Nanda Das, Director – Genpact, ISB PGPpro alum class of 2019 said “You perish when you stop growing intellectually. To be the first where knowledge is being shared is the key to staying relevant, continuing to grow and sharpen yourself.” 

There comes a time in everyone’s career path when you feel you are no longer learning anything new or know the latest economic trends. Upgrading your leadership skills is also an important quality no matter how many years of work experience you possess. The best solution to this is to pursue an MBA. It is an optimum way to upgrade your leadership skills, gain knowledge of the latest economic trends, and be ahead in the competitive world.

PGPpro at ISB is one such MBA program for mid-career working professionals. It is an executive MBA program structured in a way that you can balance professional life and upskilling.

What is PGPpro?

PGPpro is a Post Graduate Program in Management for working professionals which focuses on strategy and leadership insights with one additional area of specialization in either Finance or Marketing.

This is the first program at ISB which is offered outside the ISB campus. It has a hybrid learning model. Major component of the program is classroom learning and a part is also conducted in online mode.

You don’t have to shift to Hyderabad or Mohali to pursue this program. Only two weeks of the program are conducted at the ISB campuses (first and last week)  and the remaining classes are conducted on the weekends at four locations in India. It has also one international immersion in an Asian country.

Before discussing further, let’s first understand what are the advantages of pursuing this executive MBA (PGPPRO) at ISB.

Advantages of PGPpro

1. World-class faculty – 200+ visiting faculty from top B-schools
2. Contemporary curriculum and pedagogy
3. No opportunity cost as you can continue to work
4. With 12500+ alumni network and peer group you get an opportunity to expand your business network
5. More convenient as you don’t have to attend the classroom session only at ISB campuses

Program Location 

The program is conducted at four locations.

Bangalore – Hotel Sheraton Grand

Delhi – Westin Gurugram

Mumbai –  Indian School of Design and Innovation in Lower Parel

Hyderabad – ISB campus

Contact Details

Address: PGPpro Admissions Office, Indian School of Business, Gachibowli, Hyderabad – 500111.

Phone: +917036031777

Email:  pgppro@isb.edu

ISB PGPpro – Duration of the program

PGPpro is conducted for a duration of 18 months.

The program starts in January for Bangalore and Mumbai, in July for Delhi and Hyderabad.

Classes are held on alternate weekends – Friday & Saturday or Saturday & Sunday. These weekend classes are conducted online and offline alternatively.

ISB PGPpro program timeline

The PGPpro program starts and ends with one week campus residency at one of the campuses. Here is the program structure and calendar for Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad.

Eligibility criteria

PGPpro is for working professionals and business owners with 5+ years of work experience.

To apply to this program, you must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline. An equivalent qualification will be determined by the Admission Committee of the programme and will include the likes of CA, ICWA, etc.

I know what you must be wondering! Are there any test requirements for applying to this program? No, you don’t need any test score (GMAT/GRE) for applying to the PGPpro.

However, you will not be eligible to apply to this program if you have less than 5 years of experience as of 1st January 2024 for the Bengaluru and Mumbai locations and as of 1st July 2024 for the Delhi and Hyderabad locations.

This may further raise questions 

• Does everyone who applies for the PGPpro get admission?
• How does the admissions committee shortlist the candidates? 

Let’s discuss further.

PGPpro – Selection criteria

Only candidates who have strong academic ability, exceptional managerial experience, and superior interpersonal skills are selected for the ISB PGPpro.

Your profile will be evaluated based on

1. Academic performance
2. Interpersonal skills
3. Communication skills
4. Leadership qualities
5. Professional achievements
6. Interview performance

Now that you know how the candidates are shortlisted, let’s check the class profile of PGPPRO to analyze your strengths and weaknesses. But before that let’s also check the info sessions conducted by ISB.

ISB PGPpro admission events

To know more about the program you can attend the admission events conducted by ISB every Wednesday throughout the year. You can also clarify your doubts about everything related to  PGPPRO through the Q&A sessions.

Click here to register for the ISB PGPpro info sessions conducted by ISB.

Class profile

The PGPpro at ISB has a diverse class profile with candidates of different disciplines like engineers, marketers, doctors and defense persons. 

• IT services - 18%
• IT products - 13%
• Biotech, pharma and healthcare - 11%
• Consulting - 9%
• Finance - 8%
• Real estate - 4%
• Telecommunications - 4%
• Others - 34%

• Women - 30%
• Non-engineers - 46%
• 10+ Functional representation
• 15+ Industry representation
• Average work experience - 10 years
• Average age - 36

If you are confident that your profile is strong enough to convince the admissions committee, go ahead and start preparing to apply for the PGPPRO. If you feel you need to put more effort on your weakness to build a strong profile, start working on it.

Still confused? We are here to help you. 

Get a free profile evaluation now from former ISB Admission Officers. We also help through the application process and interview preparation services.

ISB PGPpro Application Deadline

Here are the deadlines to apply to the PGPPRO. Bookmark this page to use it later once you have worked on your profile building.

Application fee

The application fee for ISB PGPpro is INR 5,000. GST is included in this fee.

ISB PGPpro fees and scholarship

The total fee for the ISB PGPpro is INR 37,38,180 including GST. Here is the detailed breakdown of the fees:

Everyone who applies to ISB will be considered for the Merit scholarship. But if you want to avail the need-based scholarship, you need to check the criteria and indicate it in the application along with a support essay. If eligible you can avail up to 50% scholarship on tuition fees.

Scholarship Essay

In the essay, you need to provide details on how you meet the scholarship criteria, what your contribution to the program will be, and why you are eligible for the scholarship. The essay has a limit of 250 words. In the further section, we have provided a detailed analysis of the scholarship essay.

Here are the criteria to avail scholarship for PGPpro:

• Demonstrates financial need
• Community-minded and socially responsible
• Strong academic and professional profile
• Demonstrates leadership skills
• Potential for future exceptional performance 
• Potential to become an excellent ambassador for ISB as a student and as a member of the alumni network
• Entrepreneurs
• Women Leaders and professionals
• Spouse of PGPpro alumnus
• Defense Personnel 
• Children and Spouse of Martyrs

ISB PGPpro admission process

There are three steps in the admission process of the ISB PGPpro.

Step 1: Online application

You have to fill out and submit the application online. Make sure you save and review each section before submitting it. 

Apply now for PGPPRO 2025 intake.

You have to scan and submit the following documents along with the application.

1.  Academic certificates

• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Marksheet or Transcripts of class 12th and all semesters

2. Passport (first and last page)
3. Color photograph

You also have to submit professional evaluations in the prescribed format from the recent manager. If you are self-employed you must get the evaluation from your customers or vendors. 

Step 2: Interview invite

Once shortlisted you will be invited for a face-to-face interview with the admissions representative or alumni.

Step 3: Final decision

You will receive an admission decision within 4 weeks of completing the interview process. If selected you have to pay the admission fee within 10 days to reserve your place in the program.

ISB PGPpro Essays

The PGPpro Application requires applicants to answer a Main Essay, a Scholarship Essay, and an Additional optional Information Essay. Following are the respective essay questions:

Main Essay 

One of the intrinsic values at the Indian School of Business is “to develop principled, future leaders who improve lives around the world…" Please discuss how you will contribute towards this mission citing examples from your past work experience and activities? 400 words Max

Scholarship Essay 

Why should the Admissions Committee offer you over other qualified candidates? (250 words max)

Additional Information (Optional) 

Additional Information: Kindly share information that you feel is relevant for the Admissions Committee to be aware. For example: current or past gaps in education or employment, professional achievements, awards or other information relevant to your application. (250 words max)

Role Description

In addition to these essays, applicants are also required to provide a 300-word statement that describes each role they have been in:

Describe the department/organizational unit for which you are responsible. Relate it to the whole organization in terms of size, scope, and autonomy of responsibility. What human resources, budget, and capital investment are you responsible for? (Maximum 300 words)

For detailed ISB PGPpro essay analysis and tips from the team of ISBmantra, check this article - ISB PGPpro Essay Analysis.

FAQs

The post ISB PGPpro: Executive MBA at ISB – A Complete Guide appeared first on ISB Mantra Blog.

D J Mathews – Director/Pepsico, ISB PGPMAX alumnus class of 2017 said “PGPMAX is a perfect blend of a course which helps professionals grow into leaders.”

Leadership is not always playing the front role. Sometimes you have to take a step back to develop a vision. Leaders can see what others cannot. The ISB PGPMAX is one of the MBA programs that will guide you to manage your leadership skills and evolve as an effective leader.

