IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, is a top-ranked institution that attracts students from all over the world. The IESE MBA program is renowned for its rigorous curriculum and values-based approach to education. As part of the application process, candidates are required to write two essays and have the option to write an additional essay.
In this blog post, we will explore the IESE MBA essays in detail, provide tips on how to write them effectively, and offer advice specifically for Indian applicants.
IESE MBA Essays
Essay 1
Tell us about a time that you created impact on an individual, company, or community? What did you learn from it? (word limit 300 max)
This essay prompt provides an opportunity for you to showcase your leadership and impact-making skills. Start by brainstorming instances where you made a positive impact on someone or something. When writing the essay, make sure to describe the specific situation and the impact you had. Be specific about the actions you took and the results that followed. Also, make sure to highlight what you learned from the experience, and how it has shaped your worldview and approach to leadership. Keep the word limit in mind and make every sentence count.
Essay 2
What are your short-term and mid-term post-MBA goals? How will the IESE MBA program help you achieve them? (word limit 300 max)
This essay prompt aims to understand your career aspirations and how IESE can help you achieve them. Start by clearly defining your goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them. Make sure to explain why you need an MBA to achieve these goals and why IESE is the right program for you. Do your research on the program and highlight specific resources or experiences that are aligned with your goals. Be authentic and showcase your passion for your goals, and how an MBA from IESE can help you make a meaningful impact in your field. Keep the word limit in mind and make every sentence count.
Optional Essay
What would you like to highlight about yourself or your journey which may have not been captured in your application? (word limit 300 max)
Applicants of IESE MBA program are given an optional essay to provide extra information that could improve their chances of acceptance. This essay can be utilized by candidates to address any weaknesses in their application, provide context regarding their personal or professional background, explain any gaps in employment, or low standardized test scores, and provide information on unique circumstances. However, it is important to keep in mind that the essay should not be used as a means to restate data already provided elsewhere on the application.
Specialized IESE MBA Essay Tips
IESE values a people centered vision, ethics and social responsibility. Here are ten tips based on IESE's values to help candidates tailor their essays to these values:
- Emphasize your impact on people, companies and societies.
- Highlight your commitment to ethical and social responsibilities.
- Demonstrate a global mindset in your goals and experiences.
- Show how you have taken a general management approach in your work.
- Highlight your leadership abilities and spirit of service.
- Focus on professional excellence and a commitment to lifelong learning.
- Showcase your problem solving skills and innovative thinking.
- Emphasize your commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Demonstrate your ability to bring a positive impact to your team and organization.
- Show how you embody IESE's core values of integrity, service and excellence.
IESE MBA Essay Tips for Indian Students
For Indian students aiming to join the IESE MBA program, it is vital to highlight their distinct backgrounds and experiences while also ensuring that their post-MBA goals align with the school's core values. It's important to use the IESE MBA essays as an opportunity to provide meaningful explanations and insights.
1. Highlight any unique experiences
It's important to highlight any unique experiences or accomplishments that showcase their diversity and individuality. This can include involvement in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or any work experience that has helped them develop leadership skills or overcome challenges.
2. Use proper language
Indian students should also pay special attention to the language used in their essays, ensuring that it reflects their personality and writing style while also being professional and polished.
3. Showcase cultural awareness
It's also essential for Indian students to showcase their cultural awareness and global mindset in their essays. IESE places a strong emphasis on diversity and seeks students who have a global perspective and a willingness to learn from others.
4. Connect your goals to IESE's values
As an Indian student, you may have unique career goals that are inspired by your culture or background. Connect your goals to IESE's values of integrity, service, and professional excellence. Show how your goals align with IESE's mission of developing leaders who have a positive impact on society.
5. Use the optional essay wisely
The optional essay is an opportunity to address any gaps or weaknesses in your application. If there is a particular aspect of your background that you feel is important to share with the admissions committee, but that you couldn't fit into the other essays, use the optional essay to do so.
Conclusion
The IESE MBA essays provide candidates with an opportunity to showcase their strengths, leadership potential, and commitment to IESE's values. By focusing on their impact, goals, and unique experiences, candidates can create compelling essays that stand out to the admissions committee. For Indian applicants, demonstrating a global mindset, cross-cultural competencies, and English proficiency can be crucial in securing admission to the IESE MBA program.
