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ISB Essays Analysis (2024 Prompts): How to Approach Them

Essay 1: Provide an honest portrayal of yourself, emphasising your strengths and weaknesses. Highlight the key elements that have shaped your personal journey. Give relevant illustrations as needed. (400 words)

The points to be kept in mind for this essay

  1. Highlight two strengths and one weakness
  2. For both strengths and weaknesses, provide a relevant example from your career and also highlight what has been few of your qualities that developed out of it.
  3. Through these qualities, conclude on the type of person you are.
  4. If possible, try to link the growth of your career through these strengths and weaknesses.
  5. Bind the whole essay into one story line - as a quality, as a career progression etc

Essay 2: What intellectual experiences have influenced your approach to learning and have led you to pursue an MBA? Please describe using anecdotes from your own experiences. (400 words)

The points to be kept in mind for this essay

  1. Build a compelling 'Why MBA' narrative by identifying clear motivations.
  2. Highlight gaps in your knowledge or skills that sparked your interest in an MBA.
  3. Emphasize academic and skill development goals over purely career growth aspirations.
  4. Share specific examples where an MBA would have enhanced your effectiveness.

Essay 3 (Optional): Given your previous experience and future aspirations, how do you plan to use the PGP at ISB to fulfil your professional goals? (250 words)

The points to be kept in mind for this essay

  1. Although it is optional, do write the essay
  2. State your short-term and long-term goals
  3. Explain what value addition you will bring if you get these roles in future and also what learning you are expecting from these
  4. Explain how a PGP from ISB is important in achieving these goals

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