ISB MBA Essays

The ISB MBA Essays are a crucial component of the admissions process at the Indian School of Business (ISB). These essays offer applicants an opportunity to showcase their leadership potential, personal attributes, and career goals, which are essential criteria for selection. For the 2024 admissions cycle, the application deadlines are particularly important to note. Round 1 application are due by September 15, 2024.

LBS MBA Latest Deadlines

Application Round	Deadline
Round 1	September 10, 2024
Round 2	January 3, 2024
Round 3	March 4, 2024
Round 4	April 23, 2024

Tips for Writing Effective Essays

• Be Authentic: Let your true personality shine through in your writing.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Use vivid examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points.
• Proofread Carefully: Ensure your essays are free of grammatical errors and typos.
• Seek Feedback: Ask friends, family, or mentors to review your essays and provide constructive criticism.

Example Essays

Variation 1

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

My first experience with stakeholder management was during college when I was appointed in charge of fundraising to manage the flagship event XYZ. I convinced A and B to sponsor refreshments for the event– a footfall of ~XX, and The XX group and CC to sponsor prizes for three events (worth ~ ₹ XX lakh). Overall, I had raised funds worth ₹ X lakh cash sponsorship and >₹XX lakh in-kind sponsorship. That year, I led 10 enthusiasts supporting sponsorship drives, cold calling, and negotiation meetings. 

My second brush with stakeholder management was when I led a high-impact ABC IP with a team of four to estimate the Total Addressable Market of Generative AI. The case was a unique IP since ABC has never published/ worked on a topic like this before, and Generative AI is a niche market. I was directly working and leading cadence with Tech senior Partner and head of Tech Practice at ABC. Moreover, the case involved interviews with market participants. This is a one-off experience at BCN since expert calls are run by consultants/ managers. I built the interview guide and ran expert interviews with folks from Microsoft, Intel, etc. My experience of leading cases came in handy when devising daily work plans to proactively avoid roadblocks and ensure the team’s work-life balance. The classified forecast model for Gen AI will be publicly released soon (Gen AI TAM opportunity estimated ~$XXB).

While I strive for perfection in stakeholder management, my weakness is equally challenging. I feel uncomfortable delivering critical feedback to team members. More so when they are those team members with whom I had worked at the same level a few months back and have a friendly rapport of being a co-team member. I have tried to delay this as much as possible and get very nervous about the inevitable day.  

The Project Leader position came with team leading responsibility and giving them critical feedback for improvement. My manager had discussed creating a balance as a leader and friend, which should not impact the team’s work performance. I create detailed feedback, keep it as comprehensive as possible, and communicate it timely. Emotions do get in the way at times when the teams take feedback on a personal level rather than a professional one. I have learned that friends do grow apart; some people take feedback positively, and some negatively. 

Essay 2: Contemplate two distinct situations—one where you experienced success and another where you faced failure. Delve into the personal and interpersonal lessons you learned from these instances.

400 words

My success was relatively early in my professional career, for which I was awarded a cash prize of ₹ XX lakhs by the VP of ABC in July 20XX. I built a Telecom B2B Full Potential diagnostic tool for xx, a $XXB Telco operator, a project spanning over 3 months. It involved assessing the market potential for each of xx’s operating subsidiaries in East Europe, showcasing value opportunities by each dimension — company size by employees, industry, and services offered (prepaid, postpaid, fixed-line, etc). For this, we had the company’s internal data for seven subsidiaries and organized and compared company data to its peers to calculate market share using sources like A and B. Guided by a consultant, I built a dynamic Excel model to identify xx’s value opportunity in Europe, which would enable the company to grow its market share. The model was transported to the Tableau dashboard for analytics and comparison.

I did the model demo at steering committee meetings and client-partner discussions for Greece and Hungary and offered insights on segmented value propositions for B2B. Positively received by xx, the tool was used by subsidiaries for strategy and business planning. This project helped xx become a promoter with an ongoing consulting relationship and estimated revenue of >$XXM for ABC. 

