ISB Essays – Application Essays Help and Tips

isb
Avg. GMAT Score710GMAT Range690-760
Total ApplicantsNAAcceptance Rate22
Class Size843
(Both the campus)
Avg. Work Experience50 months
Applicant Deadlines
R1: 10 Sep 2023
R2: 03 Dec 2023
Decision Dates 
Length of Program12 MonthsPlacement Information 
Interview preparationISB Interview Preparation
Scholarship & Financial AidFees, Scholarship & Financial Aid Information for ISB

If you are seeking for ISB essays review or admission for the year 2024-25, make sure that you have your application processed in time so that you do not miss the deadlines.

ISB MBA Ranking

  • #39 worldwide in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2023
  • #5 Asian business schools in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2022
  • #1 in India in Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2023

ISB Essay Questions 2023 (For Class of 2024):

Essay 1: Provide an honest portrayal of yourself, emphasizing your strengths and weaknesses. Highlight the key elements that have shaped your personal journey. Give relevant illustrations as needed. (400 words max)

Essay 2: Contemplate two distinct situations—one where you experienced success and another where you faced failure. Delve into the personal and interpersonal lessons you learned from these instances. (400 words max)

Optional Essay: Given your previous experience and future aspirations, how do you plan to use the PGP at ISB to fulfill your professional goals?
Note: It is not necessary for you to write this essay. Please use this space only if there is something really significant that you would like us to know.
(250 words max)

ISB-banner

The most popular program of ISB is its on-year Post-Graduate Program (PGP) in Management. Unlike other top-tier Indian business schools, which have a history of over 50 years, the ISB’s older campus in Hyderabad was started only over a decade ago.  Despite being one of the youngest schools to enter the business education landscape, ISB garnered global MBA rankings from reputed media houses within a few years of its commencement.

Campus Life

ISB has a massive campus in Hyderabad, spread across 260 acres. To help students acclimatize with the culture, campus life, and city, the school provides pre-term orientation courses.

One of the most sought-after colleges in India for Management education, ISB provides international standard business programs to Indian MBA aspirants. With two expansive facilities in India — Hyderabad and Mohali— ISB has the capacity to enroll 888 students every year.

Both the Hyderabad and Mohali campuses provide world-class accommodation and educational facilities. Especially, the course duration of one year has made ISB’s Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) attractive for working professionals. Compared to the traditional 2-year MBA course, a one-year duration helps MBA aspirants get the degree and not a long break from work.

ISB PGP Class Profile 2023

Source: ISB website – https://placement.isb.edu/isbebook/Classoverview.aspx
 HYDERABADMOHALIOVERALL
Enrolled603293896
Gender
Female38%39%39%
Male62%61%61%
Age (in Years)
Range22-4322-4622-46
Average26.6326.726.6
GMAT
Range600 – 770600 – 770600 – 770
Average710708710
GRE
Range311 – 334 322 – 331311 – 334
Average 325327325
Work Experience (in Years)
Range2 – 202 – 202 – 20
Average4.34.34.3
Academic background
Engineers67%68%68%
Non Engineers33%32%32%
Intl. Passport Holders
International8614
Source: ISB website

ISB PGP course structure

The curriculum of the course is also updated every year as per the changing business standards and needs. With a practical orientation, the program does not restrict itself to a classroom-based approach.

  1. The first three days of your PGP program in ISB will encompass a Leadership Development Program (LEAD). This program concentrates on assessing your strengths and areas of improvement.
  2. The first four terms of the programs will include five core courses— Finance, Marketing, Operations, Strategy, and IT Management. On the other hand, the students can select their electives — from over eighty electives—­ for the last four terms.
  3. Students also have an option to pursue an Independent Study Programme (ISP), where they can explore a topic/subject not covered in the regular course curriculum and are of interest to them with a faculty member.
  4. Inter-Campus Exchange: Students of ISB Hyderabad and Mohali campuses are allowed to interchange their campuses to leverage networking and local opportunities.

ISB PGP admission application process

The following are the critical steps to apply for ISB’s MBA program:

  • ISB has early, regular, and late application submission options. Applicants need to fill in their applications online, including paying the applicable application fees:
    • Early submission –  INR 5000
    • Regular submission – INR 7500
    • Late submission – INR 20,000
  • You need to submit your GMAT score and, if applicable, TOEFL/IELTS/PTE score ( if your undergraduate medium was not English). Along with it, you also need to submit MBA essays and two recommendations. Applicants need at least 24 months of full-time work experience.
  • Interviews are conducted at Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Delhi. Interviews for the international candidates are held over the phone

ISB Class of 2022- Industry-wise percentage:

IndustryPercentage
Consulting37
Banks/Financial Institutions/ Financial Services12
IT/ITES12
FMCG/Retail/Consumer Durables05
Manufacturing01
Others06
Govt/PSUs/NGOs/Forces/Services04
Oil/Energy/Petroleum/Mineral04
Pharma/Biotech/ Healthcare/ Hospitals03
E-commerce09
Engineering03
Advt/Media/Comm/PR/Entertainment02
Education/Teaching & Training01
Telecom02
Transportation/Logistics/Operations03
Chemical/ Fertilizers01
High Technology Electronics/ Manufacturing/Service01
Hospitality01
Infrastructure/ Construction/ Real Estate01
Insurance01
Legal Services01

ISB Class of 2022- Function-wise percentage:

FunctionPercentage
Sales and Marketing18
Consulting27
Finance7
Analytics3
Engineering08
Product Development08
Operations04
General Management/Strategic Planning09
Others05
Project Management01
Research & Development02
Business Research01
Product Management12
Teaching/ Training01

International Student Exchange Programme

The course also includes International Student Exchange Programme, helping students to explore international cultures. ISB holds partnerships with 42 international schools worldwide that enable attractive international exchange programs — international students attend classes on the ISB campus, and ISB students will spend time in international partner college facilities.

