How Govind Secured an ISB Admit as a Re-applicant, with M.Tech & PSU Experience

[Intro by Arvind Kumar]

When Govind first reached out to me in October 2023, he had a singular goal: to get into ISB. 

With an M. Tech degree, 4+ years of experience spanning private and public sectors, and a GMAT score of 710 (Classic), his profile presented notable strengths.

However, there were also some challenges: his career break limited his total years of experience, and the rationale for transitioning from a PSU to a business role had to be strong.

We applied to ISB in Round 2 (December 2023). Although Govind was shortlisted for interviews, he couldn’t secure the admit. 

But Govind didn’t give up.

He retook the GMAT and scored a 685 (GFE). He also strengthened his professional arc by taking on impactful projects at work. 

In June 2024, he reached out to me again about reapplying to ISB. He told me that he enjoyed working with admitStreet and felt that our support would help him put in a strong application. I was both surprised and humbled by his trust in us. 

By reflecting on feedback from his previous application, we re-strategized key aspects. I also connected him with an ISB alum who guided him through the process.

As ISB’s essay prompts have changed, we reworked his essays to make them more authentic, personal, and reflective of his journey.

We also conducted a detailed mock interview session and practiced responses for commonly asked ISB interview questions. We made sure that his articulation of career goals, motivation for pursuing an MBA, and why ISB was the right choice remained strong and convincing. 

And this time, after a rigorous interview process, Govind achieved his dream – he got into the Indian School of Business (ISB)!

Govind’s success story is an inspiring example of perseverance, self-improvement, and the power of a well-crafted narrative. If you’re someone with a similar dream, remember that persistence and the right guidance can make all the difference!

Over to Govind.

Background and Motivation for MBA

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (B.Tech) and a Master’s (M.Tech) in Power Electronics.

After completing my B.Tech, I started my career at MRF, where I got a firsthand taste of the fast-paced private sector. Later, after my M.Tech, I moved to Coal India, a public sector giant, where I’ve been working ever since.

My job at Coal India provided stability, but growth felt slow—something typical of PSUs. The challenges became repetitive, and I felt my learning curve had hit a plateau.

I knew I needed a change, and after exploring my options and speaking to seniors who had walked a similar path, an MBA stood out as the most logical next step.

GMAT Preparation

Preparing for the GMAT was no smooth ride for me. I started strong, scoring 710 on the classic GMAT on my first attempt, but then hit a wall and couldn’t seem to improve despite repeated attempts.

When GMAT Focus was launched, I saw an opportunity to turn things around. I prepped for three weeks and ended up scoring 685, equivalent to 740 on the classic GMAT.

This improvement was a game-changer, especially as a re-applicant to ISB. I managed to get my GMAT sorted early in the application cycle, which gave me enough time to focus on the essays and overall application strategy.

ISB Application Strategy

With a goal of entering consulting and staying in India, I was clear to get into India’s top B-school (ISB).

The two biggest challenges I faced were:

1. My age, which was higher than the class average, compounded by a career break that limited my total years of experience.
2. As a re-applicant, I wanted to bring out the key aspects of my profile in a better way, and also display improvements since the previous application.

To address these, I focused on three things:

1. Reworking my essays to make them more authentic, personal, and reflective of my unique journey.
2. Highlighting my leadership experience in both private and public sectors, which allowed me to showcase how I’ve managed teams of 100 people across diverse skill levels.
3. Having a clear post-MBA goal, considering my experiences, and how the MBA would fit in at this juncture.

ISB Interview Experience

The ISB interview was conversational but intense. This year’s panel had four members (compared to two last year), which was a surprise for me.

They asked a lot of questions about my career goals and probed deeply into the differences between my public sector job and the corporate world I was aspiring to enter.

One unexpected question was, “What’s the one thing that makes you unique and will add value to ISB’s cohort?” Another one was, “What’s the one thing you want people to remember about you when you die?” I was caught off guard but answered as honestly as I could.

Overall, the panel was friendly and genuinely curious about my motivations. They didn’t try to pressure me, which made the experience less intimidating.

I relied on GMAT Club debriefs from past applicants and admitStreet’s mock sessions. Arvind’s feedback during the mock interviews was invaluable—he pointed out areas where my answers needed more depth and helped me refine my delivery.

Experience with admitStreet

admitStreet played a huge role in shaping my application. Arvind was personally involved end-to-end through my process, and also put me in touch with ISB alum who worked with me 1:1 on the essays.

The brainstorming sessions didn’t just help me write essays—they made me introspect deeply and uncover impactful stories I hadn’t even considered.

For example, during one brainstorming session, the ISB alum helped me frame my interest in personal finance as a compelling narrative for my essays. This also gave me confidence to address the career break in a positive light, showing how it added depth to my personal journey.

What I loved most was how patient the admitStreet team was. They really took the time to understand me as a person and pushed me to dig deeper and identify key anecdotes. Their honest feedback and structured 1:1 guidance helped me bring out the best in my application.

Lastly, the mock interview session was a game-changer, as it gave me a clearer understanding of what interviewers look for and helped me refine my responses.

Advice for ISB Applicants

Take a structured approach to the application process:

1. Nail your GMAT first—it’s one less thing to worry about.
2. Spend at least 1–2 months crafting your essays.
3. Be honest and introspective. Your personal story is what sets you apart.

ISB admissions are getting more competitive every year. Focus on leadership potential, academic rigor, and diversity in your profile. Take time to research the school and tailor your essays to reflect how you align with ISB’s values.

If you’re a re-applicant, highlight the progress you’ve made since your last attempt. Show them you’re serious about the program by putting in extra effort to address any gaps.