First get the basic principles right and then move on to the ISB MBA 2009-2010 essay tips.

The ISB MBA application essays this time around are perhaps the most conventional in it's short history. Unlike earlier years there is no endeavor to push the envelop and move beyond the usual to force fresh thinking from you. The three mandatory essays are standard MBA essay questions - Differentiation Essay, Challenge & Learning Essay and Goals Essay. With an early start and clarity of thought this is great opportunity to explain (and understand) your career/MBA dreams.

ISB Essay 1 Tips

ISB Essay 1 Tips

Please give three reasons why ISB should admit you into the class of 2010. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from your competition. (300 words max)

The real question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business Hyderabad bother with you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics or whatever? Given a vast (huge number of applicants) but limited (almost entirely Indian, mostly male, many from IT) field of choice ISB is seeking your USP. Your primary aim in this essay will be to explain to the ISB Adcom the factors that make you different, unique and distinct. Your challenge in this ISB Essay is to answer this question with three distinct points and within 300 words.

Ask yourself what genuinely sets you apart. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest achievements? What are the characteristics that you believe will differentiate you in a group of high-reaching professionals? What are the qualities that have aided most in your past personal/professional accomplishments? Choose from your achievements, your hobbies, your academics, your personality traits, your passions, your work experiences, your life experiences, your attitude. Sell whatever you feel can sell well - and credibly.

Give short (300 words cannot support long stories) example whenever possible. To get info for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues and family are excellent sources for giving you obvious answers which you might have easily overlooked. But the person who knows most is always going to be yourself.

This essay tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. To write credibly about the differentiation you bring and the value you add to the Indian School of Business will require some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!).
As always remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. While you are trying to convincingly portray a picture of a person who can add definite value to ISB do not overdo it because we are only at our first essay. Make sure that you leave enough room for the points mentioned in this essay to be complemented by the other essays – most specifically Essay 2 where your leadership skills might be under the spotlight.

ISB Essay 2 Tips

You are contesting the election to be the President of the ISB Student Body. Write a speech you will deliver to the student body on why they should elect you as the President? (300 words max)

The first track you can take in this essay is the ISB Student Body Presidency. Question: What do you know about the "ISB Student Body"? If your answers are on the line of "Nothing", "Its a body of ISB students" or "Its an unidentified non-flying object" etc. read on. Since student bodies and student involvement will be an important part of the ISB MBA experience your extensive research on the Indian School of Business will come in handy now. If you do not know enough, building some knowledge about the ISB Student Body would be in order. To get dope for the essay do not hesitate to knock on many doors. Enough information is available on the web for you to start off. A school visit might help (and not just for the essay). Communicating with alumni, specifically ISB GSB members, would be a good idea (and not just for the essay).

The second track is obviously leadership - this is the first non-case ISB essay in my memory that envisages the applicant in a leadership position. A parallel (or even primary) aim of the essay is to convey the type of leader you are. Showcase your leaderships qualities and add weight to these assertions through well chosen professional or personal leadership experiences. Consider your defining characteristics as a leader and link it with your past achievements accomplishments and with future possibilities at ISB. Similar to the LBS application essay question this is almost a case study. Identify student club or campus activities you will initiate and develop as President of the ISB Student Body. What will you accomplish as the Student Body leader at ISB? Communicate your vision for the future and express credibly why you will make a great choice for leading the ISB Student Body.

The most difficult part of this essay might actually be .. the previous ISB essay. Err.. yes.. all that praise that you heaped on yourself in Essay 1. Can you buttress some of the qualities and skills mentioned in the previous essay without actually repeating them? If you can, in concert with your leadership vision, that should do the trick.

Go for it!

ISB Essay 3 Tips

CASE: You have been appointed to head the team to build a dam across the River Zumba. Success in this project is critical for your company and would earn you a promotion. Failure would mean that your company would be bankrupt and will take along with it, its investors and its employees. Building a dam across the river would result in deforestation of a portion of the rainforests and would mean relocation of the tribals and destabilization of wild life at Zumba. There is resistance from environmental groups against your project. You are meeting the head of the resistance movement in one hour wherein you would have to explain your decision. Describe what you would do and why? (You will be evaluated on the creativity and practicality of your solution). (300 words max)

Ha Ha! This is fun!

ISB has a penchant for including one essay question each year simply to terrorize the applicants! Last year it was the knighthood versus million dollars essay and this year we have a decision making + dilemma case study.

