Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Interview Saga

The first round of interviews for the next batch is almost over now. The last few left are people in Hyderabad and the International Applicants. So, in the yahoogroups called isb-pgp, which is a forum where prospective applicants interact with the current batch, the latest thread for discussion is about the interviews.

People post their experience of the interview they had and then the others take a little bit of liberty to make good or bad comments.

right now, some frustrated souls have decided to have their take on the Interview Process. If you are part of thw group, then you should definitely follow this thread called the "Interview Saga".

one view-set is like: ISB is right now just doing brand building, the alums have not created a niche for themselves, its only about getting good placements, after all its an Indian B-School.

--> Dude, the school is 5 yrs old and in the last five yrs, the growth path the school has had is a zillion times better than any other B-School in India, given the fact that most other good schools survive on government funds. The Alums from this School are perhaps the most experienced lot when put together with all students entering B-Schools in any given year. And the kind of companies that come to get experienced people here NEVER go to the other schools in India. If you said, its all about placements, well then, how many emails have been posted in the isb-pgp yahoogroups asking questions about courses and research being done - less than 10%. The maximum number of emails that have been floating is about WHAT ROLES WILL I GET AFTER ISB types? If the basic mentality of the students who are applying to the school is just worrying about placements, then blaming the school is no good. How many US schools have organized placements like it happens in India. You are mostly on your own. But here, you expect to be spoon-fed till your first baby is born and then you blame the system for everything. Very Funny!!!

Some say that the interview results are pre-fixed!!!

--> Well dude, I really dont know what to say. For a fact, the current batch always has a say in deciding the next batch. Almost 200 people from the current batch would review applications and help the admissions team to narrow down applications. And the process is extremely efficient that all this while we havent had any sort of problem in terms of bias or whatever in that aspect. And its perfectly justified that the current batch would choose the next batch because they know what is best for the school. In that way, there is a lot of commitment from the students too. If your interview wasnt exhaustive enough, then you cant just say anything about the interview. The interviewers have definitely got the answers for all the questions they had in their mind. Dont think that if a particular question, which you think is very important, is not asked, the whole system is not working. Maybe it wasnt of any importance to the people interviewing you. Its not ncessary for every panel to sit with you and go over 25 years of your life in detail. Thats not their job.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mama,

regular reader of your blog;
Please read Sumit Podar's 'DeBacle' post. I guess some of the ISB applicants who got interviwed had similar experience and are just venting on the yahoogroup.

Mama said...

thats something else he is talking about. two different things altogether.

Anonymous said...

your current post is so typical of fresh MBAs as they say- It adds arrogance to ignorance. And, mind you that can be a lethal combination. Students evaluating aplications!!!! man that means two things first ISB sure knows how to cut costs and you guys have quite a bit of vela time on your hands. ISB should perhaps fill that time up with real inputs and learning.
By the way what has changed so drastically in your persona and your knowledge in the last eight months that qualifies you to evaluate the applicants.
The current batch knows what is best for the school!!!! I wonder if they even know what is best for them let alone the institution.

Mama said...

ISB does not force app eval on students. its voluntary and we make time for that. nothing has changed in the last 8 mths. ppl who are admitted are definitely capable of understanding how the current batch is, find deficiencies and decide what changes they want to see with the next batch. this is a proven model and has worked with Kellogg, Wharton, LBS and many top b-schools every year.