Contemplate situations that have shaped your personal journey. Present what these situations have taught you about your strengths and weaknesses, and how they have shaped your personal and professional journey. (400 words)
ISB introduces a new question this year. While the question is deep, the space allowed for answer is just 400 words! So your answer will need to be concise and focused on only the important aspects of your life that have had a deep impact on you.
Please note that the focus of your answer must be about your strengths and weaknesses and how each of that has driven your life, your personal and professional life. You can talk about the reasons you chose your major subjects in college, why you took a certain job and roles.
Go beyond academics and career, and see yourself holistically. Use the space to reflect on your passions, desires, dreams, wishes, and life experiences that have left a deep impact on you.
If relevant, write about your childhood, your family, your circumstances while growing up, and all other factors that have shaped you to become who you are today.
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.(250 words)
It could seem a simple why MBA question but it is not. ISB admissions team wants to know your "approach to learning" that have led you to decide about applying for MBA.
intellectual experiences could be about your college experiences, discussions with your peers and seniors at work, or talks with your mentors. ISB wants to know what has been your specific experiences in this regard have been instrumental in shaping your thoughts and decision.
If you are a reapplicant, it is mandatory to submit Additional essay. You may highlight significant changes in your profile from the time you applied last time.
The number of candidates who consider this essay an addendum to the other essays is surprising. So let us say this clearly - if you are a reapplicant this is your most vital essay in the ISB application.
Apart from an extremely low applicants versus accepted ratio, the ISB applicants are almost fully Indian. So the ISB admissions committee is under great pressure to select the best candidates from a limited applicant pool. But there's still a door open for rejected candidates (even more so for waitlisted candidates). If you were rejected (or waitlisted) last time, use these 300 words to tell the ISB Admission Committee that there have been enough changes in your profile to justify a revaluation of your candidature.
Your aim will be to present the professional, academic and personal improvements that make you a stronger candidate for an ISB admission this year. State persuasively why you deserve a second chance.
What steps have you taken to strengthen your ISB application? Stronger work experience, professional achievements, better GMAT, personal achievements, accomplishments on the social front, international exposure or academic accomplishments can all find place in the ISB reapplicant essay. Proactive ISB-specific steps taken by you, perhaps based on direct or indirect feedback from the ISB, might prove a trump card.
Additionally, if required, please use the option of new recommendations and application inputs to support your essays and "bring out different qualities or traits of your personality which may have gone unnoticed earlier".
Go for it!
In your ISB application, you will be asked to provide two MBA letters of recommendation - from you current or previous supervisors. Like many top business schools in the US, ISB MBA application constitutes of letter of recommendation questions from the GMAC MBA letter of recommendation template. MBA LOR tips
As is the policy with most top business schools, ISB MBA interviews are conducted only by invitation. Students typically would recieve an invite 4-6 weeks after submitting their MBA applications. MBA interview tips
