Last updated on November 19th, 2024 at 05:27 am

10 Interesting Tips to Write ISB Reapplicant Essay

Have your sights set on gaining admission to the prestigious Indian School of Business after an initial rejection? While reapplying after a prior denial may seem daunting, crafting an outstanding essay can significantly improve your chances of getting into ISB on a second try.

In your ISB reapplication essay, you need to convincingly address why you were unable to get in earlier and showcase your improvement and continued interest since then. The key is to strike the right balance between humility, introspection, and aspiration. This blog covers 10 interesting tips for writing an essay for ISB reapplication.

10-Interesting-Tips to-Write-Essay-for-ISB-Reapplication-Career-Launcher

1. Understand Your Purpose of Reapplication

As an ISB reapplicant, it is imperative first to understand that the ISB reapplication essay serves a specific purpose. It enables you to showcase tangible improvements made in your candidature since your previous application. The key is to present an evolved perspective and demonstrate that you have used the time effectively to work on your weaknesses.

The essay is an opportunity to tell the admissions committee – “I have introspected deeply on why my application failed last time, and here is how I have enhanced my profile in preparation for reapplying“. Such a focused approach can significantly strengthen an ISB reapplication.

2. Recapitulating Efforts to Improve Your Profile

 

When structuring your ISB reapplication essay, start by clearly detailing the specific efforts made over the past year to upgrade your professional, academic and extracurricular profiles. 

  • Discuss any new skills learned, projects executed, certifications obtained or strategic career moves made with quantifiable outcomes. 
  • For instance, candidates could discuss how they upskilled by obtaining certifications relevant to their functions or industries. 
  • If switching jobs or getting promoted, candidates could present how these moves have expanded their horizons and influenced their decision to reapply.

3. Be Honest About Your Previous Application Shortcomings

 

Briefly acknowledge why your previous application to ISB was unsuccessful. Work systematically to address each limitation through demonstrated actions over the following year. However, maintain a positive tone and focus on what you have learned. These could relate to low GMAT scores, inadequate career progression, limited international exposure, etc.

For instance, you may state, “My previous application was rejected due to low GMAT Quant score of Q47. Over the past year, I underwent intensive coaching and mock test practice to retake the GMAT and secured Q51, demonstrating strong quantitative aptitude“. Such structured weakness resolution tremendously enhances reapplication appeal.

4. Highlight Your Growth After Previous Rejection

 

Showcase how you have upskilled, gained more work experience, pursued certifications, developed leadership skills, etc., in the interim period.

  • Share professional and personal development milestones relevant to your MBA goals. Quantify achievements with numbers/data wherever possible.
  • Emphasise transferable skills gained through new roles and projects after previous application. Align to ISB’s competencies.

5. Revising Career Goals and Plans

 

Outline the process of reflection that led to a recalibration of your career goals. 

  • Link these updated goals to new skills learned and realistic timelines. 
  • Demonstrate how your revised thinking aligns better with current market needs and your vision.

For instance, you may write, “After my last application, I felt my career goals were too narrow and incremental, focusing only on finance roles. Having led strategic projects since, interacting with CXOs and considering industry evolution trends, I have broadened my goals.”

6. Get Feedback from ISB Students, Alumni and Counsellors

 

Connect with ISB students, alumni, and admissions counsellors to objectively assess your profile strengths/weaknesses and seek tips to improve your ISB reapplication.

  • Incorporate constructive feedback to upgrade weak areas like academics, professional experience, goals, etc., and leverage strengths optimally through the essay.
  • Demonstrate investment made to enhance your candidacy based on expert guidance. Briefly summarise advice implemented since the previous application.

7. Reflect on Evolution of Your Profile

 

When attempting the direct reapplicant prompt on profile improvement provided in ISB essays, structure your answer methodically. You may choose 2-3 major areas of advancement such as professional growth, academic credentials and personal interests – detailing significant evolutions under each over the past year.

8. Showcase Your Leadership and Extracurriculars

 

Discuss any new impactful leadership experiences at work that reveal strategic thinking, business acumen, and management skills critical for MBA success.

  • Highlight engaging extracurricular activities that communicate teamwork, persistence, creativity, and commitment to social causes.
  • Articulate what skills you enhanced through these experiences and how they contribute to your MBA aspirations.

9. Get Essay Reviewed by Multiple Readers

 

Identify people across profile types, like current students, alumni, editors, colleagues, etc., for essay feedback.

  • Incorporate suggestions to refine content, flow, structure, length and impact. Check for grammatical errors or typos.
  • Verify the final essay aligns with ISB’s mission while authentically capturing your journey. The essay must reveal self-awareness, personal growth and MBA preparedness.

10. Final Tips and Considerations

 

Concluding your ISB reapplication essay, affirm your seriousness in pursuing an MBA from ISB. Reassure the admissions committee on preparedness fronts, timely and updated recommendations, completely filling forms and aligning goals better with ISB’s vision. Demonstrate enthusiasm to contribute meaningfully as an evolved candidate.

Career Launcher understands what it takes to crack ISB. Join our specialised ISB Admission Consulting – Comprehensive programme for end-to-end support across profile building, essay reviews, interview preparation, and more.

Wrapping Up

With robust preparation, clarity of goals, constructively addressing feedback, and expressing eagerness to engage with ISB’s community, reapplicants can stand out. The essay allows you to compellingly convey personal growth and MBA readiness since your previous application. Follow these tips and present the best version of yourself through a refined and impactful essay for ISB reapplication.

Checkout Our Latest Podcast on Youtube Answering FAQs Related to ISB

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Shaifali Bhardwaj - career launcher content writer

Shaifali Bhardwaj
Content Writer

About Author

A people- and story-person, Shaifali enjoys crafting narratives inspired by the life of people she meets. She likes to read autobiographies and fiction, indulge in some YRF drama, and even spin stories inspired by everyday objects (like her work desk). Stories being her oxygen, she began her career with HT Media, where she wrote health and entertainment news stories, and later started helping students write and edit essential application documents like statements of purpose. This fulfilled her desire to uncover unique stories and articulate them in the most compelling manner, while forming lasting bonds with her students. Presently with Career Launcher Study Abroad, she’s expanding her skills in website content and copywriting to advance in her field. On weekends, you may find her at a dance workshop or requesting weekday leaves for trekking adventures.

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