ISB PGPMAX is a unique executive MBA program for senior executives who are already well-established in their industry but want to gain in-depth knowledge of current industry trends. It is designed in a way to boost your skills with minimal work disruption.

If you are someone who is looking to enhance your leadership skills and have 10+ years of work experience, reading this article will give you more clarity about the program. 

We have discussed everything you need to know about the unique executive MBA program – ISB PGPMAX. Let’s begin by understanding what is ISB PGPMAX.

What is ISB PGPMAX?

Program Highlights for ISB PGPMAX:

1. Target Audience: Executives and business owners with 15+ years of work experience.
2. Duration: 15 Months.
3. Locations: Hyderabad and Mohali.
4. Format: Modular Programme with minimal work disruption.
5. Degree: Executive MBA-equivalent degree.
6. Objective: Enhance and broaden existing skills, offer exposure to the latest industry developments, and prepare for greater responsibilities.
7. Program Structure:
   • 12 Campus Residency Weeks: Intensive on-campus learning sessions.
   • 2 International Immersions: Gain global perspectives through immersive experiences.
8. Credits: 24 credits.
9. Contact Hours: 508 hours of interactive learning sessions.
10. Alumni Network: Join over 15,000 members in the PGP Suite Alumni Network for networking and collaboration opportunities.

The ISB PGPMAX is an executive MBA program for senior executives, business managers, and entrepreneurs with 10 to 25 years of work experience. The primary objective of the program is to develop global leaders with analytic and strategic skills that are essential in the ever-evolving business world. 

ISB PGPMAX is the only EMBA equivalent program from India to be ranked in The Economist’s Executive MBA ranking. It is designed in a way to earn an MBA with minimal work disruption. This program will help you improve your existing skills, and provide exposure to the latest industry trends which will give you the confidence to take up greater responsibilities in your professional life.

Now that you have an idea of what the program is, let’s discuss why you should take up this program and how it is going to help you in the next leap of your career.

Why ISB PGPMAX?

Here is the list of features that make the ISB PGPMAX a unique executive MBA program:

• Cutting edge curriculum 
• Top global faculty
• Exceptional peer group learning
• Two international immersions
• Classroom based learning with minimal work disruption
• Membership in Executive MBA Council

Advantages of ISB PGPMAX

• Value addition to your personal brand
• Lifelong access to connections across organizations and regions
• Opportunity to implement and analyze your learnings immediately
• Knowledge of global business ecosystem

ISB PGPMAX – Program highlights

Global EMBA ranking – #44
Program duration – 15 months
Contact Hours – 508
In campus residency weeks – 12 
Program delivery location – 2
Courses – 24
Alumni network – 12500+

ISB PGPMAX – Duration of the program

The ISB PGPMAX is conducted for 15 months.

The program usually starts in August and ends next year in November.

You will have classroom sessions for one week after every 5 weeks at the Hyderabad or Mohali campus. There will be 10 modules in India and two modules in International immersions.

ISB PGPMAX – Program Calendar

Here is the program calendar for ISB PGPMAX 2024-2025. These dates are subject to change. Hence, bookmark it for future reference.

ISB PGPMAX – Program location

Hyderabad campus : Indian School of Business, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500 111

Mohali campus : Indian School of Business , Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab – 140 306

ISB PGPMAX – Contact details

Phone : 040-71327428

Email : pgpmax@isb.edu

ISB PGPMAX – Class Profile

Average work experience – 16 years
Average age – 40
Industries represented – 10+

Functional distribution of PGPMAX class

• Marketing/Sales - 37.5%
• IT Consulting - 19.3%
• Operations - 14.8%
• Finance - 6.8%
• General Management - 6.8%
• Accounting - 3%
• Consulting - 3%
• Others - 7%     

ISB PGPMAX - Fees and scholarship

The ISB PGPMAX fee for the academic year 2024-25 is ₹ ​41,78,000 plus GST(18%). Here is the breakdown of the fee structure:

The program fees include the accommodation charges during the residential stay for classroom sessions and international immersion but it does not include the travel charges and other miscellaneous charges.

There are a limited number of merit-based scholarships available for the PGPMAX candidates. These scholarships cover up to 20% to 35% of the tuition fees. You can apply for the scholarship if you satisfy the following criteria:

• Community minded and socially responsible
• Strong professional profile with a track of achievements
• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Potential for exceptional performance and impact
• Potential to become an excellent ISB ambassador
• Spouse of a PGPMAX alumni
• Women leaders mainly who are working in public sector

Who can apply to the ISB PGPMAX?

To apply to the ISB PGPMAX you should have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in any discipline and you must possess a minimum of 15 years of full-time work experience post your bachelor’s degree as of the program start date.

No test score is required. However, you need a letter of consent from your current employer to pursue the program.

Get a free profile evaluation now from former ISB Admission Officers. We also help through the application process and interview preparation services.

Here are the key components which ISB looks for in the applicants.

1. Well balanced and mature
2. Self-motivated and passionate about learning
3. Have a global outlook and mindset
4. Possess high ethical standards
5. Display leadership potential

Application deadline

Application fee

Application process

You need to fill out and submit the ISB PGPMAX application online. Make sure you fill in all the details correctly. Focus on your current roles, responsibilities, and professional achievements.

Click here to apply for the ISB PGPMAX.

You need to scan and submit the following documents along with your application

• Updated resume/ CV
• Color photograph
• Bachelor’s degree mark sheet for all semesters
• Bachelor degree certificate
• Copy of your passport
• Proof of income
• Consent letter from your current employer (this can be submitted later as well along with the acceptance of the admission offer)
• Business card
• Two professional references (they have to provide online evaluation as per the prescribed format in the application)
• Organizational chart

ISB PGPMAX - Admission events

You can attend the admission events conducted by ISB to understand about the program and admission process. These events also give you clarity on the benefits and objectives of the ISB PGPMAX.

Here is the list of admission events conducted by ISB. Bookmark this page for updated information about the ISB PGPMAX admission events.

The 2024-2025 calendar is to be updated.

You can also visit the campus to understand the curriculum, and teaching methodology, interact with the team members of the program, and analyze the relevance of the program in your current career stage. 

Here are the days and times you can visit the campuses

ISB PGPMAX - Placement

ISB does not provide placement to the PGPMAX candidates. The learning and development (L&D) team of ISB helps you achieve your career goals and provides personalized customer service to develop your career. Here is the list of services provided by the L&D team:

• Personalized coaching by the ISB alumni
• Workshops to train you on job search skills
• Enhance your relationship with alumni and corporate recruiters
• Training sessions to inspire job seekers

You will also have lifetime access to career resources that will support your long-term career goals.

FAQs

The post ISB PGPMAX – A Unique Executive MBA Program appeared first on ISB Mantra Blog.

It must be painful to see the rejection letter from your dream school (ISB) when you have spent months preparing for the application be it taking the GMAT, writing essays, or preparing for the interview. It is okay to not be okay. But don’t stay in the rejection zone. It’s meant to help you introspect so that you can bounce back even stronger. So, move on and start planning on how to increase your chances of getting admission to ISB in your next attempt. Rejection does not mean you are not fit, it means you missed portraying your potential in the best way.

What to do after rejection from ISB?

Before analyzing what went wrong, it is important for you to take a break and make your mind peaceful. Just stressing yourself immediately after the rejection won’t work. Relax! Breath! Do something that makes you feel better. Go on a vacation, talk to an old friend, spend time with family or friends, and develop a new routine like yoga or a morning walk. 

Once you feel calm and relaxed, start working on your application. So, how should you start? We have the answer for you in this article. We have discussed a detailed step-by-step guide on how to create a rejection recovery plan for ISB.

Take a look at Vidhi’s Amazing Successful Reapplication Strategy

ISB rejection recovery plan for reapplicants

Step-by-step guide for ISB rejection recovery plan:

1. Analyze the reason for your rejection
2. Build a strong profile
3. Improve your candidacy  
4. Understand the re-application process
5. Decide which round to apply
6. Get feedback from experts

Analyze the reason for your rejection

A successful recovery plan starts with analyzing the reason for the rejection.

Questions to understand your reasons for rejection

• Was I clear about my goal?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• Did I have the required GMAT/GRE score? 
• Were my essays up to the mark?
• How did I do in the interview?
• Did I communicate clearly?
• Was my body language correct?

