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Mastering the Art of Writing ISB Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide

With thousands of applicants vying for a limited number of seats, the ISB admissions process is highly competitive. The ISB essays provide applicants with an opportunity to showcase their personality, unique experiences, and demonstrate why they are the right fit for the program. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of ISB essays and provide tips on how to write compelling essays that will help you stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of admission to this prestigious institution.


Step 1: Understanding the ISB Essay Questions:


Whether you are writing the ISB Essay for any ISB MBA i.e. the ISB YLP, the ISB PGP, the ISB PGPpro, the ISB PGPMAX or the ISB MFAB program it is important to understand the ISB essay questions.


ISB Essays 2023:


Peer Learning is a major building block of PGP at ISB. Help us in understanding how will you be able to add value to the PGP peer group through your personal and professional qualities/capabilities?


This essay question focuses on the value of peer learning in the ISB program and how an applicant can contribute to it through their personal and professional qualities. The question is aimed at understanding how an applicant can add value to the program by sharing their knowledge and experience with their peers, thereby enhancing the learning experience for everyone involved.


How to answer the ISB Essays 2023?


To answer this question, applicants need to highlight their personal and professional qualities and demonstrate how they can be leveraged to add value to the peer group. This requires a deep understanding of the ISB program and the unique learning environment it provides. Applicants must also demonstrate a willingness to learn from their peers and be open to new ideas and perspectives. The "Peer Learning" essay question is an important component of the ISB application process. It provides applicants with an opportunity to demonstrate their leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, as well as their commitment to learning and contributing to the growth of others.


What are your short term and long term career goals? How will Post Graduate Program at ISB assist you in achieving your goals?


This is a classic question and appears again as the ISB essay 2023 question that aims to understand the applicant's career aspirations and how they align with the program's offerings.


The first part of the essay requires the applicant to provide a clear and concise statement of their career goals, both in the short and long term. This includes specific details about the industry, function, and role they aspire to, as well as any particular companies or organizations they wish to work for. The applicant must provide a compelling reason for their career choices and how they have prepared themselves for these goals through their past experiences, education, or skillsets.


The second part of the essay requires the applicant to explain how the Post Graduate Program at ISB will help them achieve their career goals. This section requires thorough research about the program's offerings, curriculum, and resources, and how they can leverage them to gain the necessary skills, knowledge, and network to succeed in their chosen career path. The applicant should demonstrate a clear understanding of the program's value proposition and how it aligns with their career goals. They should also mention any specific courses, professors, clubs, or initiatives that they find particularly relevant to their career goals.


Overall, this essay question allows the admissions committee to evaluate the applicant's clarity of thought, motivation, and fit with the program's mission and values. It also provides the applicant with an opportunity to showcase their research, communication, and strategic thinking skills, which are critical for success in an MBA program and beyond.


Step 2: Brainstorming before you start writing your ISB Essays:

When it comes to writing the essays for the ISB application, it's essential to take the time to brainstorm and create an outline before you start writing.


Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Helps you organize your thoughts: Brainstorming and outlining can help you get your ideas in order and ensure that you don't forget any important points.

  2. Saves time: Starting to write without a plan can result in wasted time and effort. By outlining your essay first, you can identify any potential issues and adjust your approach accordingly.

  3. Ensures a cohesive essay: An outline can help you create a cohesive essay by ensuring that each paragraph and idea flows logically and smoothly into the next.

  4. Increases the quality of your writing: By taking the time to brainstorm and outline, you give yourself the opportunity to fully develop your ideas and consider different perspectives, resulting in a higher quality essay.


When brainstorming, it's helpful to consider your strengths, experiences, and personal qualities that could add value to the PGP peer group or help you achieve your short and long-term career goals. Once you have a list of potential ideas, you can use them to create an outline that will guide your writing. The outline should include an introduction that sets the tone and provides context for your essay.


Brainstorming and outlining are critical steps in the essay writing process for the ISB application. By taking the time to plan and organize your thoughts, you can ensure that your essays are well-crafted and effectively communicate your strengths, goals, and potential contributions to the ISB community.


Step 3: Outlining before you write your ISB Essays:

Tips on how to generate ideas for your ISB Essays and organize them effectively:


Here are some tips to help you generate ideas and organize them effectively:

  1. Start with brainstorming: Brainstorming is a great way to generate ideas for your ISB essays. Begin by asking yourself questions such as, "What are my strengths and weaknesses?" or "What have been some significant experiences in my life?"

