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01 Jun 2021, 03:16
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The ISB PGP 2021 application is now open. Applicants can create an account on the ISB website, and can start working on their applications on the official ISB online application system.
The essay topics are the same as 2020-21. We provide a brief essay analysis on what ISB is looking for through these essays here.
What has changed in the ISB application this year?
- ISB seems to have decided not to rock the boat at all, and keep things exactly the same as last year. The essay topics are the same, and the deadlines seem to be similar too. The R1 deadline has been announced to be in September 2021 (judging by experience, it should be around Sep 15, possibly on the weekend of Sep 18/19, 2021), and the second one should be in December 2021 or January 2022.
- The PGP structure has undergone a change since 2020, with the new class now starting with the remote Digital Headstart Module (DHM) in June. This means that ISB now accepts applicants who will have 2 years of experience by the end of May. For this year's input, it means that anybody with 2 years of experience by May 2022 is eligible to apply directly (i.e. not as part of the Early Entry Option). Earlier (pre-2021), when the program was originally scheduled to begin in April, ISB used to require direct applicants to have 2 years of experience by the end of March of the intake year.
- While the R2 deadline has not been announced yet, it is expected to be similar to last year's deadline. Though there was a Round 3 (announced late) in March 2021 last year, there is no confirmation on whether there would be one this year.
- The number of deferrals for this year (Class of 2022) was extremely high, but they are expected to be significantly lower for the Class of 2023. This would mean greater normalization in the admissions process, with more seats available. Pending a huge increase in the number of applications, ISB's selectivity this year should be lower than last year
- While fresh applicants in R1 would need to pay INR 5000 as application fee, those applying in R2 would need to pay INR 7500. Reapplicants pay the same (INR 2500) in either round.
- This information is current as of June 1, 2021
ISB essays 2021 - analysis and advice
ISB essay 1 : Describe with examples the most important personal quality that you possess that significantly enhances your prospects of being successful as a leader? (400 words)
Analysis: This is one of the rare years when ISB has not changed its essay set at all. While its second essay (goals essay) has remained pretty much a constant over the last decade and a half, the first essay has often seen a change year to year. Not this year.
This essay is really important to ISB's consideration of a candidate, if last year's applications are evidence enough. ISB wants applicants to state pertinent examples around a central quality (please note - only one quality), that most highlight your leadership potential for the future. It is critical here to not rush into answering the essay, and to first thoughtfully go through examples of accomplishments and initiative from the past. Not all these examples need to be professional; personal and social achievements count too. After you have thought through the examples, you need to highlight a relevant, and if possible, differentiated quality that runs through those examples. Be authentic - any attempt to misrepresent an example to highlight a quality that is not apparent can backfire.
Once you have a narrative, you need to think about how this quality really enhances your prospects of leadership. Turn the narrative from the past to the future. Why would you be a much lesser person if you did not have this quality?
As you go about trying to create a response to this essay, keep the following caveats in mind. These are common mistakes people make when approaching this essay:
- ISB is asking for one quality. Please do not give them a set of multiple qualities.
- On the other hand, examples (multiple) are asked for. You need to provide more than one, ideally. More than 2-3 would be too many.
- Resist the temptation to show problem solving as leadership. Far too many people tend to do that.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the industry and the ecosystem in which you operate. Nobody likes 'leaders' who do it all alone.
ISB essay 2 : What are your short term and long term career goals? How will Post Graduate Program at ISB assist you in achieving your goals? (400 words max)
This is the old ISB staple. We have already analyzed it multiple times, so we will simply point you to the analysis here, here, and here.
We have been providing ISB admissions consulting for well over a decade now. If you are looking for help, or just want to drop in a quick hi, please contact us by putting in a free profile evaluation query here
You can also ask us for profile evaluations here on GMATClub on this thread
Nikhil
The essay topics are the same as 2020-21. We provide a brief essay analysis on what ISB is looking for through these essays here.
What has changed in the ISB application this year?
- ISB seems to have decided not to rock the boat at all, and keep things exactly the same as last year. The essay topics are the same, and the deadlines seem to be similar too. The R1 deadline has been announced to be in September 2021 (judging by experience, it should be around Sep 15, possibly on the weekend of Sep 18/19, 2021), and the second one should be in December 2021 or January 2022.
