Starting this year ISB will accept CAT 2024 scores for admissions to its PGP course for young leaders. This will mark ISB’s entry into the management courses designed for people with experience of 0-2 years. The ISB PGP YL Essays 2025 plays a crucial role in the application process, evaluating the candidate’s mindset, clarity of thought, and past experiences. The round one deadline for the ISB PGP YL program is 15th December 2024.
One of the most important aspects of the ISB application is the essay writing section which aims to evaluate the candidate’s mindset, clarity of thought, and past experiences. This year there are three essay topics with a world limit of 250 and 400 words: leadership roles, the value you add to the class, and short-term and long-term goals. We have given a brief layout for each of the questions. Here’s how you can write/ improve your ISB essay.
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ISB PGP Young Leaders (YL) Essays 2025
Essay 1- 400 Words
Structure:
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Address the Challenges:
- Identify the key obstacles (team conflicts, resource constraints, communication gaps) and detail how you resolved them with diplomacy, creativity, or persistence.
- 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- 400 Words
Structure
- 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:
- 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.
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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 overbroad claims.
- Show a direct link between your background and the benefits of your peers’ learning.
- Keep the tone confident, collaborative, and forward-looking.
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Essay 3- 250 Words
Structure :
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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- 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.
- 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 connections 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.
- Do check out the following:
