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Application Deadline

ISB YLP admission 2024 Intake Round 2 Deadline: 31 August 2023.

Indian School of Business offers the Young Leaders Program (YLP) for applicants who are in their pre-final or final year of college as a deferred MBA admit.

What is the admission process?
ISB YLP 2024 Application Process:

 

To begin, establish an ISB YLP application login on the ISB Website.

The ISB YLP Admissions process consists of three stages.

Stage 1 of the ISB YLP Application involves two rounds of application. The first round of Stage 1 ISB YLP Application must be submitted by the deadline of October 16, 2022, and the second round of Stage 1 ISB YLP Application must be submitted by the deadline of March 26, 2023.

What are the prerequisites for applying to ISB YLP Stage 1?

To initiate the application process for ISB YLP Stage 1, the applicant must access the previously created ISB YLP login and complete the application form. The form requires the following information:

  1. Academic qualifications

  2. Awards and accomplishments of the applicant

  3. One essay specifically for ISB YLP Stage 1

  4. Online application form

  5. The application fee must be submitted exclusively for ISB YLP Stage 1.

What does ISB YLP Stage 2 entail?

Applicants who successfully advance through ISB YLP Stage 1 are required to proceed with the ISB YLP Stage 2 application.

During ISB YLP Stage 2, there is no need to create a new YLP application login. Instead, the applicant must utilize the same ISB YLP login to provide the following information for Stage 2:

  1. A GMAT or GRE score

  2. One essay specific to Stage 2

  3. One letter of reference

Results for ISB YLP Stage 2 can be expected between September 15, 2023, and November 30, 2023.

Following this stage, the final step for ISB YLP applicants is the ISB Interview.

ISB YLP Process

Source: ISB Website

ISB YLP Essays 2023
ISB YLP 2023 Essay Topic For Stage 1:

Everyone is inclined towards a particular interest/goal which they are passionate about, be it in the field of academics or extra-curriculars. What is that one thing that you are passionate about? What are your current efforts in pursuing it , and what efforts will you put in the future to achieve that goal?

(300 words max)

What's required for the ISB YLP Stage 2?

For the ISB YLP Stage 2 application the applicants need to submit:

1. GMAT or GRE scores.

  1. School Code for Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT): N2D-J5-99

  2. School Code for Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 9047

  3. School Code for Graduate Record Examination (GRE): 7891

2. One essay as below:​​

What is the ideal career which you always wanted to pursue? Do you still want to pursue the same or has it changed? How do you plan to make your ideal career a reality? (300 words max)

3. One Evaluation​ Letter​​

ISB YLP - Young leaders program is the deferred MBA program offered by Indian School of Business, Hyderabad for pre final and final year students to join ISB MBA after 2 years of work experience. ISB YLP gives you a guaranteed admission to the FT World ranked ISB MBA program.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Below are some important numbers:

  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

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.

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.

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.

What GMAT score is recommended for ISB YLP?

  1. The ISB YLP program does not have a specific minimum requirement for the GMAT score. Admission decisions for ISB YLP consider various factors such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, and leadership potential. While a high GMAT score can enhance your application, it is not the sole determining factor.

  2. To submit a competitive application, it is advisable for applicants to aim for a GMAT or GRE score that is close to or surpasses the school's average.

  3. In recent ISB intakes, the average GMAT score was 720, with a median score of 710. The average GRE score for ISB intake was 328.

  4. Considering that ISB YLP applicants typically have limited or no work experience, a strong test score can significantly bolster their application.

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.

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.

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.

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

Notes:

  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 Early Entry Option Application fees:

You have to pay the full application fees of INR 3,000 when you submit the application form at stage 1 and it is non-refundable. You can pay the application fee in any currency but the amount obtained by the school should be INR 3000.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

FAQs

What is the duration of the ISB YLP Interview?

The ISB YLP interview typically lasts for approximately 40 minutes. The panel conducting the interview generally consists of ISB alumni, particularly those who have gone through the ISB YLP program themselves. During the interview, the panel focuses on assessing the candidate's potential for leadership development, which aligns with the core principles of the ISB YLP program.

Candidates can expect various interview questions tailored to the ISB YLP program's objectives, particularly in relation to leadership. Here are some common ISB YLP interview questions that candidates may encounter:

  1. Tell us about yourself: This question serves as an icebreaker and allows candidates to provide a concise overview of their background, experiences, and achievements.

  2. Why do you want to pursue an MBA? This question aims to understand the candidate's motivations and goals in pursuing an MBA.

  3. What are your career goals? This question evaluates the candidate's aspirations regarding their professional trajectory and assesses the alignment with the program's values and focus.