When you have asked these questions to yourself, you must have figured out or at least have an idea of where you lacked in the last attempt. Once you know where you lack, you should start working on building a strong profile.

Build a strong profile

ISB is well known for its diverse class profile. Analyze the class profile for what GMAT score they had, how many years of experience they possess, what kind of achievements they had, etc. This will give you exposure to what kind of profile the candidates bring to the class of ISB and how to position yourself as uniquely as possible. 

Here are some tips to build a strong profile that can impress the Admissions Committee:

• Certificate courses
• Internships
• Keep yourself updated on the latest economic trends
• Learn a new language
• Gain International exposure
• Attend admission events conducted by ISB Admissions Committee to understand their requirements
• Attend conferences
• Consider retaking the GMAT if your score was lower
• Work hard for the promotion which you think might boost your profile

Academic credentials are not the only criteria for admission, hence introspect your profile and start working on how to build a well-rounded profile.

ISB admission events, check here for the latest admission events conducted by ISB.

Improve your candidacy

Building a strong profile alone is not enough to increase your chances of admission to ISB, it is also important to highlight and communicate what you have built.

• Think about how to write essays in a better way highlighting your skills 
• Work on your body language 
• Work on your communication skills 
• Take more mock interviews if required
• Reconsider your recommender

ISB Letter of Recommendation, in this article we have discussed in detail how and when to choose the recommender.

It is more important to work on your weaknesses along with enhancing your strengths to prove your capability to the ISB admissions committee. 

The prime question for any PGP applicant would be ‘Why MBA?’ The motive of this question is to understand whether you are clear about your short-term and long-term career goals. It is also important to have a solid answer about what value it is going to add to your profile and what value you are going to add to the ISB PGP class.

Hence, be prepared to explain how your career goals are aligned with the learning prospects of ISB.

Understand the re-application process

The process of reapplying to ISB is the same as applying for the first time except that you have to write an additional essay (reapplicant essay), mentioning improvements in your profile. This is the best opportunity to prove your eligibility for getting admission to ISB as a reapplicant. Hence, make use of it wisely.

Reapplicant Essay Analysis, in this article we have discussed in detail how to write a reapplicant essay.

Decide which round to apply

Being aware of the re-application process, the next step is to decide which round to apply to ISB. As you know, there are three rounds for the ISB PGP application. Applying in any round does not increase or decrease your chances of getting admission to ISB. 

However, as a reapplicant, you need to decide which round to apply to based on the time you take to analyze and create a well-rounded profile that would increase your chances of getting an admit. 

Get feedback from experts

Nobody likes to see the rejection from ISB the second time after doing all the hard work. Though you know what went wrong and how to correct it, it is advisable to reach out to professionals who can help you frame your application in a better way this time.

Sometimes you might have missed noticing your flaw which could have caused the rejection. So it is always better to get it checked and corrected by ISB admissions consultants.

Case study: Aditya Dev’s re-application strategy 

Aditya, who has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from SRM University, Chennai explains how he strategized his ISB PGP application and interview as a reapplicant. He has 2.5 years of experience in Healthcare Analytics and Consulting at ZS Associates and PWC. He shares how ISBmantra helped him put together the pieces of his profile into a unique story which helped him gain confidence. 

The post ISB Reapplication 2025: How to bounce back from an ISB rejection? appeared first on ISB Mantra Blog.

Prashanth Venkatesh, Marketing Director, Unilever, an ISB PGP Alum said “he lived a lifetime in one year” when asked about his journey with ISB.

While sharing his experience (Prashanth Venkatesh’s incredible one year at ISB) he said “You really get to know how much can happen in a single calendar year. You meet professionals from all over the country and different parts of the globe. You can participate in conferences, presentations, quizzes, events, clubs, networking, and much more.”

According to him, world-class academics, extraordinary networking, and personal growth were the key takeaways that helped him in career development and leadership.

If you want to get into ISB and want to experience what Mr. Prashant did, you first need to know more details about ISB.

• What are the special features of the ISB programs?
• How is class diversity?
• How will be the admission process?
• When is the application deadline?

We will discuss everything in this article. We also update this page with the admission events conducted by ISB for various programs.

ISB Accreditation

ISB has triple-crown accreditation from 

• Association of MBA (AMBA)
• EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

These accreditation represent the high standard of education in the MBA programs.

ISB Rankings

ISB ranked #1 in India and #6 in Asia in the Financial Times(FT) Global MBA ranking.
The one-year MBA program (PGP) ranked #32 globally in the Financial Times Global MBA rankings 2023
ISB ranked #6 in the Asia-Pacific region and #2 in India for the best B-Schools 2022-2023 by the Bloomberg Businessweek.

The Bloomberg Businessweek’s ranking was based on learning, networking, entrepreneurship and compensation. In Asia-Pacific region ISB has ranked

• #2 in learning
• #2 in networking
• #3 in entrepreneurship 
• #6 in compensation

As per the news article published by ISB, it is the only B-school in India among the top 25 global business schools.

ISB campus

Contact details of ISB

• Website: www.isb.edu
• Email: pgp@isb.edu
• Social Media: LinkedIn,Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Blog
• Contact : https://www.isb.edu/en/connect.html

Partnerships

• Founding schools
  1. Kellogg School of Management
  2. Wharton University of Pennsylvania

• Associate Schools
  1. MIT- Sloan School of Management
  2. The Fletcher School, Tufts university
  3.  London Business School

Dean of ISB

Professor Madan Pillutla took charge as Dean of ISB on 1st July 2021. He is the 6th Dean of Indian School of Business.

Professor Madan Pillutla, Dean, Indian School of Business (ISB)

According to Professor Madan Pillutla’s inaugural address, “ISB is an internationally recognized world class business school with the aim of developing global leaders by providing world class infrastructure and resources. Being in the third decade of ISB, they wanted to continue to leverage their knowledge for the development of India. They want to establish ISB as the first B school that comes to mind for anyone across the globe who searches for the best business school.”

Why ISB?

ISB was designed to inspire young leaders who can direct the ever-changing business industry towards economic growth and social transformation. Their holistic and unique approach to education helps in developing future leaders.

Here are the reasons why you should join ISB:

Association with International universities
World-class infrastructure
Prominent faculty in the business industry from different parts of the world teach at ISB
High-quality research center
Strong alumni network
International exposure

Programs at ISB

ISB is well known for its one-year MBA program (PGP). Apart from this flagship program, ISB also offers other management, Advanced management, and Doctoral programs.

Post Graduate Program

1. PGP – Post Graduate Programme in management (one year MBA program)

There are two deferred entries to this program

• YLP – Young Leaders Programme
• EEO – Early Entry Option

2. PGPPRO – Post Graduate Programme in management for mid level working professionals
3. PGPMAX – Post Graduate Programme in management for senior executives
4. PGP MFAB – Post Graduate Programme in management for family business

Advanced Management Program (AMP)

1. AMPBA – Advanced Management Programme in Business Analytics 
2. AMPH – Advanced Management Programme for Healthcare 
3. AMPI – Advanced Management Programme for Infrastructure 
4. AMPOS – Advanced Management Programme in Operations and Supply Chain 
5. AMPPP – Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy 

Doctoral Studies

1. FPM – Fellow Programme in Management 
2. EFPM – Executive Fellow Programme in Management

ISB Fees 

The fees for the PGP program at ISB, according to the college, is 30,97,620 at both Hyderabad and Mohali. 

Here is the full breakdown of the fee of various MBA programs at ISB:

The college does provide scholarships based on various factors such as your GMAT/GRE score, income levels, profile & experience etc. Learn how to avail these scholarships here.

ISB Hyderabad and Mohali Placements 2023 Report

ISB Placements 2023 saw 222 recruiters make 1578 offers to the ISB PGP class of 2023 with 40% of these going to women students. The average salary received by the class stood at 34.21 Lakhs per annum which is a 2.5X increase from the average pre-ISB CTC of Rs 13.39 lakh.

The top industries in terms of offers were Consulting, IT/ITES/Technology, BFSI, and FMCG/retail. Consulting, product management, sales and marketing, and general management/leadership programs were the leading functions that students got job offers in. 

ISB PGP Class Profile of 2023 – Hyderabad and Mohali

• Class size - 843
• Average GMAT - 720
• Average GRE - 328
• Gender diversity
  1. 63% male
  2. 37% female

ISB PGP - Eligibility criteria

ISB admissions process for Hyderabad and Mohali

The admission process takes place in 3 rounds for the PGP and PGPpro programs and 2 rounds for the PGPmax and PGP MFAB programs.

