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IVYCRACKERS.COM
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Joined: 04 Jun 2012
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Location: India
Concentration: Finance, General Management
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Schools: IIMB'17 (A$$) ISB '17 (A$$) IIMA  (A)
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V42
Posts: 265
Kudos: 108
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Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Impactful ISB MBA Essays 05 Jul 2024, 09:26
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Check out the detailed blog for all ISB essays: Step-by-Step Guide to Writing ISB MBA Essays: Top Strategies for a Standout Application
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Essay 1: Contemplate situations that have shaped your personal journey. Present what these situations have taught you about your strengths and weaknesses, and how they have shaped your personal and professional journey (400 words).

The Indian School of Business (ISB) asks MBA applicants to reflect on significant experiences that have shaped their personal journey and discuss the insights gained regarding their strengths and weaknesses. This essay prompt offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate your self-awareness, resilience, and growth. In this blog post, we will provide you with strategies to write an impactful essay that effectively addresses this prompt.

Understanding the Prompt
Let's dissect the essay prompt: "Contemplate situations that have shaped your personal journey. Present what these situations have taught you about your strengths and weaknesses, and how they have shaped your personal and professional journey."
  • Situations that Shaped Your Personal Journey: These can be pivotal moments, challenges, or significant experiences in your life.
  • Strengths and Weaknesses: Reflect on what these situations revealed about your core competencies and areas for improvement.
  • Impact on Personal and Professional Journey: Discuss how these insights have influenced your growth and career path.
1) Choosing the Right Situations

Start by reflecting on major events in your life that have significantly influenced you. These might include:
  • Personal Challenges: Overcoming adversity, personal loss, or significant life changes. These learning experiences arise from hobbies, volunteer work, travel, or any activities outside formal education and work. These might involve mastering a new skill, volunteering for a community project, or traveling to diverse cultures. These experiences contribute to your intellectual growth by broadening your perspectives, enhancing your emotional intelligence, and fostering a deeper understanding of the world around you.
  • Professional Experiences: Career milestones, leadership roles, or major projects. These learning experiences are often found in the workplace, where you encounter real-world problems and navigate complex situations. These might include leading a major project, overcoming a significant challenge, or implementing a new strategy. Such experiences teach you practical skills, foster resilience, and encourage a growth mindset. They also help you understand the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.
  • Academic Experiences: These involve rigorous coursework, research projects, or any educational pursuits that challenged your intellect and expanded your knowledge. Examples might include conducting a complex research project, engaging in a stimulating debate, or participating in a transformative study abroad program. Such experiences push you to think critically, analyze data, and develop innovative solutions, thereby significantly impacting your intellectual journey. These will be extremely helpful if you have less than 4 years of work experience or if you’re looking for a career transition.
2) Identify Strengths and Weaknesses

For each situation, reflect on what it taught you about yourself and how it shaped your personality (both professionally and personally). Consider:
  • Strengths: Your strengths might include qualities like leadership, creativity, resilience, and emotional intelligence. For example, managing a demanding project under tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards demonstrates resilience. Similarly, situations where you led a team through a challenging period, initiated a new project, or facilitated collaboration among diverse group members, driving the team to success demonstrate your leadership skills.
  • Weaknesses: What areas did you identify for improvement? Examples include communication, delegation, or technical skills. AVOID using time management as an example. For instance, if public speaking was a weakness, discuss how you took steps to improve through practice and feedback.
By thoughtfully considering your strengths and weaknesses, you can present a well-rounded and authentic portrayal of yourself in your essay. This reflection not only highlights your self-awareness but also demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement and personal growth, essential qualities for any successful MBA candidate.

3) Connect to Your Personal and Professional Journey

Link these insights to your broader personal and professional development. Discuss:
  • Personal Growth: How these experiences shaped your values, mindset, and life goals. For example, volunteering in underserved communities might have instilled a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to social justice. Similarly, mentoring underprivileged students might inspire you to aim for a career that combines business with social impact.
  • Professional Development: How they influenced your career choices, leadership style, and professional aspirations. For example, a challenging internship in a startup might reveal your passion for entrepreneurship, steering you toward roles that involve innovation and business creation. Similarly, excelling in a strategic role might inspire you to aim for senior management positions where you can influence organizational direction.
4)Structure Your Essay
Your essay should be a cohesive and engaging story that ties together your experiences, reflections, and growth. Here’s a structure to guide you:
  • Introduction: Begin with a hook that captures the reader’s interest. Introduce the main theme of your essay.
  • Body: Describe the situations you’ve chosen, analyze your strengths and weaknesses, and discuss how these experiences have shaped you. Use specific examples and vivid details.
Conclusion: Summarize the key insights from your reflections. Connect your personal journey to your future goals and explain why you are well-suited for an MBA program.­