Application: Begin preparing for the online application submission.

  4. Personal and Identification Information: Fill in the application form with personal and identification details.

  5. Academic Credentials: Submit your undergraduate and postgraduate academic credentials.

  6. Work Experience: Provide comprehensive details about your work experience, including duration, roles, responsibilities, and notable achievements.

  7. Test Scores: Submit valid GMAT/GRE scores and, if applicable, TOEFL scores using the designated codes (GMAT code: N2D-J5-01, GRE code: 7892, TOEFL code: 9047).

  8. Essays: Write two ISB essays as required. Re-applicants may need to complete an additional essay.

  9. Letter of Recommendation: Arrange for one letter of recommendation from a suitable referee who can attest to your qualifications and potential.

  10. Scholarships: If applicable, choose scholarship options and submit the required essays.

  11. Extracurricular Activities: Include details of your involvement in extracurricular activities, awards, achievements, and hobbies in your application.

  12. Application Fee: Pay the application fee and submit your completed application.

  13. Application Status: Monitor the progress of your application through the ISB admission portal.

  14. Interview: If shortlisted, attend the ISB interview as part of the selection process.

  15. Enrolment: Upon receiving an admission offer, complete the necessary enrolment formalities to secure your place at ISB.

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Which Exam should you Attempt- GMAT or GRE?
  1. Both the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and GRE (Graduate Record Examination) are accepted by the Indian School of Business (ISB) for admission to their programs. When deciding between the two exams, it's important to consider your individual strengths and preferences.

  2. The GMAT is specifically designed for business school admissions and focuses on assessing skills relevant to the field of management. It consists of sections on Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. If you are primarily targeting business schools and want to showcase your abilities specifically in the context of business and management, the GMAT may be the preferred choice.

  3. On the other hand, the GRE is a more general test accepted by a wide range of graduate programs, including business schools. It consists of sections on Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. If you are considering applying to a variety of graduate programs, beyond just business schools, the GRE offers flexibility and allows you to keep your options open.

  4. Ultimately, the choice between the GMAT and GRE should be based on your individual strengths and preferences. It's recommended to research the specific requirements and preferences of the programs you are interested in, including ISB, and choose the exam that aligns best with your abilities and future goals. Additionally, consider your own test-taking strengths, as some individuals may find one exam format more suited to their skills than the other.

  5. Regardless of which exam you choose, it's important to thoroughly prepare and perform well to showcase your aptitude and potential to the admissions committee at ISB.

Eligibility Criteria
  1. Minimum bachelors or equivalent degree is required to fulfil  the ISB Hyderabad eligibility for MBA.

  2. In terms of equivalent degrees the professional certificates like Chartered Accountants, ICWA are valid professional certificates which can be submitted for the ISB Hyderabad MBA eligibility.

  3. Freelancers who fulfil the minimum work experience criteria ISB Hyderabad MBA eligibility.

  4. The applicant must have a minimum of 24 months of work experience to apply for the ISB MBA. 

  5. ISB YLP: Final & pre-final year students.

  6. ISB EEO: Less than 24 months of work experience.

  7. ISB PGP: Minimum 24 months of work experience.

  8. Another requirements for ISB Hyderabad eligibility for MBA is the possession of a GMAT or a GRE score

ISB MBA Ranking
  1. On 16 September 2022, according to Bloomberg Businessweek's ranking of the top b-schools for 2022–23, ISB is rated sixth in the Asia–Pacific area.

  2. 1st in India according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek Best Business schools for 2021-22.

  3. 5th in Asia according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek best Business schools 2021-22.

  4. ​​39 rank in the FT MBA 2023 ranking

  5. ​​32 rank in the FT MBA 2022 ranking 

  6. Ranked 23rd in the world in the FT Global MBA rankings 2021.

  7. ​Among the Asia-Pacific schools ISB MBA achieved the 5th position in the Bloomberg Best B-Schools 21-22 rankings. This is enough reason for most MBA applicants in India to aspire for an ISB MBA.

ISB MBA Fees

The programme focuses on managing the business in a fast-evolving environment. The School works with its Associate Schools to create a curriculum that reflects best global practices that provide conceptual knowledge which helps in improving and broadening existing skills.

The programme fee for the academic year 2023-24 is ₹ ​41,63,000 plus taxes. The fee includes admission fee, tuition fee, course material, and boarding & lodging for most days.    