You need to submit the application online with a GMAT/GRE score, necessary documents, essays, and recommendation letter (if applicable). Once shortlisted, you will get an invite from ISB for a face-to-face interview. You will get an admit to ISB based on your profile, GMAT/GRE score, and your performance in the interview. What is a good GMAT score for ISB?, check this article to know about good GMAT score for ISB.

ISB - Application deadline

For more details about the application deadline, read this article on ISB application deadline.

ISB - Application fee (in INR)

ISB curriculum - Hyderabad and Mohali

The academic year at ISB consists of 8 terms with 1.5 months each term and you must complete 32 credits to gain an MBA.

• First 3 terms - core courses
• Fourth term - crossover term which is a mix of core and elective courses
• Last four terms - elective courses

Digital Headstart Module (DHM)

Adapting to the changes because of COVID, ISB has replaced the first term with a 10-week Digital Headstart Module (DHM). DHM comprises of

4 easy-paced, core courses
Independent research project opportunity under Faculty guidance
Learning and career growth events
O-week and LEAD

DHM will ultimately ease the on-campus experience for students, having already inducted them into 4 core foundational subjects and has given ample opportunities to interact and bond.

You can choose from five functional specializations (called Majors)

• Finance
• Operations
• Marketing
• Entrepreneurship
• Strategy & Leadership

ISB also offers industry specializations, such as Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Information Technology. You must take up at least one functional Major and a maximum of two functional specializations. The industry specializations are optional.

There is a mandatory elective for each specialization which may be distributed in one or more terms. So, two or three courses are designated as mandatory electives and if you are planning to pursue a particular Major you have to opt for one of the mandatory electives.

Experiential Learning Program (ELP)

ELP is a short-term project that falls under the purview of consulting. ISB tends to solicit these consulting projects from a number of different companies (domestic and international) and float it among teams of current students who may be interested in a particular sector or function.

The majority of the ELPs at ISB arrive between the end of the second term and the beginning of the fourth term. Taking up an ELP is equivalent to a two-credit course.

Steps for ELP

• The first step involves forming a diverse team that can offer a wide range of skills and experiences. 
• After exchanging emails, and trying different combinations, a team of three to six members is formed. 
• A brief document is then to be drafted, elaborating the team profile, skillset of the members and the plan for execution. This along with CVs of team members go to the ISB team who then prepares a list of shortlisted candidates. 
• The shortlisted teams then interact with the client who takes the final call.
• Students taking up the ELP have to agree to certain deadlines set by the client by stating them in a charter. 

ISB Alumni

ISB has a strong alumni network with 12500+ graduates from different parts of the world. The current students get a chance to interact with alumni in their field of interest who guide them in building their careers.

ISB - Notable Alumni

Here are a few notable alumni of ISB:

1. Ankur Warikoo, Founder of nearbuy, former CEO of Groupon India
2. Neeraj Arora, Former Chief Business Officer of WhatsApp
3. Shvetha Jaishankar, Entrepreneur, author, and model
4. Namrata Brar, News anchor and investigative journalist, former US Bureau Chief for NDTV
5. Viren Rasquinha, CEO of Olympic Gold Quest, former Indian Hockey Team Captain
6. Manik Gupta, Founder of CVKey, former Chief Product Officer for Uber
7. Sujayath Ali, Founder of ShopUp
8. Nipun Malhotra,Social Entrepreneur and Activist
9. Sriram Venkataraman,CFO and COO of Flipkart
10. Ravinder Singh, Author and Speaker

ISB Admissions events

ISB conducts various admission events and webinars throughout the year. You can clear all your doubts regarding the program and admission by attending these events. We will update this calendar regularly, so bookmark this page to know about upcoming events.

FAQs

The post ISB Hyderabad and Mohali – Admissions 2024, Fees, Ranking, Placements & Alumni appeared first on ISB Mantra Blog.

The executive MBA at ISB (PGPpro/PGPmax) is a highly selective business education program for professionals with 10+ years of work experience. With no GMAT/GRE test score requirement for the EMBA at ISB, the essays and interview process play a vital role in deciding whether you are a good fit for the program.

The PGPpro/PGPmax interview helps you to demonstrate your professional and personal life history. It is a chance for you to sit with admission officials face to face and explain to them your potential of adding value to the school.

Hence, you need to prepare early by doing more research on what is to be expected at the interview. Though you shouldn’t just practice and repeat the commonly asked questions, it is always better to take a few monk interviews ahead to build your confidence.

Let’s begin with the commonly asked PGPpro/PGPmax interview questions

Commonly asked PGPpro/PGPmax interview questions

Here is the list of commonly asked PGPpro/PGPmax interview questions

1. Tell us about yourself
2. Tell us your hobbies
3. Why do you want to pursue an MBA at this career stage?
4. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
5. What made you choose PGPpro/PGPmax?
6. Why ISB?
7. What makes you think you are a good fit for the program?
8. Tell us a situation that demonstrates your leadership skills
9. How will you manage your job and other activities after joining the course?
10. Do you have any specific questions for us?

Before understanding how you should prepare yourself for the responses, and what topics the interview panel tries to cover, let’s first understand the PGPpro/PGPmax interview structure.

PGPpro/PGPmax interview structure

The ISB interview panel usually consists of ISB PGPpro/PGPmax alumni. The interview lasts from 30 to 45 minutes in general with time left at the end to ask any questions to the panel members.

The purpose of the interview is to discuss whether the program can help you in your career goals and how you are going to add value to the school. They make sure there is a mutual fit from both sides.

Now, let’s discuss further what topics the interview panel tries to cover to understand your ability.

PGPpro/PGPmax interview topics

ISB tries to understand your abilities by covering the following topics in the interview

• Leadership potential and career progress
• Management and motivation
• Contribution to the peer group
• International Exposure
• Hobbies and current affairs
• Future goals
• Problem-solving skills

For more details, check this article – ISB Interview Preparation Tips. The former ISB admission officers have shared their input on how ISB tries to understand your abilities and preparation tips for you to ace the ISB interview.

Now that you have an idea of what you can expect in the interview, let’s discuss what you should ask the panel members. Remember, they see whether there is a mutual fit. So, you must have a few questions for them which demonstrate your interest and motivation for the program.

What to ask in the PGPpro/PGPmax interview?

All the interviews typically end with “Do you have any questions for us?”. At this point, the admissions committee wants to see that you are spirited and motivated to join the program.

While the first part of the interview, where most of the time you will be responding is important to ensure your capability, the second part is also equally important. Hence, make sure you ask them some valid questions and don’t do anything for namesake. 

Here are some questions you can ask the PGPpro/PGPmax interview panel, members

1. Ask about the significant benefits of joining the program at ISB. This ensures you are serious about joining the program.
2. Enquire about specific buildings, activities, and clubs. This shows you are picturing yourself as a student.
3. Ask about the faculties and specific initiatives in your field. This shows that you are excited about the educational opportunities and faculties.

If there is an alumnus in the interview panel, here are some questions you can ask them

1. How beneficial was the program for your career growth?
2. Which classes were the most helpful?
3. How did you balance your professional life and student life?
4. What are the challenges you faced while pursuing the program?

Here is an ISB PGPpro case study that will further help you boost your confidence before attending the interview.

Case Study: ISB PGPpro Review

Kavisha Dalgi who has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Mumbai University and 6 years of work experience at the Walt Disney Company shares her experience of applying to the PGPpro at ISB. She didn’t have prior managerial experience and was aspiring to get into a category management role, which is why she chose to apply to the executive MBA at ISB (PGPpro).

Watch this video, where Prashant Tibrewal, Founder and Chief mentor – ISBmantra discusses the following with Kavisha :

• Benefits of an Executive MBA
• Approach to Building the Application  
• ISB PGPpro Interview Experience
• Tips for future applicants

Here is the highlight of important information from the video.

Benefits of ISB PGPpro

Kavisha feels there will be a gradual improvement in your professional life when you pursue the PGPpro program. You will start applying whatever you learn to work which will have a great impact. This program empowered her through the right knowledge and techniques which gave her the confidence to contribute better in work which helped her in the transformation to a Brand Manager role at Nykaa.

The Peer group of ISB PGPpro

ISB is synonymous with diversity. She shares how diverse her PGPpro class was with a radio jockey, a doctor, an artist, a commander from the Indian Navy, etc. In her opinion, diversity brings a new perspective to the way you think. Every case study will have multiple approaches which you would have never thought about. Also, you gain lifelong friendships with people from different backgrounds which will help you to extend your network.

