| Berkeley Haas | Chicago Booth | Kelley |
|---|---|---|
| Kellogg | McCombs Texas | Michigan Ross |
| NYU Stern | Tepper | UCLA Anderson |
| Berkeley Haas | Chicago Booth | EMBA Global |
|---|---|---|
| INSEAD | ISB PGPMAX | Kellogg |
| NYU Stern | Oxford Said | Wharton |
Essay 1: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)
Essay 2: What kind of leader do you aspire to be and why? (300 words max)
Essay 1: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)
Essay 2: At Berkeley Haas, we are redefining leadership. We value different opinions and perspectives, recognizing that we always have more to learn about others’ lived experiences and histories. We encourage speaking up and listening, and courageously use our power to address barriers and drive change for positive impact.
Tell us how a Berkeley Haas MBA would enhance your leadership profile, incorporating specific examples. (300 words max)
Essay 1: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)
Essay 2: At Berkeley Haas, we are redefining leadership. We value different opinions and perspectives, recognizing that we always have more to learn about others’ lived experiences and histories. We encourage speaking up and listening, and courageously use our power to address barriers and drive change for positive impact.
Tell us how a Berkeley Haas MBA would enhance your leadership profile, incorporating specific examples. (300 words max)
Essay 1: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)
Essay 2: At Berkeley Haas, we are redefining leadership. We value different opinions and perspectives, recognizing that we always have more to learn about others’ lived experiences and histories. We encourage speaking up and listening, and courageously use our power to address barriers and drive change for positive impact.
Tell us how a Berkeley Haas MBA would enhance your leadership profile, incorporating specific examples. (300 words max)
Essay 1: Tell us a six-word story that reflects a memorable experience in your life-to-date. Elaborate on why it is meaningful to you. (250 words maximum)
Essay 2: Briefly describe your immediate post-MBA career goal, and discuss how it will put you on a path to a meaningful and rewarding career. (300 words maximum)
Essay 1: Tell us a six-word story that reflects a memorable experience in your life-to-date. Elaborate on why it is meaningful to you. (250 words maximum)
Essay 2: Please respond to one of the following prompts: (250 words maximum)
- Describe a significant obstacle you have encountered and how it has impacted you.
- Describe how you have cultivated a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Describe a leadership experience and how you made a positive and lasting impact.
Essay 3: Briefly describe your immediate post-MBA career goals. (50 words maximum)How have prior experiences motivated and prepared you to pursue these goals? (250 words maximum)
Optional/Reapplicant Essay 1: Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven't addressed elsewhere. (Reapplicant Essay. We strongly recommend that you submit a statement outlining how you have improved your candidacy since your last application, as the Admissions Committee will be looking for substantive change in your qualifications. You can use the optional essay question to provide this information.) (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay 2. If not clearly evident, please discuss ways in which you have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities, or plan to strengthen quantitative abilities. You do not need to list courses that appear on your transcript. (250 words maximum)
Essay 1: If you could choose one song that expresses who you are, what is it and why? (250 words maximum)
Essay 2: Please respond to one of the following prompts: (250 words maximum)
- Describe an experience that has fundamentally changed the way you see the world and how it transformed you.
- Describe a significant accomplishment and why it makes you proud.
- Describe a difficult decision you have made and why it was challenging.
Essay 3: Tell us about your path to business school and your future plans. How will the Berkeley-Haas experience help you along this journey? (500 words maximum)
Optional/Reapplicant Essay 1: Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven't addressed elsewhere. (Reapplicant Essay. We strongly recommend that you submit a statement outlining how you have improved your candidacy since your last application, as the Admissions Committee will be looking for substantive change in your qualifications. You can use the optional essay question to provide this information.) (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay 2. If not clearly evident, please discuss ways in which you have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities, or plan to strengthen quantitative abilities. You do not need to list courses that appear on your transcript. (250 words maximum)
Scholarship Essay: Required Personal Statement: Our mission at Berkeley-Haas is to develop innovative leaders who redefine how we do business. What makes you, as Dean Rich Lyons says, "a path-bending leader"? Please demonstrate your strong potential for business, economic, or governmental leadership in your home country. How will Haas serve as a catalyst for that potential compared to other schools to which you have been admitted? (500 words maximum)
Essay 1: If you could choose one song that expresses who you are, what is it and why? (250 words maximum)
Essay 2: Please respond to one of the following prompts: (250 words maximum)
- Describe an experience that has fundamentally changed the way you see the world and how it transformed you.
- Describe a significant accomplishment and why it makes you proud.
- Describe a difficult decision you have made and why it was challenging.
Essay 3: Tell us about your path to business school and your future plans. How will the Berkeley-Haas experience help you along this journey? (500 words maximum)
Optional/Reapplicant Essay 1: Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven't addressed elsewhere. (Reapplicant Essay. We strongly recommend that you submit a statement outlining how you have improved your candidacy since your last application, as the Admissions Committee will be looking for substantive change in your qualifications. You can use the optional essay question to provide this information.) (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay 2. If not clearly evident, please discuss ways in which you have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities, or plan to strengthen quantitative abilities. You do not need to list courses that appear on your transcript. (250 words maximum)
Scholarship Essay: Required Personal Statement: Our mission at Berkeley-Haas is to develop innovative leaders who redefine how we do business. What makes you, as Dean Rich Lyons says, "a path-bending leader"? Please demonstrate your strong potential for business, economic, or governmental leadership in your home country. How will Haas serve as a catalyst for that potential compared to other schools to which you have been admitted? (500 words maximum)
Essay 1. Describe an experience that has fundamentally changed the way you see the world. How did this transform you? (400-500 word maximum)
Essay 2. What is your most significant professional accomplishment? (200-300 word maximum)
Essay 3. What is your desired post-MBA role and at what company or organization? In your response, please specifically address sub-questions a., b., and c. (500-600 word maximum for 3a, 3b, and 3c combined)
a. How is your background compelling to this company?
b. What is something you would do better for this company than any other employee?
c. Why is an MBA necessary and how will Haas specifically help you succeed at this company?