- The PGP structure has undergone a change since 2020, with the new class now starting with the remote Digital Headstart Module (DHM) in June. This means that ISB now accepts applicants who will have 2 years of experience by the end of May. For this year's input, it means that anybody with 2 years of experience by May 2022 is eligible to apply directly (i.e. not as part of the Early Entry Option). Earlier (pre-2021), when the program was originally scheduled to begin in April, ISB used to require direct applicants to have 2 years of experience by the end of March of the intake year.
- While the R2 deadline has not been announced yet, it is expected to be similar to last year's deadline. Though there was a Round 3 (announced late) in March 2021 last year, there is no confirmation on whether there would be one this year.
- The number of deferrals for this year (Class of 2022) was extremely high, but they are expected to be significantly lower for the Class of 2023. This would mean greater normalization in the admissions process, with more seats available. Pending a huge increase in the number of applications, ISB's selectivity this year should be lower than last year
- While fresh applicants in R1 would need to pay INR 5000 as application fee, those applying in R2 would need to pay INR 7500. Reapplicants pay the same (INR 2500) in either round.
- This information is current as of June 1, 2021
ISB essays 2021 - analysis and advice
ISB essay 1 : Describe with examples the most important personal quality that you possess that significantly enhances your prospects of being successful as a leader? (400 words)
Analysis: This is one of the rare years when ISB has not changed its essay set at all. While its second essay (goals essay) has remained pretty much a constant over the last decade and a half, the first essay has often seen a change year to year. Not this year.
This essay is really important to ISB's consideration of a candidate, if last year's applications are evidence enough. ISB wants applicants to state pertinent examples around a central quality (please note - only one quality), that most highlight your leadership potential for the future. It is critical here to not rush into answering the essay, and to first thoughtfully go through examples of accomplishments and initiative from the past. Not all these examples need to be professional; personal and social achievements count too. After you have thought through the examples, you need to highlight a relevant, and if possible, differentiated quality that runs through those examples. Be authentic - any attempt to misrepresent an example to highlight a quality that is not apparent can backfire.
Once you have a narrative, you need to think about how this quality really enhances your prospects of leadership. Turn the narrative from the past to the future. Why would you be a much lesser person if you did not have this quality?
As you go about trying to create a response to this essay, keep the following caveats in mind. These are common mistakes people make when approaching this essay:
- ISB is asking for one quality. Please do not give them a set of multiple qualities.
- On the other hand, examples (multiple) are asked for. You need to provide more than one, ideally. More than 2-3 would be too many.
- Resist the temptation to show problem solving as leadership. Far too many people tend to do that.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the industry and the ecosystem in which you operate. Nobody likes 'leaders' who do it all alone.
ISB essay 2 : What are your short term and long term career goals? How will Post Graduate Program at ISB assist you in achieving your goals? (400 words max)
This is the old ISB staple. We have already analyzed it multiple times, so we will simply point you to the analysis here, here, and here.
We have been providing ISB admissions consulting for well over a decade now. If you are looking for help, or just want to drop in a quick hi, please contact us by putting in a free profile evaluation query here
You can also ask us for profile evaluations here on GMATClub on this thread
Nikhil
howdoesitmatter
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01 Jun 2021, 09:41
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any special reason why essays have been kept the same? in my experience the topics used to be atleast slightly different if not a completely new one.
02 Jun 2021, 03:59
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howdoesitmatter
Thanks howdoesitmatter, that is an interesting question. Here is our take:
- While ISB did indeed change the topic for the first essay a bit almost every year, they kept the theme largely the same each year. The first essay was your avenue to differentiate in ISB's application every year.
- The second essay (goals) hasn't really undergone a change over the last 12+ years, though there have been slight variations there too. For example, for the 2020 intake, rather than ask for short-term and long-term goals, ISB asked about mid-term (5 year) and long-term (10 year) goals. Broadly, though, the theme has remained the same - goals + how ISB can help you get there.
- Our guess is that with multiple disruptions (COVID, new PGP program structure, sluggish economy, deferrals, online GMAT etc.) going on, ISB decided not to make a further change, and to stay with last year's topics.
- Our one piece of advice to anyone reading this who is a reapplicant (and may therefore be tempted to submit similar essays again) is that you should NOT be reusing your essays (even in part). Yes, aspects of your answers may remain similar (e.g. goals), but don't let your essays be a rehash of last year's essays.
