The IESE MBA essays ask you to demonstrate clarity of purpose, an international outlook, and a commitment to values-driven leadership. For 2025–2026, applicants must write two required essays – one on why IESE is the right program for you (300 words) and one on your short- and mid-term career goals (450 words). There’s also an invitation to submit an optional essay, and all applicants complete a video essay after submitting the written portion. 

Each element offers a different lens through which IESE can understand who you are and how you’ll contribute to their close-knit, global community. The essay set may look slim, but it’s deceptively rigorous. That makes it crucial to understand what IESE values and tailor each component accordingly. In the guide below, we’ll unpack each section, share proven strategies, and help you avoid the most common pitfalls.

Want a full breakdown of what IESE looks for? 

→ IESE Business School Application Guide

What IESE Admissions Is Looking For

When IESE reviews your essays, they’re looking to understand the person behind the application. The admissions team wants evidence that you’ll thrive in Barcelona’s international hub and that you’ll make a real contribution to the learning community.

Several themes come up again and again:

• An international outlook. With classmates from more than 50 countries, the case method works only if students bring curiosity and openness to different perspectives. If you’ve lived, worked, or collaborated across cultures, this is the place to highlight it.
• Teamwork. Every project at IESE – whether in a small study group or in a larger leadership role – tests how well you listen, adapt, and support others. They want people who collaborate well, who raise the performance of the team as well as themselves.
• Responsible leadership. IESE has always emphasized ethics and impact. Your essays should show that your ambitions push beyond personal gain to leading in a way that’s sustainable and principled.
• Clarity of purpose. Whether 300 or 450 words, the school expects you to make a clear case for why this MBA at this moment. A vague or generic essay is a red flag; a focused, well-reasoned one signals maturity and direction.

Put simply, IESE wants applicants who know where they’re going, who they are, and how they’ll add value to a diverse community.

→ Learn more in our How to Get Into IESE Business School: 5 Top Tips

How to Approach the Required IESE MBA Essays

Why is IESE the right MBA program for you? (300 words)

Prompt: Why is IESE the right MBA program for you? What aspects of IESE’s program, values, and community resonate most with your personal and professional goals? Please provide specific examples that illustrate why you believe IESE is the best fit for you. (300 words – hard cut off)

This new prompt shifts the spotlight from “what you want” to why IESE specifically fits your aspirations. In a competitive pool, a superficial answer (such as a laundry list of courses that interest you) can sink you – what matters is that you’ve done your research and can explain your alignment with IESE’s distinct culture and approach.

Tips to stand out:

• Make it personal. Don’t just list features from the website. Instead, explain how IESE’s values (like global collaboration or ethics-driven leadership) mirror your own and how these values have manifested themselves in your life.
• Name specific elements. Mention courses, clubs, global modules, or case-method dynamics and explain the connection to your goals or development needs.
• Show cultural fit. IESE fosters a close-knit, collaborative environment. Show that you’ll not only thrive in that culture but contribute to it.
• Highlight your contribution. Share concrete ways you’ll enrich your peers’ experience, whether through professional expertise, cultural perspective, or leadership in clubs and initiatives.
• Be honest. If there’s something personal that draws you to Spain, to a case-method program, or to a Catholic-rooted business school, name it. Authenticity plays well here.

The goal is to make the reader understand your deep sense of connection to the school and heartfelt motivation to join its community.  

What are your immediate and mid-term career goals? (450 words)

Prompt: What are your immediate post-MBA career goal and your mid-term (5–10 years) career goal? How will the IESE MBA program help you achieve them? (450 words – hard cut off)

This is IESE’s version of the classic goals essay – and they want clarity and intent. Avoid vague statements. Show a practical, well-researched path that builds logically from where you are today to where you want to be.

