1. Leadership Essay: “Tell us about a time you led”
How to approach it:
Don’t overthink “leadership = big title.” ISB genuinely doesn’t care whether you were “President, Secretary, CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CBO, C-whatever.” They want to see you in action.
Pick one crisp incident where you influenced people without authority, a project you held together, a crisis you helped solve, a team you motivated, an event you salvaged. Show:
What went wrong
What you did
What changed because of you
What you learnt (this part matters more than you think) Numbers help. Even better if it’s a story only you can tell.

2. Diversity Essay: “How will you bring a new perspective to the class?”
How to approach it:
This is not about exotic travel, learning 7 languages, or rescuing penguins in Antarctica. Diversity = unique experiences that shaped how you think.
Pick something real:
A side-project
A quirky hobby
Cultural background
Volunteer work
A tough personal challenge
A non-traditional internship Explain how this experience changed the way you solve problems or view the world and how that will make peer learning richer. ISB wants people who add flavour, not plain "dal" every day.

3. Goals Essay: “What do you want to do after PGP YL?”
How to approach it:
No vague dreams like “I want to be a leader in the business world.” Everyone wants that.
Be real:
What industry?
What role?
Why does it excite you?
What skills are you missing right now? Then connect the dots: How will the PGP YL help you bridge that gap? Mention things like the iDEAS Lab, Experiential Learning Projects, or the alumni network only if they genuinely fit your goals. Ambitious + grounded = ISB’s sweet spot.

4. Achievements & Activities: “Show us your proof of work”
How to approach it:
This is not a dumping ground. Pick achievements that show:
Initiative
Consistency
Curiosity
Responsibility Impact > popularity. If it makes someone say, “Oh, so this person gets things done,” you’re on the right track.

5. Recommender: “Who can best talk about you?”
How to approach it:
Pick someone who has seen you work, not someone famous or at a higher position. Professors, managers, mentors: they’re all fair game. What matters is that they can talk about your potential, your behavior, your attitude, and your drive.
A good recommender doesn’t “know” you; they remember you.

6. Bonus (kudos to making it till this point, you're gonna do amazing): “What ISB secretly wants from your essays”
How to approach it:
Be honest, self-aware, and clear. ISB is allergic to exaggeration and jargon-heavy self-promotion. They want people who know their strengths, understand their gaps, and are hungry to grow.
Write like a mature person with ambition, not like someone auditioning for a superhero movie.