Do not despair however, as this essay can also be the ace up your ISB application sleeve. As there are very few questions in any MBA essay package that a majority of the applicants are actually afraid of attempting, each such question automatically presents you with a chance to create an advantage for yourself. This ISB essay is definitely one such as it is easy to write a directionless, wavering, indecisive essay that gives no real solutions but just repeats the question. So seize this opportunity with both hands.

I am sure you have several questions. What should my solution be? Which side should I lean to? Can I bribe the head of the resistance movement (creative?! and practical?!). Can I resign?

Actually the solution itself DOES NOT MATTER quite as much, because this essay is NOT about River Zumba but about YOU. The solution you devise should fits your convictions, your personality (as reflected in the the rest of the application) and your thought process. While the creativity and practicality of the solution is important, as important is the maturity, intelligence, reasoning and research that marks your approach to the solution. Unlike the case study situation you actually have much more than one hour to prepare your response - use the time well. Also, while presenting a original, workable solution do not overlook the potential of this essay for effectively presenting your attitude and outlook towards the environment, corporate social responsibility, ethics, ambition, career and success.

Be honest. Be intelligent. Be creative. Be persuasive.

And do you feel 300 words is too, too short to do all this? Well, I agree. But it is 300 words that we have to work with and so we will.

So go get 'em!

Aside: Hey ISB oldies, if memory serves me right this was the ISB case study essay question in 2003. Remember the old Zumba, anyone?

ISB Optional Essay Tips

Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. Please do not repeat information which has already been stated elsewhere in the application. You may use this to clarify any breaks in education/work, inform about any other item which you think has not been covered elsewhere etc. (300 words max)

In the ISB application, attempt the optional essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit your ISB optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel the quality of your earlier essays is improvable – in which case redouble your efforts in the earlier essays and leave the optional essay alone.

Since ISB has just 3 essays on which your candidature will be judged. So contrary to my usual position, and notwithstanding all that is mentioned above, I would encourage you to look for really (I mean truly) enhancing perspectives or information that might make a difference to your application.

ISB Scholarship Essay Tips

Why do you think that the ISB Scholarship Committee should consider you for scholarship? (300 words max)

The ISB scholarship essay can essentially take two approaches – merit based or need based. Though merit based ISB scholarships are automatically considered, the base of the need based essay would still need merit

The merit based approach can explain why and how your candidacy is superior to the average ISB candidate’s. It might be a recap of parts of Essay 1 and Essay 3 with additional points which might tie in with ISB’s stated aims. The summary you present here can repeat some information from the mandatory essays because the scholarship decision is separate from your admission decision. The need based approach reviews your financial position and explains the strain that the ISB fees would be on you and your immediate family. If you have more ideas I am waiting to hear them!

Go for it!

ISB Essay 1 Tips

The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB? (300 words max)

Every leading Business School looks for the factors that make you different, that make you unique, that make you distinct. In fact the primary purpose of the MBA essays is exactly that - to uncover your USP (Unique Selling Proposition, but most B Schools call it “diversity”!) and understand what makes you different.

The question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business Hyderabad bother talking to you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics or whatever? Your task in the ISB Essay 1 is to answer this question.

Attempt in this essay to “bring in an authentic differentiation, present a genuine face” and then give the admissions committee some solid reasons for wishing to see you. Give short (300 words cannot support long stories) example if possible. To get info for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues and family are excellent sources for giving you obvious answers which you might have easily overlooked. But the person who knows most is always going to be yourself; so think about you at work, play and studies, especially team situations, and uncover the salient points that set you apart. Your achievements, your hobbies, your academics, your personality traits, your passions, your work experiences, your life experiences, your language, your attitudes – sell whatever you feel can sell well.

This essay tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. The differentiation and the value to ISB both require you to have some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!). Perhaps your extensive research on Indian School of Business before your decision to apply, will come in really handy now. If you do not know enough building some knowledge about ISB would be in order. Enough information is available on the web for you to start off with a good idea of both aspects. Alumni are another excellent source of information.

As usual keep in mind that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. While you are trying to convincingly portray a picture of a person who can add definite value to ISB do not overdo it because we are only at our first essay. Make sure that you leave enough room for the points mentioned in this essay to be buttressed by the other essays – most specifically Essay 3 which requires another portrait of your self.

ISB Essay 2 Tips

A million dollars or knighthood: what would you choose and why? (300 words max)

But this essay can also be the ace in your essay package. There are very few questions in any MBA essay package that most applicants will get almost completely wrong. Each such question gives you the opportunity to create a well-defined advantage for yourself. This ISB essay is undeniably one such as it is so easy to write a aimless, wandering essay here, that goes nowhere.

By the way, just so knew it, ISB is not really interested in your fictional million dollars or illusory knighthood. Here too, the essay is all about your most favorite subject in the whole world - YOU. So choose what you are going to focus on. Apart from presenting your own attitude and outlook towards ethics, ambition, career and/or society, thus essay, more than in any other area of the ISB application, allows you scope to exhibit your "depth of analysis" and "unique perspective".

Present your case as fits your personality and your convictions. Present it with passion. Do not try to be facile. Be honest, and seem honest.

And what should your decision be? YOU DECIDE – why should I have all the fun?

ISB Essay 3 Tips

You have a new manager who has just joined your organisation. As a part of the handover, the outgoing manager is describing each person reporting to him. How do you think the outgoing manager will describe you to the incoming manager? (300 words max)

Take Essay 1 and put a professional/career face to it, and you have Essay 3. Once more the person most qualified to give you clues to this essay is the one you see in the mirror.

Ask yourself what you genuinely consider to be your main characteristics as a professional. Search for past professional situations to identify qualities that you would like to write about. You can actually go up to your manager (outgoing or not!) and ask him to describe your work, attitude and strengths.

Go ahead and scour the archives for old appraisal forms and pick out points that are relevant and useful. Since ISB Essay 1 looks at the same person, albeit from a different perspective, how you blend these two essays is critical to getting an interesting, non-repetitive essay package ready.

Perhaps for the first ISB is actually laying emphasis on your current job. So concentrating on the recent past is advisable, assuming you have enough to write about. At the same time, let your best qualities and traits as a professional come through in the essays, and try to complete the picture by tying them in with your past professional record.

Make maximum use of stories and incidents that link you to professional achievements or awards. Just tell them why you are good - now what could be easier.

Go for it!

ISB Optional Essay Tips

Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. Please do not repeat information which has already been stated elsewhere in the application. You may use this to clarify any breaks in education/work, inform about any other item which you think has not been covered elsewhere etc. (300 words max)

In the ISB application, attempt the optional essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit your ISB optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel the quality of your earlier essays is improvable – in which case redouble your efforts in the earlier essays and leave the optional essay alone.

This year ISB has just 3 essays on which your candidature will be judged. So contrary to my usual position, and notwithstanding all that is mentioned above, I would encourage you to look for really (I mean truly) enhancing perspectives or information that might make a difference to your application.

ISB Scholarship Essay Tips

Why do you think that the ISB Scholarship Committee should consider you for scholarship? (300 words max)

The ISB scholarship essay can essentially take two approaches – merit based or need based. Though merit based ISB scholarships are automatically considered, the base of the need based essay would still need merit

The merit based approach can explain why and how your candidacy is superior to the average ISB candidate’s. It might be a recap of parts of Essay 1 and Essay 3 with additional points which might tie in with ISB’s stated aims. The summary you present here can repeat some information from the mandatory essays because the scholarship decision is separate from your admission decision. The need based approach reviews your financial position and explains the strain that the ISB fees would be on you and your immediate family. If you have more ideas I am waiting to hear them!

Go for it!

ISB Essay 1 Tips

What, in your opinion, makes you distinct from other applicants to ISB? How will that add value to other students and ISB? (300 words max)

What is your USP (Unique Selling Proposition, but most B Schools call it “diversity”!), what makes you different, why should ISB bother talking to you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or whatever? Your job is to answer these questions in this essay.

This essay tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. This is where you “bring in an authentic differentiation, present a genuine face” and then give the admissions committee some solid reasons for wishing to see you. Give short (300 words cannot support long stories) example if possible. To get info for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues and family are excellent sources for giving you obvious answers which you might have easily overlooked.

But the person who knows most is always going to be yourself; so think about you at work, play and studies, especially team situations, and uncover what sets you apart. Your achievements, your hobbies, your academics, your personality traits, your passions, your work experiences, your life experiences, your language, your attitudes – sell whatever you feel can sell well.

Even while working out the first part of the essay you should have the second part in mind. The differentiation and the value to ISB both require you to have some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!). Enough information is available on the web for you to start off with a good idea of both aspects.

In addition to integrating both the essay sections all you need to do (!) is to portray a convincing picture of a person who can add definite value to ISB. Put extra effort into this essay but don’t overdo it because we are only at the first essay in a series. Make sure that you leave enough room for the points mentioned in this essay to be buttressed by the other essays – especially Essay 2 (not difficult) and Essay 4 (difficult but very rewarding if done well).

