I should mention that I find the first question especially hard for a couple of reasons.

1) I'm American and there are an infinite number of things I could ask the president about.

2) The questions that are most important to me are very controversial, and I don't want to offend anyone in an MBA admissions essay! So... I'm thinking of playing it safe and asking him something about the economy or foreign policy...

The last two questions sound kind of standard to me. The first one would be where - as you suggest - might want to tread carefully.

I would avoid rhetorical questions, and would probably pick something that conveys and awareness and concern for international affairs (you know, since you want to study abroad).

I would probably not get too specific. Keep in mind that your audience is European.

All just my opinion, above.

Don?t get to specific. "Keep in mind that your audience is European" What do you mean saying that?

Sally, I realize it's a hard dilemma. My best advice would be to pick something that can be somehow related with the MBA or some of its subjects. It can be sustainability, ethics, governance, economic recovery (but differentiate yourself here, cause I guess a lot of people is talking about this) etc. But above all, be truth to yourself, show what you really feel and talk about something that you really care. I would say that being 100% genuine is the most important. Talk about some issue that impacts your home land or your state. Demographics, development strategy, etc. I don?t want to tell you to be polemic, anything like that, but don?t be afraid to express your opinion. They are looking for people with opinions and personality that can make a difference. They are not exactly judging your opinions (unless you say you want to kill someone ) but rather trying to know you and the way you stress your points and support them. Show them you know which causes to support. You may try to find some safe topics (and I think it?s a good strategy) but make sure you really support them and are honest.

Good luck with you and if you need something just contact me in private.

Yeah, if I really got to speak to the president I would be more likely to try and call him out on human rights issues rather than economic ones. I was just afraid that might be too political. But I could parlay that into a discussion of ethics.

For example, I really hate that the U.S. has the death penalty. I really hate that our country gives money and support to other governments that shamelessly kill innocent people. And I hate that we are detaining people indefinitely because of their politics, or because of their associations with people who legimitaly or otherwise became labeled "terrorists."

Actually, speaking of that, Obama has totally backtracked on his promise to work against repealing the Patroit Act (which is the crazy law that allows the government to detain people for practically no reason.) As a Senatorial candidate, he said he would try to get rid of it. But now that he's president and has more power he says it's neccessary. So, I could ask him why he had such a change in position.

But does that make me sound like a liberal wingnut?

You have do what you feel, but there are probably more effective forums than a MBA application for voicing your political convictions - which, by the way, I tend to agree with. ;)

What I meant by a European audience is that if you're gonna get specifically into US law and policy (specific Supreme Court justices, etc), then you will probably want to give a little background than if you were applying to a U.S. bschool. As much as us Europeans like to think we're on top of U.S. politics, sometimes we fall behind.

I probably won't use the phrase "I hate" in the essay :P
Anyway, I'll figure it out I'm sure.

I could always go the Miss America route:

"Mr. President, what do you think is the best quality for a leader to have?"

Well, death penalty might not be as controversial as you think. You will find out that in Europe the vast majority of people are against it. In fact any European Union country has death penalty :)
Well, I think you make a good point, social responsibility and the role of the United States in the world. What should the US do to promote world development and the respect for human rights. And above all, how can the US ask other countries to respect the HR when they didn't do it.
Some subjects are pretty fashionable these days (economy, ecology, ethics, etc) but if you have a true passion about them I'll say you to go ahead! MBA admission councils are looking for people that can make a difference and impact the world. So choosing a popular but important theme is quite important and can only benefit you.
Good Luck and I hope to meet you in Madrid next year :)

I thought you were starting IE in November for the 2009 intake? (I remember your IE vs. Cranfield post.) Well. I guess you'll still be there next year, you'll just be on your way out :P

Did you have to answer the president question, too?

That's right I am :) and yes I had to answer the same questions as you. I also spent a lot of time thinking about them so don't worry, you'll see that something should came to your head. Just start thinking about it and when the right idea comes just write it. I have made changes and improvements on my essays untill the day I sent the application!

Thanks for the advice :) I met with IE at the QS MBA Fair and their recruiter told a group of us "Don't get hung up on the essays, just honestly answer the questions and turn them in." She basically implied that getting it in early is more important than having "perfect" answers. I'm going to try and get them written this weekend.... then on to the IESE application....

I found this article about the IE essay questions... it's sort of helpful. I didn't really follow her advice on the "what you would ask the president question." I just talked about several political topics that are important to me, and did not try to relate them to my career goals.

Anyway, for what it's worth: http://www.stacyblackman.com/2008/11/25/tuesday-tips-ie-business-school-essay-tips/

Thanks for the link - helpful, although very general....

so, did you talk about death sentence? i actually think that a bit of US bashing is helpful for an American trying to get into an European school.... it is sort of a national hobby in Europe :-)

I did, I talked about three things 1) inequality in American education. 2) The death penalty and how wrong it is 3) Middle Eastern foreign policy, and how terrible it has been historically.

I also wanted to talk about the Patriot Act but I ran out of room :P

So, I guess you might call that US-bashing ... I meant it to be constructive criticism, though!

Are you American too? Applying to IE?

do you know lots of Americans named Boris? :-)

i am based in Paris, and was thinking about applying to IE also but i decided recently i would rather study in the US..... i guess then no US bashing in my interviews.... i can always say bad things about sarkozy!

hmm not personally, but I am sure there are quite a few people named Boris in the US! Actually one IE recruiter based in New York is named Boris, so there is at least one resident!

Good luck with the American schools. Where are you looking?

Hi Sally, hope you got your essays in and maybe have already received a positive answer from IE! A friend of mine just got his results back a week ago- yes to November 2010 intake:)
I am sending mine in on Monday and fingers crossed!:)
Good luck to both of us!;)

Yes, hhranlug, I did get accepted to IE and plan to join in November 2010. So, your friend and I will be classmates, and hopefully you too :)
Also, fyi, I started this thread for IE admits: http://find-mba.com/board/12703

So, hhranlug, what happened?! Will I be seeing you in Madrid?

hey Sally! Yep, accepted, heading to Madrid in a month time for April intake. Will see you there in November I guess! Should be an exciting experience!!!:)