EDHEC MiM essay tips for students with average academics but strong internships?

Question

I’m planning to apply for the EDHEC MiM program this year. My CGPA is around 7.2 from a decent college, so not that great, but I’ve done two good internships ,  one in finance and one in marketing , and I’ve been part of a student-led startup as well. I know EDHEC asks for a motivation letter, and I really want to use it to highlight my strengths beyond academics.
Any tips on what to focus on in the essay? Should I talk more about my internships and goals, or include personal stories too? Also wondering how important the essay is in the overall selection process if my grades aren’t that strong.

P Sinha · Accepted Answer

If you&rsquo;re worried about a 7.2 CGPA, the essay isn&rsquo;t just important &mdash; it&rsquo;s your strongest tool to flip the narrative.

Start with a short story that shows curiosity or drive &mdash; like a time during your startup experience when you solved something without a textbook answer. That hooks attention better than stats.
Use the middle part to explain how each internship shaped what you want to do next. Not just roles &mdash; what kind of work excites you and why.
Don&rsquo;t ignore your CGPA &mdash; address it briefly if you must, but shift focus to your growth outside the classroom.
Tie it all to EDHEC&rsquo;s program. Whether it's the hands-on focus or international exposure, make it clear why their MiM fits your learning style and goals.
Be personal, not just polished ,  authenticity beats big words.

The letter isn&rsquo;t just reviewed ,  it&rsquo;s remembered when your profile&rsquo;s not perfect on paper.

Hema A · Answer

If your academics are average, the EDHEC MiM motivation letter becomes way more important ,  it&rsquo;s your shot at showing the committee why your CGPA doesn&rsquo;t tell the whole story.
Focus the essay around your practical experiences. Talk about what you actually did in your finance and marketing internships ,  don&rsquo;t just name-drop companies. For example, if you helped improve a social media strategy or worked on budgeting, explain what you learned and how it shaped your career interests.
Your experience with a student-run startup is also a strong differentiator. Highlight any decision-making, problem-solving, or leadership moments there. Show that even if your GPA isn&rsquo;t high, you&rsquo;ve built skills where it counts.
Lastly, connect those real-world takeaways to why EDHEC &mdash; maybe their business track matches your cross-functional exposure. Make your letter less about proving you're smart, and more about proving you're prepared.

S Raghav · Answer

EDHEC MiM essays matter a lot for applicants whose academics are on the average side. The motivation letter is where real personality shows up, so it&rsquo;s the best place to make your internships feel more meaningful than your CGPA. The content usually works better when it explains why those internships weren&rsquo;t random, but part of a pattern that shaped long-term goals. Bringing in small personal moments helps, but only if they connect back to what EDHEC looks for: clarity, direction, and the ability to handle a fast, international program.
Admissions readers tend to care more about growth than perfect transcripts, so showing what changed during those internships can carry weight. One thing that helps a lot is explaining why EDHEC specifically fits your plan instead of writing a generic &ldquo;why MiM.&rdquo; That usually helps average academic profiles stand out more strongly.

T Ronak · Answer

It surprises many applicants, but EDHEC pays close attention to how well the essay ties your experiences to a clear career direction. A few things usually help:
&bull; Show how the finance and marketing internships taught very different lessons and how those lessons shaped the path you want.
&bull; Add one short personal story, but only one, and keep it linked to something you learned about responsibility or teamwork.
&bull; Mention what you want to do right after the MiM instead of writing a vague future plan.
&bull; Explain the student-led startup experience in terms of action &mdash; what was done, not just the title.
&bull; End by connecting those experiences to specific elements of EDHEC&rsquo;s program.
Something many applicants miss is that EDHEC values consistency. When the story in the essay matches the application form and CV, the impact is much stronger even with a lower CGPA.