With a little over 40 days to go...
I thought this would help people who are finding it difficult to start on their essays for ISB...
How to start developing the essays?
Yes the start is usually the toughest and sometimes consumes up to 40 to 50% of the time invested in doing up the MBA essays.
Well for starters go back to the basics and understand one thing that this MBA application is also essentially a selection process and there are fundamentally only two aspects to any selection from the recruiter's point of view:
1. What is it that the candidate brings to the table?And
2. What is the expectation of the candidate from the recruiter?
Think about it ... Even if you have ever hired a domestic maid servant (or a CEO for that matter) these two have been the fundamentals of your selection.
As an MBA applicant for you the 'Recruiter' is the school and you are the candidate.
So start by asking 3 simple questions:
1. Who you are? - this will help you determine your diversity
2. Where do you want to go? and
3. How does the school fit into the scheme of things? - Both 2 & 3 will help make it very clear to you as well as the school what your aim is.
The B School application is primarily an introspection exercise but with a twist.
Start of by enlisting 'Who you think you are?' and do it like a brain storming session to come up with a long list of things you think will differentiate you. From experience I can say competencies you believe you have fit best in this list. I know it is tough but so did 304 of last years candidates also tell me... Today 286 of those who persisted with my advice are in ISB.
For God's sake remember that by DNA you are different and thus if you think you cannot come up with anything differentiating about you, you have not thought enough.Once you have a reasonable long list get it validated by your most ardent critic. Women with mother-in-laws are at a distinct advantage here. Men too can try it with your father-in-laws but do not add too much soda to his Whiskey.Jokes apart connect with someone who knows you real well to validate this list and once done look at the list yourself to understand if this is what you think you can contribute to the class's knowledge quotient.
Fit these differentiators in as things that made you do or think differently in the given situation in Essay 1. I am guessing cooking up the situation is the easy part.Now look at 'Where do you want to go?'
Connect the dots carefully to show a logical sequence. Stick to fundamentals of knowledge and qualification based steps rather than drive, passion or even interest. If you are coding software and want to go into investment banking you will have to show what steps you have taken besides applying to the school to get there. MOOCs, Apprenticeships, probono work, reading, research,etc... all can come to your rescue here.While showcasing your aim (goal immediately after MBA) try and workout a way in which you can show that you have thought through your plan but are still flexible. This flexibility is important as it will help you depict humbleness.
Now 'How does the school fit into the scheme of things?' Well this is the part most people get wrong. It is important for you to explain why you need that MBA so much in this part of the essay.
Unnecessary references to Projects, Programs (ELP), People (faculty), Clubs, etc... just do not help. I have only been too amused to read that candidates who know nothing about the life at a B - School write about how they will participate and organize activities for a club. It is too obvious to a seasoned essay reader that your research about the school is restricted to either its website or at max an infosession. This will not be appreciated.
Most schools expect you to know at least the why you need an MBA and you should not only be able to put this across well but also be able to defend it if interrogated.
A good consultant may be able to help you on how to put your points across but you will still have to do the leg work and come up with the 'What.'
So get up tomorrow... Have your cup of Tea and START working on that list...
Llewellyn Desouza
Principal Consultant Hash & CMO Felecidade Villa
in.linkedin.com/pub/llewellyn-desouza/1/6a1/a52/