Is it going to be ISB?

ISB or IAS

Last week I got an admit to ISB. This made me very happy. Infact thrilled. ISB as a school and campus has always attracted me. Its lush green ennvirons, state of the art classrooms, hi tech atrium and overall ambience made me wish to be a part of the school when I had gone there for a 2 week course in 2006. However I could not bring myselft to apply for the school.

Finally in 2008, when I was finding continuing to serve in Nagaland a not so bright proposition, I thought I will write GMAT and look for options for a MBA course.

I took GMAT with a just 12 day notice period and preparation time. Somehow managed to get a 710 (which friends told me was much below my potential). However it was something what I was targetting as I thought a 700 plus score is good enough. I wrote on September 13 just to be able to meet the ISB R1 deadline of Sep 15. I also had plans of applying for MBA to schools like Wharton and Harvard. But the falling rupee is making the prospects of a foreign MBA a little bit too expensive. Added to it is the economy in recession and I really dont know, 2 years from now, whether US economy will be any better. Over and above the one year course of ISB ending in March 2010 attracts me.

Finally on Nov 20, I got an admit. The overall excitement associated with the admission process of ISB has really thrilled me. The threads at Pagal Guy, the mails at yahoo groups and the overall diverse profile of ISB admits for 2010 makes me wish to be a part of it. Working in the Government for 13 years, one really feels the difference in attitude of people who you will study with in ISB and people you work with now. One suddenly starts feeling younger!!! It is an exciting and buzzing group of people who are oozing energy and hope. This is what makes me believe that if corporate India is going to get such human resources, the revival of the economy is not far!!!

Now why am I undecisive. A major reason was my desire to be back with my family. In July this year my wife and kids had shifted to Delhi for the sake of education of my daughter who is going to Sanskriti school. Now I too expect to get a posting in Delhi by end December. That too in a field I desire - IT and E Governance. At this stage, what should I do. Shall I leave my cushy IAS job and test the waters of a MBA from ISB and the exciting world of Corporate world. Does it make sense to leave the comfort of a secure - low paying IAS job and trade for an exciting - high paying Private Sector job. Specially in these recessive times. Thats the question that needs an answer.

Well, what do I actually want to do. I do want to go to ISB. What attracts me. The chance to learn something new. The opportunity to create a window of option at this stage in life. I have enjoyed my stint in IAS but do I not always crave for more. What I miss in IAS is the working style of the Private Sector and the money. But deep inside I do not want to quit the IAS. IAS has given me a lot. It is still regarded to be the most satisfying and reputed jobs in the country. The diverse job profile is unmatched. The IAS tags opens more doors than what even MasterCard does!!! It is a tough call!!!

The other option is to go to ISB and take the call then. But thats a bit expensive proposition. 20 lakhs for a decision. Way beyond. Over and above, I have to take the call in the next one week. By December 5, I have to accept the ISB offer. That means making a deposit of Rs 2 lakhs that is non refundable!!! Gosh!!! Real tuff call...

How I wish I have a dream which makes things clearer and helps me to decide!!!!!