ISB Essays – Application Deadlines, Help and Tips

ISB Essays - Application Essays Help and application tips
Avg. GMAT Score720 (FE: 665)GMAT Range690-760
Acceptance Rate22%Avg. Work Experience55 months
Class Size845 (Both the campus)ISB Interview Preparation
Application DeadlinesR1: 10-Sep-2024
R2: 08-Dec-2024
R3: 26-Jan-2025
Decision DatesRolling Basis
Fees, Scholarship & Financial Aid Information for ISB

If you are seeking ISB essay 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 for the ISB essay.

ISB MBA Ranking –

  • #31 worldwide in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2024
  • #5 Asian business schools in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2024
  • #1 in India in Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2024

ISB Essay Questions 2024-25 (For the intake of 2025):

ISB Essays and Application Deadlines

Essay 1: Contemplate situations that have shaped your personal journey. Present what these situations have taught you about your strengths and weaknesses, and how they have shaped your personal and professional journey. (400 words)

Essay 2: What intellectual experiences have influenced your approach to learning and have led you to pursue an MBA? Please describe using anecdotes from your own experiences. (400 words)

Optional Essay: Given your previous experience and future aspirations, how do you plan to use the PGP at ISB to fulfill your professional goals? (250 words)

ISB-banner

The most popular program of ISB is its one-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 can 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 a degree and not a long break from work.

ISB PGP Class Profile 2024

ISB PGP CLASS PROFILE

Source: ISB website – https://placement.isb.edu/isbebook/Classoverview.aspx

 HYDERABADMOHALIOVERALL
Enrolled560259819
Gender
Female47%39%47%
Male53%61%53%
Age (in Years)
Range22-4322-4622-44
Average26.6326.726.6
GMAT
Range600 – 770600 – 770600 – 770
Average710708710
GRE
Range311 – 334 322 – 331311 – 334
Average 329329329
Work Experience (in Years)
Range2 – 202 – 202 – 20
Average4.34.34.3
Academic background
Engineers53%68%68%
Non Engineers47%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 PGP 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 –  Rs.5000
    • Regular submission – Rs.7500
  • 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 PGP Placements 2023 [2024 Placement Report yet to be released]

ISB Class of 2023 Industry-wise percentage:

IndustryPercentage
Consulting21
Banks/Financial Institutions/ Financial Services15
IT/ITES23
FMCG/Retail/Consumer Durables05
Manufacturing08
Others02
Govt/PSUs/NGOs/Forces/Services08
Oil/Energy/Petroleum/Mineral04
Pharma/Biotech/ Healthcare/ Hospitals03
E-commerce09
Engineering03
Advt/Media/Comm/PR/Entertainment05
Education/Teaching & Training01
Telecom02
Transportation/Logistics/Operations03
Chemical/ Fertilizers01
High Technology Electronics/ Manufacturing/Service01
Hospitality01
Infrastructure/ Construction/ Real Estate02
Insurance01
Legal Services01

ISB Class of 2023 Function-wise percentage:

FunctionPercentage
Sales and Marketing14
Consulting20
Finance15
Technology31
Operations07
General Management/Strategic Planning06
Others05
Human Resource01
Others06

International Student Exchange Program

The course also includes International Student Exchange Program, 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 on 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 a valuable opportunity to learn and network at an international level.

No. of full-time MBA students enrolled819
Average GMAT720
Average GRE329
The average age of the students27
Average work experience55 months
Total feesRs.42,13,000
Average domestic salary of PGP gradsRs.34,21,000

Source: ISB website

FAQs – Important Information to Build ISB Application –

What is the Average Score for ISB?

The avg. GMAT and GRE scores for Batch of 2024 were 720 and 329 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 PGP 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 31th in FT Rankings. IIM A, B, and C feature in the 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, 2024. Round 2 on 08 Dec 2024. 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 a low GMAT Score?

The range of GMAT for the Class of 2023-24 was 690 to 760 and the range of GRE was 322 to 334 . Since the applications are reviewed holistically, ensure 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 the 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 the things you will learn at ISB. You can’t go wrong with us!

What is ISB PGP?

The Post Graduate Program or PGP refers to ISB’s full-time one-year residential management program.  For more details, please use the following read here.

  • ISB Hyderabad has a class size of 560.
  • 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 YL?

ISB PGP: Ideal for candidates with substantial work experience and seek to enhance your leadership and management skills for senior roles. ISB PGP YL: Suitable for an early career professional with 0-2 years work experience looking to build a strong foundation in business and gain practical experience through projects and an internship.

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