  2. Review the essay questions: Make sure you thoroughly understand the essay questions before you start brainstorming. Review them several times and consider what the admissions committee may be looking for in your response.

  3. Conduct research: Research the ISB program thoroughly, including the curriculum, faculty, and alumni.

  4. Create an outline: Once you have a list of ideas, create an outline to organize them effectively. Use the essay question as the basis for your outline and organize your ideas around it.

  5. Prioritize your ideas: Not all of your ideas may be relevant to the essay question, so prioritize the most relevant ones. Consider the impact that each idea could have on the admissions committee and the overall message you want to convey.

  6. Use personal anecdotes: Personal anecdotes are a powerful way to engage the reader and illustrate your points. Use them to demonstrate your leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

By following these tips compiled by GOALisB, you can generate ideas for your ISB essays and organize them effectively.


Step 4: Writing Tips and Techniques for Writing Strong ISB Essays


How do you start an ISB essay?


Starting and Ending the Essays Effectively:


The first and last lines of an essay are the most important as they create the first and last impressions on the reader. Begin the essay with a powerful opening statement that captures the reader's attention and makes them want to read more. It can be a quote, anecdote, or a question related to the topic.


Use specific examples to support your claims and demonstrate how you can add value to the ISB community. It is also important to address any weaknesses or challenges you may have faced in your academic or professional journey. Be honest and transparent about your shortcomings, but focus on how you have overcome them and what you have learned from those experiences.


Starting with a strong opening statement and ending with a powerful concluding statement is crucial. Writing with clarity and precision and showcasing strengths while addressing weaknesses are also important elements to consider while writing ISB essays. To understand the importance of the ISB essays you can read the feedback of numerous ISB applicants about their experience of the ISB admissions process.


Step 5: Standing Out in Your ISB Essays:

Here are some tips to help you refine your ISB essays and make them stand out:

  1. Take a break: After completing the first draft of your essay, step away from it for a while. Clearing your head will help you approach the essay with fresh eyes, which will make it easier to identify errors and weaknesses.

  2. Revise for clarity: Read through your essay with an eye towards clarity.

  3. Avoid using jargon or technical language that might be confusing to your reader.

  4. Refine your language: Go through your essay and identify any awkward or redundant phrases. Replace these with more precise language that conveys your ideas more effectively.

  5. Whenever possible, use active verbs and avoid passive constructions.

  6. End with a strong conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a memorable way.

  7. Avoid simply restating your introduction, and instead try to leave your reader with a powerful final thought.

  8. Be sure to highlight your achievements and accomplishments, and explain how they have prepared you for the challenges of the ISB program.

  9. Address weaknesses: Don't be afraid to address areas where you may be weaker, such as gaps in your academic or professional background. Instead, explain how you plan to address these weaknesses and demonstrate your determination to succeed in the program.

By following these five steps, you can ensure that your ISB essays are polished, effective, and stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. An MBA admission consultant can help to ensure that you present excellent essays.


In conclusion, crafting compelling essays is a crucial part of the application process for the Indian School of Business (ISB) and can significantly impact your chances of getting accepted. The essays provide an opportunity for you to showcase your strengths and potential, highlighting why you are an ideal candidate for the program. By following the guide and putting effort into crafting a well-written essay, you can increase your chances of impressing the admissions committee and securing a place at ISB.


It is important to remember that the ISB essays are not just a formality, but a significant part of the admissions process. The essays allow the admissions committee to gain insight into your personality, character, and goals, which can help them determine if you are the right fit for the program. A well-crafted essay can set you apart from other applicants and demonstrate your unique value and potential. In short, if you are serious about getting into ISB, it is essential to take the essay writing process seriously. Spend time researching the school, brainstorming ideas, and refining your writing until you have a powerful essay that showcases your strengths and potential. By doing so, you will maximize your chances of getting accepted and embarking on an exciting new journey in your academic and professional life.


Watch the FAQ session on how to write an ISB Essay with our mentor Shruti P.


Contact an ISB admission consultant at GOALisB at contact@goalisb.com or call us at +91 7719497187 for application assistance.


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