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ISB essay topics for 2016 application announced
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29 Apr 2016, 01:15
ISB has announced the essay topics for its 2016 (2017 intake; Class of 2018) application.
Essay 1: If we were to admit just one more candidate to the Postgraduate Programme (PGP) at the ISB, why should it be you? (400 words max)
Essay 2: Describe your your short and long term career plans. How does the PGP fit in with those? (300 words max)
Essay 3: Please use this space to provide any other information not covered elsewhere in the application that could significantly impact your candidature at ISB. 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.
(200 words max)
Overall, the essay set this year has been reduced from last year. ISB has in fact gone back to an essay set similar (though not the same) as 2013/2012 and earlier. Differentiation as a candidate and fit with ISB are back at the core of the candidature. Gone are the themes on innovation (2014 app) and on teamwork and diversity (2015 app). The total amount of space available for expression has gone down this year. The choice provided in terms of addressing essays (essay 2 for the 2015 app) is gone as well.
Essay analysis for the 2016 ISB essays:
Essay 1: If we were to admit just one more candidate to the Postgraduate Programme (PGP) at the ISB, why should it be you? (400 words max)
Analysis: ISB is clearly asking applicants to demonstrate their most distinguishing features as applicants to the school. Two aspects should stand out most clearly here: you should know yourself vis-a-vis the applicant pool, and you should know the school (i.e. the parameters that the school values). Showcasing your achievements here (tactfully) will certainly be important, but so will be demonstrating your potential. Similarly, you should be able to showcase your potential value to the school - why will the school be better off if you are admitted? The right approach to this essay will not involve simply listing out your most coveted accomplishments, but rather carefully choosing between them, introspecting, and then moving to essay creation.
Essay 2: Describe your your short and long term career plans. How does the PGP fit in with those? (300 words max)
Analysis: The familiar goals essay, but with an important addition this year - long-term plans are also being asked for. This is a surprise frankly, as we felt that ISB's focus on removing this from earlier applications was the right way to go. Since it is here, though, it has to be tackled, and of course, tackled well. Creating a case for business education, having clear and meaningful career goals, and a fit with the school will be critical here. Long term plans will also play their role - in previous years, we have seen that when long term goals are asked for, sometimes quite an inordinate amount of time is spent discussing them in interviews.
Essay 3: Please use this space to provide any other information not covered elsewhere in the application that could significantly impact your candidature at ISB. 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.
(200 words max)
Analysis: This is a continuation from last year. ISB now explicitly specifies that you should not use the goals essay unless necessary. Do not use it to continue a discussion on career goals (from essay 2) or make some more points on why you are the right candidate (from essay 1). Use it to address weaknesses, or highlight something not otherwise apparent in your application. Also do not use it for excuses (e.g. GMAT score too low though I am capable of more) but only for valid explanations.