IE Essay Analysis 2025-2026
Madrid, Spain
1 Year Program
September & January Intake
Quick Facts
Average GPA: 3.69
Average Work Experience: 5 yrs
Acceptance Rate: 9%-11%
Yield Rate: 56%
IE Business School offers a cutting-edge, internationally focused MBA designed for bold, entrepreneurial thinkers ready to lead in a rapidly changing world. Known for its strengths in innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability, IE attracts diverse, globally minded professionals who thrive in fast-paced, multicultural settings. With a highly customizable curriculum, strong emphasis on tech and impact, and immersive global learning experiences, IE empowers students to drive change across industries and borders. Its agile, inclusive community and hands-on, student-led environment make it an ideal fit for those who value autonomy, continuous reinvention, and purpose-driven leadership in a hyperconnected world.
Essay Analysis
Essay 1
This section is important in understanding who you are, not just as a student but also as a person in order to grasp the value that you could add to our program. Take this as an opportunity to showcase your unique attributes and personality. There are three formats you can choose to express yourself: a video (max. 3 minutes), a PowerPoint presentation (max. 10 slides), or a written essay (between 250-650 words). Please pay special attention to punctuation, structure and content."
Tips:
IE gives you a choice video, slides, or written essay but if you’re serious about standing out, go with video. It shows effort, personality, and fluency in a way essays just can’t. Slides (use Canva, not PowerPoint) are a solid Plan B, but a written essay is the weakest option and feels generic, even if it’s not. The key is to answer the question with intention either a strong leadership win at work or a meaningful non-work story that ties back to your leadership DNA. Start with raw ideas, draft scripts, record audio, and build around that. Use free tools like Audacity and VSDC to polish your piece. Make it tight, human, and specific — not a montage of generic wins. IE isn’t looking for polish; it’s looking for pulse.
(In the application form)
"I wish that the application had asked me..."
Word Limit: 140 words
Tips:
Use this question as a strategic catch-all. If a standout story didn’t fit elsewhere in the app, now’s your chance to reverse-engineer a prompt that lets you sneak it in. You don’t need to waste characters saying “I wish you had asked...” just pick up where the sentence left off. For example: "...about my first leadership moment babysitting wild toddlers in high school taught me the art of calm persuasion." Be punchy, specific, and purposeful. This isn’t filler; it’s your final plot twist.
My View
IE is for the builder who doesn’t wait for permission. It’s fast, global, and unapologetically entrepreneurial the kind of place where you’ll find a fintech founder, an ex-UN policy analyst, and a luxury brand strategist trading ideas over coffee. Madrid adds a pulse to the whole thing: diverse, creative, and deeply international. The school pushes you to think in real time, act fast, and navigate ambiguity not just case studies. You won’t get hand-holding, but you’ll get access: to Europe, to Latin America, to global markets that move differently than the usual US/Asia axis. If you’re scrappy, globally minded, and ready to design your own playbook, IE delivers.
Final Take
IE Business School is ideal for bold, globally oriented professionals who thrive in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments. Known for its strengths in innovation, technology, and digital business, IE suits those eager to challenge convention, build ventures, or lead transformation across industries. Located in the heart of Madrid, IE offers dynamic, customizable programs, cutting-edge labs, and constant real-world engagement through startups, accelerators, and international projects. With a strong emphasis on diversity, sustainability, and tech-driven leadership, IE attracts changemakers ready to redefine business on their own terms. But if you're looking for a slower-paced, theory-heavy, or traditional corporate track, IE’s intensity, agility, and innovation-first ethos may feel too unconventional.
MBA Profile Fit
The Profile Fit Score is a quick guide to assess how well IE matches your goals, based on factors like career outcomes, brand, and international support. It helps you gauge overall program fit—not rank.
Consulting Fit
Brand Strength
ROI for International Students
Leadership Focus
Geographic advantage
Insights
Application Timing & Structure:
Rolling Admissions with Early Advantage:
IE Business School operates on a rolling admissions basis, meaning applications are reviewed as they’re received. While there are no strict “rounds,” applying early can significantly improve your chances for scholarships, visa processing, and preferred program start dates. The process includes an online application, personal essays, a video assessment, a KIRA talent test, and an in-depth interview—often focused on your adaptability, entrepreneurial mindset, and global awareness. Early, authentic engagement with IE’s values is key.
Key Qualities to Highlight:
Entrepreneurial Energy & Bold Thinking:
IE seeks candidates who challenge convention and act on ideas. Whether you’ve launched a venture, driven innovation within an organization, or taken calculated risks, show how you think independently, move fast, and aren’t afraid to disrupt the norm.Global Perspective with Digital Fluency:
IE is one of the most internationally diverse programs, with a strong focus on tech and sustainability. Highlight moments where you’ve collaborated across cultures, led virtual teams, or worked in global, tech-enabled environments—and what you learned from those dynamics.Agility, Self-Awareness & Ownership:
IE values introspective, self-directed learners who take ownership of their growth. Demonstrate how you’ve navigated change, pivoted through uncertainty, or taken initiative to learn or lead outside your comfort zone. Show how you’ll thrive in IE’s fast, flexible, student-driven ecosystem.