ISB PGPpro application approach

It took 3 months for Kavisha to build her ISB PGPpro application. She did a lot of pre-work to get in touch with the right people. She applied to PGPpro when it was new, her batch was the first batch from Mumbai. So, she got in touch with the ISB network and the right kind of admission consultancy who helped her in building the application.

In addition to working on essays, she also had to put a lot of effort into getting in touch with the right people from the organization for recommendations. She focused on career growth, and every point in her application concentrated on the need to pursue an MBA.

The responsibility and seriousness you take in building the application is important and this reflects the essays you write.

– Kavisha, ISB PGPpro alumnus

ISB PGPpro interview experience

Her ISB PGPpro Interview panel had PGPpro alums. She felt her interview was conversational and friendly. She emphasizes how important it is to prepare ahead for the interview as ISB rolls out interview invites just 2-4 days before the interview. She says they mainly check the problem-solving skills of the candidate. Her interview also focused on the need to do an MBA, and career goals after an MBA. 

Check this article – ISB interview experiences, we have shared 45+ real ISB interview experiences of candidates from different backgrounds and industries. This will give you a clear insight into the ISB interview.

The post ISB PGPpro/PGPmax Interview Questions and Interview Experience appeared first on ISB Mantra Blog.

An impactful work experience and a high GMAT score are important criteria for getting admission to ISB. But what if your GMAT score is average and work experience is on the lower side? Can you still get into ISB?

Yes, you can.

Mridul Gupta, a Bachelor’s degree holder in Finance from Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Delhi University made it to ISB despite an average GMAT score and work experience less than the class average.

How did he achieve this feat?

Mridul achieved this by smartly strategizing his ISB application and interview prep around his strengths and weaknesses.

Not just that, not only was he prepared to answer these common questions like ‘Why MBA’  and ‘Why ISB’, but also ‘Why now.’

To find out about the ISB PGP average class experience and GMAT score, check this article : ISB - A complete guide 

This article focuses on how Mridul strategized his application, what worked in his favor, and how he answered these common yet important questions.

You can also watch the video where Vikram Singh, CEO & Chief Mentor – ISBmantra and former Admissions Officer of ISB discusses the following with Mridul Gupta.

● ISB Application Strategy with a consulting background

● Interview Preparation and Strategy for PGP 

● How ISBmantra assisted with Interview prep

● How to secure an admit in Round 3

Navigate the different sections with the help of the below timestamps:

00:00  – Introduction

00:20  – Mridul’s Academic & Professional Background 

02:26  – Application Strategy for PGP 

03:48  – Experience with ISBmantra   

06:40  – ISB PGP Interview Experience  

10:25 – Engagement with ISB Post Admit

11:46 – Advice for aspiring ISB Applicants

13:06 – End

Here is the spotlight of important information from the video.

Having total experience which is less than the class average and average GMAT score, what do you think worked in your favor?

His educational background helped the admissions committee understand why he wanted to do an MBA. He felt there was a natural fit in terms of progression in both education and career. His career goals before and after his MBA were aligned with consulting. He also had an eye out for being involved in extracurricular activities and leadership roles. He highlighted these qualities in applications other than GMAT and academics, which helped him get an admission.

Application strategy

There are certain factors that are the pillars of the ISB application. You cannot change these after you decide to pursue an MBA. For example, in academics, you cannot certainly change the grades you have scored. Instead, it is wiser to highlight the other strong points which will make your application unique. Mridul highlighted his learning from work experience which helped him secure admission.

He also mentions how well the sessions were planned by ISBmantra. He said he had a key takeaway post every session and value addition that he was making to the application.

Preparing for the ISB interview

Coherence is the key when it comes to ISB interviews. But you should not just practice a few questions and repeat them in the interview. You should have a perspective on different kinds of questions you could be asked in the interview. Taking mock interviews will definitely help in the same. 

Mridul took the personalized interview sessions from the ISBmantra. From his first mock interview, he realized he had a gap in current financial affairs which he worked on. The second session was based on career goals where he realized he should have in-depth knowledge of the vertical he wanted to choose. He was advised to read more about consulting.

Interactions with different alumni from consulting helped him to build the perspective of what he could expect from an alum from a similar background. His last mock interview was also with alumni from a similar background, which was very similar to the actual ISB interview. 

ISB interview experience

In the ISB interview panel, he had alumni with consulting backgrounds from the 2018 batch. Unexpectedly, the interaction started with his hobbies. Followed by questions related to work experience and the engagement he had delivered at work. He was also asked the most commonly asked questions – ‘Why MBA’ and ‘Why ISB’, which he was well prepared for.

Engagement with ISB post admit

Mridul is a Round 3 admit, so he had less time compared to other candidates. He said he is trying to make the most out of it by preparing some core courses and a lot of socializing with the peer group and alumni.

Advice to prospective applicants

He said a good GMAT score always helps. Hence, focus on the GMAT and make sure you score above the class average. From the application point of view, ISB values leadership qualities, so make sure you highlight your leadership skills in the application. He also advised ISB prospective applicants to be aware of the latest industry trends.

The post How to get into ISB with less work experience and an average GMAT score? appeared first on ISB Mantra Blog.

Cracking your dream MBA is an admirable feat, but doing it on the first attempt is an entirely different experience. That’s something Nandini experienced herself when she secured an ISB YLP admit on her first attempt.

You must be wondering how did she accomplish this amazing feat so that her story can inspire you to achieve your goals.

So, here’s Nandini, an Economics student from Shri Ram College of Commerce, sharing her story.

For step by step guidance on how to get into ISB, check this article - 8 step guide to getting into ISB

This article highlights Nandini’s strategy for building a strong profile for the ISB YLP. You can also watch her video to understand how she prepared for the YLP admissions.

Navigate to the relevant section with the help of the below timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:20 Nandini’s Academic Background

01:16 When should you apply for the Young Leaders Program?

02:07 Why ISB?

03:05 YLP Application Strategy  

03:54 Application Essays

04:50 Application Experience with ISBmantra

06:01 ISB YLP Interview Experience

07:56 Interview Preparation with ISBmantra

10:01 Engagement with ISB before joining the Program

11:24 Advice for aspiring ISB YLP Applicants

Here are the most important pieces of information from the video which will help you understand her strategy.

When did you apply for the YLP?

YLP is a deferred MBA program. Hence, applying in the pre-final year of college is a wiser decision, as it gives you another opportunity in the final year if you can’t make it on the first attempt. Nandini followed this strategy and applied to ISB YLP in her pre-final year of graduation.

However, she got admission to ISB in the first attempt itself. The prime reason was her strategy of creating a strong profile.

What was your YLP Application Strategy?

The basis of the ISB application strategy is to build a strong profile. There won’t be enough time to do new things before the 1st stage of the YLP application process. Whereas you will have the required time until the 2nd stage of the YLP application deadline to make that extra effort which will help you create a well-rounded profile. 

Nandini made use of this time effectively and worked on improving her profile. She took up an internship at Deloitte, cracked a national level case competition, and organized a national level fest. 

Your approach to the YLP Essays 

The YLP stage 1 essay was regarding a personal incident and she was confident enough to write it by herself. She wrote about her hobby – art, and how it impacted her. 

However, the stage 2 essay was about the goal you wanted to achieve. Writing about your career goal and the steps you are taking to achieve it should be the primary focus for this essay. She had the required points to write this essay. But she still needed the support to frame her essay in the best possible way. That’s when she approached ISBmantra.

Check this article YLP Essay Analysis for detailed analysis of the YLP essay and sample essay structure.

How much time did you have to prepare for the ISB interview and how did you prepare for the interview?

ISB rolls out the interview invite 4 to 6 days before the interview date. Hence, it is essential for you to start preparing for the interview well ahead of time. 

ISB interview - check this article for interview preparation tips, and commonly asked ISB interview questions by A.M. Kannan, Chief Mentor - ISBmantra, Former Director - Admission and Financial Aid at ISB.

With the college and other commitments, Nandini wanted to be well prepared and she approached ISBmantra who helped her with personalized interview preparation services.

She said, “My entire week was utilized in a very structured way by working on the feedback of the previous interview sessions I had.” 

Engagement with ISB before joining the program

Your engagement with ISB starts much earlier. You will have weekend classes, interaction sessions with the alumni, and the opportunity to work on assignments. 

