In this in-depth ESCP Master in Management essay tips, we cover:
• Overview
• Mission, Vision, Values and Strategy
• Ideal Candidate for the Program
• What to Highlight in the Essay
• Essay Tips
Overview - ESCP Master in Management Program
The ESCP Master in Management (MiM) spanning two to three years is a customizable degree set apart by its global reach and experiential learning. Students can choose from nearly 70 specializations and benefit from over 40 dual-degree partnerships.
The program's multi-campus approach—spanning Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin, and Warsaw with a curriculum integrating internships, apprenticeships, and thematic seminars, help graduates accumulate at least nine months of professional experience while equipping them with practical insights to position competitively in the global job market.
Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy
The ESCP Business School has a rich history as one of the first business schools in the world, with roots deeply embedded in European heritage.
Mission: ESCP’s mission is clear: “Inspire and educate purpose-driven leaders who will positively impact the world.”
Vision: The vision for ESCP is also clear - “An international leadership school recognized for its multiculturalism and positive impact on business and society.”
The mission and vision underline the commitment to create a diverse educational environment that promote sustainable and ethical business practices.
Strategy: ESCP focuses on four core pillars:
• Expertise: Preparing leaders with a deep understanding of global trends, such as Big Data and Blockchain, to navigate complex business environments.
• Sustainability: Ensuring all courses incorporate sustainable practices and processes, aligning with the school’s dedication to fostering purpose-driven leadership.
• Community: Building an inclusive, global community that champions diversity and mutual growth.
• Purpose and Innovation: Maintaining ESCP’s tradition of entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrated through its pioneering multi-campus model and continuous infrastructure expansion in major European cities.
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3) Aligning with the Culture of the School
A big part of editing and guiding applicants is in educating them about the culture of the school
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Ideal Candidate for the Program
The ESCP MiM program seeks candidates who are not only academically proficient but exhibit a global mindset and a strong commitment to leadership. Key characteristics of ideal applicants include:
• Academic Excellence: Proven strong academic background, preferably supported by achievements and awards.
• International Exposure: Experience studying or working abroad, demonstrating adaptability and cultural intelligence.
• Language Proficiency: Multilingual capabilities beyond the required English fluency (level B2).
• Work Experience: Internships or job roles that showcase practical skills, leadership potential, and industry awareness.
• Diverse Backgrounds: A variety of educational backgrounds, including engineering, social sciences, and business, contributing to the program’s multicultural and interdisciplinary approach.
What to Highlight in Essay
Your essay should be a compelling mix of your personal journey, alignment with ESCP’s mission, and the unique qualities you bring. Be specific and include examples that showcase your experiences and values:
• Purpose-Driven Ambitions: Highlight how your goals align with ESCP’s mission of educating leaders who aim to make a positive impact.
• Multicultural Experience: Emphasize any international exposure, whether through education, work, or volunteer activities, to showcase your readiness for a global career.
• Leadership and Innovation: Provide examples of scenarios where you took initiative, led projects, or introduced new ideas, reflecting the program’s focus on purpose and innovation.
• Commitment to Sustainability: Detail your awareness and engagement with sustainability practices, linking them to ESCP’s integration of sustainability in its courses.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Mention instances where you adapted to new challenges or overcame obstacles, aligning with the program’s aim of fostering leaders capable of thriving in challenging environments.
Essay Tips
Essay 1: International Experience: please comment on an international/multicultural experience that has influenced you in particular and explain why (200 words maximum).
How to Approach:
Identify a Truly Impactful International Experience
Select an international or multicultural experience that left a significant mark on your personal or professional growth. This could be a study abroad, internship, volunteer work, or an instance where you collaborated with a diverse team. Ensure that the experience reflects ESCP’s focus on multiculturalism and global exposure.
Highlight how this experience influenced your perspective, skills, or career goals.
Example: Vikram’s experience as a CRM Analyst at CHANEL in Paris could be an excellent starting point. His role likely involved collaborating with diverse colleagues, which honed his intercultural communication and adaptability—qualities that align with ESCP’s emphasis on producing purpose-driven leaders.
Relate the Experience to ESCP’s Core Values
Connect your chosen experience to ESCP’s mission: “Rooted in its European history and identity, ESCP inspires and educates purpose-driven leaders who will positively impact the world.” Mention how this experience aligns with the school’s focus on fostering global leaders who are adaptable and culturally aware.
Example: Vikram could discuss how his international roles and working in Europe where enlightenment values of liberty and equity have shaped his ability to face projects with an inclusive mindset. He might mention his position as Campus Ambassador at ESCP, which allowed him to blend his global experiences with leadership responsibilities.
