Detailed Guide To Write ISB PGP-YL Essay Answers | Happy To Review For Free As Well :)

Heyo! Putting down a detailed guide to write the essays for ISB PGP-YL. With the deadline fast approaching, this should help you! Scroll down to see how you can send your answers for review. :)
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Essay 1

Essay Structure (Approx. 400 Words):

  • Introduction (100 words): Briefly set the context and explain why you took charge informally.
  • Body (200 words): Describe the situation, steps taken, challenges faced, and how you influenced others. Show tactical actions and thought processes.
  • Conclusion (100 words): Reflect on personal growth and how these insights will guide your future leadership.

Key Focus Areas and Actionable Steps:

  1. Select a Non-Formal Leadership Situation:
    • Choose a scenario where you led without a title—be it a project, event, or team effort outside of a formal hierarchy.
  2. Show How You Motivated Others:
    • Highlight specific actions you took to inspire and guide others, such as leading by example, listening actively, or creating a shared vision.
  3. Address the Challenges:
    • Identify the key obstacles (team conflicts, resource constraints, communication gaps) and detail how you resolved them with diplomacy, creativity, or persistence.
  4. Demonstrate Self-Reflection:
    • Clearly articulate what you learned about your leadership style—your strengths, your blind spots, and how the experience shaped your approach to future leadership roles.

Tips:

  • Use concrete examples and direct language.
  • Keep the narrative focused on your contributions, decision-making, and adaptability.
  • Emphasize self-awareness and readiness to improve.

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Essay 2

Essay Structure (Approx. 400 Words):

  • Introduction (50 words): Introduce your key distinctive attributes and set a tone of curiosity.
  • Evidence (200 words): Provide 2-3 rich examples that illustrate your unique experiences and the skills you’ve developed.
  • Contribution (150 words): Translate these attributes into tangible actions you will take at ISB—how you’ll add value to discussions, clubs, and team projects.

Key Focus Areas and Actionable Steps:

  1. Identify Your Unique Value-Adds:
    • Pinpoint the personal and professional experiences that genuinely set you apart (e.g., cross-cultural exposure, niche industry expertise, leadership roles, international projects).
    • Use vivid, specific examples—avoid vague generalities.
  2. Connect Your Differentiators to ISB’s Classroom:
    • Show how your perspectives will diversify classroom discussions and problem-solving approaches.
    • Explain how your unique insights will help classmates tackle business challenges more creatively and inclusively.
  3. Demonstrate Clear Contributions:
    • Offer concrete ways you will engage with peers (e.g., leading club initiatives, organizing workshops, sharing industry best practices).
    • Highlight how you’ll bring real value to group projects, case analyses, and extracurricular activities.
  4. Emphasize Peer Learning and Collaborative Growth:
    • Understand ISB’s learning model: show that you are not just there to gain knowledge, but also to actively enrich your peers’ learning experience.
    • Link your unique insights directly to the collaborative ethos at ISB.

Tips:

  • Prioritize specificity over broad claims.
  • Show a direct link between your background and the benefits to your peers’ learning.
  • Keep the tone confident, collaborative, and forward-looking.

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Essay 3

Essay Structure (Approx. 250 Words):

  • Professional Summary (90 words): Highlight key academic and professional strengths aligned with your desired career path.
  • Career Plan (80 words): Clearly state your medium to long-term plans, the roles you aim for, and the impact you hope to create.
  • Need for PGP YL (80 words): Address anticipated challenges and explain how ISB’s PGP YL program will help you overcome them and reach your objectives.

Key Focus Areas and Actionable Steps:

  1. Articulate a Clear Career Vision:
    • Specify the industry, function, and role you aim to pursue post-MBA.
    • Highlight the progression you envision: short-term roles leading to long-term leadership or entrepreneurial positions.
  2. Leverage Your Background:
    • Connect your past academic and professional experiences to your future goals.
    • Show how your existing skill set and achievements position you to excel in the target industry and roles.
  3. Demonstrate Impact Beyond Yourself:
    • Illustrate how you intend to influence your organization, industry, or community.
    • Emphasize strategic contributions, innovation, or meaningful changes you aim to drive, not just personal advancement.
  4. Acknowledge Challenges and Gaps:
    • Anticipate potential obstacles—market shifts, competitive landscapes, or skill deficiencies.
    • Present a plan to overcome them through targeted learning, networking, or mentorship.
  5. Align with ISB’s PGP YL:
    • Show how ISB’s curriculum, resources, and network will help you bridge gaps, refine your strategy, and achieve your vision.
    • Mention specific courses, clubs, or industry connects that support your goals.

Tips:

  • Be specific and research-driven—avoid generic statements.
  • Show logical progression from past to future.
  • Combine aspiration with practical steps and realistic milestones.

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How To Get Your Essay Answers Reviewed

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About Me:

I have been in the MBA space since 2017, primarily mentoring MBA aspirants for GDPI, and for their summer and placements in B-Schools. Worked with one of the legacy coaching centres on a part-time basis, and helped one of the online CAT coaching businesses scale up. In the last 7.5 years, I have guided ~930 aspirants into their B-Schools such as the IIMs, FMS, ISB, SPJIMR, SIBM, NMIMS, IMT, IMI, MICA, FORE, LBISM, KJSIMSR, GLIM, GIM, and others. (Not disclosing my identity because I am planning to resign in April 2025 after collecting my year-end bonus :D )

I am starting solo this season, and hence testing the waters on this sub.

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Thank you for reading, and all the best!

How To Write The Essay Answers For ISB PGP-YL