Nandini was really excited about it as she could find more about ISB and also start working on improving her skills through the assignments before she joined the PGP class.

As suggested by the interview panelist when she asked about how to prepare herself before joining the ISB, she planned to build her skills and gain knowledge through her working experience. Her motive is to learn and imbibe as much as she can to be prepared to enter the rigorous training program at ISB. 

Advice to prospective YLP applicants

Nandini said “To apply to ISB you need a good profile. Particularly for stage 1 as you won’t have much time before the deadline, so start working in the first or second year of college. Once you get through stage 1 of the YLP application process, start taking internships, and participate in competitions to build your profile.”

She also said It is not just academics, you need to work in a wholesome manner on your extracurriculars as well, so that you can show them you are developing skills and are serious about it.

If Nandini’s story inspires you and you desire to apply to ISB YLP, get in touch with us.

The post How to get an ISB YLP admit on the first attempt? appeared first on ISB Mantra Blog.

The Indian School of Business (ISB) and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) are the two biggest brands in the business school education market. Both schools have created a trust which is based on decades of experience in imparting business education. Both the schools offer different management programs and therefore, choosing which business school to go to, ISB or IIM becomes a challenging task.

With many options available at ISB and IIM, choosing which MBA program to pursue can be confusing. The goal to pursue an MBA may differ for individuals. You should first be clear on your goal of pursuing an MBA and then analyze the options available. The main components which you should consider are the eligibility criteria, alignment of your goal with the learning outcome of the program, location, duration, cost, and ROI.

Let’s discuss both the schools in detail which will help you decide which is better for you.

ISB was established in 2001 by a group of founders as a world-class business school to inspire young minds and professionals who play a vital role in steering the dynamic business world towards economic growth and social transformation. Whereas, IIM was established much earlier in 1961 to meet the demand for highly skilled managers for the public sector by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

ISB vs IIM – Location

There are two campuses of ISB in India, Hyderabad, and Mohali. ISB follows the “Two campuses, One school” mantra.

IIM started with locations in Calcutta, Ahmedabad, followed by Bangalore, Lucknow, and more. In the late 2000s, more branches were established to meet the rising demand for management professionals. Now IIMs are located in 20 cities in India.

Though IIMs were started decades before ISB was established, the one-year MBA program at IIM was initiated only in 2006 at IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Indore, Lucknow, and Kozhikode. By then the one-year flagship MBA program (PGP) of ISB had already become the best one-year MBA program.

Before discussing the one-year MBA program, let’s compare the flagship programs of ISB and IIM.

ISB vs IIM – Flagship programs

The flagship program of IIMs is the 2-year MBA (PGP) which primarily targets both freshers and experienced individuals. The flagship program of ISB is the one-year MBA (PGP) which targets only working professionals with more than 2 years of work experience.

Though college students and fresh graduates can get an admit to the PGP program at ISB through YLP and EEO, they can join the PGP class only after gaining the required 24 months of full-time work experience.

The flagship programs at both ISB and IIM are full-time residential programs. 

Pursuing an MBA is a personal choice and varies for each person. Before choosing which MBA to pursue it is necessary to understand and analyze the pros and cons of the programs. Both the flagship programs have their own pros and cons.

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of ISB and IIM so that you can decide which business school is a better choice for you, ISB or IIM:

ISB

IIM

One major parameter where we can compare ISB and IIM is the year-on-year placement opportunities. Let’s discuss it in detail.

ISB vs IIM – Placements

From the data, we can see that ISB offers better placement than IIM. This is primarily because ISB can invite more recruiting companies than IIM due to the bigger class size and a bigger alumni base.

ISB offers good placement opportunities for a shorter program than IIM. Hence, the recovery period of the amount spent for the program would be a year less when you choose to pursue an MBA at ISB. This is applicable only to working professionals. 

This is just a general interpretation. Placement is subjective and depends on the abilities of an individual.

If you are a college student or a fresh graduate aiming to pursue an MBA without any work experience, IIM would be a suitable option. As discussed earlier if you are a college student or fresh graduate aspiring to pursue an MBA at ISB, you can apply through the deferred modes of entry. However, you can join the PGP class only after gaining the required 24 months of work experience.

One year MBA programs at ISB and IIM

The one year MBA at ISB and IIM are 

ISB (Hyderabad and Mohali): PGP – Post Graduate Programme

IIM Ahmedabad: PGPX – Post Graduate Programme in Management for Executives

IIM Bangalore: EPGP – Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management 

IIM Calcutta: MBAEX – MBA for Executives

First, let’s compare these programs and then interpret the details

Comparison of one year MBA program at IIM (A, B, C) and ISB

Let’s dig further by calculating the ROI of the programs at ISB and IIM.

Return On Investment (ROI) of the one year MBA at ISB and IIM

From the above data, we can see that the program fee and average CTC are more or less the same at ISB and IIM. Hence your recovery period will be approximately 2 – 3 years for the money spent for the one-year MBA without a loan and 5 – 6 years for the money paid for the program by taking a loan. This is just an estimation and the recovery time depends on the expense and ability of each individual.

ISB Placements, read this article to know the latest detailed placement report at ISB.

FT Global MBA ranking

Both ISB and IIM rank within the top 50 global MBA schools in the FT ranking. However, ISB ranks better than IIM A, IIM B, and IIM C in the Financial Times (FT) Global MBA ranking.

ISB rankings, check this article to know more about the ISB rankings.

Admission criteria

Getting an admit to the full-time one-year MBA programs at ISB and IIM (A, B, C) depends on the academic credentials, GMAT score, essays, and interview performance. The major difference is in the number of years of working experience. While you can apply to the PGP at ISB if you have a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience, you can apply to IIM only if you have a minimum of 4 or 5 years of work experience. This infers that both the schools have different audiences and there is no winner here. 

Admission can be easy or tough at ISB and IIM, which depends on your profile, leadership quality, communication skills, work experience, goal alignment with learning outcome and contribution to the class. 

Class size

The class size of ISB PGP is much larger (around 900) compared to the class size of IIM A’s PGPx (around 140), IIM B’s EPGP (around 80), and IIM C’s MBAEX (around 80). This explains the diversity of the class. 

While pursuing an MBA, student networking is one of the top priorities. The wider the network the better are your learning opportunities. 

Check this article to understand about the class diversity of ISB, Diversity at ISB.

Networking is also essential after completing an MBA. This is where the alumni network plays its role. ISB has a much stronger alumni network due to its bigger class size.

ISB Alumni Network, check this article to know the strength of ISB alumni network.

As mentioned earlier each person has a different objective to pursue an MBA. Each factor in the comparison of programs varies for each individual. It is better to make a decision based on your goals, learning outcomes, cost, location, and duration of the program. 

The post ISB vs IIM – Which business school should you choose? appeared first on ISB Mantra Blog.

ISB is one of the top business schools in India and is a dream school for many candidates. However, a big deterrence in pursuing this dream is the cost of attendance of various programs at ISB. But, there’s a solution to this challenge i.e., a scholarship. 

In this article, we have explained the different types of scholarships awarded by ISB based on the program choice and how you can improve your chances of getting one.

ISB scholarships at a glance

Most of the scholarships are either merit based or need based. If you have a good GPA or a high GMAT/GRE score you can apply for the merit based scholarship. Need based scholarship is awarded to candidates who cannot afford their MBA education at ISB.

There are also diversity based scholarships. Diversity is a well known feature of ISB. Hence, they make sure they create cohorts of students from different verticals and backgrounds to give their diversity based scholarships. ISB also does their best to provide scholarships to female candidates encouraging them to catch up with the fast growing business industry.

However getting these scholarships is quite competitive even when it is partial and does not cover your accommodation. 

The merit based scholarship at ISB is given upto 40 students. Considering the average class size of 900, only 4% of the class get this merit based scholarship. Therefore, it is essential for you to put that extra effort to get the scholarship at ISB. 

So, let’s take a look at the type of scholarships at ISB:

Types of scholarships at ISB

The two major types of scholarships are merit based and need based scholarships. Both these scholarships are provided upto 40 students based on certain criteria. The Admissions committee selects these candidates based on their profile and essay. Each applicant will be eligible for only one scholarship and the tuition waivers are directly adjusted against the payable tuition fee and will not be disbursed directly to the student. 