Security Deposit

A refundable security deposit of ₹​20,000 has to be paid in addition to the programme fee. This amount is refundable after deduction of any dues payable to the School.

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Alumni Fund Contribution

An alumni membership of ₹​25,000 + GST is payable by all participants of the programme. The alumni membership is non-refundable for participants who successfully graduate from the programme. This fee will be fully refundable for participants who do not graduate from the programme either due to withdrawal or failure to clear the examinations.

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Life-Time Use of Recreation Centre

A deposit of ₹15,000 + GST has to be paid towards lifetime use of the ISB Recreation Centre. This fee is applicable for participants of all degree equivalent programmes at ISB.

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Expenses not included in the programme fee are:

  1. Travel for classes at ISB-Hyderabad/Mohali.

  2. Travel (airfare/local conveyance) for the international immersion.

  3. Purchase of laptops and other electronic aids recommended by the Programme Office.

  4. Other miscellaneous expenses like mini bar, laundry, beverages, meals outside campus etc

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Notes:

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  1. ISB reserves the right to revise the programme fee.

  2. The school realises its fee in Indian rupees. Participants who want to remit the fees in foreign currency can do so by remitting the foreign currency equivalent to INR, based on the prevailing exchange rate.

  3. The refund of any fee is subject to the refund policy prevailing at the time of seeking a refund.

  4. It is mandatory to live in accommodation provided by the school during the days of classes.

  5. All participants are required to have a personal laptop, the minimum specifications of which will be sent before the start of the programme. Official laptops are not allowed.

ISB Placements Process

The placement process at ISB typically spans over four months, involving on-campus presentations, job advertisements, pre-placement talks, expressions of interest, campus interviews, off-campus interactions, and final interviews, with the majority of placements occurring within ten days.

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Profile of ISB Class 2022:

  1. Class Size: 929

  2. Average Age: 27.07

  3. Work Experience: 4.09

  4. Average GMAT: 713

  5. Average GRE: 328

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Year on Year 80% Median CTC (IN INR) at ISB Placements:

  1. Class of 2018: 22,00,000

  2. Class of 2019: 24,02,449

  3. Class of 2020: 24,10,000

  4. Class of 2021: 27,00,000

  5. Class of 2022: 31,00,000

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ISB placements Industry Wise Offers 2022 by percent of class:

 

  1. Advt/Media/PR/Entertainment: 2

  2. Banks/Financial Institutions/Financial Services: 12

  3. Consulting: 37

  4. E-Commerce: 9

  5. Education / Teaching & Training: 1

  6. FMCG/Retail/Consumer Durables: 5

  7. Infrastructure/ Construction/Real Estate: 1

  8. IT Consulting: 1

  9. IT/ITES: 12

  10. Manufacturing: 1

  11. Others: 6

  12. Pharma/Biotech/Healthcare/Hospitals: 3

  13. Technology: 4

  14. Telecom: 2

  15. Transportation/Logistics/Operations: 3

  16. Urban Mobility: 1

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ISB Placements 2022 Function Wise Offers in percentage of class:

  1. Analytics: 3

  2. Consulting: 37

  3. Finance: 7

  4. General Management / Strategic Planning: 9

  5. Operations: 4

  6. Others: 5

  7. Product Management: 12

  8. Project Management: 1

  9. Sales & Marketing: 18

  10. Technology: 4

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ISB Placements Industry Wise Offers - Mid 80% Average CTC 2022 (in INR)

 

  1. Advt/Media/Comm/PR/Entertainment: 29,65,000

  2. Banks/Financial Institutions/Financial Services: 34,87,630

  3. Consulting: 33,37,488

  4. E-Commerce: 33,31,972

  5. Education / Teaching & Training: 28,05,000

  6. FMCG/Retail/Consumer Durables: 26,48,759

  7. Infrastructure/ Construction/Real Estate: 28,00,000

  8. IT Consulting: 30,00,000

  9. IT/ITES: 33,51,204

  10. Manufacturing: 27,50,000

  11. Others: 36,58,800

  12. Pharma/Biotech/Healthcare/Hospitals: 31,64,218

  13. Technology: 36,65,914

  14. Telecom: 32,45,454

  15. Transportation/Logistics/Operations: 34,90,909

  16. Urban Mobility: 37,33,649

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ISB Placements Function Wise Offers - Mid 80% Average CTC 2022:

 

  1. Analytics: 32,49,028

  2. Consulting: 33,48,654

  3. Finance: 29,34,152

  4. General Management / Strategic Planning: 30,88,572

  5. Operations: 31,61,743

  6. Others: 35,47,535

  7. Product Management: 34,49,971

  8. Project Management: 31,00,000

  9. Sales & Marketing: 29,90,804

  10. Technology: 44,65,250

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FAQs

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Q. Is having a previous MBA and working in the corporate sector for three years before joining ISB a weak profile?

