Comparing IIM and ISB

I keep wondering if we had to compare these two, is it possible or does it even make sense. Through application process, I have looked at the two - IIM Ahmedabad and ISB. I do have some thoughts on IIM Bangalore but I'll leave that for later. Right now its IIMA and ISB.

First off, IIMA has been around a real long time and has established its legacy. ISB is new, fresh and energetic and is agressive. IIMA has its huge alum scattered across India and South East Asia while ISB is still growing its alum and is striving to go international as much as possible.
The comparison is difficult because the have different audience for their courses. Taking a look at their programs-

IIMA PGP -> for fresh graduates or 0 to 2 years experience, gets them good placements. puts them in a senior role without much experience, which works well for some and others struggle. I feel this is ideal for engineers from smaller institutes looking at some brand on their resumes and for non engineering grads looking to build credibility of learning.

ISB PGP -> has a varied audience. Its on the lines of international MBA programs. Takes in people with at least 2 years of work ex without any upper limit. Interesting combination of practices from US and European schools. Its a short year long curriculum like European schools and admission process which seems to evolving. They scrapped off creative essay which is practiced in some US and European school. Now they have admission process which is straighforward and has more originality. I give them credit for this because they're still pretty young and evolving.

IIMA PGPX -> The minimum work ex required here is 7 years and the course is for mid level executives. In fact I haven't seen many people getting admitted at the lower end of work exp. IIMA has cashed a lot of placements with this program. Another interesting thing about this is that it has a lot more diversity than PGP and ISB PGP. There are too many engineers but they have been able to strike a balance given a small class size. The program is also aimed at people with international exposure, gets international placements and fat pay checks.


ISB PGPMAX -> Now this is a new program in its first year so we're yet to see where it goes. It is meant for mid to senior level executives. Infact when ISB came with this program to my company, they were only looking for Vice Presidents. Yet to see how it turns out. The program does provide a good platform to senior management to interact with their peers from other organizations.


IIMA seems to have courses for fresh grads and then for mid level with the Management Development programs available for individual topics. I have a feel that eventually they will end of evolving their programs to stay progressive.

ISB needs decades to establish their legacy but are doing well by playing their strength which is young and energetic and collaboration with top schools worldwide.

IIMB has launched several programs and its good to stick to stay with their strength which is developing managers in IT. There is a huge need to develop management in IT organizations. Most of the engineers get early promotions and struggle with people management. IIMB's work in this space is good. They have several programs, a one year residential, weekend program etc, which I think works well for them. I do think how will it work out for them in the long run. The market is huge at the moment and I feel if they are progressive and look at providing customized management solutions to IT companies, they have their market space defined.

The recent FT rankings will also benefit IIMA and ISB - 11 and 13 are awesome rankings. I'm also hoping these rankings will encourage more international students improving global learning for Indians who cant go abroad.

Which one do I prefer? can't truly decide. Rejected by IIMA and waiting for ISB result so I guess its ISB for me for now.