ISB Essays 2016 - 2017 Admission process

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The Post-Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) is the flagship program of Indian School Business (ISB). It is a one-year, full-time residential program that is ranked 33rd by FT in its 2015 MBA rankings. ISB has announced the essay topics for the class of 2018 applications. Unlike previous years, there are only two compulsory essays and an optional essay this year.


ISB Admissions Committee will majorly evaluate your candidature on 3 parameters; namely your leadership potential, your diverse background and how it's going to effect and add value to ISB, and your academic ability, because one year MBA is a rigorous academic program and ISB needs to know that you will be able to handle the intensity of it.

Essay 1:

If we were to admit just one more candidate to the Postgraduate Programme (PGP) at the ISB, why should it be you? (400 words max)

This is one of those ‘Why you?’ essays wherein ISB gives you the opportunity to present your skills and achievements.  It tells the admission committee of your desirability for ISB. The uniqueness that you bring with yourself and the value that you add to ISB is of utmost importance in this question. This type of question has been frequently asked in the previous years with a slight change of words. Some of them are:

2013: Please make a strong case to differentiate yourself from an exceptional set of applicants applying for PGP 
2012: If we were to admit one more student to the class of 2012, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you? 
2011: Give 3 reasons as to why you should be selected to the class of 2011. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from the applicant pool and should be backed with some data.

Now there are three ways in which this essay question can be tackled with.
First being, your unique post-MBA plans;
second, a weakness in your application;

And third, personal hobby or passion; but tread carefully with this one. For instance, you've been a champion of a particular sport. It surely is worth mentioning somewhere in your essay, it can also be presented in a way which indicates that it will benefit ISB’s club life, but by itself, it won't suffice the demands of the PGP program. 

It is highly likely that more than one of these topics apply to you, but remember that there is a 400-word limit and your writing has to be condensed. Showcase points with significant leadership experience and noteworthy career progression. Prioritize your points according to their dynamicity and develop a full-fledged essay. This essay is part of a bigger package and should at all times compliment the content in the other parts of your application. An admissions counselor can provide feedback and guide you through this delicate process. 

Essay 2:

Describe your short and long term career plans. How does the PGP fit in with those? (300 words max)

The most effective way of getting into the topic other than by announcing your plan straightaway would be to start the discussion with how it all started. Your essay should cover three inherent questions, What are your goals, How a PGP fits in the picture, and why ISB is your choice. 

Try to build up a  credible link between your past, present, and future, throughout the essay. ISB puts weight on your work experience, so your future short term and long term goals should be in regard with your previous work experience. Not only just that, but the way you portray it in the essay should prioritize your motivation for pursuing PGP.

Also, mention the industry you want to work in and the role you are seeking and why. Remember to keep it realistic, if your goals are more than ordinarily ambitious then write about the skills and qualities you have gained from your past work experience that make your goals look realistic. 


Essay 3:

Please use this space to provide any other information not covered elsewhere in the application that could significantly impact your candidature at ISB. Note: It is not necessary for you to write this essay. Please use this space only if there is something really significant that you would like us to know.  (200 words max)

Now this is an optional question. The first question that has to be answered before writing down anything is, should you even answer this question?

Clearly, 700 words limit in the above questions must have restricted your expression of views. This question allows you to write anything that you feel is significant for the admissions committee to know, but couldn't be accommodated anywhere in the application. This can even include a description of factors that could have been detrimental to your candidature, and how you’ve learned and improved because of them. You can narrate personal and professional 
experiences in your life to support the points that you make in your essay, including any significant life changing experience.

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