Standing Out in ISB Admission Process with a Non-Traditional Profile

When Srinjoy Sarkar first joined ONGC as a geologist, the idea of pursuing an MBA from ISB or IIM Ahmedabad wasn’t on his radar. But in 2025, he earned admission offers from both ISB PGP and IIMA PGPX, proving that even non-traditional applicants with technical backgrounds can thrive in elite MBA classrooms—if they tell their story right.

In this blog, we explore how Srinjoy navigated the ISB admission process, prepared for the ISB interview, and worked with an ISB admission consultant to unlock admits from India’s top B-schools.

A Snapshot of Srinjoy’s Background

Srinjoy holds a B.Sc. in Geology from Presidency University and an M.Sc. in Applied Geology from IIT Bombay. After his postgraduation, he joined ONGC through the GATE exam and has spent seven years in oil exploration, working in the Krishna-Godavari Basin.

His work involved seismic data analysis, identifying oil reserves, and leading field operations to guide drilling decisions—a deep domain role that few MBA applicants can claim.

But Srinjoy began to see the writing on the wall: the energy industry was transforming, and he didn’t want to be left behind.

Why Srinjoy Chose to Apply to ISB and IIMA PGPX

“The energy sector is moving toward renewables, geothermal, hydrogen, and lithium. I realized I had to evolve too.”

To move from a technical specialist to a strategic energy consultant, Srinjoy knew he needed business acumen, leadership skills, and industry exposure. An MBA became the natural next step.

He chose to apply to:

• Indian School of Business (ISB) – via the PGP Round 1 admissions cycle

• IIM Ahmedabad – IIMA PGPX – the flagship one-year MBA for experienced professionals

What worked in his favor was early planning, a clear post-MBA vision, and partnering with the right ISB admission consultant to shape his story.

The ISB Admission Process: Strategy and Execution

Srinjoy began his preparation for the GMAT Focus Edition in late 2023 and appeared for the exam in June 2024. By July, he reached out to GOALisB for expert guidance on navigating the ISB admission process and crafting compelling applications.

“We started working together two months before ISB’s Round 1 deadline, and that timeline was perfect. It gave us space to reflect, iterate, and go deep.”

With GOALisB, Srinjoy worked on:

• Positioning his geological expertise within the broader energy transition narrative

• Crafting essays that highlighted his career growth and leadership potential

• Creating a sharp resume aligned with MBA admissions expectations

• Preparing for the ISB interview, where understanding of his own work was the key

Standing Out in ISB Admission Process with a Non-Traditional Profile

Srinjoy’s biggest challenge? Explaining a niche technical background in a way that was business-relevant and easy to understand.

“People don’t immediately grasp what a geologist does. I had to simplify without diluting the depth of my work.”

That’s where working with an experienced ISB admission consultant mattered. At GOALisB, we helped Srinjoy transform:

• Subsurface oil exploration → Strategic decision-making in high-stakes environments

• Fieldwork logistics → Operational leadership and team coordination

• Geological modeling → Data-driven business decision-making

This alignment helped him stand out while still fitting into what ISB and IIMA PGPX look for in future business leaders.

ISB Interview: Preparation and Insights

Srinjoy’s preparation for the ISB interview was built around one core idea: know your story inside out.

He didn’t try to memorize frameworks or deliver rehearsed answers. Instead, he focused on:

• Owning his journey

• Articulating his decision-making process in complex situations

• Connecting his work to business impact

“The ISB interview was completely work-experience-based. If you know your journey well, you don’t need to fake anything.”

This authenticity helped him confidently navigate both ISB and IIMA PGPX interviews.

Timeline for ISB Admission Success

Here’s how Srinjoy planned his journey:

Milestone	Timeline
GMAT Focus Prep Starts	Jan 2024
GMAT Exam	June 2024
Connected with GOALisB	July 2024
ISB Round 1 Application	September 2024
ISB Interview Prep	Oct 2024
Final ISB & IIMA PGPX Admits	Nov–Dec 2024

This disciplined approach to the ISB admission process is a crucial takeaway for future applicants.

Srinjoy’s Advice for Future ISB and IIMA PGPX Applicants

Here are his key recommendations:

• Apply in Round 1: It gives you more time and less competition.

• Don’t just chase scores: Your GMAT is important, but your profile and essays matter more.

• Avoid overusing AI tools: ChatGPT won’t write your story for you.

• Be brutally honest: About your goals, gaps, and growth areas.