This program will help students broaden their horizons, understand other international cultures, and get a different perspective of the global business environment. Through Outbound Exchange Program helps ISB students spend two terms of their PGP course in any one of the international business schools. However, the expenses for any such travel and living expenses are to be incurred by the students themselves. However, many students consider this as a valuable opportunity to learn and network at an international level.

No. of full-time MBA students enrolled843
Average GMAT710
Average GRE328
The average age of the students27
Average work experience50 months
Tuition fees$50,000
Average domestic salary of MBA gradsINR 22,00,000
Source: ISB website

FAQs – Important Information to Build ISB Application –

What is Average Score for ISB?

The avg. GMAT and GRE scores for the Batch of 2022 were 710 and 328 respectively. The range of GMAT was 690 to 760 and the range of GRE was 322 to 334.
Here are articles for detailed information – 
 – Avg. GMAT Score: https://www.genedmba.com/blog/average-gmat-cut-off-in-isb/
 – Avg. GRE Score: https://www.genedmba.com/blog/gre-for-isb-admission/

Is ISB better than IIM?

ISB MBA program is for 1 year whereas IIM MBA programs offer 2 programs (admissions are taken through CAT), 1 year and 2 years. The fees for ISB is almost double that of IIMs for the 2 years program but are comparable for the 1-year program. ISB is ranked 39th in FT Rankings. IIM A, B, and C feature in Top 50 FT Rankings.

Read an article on it – https://www.genedmba.com/blog/isb-iim-which-better-mba-school/

How is ISB Admission Process?

ISB PGP admissions are conducted in 2 Rounds. Round 1 is on 10th Sept, 2023. Round 2 on TBA. The admission process starts with submitting your profile and essays, which is followed by an in-person interview.

Applicants can apply online on ISB official website.

Can I apply to ISB with low GMAT Score?

The range of GMAT for Class of 2022 was 690 to 760 and the range of GRE was 322 to 334 Since the applications are reviewed holistically, make sure that you are compensating your low GMAT/GRE score with other aspects of your profile. Consideration is given in case of outstanding achievements or an excellent profile.

How to write effective ISB Essays?

ISB looks for diversity and well-rounded profiles. The effective way to approach the ISB essays would be to highlight this. We have cited a few tips which can help you to write very effective essays –

  1. Essay 1 Analysis – ISB Essays – 1
  2. Essay 2 Analysis – ISB Essays – 2

Who can help in building ISB application?

Our ISB Alumni and Admission Experts can help evaluate your profile and address your application and essays in a way that highlights your strengths and overcome your shortcomings.
With 15 years of experience in admission consulting, we make sure that we tie in your career goals coherently with things you will learn at ISB. You can’t go wrong with us!

What is ISB PGP?

The Post Graduate Programme or PGP refers to ISB’s full-time one-year residential management programme.  For more details, please use the following read – https://www.genedmba.com/isb/isb-early-entry-option-pgp/

What is the eligibility for ISB Hyderabad?

  • ISB Hyderabad has a class size of 600.
  • Students must possess a Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate) in any discipline and a min. of 2 years of full-time experience
  • A valid GMAT/GRE score.
  • TOEFL/IELTS is required for students from countries other than India.

What is the difference between ISB PGP and ISB YLP?

The ISB Young Leaders Programme (YLP) is a foundation programme that ultimately leads to the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Management at the Indian School of Business. It is a deferred admission option for high potential college students pursuing their Bachelor’s or Master’s education.
Less than 24 months of full-time work experience (for a deferred admission through the Early Entry Option) is preferred.

– Learn more differences here – https://www.genedmba.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-isb-ylp-and-isb-pgpm/


Few aspirants successfully admitted in ISB so far…

Testimonial 1

Under Graduation GPA 8.35 Work experience 1 year 8 months
GMAT Score 720 Industry/Sector Indian Auto Major

“Hi GenEdMBA team,
Thank you so much for your support guys! You made all the difference. I was concerned of my chances as I had average GMAT Score. It was only through your counseling sessions and essay reviews that I  was able to highlight my profile, achievements and objectives in the best manner possible leading to my selection. My admission to ISB Early Entry Option wouldn’t have been possible without your support and guidance.
Best Regards
Sameer”

Sameer Ahuja
Admitted in ISB (2014-2015)
MBA Aspirant from Delhi July 4, 2014

 

Testimonial 2

Under Graduation GPA 8.1 Work Experience 4 years
GMAT Score 720 Industry/Sector Major Manufacturing and Supply Chain Co.

“Hi,
I have read through a couple of times the latest version we have. Please look into it one more time before we can wrap this up.
As a next step, I am planning to jot down pointers for my  recommendation. Once I have it, I will get your thoughts also before asking the the team members to write the recommendation. Once the recommendation is ready, we can look into it before submitting.
In parallel, I am also going to fill up the application details, I will reach out to you at regular intervals with specific queries.
Let me know if you have any thoughts/ suggestions around this.
I am very happy with the way essays have shaped up and looking forward to building a solid application as well.
Best Regards,
N”

N Chandra | Assisted for ISB Essays 2014-15 ISB Aspirant seeking help for ISB MBA programme. July 18, 2014