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Profiling
Questionnaire

Name:

The purpose of this document is not to simply extract

factual data; it is to analyze the person you are, the
person you aspire to be, and the difference you wish to
make in your lifetime. You may feel that you dont have
an answer to certain questions- thats normal; think for
a while and give your best answer. What eventually
goes into your application may look entirely different;
however, we need dots to build on. You may find
certain questions overlapping- thats also normal; give
your best response to each question independently.
The more personal your responses are, the better it
gets. Pour your heart out. Rest assured, our strict
privacy policy means that all your information stays
confidential for the lifetime. Please understand that
leaving an answer blank is not an option; however
weak you perceive your answer to be, you must
answer each question while respecting the word limit!
Please help us help you!

What?

GMAT Score:
Work Experience (On
program commencement):

This questionnaire will form the

basis for us to know you. The
questions have been scientifically
designed to elicit the maximum
facts of your professional and
personal life, which are relevant
from
the
context
of
MBA
applications.

Why?
This is a crucial step. What you put
in this document will be the dots.
The more the dots, the more
flexibility (and creativity) we have
in joining them. So pour your heart
out and give us all the facts of your
life, however insignificant they may
seem. Remember, it is not the
facts
that
matter
but
the
perspectives that you are able to
bring out in your essays.

Section I: Short Answers

1. If the admissions committee scrapped the entire
application process and asked for simply 10 bullet-points
on a paper, what would those bullet points be? (~30 words
x 10 bullets)
Essentially, we wish to know the ~10 main points that sum up
your candidature; points that you would essentially want to
convey to the admissions committee. Try to cover all dimensionsprofessional, academic, co-curricular.

How?
Spend time on each question and
write down everything that comes
to your mind, even if the thoughts
seem disconnected. If it helps, just
answer in bullet points; dont be
too concerned about your English /
Grammar. Be patient and give
adequate time to each question.

2. What one phrase or sentence best captures your

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inspiration in life (50 words or fewer)

Think deep; this phrase may well become the theme of our
applications. Example: Relentless pursuit for excellence.

3. Tell us five (or more) random, interesting (if possible,

unique) things about you. (~30 words x ~5 bullets)
Think of something interesting, fun but with takeaway; example:
I am absurdly good with numbers; I am beginning to calculate
297^2 and before the time I reached here, I have the answer:
88209. See, the example is fun to read, unique, and has a clear
takeaway- that I am good with numbers. Another example: I
recently saw Bhaag Miklha Bhaag, a movie based on arguably
Indias greatest athlete ever; after five years, I put my running
shoes on and with 10 breath-breaks, covered 14 kilometers on
Noida-Greater Noida expressway. Another fun example with
takeaways- that I have high physical stamina and that I am
determined.

4. Whats your target industry and profile immediately after MBA? (50 words or fewer)
Please be specific; avoid answers such as general management profile with a Fortune 500 company.

4.a For Q#4, whats your plan B? (50 words or fewer)

5. In the long-term, 20 years after graduating, what profile and industry do you aspire for?
(50 words or fewer)
Yes, MBA applications make you think. Contemplate!

5.a What difference do you intend to make on your functional area? What impact do you wish
to leave on the world through your aspirations? (100 words or fewer)

Section II: Perennial MBA Questions

No MBA Application work would be complete without justice to the following, most
conventional MBA application questions. Response on the following will play an
important role in deciding how your applications shape-up; strong ground work on this
section will give you confidence at the interview stage.
6. Why is this the best time for you to pursue an MBA? What are your short-term and longterm goals? How will your experiences together with the MBA help you achieve your goals?
(750-1000 words)

