Why MBA right now?

This is your chance to explain why you want to pursue an MBA at this point in your career. It’s one of the most important questions in the interview because it shows clarity of thought and self-awareness. Almost every interviewer will ask you this.

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It’s always a good idea to have multiple, well-articulated reasons for doing an MBA. For example, you can start by saying, “There are three key reasons why I believe this is the right time for me to pursue an MBA.” Everyone tends to have similar broad reasons, but what differentiates you is how you tell the story behind each one.

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Most candidates say they want to “upskill” or “grow professionally,” but you need to explain how exactly an MBA helps you do that, and what gaps you have identified in your professional development. For example, if one of your reasons is academic learning, you could talk about specific gaps in your current knowledge and how courses in strategy, finance, or leadership will help you bridge them.

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The most common and valid reasons for pursuing an MBA include:

Academic learning – gaining structured business knowledge and frameworks.
Peer learning – learning from diverse and accomplished peers.
Career pivot – moving into a new function, role, or industry.
Career acceleration – moving faster along your current path.
Eliminating blockers – overcoming limitations that a non-MBA profile might pose later.
Geographic transitions – for example, returning to India in the case of ISB.

Step 1: Frame your core reasons

Pick the three most important reasons that genuinely apply to you and build stories around them.

For instance, if peer learning is one of your reasons, you could say:

“Even during my undergrad, I noticed how much I grew by working with peers who challenged my perspective. Some of those learnings continue to shape my professional decisions today, and I want to recreate that environment at business school.” Give specific instances.

Finally, connect your reasons to your short-term and long-term goals. Your short-term goal should be what you aim to do right after the MBA, while your long-term goal should reflect where you see yourself in 5 to 7 years.

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My three reasons for pursuing an MBA right now are:

Step 2: Build personal stories around each reason

For each reason, describe a real example or moment that shaped this motivation.

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Reason	Relevant Story	What Gaps You Identified	How an MBA will help you overcome that
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Step 3: Connect to your short-term and long-term goals

Tie your reasons to a clear career trajectory.

Short-term goal (post-MBA): The role/industry you plan to enter immediately after the MBA, and why. How does your journey so far align with this goal?

Long-term goal (5–7 years): The kind of leader you aspire to become in the long run or the problems you aim to work on in your career. Explain why an MBA is essential to fulfilling these goals. </aside>

Short-term goal (0–2 years after MBA)	Why this goal fits my MBA journey

Long-term goal (5–7 years after MBA)	How my MBA helps me get there