The ISB Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders (PGP YL) is one of the most coveted early-entry MBA programs in India. It is designed for final-year college students and young professionals with 0-2 years of experience, providing them with a structured pathway to ISB’s flagship PGP program. Unlike traditional MBA admissions that focus heavily on standardized test scores, ISB PGP YL evaluates applicants holistically. Your essays are a critical part of this process.
In this guide, we will break down the essay prompts for ISB PGP YL 2025, analyze what ISB is looking for, and provide detailed tips and structures to help you craft compelling essays.
ISB PGP YL Essay Questions for 2025 Admissions
Here are the three essay prompts for the 2025 intake:
- Describe a specific personal situation in which you assumed a leadership role without formal authority. How did you motivate and influence others during this experience? What challenges did you encounter, and what insights did you gain about your leadership abilities as a result? (400 words max)
- What unique experiences and perspectives do you bring to your class? How do you intend to contribute to the diversity of thought and ideas within the programme? Please provide specific examples to illustrate your points. (400 words max)
- What impact do you aim to create after completing the PGP YL programme? Please share your medium- to long-term career plans, including any specific challenges you anticipate facing along the way. (250 words max)
Essay 1 Analysis: Leadership Without Authority
This essay seeks to assess your ability to take initiative, inspire others, and drive results in situations where you don’t hold a formal leadership position. ISB is looking for candidates who exhibit natural leadership qualities even before stepping into managerial roles.
Key Areas to Focus On:
- The Situation: Pick a real-life scenario where you stepped up as a leader without having a designated title. This could be in a college project, workplace, volunteer setting, or personal initiative.
- Motivating and Influencing Others: Explain how you inspired your peers or team members to work towards a shared goal. Did you use persuasion, mentorship, or strategic planning?
- Challenges Faced: Highlight obstacles you encountered—team resistance, lack of resources, conflicting priorities—and how you overcame them.
- Insights Gained: Reflect on what you learned about yourself as a leader. How did the experience shape your leadership philosophy?
Sample Structure:
- Introduction (~100 words): Set the stage by briefly describing the context and why you had to assume a leadership role.
- Body (~200 words): Dive into the challenges, your leadership approach, and how you influenced others.
- Conclusion (~100 words): Reflect on your learnings and how they shape your leadership style moving forward.
Tips for a Strong Response:
- Choose an impactful example.
- Show, don’t just tell—use specific actions and dialogues.
- Demonstrate growth and self-awareness.
Essay 2 Analysis: Your Unique Contribution to ISB
ISB values a diverse classroom where students bring varied perspectives and experiences. This essay helps the admissions team understand what makes you unique and how you will enrich the PGP YL cohort.
Key Areas to Focus On:
- Highlight Unique Experiences: Discuss personal, academic, or professional experiences that set you apart.
- Diversity of Thought: How do your experiences shape your worldview? How will they add value to discussions and group projects?
- Specific Contributions: Identify clubs, initiatives, or areas at ISB where you can contribute meaningfully.
- Alignment with ISB’s Collaborative Culture: Show how you fit into and enhance ISB’s peer-learning environment.
Sample Structure:
- Introduction (~50 words): Introduce key differentiating factors in your profile.
- Evidence (~200 words): Discuss two or three specific experiences that showcase your uniqueness.
- Contribution (~150 words): Explain how you will contribute to ISB through discussions, leadership, and extracurriculars.
Tips for a Strong Response:
- Avoid generic statements—be specific and personal.
- Connect past experiences to future contributions.
- Research ISB’s offerings and align them with your profile.
Essay 3 Analysis: Career Impact and Vision
This essay gauges your career clarity, ambition, and the role ISB PGP YL plays in achieving your goals. ISB wants candidates with a clear sense of direction, even if they are still early in their careers.
Key Areas to Focus On:
- Career Plan: Outline the industry, role, and career path you aspire to post-PGP YL.
- Professional Readiness: Explain how your past experiences have prepared you for this journey.
- Vision for Impact: Describe the long-term impact you want to create in your industry or community.
- Challenges Anticipated: Demonstrate foresight by identifying obstacles and how you plan to overcome them.
Sample Structure:
- Professional Summary (~90 words): Establish your background and readiness.
- Career Plan (~80 words): Clearly articulate your medium- to long-term goals.
- Need for PGP YL (~80 words): Explain how ISB will help you bridge the gap between your aspirations and current skill set.
Tips for a Strong Response:
- Keep your goals realistic yet ambitious.
- Show research—mention industry trends or ISB’s specific offerings.
- Demonstrate adaptability and problem-solving skills.
Final Thoughts: Crafting Winning Essays for ISB PGP YL
Your essays should not just narrate experiences; they should tell a compelling story of who you are and how you will add value to ISB.
Focus on:
✔ Authenticity: Be honest and reflective.
✔ Specificity: Use concrete examples and details.
✔ Structure: Ensure clarity and logical flow.
✔ Impact: Highlight contributions and learnings.
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