Please describe some of the challenges you faced in the last three years of your work life and how you were able to overcome them. (500 words)
Untill recently IIMA-PGPX would ask the question "Can you narrate a few incidents from your professional life that would illustrate your ability to handle volatile situations?" and this year they are asking about challenges.
In facing challenges, we become stronger and learn about ourselves. Challenges help us grow and help shape our values and character. IIMA-PGPX is an executive MBA program aiming to admit students who are ready for leadership roles, so they want to understand how you deal with challenges, whats your approach, your attititude, and how you overcome them through determination and problem-solving.
This 500-word MBA essay gives you ample space and opportunity to give detailed explanations of the challenges and show what actions you took and how you addressed the challenges with composure and equanimity.
When describing a challenge story in an MBA essay, we strongly suggest that you use the CAR framework - Context, Action, Result to clearly explain each example. Your stories must showcase your strengths while giving the IIMA admissions team a close peek into the stories.
Think about your favorite film and think about how the hero/heroine navigates through various challenges to reach their goals or resolve issues. Just like that, your challenge stories must also show enough specific details for the reader to get a clear understanding of the context, what actions you took, and what was the final outcome.
Give it your best!
Tell us what is special about you that makes you a good addition to the classroom.(500 words)
Again a new question! The ealier years question used to be "What is so special about you that professors and peers would like to have you in the class?". So, if you look closely - the main idea behind the question asked here is - why should IIMA bother admitting you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics?
Attempt in this essay to bring in an authentic differentiation, present a genuine face and then give the admissions committee solid reasons for wishing to see you in their class. Instead of talking about your achievements, we suggest you talk about your qualities, your passions, your skills, and how you'd be a valuable addition to IIMA class. Give short examples to support your assertions.
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 yourself- at work, play and studies. Think about how you think and act in team situations and uncover the salient points that set you apart. You can discover your distinctive qualities by looking at your achievements, your hobbies, your passions, your work, and your experiences.
Go for it!
What will a management degree bring to you at this stage of your career?(500 words)
This is a straightforward "why MBA" type of question. This requires you to talk at length about your career goals and how your experiences till date are not adequate to take you to your future goals. Think about what aspects of knowledge, network, skills, learnings you need to be able to achieve your goals. All these become part of the answer of what the IIM management degree can give you.
Since this essay is for the IIMA-PGPX program, it is expected you customize your answer for the offerings that this degree can give you. Give specific details about the courses and learning experiences that will add value to you at this stage of your career.