ISB Essay 2 Tips

What are the three things about yourself that you would like to change? Why? (300 words max)

If you are thinking that this is yet another strengths=0, weakness=100 essay, remember that even a weakness essay does not have to be about weaknesses.

Once again the person most qualified to give you clues to this essay is the one you see in the mirror. Ask yourself what you consider to be your main areas of improvement. Look at personal and professional situations and find out which characteristics or qualities you most desired or lacked. You could refer a few past appraisal forms at work and pick some you felt were relevant.

And ensure that these weaknesses are those that you can eradicate or improve upon, and also that the weaknesses are not severely debilitating: the purpose of this essay is not to convince the ISB admissions committee that you are thoroughly unfit to be a part of the institution.

Perhaps you can tie in parts of Essay 1 into this essay to show the admissions committee that you are already improving in some areas. You can also use Essay 1 to emphasize areas where you passionately committed.

If you are confident (or have the guts) you can look at the question from an entirely different angle and talk not about changing your qualities or traits but about your history and your actions. You could consider revising an action on your part (how doing it differently might have changed your life) or a reaction to an event or even some occurrence. But be warned, this is a risky approach, and if not done extremely well, may end up taking attention from the main aspects.

ISB Essay 3 Tips

You are applying to your dream job after ISB. Please prepare a cover letter accompanying your CV. (300 words max)

This is a “what is your post-ISB goal” question packaged beautifully. So having a clear goal in terms of job profiles and companies for your first post-ISB job is imperative.

In fact it is preferred that you be very specific, both about the company and the designation, after all it’s your dream! So why don’t you make a good thing of a liability and really write that dream letter as if it were true (maybe it will be).

The purpose of any covering letter is to introduce you as a serious candidate for a particular job. Present your qualifications – experience, skills set, attitude, academics (including ISB) – that make you an ideal for your dream job.

Tell them why you want that job, how long you have wanted it (certainly even before you joined ISB!) and what (and how) you can achieve if given the job.

And last, but certainly not the least, let the cover letter talk about the ISB PGP and how it has been useful in preparing you for the job in question. If possible bring a hint of the difference between your pre-ISB and post-ISB selves.

ISB Essay 4 Tips

You are part of a team which has been assigned a project with a tight deadline that is not extendible. One of the team members fails to deliver on the part of the project assigned to him at the fag end of the project despite his assurance. All the other members of the team have performed flawlessly and completed their parts. There is no way that the project can now be completed even if all the team members provide their utmost help. Appropriate punishment has now to be meted out by the management. The team member is willing to own up his shortcoming and shoulder the responsibility. Should all the team members share the responsibility for failure equally or should they allow that particular team member to get all the blame and punishment? Take a firm position on the issue and support your stand with relevant arguments. (300 words max)

I love this essay question. But none (barred none) of the ISB applicants I know can even look at this essay without distaste, discomfort or sheer terror.

I admire this essay because it forces you to take a stand and there are few things more difficult than to take a call when it could easily swing either way.

But this essay can also be the ace in the essay package: it not only gives you a chance to talk about leadership, failure, teamwork and decision making, but also gives you a context to place them in.

Present your case as fits your personality and your convictions. Do not try to be facile: this is the easiest to be caught out in a false position (probably through a conflict in another essay or perhaps the recommendation letter).

And what should your decision be? YOU DECIDE – why should I have all the fun?

Go for it!

ISB Optional Essay Tips

Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect consideration of your application to the PGP (300 words max) Optional

Use the optional essay to explain shortfalls in your ISB application which you feel are truly detrimental to your candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or events which stick out (gaps in your resumes or second MBA) or application issues (reapplications) can be commented on if you have an explanation that is intelligent, interesting and credible.

ISB Scholarship Essay Tips

Why do you think that the ISB Scholarship Committee should consider you for scholarship? (300 words max)

Groan! OK, the secret’s out! I do not enjoy writing scholarship essays.

The scholarship essay can essentially take two approaches – merit based or need based.

The merit based approach can explain why and how your candidacy is superior to the average ISB candidate’s. It might be a recap of parts of Essay 1 and additional points which might tie in with ISB’s stated aims. The summary you present here can repeat some information from the mandatory essays because the scholarship decision is separate from your admission decision. The need based approach reviews your financial position and explains the strain that the ISB fees would be on you and your immediate family.

Present your ISB scholarship essay as a combination of the above two.

Go for it!