ISB

ISB

Saturday, December 6, 2008

ISB Essay Analysis 2008-09

ISB's essays have been different from that of the other B-Schools because it doen not ask you the stereotype MBA application questions. Their essays have always been challenging in that sense that they implicitly define who you are without asking you. Here is the analysis of this year's essays:

1) 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)

Every person is unique in his own special way. Through this essay the Adcom wants to know how your uniqueness will contribute to the campus. Just saying bluntly that you are a hard worker with excellent acads will not make you different and special. You have to convince the Adcom that you are not the regular guy out to do his MBA. One must remember that MBA is as much learning from the class as much it is about learning from your peers. So what is the "difference" you bring to the table? How is this difference of any use to your peer group? The "difference" need not only be professional (unique profession/industry, challenging role etc). It could also be personal (unusual hobby, life outside work etc). Answers cannot be vague. You must have some sort of supporting example for each of the 3 reasons. Dont answer in "pointers". Makes the essay look mechanical. Get a good flow into the essay and floor the Adcom.

2) 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)

I feel that the Adcom has objectives from this essay

  • How well you have researched ISB. Dont just write a generalistic speech which you can adapt to any school by simply replacing ISB with X, Y or Z.
  • Ability to think fresh or out of the box. Dont write the stereotype speech. Make sure you suggest new ideas which you want to implement once you become the President. These ideas should help your peers as well as have a direction to take the school forward globally. Be practical in your speech and not promise something which is not practically feasible. Also say how want to contribute to the growth of the school when you are in it ( and not after you pass out and become an alumnus)
3) 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)

First of all its important to understand that there are no "Right" answers for this one. It is about taking  stand and sticking to it with convinction fully aware of the consequences. Be practical. Dont try to sound like a Mahatma. Dont try to sound like a snob also. Give a realistic but practical solution to the dilemma.  

1 comment:

Happy said...

Grt way to express your views and giving insights to admission process. :)