In this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we meet Patrik Wallén, MBA Admissions Director at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.
Patrik joined the Admissions team after several years leading IESE’s Career Development Center, where he supported MBA and MiM students in navigating their career paths and building relationships with global recruiters. Originally from Sweden, Patrik completed his MBA at IESE in 2007. He also holds executive coaching certifications (ORSCC, CPCC, ACC) and has been actively involved in IESE’s leadership and coaching programs.
Read our Q&A with Patrik to learn more about the MBA program at IESE, get some tips on navigating the application process, and more.
IESE Business School
Clear Admit: What is the one aspect of your program that you wish applicants knew more about?
Patrik Wallén: The learning environment at IESE is a special one. Community and collaboration are strong pillars of the IESE culture. This is embodied in the strong emphasis on the case method, which is a hands-on learning approach that allows you to learn complex business concepts by studying real-world examples. It is a very community-based style of learning that replicates the real workplace, since you must rely on your team and diverse voices to come to solutions. The fact that our students hail from all over the world and a broad variety of professional backgrounds enriches and challenges the perspective of each student. Students learn by doing, and not merely by reciting the pages of textbooks or the words of professors.
The professors make up an integral part of the IESE community. Since the case study is so collaborative and engaging, professors and students get to know each other more deeply than they might in a lecture-based setting. Professors are also a resource for students beyond the classroom. It is typical for them to build relationships and act as mentors for students well beyond their time in the program.
CA: Walk us through the life of an application in your office from an operational standpoint. What happens between the time an applicant clicks “submit” and the time the committee offers a final decision?
PW: Our Admissions team is organized by region to ensure candidates are assessed fairly based on the academic and professional context of their particular country of residence. Typically, the Associate Director managing regional events is the one responsible throughout the admissions journey. Our approach is very high-touch, and our team endeavors to know every student who joins the MBA.
Each submitted application is reviewed by admissions staff along with the rest of the applications received in that particular round. After which, the candidate may be invited for a process interview or are rejected for that cycle. Occasionally, we might ask an applicant to improve upon some element of the application, like retaking the GMAT or GRE, before giving a final decision.
Applicants may also be asked to join us for an Assessment Day, where they either attend in person (in Barcelona, New York or Sao Paulo) or virtually. For a number of reasons, not everyone who ends up being admitted to the program receives an invitation to the Assessment, so don’t be anxious either way. Those who do attend the Assessment will do an MBA exercise that will last a few hours. Generally speaking, this is a chance for the admissions team to see how you work and think, but it is also an opportunity for the applicant to get a taste for the IESE MBA experience.
Once interviews and Assessment Days are completed, the IESE admissions and scholarship committees get together to review applications from that round as well as any Waitlisted applications from previous rounds to make decisions. Once decisions are made, we inform our applicants. Timelines can vary depending on the round. We always list deadlines and timings for decisions on our website. However, individual decisions may come out at slightly different times leading up to the decision deadline, depending on when the admissions committee is able to review their application. So don’t be anxious if others get decisions ahead of you.
CA: How does your team approach the essay portion of the application specifically? What are you looking for as you read an essay? Are there common mistakes that applicants should try to avoid? What is one key thing they should keep in mind as they sit down to write?
PW: The essay is our chance to get to know you as a person. This is your chance to show your personality, beyond the facts that are covered in the rest of the application. This is your chance to show what drives you and how you fit with the school.
When approaching the essay, we recommend making sure that you answer the question in your authentic voice, rather than trying to guess what the admissions committee wants to hear. Before you start, take some time to think about your answer. Typically, people find themselves working on multiple essays at once, so one of the easiest mistakes to make is trying to repurpose essays from other schools. This can lead to generic responses that do not actually answer the question.
IESE takes a lot of time each year working on our essay questions to gear them towards what we want to know so you want to make sure that you actually answer the question. By incorporating the video essay component into our application, we will be able to get a better sense of how a candidate thinks on their feet and how well they can express their ideas.
CA: Could you tell us about your interview process? Approximately how many applicants do you interview? Who conducts the interview and what is the nature of the interview? Will your admissions interviews be in-person or virtual for the 2025-2026 admissions season?
PW: Interview questions vary from interview to interview and are generally conducted by admissions staff members (who are also typically alumni from IESE) as well as alumni volunteers. Interviewers review applications ahead of the interview, so try to not to regurgitate what is already in your CV and essays. Like the essays, this is a chance for us to really get to know our candidates as individuals. It also gives you a chance to highlight your values, accomplishments and fit with the program.
