London Business School MiM – Sample Essays & LOR

LBS MiM Sample Essays – 1

LBS MiM Essay 1: What learning outcomes are you aiming to achieve as part of your Masters in Management programme? What challenge(s) might you encounter?

I am a Computer Science Engineer with a great passion to solve real world problems using technology. When the COVID hit and there was a dearth of testing kits, I developed a Covid detection solution using X-Ray scans. As a part of internships with regional governmental bodies, I have also built intelligent Traffic Lights systems, and algorithms to predict forest fires that operated at 87 percent accuracy. Through these projects, I have honed my analytical and problem solving skills.

For the last 4 years, I spent a considerable time supporting my family business. I was assisting our Chartered Accountant to manage the company books, and balance sheets. This is where I was first introduced to the field of Finance. Curious to learn more, I self-taught the concepts of Finance using Coursera and Linkedin Learning. This understanding also helped me to build an automated stock trading algorithm for Reliance, that minimises losses and maximizes profits. I have also won the best project award in a national competition for developing an effective equity selection model based on business headlines scanning over 5000 new articles in a week to predict trend lines and movements of the stock market.

Being exposed to and interested in Finance, I want to build my long term career in this domain. To achieve my goals, I need the knowledge and understanding of not only Finance but the end-to-end business as a whole. I need to understand different facets of the business world, how financial decisions are made from project level to organisation level, and how strategy influences the operations of an organisation. I strongly believe that this chair will equip me with necessary knowledge and understanding of the business world. The intensive case based learning will broaden my horizon with real world scenarios and business problems.

As a victim of sexual harassment at the young age of 15, I do everything in my capacity to voice and speak up against it. I have created support groups and conducted workshops to spread awareness about the legal rights and protection women have in India, with respect to sexual harassment. This helped create a positive and inclusive environment where the victims can get the necessary emotional and physical support they need.

One of the challenges I believe I will face while pursuing MiM is falling prey to impostor syndrome. As interesting and enriching it might be to meet people with diverse backgrounds, I feel I might be slightly intimidated amidst such high performing candidates. I hope to overcome this challenge by reinforcing the unique strengths I possess and focusing on the value that I bring to the cohort.

Apart from this, I am a person who struggles to perform in high pressure environments. In the past, I have often got stressed and anxious while working on projects with tight deadlines and high expectations. Yoga and Pranayama (Meditation) are my go to tools in such situations and it has helped me to a great extent in controlling my anxiety. Nonetheless, I am determined to overcome any challenges and make the best use of my time while pursuing my studies at London Business School.

LBS MiM Essay 2: During your time as a student, how will you contribute to the London Business School? (400 word essay)

As a computer science engineer, I have hands-on experience in solving problems using technology – for example I built an automatic stock trading algorithm that can trade on an intra day basis to make a net gain. This algorithm was also recognised and published in international journals. With my experience, I can contribute on how technology and digital is key to solving many business problems.

My introduction to finance came through my family business. I work with my Chartered Accountant to manage our business’s financial books and balance sheets. I have a good grasp of accounting and finance principles. Finance being one of the difficult concepts, I can teach and help my batchmates with financial concepts.

As someone who has worked on more than 5 live projects in my engineering days, I understand and appreciate the value of learning by doing. I would take part and represent London Business School in various case study competitions and real world projects.

Apart from all this, I researched the vast clubs at LBS, and I would like to actively contribute to the Women in Business Club and Out in Business club. A couple of years ago, I had a revelation about my sexuality, that I’m bisexual. For the past two years, I have been struggling to accept this fact about myself. I wish to join the Out in Business club at LBS and become an advocate for my community. I want to create support groups where people can open up and share their experiences in a non-judgemental, secure environment. I also want to invite other people to come and become allies to the LGBTQ+ community.

One more thing that really excites me is the opportunity to meet people from different cultures and from diverse backgrounds. When I connected with alumni and current students, I got to know that MiM can be a very busy and stressful experience. I would love to host dinner events at my dorm room and bond with my batchmates and help them destress. I am an incredible cook, and not so bad guitar player. I can add value by reminding my batch mates to have some fun once in a while!

LBS MiM Essay 3: In 300 words or less, please tell us how your previous experience(s) will enable you to thrive within our School’s diverse and international community?

My family is in the business of selling essential oils in various international markets via ecommerce channels. I was responsible for customer support and I resolved any customer queries and complaints. In this role, I had numerous opportunities to interact with clients from North America, France, Germany, UK and other European countries. I used to listen to their health and beauty concerns and then suggest them with suitable essential oil and also guide them on how to use the oils. Talking to people from over 15 countries, solving their purchase-related problems or answering their queries has helped me understand the different nuances of various cultures.

I believe this unique experience has equipped me to understand and appreciate people from all over the world. I have learnt to navigate through simple things such as their accents and gestures, to complex things such as cultural norms and differences. As a person who is sensitive and appreciative of different cultural aspects, I am confident of navigating cultural barriers and thriving in an international community.

LBS MiM Essay 4: In 300 words or less, please describe your alternative career goals, telling us how you would respond in a challenging job market, how would you expand your job search to other roles and locations if your primary goal is unsuccessful.

My plan A is to secure a job as Financial Analyst either in Private Equity or Investment Banking firms such as JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs.

If I couldn’t succeed in landing my dream role , I would pursue a career in fintech to the likes of Barclays or PwC. Working in these organisations, I would get a breadth of experience across finance and technology. As someone who is coming from a technology background, a fintech role would help me leverage my strengths to solve problems in the finance domain. In addition to gaining exposure to the financial world, such a role will also groom my business and strategy skills, enabling me to transition into a leadership position in the finance field in the long term. I am quite open to apply for positions across the UK and Europe if my primary goal is unsuccessful.

LBS MiM Essay 5: In 150 words (or less), tell us about a hobby or main interest.

Before my family started the essential oils business, I have seen my parents struggle to make ends meet. This experience taught me to value even simple things and not take anything for granted. Therefore, caring for the underprivileged and giving back to society has been a big part of my life.

For over 3 years, I have involved myself in teaching underprivileged kids, distributing food to the downtrodden communities through NGOs and social impact clubs. As a victim of sexual harassment at the young age of 15, I do everything in my capacity to voice and speak up against it. I have created support groups and conducted workshops to spread awareness about the legal rights and protection women have in India, with respect to sexual harassment. This helped create a positive and inclusive environment where the victims can get the necessary emotional and physical support they need.

LBS MiM Essay 6: What are your post-Masters in Management /Global MiM career goals? Please state your ideal sector, role and function. (300 words max)

After my MiM studies, my goal is to land a role in the finance industry. An ideal role for me would be Financial Analyst either in Private Equity or Investment Banking firms such as JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs.

Such a role would give me hands-on experience on different aspects of finance such as how firms manage capital structure, how firms balance risks and return, how financial decisions are made in a company etc. More importantly it gives me exposure to different sectors, and industry best practises that will play a key role in attaining my long term goal of leading the Finance & Treasury function for one of the Fortune 500 companies.