CrackVerbal expert Pradyot Anand (Class of 2008, ISB and honored in ISB's Dean's List for being in the Top 10% of his graduating class) compiles this Guide to ISB Admission Essays for their 2013-14 intake. If you find this helpful or need any assistance in your own MBA application, do write to us at essays@crackverbal.com.

1. A Guide to ISB Admission Essays –
2013-14
Pradyot Anand (Class of 2008, ISB)

2. Pradyot Anand - Profile
Undergraduate B M S College of Engineering (Info. Sci.), 2002
Pre-MBA Industry Primarily IT Products
Postgraduate Indian School of Business (Strategy, Marketing), 2008
Post-MBA Function Corporate Strategy / Management Consulting
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Current Employer1 Hewlett-Packard India Sales Pvt. Ltd.
4+ years post-MBA
Work Experience1
~5 years pre-MBA
Hobbies &
Travel, LOTR, Board Games, Wildlife Conservation
Interests
Freelance instructor at CrackVerbal – specifically, I teach
Other
Sentence Correction for the GMAT
1- As of August 1, 2012
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3. What are ISB’s selection criteria?
Stated Unstated
• Leadership Potential • Career progression
• Diversity • Post-MBA career focus
• Academic Background • “Over and beyond” contribution
• Analytical Ability • Passion & Dynamism
• Work Experience • Communication skills
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• Interpersonal skills
• EQ and IQ balance
• …
• …
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4. Illustrative components of selection criteria – 1 of 3
 Setting a vision
 Forming and guiding teams
 Negotiating agreements
Leadership  Handling diversity of opinion
Potential  Motivating people
 Demonstrating courage and integrity
 Taking initiative
 …
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 Diversity in thought
 Life experiences
 Travel
 Personal Hardships
Diversity  Activities / Hobbies pursued
 Cultural / family background
 Academic background
 Kind of work experience
 …
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5. Illustrative components of selection criteria – 2 of 3
 Academic course
 Academic performance
 Scholarships
Academic  Contribution to your alma mater
Background  Industry projects
 Clubs & societies
 Placements & industry interaction
 …
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 Profession specific capabilities (e.g. requirements gathering, analytics)
 Standardized tests such as GMAT, GRE
 Certification courses
 Other tests (Mensa, High IQ Society etc.)
Analytical
 Competitions (e.g. Olympiads)
Ability
 Improving the status quo at work, at a club etc.
 Patents
 Research output
 …
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6. Illustrative components of selection criteria – 3 of 3
 Industry and segment
 Career growth
 Medium and long-term career focus
 Organizational impact and recognition
 Stakeholder expectation management
Work
 Conflict resolution
Experience
 Interpersonal skills demonstrated with bosses, subordinates, clients,
vendors…
Ability to work in multicultural groups
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
 Firm contributions initiated / participated
 …
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7. Some fundamental Do’s and Don’ts for admissions essay writing
Do Don’t
• Research the school thoroughly • Exceed the word limit
• Demonstrate your fit with the • Be boring or uni-dimensional
school’s criteria
• Write your resume in prose format
• Plan your essays and have a theme/
focus • Use clichés
• Use real-life or well researched • Use long, complex, or literary
sentences
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examples
• Proofread your essay and read it • Send the same essay to all schools
aloud • Exaggerate or use hyperbole
• Have a friend / professional critique • Inject fake enthusiasm for
your essays philanthropy, entrepreneurship etc.
• Be confident, be creative, be • Try to be someone you are not
original, be honest
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8. The trinity for ISB admissions (and more generally, for all B-schools)
Why MBA?
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Why ISB? Why you for MBA
and ISB?
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9. ISB Application Essays for 2013 Admissions
(The essays have a 300 word limit each and the video essay should be 90-sec/15 MB)
• Essay 1:
Please make a strong case to differentiate yourself from an exceptional set of
applicants applying for PGP 2013-14. You could cite personal or professional
achievements to present your case.
• Essay 2:
Where do you see yourself three years after you graduate from the ISB?
• Essay 3:
Please provide additional information that will significantly affect the consideration
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of your application to the ISB.
• Scholarship Essay (Optional):
Why do you think that the ISB Scholarship Committee should consider you for
scholarship?
• Re-Applicant Essay:
How has your profile changed from the time you last applied to the ISB?
• Video Essay:
Life to me is... (Please complete the following statement in your own words on
Video)
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10. In Summary
• Introspect and be very clear on these points:
- why you want an MBA
- why you want an MBA now
- and why you for ISB
• Devote enough time to your essays – they play a crucial role in helping you get an
interview shortlist
• Be honest, the interview committee will easily spot a fake or exaggerated version
of your personality.
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11. For any questions regarding your ISB
Application or for further assistance with
your essays, please contact us by
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mailing your query on
enquiry@crackverbal.com
or calling +91 900 8166 800
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12. Legal Disclaimer
The information contained in these slides are for general information purposes only and includes my personal opinions.
I endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, however, make no representations or warranties of any kind, express
or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the slides or the information,
products, services, or related graphics contained on the slides for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is
therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will I be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any
loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of these slides.
Through these slides you may be able to link to other websites which are not under the control of the owner of the slides. The
owner has no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply
a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
The Indian School of Business (ISB) does not write, sponsor, or endorse this product, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner
of these slides.
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GMAT™ and GMAC™ are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admission Council™. GMAT or GMAC does not write,
sponsor, or endorse this product, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner of these slides.
© Pradyot Anand, 2011
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