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Probably, not having an answer to this question is one of the main reasons you enrolled with us . We
understand. To guide you, we need to hear you first; dont worry, we will work hard on preparing a version
that gives you, your best chance! For now, give this your best shot!
Suggested structure
Para 0 (Optional): Have a generic, powerful beginning to the essay. (~70 words)
Para 1: Give a brief biography, emphasizing on the major accomplishments. (~200 words)
Para 2: Crisply, suggest the need for an MBA now for career progression and skills enrichment. (~130
words)
Para 3: Elaborate on the goal immediately after MBA and link it with your career/skills so far. Suggest how
MBA will help you achieve this short-term goal. (~150 words)
Para 4: Elaborate on your long-term goal. Try to make it visionary; think about giving back to the
ecosystem; talk about why is this long-term goal meaningful. (~100 words)
Para 5: Elaborate on why you wish to pursue your MBA from a particular school (choose any one school
that youre most interested in; dont worry about schools short-listing at this stage; the purpose is to help
you learn research upon business schools). A few factors that you must consider while writing this
paragraph include- program structure, teaching methodology, area of specialization, any peculiar
academic opportunity (such as a relevant center of excellence, student managed portfolio of stocks,
incubation centers, live consulting projects etc), student clubs, co-curricular activities, campus life, apt
location, an ecosystem for your desired career goals, high ROI, scholarship opportunities, any peculiar
feature of the program that you find personally interesting. Avoid being overwhelmed by the sea of
information and pick stuff that is relevant to your career goals. For example: if you are interested in a
career in Trading, a concentration in Finance, East Coast as location, Finance Students Club, student
managed portfolio, a few trading firms that regularly recruits from the school, some awesome course
offered by a star Finance faculty- all make sense). Dont get overwhelmed; we are there to help you with
what you eventually submit. For now, just give this your best shot! (~150 words)
Para 5: Have a powerful summary/ending. (~100 words)

7. How will you add to the diversity of the MBA class? How will your presence add to the
learning experience of your fellow students? (500-750 words)
Business schools wish to select candidates who shall add to the diversity of class and contribute to peer
learning atmosphere. One of the two most important questions in MBA applications. Do well!
Suggested structure
Para 1: Have a strong opening, suggesting that you are going to be a worthwhile candidate. (~70 words)
Para 2: Trait/experience 1 + Reason why this will add to the experience of fellow students (~150 words)
Para 3: Trait/experience 2 + Reason why this will add to the experience of fellow students (~150 words)
Para 4: Trait/experience 3 + Reason why this will add to the experience of fellow students (~150 words)

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Para 5: Trait/experience 4 + Reason why this will add to the experience of fellow students (~150 words)
Para 6: A strong conclusion/summary. (~70 words)

8. Imagine you have received admit and you are sitting in your MBA classroom. How will you
introduce yourself to your classmates? (500-750 words)
A fair overlap between this question and the previous two questions is natural; feel free to re-use the
same information. However, make this informal and interesting. Ensure covering different aspects of
profile; do talk about your hobbies and interests.

Section III: Stories

MBA applications as well as interview process (in fact, even the MBA job interviews) love
situational stories as they reveal a lot about ones character/approach and the
nature/extent of problems one has solved in ones life. Having 3-5 such stories shall go a
long way in helping you in your pursuit. Answer to each question in this section, while
respecting the word limit, is a must; I have never faced such a situation is not
acceptable; you cannot tell that to an admissions committee member.
9. Describe the greatest challenge that you faced in your professional life. What did you
learn? (500-750 words)
One of the most commonly asked story-based questions in MBA applications as well as interviews.
Suggested structure
Para 1: Give a background to the situation, clearly stating the problem, difficulties, and the stakes.(~150
words)
Para 2: Elucidate on how you came to take the ownership of the situation. (~100 words)
Para 3: What did you do? How? What was the outcome? (~200 words)
Para 4: What did you learn? + A strong ending. (~150 words)

10. Describe one situation where you displayed leadership. What did you learn? (500-750
words)
Business schools want potential leaders; a real story, a live example, however small, is worthier than tall
claims around leadership; come up with a situation where you led teams or acted a leader by the virtue of
your performance.
Suggested structure
Para 1: Give a background to the situation, clearly stating the problem, difficulties, and the stakes.(~150
words)
Para 2: Elucidate on how you came to take the ownership of the situation. (~100 words)