Optional/Reapplicant Essay 1. Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven't addressed elsewhere. (Reapplicant Essay. We strongly recommend that you submit a statement outlining how you have improved your candidacy since your last application, as the Admissions Committee will be looking for substantive change in your qualifications. You can use the optional essay question to provide this information.) (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay 2. If not clearly evident, please discuss ways in which you have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities, or plan to strengthen quantitative abilities. You do not need to list courses that appear on your transcript. (250 words maximum)
Essay 1: If you could choose one song that expresses who you are, what is it and why? (250 words maximum)
Essay 2: What is your most significant accomplishment? (250 words maximum)
Essay 3: Describe a time in the last three years when you overcame a failure. What specific insight from this experience has shaped your development? (250 words maximum)
Essay 4: a) What are your post-MBA short-term and long-term career goals? How have your professional experiences prepared you to achieve these goals? b) How will an MBA from Haas help you achieve these goals? (750 words maximum for 4a and 4b)
Optional Essay 1: Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you have not addressed elsewhere. (500 words maximum)
Reapplicant Essay Please note that this optional essay is also the Haas Reapplicant Essay. "We strongly recommend that you submit a statement outlining how you have improved your candidacy since your last application, as the Admissions Committee will be looking for substantive change in your qualifications. You can use the optional essay question to provide this information."
Optional Essay 2: If not clearly evident, please discuss ways in which you have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities, or plan to strengthen quantitative abilities. You do not need to list courses that appear on your transcript. (250 words maximum)
Short Essay 1: What are you most passionate about? Why? (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 2: Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 3: At Haas, our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles — question the status quo; confidence without attitude; students always; and beyond yourself. Give an example of when you have demonstrated one of these principles. (250 words maximum)
Short Essay 4: There are many ways to learn about our program, what steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA? (250 word maximum)
Required Essay 1: Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership. (500 word maximum)
Required Essay 2: What are your post-MBA short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? How will an MBA from Berkeley help you achieve these specific career goals? (1000 word maximum)
Optional Essay 1: Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven’t addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)
Short Essay 1: What are you most passionate about? Why? (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 2: Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 3: At Haas, our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles — question the status quo; confidence without attitude; students always; and beyond yourself. Give an example of when you have demonstrated one of these principles. (250 words maximum)
Short Essay 4: There are many ways to learn about our program, what steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA? (250 word maximum)
Required Essay 1: Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership. (500 word maximum)
Required Essay 2: What are your post-MBA short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? How will an MBA from Berkeley help you achieve these specific career goals? (1000 word maximum)
Optional Essay 1: Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven’t addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)
Short Essay 1: What are you most passionate about? Why? (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 2: Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 3: At Haas, we value innovation and creativity. Describe a time when you created positive change in a group or an organization. (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 4: There are many ways to learn about our program, what steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA? (250 word maximum)
Required Essay 1: Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership. (500 word maximum)
Required Essay 2: What are your post-MBA short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? How will an MBA from Berkeley help you achieve these specific career goals? (1000 word maximum)
Optional Essay 1: Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven’t addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)
Short Essay 1: If you could change one thing you've done in your life, what would it be, and how would you do it differently? (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 2: Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 3: At Haas, we value innovation and creativity. Describe an innovative solution you have created to address a specific challenge. (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 4: What steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA program, and what factors have influenced your decision to apply? (250 word maximum)
Required Essay 1: Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership. (500 word maximum)
Required Essay 2: What are your short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? Why do you want an MBA from Berkeley at this point in your career? (1000 word maximum)
Optional Essay 1: Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven’t addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)
Optional Essay 2 [Scholarship]: If you wish to be considered for the Haas Achievement Award (for individuals who have achieved success in spite of significant economic, educational, health-related and/or other obstacles), please use this space to address the obstacles you have overcome. (500 word maximum)
Short Essay 1: If you could have dinner with one individual in the past, present, or future, who would it be and why? (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 2: Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 3: At Haas, we value innovation and creativity. Describe an innovative solution you have created to address a specific challenge. (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 4: What steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA program, and what factors have influenced your decision to apply? (250 word maximum)
Required Essay 1: Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership. (500 word maximum)
Required Essay 2: What are your short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? Why do you want an MBA from Berkeley at this point in your career? (1000 word maximum)
Optional Essay 1: Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven’t addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)
Optional Essay 2: If you wish to be considered for the Haas Achievement Award (for individuals who have achieved success in spite of significant economic, educational, health-related and/or other obstacles), please use this space to address the obstacles you have overcome. (500 word maximum)
Short Essay 1: What is your favorite quote, and why is it meaningful to you? (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 2: Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 3: At Haas, we value innovation and creativity. How have you demonstrated these qualities in your professional or personal life? (250 word maximum)
Short Essay 4: If you have visited Haas, please let us know what about your visit made the most lasting impression on you. If you have not visited Haas, what steps have you taken to familiarize yourself with our MBA program? (250 word maximum)
Required Essay 1: Give us an example of a time when you displayed leadership. (500 word maximum)
Required Essay 2: What are your short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? Why do you want an MBA from Berkeley at this point in your career? (1000 word maximum)
Optional Essay: (Optional) Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven’t addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)
Essay 1. How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 word minimum)
Essay 2. Chicago Booth immerses you in a choice-rich environment. How have your interests, leadership experiences, and other passions influenced the choices in your life? (250 word minimum)
Essay 1. How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 word minimum)
Essay 2. Chicago Booth immerses you in a choice-rich environment. How have your interests, leadership experiences, and other passions influenced the choices in your life? (250 word minimum)
Essay 1. How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 word minimum)
Essay 2. Chicago Booth immerses you in a choice-rich environment. How have your interests, leadership experiences, and other passions influenced the choices in your life? (250 word minimum)
Essay: View this collection of shared Booth moments. Choose the moment that best resonates with you and tell us why.