Highlight Specific Learnings and Skills Gained
Clearly state what specific skills or qualities you gained from your international experience. These could include cross-cultural communication, problem-solving in diverse teams, adaptability, or global strategic thinking.
ESCP’s Master in Management curriculum places importance on experiential learning through thematic seminars and projects, so draw parallels to these offerings.
Example: Vikram’s creation of TIMVIX, a platform focusing on lifestyle and education with a global audience, showcases his storytelling and cross-cultural engagement skills. These attributes reflect ESCP’s dedication to leadership and innovative thinking.
Explain the Experience’s Relevance to Your Career Goals
Describe how the international experience has shaped your career aspirations and how the ESCP MiM will help build on this. Include references to ESCP’s curriculum and unique opportunities like the option to study in multiple campuses across Europe or its robust internship programs.
Example: Vikram could connect his internships at Faurecia and the Steel Authority of India to his broader career goals in marketing and CRM. He could explain that ESCP’s diverse specialisations and experiential learning seminars such as the Digital Insights Seminar would further his understanding of global market dynamics and enhance his skill set.
Mention How ESCP Can Further Your Global Perspective
Explain how ESCP’s unique offerings, such as the ability to study in up to five different locations or engage in seminars like Designing Tomorrow, will enrich your global outlook and provide practical, multicultural exposure.
Example: Vikram could express that by leveraging ESCP’s multi-campus structure, he aims to expand his professional network and gain deeper insight into European markets, which is essential for advancing his career in luxury brand CRM and marketing.
Keep Your Response Structured and Personal
Ensure your response follows a logical flow: introduce the experience, explain its impact, connect it to ESCP’s values, and outline future aspirations. Personalize your response to show authenticity and a strong connection to ESCP’s vision.
Example: Vikram might structure his essay by starting with his international internships, transitioning into his work at CHANEL, and concluding with how ESCP’s core courses like Data-Driven Marketing and Business Strategy Simulation align with his career growth.
Essay 2: Work Experience: please comment on your most significant work experience related to the field of the programme for which your are applying (200 words maximum).
How To Approach:
Highlight Relevance to Business and Management
Focus on your work experience that most aligns with business and management practices. Elaborate on how your responsibilities, achievements, and learning outcomes directly relate to the core themes of the ESCP Master in Management Program, such as leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic problem-solving.
Example: Vikram’s experience as a CRM Analyst at CHANEL is an excellent demonstration of work aligning with management skills. If Vikram were to write this essay, he would emphasize his strategic marketing responsibilities and how he leveraged data-driven insights for business growth. He might also note his ability to communicate effectively across teams—a skill crucial in ESCP’s collaborative, multicultural environment.
Showcase Cross-Cultural and Multinational Experiences
If your work experience involved collaborating with diverse teams or working in different countries, emphasize this aspect. ESCP values international exposure, aligning with their multi-campus strategy across Europe. Highlight how your experience prepares you for ESCP's multinational learning model and the opportunities it provides.
Example: Vikram’s role as a Marketing Analyst at Faurecia and his studies in Paris reflect his multicultural exposure. If he were writing the essay, he could showcase how managing projects in different countries has prepared him to thrive in ESCP’s cross-campus setting. He could also add how this experience aligns with ESCP's mission to educate leaders who can navigate complex global markets.
Emphasize Leadership and Innovation
Detail instances where you led projects, made critical decisions, or contributed innovative ideas. ESCP looks for students who can demonstrate their leadership potential and entrepreneurial mindset, which ties into their strategic emphasis on community and innovation.
Example: Vikram’s founding of TIMVIX, a self-managed content creation initiative, would be a compelling addition. He could highlight his leadership in building the brand, strategic content planning, and audience engagement, aligning with ESCP’s focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. Mentioning ESCP’s Soft Skills for Leaders seminar would further illustrate how his experience fits with the school’s curriculum.
Demonstrate Skills in Problem Solving and Strategic Thinking
Choose a work experience that required you to solve complex problems or think strategically. Highlight specific challenges, your approach, and the impact of your solutions. This will resonate with ESCP’s commitment to training purpose-driven leaders who can make a positive impact.
Example: As a Project Intern at DeTect Technologies, Vikram engaged in strategic analysis and comparative research to enhance manufacturing processes. If he were drafting the essay, he might detail how he navigated regulations and optimized supply chains, demonstrating his analytical skills and strategic approach. This aligns well with ESCP’s Core Management Courses like Operations Management and Business Strategy Simulation.
