From 6 Weeks of GMAT Prep to Partial Scholarship: My Path to ISB

Postgraduate admissions often reward long preparation timelines, polished narratives and carefully planned moves. My journey to ISB had none of that. It unfolded under pressure, uncertainty and tight deadlines, with very little room for second guessing. Between December and March, I went from booking a GMAT exam with barely weeks to prepare to receiving an admission offer from ISB along with a partial need-cum-merit scholarship. What carried me through was not perfection, but persistence, honesty and clarity about who I was and why I was doing this.

There is a Shah Rukh Khan quote I have carried with me through every challenge: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” Looking back at those three months, it feels less like motivation and more like a survival manual.

A Decision Made on Impulse, Backed by Grit

On December 9, 2024, I booked my GMAT exam for January 2. Less than a month to prepare for one of the toughest standardised tests felt reckless even to me. But there was no time to overthink. I studied relentlessly, squeezing preparation into every spare moment. Quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning and data insights took over my days. I did not have the luxury of a six month plan or an expensive prep course. I had urgency and a ticking clock.

The first attempt did not go as planned. Walking out of the test centre on January 2 was sobering. I could have postponed my PGP plans or pushed them to another year. Instead, I booked my second attempt for January 20. The 18 days in between were intense. I broke down my mistakes, focused on weak areas and pushed through mental exhaustion. When the score came in at 635, placing me in the 83rd percentile, it was not perfect, but it was enough to move forward.

Five Days to Tell My Entire Story

The ISB application deadline was January 26. I received my GMAT score on January 20. That left five days to complete everything, including essays, recommendations, documentation and the need-cum-merit scholarship application.

Most applicants spend months shaping their applications. I had less than a week. What worked in my favour was that I knew my story well. Having been the primary breadwinner for my family during the pandemic, navigating fast track promotions at Big Four firms and supporting my family alongside work, I did not need extended introspection. I had lived the story I needed to tell.

In my essays, I wrote honestly about my journey. I spoke about my childhood dream of working in a glass building, joining EY during COVID as my family’s main source of income and learning to handle responsibility early. I reflected on my time in automotive sector audits and how moving to Deloitte marked a shift in confidence, where I independently managed five key client relationships. I did not try to present a flawless version of myself. I acknowledged my tendency to take on too much and my need to develop a more strategic, long term outlook. Authentic self awareness felt more powerful than polish.

The People Who Strengthened My Application

One aspect that came together smoothly was my recommendation. Over the years at EY and Deloitte, I had invested in genuine relationships with my supervisors. When I reached out for a recommendation on short notice, it was not transactional. It came from someone who had seen my growth and believed in my potential. That reinforced an important lesson for me. Relationships built over time matter long before you need them.

Applying for the need-cum-merit scholarship meant sharing financial realities that can feel uncomfortable. For me, it felt necessary. My journey to financial independence was driven by responsibility, not privilege. An ISB education represented growth, but also stability for my family. I submitted the documents, shared my circumstances honestly and hoped ISB would see the intent behind the numbers.

Interviews, Acceptance and the Fear That Followed

The shortlist arrived in February. My interview was scheduled offline on February 22. Being there in person felt different. There was no screen to hide behind, only direct conversations about my journey, motivations and goals. I spoke honestly about why I wanted a PGP, why ISB made sense given my family responsibilities and why this was the right time after four years of professional growth.

The admission offer came on March 13. Reading those words felt surreal. But excitement was quickly followed by fear. ISB’s tuition is significant, and while loans were an option on paper, the emotional weight of that financial commitment was heavy. Pausing income while being the primary earner for my family was daunting.

Eight days later, on March 21, ISB informed me that I had been awarded a 25 percent need-cum-merit scholarship. That moment changed everything. It was not just financial relief. It was validation. ISB saw my circumstances, my effort and my potential, and chose to invest in me.

Looking Back from Campus

I write this now as a PGP student at ISB’s Hyderabad campus. The glass building I once dreamed of is now part of my daily life. Classrooms filled with diverse perspectives, conversations that constantly stretch my thinking and faculty who bridge theory with practice have already made the journey worthwhile.

What this experience has reinforced for me is simple. Authenticity matters. Preparation does not always follow neat timelines. Financial fear should not stop you from trying. Sometimes, tight deadlines force clarity. And institutions that truly value their students do more than admit them. They help make the journey possible.

The harder you work, the luckier you get. Sometimes, that luck shows up exactly when you need it most.

Synopsis:

From booking the GMAT with barely weeks to prepare to securing ISB admission with a 25 percent scholarship, Ria Sahota reflects on a high-pressure PGP journey driven by grit, authenticity and urgency. A story of resilience, honest storytelling and institutional support coming together at the right moment.