We’ve been doing a lot of ding analysis lately for ISB aspirants, and over time, we’ve built deep expertise in working with ISB reapplicants. Our goal is always to pinpoint recurring themes in rejections and help applicants understand where their approach might be falling short.

Now, let’s address one of the biggest misconceptions we see:

“But I got the interview invite, so my application was good.”

Why ISB Interview Invites Don’t Guarantee Admission

ISB is one of those rare schools where not getting an interview invite is actually quite difficult. If an applicant doesn’t get one, it usually means:

• They didn’t put in the effort to truly understand what ISB is looking for
• Their application was backed by subpar stats (academics, GMAT/GRE, etc.)

And yet, most candidates who come to us post-rejection don’t question the real reason behind their ding.
The Reality of ISB’s Mid-Year Feedback Sessions
ISB conducts feedback sessions mid-year, but these are often surface-level. Many reapplicants only hear:

👉 “You need to improve your GMAT/GRE score.”

So, they hyper-focus on retaking the test—without realizing that ISB expects much more from reapplicants than just a higher score.

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Reapplying to ISB: What the School Actually Expects

We’ve worked with countless ISB reapplicants, and here’s what we’ve consistently seen:

When ISB invites you to interview despite a lower-than-average GMAT/GRE or weak essays, they already know that you’re unlikely to convert this year. But they also see potential, and in many cases, the interview invite is their way of saying:

“Hey, we see something in you. We’re giving you a chance to interview, even though we know it’s a long shot this year. But we expect you to come back next time with real growth—both personally and professionally.”

The problem? Many reapplicants miss this signal. They assume their application was strong and that the rejection was just a bad stroke of luck.

Beyond the Score: The True Reapplicant Advantage

ISB is one of the most reapplicant-friendly schools, but that doesn’t mean they’ll just hand out admits the second time around. They want to see:

• Significant professional growth—new responsibilities, bigger impact, leadership initiatives
• A refined narrative—a clearer articulation of why ISB, why now, and how you’ve evolved
• Self-awareness—a demonstrated understanding of what went wrong last time and how you’ve worked on it

We’ve seen reapplicants turn around their candidacies by focusing on these elements instead of just test scores.

Final Thoughts: Reapplicants, Take Note!

If you got an interview invite despite a lower-than-average score or weak essays, don’t just assume your application was flawless. Instead, recognize it for what it was—a sign that ISB sees potential in you but wants to see real progress before admitting you.

The smartest reapplicants take this cue from the school, work on their shortcomings holistically, and come back stronger.
If you’re unsure about how to strengthen your reapplication, we’ve helped numerous ISB reapplicants successfully convert the second time around. Reach out—we’d love to help you craft a winning reapplication strategy!

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