A. No, it is not considered a weak profile. ISB welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including those who have completed a previous MBA or worked in family businesses. During the application process, it is important to justify the reasons for pursuing a second MBA and explain the goals and outcomes expected from the PGP program.

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Q. How do the scholarship percentages change for the merit scholarship at ISB?

A. The merit scholarship percentages vary depending on the round of application. If the profile is exceptionally strong and the applicant believes they can secure a 100% tuition fee waiver, it is advisable to apply in Round One. The maximum scholarship percentage in Round Two is 75%, and in Round Three, it is 50%. Other scholarships at ISB generally have fixed percentages and do not change based on application rounds.

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Q. Is there any financial support offered by ISB for the PGP program?

A. Yes, ISB offers various scholarships, including a merit scholarship that can cover up to 100% of the tuition fee based on the strength of the candidate's profile. Additionally, upon receiving an offer letter from ISB, candidates can avail a loan up to 40 lakhs from leading banks without any collateral.

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Q. Does ISB consider career breaks negatively?

A. No, ISB does not hold career breaks against candidates. Many applicants with career breaks have been admitted to ISB. It is important to justify the career break and highlight the skills and experiences gained during that period.

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Q. Can sole earning members of the family apply for scholarships at ISB?

A. Yes, sole earning members of the family can apply for scholarships at ISB. There is an essay component where candidates can explain their family circumstances and financial situation. The decision on scholarship allocation is made by the admissions team based on the application and essay.

What is the average conversion rate at ISB in terms of total applications versus the number of intakes?

The conversion rate, which refers to the number of applicants admitted compared to the total number of applications received, is not disclosed by ISB. The admissions process is conducted separately from the application process, and the exact conversion rate is not made public.

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Q. Do the Integrated Reasoning (IR) and Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) scores matter if the GMAT score is above 700?

A. ISB primarily focuses on the total GMAT or GRE score and does not give specific importance to the IR and AWA scores. As long as the overall score is above 700, the IR and AWA scores are generally not a deciding factor in the admissions process.

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Q. Should an entrepreneur  get an ISB letter of recommendation (LOR) from the current co-founder or the old one?

A. Either the current co-founder or the previous co-founder can provide a letter of recommendation. The key factor is that the recommender should know the applicant well and be able to vouch for their work and character.

 

Q. What kind of qualities or experiences does ISB value more in applicants?

A. ISB values unique qualities and experiences that go beyond academic and test scores. They look for leadership abilities, initiative-taking skills, involvement in projects or startups, and any other experiences that showcase the applicant's strengths and achievements.

 

Q. Do applicants need to submit certificates for the mentioned extracurricular activities for ISB application process 2024?

A. If applicants have certificates or documentation for their mentioned extracurricular activities, it is beneficial to include them. However, if certificates are not available, applicants should ensure that the mentioned activities are genuine and be prepared to answer questions about them during the interview.

 

Q. Are family circumstances taken into account before joining ISB?

A. Yes, family circumstances are taken into consideration during the scholarship evaluation process. Applicants can explain their family situation and financial conditions in the essay component, and the admissions team will review the application holistically.

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Q. Should someone with exactly two years of work experience apply in ISB application Round One or Round Two?

A. Applicants with two years of work experience can apply in any round that suits them best. The strength of the application is more important than the specific round. If the application is ready and all necessary materials are prepared, the applicant can apply in Round One.

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If I have a break in my career do I qualify the ISB Hyderabad eligibility for MBA?

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A break in career does not disqualify you from fulfilling the ISB Hyderabad eligibility for MBA if you have completed in all the 24 months minimum experience requirement. 

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I have poor grades do I qualify the ISB Hyderabad MBA eligibility?

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ISB Hyderabad MBA eligibility does not mention a minimum grade to apply. The applicant with a minimum bachelors degree or equivalent with a minimum of 24 months work experience and a valid GMAT or GRE score can apply.