• Choose the format that works for you. Want to illustrate your response visually? Submit a slide presentation. Like to express yourself with words? Write a traditional essay. Use the format that you feel best captures your response, the Admissions Committee has no preference.
• Determine your own length. There is no prescribed minimum or maximum length. We trust that you will use your best judgment in determining how long your submission should be, but we recommend that you think strategically about how to best allocate the space.
Essay: Using one of the photos provided, tell us how it resonates with your own viewpoint on why the Booth community is the right fit for you.
Essay: Using one of the photos provided, tell us how it resonates with your own viewpoint on why the Booth community is the right fit for you.
Optional Essay: If there is any important information that you were unable to address elsewhere in the application, please share that information here. (300 word maximum) [Note: Booth's Online application gives you a specific opportunity to provide an explanation for any gaps in your employment history under the Employment History section]
Reapplicant Essay. Reapplicants only: Upon reflection, how has your thinking regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (300 words)
Essay 1: Chicago Booth Presentation/Essay: Chicago Booth values adventurous inquiry, diverse perspectives, and a collaborative exchange of ideas. This is us. Who are you?
Chicago Booth MBA Goal Questions
What is your short-term post-MBA goal? (700 characters or less)
What is your long-term post-MBA goal? (700 characters or less)
Optional Essay: If there is any important information that is relevant for your candidacy that you were unable to address elsewhere in the application, please share that information here. (300 word max)
Reapplicants Essay: Reapplicants only: Upon reflection, how has your thinking regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (300 words)
Short Answer Essay a: My favorite part of my work is... (250 words maximum)
Short Answer Essay b: I started to think differently when... (250 words maximum)
Presentation/Essay: The Chicago experience will take you deeper into issues, force you to challenge assumptions, and broaden your perspective. In a four-slide presentation or an essay of no more than 600 words, broaden our perspective about who you are. Understanding what we currently know about you from the application, what else would you like us to know?
Reapplicants Essay: Reapplicants only: Upon reflection, how has your thinking regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (300 words)
Essay 1: What are your short- and long-term goals, and how will a Chicago Booth MBA help you reach them? (600 words)
Reapplicants Essay 1 a. Reapplicants only: Upon reflection, how has your thinking regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application?
Essay 2: At Chicago Booth, we believe each individual has his or her own leadership style. How has your family, culture, and/or environment influenced you as a leader? (maximum of 750 words)
Essay 3 [Slide Presentation]
Considering what you've already included in the application, what else should we know about you? In a maximum of four slides, tell us about yourself.
Essay Question 3 Guidelines: We have set forth the following guidelines: The content is completely up to you. There is no right, or even preferred, approach to this presentation. There is a strict maximum of four pages, though you can provide fewer if you choose. Acceptable formats for upload in the online application system are PowerPoint or PDF. The document will be viewed electronically, but we cannot support embedded videos, music, or motion images. Additionally, all content MUST be included in the four pages; hyperlinks will not be viewed. The file will be evaluated on the quality of content and ability to convey your ideas, not on technical expertise or presentation.
Essay 1: 1. The Admissions Committee is interested in learning more about you on both a personal and professional level. Please answer the following (maximum of 300 words for each section):
a. Why are you pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life?
b. Define your short and long term career goals post MBA.
c. What is it about Chicago Booth that is going to help you reach your goals?
d. Reapplicants only: Upon reflection, how has your thinking regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application?
Essay 2: Chicago Booth is a place that challenges its students to stretch and take risks that they might not take elsewhere. Tell us about a time when you took a risk and what you learned from that experience (maximum of 750 words)
Essay 3 [Slide Presentation]: At Chicago Booth, we teach you HOW to think rather than what to think. With this in mind, we have provided you with “blank pages” in our application. Knowing that there is not a right or even a preferred answer allows you to demonstrate to the committee your ability to navigate ambiguity and provide information that you believe will support your candidacy for Chicago Booth.
Essay 1: How did you choose your most recent job/internship and how did this experience influence your future goals? What about the Chicago Booth MBA makes you feel it is the next best step in your career at this time? (750-1000 words)
Essay 1.a. (reapplicant essay): FOR REAPPLICANTS ONLY: Upon reflection, how has your thinking regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (250 words)
Essay 2: Please select one of the following (500-750 words)
2.a. Describe a time when you wish you could have retracted something you said or did. When did you realize your mistake and how did you handle the situation?
or
2.b. Describe a time when you were surprised by feedback that you received. What was the feedback and why were you surprised?
Essay 3 [Slide Presentation]
We have asked for a great deal of information throughout this application and now invite you to tell us about yourself. In four slides or less please answer the following question: What have you not already shared in your application that you would like your future classmates to know about you?
Optional Essay: If there is any important information that is relevant for your candidacy that you were unable to address elsewhere in the application, please share that information here.
Essay 1: Why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career? Describe your personal and professional goals and the role an MBA from the University of Chicago GSB plays in your plans to reach these goals. (1500 word maximum)
Essay 2: Please select one of the following two questions to answer. (1000 word maximum)
Option 1: a) Please provide an example of a time when you had to make a choice between two equally important obligations. How did you decide which obligation deserved your attention? b) Did you try and predict other people's reactions to your decision? If so, how accurate were you? Why do you think you were or were not accurate in your prediction? c) Reflecting on this experience, how do you think an MBA from Chicago GSB might have aided in your decision making process?
or
Option 2: a) Have you ever made a decision that caused you to go against popular opinion? Please describe that situation and your rationale for you decision. b) Did you feel at any point that people misperceived your motives? Explain. c) In retrospect, how do you think an MBA from Chicago GSB would have affected your decision?
Essay 3: We have asked for a great deal of information throughout this application and now invite you tell us about yourself. Using four slides or less, please provide readers with content that captures who you are.
Optional Essay: If there is any important information that is relevant for your candidacy that you were unable to address elsewhere in the application, please share that information here.
