For Consultants, the rotating nature of the project in related industries is evidence of diversity
This quality is something that can’t be taught. Some are good as part of the team while many are lone wolfs. If you have worked in a start-up environment or a culture where autonomy is valued, working in a team might not be your strength. It is rare that you would have no experience at all in a team setting or you were unaware of the team/company objectives.
While I was working for a start-up before starting F1GMAT, I used to get projects on the fly during coffee breaks. The CEO seeing me in the cafeteria would assign projects like “You are flying to London in two weeks.” I have heard similar experiences from clients who worked in 10-50 team member start-ups. Even in such a small team, you would rarely have all the answers. Collaborating with experts from each niche function or subject-matter experts from an industry is essential to define a problem, draft a solution, and implement it.
5 Examples that you can use as contribution for the In-Class Learning Experience
Out of Class Experience
The real difference in your competitiveness comes through the extra-curricular experience. In our consulting and editing services, we have noticed the increased disparity of impact in professional and extra-curricular among Indian applicants. Most of the reasons are cultural as India unlike the US has only recently (post-2000) seen a rapid increase in income. The disposable income and the free time that arose from a structured work environment has offered Indians the motivation to see the plight of the less fortunate.
Despite the strides, most applicants rarely demonstrate continuous involvement with a non-profit or develop their unique talent outside work.
Not all your work needs association with a non-profit. For instance, the social clubs at ISB is related to the familiar hobbies and extra-curricular of most applicants – sports, photography, music, dance, and quiz. The real differentiator is in the Special Interest Group. These are groups that don’t fall under professional and social clubs. Broadly, they have been classified under wellness, travel & adventure, and Wildlife Enthusiasts.
You can bring a unique interest under Special Interest Group if the narrative is persuasive enough. Some of the previous pitch from applicants include starting a Public Speaking Group, Education Club, and Sustainability Club.
What specific out of class qualities are valued at ISB?
1) India-Centric
ISB has never positioned itself for International applicants although the curriculum is designed to excel in a global business environment. It is evident in the latest class profile where only 27 out of the 887 candidates were international - just over 3%. That means the target are candidates who plan to contribute in the country’s growth as a sustainably developed economy in the next 10-20 years. The long-term goals should align with this purpose.
5 Examples that you can use as contribution for the Out-of-Class Learning Experience
