discussion topic: Essays for Various College Ask any question answers from essaysandsop

Here's the deal: shoot all your questions, doubts
and queries on mba essays at me. Throw relevant queries on essay
questions - from ISB, Harvard, INSEAD, Stanford or whichever dream
B-School you are applying to; you can expect thoughtful, pertinent and
(hopefully) insightful responses from me.

Lemme set the ball rolling with the isb case essay.



Essay Prompt: You have been appointed to head the
team to build a dam across the River Zumba. Success in this project is
critical for your company and would earn you a promotion. Failure would
mean that your company would be bankrupt and will take along with it,
its investors and its employees. Building a dam across the river would
result in deforestation of a portion of the rainforests and would mean
relocation of the tribals and destabilization of wild life at Zumba.
There is resistance from environmental groups against your project. You
are meeting the head of the resistance movement in one hour wherein you
would have to explain your decision. Describe what you would do and why?
(You will be evaluated on the creativity and practicality of your
solution). (300 words max)



ISB has a penchant for including one essay question
each year simply to terrorize the applicants!



Do not despair however, as this essay can also be the ace up your
application sleeve. As there are very few questions in any MBA essay
package that a majority of the applicants are actually afraid of
attempting, each such question automatically presents you with a chance
to create an advantage for yourself. This essay is definitely one such
as it is easy to write a directionless, wavering, indecisive essay that
gives no real solutions but just repeats the question. So seize this
opportunity with both hands.



I am sure you have several questions. What should my solution be? Which
side should I lean to? Can I bribe the head of the resistance movement
(creative?! and practical?!). Where is this river anyway? Can I resign?



While the creativity and practicality of your River Zumba solution are
important considerations, as important is the maturity, intelligence,
reasoning and research that marks your approach to the solution.



Actually the solution itself DOES NOT MATTER quite as much, because
this essay is NOT about the Zumba River dam but about YOU. While you are
trying to present a original, workable solution to the issue do not
overlook the potential of this essay for effectively presenting your
attitude and outlook towards the environment, corporate social
responsibility, ethics, ambition, career and success.



The solution you devise should fit your convictions, your personality
(as reflected in the the rest of the application) and your thought
process. How do you evaluate and prioritize varying (and sometimes
opposing) goals and options? What are your values? What does your career
mean to you? How much do you value corporate social responsibility?
What is your negotiation style? How do you handle crisis situations?
What kind of a leader are you? What kind of a person are you? Sure you
don't have to answer all the above questions in 300 words, but a good
response to this essay will answer at least some of them directly or
indirectly.



Be honest. Be intelligent. Be creative. Be persuasive.



And if you feel that 300 words is too short to do all this in.. I agree.
After all they took 129 words for the essay
question! But it is 300 words that we have to
work with; so let us.

Ross Essay: Now if you gave me a great
story I would be a willing accomplice even if the event had transpired
in the last century (1999!). But, while I appreciate the strengths
displayed in the story, I am not convinced that it is a
great/unique story.



Can you think of any other more recent opportunities where you overcame
challenges?



Duke Essay: Simple answer: YES. But hey, this essay has much
greater scope than the Ross essay prompt. The freedom to choose ANY
person/event/experience can perhaps be more profitably used - instead of
a repetition of the Ross essay.



Why don't you shortlist 2-3 stories after some intense brainstorming?
And then make your decision. I know it is more work, but sometimes
competition produces surprisingly good results :-)



Do your best with the essays. And keep up the good work with the blogs.

You can similarly ask me, that is, John any of your queries on essaysandsop