In Brief

• The IESE MBA application includes two required essays: a 450-word career goals essay and a new 250-word Plan B essay, plus an optional 300-word essay.
• Essay 1, Career Goals, asks you to articulate your immediate post-MBA goals, your ambitions within three to five years, and your longer-term vision five to 10 years after graduation. You’ll also need to explain how IESE will help you achieve them.
• Essay 2, Plan B, asks you to identify a compelling alternative if your preferred post-MBA role or industry isn’t immediately attainable. Show how this path builds on your strengths, supports your long-term ambitions, and how the IESE MBA can get you there. 
• The optional essay allows you to share meaningful personal context or experiences not captured elsewhere in your application.
• IESE values international perspective, teamwork, and responsible leadership. Your essays should demonstrate clear purpose, adaptability, and alignment with its collaborative learning environment.
• Be specific and strategic. With strict word limits, make every example count, connect your goals to your experience, and demonstrate why IESE is the right MBA for your journey.

The IESE MBA essays ask you to demonstrate clarity of purpose, an international outlook, and a commitment to values-driven leadership. For 2026–27, IESE asks applicants to map out their career ambitions and consider an alternative route if their preferred post-MBA path isn’t immediately available. Together, these questions reveal how thoughtfully you’ve planned your future, how you respond to uncertainty, and why IESE is the right environment to help you succeed.

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.

For a deeper dive into the IESE MBA class profile, curriculum, career outcomes, admissions requirements, and more, explore our comprehensive IESE MBA Application Guide.

https://fortunaadmissions.com/mba/iese-business-school-application

What IESE MBA 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 IESE MBA application essays should show that your ambitions push beyond personal gain to leading in a way that’s sustainable and principled.
• AI fluency and sound judgment. As AI reshapes business, IESE values applicants who can use emerging technologies thoughtfully while exercising critical thinking, ethical judgment, and strong decision-making skills. You don’t need technical AI expertise; what matters is how you evaluate information, question assumptions, and balance technological capabilities with human judgment.
• Clarity of purpose. With limits of 450 and 250 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.

“IESE’s collaborative, case-method environment makes the perspectives and contributions of individual students especially important. Admissions officers want to understand how you’ll engage with classmates, learn from different viewpoints, and bring your own experience to the discussion. Demonstrating fit means showing what you’ll contribute as well as what you hope to gain.” Emma Bond, Fortuna Director & former Admissions Senior Manager at LBS, with extensive experience advising applicants to leading European business schools

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

How to Approach the IESE MBA Essays

How to Answer IESE Essay 1: Career Goals (450 Words)

Essay Question 1 To understand where you’re headed and how the MBA fits into your bigger picture, we’d like to hear what you hope to do after graduation, where you see yourself in a few years, and what your long-term ambitions look like. Keep it personal, realistic but ambitious, and show us how IESE fits into that journey.

What are your immediate career goals upon graduation, your short-term goals within 3–5 years, and your longer-term goals 5–10 years after graduation? How will the IESE MBA program help you achieve them? (450 words – hard cut off)

This is IESE’s version of the classic career goals essay, with an important distinction: you’re asked to map out your ambitions across three time horizons. The admissions committee wants to see a clear, realistic progression from your immediate post-MBA role to your aspirations three to five years out and your longer-term vision five to 10 years after graduation.

Your response should connect the dots between your experience, motivations, and future ambitions, while demonstrating why IESE is the right MBA to help you get there.

Tips to succeed:

• Be specific about your immediate goals. Identify your target role, industry, geography, and, where appropriate, examples of companies. “Consulting in sustainability at Bain or BCG in Europe” is more compelling than “a consulting role at a top firm.” Research IESE’s career outcomes to ensure your ambitions are grounded in realistic opportunities.
• Show a logical progression. Explain how your immediate post-MBA position will prepare you for your goals three to five years later, and how those experiences will build toward your longer-term ambitions. Each stage should connect naturally to the next.
• Explain the why. What professional experiences, personal interests, or values inspired your goals? If you’re making a career pivot, help the reader understand the motivation behind it and the transferable strengths you’ll bring.
• Balance ambition with realism. IESE wants to see that you’ve thought seriously about the steps required to achieve your vision. Your goals can be bold, but they should reflect an informed understanding of your target industry and career trajectory.
• Connect your plans to IESE. Show how specific aspects of the MBA, from its case-method learning and international community to relevant electives, career support, or alumni connections, will help you bridge the gap between where you are today and where you want to go.

Think of this essay as your career roadmap. The strongest responses demonstrate clarity of purpose, a credible path forward, and a compelling reason why IESE is the right place to accelerate your journey.

“IESE is asking applicants to think beyond their first post-MBA job. The strongest responses show how each career move builds toward a larger ambition, while making a credible case for why the IESE MBA is essential to that progression. Ambition matters, but so does demonstrating that you’ve thought through the steps to get there.” Caroline Diarte Edwards, Fortuna Admissions Co-Founder

For a deeper dive, view this article by Fortuna’s Heidi Hillis on MBA Goals: Long Term Vs. Short Term Career Vision.

MBA Goals: Long Term Vs. Short Term Career Vision

How to Answer IESE Essay 2: Your Plan B (250 Words)

Essay Question 2: Career paths rarely follow a perfectly straight line. We would like to understand how you think about alternative routes to achieving your professional aspirations and how you adapt when plans change.

If your preferred post-MBA role or industry is not immediately attainable, what alternative path (Plan B) would you pursue? Why is it a compelling option for you, and how does it align with your strengths, interests, and long-term aspirations? How would the IESE MBA help you pursue this path? (word limit 250 max)

IESE’s new Plan B essay asks you to demonstrate flexibility, resourcefulness, and sound career judgment. Even well-prepared MBA graduates can face unexpected obstacles in recruiting or career transitions. The admissions committee wants to understand how you would respond if your preferred post-MBA role or industry wasn’t immediately within reach.

Your alternative should be a credible, compelling path that builds on your strengths and interests while keeping your longer-term ambitions in view. Think of Plan B as another route toward the same destination, rather than an entirely different career direction.

Tips to succeed:

• Choose a realistic alternative. Identify a specific role, function, or industry that you could credibly pursue if your first choice doesn’t materialize. Consider adjacent opportunities that draw on your existing experience or the capabilities you’ll develop at IESE.
• Explain why it’s compelling. Show genuine interest in this alternative and what makes it attractive beyond its availability. What opportunities for learning, leadership, or impact would it offer?
• Connect it to your strengths and ambitions. Explain how your background and transferable skills position you to succeed, and how this path could advance your longer-term goals.
• Show adaptability and strategic thinking. Demonstrate that you understand the realities of your target industry and can adjust your approach without losing sight of your broader aspirations.
• Make the IESE connection personal and specific. Go beyond listing courses or clubs. Identify how IESE’s curriculum, case-method learning, career resources, or global network would help you pursue this alternative path, and explain why those opportunities matter to you.

With only 250 words, keep your answer focused. You don’t need to revisit your entire career vision from Essay 1. Instead, demonstrate that you’ve considered a thoughtful alternative and can pursue it with conviction.

“A strong Plan B isn’t simply a fallback option. It should be a career path you would genuinely want to pursue, one that makes sense given your experience and keeps your longer-term ambitions within reach. IESE wants to see that you can adapt thoughtfully when circumstances change without losing sight of your goals.” Emma Bond, Fortuna Director & former Admissions Senior Manager at LBS

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. 

The IESE MBA Scholarship Essay

IESE offers a wide range of MBA scholarships – both merit- and need-based – and all applicants seeking this 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. Here are our key tips on writing a compelling scholarship 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.

How to Prepare for the IESE MBA Video Essays

IESE requires all applicants to record responses to four video questions via the Kira platform. You’ll receive an invitation after submitting your application and paying the fee. Once invited, you must complete the assessment within 48 hours, subject to the application deadline. The school wants to understand your thought process, communication style, and ability to respond thoughtfully under pressure. Here’s what to expect:

• Four questions, including one focused on AI and its role in business. Other questions may explore your background, motivations, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Limited preparation and response time. You’ll have 60 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to record each answer. The recording cuts off automatically when time runs out.
• Unlimited practice questions, but only one official attempt per question. Take advantage of the practice opportunity to become comfortable with the format.

Tips to succeed:

• Practice on camera. Rehearse answering a range of questions within the time limits, focusing on clear, structured responses rather than memorized scripts.
• Prepare to discuss AI thoughtfully. IESE is interested in how you evaluate AI’s opportunities and risks, exercise sound judgment, and make decisions in an increasingly AI-driven business environment. You don’t need technical expertise, but you should be able to articulate an informed perspective.
• Consider working with an MBA admissions coach. An experienced coach can help you practice responding to unexpected questions, refine your delivery, and communicate your ideas with greater clarity and confidence.
• Create a professional setting. Dress appropriately and choose a quiet, uncluttered, well-lit space.
• Be yourself. IESE wants to get a sense of the presence you’ll bring to the classroom and community. It can help to imagine you’re speaking to a trusted acquaintance.

Remember, the video is an opportunity to bring your application to life. Speak clearly, let your personality come through, and show your enthusiasm for IESE.

For more advice on preparing and delivering compelling video responses, explore Fortuna’s MBA Video Essay Tips.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IESE MBA Essays

The IESE essays demand precision, personality, and a clear sense of purpose. With strict word limits, even small missteps can undermine an otherwise strong application. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Vague or unrealistic career goals. Ambitions like “leadership in tech” won’t distinguish you. Identify your target post-MBA role, explain the progression toward your longer-term vision, and demonstrate that you’ve researched the opportunities available to IESE graduates.
• An unconvincing Plan B. Your alternative career path shouldn’t feel like an afterthought or a fallback you’ve chosen simply to satisfy the prompt. Show that it’s a realistic, appealing option that builds on your strengths and supports your longer-term ambitions.
• Generic answers that overlook cultural fit. IESE places strong emphasis on responsible leadership, ethics, and collaboration. If your essays could apply equally to any business school, you’re missing an opportunity to demonstrate a genuine connection to IESE’s values and learning environment.
• Using the optional essay as filler. This isn’t a second opportunity to summarize your resume or introduce an unrelated anecdote. Use the space purposefully to provide important context or reveal something meaningful about yourself that isn’t captured elsewhere.
• Overlooking preparation and precision. Don’t underestimate the video assessment or leave preparation until the last minute. Likewise, avoid rambling in your written responses. With hard cutoffs of 450 and 250 words for the required essays, every sentence needs to advance your case.

Tips for Writing a Strong IESE MBA Essay

How can you make your application stand out? These strategies will help you develop thoughtful, compelling responses that reflect both your ambitions and your understanding of IESE.

• Start with genuine self-reflection. Before writing, consider the experiences, motivations, and values that have shaped your journey. What have you learned through challenges, and why is now the right time for an MBA? The more clearly you understand your own story, the more convincingly you can communicate it.
• Get to know IESE beyond the website. Attend an admissions event or Open Day, experience the case method firsthand if possible, and connect with current students, alumni, and admissions representatives. These conversations can offer valuable insights into IESE’s culture, community, and career opportunities. Let what you learn inform your essays, demonstrating a personal, well-researched understanding of why IESE is the right fit.
• Be concrete and intentional about your career goals. Identify your immediate post-MBA target role, industry, and geography, then show how that position will prepare you for your ambitions three to five years out and beyond. Explain the experiences and motivations behind your goals, making the progression both credible and compelling
• Make your Plan B credible. Choose an alternative career path that genuinely interests you and builds on your strengths. Demonstrate how it supports your longer-term ambitions and how IESE would help you pursue it. Your two required essays should tell a consistent story without repeating the same material.
• Demonstrate what you’ll contribute. IESE’s collaborative, case-method environment depends on students bringing diverse experiences and perspectives to the classroom. Show how your professional expertise, cultural background, leadership experiences, or personal values will enrich the learning community.
• Use the optional essay strategically. Consider what’s missing from the rest of your application. Whether it’s a formative personal experience, an unconventional career path, or an important dimension of your identity, use this space to add depth rather than repeat information.
• Let your authentic voice come through. IESE is looking for thoughtful, engaged future classmates, not just polished resumes. Avoid overly formal or generic language, and let your personality, curiosity, and enthusiasm emerge through specific examples and honest reflection.

Want help crafting a standout essay?
→ Explore our MBA Essay Editing Services

Final Thoughts: What Makes a Strong IESE MBA Essay

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, demonstrating your adaptability through a thoughtful Plan B, 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 IESE.

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

Let’s Get You In

At Fortuna Admissions, we’re a dream team of former admissions directors and seasoned MBA coaches from the world’s top business schools. We specialize in helping applicants craft compelling stories and maximize every part of the application process.

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