Relate to ESCP’s Experiential Learning Components
Show how your work experience would allow you to make the most of ESCP’s experiential learning seminars such as Immersion, Digital Spark, and Business Strategy Simulation. Discuss how these elements of the program could help further develop the skills you demonstrated in your work.
Example: Vikram’s role at CHANEL, where he was involved in CRM analytics and marketing strategy, would relate well to ESCP’s Digital Insights Seminar and the Business Strategy Simulation. He could explain how ESCP’s experiential learning could refine his strategic acumen and digital marketing capabilities.
Connect Your Experience to Career Goals and ESCP’s Offerings
Conclude by linking your work experience to your career goals and how ESCP’s curriculum, extensive networking opportunities, and global partnerships will help you achieve them. Be specific about courses, programs, or extracurriculars that align with your aspirations.
Example: Vikram could mention how his CRM and marketing roles, combined with ESCP’s comprehensive courses such as Data-Driven Marketing and Sustainability, will empower him to drive impactful marketing strategies in luxury markets. He might also highlight ESCP’s urban campus structure as a gateway to building a robust international network.
Essay 3: Extracurricular activities: please comment on the positions of responsibility you have held at school, in clubs and/or societies. Outline your hobbies, general interests and other activities (200 words maximum).
Highlight Diverse Experiences
When discussing your extracurricular activities, include a range of experiences that showcase your skills and character.
Focus on positions of responsibility that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, initiative, and a drive for excellence.
Highlight how these experiences have helped you develop key skills relevant to the ESCP MIM program, such as problem-solving, communication, and adaptability.
Example: Vikram, a CRM Analyst at CHANEL and a current student at ESCP, could emphasize his role as Head of Media for The TorQ-Tractor Design Team. This role demonstrates his leadership, communication, and media management skills, all of which are valuable for the collaborative and dynamic environment at ESCP. Additionally, his experience as a campus ambassador would highlight his dedication to community engagement and his ability to promote the school's values effectively.
Connect Your Hobbies and Interests to ESCP’s Mission and Offerings
Explain how your hobbies and interests align with the school’s mission to inspire and educate purpose-driven leaders who make a positive impact on the world. Relate these interests to specific programs or clubs at ESCP that you could contribute to or benefit from.
Example: Vikram’s passion for public speaking and content creation through his venture, TIMVIX, could be linked to ESCP’s vibrant student community and numerous clubs. He could mention his potential contribution to media-focused societies at the Paris campus, enriching the community and promoting ESCP's multicultural ethos.
Demonstrate Leadership and Initiative
Elaborate on leadership roles you’ve held and how they prepared you for contributing to ESCP’s community. Highlight any proactive steps you took to create or improve initiatives within your activities.
Example: Vikram’s role as Founder of TIMVIX showcases his initiative in content creation, strategic planning, and networking. This type of self-driven project aligns with ESCP’s emphasis on purpose and innovation. He could also mention how this experience has honed his storytelling and strategic communication skills, aligning with the “Soft Skills for Leaders” seminar offered by the school.
Showcase Global Perspective and Multicultural Engagement
If you have experiences that reflect international collaboration or cultural engagement, include them to show your readiness for ESCP’s multicampus structure and international exposure. Demonstrate your adaptability and openness to new perspectives, which are essential for thriving at ESCP’s various campuses.
Example: Vikram’s diverse work experience across different roles in India and France, including internships at Faurecia and his current role at CHANEL, highlights his ability to adapt to different cultural and corporate environments. This aligns with ESCP’s value of multiculturalism and prepares him for the multi-campus experience across Europe.
Illustrate Skill Development Through Experiences
Identify specific skills you have developed through your extracurricular activities and link these to the skill sets valued at ESCP. These may include leadership, analytical thinking, creativity, or teamwork.
Example: Vikram could discuss how his role as an Engineer Intern at Rourkela Steel taught him analytical and technical skills. These experiences, combined with certifications such as “MS Excel Skills for Business” and “Competitive Strategy,” align well with ESCP’s core management courses and experiential learning opportunities like the “Business Strategy Simulation.”
Connect Your Profile to Future Contributions at ESCP
Explain how your past experiences will enable you to contribute to and benefit from ESCP’s student life and professional networks. Refer to specific clubs, events, or seminars that resonate with your interests and experiences.
Example: With his extensive background in media and communications, Vikram could state that he is eager to contribute to ESCP’s media and leadership initiatives. His involvement could extend to supporting workshops or leading campaigns within student societies focused on marketing or digital transformation, linking back to ESCP’s focus on purpose and innovation.
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