All the applicants who have strong academic grades or GMAT/GRE score will be considered for the merit based scholarship by default. There are two types of merit based scholarships – full waiver and partial waiver. You don’t need to submit an additional essay. The selection of the candidates is merely at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

If your family income is not more than 12 lakhs including your pre-ISB income, you can apply to the need based scholarship. You need to submit an essay and proof of income along with the application. But this alone does not guarantee a scholarship, the decision is made by the Admissions Committee.

There are also other scholarships like scholarships based on diversity and scholarships for international applicants. You need to submit an essay along with the application if you are eligible and would like to apply for these scholarships.

Here are a list of scholarships provided at ISB for their flagship progam (ISB PGP):

ISB PGP Scholarships

Scholarship provided after PGP admissions are rolled out

There are also certain scholarships which are provided after the PGP admissions are rolled out. These are either need based or merit based scholarships. The member or the team who institutes these scholarships decides on whom to provide the financial assistance. All the need based scholarships require you to submit an essay based on which the decision is taken.

Here is the list of scholarships provided after the PGP admissions are rolled out.

Scholarships given to graduating students of ISB

ISB also provides scholarships to the graduating students. ISB’s Develop India Scholarship is to help graduating students of ISB progressing into social impact startups, NGO, and returning back to the public sector/government sector.

For further queries about the PGP scholarship, connect with ISB

Phone : +91 40 7132 7438

Email : pgp@isb.edu

ISB PGPPRO scholarship

There are merit based, need based and diversity based scholarships for the PGPPRO students.

Merit based and need based scholarships cover upto INR 10 lakhs of the tuition fees and the diversity based scholarship covers upto 50% of the tuition fees.

If you are an applicant from the NGO/ PSU/ Armed Forces background, then your application will be considered for the diversity based scholarship by default. 

However it is better to apply early as the number of scholarships are limited and provided at the discretion of the school. 

If you want to avail the need based scholarship, you need to check the criteria and indicate it in the application along with an essay.

Scholarship Essay: 

In the essay you need to provide details on how you meet the scholarship criteria, what will be your contribution to the program and why you are eligible for the scholarship. The essay has a limit of 250 words.

Here is the criteria to avail scholarship for PGPPRO

• Demonstrates financial need
• Community minded and socially responsible
• Strong academic and professional profile
• Demonstrates leadership skills
• Potential for future exceptional performance 
• Potential to become an excellent ambassador for ISB as a student and as a member of the alumni network
• Entrepreneurs
• Women Leaders and professionals
• Spouse of PGPpro alumnus
• Defense Personnels 
• Children and Spouse of Martyrs

Although these scholarships are a way to reduce your expense it does not cover the admission fee, travel expense, and application fee. 

For further queries reach out to the PGPPRO support team

Phone : +91 7036031777

Email : pgppro@isb.edu

ISB PGPMAX scholarship

There are a limited number of merit based scholarships for the PGPMAX students. The competition for this scholarship is really high, so it is better to apply early if you are eligible. 

These scholarships cover upto 20 to 35% of the tuition fees. The Admissions Committee evaluates the application for availing scholarship based on the following criteria:

• Socially responsible
• Strong academic profile
• Strong professional profile
• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Spouse of a PGPMAX alumni
• Potential to become an ISB ambassador
• Women professionals 
• Working in public /social sector enterprises

For further queries, reach out to the PGPMAX support team

Phone : 040-71327428

Email : pgpmax@isb.edu

Now that you know what are the different types of scholarships available for the different programs at ISB, let’s discuss how you can increase your chances of getting a scholarship.

How to get your target ISB scholarship?

As discussed earlier with just 4% of applicants receiving scholarships from ISB, what are your chances and how can you put that extra effort to get a scholarship.

To increase your chances of getting a scholarship, you need to

Let’s discuss these points in detail

Boost your GMAT/GRE score

One of the vital factors in shortlisting your application for the scholarship is the GMAT/GRE score. Hence make sure you have a strong score. Take a retest if required. If you are working or studying full or part-time, it may be advisable to start your preparations a year ahead of the test date. If you have more time on your hands, you may begin later.

Be consistent in your career goals

Another decisive factor determining the final result of a scholarship application is the consistency in your career goals. If you have a clear career goal and if you have something which proves you have taken a step towards it, the admissions committee will be aware of your self awareness and motivation which in turn increases your chances of getting a scholarship.

Create a strong professional profile 

If you are a working professional, creating a strong professional profile with a track of your achievements will help you increase your chances of getting the scholarship. Hence as soon as you decide to pursue an MBA at ISB start working on creating a strong professional profile so that by the time you submit your application you have enough points to convince the admissions committee about your ability.

We at ISBmantra with a team of former ISB admissions officers can guide you to create a well rounded profile. Get in touch with us for free to get a free profile evaluation.

Apply early

Most of the merit based scholarship offers are generous in the first round and depletes as the admission round progresses. Hence it is advisable to apply in early rounds of the ISB MBA admission.

Write a compelling essay

It is not just applying early but also how well you present your essay. Read the scholarship eligibility criteria carefully. Make sure you explain how you meet all the requirements in the essay. It is also important for you to highlight something which will add value to the essay other than fulfilling the requirements. 

You should explain why you deserve the scholarship so strongly that the admissions committee can’t find a reason to reject your application for availing the scholarship.

Remember winning a scholarship is not based on luck, it is mainly based on the extra effort you take. So do it and reduce the financial pressure of pursuing an MBA.

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The Letter of Recommendation is a critical component of the ISB PGP application. The applicant has to choose one recommender who has been associated with the applicant, preferably in a professional capacity, and was, at the time, in a position to observe and evaluate the applicant’s capabilities.

The Letter of Recommendation or the LOR has a significant impact on the applicant’s chances of securing admission to ISB. This is the applicant’s opportunity to provide authentic information through an individual who has worked closely with the applicant – thus adding extra credibility to the application. 

In this article we will cover some important aspects related to the Letter of Recommendation:

• What makes the letter of recommendation so important in the ISB admissions process?
• Who should you choose to be your recommender?
• When should you approach the recommender?

We will discuss these questions in detail in this article, along with detailed sample answers to the ISB LOR questions.

First, let’s understand the impact of the letter of recommendation in facilitating admission to the ISB PGP.

Impact of recommendation letter in getting an admit at ISB

“Submitting a strong recommendation letter is an important part of your PGP application. Through this letter, Admission officers gain a clearer picture of your professional experience, achievements, initiatives and contributions.”

Vikram Singh,CEO & Chief Mentor at ISBmantra, Former Manager, Admissions & Financial Aid, ISB PGP/EEO/YLP

The recommender is expected to provide verified information regarding your strengths, achievements, leadership potential, and areas of improvement. This will provide a snapshot of your composite profile as a professional and as an individual, and aid the Admission Committee in determining whether you will be a good fit for the PGP at ISB.

Now that you know the importance of a recommendation letter, let’s discuss the best approach to choosing the recommender.

How to choose a recommender?

Selecting the right recommender plays a vital role in strengthening the application. You must choose a recommender who is professionally impacted by your work.  Remember that the comprehensiveness and reliability of the evaluation are more important than the designation of the recommender. Here are some points to consider when you choose the recommender:

• Choose an individual who has had a chance to observe your work closely, in the recent past.
• If you are not comfortable with your present boss, you can choose anyone else who was in a position to observe and assess your work. 
• The recommender should be familiar with your abilities and defining attributes and should be open to presenting specific insights about your profile.
• If you are an entrepreneur, you can choose a board of directors, a client, or a customer as your recommender.

Once you are clear about whom to choose as your recommender; the next step is to decide when to reach out to the recommender.

When should you approach the recommender?

It is always advisable to start early. The recommender may have a busy schedule, a heavy workload, travel plans or a vacation schedule, which could induce a constraint when it comes to investing sufficient attention to the content of the recommendation. Hence, it will be both considerate and advantageous to allow sufficient time by providing advance notice to the recommender, while requesting their consent to being named as your recommender.

A generous allowance of time will make it more convenient for the recommender to gather their thoughts and observations before providing the best evaluation of your potential. Hence, ensure that you reach out to the recommender well ahead of the deadline and remember to send a gentle reminder closer to the deadline.

You can change the recommender at any time before the deadline if the one who agreed initially, is unable to participate due to unavoidable circumstances. You need to contact the ISB admissions team to make the changes. This process may take about 24 hours before the changes become effective.

Although the applicant will not be submitting the LOR, as it is the recommender himself who is expected to submit it, it is best to be aware of the procedure involved. You can apprise the recommender regarding the process, to avoid miscommunication. 

