Reapplicant's Roadmap: Strategies for a Successful PGP admit : ISB

Reapplying to the PGP can be stressful The unfruitful remnants of previous attempts are still present, requiring a thorough assessment of your profile's weaknesses, retaking the GMAT, and reaching out to new recommenders.

Although the volume of reapplications varies among the elite MBA/PGP programs, it is safe to assume that at least 10% of applications come from reapplicants. Here I dig into some insightful recommendations and comprehensive strategies for key areas that require the attention of reapplicants in the upcoming application cycle.

1. Consider the Class size
As a re-applicant, your initial criterion when selecting a school should revolve around its class size. Opting for B Schools with smaller class sizes is advantageous, as these tend to attract fewer reapplicants. Reapplicants seeking to capitalize on this trend (provided they have genuinely addressed their previous shortcomings) should concentrate on esteemed MBA programs that boast a compact student cohort. In the context of US schools, a class size ranging from 200 to 400 is considered diminutive.

In the Indian scenario, IIM A PGPX offers approximately 150 seats, while IIM B provides around 75 seats. In contrast, ISB accommodates about 850 seats. Barring instances where re-applicants exhibit a substantial improvement in their GMAT scores, achieving success as a re-applicant at highly competitive schools with limited class sizes would prove exceedingly challenging.

2. GMAT- Know where you stand
In profile evaluation sessions, discussion often revolves around GMAT scores, which are often a cause for concern. Early in the application season, most applicants score about 20 to 30 points below the average GMAT score at their colleges of choice.

Please consider the following points:

1.For applicants from South Asia and China: Quantitative scores are considered weak if the percentile falls below 80, while verbal scores between 60 and 70 raise questions about the ability to communicate effectively in the classroom and with peers from international backgrounds.

2.For native, English-speaking applicants, the opposite may be true with verbal abilities.

It is critical to consider the general bias of admissions committees toward profiles with a strong quantitative emphasis.

Had you applied the previous year, a slight deviation from the B School's Average scores could have been compensated for by a comprehensive account of your professional development, leadership skills, or diverse aspects. But what many applicants overlook in this assessment is the quantitative nature of the MBA program. If you want to compensate for such weaknesses, your primary focus should always be on improving your GMAT score.

3. GPA- Reevaluate your undergrad report card

We frequently encounter the inquiry, 'Will my low GPA be a factor for top MBA programs?'"
For reapplicants, the response should be evident. The school may have been hesitant to admit you in comparison to other similar candidates, possibly showing a preference for a less robust profile sporting a higher-than-average GPA.

A generally accepted minimum threshold for undergraduate GPA is around 3.2 on a 4-point scale. For many individuals, converting percentage scores to the US GPA system might not be straightforward. To simplify this, achieving 75 percent or higher in an undergraduate course could be deemed a favorable score for international applicants.

How can you overcome weaknesses that show in your transcripts?
In the age of burgeoning online courses and digital education platforms (including Harvard's foray into online education), MBA applicants now have a new way to compensate for potential weaknesses in their academic performance. To compensate for a lower grade point average, I recommend taking courses with a strong quantitative focus and aiming for a score between 80% and 100% in offerings from reputable business schools.

Those with backgrounds in engineering, sciences or business development should focus on two majors: Statistics and Calculus.

Individuals with a background in finance should focus on statistics, accounting, and financial analysis to get strong consideration from adcoms.

Remember: it is advisable to take online courses only in subjects where your grades are below 70% (unless participation is purely for personal interest).

Prospective career changers who have a GPA below 3.2 or 70 percent can also use this strategy to achieve a commendable score above 85 percent in their post-MBA target area.

4. Changing the Essay Narrative
The readability of your essays will be influenced by the narratives about your job, extracurricular activities, conflicts, personal development, and promotion. In MBA applications, authenticity is more important than pure storytelling, so overuse of clichés does not go over well.

It can be difficult for reapplicants to objectively evaluate their previous essays because they have invested a lot in the writing process and may have developed assumptions about important life stories. It is important that the narratives in your essay reflect your current assignments. Many reapplicants who have successfully cleared the first hurdle and reached the interview stage often cling to narratives from the past, even though the new year may have brought them new roles, responsibilities, or even a change in function.

Since most schools keep the applicant files for at least two years, simply rewording the essays is not the most effective strategy. If you did well on the essay but failed the interviews, it is sufficient to write a report similar to last year's and update it with your current duties, responsibilities, and goals. When incorporating new elements into last year's version, applicants often make additional assumptions about why they were rejected earlier. It is best to start by listing the reasons for rejection.