Essay 1: Why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career? Describe your personal and professional goals and the role an MBA from the University of Chicago GSB plays in your plans to reach these goals. (1500 word maximum)
Essay 2: If you could step into someone else's shoes for a day, who would it be and why? (500 word maximum)
Essay 3: We have asked for a great deal of information throughout this application. In this portion of the application, we invite you to tell us about yourself using a non-traditional application format - a PowerPoint presentation. In four slides or less, please provide readers with content that captures who you are.
Essay 1: Complete all parts below. (1500 word maximum) Explain the path that has led you to pursue an MBA as the next step in your professional and personal development. Describe your short and long term post-MBA career goals. What or who influenced your choice of schools, and how specifically will Chicago GSB help you succeed?
Essay 2: Choose one of the following questions. (500 word maximum)
1. If the admissions committee were to interview one of your closest colleagues, what aspect of your personal development would this person say is especially important for the admissions committee to know?
2. You have been asked to write an editorial about the most pressing issue facing humanity. Please identify the issue and justify why you have selected it.
Essay 3
Complete each of the following questions. (100 word maximum for each question below)
1. What is the one thing that most people do not know about you?
2. What book, play, or movie would you recommend to the admissions committee? Why?
3. It is your first day of business school and people are selecting study groups. How would you describe the value you will bring to a study group?
Essay 1. Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)
Please respond to two (2) of the three (3) essay questions listed below:
The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a new co-curricular program designed to ensure that every CBS student develops the skills to become an ethical and inclusive leader. Through PPIL, students attend programming focused on five essential diversity, equity, and inclusion skills: Creating an Inclusive Environment, Mitigating Bias, Communicating Across Identities, Addressing Systemic Inequity, and Managing Difficult Conversations. Tell us about a time you were challenged around one of these five skills. Describe the situation, the actions you took, and the outcome. (250 words)
Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 Words)
Tell us about your favorite book, movie or song and why it resonates with you. (250 words)
Essay 1. Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)
Essay 2. Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 Words)
Essay 3. Who is a leader you admire, and why? (250 Words)
Essay 1. Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)
Essay 2. Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 Words)
Essay 3. Who is a leader you admire, and why? (250 Words)
Essay 1. Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals going forward, and how will the Columbia MBA help you achieve them? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. How will you take advantage of being "at the very center of business" (250 words)
Essay 3. Please provide an example of a team failure of which you have been a part. If given a second chance, what would you do differently? (250 words)
Short Answer Question: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)
Essay 1. Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals going forward, and how will the Columbia MBA help you achieve them? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. The full-time MBA experience includes academics, recruiting, and networking. What are your personal priorities and how do you anticipate allocating your time at Columbia Business School? (250 words)
Essay 3. Please select and answer one of the following essay questions: (250 words)
a. Please tell us what you feel most passionate about in life.
b. If you were given a free day and could spend it anywhere, in any way you choose, what would you do
Optional Essay. An optional fourth essay will allow you to discuss any issues that do not fall within the purview of the required essays.
Short Answer Question: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)
Essay 1. Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals going forward, and how will the Columbia MBA help you achieve them? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. Columbia Business School’s location enables us to bridge theory and practice in multiple ways: through Master Classes, internships, the New York Immersion Seminars, and, most importantly, through a combination of distinguished research faculty and accomplished practitioners. How will you take advantage of being “at the very center of business”? (Maximum 250 words)
Essay 3. CBS Matters, a key element of the School’s culture, allows the people in your Cluster to learn more about you on a personal level. What will your Clustermates be pleasantly surprised to learn about you? (Maximum 250 words)
Optional Essay. An optional fourth essay will allow you to discuss any issues that do not fall within the purview of the required essays.
Short Answer Question: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)
Essay 1. Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals going forward, and how will the Columbia MBA help you achieve them? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. Columbia Business School’s location enables us to bridge theory and practice in multiple ways: through Master Classes, internships, the New York Immersion Seminars, and, most importantly, through a combination of distinguished research faculty and accomplished practitioners. How will you take advantage of being “at the very center of business”? (Maximum 250 words)
Essay 3. CBS Matters, a key element of the School’s culture, allows the people in your Cluster to learn more about you on a personal level. What will your Clustermates be pleasantly surprised to learn about you? (Maximum 250 words)
Optional Essay. An optional fourth essay will allow you to discuss any issues that do not fall within the purview of the required essays.
In addition to learning about your professional aspirations, the Admissions Committee hopes to gain an understanding of your interests, values and motivations through these essays. How you answer these essays is at your discretion, there are no right answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully and honestly.
Short Answer Question: What is your post-MBA professional goal? (75 characters maximum)
Essay 1: Given your individual background and goals, why are you pursuing a Columbia MBA at this time? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2: Please view the video The Center. How will you take advantage of being at the very center of business? (Maximum 250 words)
Essay 3: What will the people in your Cluster be pleasantly surprised to learn about you? (Maximum 250 words)
Optional Essay: Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? (Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history. (Maximum 500 words)
Reapplicant Essay: How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied, and address how you plan to achieve your post-MBA and long-term professional goals. (Maximum 500 words)
Short Answer Question: What is your post-MBA professional goal? (100 characters maximum)
Essay 1: Given your individual background, why are you pursuing a Columbia MBA at this time? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2: Columbia Business School is located in the heart of the world's business capital - Manhattan. How do you anticipate that New York City will impact your experience at Columbia? Please view the videos New York City - limitless possibilities and New York City - fast paced and adaptable. (Maximum 250 words)
Essay 3: What will the people in your Cluster be pleasantly surprised to learn about you? (Maximum 250 words)
Optional Essay: Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? (Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.) (Maximum 500 words)
Reapplicant Essay: (Applicants who are reapplying within 12 months of a previous application for admission are required to write only a single reapplicant essay.)
