Essay 1
Please describe the position you will be seeking after graduation (please specify position, responsibilities, industry, location, etc.). Very briefly give us your short-term, mid-term and long-term goals and objectives.

This essay can be divided into two parts. The first part should describe your short-term, midterm and long term goals. It is advisable to relate your goals to your interests and professional background and what you are looking forward to achieve from an MBA course.

The position you would like to seek after graduation should be aligned with your short term/ midterm goal. Emphasize your skill sets and interests in this essay.

Essay 2
What do you consider to be your single most important achievement and why?

IMD keeps it open for candidates to select a professional or personal achievement. It is , however, more advisable to quote an example that brings out your leadership or entrepreneurial skills as IMD values them the most.

This essay can be tackled after dividing it into three parts:

• Description of the challenge. You can quantify your description by mentioning actual numbers, such as - sales were down by XX% and customer loyalty was down to YY%.
• What decisions you took and how did you handle the situation.
• What was your achievement and what lessons you learnt. You can again quantify your description by mentioning actual numbers, such as - sales went up by XX% and customer loyalty rose to YY%.

Essay 3
Please describe two situations, business or otherwise, in which you were involved and which were of importance to you. Explain why you view them as such.

IMD keeps it open for candidates to select professional or personal situations; you can select one professional and one personal situation. Try to select a situation that had a significant impact on your life, professionally or personally.

You can talk about situations that bring out your team management, leadership and hight ethical standards. Structure your answer as essay 2.

Essay 4
Please comment on a situation where you failed to reach an objective and what you learned from it.

This situation can be either from your personal or professional life. Clearly state where you went wrong and why however emphasize more on the lessons learned.

Also state what steps you took so that you don't repeat your mistake and how effective your steps have been. Structure your answer as essay 2.

Essay 5
Describe a situation where you had to demonstrate strong leadership skills. Explain how effective you were and what you learned.

This essay would require you to mention the impact of the challenge and how you turned around the situation because of your leadership skills. Some important facets of leadership skills you can mention are: team/ people management, working across diverse cultures, motivating teams, customer focused goals, stringent deadlines and unstructured work- environment.

You should again divide this answer in three parts like mentioned in essay 2.

Essay 6
How do you imagine your superior would describe your strengths and weaknesses to someone who does not know you?

This essay should talk about 2-3 strength and weaknesses of yours from a superior's point of view. You can mention a couple of situations/achievements to assert your strengths.

When you mention your weaknesses, it is advisable, that you also talk about the steps you are taking to overcome them and if you have been successful in limiting them.

Essay 7
What is motivating you to seek an MBA education at IMD?

This essay has two parts:

• The first one should talk about your interests, professional background, current skill sets and what more you need to achieve your short term and long term goals
• The second part should talk about how IMD can help you achieve your goals and what contributions you can make to your class. You can mention that you are very interested in some special programs and courses available only at IMD and also talk about how you will add value, in terms of diversity and experience.

Essay 8
What will you be able to contribute that would make you a unique and valuable addition to the IMD MBA class?

Here are few points that IMD looks for in its students:

• Entrepreneurship: If you have ever worked/contributed in a start-up, you can talk about how enriching your experience was, what lessons you learnt and how your experience can help others, at IMD.
• Leadership: You can mention some leadership lessons you have learnt and how that can help others.
• Clubs and activities: Learn more about IMB clubs and their activities and how you can help them with your experience and knowledge.
• Diversity: This is again something that IMD is very particular about. Your professional experience, ethnicity, geographic location can all contribute to making you a diverse candidate.

Essay 9
If you are not admitted, what alternatives will you consider?

It is advisable to state that even if you are not admitted into a college you will continue pursuing your goals. Some alternatives that you can talk about are as follows:

• You would review and try to get feedback and on went wrong in your application and interview. You would work on them and try re-applying.
• You would want to bring some diversity in your professional life that would help you bring nearer to your goals.
• You would want to pursue some certification courses that would again help you bring nearer to your goals.
• You may also say that you would try to apply in other MBA colleges which have similar courses and study pattern as that at IMD.

Essay 10
Please explain how you intend to finance your studies at IMD. What would be your budget?

This is a pretty straight forward question that wants you to list down your financial sources and basically wants an assurance from you that you can finance yourself.

Essay 11
Do you have a disability or illness that could affect your performance at IMD? If so, please explain.

This essay simply wants you to list down your disabilities and illnesses.

Essay 12
Is there any additional information that is critical for the Admissions Committee to know which has not been covered elsewhere in this application?

Use this space only if you have something significant to talk about yourself, such as some awards, achievements, goals or aspirations that you could not mention in the essays above. You can also talk about some significant interests, hobbies or community service that you have been involved in and that has changed lives of others.