Feel free to contact us for a FREE ding analysis. Once you know the reasons for rejection, you should focus solely on addressing them in your essay. Unnecessary revisions of a successful story without a clear goal would be a waste of time

5. Interviews as a Reapplicant- Are you prepared enough?
Reapplicants who have received a rejection after the interview must acknowledge that a significant portion of applicants face interview rejections when applying for a position in a prestigious MBA program. Mastering effective communication takes a lot of practice, and assuming that a few days of preparation after the essay stage will be enough to excel in interviews is an overestimation.

While job interviews play to the strengths of consultants, business developers, and marketers, those not involved in client contact or regularly leading meetings need to proactively prepare for standard inquiries and solicit feedback through interviewing exercises. The bulk of your efforts should be directed toward improving your nonverbal communication skills.

Read More- Proven Tips for Impressing in MBA Interviews

My top 5 tips on interview preparation as a former MBA interviewer

6. Volunteering- Do you reckon a balanced right brain thinking
While it may seem plausible that your weekends are constrained due to personal commitments, leaving you unable to volunteer or improve your extracurricular skills, the reality is that a significant portion of applicants who struggle with a relatively "light" extracurricular come from emerging economies. In these regions, the focus is often on emphasizing professional achievements, and the culture of community service may not be deeply rooted. In contrast, Western applicants have traditionally been more involved in volunteer activities. If you identify a lack of volunteer experience as your primary deficiency, focus on active involvement with a relevant social organization to make a meaningful contribution.

The quickest way to diversify and enrich your experience is to participate in short-term volunteer programs, which typically last 1 to 2 weeks. While some institutions view short-term commitments with caution, others are more accommodating, as long as you provide a coherent and genuine rationale.

7. Changing Post-MBA Goals
The Goals question is a ubiquitous part of applications to all leading MBA programs. If your GMAT and grade point average are above the class average and your letter of recommendation shows excellent performance, be sure to review the basics. Is your post-MBA goal too ambitious, irrelevant, or lacking in substance? We examine the viability of your goals by taking a two-pronged approach.

A. Review employment record
Review the school's employment reports from the last three years to determine if the role, MBA specialization, or industry you're seeking is underrepresented. It's important to recognize that the specificity of your post-MBA goal may not always prove beneficial. Factors such as the relevance of the curriculum, the lack of a dedicated career team for your targeted industry or function, or changes in economic conditions or industry demand could impact your feasibility.

B. Evaluation of Your Career History
When you reapply, you can include key projects, cross-functional assignments, or international work experiences as important milestones in your narrative to support discussion of your post-MBA and leadership career goals.

8. Re-evaluate Your Recommendations and recommenders

Dealing with recommenders is the most difficult challenge in reapplying. Your reputation within the company may have suffered a setback when it became apparent that your previous efforts to gain admission to a top MBA program were not crowned with success. If you find yourself in a situation where you have to ask for a recommendation again, especially from the same recommenders, this process can be very nerve-wracking. Seek help from an expert on how to navigate this.

In numerous cases, we have observed that recommenders suggest that applicants draft the letter of recommendation themselves. Then, recommenders supplement the draft with their own insights before submitting it. This approach is often due to concerns about structuring the letter effectively. While sample letters of recommendation can serve as a helpful starting point, it is not advisable for applicants to draft the initial versions themselves. Examiners quickly recognize similarities in tone, transitions, and narrative between letters of recommendation and personal essays. It is advisable to encourage your supervisor to write at least the first version of the letter of recommendation. Gradually, you can suggest including specific experiences, and the final version should reflect the applicant's communication skills, maturity, leadership qualities, learning ability, and potential.

If you are crafting your LORs again hope these links can help

1. The Secret Sauce For Outstanding Letters of Recommendations

2. How To Select Your Recommenders


9. Entrepreneurship Focused Re applicants
Certain educational institutions are fertile ground for nurturing former entrepreneurs, while others may not provide the same conducive environment. It is imperative that you are aware of how your entrepreneurial background will be received by your desired school.

To illustrate, a significant number of U.S. business schools may not be as receptive to entrepreneurship as an immediate post-MBA goal, especially for international applicants

For those with previous entrepreneurial ventures and those who often confuse ideas with entrepreneurship: While it's true that many people have ideas, unless you have a concrete prototype of a website or application that has already gone through the initial stages of product market testing, prioritizing your entrepreneurial experience may not be the optimal strategy for goals in a B School application. Conversely, we have also seen cases where individuals involved in running small family businesses and enterprises have succeeded by providing corroborating evidence such as letters of recommendation from vendors and clients, and business P&L statements.

Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. Do not hesitate to reach out to us should you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process or interviews. We do not cap discussion hours with our applicants

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
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