While each interviewer has their own style, candidates will likely be asked a blend of questions about features of their CV and application, behaviors from past professional situations, and hypothetical or thought-provoking questions. I always appreciate when candidates ask thoughtful questions about the program as well.
Given the global nature of our MBA applicants, many of our interviews are conducted virtually. However, whenever possible, we will give our candidates the option to do the admissions interviews in-person either on campus or in other international locations.
CA: If your application features an impromptu video interview/video essay, how does it differ from the main interview? What should applicants know about this step in the process?
PW: The video essay is a required part of the application, activated once you submit your written application and pay the application fee. Its purpose is to give the Admissions Committee a deeper, more authentic understanding of who you are, your motivations, personality, and communication style.
Within 24 hours, you’ll receive a personalized Kira link to complete the video essay by the application round deadline. The link expires 48 hours after receipt, so we strongly recommend submitting your application a few days early to ensure enough time.
The video essay includes three short questions, each with prep time and a 1.5-minute response window. You’ll have a chance to practice before starting, but once the official questions begin, you only get one attempt. The questions are simple and interview-style, one may ask how to pronounce your name, another invites you to introduce yourself beyond your CV (e.g., background, values, or life journey), and the third is randomized. Be genuine, we’re interested in the real you, not rehearsed answers.
In contrast, the main interview is a 45–60 minute one-on-one conversation with a member of the admissions team, an alumnus/a, or a faculty member. This interview builds upon your application and video essay, diving deeper into your goals, values, and fit with the IESE community. Your engagement with the school, such as attending events or connecting with students and alumni, can positively impact your candidacy.
We particularly encourage candidates to speak with alumni from the MBA program with similar profiles as theirs to get to know their experience. This will help candidates feel more prepared for the interview.
CA: Is there anything in particular international students should keep in mind during the admissions process?
PW: First, we always encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible. Applying early improves your chances for scholarships, as the majority are awarded in Rounds 1–3. That said, it’s just as important to apply when you feel ready. Take the time to craft an application you’re proud of, this is your chance to show us who you truly are, so don’t rush it.
Second, be mindful of recent changes to the Spanish immigration policy. Students starting in August must now submit their visa applications by May. Any application submitted less than 60 days before the program begins will unfortunately be automatically denied. To avoid any last-minute stress, we recommend looking into visa appointment slots and preparing documents well in advance.
We know applying from abroad can feel overwhelming at times, but you’re not alone, we’re here to support and cheer you on throughout the process.
CA: What is your favorite spot on campus?
PW: My favorite spot on campus is probably the green area around the turtle pond. It feels like a peaceful oasis, reminding me of why I love Barcelona so much. It’s the perfect place to pause, reflect, and recharge. If I could mention one more spot, I’d highlight the south campus lounge and its cafeteria. Starting my day there with a great cup of coffee, greeted by the smiling, friendly staff, always sets a positive tone. It’s truly the heart of the MBA program.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight about your MBA program or admissions process?
PW: IESE has always been strong in sustainability and ESG. The school is very purpose-driven and given our mission to support leaders to have a positive, lasting impact, responsible business has been a focus of the institution before it was in the mainstream. Our Responsible Business Club has been running the largest student-run sustainability conference in Europe, called Doing Good Doing Well, for over 20 years now.
Within our MBA program, we offer a concentration in Sustainability and Responsible Business, allowing students to have the option to specialize in this important area and bring their knowledge into their careers, whether they go on to work in an ESG role, or become more socially and environmentally conscious leaders no matter where their professional journey takes them. The establishment of our Alumni Sustainability Chapter will also help to further support our global alumni working in the sustainability fields with the resources and networking opportunities they need. IESE introduced the Institute for Sustainability Leadership (ISL), to directly support senior managers in the field of sustainability. This is facilitated through research conducted by a diverse faculty group and IESE’s expertise in experiential learning for executives. MBA students, acting as ISL Fellows, will be given opportunities to engage in projects focused on addressing critical global challenges, through collaborating with companies and contributing to research efforts.
Through our ongoing dedication, we are proud to share that our MBA program has achieved second place globally for ESG and net zero education and eighth place for carbon footprint reduction in the Financial Times 2025 MBA rankings.