How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied, and address how you plan to achieve your post-MBA and long-term professional goals. (Maximum 500 words)
Short Answer Question: What is your post-MBA professional goal? (200 characters maximum)
Essay 1: Considering your post-MBA and long term professional goals, why you are pursuing an MBA at this point in your career? Additionally, why is Columbia Business School a good fit for you? (Maximum 750 words)
Essay 2: Describe a life experience that has shaped you. The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally. (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 3 Select and answer one of the below questions:
Essay 3a:The annual A. Lorne Weil Outrageous Business Plan Competition is a student initiative managed and run by the Columbia Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO). The competition encourages Columbia MBA students to explore creative entrepreneurial ideas that are sufficiently ambitious in scope and scale to be considered “outrageous.” Students explore these ideas while learning firsthand what goes into the development and presentation of a solid business proposal. Develop your own “outrageous” business idea. In essay form, compose your “elevator pitch.” (Maximum 250 words)
Essay 3b: Columbia deeply values its vibrant student community, the building of which begins at orientation when admitted students are assigned to clusters of 65 to 70 fellow students who take most of the first-year core classes together. During the first weeks of school, each cluster selects a Cluster Chair. Further strengthening the student community are the nearly 100 active student organizations at Columbia Business School, ranging from cultural to professional to community service-oriented. Leadership positions within the cluster and/or clubs offer hands-on management and networking opportunities for students as they interact with fellow students, administrators, faculty members, alumni, and practitioners. You are running for either Cluster Chair or a club leadership position of your choosing. Compose your campaign speech. (Maximum 250 words)
Essay 3c: Founded nearly three decades ago, the Executives in Residence Program at Columbia Business School integrates senior executives into the life of the School. Current executives in residence include more than a dozen experts in areas ranging from media and investment banking to private equity and management. A hallmark of the program is one-on-one counseling sessions in which executives advise students about their prospective career choices. Select one of the current executives in residence with whom you would like to meet during your time at Columbia. Explain your selection and tell us how you would best utilize your half hour one-on-one session. (Maximum 250 words)
Optional Essay: Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? (Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.) (Maximum 500 words)
Reapplicant Essay: (Applicants who are reapplying within 12 months of a previous application for admission are required to write only a single reapplicant essay.) How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied and reiterate your short-term and long-term goals. Explain how the tools of the Columbia MBA will help you to meet your goals and how you plan to participate in the Columbia community. (Maximum 750 words)
In addition to learning about your professional aspirations, the Admissions Committee hopes to gain an understanding of your interests, values and motivations through these essays. How you answer these essays is at your discretion, there are no right answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully and honestly.
Essay 1: What are your short-term and long-term professional goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? (Maximum of 750 words)
Essay 2: Please tell us about yourself and your personal interests. The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are rather than what you have achieved professionally. (Maximum of 500 words)
Optional Essay. Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? (Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.)
Reapplicant Essay. (Applicants who are reapplying within 12 months of a previous application for admission are required to write only a single reapplicant essay.) How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied and reiterate your short-term and long-term goals. Explain how the tools of the Columbia MBA will help you to meet your goals and how you plan to participate in the Columbia community. (Recommended 750 word limit).
In addition to learning about your professional aspirations, the Admissions Committee hopes to gain an understanding of your interests, values and motivations through these essays. How you answer these essays is at your discretion, there are no right answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully and honestly.
Essay 1. What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? (Recommended 750 word limit)
Essay 2. Master Classes are the epitome of bridging the gap between theory and practice at Columbia Business School. (View link below). Please provide an example from your own life in which practical experience taught you more than theory alone. (Recommended 500 word limit) View with Real Player
Essay 3. Please provide an example of a team failure of which you've been a part. If given a second chance, what would you do differently? (Recommended 500 word limit)
Essay 4. (Optional) Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? (Please us this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.)
Reapplicant Essay. (if you have applied to CBS within the past 12 months) How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied and reiterate your short-term and long-term goals. Explain how the tools of the Columbia MBA will help you to meet your goals and how you plan to participate in the Columbia community. (Recommended 750 word limit).
In addition to learning about your professional aspirations, the Admissions Committee hopes to gain an understanding of your interests, values and motivations through these essays. How you answer these essays is at your discretion, there are no right answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully and honestly.
Essay 1. What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? (Recommended 750 word limit)
Essay 2. Master Classes are the epitome of bridging the gap between theory and practice at Columbia Business School. (View link below). Please provide an example from your own life in which practical experience taught you more than theory alone. (Recommended 500 word limit)
Essay 3. Please provide an example of a team failure of which you've been a part. If given a second chance, what would you do differently? (Recommended 500 word limit)
Essay 4. (Optional) Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? (Please us this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.)
Reapplicant Essay. (if you have applied to CBS within the past 12 months) How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied and reiterate your short-term and long-term goals. Explain how the tools of the Columbia MBA will help you to meet your goals and how you plan to participate in the Columbia community. (Recommended 750 word limit).
In addition to learning about your professional aspirations, the Admissions Committee hopes to gain an understanding of your interests, values and motivations through these essays. How you answer these essays is at your discretion, there are no right answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully and honestly.
Essay 1. What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? (Recommended 750 word limit)
Essay 2. In a recent speech delivered to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Dean Glenn Hubbard discussed the new, essential elements of the 21st century MBA. How will your MBA prepare you for a rapidly changing business environment (Recommended 500 word limit)
Essay 3. The entrepreneurial mindset is an integral component of the Columbia Business School MBA. Please discuss a time in your own life when you have identified and captured an opportunity. (Recommended 500 word limit)
Essay 4. Please tell us about what you feel most passionate in life (Recommended 250 word limit)
Essay 5. (Optional) Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.
In addition to learning about your professional aspirations, the Admissions Committee hopes to gain an understanding of your interests, values and motivations through these essays. How you answer these essays is at your discretion, there are no right answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully and honestly.
Essay 1. What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? (Recommended 750 word limit)
Essay 2. In a recent speech delivered to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Dean Glenn Hubbard discussed the new, essential elements of the 21st century MBA. How will your MBA prepare you for a rapidly changing business environment (Recommended 500 word limit)
Essay 3. The entrepreneurial mindset is an integral component of the Columbia Business School MBA. Please discuss a time in your own life when you have identified and captured an opportunity. (Recommended 500 word limit)
Essay 4. Please tell us about what you feel most passionate in life (Recommended 250 word limit)
Essay 5. (Optional) Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history
Essay 1. At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make an impact during the next several years of your education and/or career? (350 words maximum).