How to submit the ISB letter of recommendation

1. When you fill the application, you have to name a person as your recommender.
2. You need to fill in the details of name, designation and official mail id.
3. Once you submit these details about your recommender, ISB will send an evaluation form to the recommender on their email id, along with the instructions on how to fill the form.
4. The application allows you to submit the recommender details even before you submit the actual application. Therefore, you do not need to wait to complete your application.
5. The recommendation answers have to be filled out and submitted by the recommender directly, through the link provided by ISB. 

The evaluation form can be submitted online or offline. 

Online evaluation: The recommender will be sent a link to the evaluation form, which they have to fill out and submit online. 

Offline evaluation: The recommender will receive an evaluation form and a link to upload the form. They will need to download the form, fill in the answers, sign it, scan it, and upload the form in PDF format.

The recommender has to submit the letter of recommendation before the deadline of that particular round. You can check the deadlines for each round of PGP in this article and keep your recommender updated – ISB application deadline.

Here are some samples of ISB PGP letters of recommendation for you to get a better idea of the preferred format and details required in the answers.

ISB Letter of Recommendation Samples

Sample 1

1. Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the candidate.

2. How does the applicant’s performance compare to that of other well qualified individuals in similar roles?

His international higher education, coupled with work experience handling teams across various geographies, evidently helped him to act in a far more mature manner than what can be normally expected from a person with his level of industry exposure. His demeanor was always one of cooperation, through which, I felt, he laid out a strong example for others to follow. Observing this, I consistently felt that [Candidate] has strong potential to perform leadership roles successfully. An example of leadership that I witnessed was when work was drying up in the core technologies in which he & his team were experienced (SOA & ESB) and the volume of incoming work on another technology (ODI) was rising. [Candidate] took the initiative to get himself trained in ODI and also got his entire team to learn ODI. They started delivering on ODI within a few weeks, which was pleasantly surprising. 

3. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given to the candidate.

There were actually multiple instances where I gave him feedback on how to manage the team, how to address any concerns that individual developers had, and above all, how to ensure that all team members could appreciate the growth prospects for their career by remaining in the company. (As it is, the IT landscape is extremely competitive, and the skills involved in the project, viz. SOA, ESB and ODI, are very much in demand). However, the most important piece of constructive feedback that I gave to [Candidate] was to focus more on the strategic aspects of the task and develop the right skills to be able to delegate tasks, maintaining the same level of accountability from the team as he presents himself. [Candidate]’s reaction to my feedback was quite positive and accepting. I could feel that he was not blindly absorbing my feedback, but at the same time, he was ready to give it careful thought. He formed a core team of top performers in his team and mentored them to take up some of the responsibilities that he was performing. While delegating some of the tasks to the team, he facilitated the required training to individuals based on their needs. His appreciation of the team members’ efforts and periodic touch bases ensured that the team’s morale remained high and the core team was able to handle the new tasks effectively rather than being overwhelmed by them.

4. Is there anything else we should know?

I found [Candidate] to be a very capable professional. Not only was he technically good; he was also pretty good with his team leading skills. This is evident from the fact that after joining the team as a senior developer he soon assumed the role of the technical lead for the team despite having a lesser experience than most of the team members. The key reasons for being able to get elevated fast were his strong technical abilities, high levels of availability & dependability, and also his ability to lead the other developers by example. 

Apart from that, he also developed a good reputation with the client’s team. There were multiple instances where the client specifically requested for [Candidate] to lead the effort of a time-critical and complex piece. On one such instance, [Candidate] was about to go on an approved week-long PTO when on the day before his departure, the client requested him to be assigned to a critical change request that was earlier assigned to a different vendor but had got delayed and was causing a lot of issues for the client leadership. Because of the urgency of the issue [Candidate] had to cancel his plans and return to work. He was not only able to finish the work on time, but also improved the performance on the critical process by about 50%. For his dedication, the client offered to compensate him by sponsoring a fully paid vacation.

Sample 2

1. Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant and, if applicable, the applicant’s role in your organization. 

I, Shamsher Singh, joined [Company Name] Analytics in 2015 as a Manager. [Candidate Name] joined [Company Name] Analytics in 2014 and he was assigned to my team of analysts from the day 1 of my joining. We have worked together on various projects on primary searching and IP analytics and have completed them successfully. As his direct supervisor, I have followed his performance closely and interacted with him on a daily basis over the last 3 years.

2. How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? 

I remember an instance when [Candidate Name] was assigned a technology landscape study on Driver Assisting Technologies. The project came from one of the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers with whom [Company Name] had been trying to build a rapport for some time. This was the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate our expertise to the client and build a long lasting relationship. Successful delivery of this project would win us a contract for 3 more landscape studies costing $120k in total. The project was a mix of mechanical and electronics. Moreover, the project proved to be very challenging as the client requested us to increase the scope without increasing cost, so the actual effort came out to be huge as compared to what was initially planned. Since we were hoping to build a long-term relationship with the client, the project was approved and the onerous task of delivering the project with double the effort but with the same quality and within the same allotted time was on [Candidate Name]’s shoulder. He, methodically, broke the project into smaller modules and collaborated with other teams to get the parts done from them while using his searching and analytical skills to complete major parts of the project himself. He completed the project with the desired quality outcome and took marginally low additional time which was a commendable job as such a project would have required double the time taken for its completion. Due to his performance, the project was a success. The client was satisfied and approved the other 3 projects as well.

3. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. (Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response.)

There were multiple instances where I gave him feedback, However, the most important piece of constructive feedback that I gave to [Candidate Name] was on his reluctance in delegating a task to another colleague. There was an instance when [Candidate Name] was working on 3 different projects simultaneously- 1 landscape study and 2 patentability searches. All 3 projects were time-critical and there was just enough time to complete the projects but required him to work during weekends. On enquiring about why he was not willing to take the help of other analysts he cited his previous experience of delegating a task and ultimately spending more time in rectifying the work he delegated to his colleague. This had created a blockade in his mind. Having set high personal standards for himself and his willingness to take on complex projects, he was seen stretched in too many areas in more than 1 instance.  

I advised him to not just delegate the task but also constantly engage with the team member, review the work intermittently and, if required, transfer the right skills to complete the task at the very beginning itself rather than expecting the final output in the end. [Candidate Name]’s response to my feedback was warm and accepting. He started off by delegating simpler tasks that were easy to cross-examine. His positive attitude and seriousness towards the feedback were observed when he came back to discuss his experience and further elaborated his plans to engage juniors in more complex tasks. Taking one step at a time, [Candidate Name]’s working style changed from working in silo to working in a team and leading it. He can be regularly observed training team members and new joiners, reviewing their projects, and clarifying their doubts. He understands the limitations of resources, people, and their availability and plans effectively to prevent any undue pressure on the team, earning him credibility and respect from the whole team. 

4. Is there anything else we should know?

Over the last 3 years that I’ve known [Candidate Name], his quest for exploring challenging projects and building knowledge has enabled him to develop a sharp analytical mindset and a research-oriented approach to problem-solving. I have seen him polish his skills and swiftly move towards playing a lead role in complex projects, managing them end-to-end with complete ownership.

Besides his professional skills, [Candidate Name] has great interpersonal skills with his attitude to take initiatives in strengthening morale amongst colleagues. In 2015, when it was announced to demerge IP and Science business of Thomson Reuters to form an independent company ([Company Name] Analytics), the general sentiment in the employees was at an all-time low. There was a churn going on throughout the company and we witnessed the highest ever attrition rate. A team-bonding event was much needed in this gloomy environment. Realizing the general low morale of people in different teams, [Candidate Name] proposed the idea of an offsite. We had the budget for an offsite but no Admin support to plan and organize it due to the organizational changes that the company was going through. 

Not only did [Candidate Name] propose the idea of an offsite, but he also led the complete execution of the same. He formed a team consisting of people from various departments and hierarchy levels and worked enthusiastically in arranging everything from location planning to negotiations with the travel agencies, accommodations, transportation, refreshments, etc. The most commendable quality of [Candidate Name] that came to light during the off-site planning was his ability to accommodate opinions from all stakeholders. Since it was a self-organized trip, we had opinions and suggestions pouring in from all directions, and to be able to prepare a common ground for a team of 70 people is definitely praiseworthy. His gentle behaviour and sensitivity towards others made him the go-to guy for every eventuality during the trip. His coordination of the team demonstrated his leadership skills completely out of work context. Even till today, our office off-site of 2015 has been the best so far and has given us memories to cherish forever. 

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