A management degree was what I had longed for for a long time. With this goal in mind, I took the y exam for top X Business Schools on November 20XX, for which I took a short hiatus from my professional career. The results, however, were not favorable —the 91 percentile could not have helped me get into the top schools. In hindsight, I could see that my approach was not structured. Though I used to give mocks, I scored within the 85-90 percentile. I used to analyze mocks in haste, without analyzing my weak areas. I was more worried about the quantity and not the quality of preparation — I took many mock tests but failed to analyze the results. While I recognized that my approach to preparation was flawed, the consecutive setbacks pushed me to challenge myself further at work. Returning to my professional career, I concentrated on building my verbal skills and analyzed quantitative mock tests much more seriously. Besides learning from my past mistakes, I built a structured study plan and analyzed mocks extensively, which helped me score 700 on GMAT in 20XX.

Essay 3: Given your previous experience and future aspirations, 50 words

how do you plan to use the PGP at ISB to fulfil your professional goals? 200 words

Note: It is not necessary for you to write this essay. Please use this space only if there is something really significant that you would like us to know. 250

Leveraging my four-year experience in the TMT domain (telecom, media, and technology) with an MBA, I aspire to be a Consultant and eventually, a Partner with MBB specializing in SaaS, Hardware, and AI in the long term. I plan to focus on consulting in Technological Assessments, Strategic planning, and due diligence. With this in focus, ISB will upskill me in technology-led transformations and their impacts on the economy. 

The ABC Centre research environment would foster my goals and aspirations in building and leading a TMT practice. Connecting with industry leaders participating in speaker series and the advisory board from leading tech companies would help me build my knowledge and network with industry and academia. Affiliated faculty with this research center, like Shilpa Agarwal and Anusha Sirigiri, across the Economics and Strategy disciplines, would allow me to interact and research emerging digital and tech topics. 

ISB’s collaboration with Kellogg, LBS, and MIT would give me deep insights into all aspects of the networked economy, like Economics & public policy, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship, supported by Vikrant Vij and Harbir Singh. 

Besides, the ISB ELP initiative would provide me with an opportunity to work on business problems, from writing proposals to researching and generating insights.

ISB’s strong alumni network will help me connect with like-minded people to achieve my aspirations. I look forward to the holistic PGP at ISB with its 360-degree growth encompassing the Experiential Learning Program, global collaborations, and collaborative initiatives.

Variation 2

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

From the regimented world of the military to the harmonious chords of a guitar, my life has been a journey of discipline, duty, and a desire to connect with the world around me. 

Growing up in a military family, I learned about discipline and responsibility early on. Moving around a lot, I got to see different cultures and learned to adapt. I’m always curious and love learning about new things. Later my years at National XX Academy and XXX Academy weren’t just about drills and commands. As a cadet, I internalized core military values like loyalty, integrity, and selfless service. Being chosen repeatedly to mentor cadets, including cadets from friendly foreign nations, was an affirmation of my commitment to these values.

Perhaps, one of the most defining phases of my service was my tenure with the XYZ Rifles. Here, I channeled my understanding of diversity to build a cohesive unit that brought down terrorist activities in our Area of Responsibility to a stark zero. This endeavor underscored the importance of collaboration and engagement, even in the most high-stakes environments. Apart from work, meditation helps me find peace, even when things get rough. It’s helped me push through challenges, like when I injured my wrist but still finished a critical project. It also allowed me to share the treasure of solace gained through meditation with cancer patients at the Army’s X&X Hospital.

In spite of the challenges I’ve faced, including a ligament injury, my spirit has remained undeterred. The strength to continue has often come from the troops I lead, whose morale has bolstered my own.There have been times when I pushed myself too hard, resulting in injuries while playing sports. However, I’ve understood the need to take care of myself. I’ve started using technology to help keep a check on my lifestyle and to know when to pause.