Essay 2.The front page of your resume has given us a sense of your professional experience and accomplishments as well as your academic summary and extracurricular involvement. If the back page reflects “the rest of your story,” please help us get to know you better by sharing the experiences that will give us insight into your character, values, and interests.
Essay 1. At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make an impact during the next several years of your education and/or career? (350 words maximum).
Essay 2.The front page of your resume has given us a sense of your professional experience and accomplishments as well as your academic summary and extracurricular involvement. If the back page reflects “the rest of your story,” please help us get to know you better by sharing the experiences that will give us insight into your character, values, and interests.
Essay 1. At Cornell, we value students who create impact. Please indicate the opportunities for impact that you’ve identified through engagement with our community and describe how what you learned has influenced your decision to apply to Johnson.
Essay 2.The front page of your resume has given us a sense of your professional experience and accomplishments as well as your academic summary and extracurricular involvement. If the back page reflects “the rest of your story,” please help us get to know you better by sharing the experiences that will give us insight into your character, values, and interests.
Essay 1. You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please create the table of contents for the book in the space provided or upload it as an attachment. We value creativity and authenticity and encourage you to approach this essay with your unique style. Alternative submission formats may include a slide presentation, links to pre-existing media (personal website, digital portfolio, YouTube etc.), as well as visually enhanced written submissions. Maximum file size is 5 MB. We recommend that you upload your submission in MS Word, PowerPoint, or PDF format. We cannot accept .zip or .exe files. If you choose to submit a written Table of Contents, please limit your submission to 500 words or fewer.
Essay 2.Respond to one of the following prompts: (250 words maximum). At Cornell we value, students who create impact. Please indicate the opportunities for impact that you’ve identified through engagement with our community and describe how what you learned has influenced your decision to apply to Johnson. Please limit your submission to 500 words or fewer.
Essay 1. You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please create the table of contents for the book in the space provided or upload it as an attachment. We value creativity and authenticity and encourage you to approach this essay with your unique style. Alternative submission formats may include a slide presentation, links to pre-existing media (personal website, digital portfolio, YouTube etc.), as well as visually enhanced written submissions. Maximum file size is 5 MB. We recommend that you upload your submission in MS Word, PowerPoint, or PDF format. We cannot accept .zip or .exe files. If you choose to submit a written Table of Contents, please limit your submission to 500 words or fewer.
Essay 2. What are your short and long term goals and how do you see the Cornell MBA enabling you to achieve both? Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.
Optional Essay. Complete this essay if you would like to add additional details regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate record or test scores) do not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application since the last time you applied. Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.
Optional Essay. Complete this essay if you would like to add additional details regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate record or test scores) do not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application since the last time you applied. Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.
Essay 1. You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please create the table of contents for the book in the space provided or upload it as an attachment. We value creativity and authenticity and encourage you to approach this essay with your unique style. Alternative submission formats may include a slide presentation, links to pre-existing media (personal website, digital portfolio, YouTube etc.), as well as visually enhanced written submissions. Maximum file size is 5 MB. We recommend that you upload your submission in MS Word, PowerPoint, or PDF format. We cannot accept .zip or .exe files. If you choose to submit a written Table of Contents, please limit your submission to 500 words or fewer.
Essay 2. What are your short and long term goals and how do you see the Cornell MBA enabling you to achieve both? Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.
Optional Essay. Complete this essay if you would like to add additional details regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate record or test scores) do not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application since the last time you applied. Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.
Optional Essay. Complete this essay if you would like to add additional details regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate record or test scores) do not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application since the last time you applied. Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.
Essay 1: You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. In 2000 characters (including formatting characters) or less, please write the table of contents for the book in the space provided or upload it as an attachment. Note: approach this essay with your unique style. We value creativity and authenticity.
Essay 2: What is the job that you would like to have immediately upon graduating with your MBA? (2000 character limit, including formatting characters)
Optional Essay: Complete this essay if you would like to add additional details regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate record or test scores) do not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. (2000 character limit, including formatting characters).
Reapplicant Essay: How did you strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School? (400 words)
To ensure the depth and dynamism of the Johnson School education, we seek to enroll a class composed of students whose insights are distinct and whose actions are penetrating. The essay portion of your application gives you the opportunity to candidly demonstrate your attributes and your compatibility with our rich and vibrant program.
Essay 1. Who You Are: You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. In 300 words or less please write the table of contents for the book. Note: approach this essay with your unique style. We value creativity and authenticity. (300 word maximum)
Essay 2. Who you turn out to be: Please answer the following three questions in abbreviated format. (Keep each answer in 150 words or less)
: When did you decide that business school was the next step for you? (Was this an epiphany or an evolutionary process? What was the catalyst that caused you to consider this next step?)
: Johnson values people that make things happen for themselves. Give an example of how you have initiated this for yourself.
: Please describe your immediate post MBA career goals.
Optional Essay. Complete this essay if there is other information you would like to add regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one (or more) aspect of your application (e.g., undergraduate GPA or test scores) does not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. (400 words)
Reapplicant Essay. How did you strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School? (400 words)
To ensure the depth and dynamism of the Johnson School education, we seek to enroll a class composed of students whose insights are distinct and whose actions are penetrating. The essay portion of your application gives you the opportunity to candidly demonstrate your attributes and your compatibility with our rich and vibrant program.
Essay 1. What career do you plan to pursue upon completion of an MBA degree and why? (400 words) Note: are obviously looking at your career path and focus. The adcom wants to see that you have done your due diligence on your career trajectory and what is it about b-school (hint: why Johnson) is the right fit and time in your life.
Essay 2. You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please write the table of contents for the book. (400 words) Note: Approach this essay with your unique style. We value creativity and authenticity. We have been asking this essay question for the last two years. It is a favorite to read and to write for our applicants. Keep the creativity and personality because we enjoy learning more about who our applicants are!