  4. What are your strengths and weaknesses? This question helps the admissions committee gauge the candidate's self-awareness and their ability to reflect on their own abilities.

  5. Can you describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership? This question is intended to assess the candidate's potential for leadership and their ability to work effectively within a team.

  6. How do you handle difficult situations or conflicts? This question allows the admissions committee to evaluate the candidate's problem-solving skills and ability to manage stress and pressure.

  7. What do you believe you can contribute to the program? This question is designed to assess the candidate's fit with the program and their potential to add value to the overall learning experience.

The ISB YLP interview provides candidates with an opportunity to showcase their skills, experiences, and motivation for pursuing the program. By familiarizing themselves with these interview questions, candidates can prepare effectively and respond confidently, providing comprehensive answers that highlight their suitability for the program.

Does ISB send rejection mail for YLP?

Yes, the rejection mails are sent at the end when the result is declared after the third stage.

What are the deferred MBA programs across the world?

There are many options to pursue a deferred MBA across the world. The list of the schools are as below:

  1. HBS 2+2

  2. Stanford GSB Deferred Admission

  3. Wharton MBA Advance Access Program

  4. Yale SOM Silver Scholars Program

  5. Chicago Booth Scholars Program

  6. UVA Darden Future year admissions

  7. MIT Sloan MBA Early Admission Program

  8. Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment program

  9. Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access

  10. Carnegie Mellon Tepper Future Business Leaders

  11. Kellogg Future Leaders

  12. IESE – Young Talent Path

  13. Emory Goizueta Early Admission

  14. University of Minnesota Carlson

  15. NYU Stern Berkley Scholars

  16. Ivey Advanced Entry Scholars MBA Program

  17. ISB YLP (Young Leaders Program)

Is ISB YLP considered an MBA program?

ISB YLP is a deferred entry point to the main ISB PGP (Post Graduate Program) which is an MBA program. It offers freshers the opportunity to secure a guaranteed admission to the ISB MBA program, but they can only join once they have acquired a minimum of 20 months of work experience.

Does ISB YLP require work experience?

ISB YLP applicants can be in their final year or pre-final year of their undergraduate or graduate program, as long as they have no prior work experience. While work experience is not a requirement for ISB YLP, admitted candidates must complete 20 months of full-time work experience before they can commence their MBA studies at ISB.

How many available seats are there in ISB YLP?

While an exact number of admits for ISB YLP is not explicitly stated, it has been observed that approximately 80-90 students are typically admitted in each ISB YLP batch.

Does ISB offer a two-year MBA program?

No, ISB does not offer a two-year MBA program. The primary MBA program offered by ISB is the ISB PGP (Post Graduate Program), which has a duration of one year. However, ISB also provides other programs such as the ISB Executive MBA programs, namely ISB PGPpro and ISB PGPMAX, which have durations of 18 months and 15 months, respectively. These executive programs are designed for working professionals and follow a part-time/weekend schedule.

Have the results for ISB YLP been announced?

The results for Stage 1 shortlisting of ISB YLP 2022 are expected to be released starting from May 10, 2022 onwards.

Is ISB or IIM considered better?

ISB and IIM are both prestigious business schools in India, and determining which one is better depends entirely on the preferences of the applicants. When comparing ISB YLP and IIM programs, there are some clear differences:

  1. ISB YLP offers a deferred admission to the MBA program, which means students begin their MBA education after gaining 20 months of work experience. On the other hand, IIMs offer MBA programs that can be started immediately after graduating.

  2. The ISB MBA program is a one-year program, completing a year earlier than the two-year MBA program at IIMs.

  3. The ISB MBA program does not include a summer internship period, which is a component of the two-year MBA programs at IIMs.

  4. ISB accepts GMAT or GRE scores for admissions, while IIMs accept CAT scores specifically for their two-year MBA programs.

Is a GMAT score of 700 sufficient for ISB?

Yes, a GMAT score of 700 is considered competitive for admission to ISB. However, it is important to note that the overall profile of the applicant is crucial for success in the application process. In addition to the GMAT score, ISB considers the academic profile, extracurricular activities, leadership initiatives, essays, reference letters, and the interview.

What GMAT score is recommended for ISB YLP?

A GMAT score close to or above the school's average of 710 is considered a good score to apply for ISB YLP. There is no specific minimum cutoff for the GMAT score at ISB. Previous admissions have seen a range of GMAT scores admitted to ISB from 600 to 780.

How is ISB YLP different from ISB PGP?

ISB YLP, or the ISB Young Leaders Program, is not a separate program in itself but rather a different entry mode into the ISB PGP program. ISB YLP provides a pathway for undergraduate students to secure admission to the ISB PGP program even before they graduate.

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