Away from the military, I find happiness in music. Playing guitar and creating songs, especially with my daughter, brings me joy. My wife and I also help others by supporting NGOs, focusing on education and health.

The cornerstone of my leadership is recognizing the potential in every individual. As I’ve been shaped by my experiences, I’ve learned that the path to a brighter future lies in collaboration and mutual growth. With this in mind, I hope to join ISB to share, learn, and continue my journey of growth and service.

Essay 2: Contemplate two distinct situations—one where you experienced success and another where you faced failure. Delve into the personal and interpersonal lessons you learned from these instances. (400)

I, in my role as a Company Commander with XYZZ  Rifles, faced a tough situation. My unit was grappling with low morale, past failures, and strained relations with the local community in XX, X& X, while combating insurgency.

We trained with Special Forces and former (surrendered) militants to sharpen our skills and build team spirit. We also mended fences with the local community by undertaking important construction projects. With concerted efforts, we were able to make the area safer and free from terrorist activities.

By understanding the feelings of my team and the local community, I saw how important it is to be empathetic. I learned the value of empathy, inclusivity, and respect in fortifying group dynamics. Personally, I grew a lot as a leader. I learned how crucial it is to have a good plan but also to be flexible when things change. I also found out how important it is to be tough, yet be open to learning.

In another situation as Commanding Officer of an engineering battalion, I pushed for bold initiatives. One risky operation involved driving an Armoured Vehicle submerged through a river—a first in that border area. On the day of the operation, the river was running too fast and deep for us to safely proceed, so I called off the exercise. Since the officer in charge had not checked with the dam officials about possible changes in water flow, it made me unhappy. After I left the site, that officer, hoping to save face, decided to go ahead with the operation. The vehicle losing its way got stuck at the bottom and got flooded. Our team barely avoided being swept away into dangerous territory.  

After retrieving the vehicle, it took three months of effort and help of other agencies to make the equipment battle-ready again. Looking back, I realize that I should have been clearer and explicit in my instructions to the team to consult dam officials about potential water flow alterations.

This experience taught me to handle emergencies and to stay strong as a group during tough times. With good teamwork and clear communication, we managed to save the vehicle. Help from other groups also showed me that working together can make a huge difference.

I also learned that things can go wrong unexpectedly. As a leader, it’s important for me to be humble, to balance being brave with being safe, and to be prepared for whatever comes next.

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

As I stand on the cusp of my next challenge, ISB PGP is the perfect bridge to my future. I seek an immersive curriculum that refines my business acumen and global perspective. Conversations with Ms. MN ’22 has convinced me that experience at ISB will be transformative, insightful and inclusive in the complex, innovative business world. The chance to learn from faculty like Professor Swaminathan Sridharan and Professor Sarang Deo, who have extensive experiences and international exposure, will enrich me and broaden my horizon.

As a military professional, I have extensively explored the mechanics of tanks, radars, drones, among others. I have also crafted blueprints for incorporation of drone warfare into conventional combat tactics. My engineering expertise and leadership as the XYZ Army’s Director of IT highlight my capacity to innovate. By engaging in nationwide initiatives, I have effectively collaborated with professionals from varied organizations, nurturing a unified team atmosphere and accomplishing shared objectives.

The well-structured PGP program at ISB, enriched with networking and mentorship, aligns with my goals. In the short term, I plan to lead a defense or supply chain company, leveraging my military tech and operations experience. Long-term, I aspire to a nobler cause: assisting soldiers in transitioning to civilian life. I aim to partner with the X Armed Forces to mentor over 40,000 soldiers annually, preparing them for global roles.

I envision a future where my military past aligns with a transformative journey, benefiting not only myself but also the soldiers I aim to uplift.

Conclusion

Crafting compelling ISB MBA essays requires careful thought, planning, and self-reflection. By understanding ISB’s focus, addressing the key essay components, and following the tips provided, you can increase your chances of gaining admission to this prestigious program. Remember, the goal is to present a well-rounded picture of yourself that showcases your potential as a future global leader.