Essay 3. What legacy would you hope to leave as a Johnson graduate? (400 words) Note: The adcom wants you to really evaluate what "fit" means to you for Johnson. "Fit" is different for everyone, so we want to see how authentic and purposeful you are about applying.
Optional Essay. Complete this essay if there is other information you would like to add regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one (or more) aspect of your application (e.g., undergraduate GPA or test scores) does not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. (400 words)
Reapplicant Essay. How did you strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School? (400 words) (required for reapplicants)
To ensure the depth and dynamism of the Johnson School education, we seek to enroll a class composed of students whose insights are distinct and whose actions are penetrating. The essay portion of your application gives you the opportunity to candidly demonstrate your attributes and your compatibility with our rich and vibrant program.
Essay 1. Describe your greatest professional achievement and how you were able to add value to your organization. (400 words)
Essay 2. What career do you plan to pursue upon completing the MBA and why? How will the Johnson School help you achieve this goal? (400 words)
Essay 3. You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please write the Table of Contents for the book. (400 words)
Essay Optional 4. Complete this essay if there is other information you would like to add regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one (or more) aspect of your application (e.g., undergraduate GPA or test scores) does not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. (400 words)
Essay Reapplicant 5. How did you strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School? (400 words) (required for reapplicants)
To ensure the depth and dynamism of the Johnson School education, we seek to enroll a class composed of students whose insights are distinct and whose actions are penetrating. The essay portion of your application gives you the opportunity to candidly demonstrate your attributes and your compatibility with our rich and vibrant program.
Essay 1. Describe your greatest professional achievement and how you were able to add value to your organization. (400 words)
Essay 2. What career do you plan to pursue upon completing the MBA and why? How will the Johnson School help you achieve this goal? (400 words)
Essay 3. You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please write the Table of Contents for the book. (400 words)
Essay Optional 4. Complete this essay if there is other information you would like to add regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one (or more) aspect of your application (e.g., undergraduate GPA or test scores) does not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. (400 words)
Essay Reapplicant 5. How did you strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School? (400 words) (required for reapplicants)
To ensure the depth and dynamism of the Johnson School education, we seek to enroll a class composed of students whose insights are distinct and whose actions are penetrating. The essay portion of your application gives you the opportunity to candidly demonstrate your attributes and your compatibility with our rich and vibrant program.
Essay 1. Describe your greatest professional achievement and how you were able to add value to your organization. (400 words)
Essay 2. What career do you plan to pursue upon completing the MBA and why? How will the Johnson School help you achieve this goal? (400 words)
Essay Optional 3. Complete this essay if there is other information you would like to add regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one (or more) aspect of your application (e.g., undergraduate GPA or test scores) does not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. (400 words)
Essay Reapplicant 4. Describe the measures you have taken to strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School. (400 words) (required for reapplicants)
To ensure the depth and dynamism of the Johnson School education, we seek to enroll a class composed of students whose insights are distinct and whose actions are penetrating. The essay portion of your application gives you the opportunity to candidly demonstrate your attributes and your compatibility with our rich and vibrant program.
Essay 1. Describe your greatest professional achievement and how you were able to add value to your organization. (400 words)
Essay 2. What career do you plan to pursue upon completing the MBA and why? How will the Johnson School help you achieve this goal? (400 words)
Essay Optional 3. Complete this essay if there is other information you would like to add regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one (or more) aspect of your application (e.g., undergraduate GPA or test scores) does not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. (400 words)
Essay Reapplicant 4. Describe the measures you have taken to strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School. (400 words) (required for reapplicants)
For the 2021-2022 application cycle, Darden will again offer multiple short answer questions. We want to get to know all of the various facets of your background and personality.
1. Given that you will be forming lifelong connections with your classmates that extend beyond the classroom, what is important for your classmates to know about you that is not on your resumé? (200 words)
2. Please describe a tangible example that illuminates your experience promoting an inclusive environment and what you would bring to creating an inclusive global community at Darden. (300 words)
3. At this time how would you describe your short-term, post-MBA goal in terms of industry, function, geography, company size and/or mission and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (200 words)
For the 2021-2022 application cycle, Darden will again offer multiple short answer questions. We want to get to know all of the various facets of your background and personality.
Tell us what you would want your Learning Team to know about you that is not on your resume. (150 words)
Darden strives to identify and cultivate responsible leaders who follow their purpose. Please respond to one of the following prompts (200 words)
Option 1: Tell us about a time when you acted with a team to solve a problem or seize an opportunity. What role did you play? What did you learn from this experience?
Option 2: Tell us about a time you acted to solve a problem for the greater good. What drew you to this issue? What did you learn from this experience?
The Darden School develops practices and cultivates a culture that reflect and incorporate the worldviews of its many community members. In this inclusive culture, the community learns important — and sometimes uncomfortable — lessons from one another, resulting in more conscientious global leaders and citizens. Please respond to one of the following prompts (200 words)
Option 1: Share a time when you learned something related to diversity, equity or inclusion that was previously unknown to you? How did this experience impact your perspective?
Option 2: Share a time when you advocated for a perspective, identity or community different from your own. How did this experience impact your worldview?
What is your short-term, post-MBA goal and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (150 words)
The Batten Foundation Worldwide Scholarship provides all Darden students in our full-time MBA program with an opportunity to participate in a Darden Worldwide Course. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel, and why? (55 words)
For the 2019-2020 application cycle, Darden continued multiple short essays. We want to get to know all of the various facets of your background and personality.
1. Darden strives to identify and cultivate responsible leaders who follow their purpose. Please provide an example of a situation in which you have made a meaningful impact. (200 words)
2. Diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission, and they work best when they are an integral and celebrated part of our community. Read University of Virginia’s Diversity & Inclusion Vision Statement. Share a time in which you engaged with a perspective, identity, community or experience that was different from your own and how it impacted your worldview. (200 words)
3. The Batten Foundation Worldwide Scholarship provides all Darden students in our full-time MBA program with an opportunity to participate in a Darden Worldwide Course. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel, and why? (50 words)
4. Tell us what you would want your learning team to know about you - personal, professional or both. (100 words)
5. What is your short-term, post-MBA goal and why? (150 words)
For the 2019-2020 application cycle, Darden continued multiple short essays. We want to get to know all of the various facets of your background and personality.
