Every year, before the start of the new application season, we analyze the previous year’s application process to identify ways in which we can improve it and make it as user-friendly as possible.
For application to the PGP class of 2014-15, we have made some changes that will help you and your evaluators provide all the information that we require to take an informed decision about your candidature. Here is an overview:
- Essays – This year’s essay topics are designed to help us discover more about you
as an individual, your ability to learn, your career goals, and how we can help you achieve them. The essay topics for this year are:
Essay #1: Attitude, skills and knowledge differentiate people. Elaborate with two examples on how you would differentiate yourself from other applicants to the PGP.
Essay #2: How does the ISB PGP tie-in with your career goals?
Essay #3: Pick the most significant achievement (professional or personal) you have had and elaborate on the key learning you took away from it.
Essay #4 (Optional): Please provide additional information, if any, that will improve your chances of being considered by ISB.
Essay #5 (for Re-applicants): How has your profile changed from the last time that you applied to the ISB? - Video essay – We have discontinued the video essay format as we felt it offered only limited incremental value but made the application process more cumbersome.
- Early Entry Option – This year onwards, we are accepting applications from a new category of applicants – those with 0-2 years of fulltime work experience. If they make it through our selection process, we will be making an offer of deferred admission to join the PGP after having worked for 2 years. Learn more about the Early Entry Option.
- Administrative changes – We have also made some changes to simplify the process of applying itself. From reducing the number of documents to be uploaded at the time of submitting the application, to allowing evaluators to upload scans of their recommendation letters, the focus is on enabling you to quickly and easily provide all necessary information. With these changes, we hope you will be able to concentrate on the important elements of the application like the essays, articulating your career achievements, etc.
Later in this blog series, I will revisit some of the above points to share tips on writing impactful essays and facilitating recommendations that work in your favour. As always, we will be taking a holistic look at your application – spanning academic record, work experience, leadership qualities, work and personal achievements, and other strengths you bring to the table – while evaluating your candidacy.
I am confident that you will find this year’s admission process very engaging and thought-provoking. To get started on your application, visit the ISB PGP Application Portal. If you have any questions or need help with the process, feel free to write to the Admissions Team at pgp@isb.edu or call us at +91 40 2318 7474/7484/7494 and we will be glad to assist you.
In the next post, I will present to you a snapshot of the ISB experience – or as we like to call it, “The 51-Week Rollercoaster”!
All the best!
