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Essay tips for ISB Class of 2011


The ISB Application deadlines are out and so are the essay questions. ISB has advanced its MBA Application deadlines by 15 days for Cycle 1 and 30 days for Cycle 2. The ISB Application Deadlines this year are August 30th for Cycle 1 and November 30th for Cycle 2.

There are 3 mandatory essays this year and the tenor of the essays is more or less similar to that of last year's. Let us try to analyse what ISB really wants to know through each of these essays:

Essay 1

If we were to admit one more student to the class of 2011, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you? (300 words max.)

Gurome Tips: It is clear from the essay that there is no dearth of applications that ISB receives each year. Many of the applicants also have a very similar background. This essay is your chance to differentiate yourself from the rest of the applicant pool. Talk about what you would bring to ISB. You can choose to talk about experiences from life or work; what you have learned from your experiences; and how these experiences would benefit the rest of the class of 2011. It is not important to talk only about achievements; essays that talk about failures and what one has learned from them can provide valuable lessons to the rest of the class.  

Essay 2

What are your short term and long term goals? How will the ISB help you achieve the same? (300 words max.)

Gurome Tips: This is a straightforward goals essay. However, it is important to state your post-MBA goals succinctly. The best goals essays are those that clearly illustrate the steps you have already taken towards your future goals. For example, if you are using your MBA for a career switch, it is important to mention the kind of work/research you have already put in to make that career transition after your MBA.

The second part of the essay is as important as the first part. Do study the ISB official website carefully, but refrain from blindly copying and pasting information from to the website. This essay definitely calls for some research on your part to know more about ISB and its reach. Try to find out what ISB has to offer that matches your interests. We suggest that you schedule a campus visit and talk to students already in the program. What you say or do in this visit could be material to your application - go prepared.

Essay 3

Please provide additional information that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (300 words max.)

Gurome Tips: This essay comes closest to the optional essays that many top B-schools ask you to write, the only difference is that this is a "mandatory essay". You can use this essay to complement the earlier essays by talking about specific leadership roles you have taken at or outside of work. However, take care not to make it read like a list of accomplishments. Give it a story like quality. You can also use this essay to explain a poor GMAT score, poor academic performance, gap in career, etc.

Well-written essays can give you that edge over thousands of applicants applying for a few coveted seats at ISB. Gurome has a proven track record of providing that competitive edge. To know more about our Gurome's school -specific MBA admissions consulting services and for a free 30-minute MBA admissions consultation, log on to www.gurome.com



Posted by Ryan Cooper at Jun 19, 2010 6:05:43 AM
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