Tips to succeed:

• Be specific. Include titles, industries, geographies, and examples of target companies, especially for your short-term goals. “Consulting in sustainability at Bain or BCG in Europe” is much stronger than “a consulting  role at a top firm.” And it’s ideal if your target post MBA position aligns with opportunities available to IESE students (so dig into the school’s careers report). 
• Convey the logic in your path. It’s fine to have a career goal that represents a switch from your current occupation, but there should be some logical thread between the skills and experience you have built to date and what you plan to do post-MBA.
• Show the ‘why.’ What experiences – professional or personal – led you to these goals? IESE is looking for thoughtful, values-driven applicants with purpose.
• Bridge to the mid-term. Show how that position sets you up for a more ambitious (but still realistic) future.
• Tie in IESE. This is where you connect the dots: how the school’s offerings, values, and ecosystem enable your journey. Mention relevant clubs, classes, or aspects of the alumni network (while avoiding repetition with your ‘why IESE’ essay). 

Think of this essay as your roadmap. It should tell the story of where you’re coming from, where you’re headed, and why IESE is the essential bridge between the two.

Inside the IESE MBA: Global Perspective, Values & Lifelong Impact

Hear how IESE blends a deeply international classroom with a strong general management focus, Barcelona’s vibrant setting, and a culture rooted in ethics and responsibility – preparing students to lead with purpose and build careers that make a lasting mark.

How to Approach the Optional IESE MBA Essay

Prompt: “What would you like to highlight about yourself or your journey which may have not been captured in your application?” (300 words max)

This open-ended prompt is a valuable space to offer depth, context, or personal insight that doesn’t fit neatly elsewhere. Use it to tell a meaningful story that reinforces who you are.

You could use this space to:

• Share a formative personal experience or challenge that shaped your character.
• Highlight global exposure or cross-cultural experiences not reflected in your resume.
• Showcase values-driven leadership in a non-work setting (community service, family responsibility, etc.).
• Address an unusual academic or career path, or explain gaps in your record.

We suggest that you tackle this essay once you have completed the rest of your application. Then, take a step back and ask yourself what is missing? Use this space to add valuable additional context about who you are and what you bring to the IESE experience. 

How to Prepare for the IESE MBA Video Essays

IESE requires all applicants to record their responses to three video questions via the Kira platform. You’ll receive the video link within 24 hours of submitting your written application and paying the fee. Once the link is sent, you must complete it within 48 hours – no extensions. The school is looking to understand your thought process and communication style.

What to expect:

• You’ll be asked to respond to three questions which are randomly generated from the school’s database of questions. These will likely touch on your background, motivation, and interpersonal or leadership traits.
• You’ll be given a short time to prepare (60 seconds) and a limited time to record (90 seconds). The recording will cut you off if you haven’t finished your response within 90 seconds.
• You can’t re-record, so preparation and presence matter.

Tips to succeed:

• Practice answering common questions on camera beforehand, and practice delivering your answers within the tight time constraints
• Dress professionally and choose a quiet, uncluttered, well-lit space.
• Be yourself – IESE is looking to understand you better and get a sense for the presence you will bring to the classroom and the community. It can be helpful to imagine that you are speaking to a trusted acquaintance.

Remember, the video is a chance to bring your application to life. Smile, speak clearly, and let your personality and enthusiasm for IESE shine through.

The IESE MBA Scholarship Essay

IESE offers a wide range of scholarships – both merit- and need-based – and all applicants seeking funding must submit a scholarship essay as part of their admissions application. You may apply for up to three scholarships, but you only need to submit one scholarship essay.

To write a compelling essay:

• Review the available scholarships on IESE’s official site.
• Emphasize how your background, goals, and values align with IESE’s mission and the criteria of the scholarships.
• If applying for need-based aid, explain your financial situation with clarity and professionalism.
• Include specific qualities or experiences that strengthen your case for a particular scholarship – such as leadership, social impact, or diversity.

While the scholarship essay is separate from your admissions evaluation and is only reviewed after you have been admitted, you should nevertheless make sure that there is alignment and consistency between your admissions and scholarship applications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IESE MBA Essays

The IESE essays demand precision, personality, and a clear sense of purpose. In such a tight space, even small missteps can undermine an otherwise strong application. 

Here are some of the most common pitfalls to watch out for:

Vague Career Goals
Don’t throw in vague ambitions like “leadership in tech.” IESE is looking for intentionality – name your specific post-MBA role, longer-term vision, and why it matters to you personally.

Being Too Generic

Don’t copy-paste material from other applications. IESE wants to see that you’ve researched what is special about the school and can articulate why this program fits you. If your essays sound like they could be for any MBA, you’ve missed an opportunity to show how your values align with IESE’s mission.

Using the Optional Essay as filler
This is not a second shot at your resume or a random anecdote. Use it with purpose – either to offer context (like a gap or shift) or to share a personal story that deepens your application.

Failing to Prepare for the Video Essay
IESE’s video questions are a test of your presence, poise, and communication under pressure – all crucial for a case-method environment. As tempting as it is, don’t wing it. Prepare.

Overlooking Cultural Fit
IESE places strong emphasis on values-driven leadership, ethics, and collaboration. 

Rambling
With hard cutoffs (450 and 300 words), structure is everything. Make sure every sentence advances your case without heavy fluff or vague transitions.

Tips for Writing a Strong IESE MBA Essay

On the other side of the equation, here’s how to strengthen your responses across all components:

Start with Reflection

Before writing, think deeply about your motivations and experiences. IESE values authenticity, so the more you understand your own journey, the more convincingly you can articulate why IESE is the right fit.

Connect to IESE’s Ethos

Show how your values align with IESE’s focus on responsible leadership, collaboration, and global perspective. Don’t just state this – demonstrate it through examples from your life.

Be Concrete and Intentional in Your Career Goals Essay
Start with your immediate post-MBA goal: the role, function, and industry you’re targeting. Then define your 5–10 year vision. Make both realistic and connected rather than a series of big leaps. Tie them clearly to what you’ve done and what impact you want to have in your career. 

Show the ‘Why’ Behind Your Goals
Explain what inspired your path. Reflect on moments in your career, personal life, or values that shaped your ambitions. This gives your goals emotional weight and personal credibility.

Tailor the Why IESE Essay
Use specific examples: IESE’s global campuses, the case method, team-based learning, or leadership development. Show how these features align with your personality, needs, and values. Show that you’ve made the effort to engage with the IESE community, whether through events or informal discussions.

Make the Essays Distinct Yet Connected
Use the Career Goals Essay to explain where you’re going and the Why IESE Essay to explain why this is the right place to get there. Avoid repeating the same phrases or examples across both.

Balance Give and Take

Articulate both what you hope to gain and what you will contribute. Think about your professional expertise, cultural background, or leadership style, and how they can enrich your peers’ learning.

Use the Optional Essay Wisely
Only write it if you have something meaningful to add. That might be a gap in your timeline, a nontraditional background, or a deeply personal story that speaks to your resilience or identity.

Prepare intentionally for the Video Essay
IESE is testing your communication skills, clarity, and cultural awareness. Practice recording yourself answering sample questions. Keep answers concise and genuine. Be warm, focused, and professional.

Show Personality 

Let your voice come through. IESE is looking for future classmates, not just polished resumes. A touch of warmth or humor, when authentic, makes your essay memorable.

Want help crafting a standout essay?

→ Explore our MBA Essay Writing Services

Final Thoughts: Clarity, Culture & Contribution Matter Most

IESE’s essays may be short, but they carry weight. Each one is a focused opportunity to demonstrate who you are, where you’re going, and why IESE is the place to help you get there. Whether you’re mapping out your career trajectory, sharing how IESE aligns with your goals, or reflecting on personal experiences in the optional essay or video, what matters most is authenticity and purpose.

Before you hit submit, ask yourself:

• Have I articulated my development and career goals with clarity?
• Have I shown how IESE’s program, people, or values connect to my ambitions?
• Have I revealed something meaningful about who I am beyond the resume?

If so, then you’re ready to share your story, and show why you belong at at IESE.

See the latest MBA Application Deadlines for IESE and other top schools.

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Book a free consultation to assess your candidacy and find out how we can help you get into your dream MBA program.