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I have a gap in education, do I qualify ISB Hyderabad eligibility for MBA?

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A gap in education does not disqualify you from the ISB Hyderabad eligibility for MBA if you have a valid bachelors or equivalent degree or higher. There is space in the application form to explain the gap.

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I have a GMAT of 600, do I satisfy the ISB Hyderabad MBA eligibility?

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ISB does not specify a minimum GMAT or GRE score to apply. Since the ISB Hyderabad Admission Criteria are very holistic and consider all the aspects of the applicant profile equally you can apply if you satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria. Read about What is the GMAT score required for ISB?

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What is a valid GMAT or GRE score?

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ISB Hyderabad MBA eligibility requires the applicant to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score. The GMAT or GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the date of writing the test. If you check your GMAT or GRE score report you will get the date of writing the test, the score is valid for five years from then.

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What are the ISB Hyderabad Admission Criteria?

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While selecting an application ISB admission committee looks for: academics, leadership ability followed by an interview conducted by ISB. MBA admissions teams takes into account the applicant's letter of recommendation, academic profile, GMAT score or the GRE score, the work experience and the essays etc to evaluate an application.

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  1. Admission to ISB has a selective process. Admission in ISB involves selecting quality applicants and the ISB essay plays a very important role in the process.​

  2. ISB essays aim at understanding the leadership personality of the applicants. Some people like to refer to ISB essay sample for writing the essays for ISB.​​

  3. For an admission to ISB you not only need strong academic records but you also require a GMAT score or the GRE.

  4. Through the GMAT score or the GRE test the ISB admission team analyses the academic ability of the candidate.​

  5. Apart from these ISB admission requires a minimum 2 years of work experience for your admission to ISB. ​​

  6. Admission to ISB takes into account your performance in GMAT score or GRE examination.

  7. Future ISB candidates are evaluated on the basis of the impact they have made in their professional and personal life in past.

  8. ISB been the hub and the favourite destination for Indians and it is attracting lot many students every year.​​

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What is the weightage of the GMAT score for getting into ISB MBA?

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GMAT score is quite important for the application process for ISB. However, it is not all. There are numerous rejections every year for high GMAT scorers as they have not been able to present their credentials in an impressive manner. The importance of the GMAT score is credible upto a point of basic qualification, but we strongly encourage anyone with a score within the school acceptable norms to apply. But, work hard on your application.

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What is the weightage of the interview process for getting admission into ISB MBA?

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The interview process gives a face to your application. Yes, it is important. Anyone applying to ISB should be able to proactively discuss their candidature with the interviewers on why they deserve to be a part of the ISB cohort.

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How Is my profile for getting admission to ISB MBA?

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There is nothing as a perfect profile for ISB MBA. The harder you work on finding an intrinsic fit with the school the better is your application. The first part of the process is thorough brainstorming to establish. Your profile may be worth much more than what you can see. Our ISB admission consultants have a strong process to evaluate your profile.​

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What Is The ISB PGP EEO ( ISB Early Entry Option) ?

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ISB Early Entry Option is a deferred entry program to the PGP program. ISB Hyderabad MBA admission criteria requires an applicant to have 24 months of work experience to be eligible to apply for the ISB MBA admission. However, professionals with less than 24 months of work experience can apply through the Early Entry Option (EEO) to the ISB Post Graduate Programme in Management for a one year deferred entry to the ISB MBA admission. The ISB MBA application deadlines for the EEO are the same as the regular PGP ISB MBA application deadlines.​

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The ISB Early Entry Option is an ideal choice for aspiring young professionals who are enthusiastic about pursuing a management education and seek early clarity regarding their career goals. When admitted to the ISB Early Entry Option, candidates can concentrate on maximizing their work experience before commencing their PGP studies. To qualify for deferred admission under the ISB Early Entry Option, candidates must fulfill certain prerequisites such as holding a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in any discipline, having a valid GMAT/GRE score until the commencement of PGP, and possessing less than 24 months of full-time work experience by the start date of the class.

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Additionally, applicants whose undergraduate studies were not conducted in English must provide a TOEFL/IELTS score. This tailored option provides an exclusive chance for aspiring candidates to gain admission to the ISB PGP. Upon successful selection, candidates will be granted deferred admission and can join the PGP after accumulating at least 24 months of full-time work experience.

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If you are looking for consulting career you can check more programs across the world here Consulting Careers.

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Can part-time work experience be considered for the ISB admission process?

