Couldn’t get through ISB the first time you have applied?
Wondering how to strategize for your reapplication?
Firstly, don’t feel rejected or let down if your application got rejected once or more than once for ISB’s PGP program. In one of their own blogs, ISB declared that they greatly value their reapplicants as their constant attempts to get admission in ISB display their perseverance — a quality ISB regards highly and expects in their students. Hence, you have nothing to worry about your reapplication to the school.
There could be multiple reasons why your application might not have been selected in your previous attempts. A few reasons for rejection could be as following:
- You couldn’t build a compelling argument case for yourself due to lack of time, or you couldn’t do enough preparation for the ISB admission cycle
- With your work experience at that time, you might not have been ready for the management education and the rigorous business course
- You might have submitted a formidable application. However, you could not make your mark in the following rounds of the admission
If you think the reason for your rejection is any of the above or not. You could always work on the strengths and weaknesses of your application to give it a better try the next time. No matter what caused the rejection first time around, don’t completely disregard your chance to get admission with a reapplication.
If you want to turn around your previous unsuccessful attempt, through reapplying to ISB, you could consider doing the following best practices:
Analyze what went wrong last time:
So, how can you identify where did you lag last time? The best practice is to do it right after your previous application rejection. Though ISB will not give you specific feedback on each element of your performance, you can always request for your feedback — you would get a comprehensive guide about how to build a good application. Perhaps, sometimes you may not get a response from the college due to the volume of such requests. In such cases, you can always get professional advice from an MBA admission expert on your past performance.
Establish your purpose:
Even if you had a strong application and solid academic and professional track record, you might have lagged in the purpose department. It is essential for the admission officers to know that you have a clear purpose — why you want to do an MBA, especially in ISB. If you did not have the time or preparation to establish a clear purpose, give it some serious thought, and craft your use. Be sure to genuine because your purpose should also align with your other life and career goals. It may be very easy to gauge an artificial or made-up purpose.
Demonstrate your strengths:
ISB believes in judging you and your profile on your strengths and not on your weaknesses. Hence, it should be your priority to highlight your strengths and what you can bring to the table. If you did not get a chance to effectively present your strengths in your previous application, make sure you accentuate them in your reapplication because your strengths are the attributes that can set you apart from your competitors.
Be open about your weaknesses:
No one is free of weaknesses. Other applicants, along with the panel that will interview you, would have their own set of weaknesses. Moreover, ISB would not consider your weaknesses while evaluating your profile. Hence, be honest about your weaknesses while pointing out to the measure you have taken and currently taking to overcome these attributes in your daily life. These proactive steps can help the admission committee understand your zeal to overcome barriers and the ability to work on challenges.
Point out the changes since the last application:
Rejection of application once or twice would mean that you still have work to be done. How are you going show ISB that you have improved from your previous attempt?
This can be done by highlighting the improvements and changes you made in yourself and your profile when compared to the last time. Make sure to focus on any individual accolades you have received or any courses you have done since the previous application.
Ultimately it would all come down to — why you?
How will you fit into the next PGP class?
Make sure your answers across the broad are consistent and confident. Believe in your core purpose and effectively reflect the same in all aspects of the admission.
Also, reach out to an MBA admission expert or consultant to get a better idea of what went wrong the last time and how to fix it during your reapplication.