ISB refuses..

Final decision for ISB out and as I feared yesterday- I am finding myself writing this ding post. How I hate this….

I followed some posts by some other applicants and here are my initial impressions about the offers:

1. IIT brand is perhaps the number one differentiating factor for applicants, especially in IT domain.

2. If you are in IT and not from IIT, well its tough but not impossible to get in. As everyone says, you need to differentiate yourself from other IT and IITians. NGO work, extra currics like sports, etc help. But don’t count on these to distance yourself away from other similar applicants. You need some extra punch to barge your way in.

3. Diversity is hot. If you are from an unconventional industry, great. Just make sure you dont goof up anywhere and you should be in(unless ofcourse you run out of luck big time).

For me, here is the thinking process right now:

1. Look ahead and submit the best applications for other business schools. Haas and Judge are in my mind right now.

2. Then introspect and devise a game plan for this year. I wrote CAT 4 days ago. Should I try to use it for SPJAIN regular MBA? Need to make up my mind.

3. After this year’s apps are done, depending on the results, plan for next year’s strategy. I seriously am thinking of following my long cherished dream of starting my own venture. I initially planned to get an MBA before this, but at this moment don’t wish to make it a mandatory requirement. I know its a big step, but I must act now.

More musings later. For now, I feel down. But not out.