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Para 3: What did you do? How? What was the outcome? (~200 words)
Para 4: What did you learn? + A strong ending. (~150 words)

11. Describe your greatest cross-cultural experience. What challenges did you face? What did
you learn? (500-750 words)
In a business school, as well as in a career in business management, one needs to work in cross-cultural
and cross-functional environments. Of course, individuals who have been in such situations before are
more ready for management education. This is an opportunity to showcase your exposure to such
scenarios. If you come up with a good story, it will be great value to your applications.
Suggested structure
Para 1: Give a background to the situation and the cross-cultural and cross-functional context. (~150
words)
Para 2: Clearly stating the problem, difficulties, and the stakes.(~100 words)
Para 3: What did you do? How? What was the outcome? (~200 words)
Para 4: What did you learn? + A strong ending. (~150 words)

12. Describe one instance from professional or personal life where you faced an ethical
dilemma. What did you do? (500-750 words)
Another opportunity to come up with a strong, meaningful story. Please understand that an ethical
dilemma is not a choice between right and wrong; this is a dilemma where either path is
legally/technically correct, but one is ethically/morally better. In other words, morality or ethics are
central to your decision making in this situation. An important question, do your best!
Suggested structure
Para 1: Give a background to the situation, clearly stating the problem, difficulties, and the stakes.(~150
words)
Para 2: Elucidate different options available; ethical dilemma with taking the easy path, possible
repercussions of doing the right thing/taking the difficult path. (~150 words)
Para 3: What did you do? How? What was the outcome? (~200 words)
Para 4: What did you learn? + A strong ending. (~150 words)

13. Describe one instance from professional life where you experienced failure. What did you
learn? (500-750 words)
Suggested structure
Para 1: Give a background to the situation, clearly stating the problem, difficulties, and the stakes.(~150

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words)
Para 2: What did you do? How? What was the outcome? (~200 words)
Para 3: What did you learn? + A strong ending. (~150 words)

Section IV: Further Information

The specific questions in this section are meant to ensure that no important information
about your candidature is missed out. Think well; any small piece of information may
help us in bringing greater diversity/strength to your candidature. Most questions in this
section do not have a word-limit; tell us as much as you deem useful.
14. Which is the greatest adversity/crisis/setback that you have overcome in life? Describe how
it affected you.
Adversity/crisis management is an important virtue of an effective business leader. Its an important
personal question; think deep. Examples: Rural location, physical ailment, financial conditions, gender
bias, emotional distress etc.

15.Do you have any kind of entrepreneurial experience? Describe the events and your role in
them.

16.Have you organized any significant events at college/office? Describe the events and your
role in them.

17.Your Resume must cover your academic background in great detail. Is there anything else
that you believe we must know?
Ensure that your Resume covers your GPA (top x% in class), any scholarships, significant certifications,
patents, publications etc; when you dont have absolute figures, a gues-timate is okay. Please elaborate
on any weaknesses (low GPA, gaps, sub-par test scores etc) here. Feel free to give any other information
that you may perceive valuable.

18.Your Resume must cover your professional background in great detail. Is there anything
else that you believe we must know?
Ensure that your Resume covers all major accomplishments- promotions, awards, all quantifiable
performances etc. Please elaborate on any weaknesses (frequent job switches, gaps etc) here. Feel free to
give any other information that you may perceive valuable.

19. Your Resume must cover your extra-curricular and community service involvements. Is
there anything else that you believe we must know?

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It is practical that your Resume does not have all details of your involvements; please use this opportunity
to elaborate on your co-curricular involvements. Use headings for different involvements and elaborate on
each.

20. Did you apply to B-schools in past? Please elaborate on all your results. What do you think
went wrong? How has your profile changed- on professional, academic, co-curricular frontssince your last application?
Please write a draft for your re-applicant essay (500 words) here.

21.Anything else that you would like us to know?