• Prepare deeply for the ISB interview: Know your work, reflect on your leadership, and speak with clarity.

Final Thoughts: From ONGC to India's Top B-Schools

Srinjoy’s story is a reminder that MBA admissions are about authenticity, clarity, and strategic storytelling.

He didn’t have a typical background. But he had the vision to evolve, the willingness to reflect, and the humility to seek expert guidance. That combination helped him win admits to ISB and IIM Ahmedabad PGPX—two of the most selective one-year MBA programs in India.

“The multiple essay drafts, the honesty in feedback, and the strategic thinking GOALisB brought in really helped me bring out the best version of my story.”

Ready for Your ISB Journey?

If you're wondering how to make your profile stand out for ISB, IIM Ahmedabad, or other top MBA programs, we can help.

Get a profile evaluation from GOALisB

Talk to our expert ISB admission consultants to structure your story, prepare for the ISB interview, and navigate your journey with clarity.

More ISB and IIM MBA Journeys to Inspire You

Every applicant’s story is different—but what connects them is clarity, effort, and the right guidance. Explore how others navigated the ISB admission process, cracked the ISB interview, and secured admits to India’s top MBA programs:

• Sweety Dutta's ISB MBA Journey: From Oil and Gas to ISB—how Sweety turned industry experience into a compelling MBA story.

• Ajinkya’s Dual Admit to ISB and IIMA PGPX: Learn how a clear vision helped him secure both top schools with confidence.

• Bharat’s Transition from the Defence Sector to IIMA PGPX: A disciplined, strategic leap from a military career to elite business education.

• Second MBA at ISB: Is It Worth It?: This applicant shares why a second MBA made strategic sense—and paid off.

• Japneet's Shift from Banking to IIMA PGPX and ISB: A finance professional charts a dual admit journey backed by sharp storytelling.

• Preet Vyas: From Engineering to ISB MBA: How a tech profile was shaped to match ISB’s leadership expectations.

• Sana’s ISB Reapplication Story with Scholarship Win: Persistence pays—read how a reapplicant earned a 50% scholarship at ISB.

• Sutanu Roy’s Admit to IIMA PGPX: A deep dive into how clarity and planning helped crack the IIM Ahmedabad PGPX.

• Parth Jain’s IIM Bangalore EPGP Review: Honest insights into the IIMB EPGP experience and how he got there.

• Sarthak’s Leap from Merchant Navy to ISB: A fascinating shift from sea to strategy—what it takes to pivot successfully.

• Mohini Rajamani’s ISB Admission Tips: A crisp, tactical guide for anyone applying to ISB Hyderabad this year.

• Samarth’s Success as an ISB Reapplicant with 50% Scholarship: Reapplication done right—see how strategic edits turned rejection into reward.

Frequently Asked Questions about ISB and IIM MBA Admissions

How do I get selected for ISB Hyderabad?

Getting selected for ISB Hyderabad requires more than just a strong GMAT or GRE score. ISB evaluates applicants holistically based on academic background, professional experience, clarity of goals, leadership potential, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to the class. ISB Essays and interviews play a crucial role. Many successful applicants, like Srinjoy, emphasize the importance of early planning, story alignment, and honest reflection. Working with a trusted ISB admission consultant helped Srinjoy bring out his unique differentiators in a way that resonates with the admissions committee.

Is there an interview for ISB?

Yes. ISB conducts interviews for shortlisted applicants after the essay and application round. The ISB interview typically focuses on your professional journey, decision-making, leadership experience, and future goals. It is highly work experience-oriented.

Srinjoy, who converted ISB PGP, shared that preparing well for the interview was key. He focused on articulating complex geological work in business terms, and keeping his work experience at his fingertips—this gave him confidence during the interview.

Which is better ISB or IIM?

Both ISB and IIM one-year MBA programs (like IIMA PGPX) are excellent, but they cater to slightly different profiles. Srinjoy received admits from both ISB and IIMA PGPX. For him, it wasn’t about which was “better” but which aligned more closely with his goals. Coming from a geology and energy background, he realized that the shift in the energy landscape toward renewables required broader strategic exposure. That’s what drove him to pursue an MBA. He valued both programs for different reasons—but emphasized the importance of fit, timing, and early clarity when making the decision. Read in more detail about ISB vs IIM.

“You do stand out with a unique background—but you also have to fit in. And you have to figure out how your story fits into the larger MBA ecosystem.” – Srinjoy