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No, the ISB admission process only considers full-time work experience. Part-time work experience is not counted.

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Does ISB consider CA article-ship as work experience for admission?

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No, the period of CA article-ship is not considered as work experience for the ISB admission process.

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Will Army service be viewed as work experience by ISB?

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Yes, work experience in the Armed forces is considered by ISB. However, the applicant must have relevant work experience for business school.

 

Is family business experience considered for ISB application?

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A: Yes, family business experience is considered for admission to ISB if it is full-time and relevant. The applicant must also be able to provide supporting documents. However, recommendations from family and friends will not be accepted.

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Is 16 years of formal education required for ISB Application?

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No, 16 years of formal education is not a requirement for admission to ISB. As long as you have a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university, you are eligible to apply.

 

How important are extracurricular activities such as volunteering or sports in the ISB admission process?

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Extracurricular activities can add an extra dimension to your personality and make you a well-rounded applicant. If you have participated in activities outside of your academic pursuits, it's worth mentioning them in your application.

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Can someone who has already completed an MBA apply to ISB Hyderabad?

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Yes, someone who has already completed an MBA can apply to ISB's programme. However, the application must communicate a clear value as to why they want to pursue a second MBA.

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Is someone with a three-year diploma course but no undergraduate degree eligible for the ISB programme?

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No, an undergraduate degree is a mandatory requirement for admission to the ISB programme. However, in case the diploma is equivalent to a degree as determined by appropriate authorities, it will be accepted.

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Will the chances of getting an admit be different if I apply in round 1 or round 2?

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Scholarships are available in the earlier rounds of application at ISB. There is no quota or a set percentage of offers they would make in each of the rounds. Over the years, it has been observed that an application to the ISB MBA must be submitted when the application is satisfactorily ready.

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If one gets rejected in round 1, can the applicant in round 2 or round 3 in the same year?

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For ISB MBA applications, an applicant can only apply in any one round during an application year. Only IIM Ahmedabad Executive MBA applicants can reapply in any of the application rounds in one year.

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If an applicant writes the GMAT or the GRE test close to the application deadlines would the application be considered?

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In this case the official GMAT or GRE score would reach ISB later than the application deadline. The applicant should write to the ISB admissions team on email and share the screenshot and details of the test date. Once the details are confirmed, the ISB admissions team will decide to consider the application for the specific round.

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How are the GRE and the GMAT score evaluated at ISB?

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ISB does not convert the GRE score to the GMAT score. Both the scores are evaluated independently for every application.

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Is higher work experience considered an advantage at ISB application?

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Yes, higher work experience is considered a plus point at ISB application if it adds to the class diversity.

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What are the financial aid options for ISB applicants?

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ISB offers two categories of scholarships - need based , merit based scholarships. By default every applicant who applies to is given an admit is considered for a merit based scholarship. ISB offers around 40 scholarships ranging from 5 lakhs to full fee waiver…

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Need based takes into consideration the entire family income as a basic criteria. Additional essays and documentation are required to apply for these.

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In addition to these, ISB admits can opt for scholarships offered by alumni, corporates or board members at ISB. There are special scholarships for NRI applicants who have just moved back to India.

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If I have a gap in education or work experience, should I apply to ISB MBA at all?

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Yes, you can apply to ISB. You only need to provide an explanation in the application form.

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Where do I mention the additional certificates in the ISB MBA application form?

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If there is a score or a CGPA awarded for the certificate it can be mentioned in the ISB application form in the education section. If there is no score or CGPA awarded for the certificate, it should be added in the additional education section of the ISB application.

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How do I write the work experience section in the ISB MBA application?

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The ISB application provides for adding five points each in the roles and responsibilities section and the achievements section. It is worthwhile clarifying here that the reporting managers or the Human resource managers at the applicant's workplace are not contacted by ISB till the applicants is enrolled in the ISB MBA program. 

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Who should I choose for my ISB MBA application recommendation letter?

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Since ISB PGP accepts only a single recommendation letter, one should ideally choose their reporting managers as their recommenders. Some other possible options are any previous manager, a senior peer, or a client. In case of entrepreneurs the recommendation letter can be taken from a banker, any auditor, a client, a supplier or a business partner. A recommendation letter from an academic referee is not advisable for your ISB MBA application. The recommendation letters need to be submitted before the respective application deadline, however in the past the school had provided additional time for the submission of recommendations. 

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