What It’s Really Like Being Part of ISB’s Young Leaders Cohort

The day I got into ISB, my WhatsApp practically broke. I mean, more congratulatory messages than my birthday and Diwali combined. Overnight, I went from being the ‘typical engineering beta’ in every aunty’s chat to the ‘ISB wala beta.’ Suddenly, everyone wanted to know my “secret formula.”

But behind those forwarded wishes and proud parent posts, the real story was different. Let me tell you what actually happened when a 21-year-old decided to dive headfirst into business school.

Between coursework, freelance gigs, internships, and side projects that sometimes broke more than they fixed (we’ve all been there), I also co-ran a tech blog that went through its share of drama, including legal issues and a full rebrand. Fun times.

So here I am, stepping into ISB without a grand 10-year plan. I’m here to figure things out with people who see the world very differently from me.

Why ISB: Growing as a Person, Not Chasing Titles

Most people enter business school with a crystal-clear vision. Placements, career switch, that vertical leap everyone talks about. Me? I took a different route.

I didn’t come here chasing a fancy title or fat paycheck. I came to grow, as a person. ISB felt like my chance to experience everything I missed while buried in code and working alone for years. I wanted deeper conversations, to understand people better, build emotional intelligence, and grasp not just how the world works, but why it works that way.

I know how clichéd this sounds, “I came here to grow as a person.” But honestly, it’s true and I feel it at my core. I want to make mistakes, learn from them, and walk out more grounded and self-aware.

I first heard about ISB from Ankur Warikoo a few years back. Back then, it felt like a distant dream I admired but couldn’t picture myself being part of. Over time, I realised I didn’t want to keep putting off being in rooms that challenge my thinking and expose me to the mindset ISB is known for.

I’ve always known I wanted to be in business, to build, to lead, but I didn’t want to stumble into that world blind. So I made a decision. I only applied to ISB among Indian colleges. It wasn’t just about the brand. It was the culture, the format, the kind of people it attracts, and the perfect balance between structure and freedom that drew me in.

But what really sold me on ISB was the alumni network. This isn’t a network on paper. It’s incredibly interactive. Alumni come back to campus, guide us through everything, and play sports with us at midnight. They’re here for anything from fun moments to serious career and life talks. This genuine investment goes way beyond typical networking events. Alumni don’t just show up formally. They become part of your ISB experience in the most authentic way.

First Term: Intense Learning and Lasting Bonds

We’re almost done with Term 1, and I’m still hunting for the right words. Fun, intense, chaotic in the best possible way, and incredibly fulfilling.

From day one, the academic experience felt different in the best way. How professors engage, how coursework is structured, and peer discussions. It’s nothing like my undergraduate experience, and that’s saying something, since I was juggling two degrees from top institutions.

Here, every class pushes you to think harder, question more, and dig deeper.

Take Critical Thinking. Initially, I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I remember thinking, “How do you teach someone to think better?” Seemed almost too abstract.

But after one term, it’s been the most transformational class I’ve taken, undergrad included. It’s more than a subject. It’s a mindset shift. It’s changed how I approach problems, make decisions, and even have everyday conversations.

Life on Campus: Energy, Friendships, and Fun

ISB isn’t just academics. Not even close. The campus energy is infectious.

A few weeks ago, we had an industry immersion weekend. Alumni from consulting, finance, venture capital and more gave us unfiltered insights into their worlds. No sugar-coating.

A couple of days ago, we had salsa night. Days before that, a Squid Game-inspired event that was equal parts fun and hilarious. From intense professional deep dives to spontaneous fun, the pace is relentless. And somehow, you always want more.

The people are the real magic. I’ve found some of my closest friends in a short time. People I’ve shared coffee-fueled study sessions with, had deep midnight talks, and random bursts of laughter. I even found someone I call my sister.

The bonds form fast here. That’s ISB. It brings the right kind of madness and it works.

Applying to ISB: Be Real and Back Yourself

Here’s what I wish more people knew. ISB doesn’t just look at grades. Academics matter, but this school really tries to understand you—your story, your why, where you’re coming from, and where you want to go.

Unlike many Indian B-school interviews that feel like rapid-fire interrogations, ISB interviews are human. They care about clarity of thought, motivation, and genuine hunger to grow.

In class, my peers include doctors, chartered accountants, literature grads, startup founders, and corporate pros. All with different backgrounds but united by the drive to challenge themselves and get the most from this experience.

So if you’re writing essays or prepping for applications, here’s my advice:

Write what you really want to say. Don’t write what you think they want to hear. If your essay makes you nod and think, “Yes, this is me,” submit that.

Don’t try to fit a mould. There isn’t one. I didn’t follow a perfect path, and here I am.

Most importantly, don’t doubt yourself. If you believe you’re ready and know why you want this, back yourself. I di,d and now you’re reading my story. Maybe that’s your sign.

When ISB Said We Believe in You: The Scholarship Moment

I’m deeply honoured and grateful to have received the Emerging Leaders Scholarship covering 100% of my tuition.

I still remember when my inbox pinged with that subject line. I froze. Read it three more times to be sure. Then I jumped on my bed like a kid.

It was surreal. Joy, relief, disbelief all at once.

This scholarship means freedom. Freedom from stressing about loan repayments and second-guessing choices through a financial lens.

It’s opened space to explore academically, creatively, even entrepreneurially, without postponing for later because of money.

More than financial support, it feels like ISB is saying, “We believe in you.” That means more than words can say.

Looking Ahead: Showing Up and Figuring It Out

This year and a half isn’t about ticking boxes or following a set path. It’s about showing up fully, curiously, and maybe a little clueless at times to whatever comes next.

I don’t know exactly where I’ll end up after ISB. Maybe I’ll build something. Maybe I’ll join a team doing meaningful work. Maybe something unexpected will fit perfectly.

What I do know is I’ll be better prepared. Not just with frameworks and case studies but with a deeper understanding of who I am and what matters.

Honestly, that shift is already happening.

In these weeks, I’ve learned more about people, collaboration, and my blind spots than I expected in months. I’ve been stretched in the best way by professors who won’t let you hide behind buzzwords, peers who call you out with love, and moments where you step up or step back and reflect.

That’s the magic of ISB. It’s not just preparing us for careers, but for life, with more grace, clarity, and courage.

So no, I don’t have it all figured out. But I’m exactly where I need to be to start figuring it out.

Synopsis:

Yash Jain, part of ISB’s first PGP Young Leaders cohort (Class of 2025 to 2027), shares his honest journey from juggling dual degrees in AI, Robotics (from VIT Chennai) and Data Science (From IIT Madras) to embracing the challenges and growth of business school. 

With no fixed long-term plan, Yash values ISB’s rigorous academics, collaborative culture and deeply engaged alumni network. His story is one of personal growth, self-awareness and navigating the joys and pressures of an intense first term.