1. Darden strives to identify and cultivate responsible leaders who follow their purpose. Please provide an example of a situation in which you have made a meaningful impact. (200 words)
2. Diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission, and they work best when they are an integral and celebrated part of our community. Read University of Virginia’s Diversity & Inclusion Vision Statement. Share a time in which you engaged with a perspective, identity, community or experience that was different from your own and how it impacted your worldview. (200 words)
3. The Batten Foundation Worldwide Scholarship provides all Darden students in our full-time MBA program with an opportunity to participate in a Darden Worldwide Course. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel, and why? (50 words)
4. Tell us what you would want your learning team to know about you - personal, professional or both. (100 words)
5. What is your short-term, post-MBA goal and why? (150 words)
For the 2018–19 application cycle, Darden has decided to forgo one long essay, and do multiple short essays. We want to get to know all of the various facets of your background and personality.
"Tell us what you would want your learning team to know about you - personal, professional or both." (100 words)
"Each year, Darden connects with over 80 countries. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to go with Darden? And why?" (50 words)
"Darden strives to identify and cultivate leaders who follow their purpose. At this stage, how would you describe your evolving leadership style and please provide an example." (200 words)
"Please provide an example of a situation in which you have made a meaningful impact." (200 words)
"What is your short-term, post-MBA career goal and why?" (150 words)
Essay 1. "When preparing for class at Darden, students formulate an opinion on each case before meeting with their learning teams and class sections. When encountering different views and perspectives from their own, opinions frequently shift. Tell us about a time when your opinion evolved through discussions with others." (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay: If there is further information you believe would be helpful to the Admission Committee, please provide it. (250 words)
Essay 1. Describe the most important professional feedback you have received and how you responded to this feedback. (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay: If there is further information you believe would be helpful to the Admission Committee, please provide it. (250 words)
Essay 1. Describe the most important professional feedback you have received and how you responded to this feedback. (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay: If there is further information you believe would be helpful to the Admission Committee, please provide it. (250 words)
Essay 1: Describe the most courageous professional decision you have made or action you have taken. What did you learn from that experience? (500 words maximum)
Essay 2: What is your short-term goal and why? What makes this goal a good fit for you? (200 words)
Optional Essay: If there is further information you believe would be helpful to the Admission Committee, please provide it. (250 words)
Essay 1. Share your thought process as you encountered a challenging work situation or complex problem. How did this experience change your perspective?. (500 words maximum)
Essay 1. Share your perspective on leadership in the workplace and describe how it has been shaped by the increasing influence of globalization. (500 words maximum)
Essay 1. The Darden MBA program expects students to actively participate in learning teams, the classroom, and the broader community. Please share one or two examples from your past experience that best illustrate(s) how you will contribute to this highly engaging and hands-on learning environment. (500 words)
Essay 2. Please discuss how a global event that has taken place in the past two years has impacted the way you think about leadership broadly and personally. (500 words).
Essay 1. How have the changes in the global economy over the last 18 months affected you and your plan for the future? (400 words)
Essay 2. What will you contribute to an MBA program and what are your personal and professional expectations of the program you attend? (600 words)
Essay 1. What pivotal choices have you made in your life that have influenced your decision to pursue an MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2. From the following categories, describe the one that has taught you the most: a creative challenge, an ethical dilemma or an experience of failure. Why? (250 words)
Essay 3. Describe how you are a fit with the case study method. (250 words)
Darden-Fit Question: As you reflect upon your business school research process, what led you to see yourself as a fit with the Darden School? (150 word maximum)
Essay 1. What matters to you most, both personally and professionally, and how does an MBA relate to these priorities? (500 word maximum)
Essay 2. Please select one word that describes you from the set below and support your statement using concrete examples. Professionally I am: (a) an innovator. (b) a leader. (c) an entrepreneur. (300 word maximum)
Essay 3. Please choose one phrase that describes you from the set below and support your statement using concrete examples. Professionally I am: (a) involved globally. (b) committed to diversity. (c) socially responsible. (300 word maximum)
Essay 4. (Optional) If there is further information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee, please provide it below. (250 word limit)
Essay 1. Tuck students can articulate how the distinctive Tuck MBA will advance their aspirations. Why are you pursuing an MBA and why Tuck? (300 words)
Essay 2. Tuck students recognize how their individuality adds to the fabric of Tuck. Tell us who you are. (300 words)
Essay 3. Tuck students invest generously in one another’s success even when it is not convenient or easy. Share an example of how you helped someone else succeed. (300 words)
Essay 1. Tuck students can articulate how the distinctive Tuck MBA will advance their aspirations. Why are you pursuing an MBA and why Tuck? (300 words)
Essay 2. Tuck students recognize how their individuality adds to the fabric of Tuck. Tell us who you are. (300 words)
Essay 3. Tuck students invest generously in one another’s success even when it is not convenient or easy. Share an example of how you helped someone else succeed. (300 words)
Essay 1. Tuck students are aware of how their individuality adds to the fabric of Tuck. Tell us who you are and what you will contribute. (500 words)
Essay 2. Tuck students are nice, and invest generously in one another’s success. Share an example of how you helped someone else succeed. (500 words)
Essay 1. Tuck educates wise leaders who better the world of business. What are your short- and long-term goals? How will a Tuck MBA enable you to become a wise leader with global impact?
Essay 2. As a diverse and global community, our students arrive at the same place from many different paths. Tell us about an experience in which you have had to live, learn and/or work with other people very different from yourself. What challenges and/or opportunities did you experience, how did you respond, and what did you learn about yourself as a result?
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.
Essay 1. What are your short- and long-term goals? