ESSEC MiM – Essays Tips and Deadlines for 2024-25

ESSEC MiM – Essay Writing Tips 

Navigating the MiM application process for ESSEC requires crafting essays that showcase your unique story, aspirations, and fit with the school’s culture. ESSEC values leadership, innovation, and a global perspective. Here are essential tips and strategies to help you create standout essays for your ESSEC MiM application.

From showcasing your personal and professional journey to highlighting your fit with ESSEC’s unique culture, these insights will guide you in creating essays that resonate with the admissions committee. Dive in to discover how to effectively convey your experiences, goals, and the impact you aim to make, ensuring your application stands out in the competitive field.

1. Please tell us your motivation for applying to this program. (400 words maximum)

• Demonstrate Alignment with ESSEC’s Values: Begin by expressing your genuine interest in ESSEC’s MiM program and how it aligns with your career goals and personal values. Highlight specific aspects of the program that attract you, such as the curriculum, faculty, or unique opportunities like the extensive alumni network and international campuses.
• Highlight Personal and Professional Goals: Explain how the MiM program at ESSEC will help you achieve your short-term and long-term goals. Be specific about what you aim to learn and how you plan to apply this knowledge in your future career.
• Personal Connection to the Program: Share any personal experiences or connections to ESSEC that have influenced your decision to apply. This could be interactions with alumni, campus visits, or events that solidified your interest.

Example: I am drawn to ESSEC’s MiM program because of its strong emphasis on global business education and its diverse student body. My goal is to become a marketing strategist in an international firm, and the comprehensive curriculum at ESSEC, particularly courses like ‘Strategic Marketing and Innovation’, will provide me with the necessary skills. Furthermore, the opportunity to study at ESSEC’s Singapore campus aligns with my interest in Asian markets and will give me invaluable international exposure.

2. How do you envision your professional career? (400 words maximum)

• Articulate Clear Career Goals: Start by outlining your short-term and long-term career goals. Be specific about the industry, role, and type of organization you aspire to work in.
• Explain the Path to Your Goals: Discuss the steps you plan to take to achieve these goals. This might include specific experiences you hope to gain during the MiM program, such as internships, projects, or networking opportunities.
• Connect to ESSEC’s Resources: Highlight how ESSEC’s MiM program and its resources will support you in reaching your career objectives. Mention any specific courses, faculty, or career services that are particularly relevant to your aspirations.

Example: In the short term, I aim to join a leading consulting firm as a business analyst, focusing on digital transformation projects. Long-term, I envision myself leading a consultancy’s digital strategy division. ESSEC’s MiM program offers specialized courses in digital business and consulting, which are crucial for my career path. Additionally, the school’s strong connections with top consulting firms and the Career Services Center will provide me with the necessary guidance and opportunities to secure a position in my desired field.

3. How will you contribute to this program? (400 words maximum)

• Highlight Unique Skills and Experiences: Discuss the unique skills and experiences you bring to the ESSEC community. This could include leadership roles, professional expertise, or multicultural experiences that will enrich classroom discussions and group projects.
• Emphasize Collaborative Spirit: Demonstrate your willingness and ability to collaborate with peers. Highlight instances where you’ve successfully worked in teams and how you plan to engage with your classmates at ESSEC.
• Identify Specific Contributions: Mention specific clubs, initiatives, or events at ESSEC where you plan to contribute. Show that you’ve researched the school’s offerings and have clear ideas on how you can add value.

Example: With a background in project management and a passion for sustainability, I look forward to contributing to the ESSEC MiM program by joining the Sustainability and CSR Club. My experience leading a successful green initiative at my previous company will allow me to bring valuable insights to club activities. Additionally, I am excited to collaborate with peers in the consulting projects and contribute to the diverse learning environment with my multicultural perspective gained from working in three different countries.

4. Tell us the experiences that have shaped the person you are. You can illustrate these by outlining situations you have encountered in academic, professional or personal contexts. (400 words maximum)

• Choose Formative Experiences: Select a few key experiences that have significantly impacted your personal and professional development. These can be from academic, professional, or personal contexts.
• Describe the Situations: Provide a brief overview of each situation, focusing on what happened and your role in it. Highlight the challenges you faced and the actions you took.
• Reflect on Personal Growth: Explain how these experiences have shaped your values, skills, and aspirations. Reflect on the lessons learned and how they have prepared you for the MiM program at ESSEC.

Example: Leading a volunteer project to build sustainable housing in rural India was a transformative experience. This challenge required me to navigate cultural differences, manage resources efficiently, and motivate a diverse team. The project taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of sustainable development. These values have driven my career choice and my decision to apply to ESSEC, where I can further develop my skills in an environment that values social impact and innovation.

5. What matters most to you and why? (400 words maximum)

• Identify Core Values: Start by identifying the core values or principles that are most important to you. These should be deeply personal and reflect what drives you both personally and professionally.
• Provide Context and Examples: Explain why these values matter to you. Provide context through personal anecdotes or examples that illustrate how these values have influenced your decisions and actions.
• Connect to Your Future Goals: Show how these values will guide your future career and your time at ESSEC. Explain how you plan to live out these values in your professional life and contribute to the ESSEC community.

Example: Integrity is the value that matters most to me. Growing up in a family that emphasized honesty and ethical behavior, I learned the importance of staying true to my principles. This commitment to integrity guided my actions when I uncovered unethical practices in my previous job. Reporting these issues, despite the personal risk, reinforced my belief in doing what is right. At ESSEC, I aim to further develop my ethical leadership skills, ensuring that I can lead with integrity in all future endeavors.

Things to Avoid in Your ESSEC Essays

1. Ignoring ESSEC’s Emphasis on Diversity and Multiculturalism: Avoid writing essays that do not reflect an understanding of ESSEC’s strong emphasis on diversity and international exposure. The school values candidates who have a global perspective and the ability to navigate multicultural environments. Ensure your essays demonstrate your international experiences and cultural sensitivity.
2. Overlooking Specific Features of ESSEC: Do not fail to mention specific aspects of the ESSEC MiM program that attract you. The admissions committee wants to see that you have thoroughly researched the program and understand what makes it unique. Avoid generic statements about the benefits of a business education; instead, focus on particular courses, faculty, or opportunities at ESSEC that align with your goals.
3. Lack of Personal Reflection: Avoid writing essays that merely describe experiences without reflecting on what you learned from them and how they influenced your personal and professional development. ESSEC values self-awareness and the ability to grow from experiences. Make sure your essays include thoughtful reflection on your learnings.
4. Failing to Show Leadership and Initiative: ESSEC looks for candidates who have demonstrated leadership and initiative in their extracurricular activities and professional experiences. Avoid essays that do not highlight your ability to lead, take initiative, and make a positive impact in your roles. Showcase your proactive attitude and leadership qualities.
5. Not Connecting Experiences to Future Goals: Do not write essays that fail to connect your past experiences to your future career goals. ESSEC wants to understand how your background has prepared you for the MiM program and how the program will help you achieve your aspirations. Ensure your essays draw clear connections between your past experiences and your future ambitions.
6. Neglecting ESSEC’s Collaborative Spirit: Avoid writing essays that do not emphasize your ability to work effectively in teams and contribute to the community. ESSEC values collaboration and looks for students who can engage positively with their peers. Highlight your teamwork skills and how you plan to contribute to the collaborative environment at ESSEC.
7. Being Overly Generic: Avoid using generic statements or clichés that could apply to any business school. ESSEC wants to see why you specifically want to join their program and how you fit with their unique culture. Tailor your essays to reflect the specific values and opportunities offered by ESSEC.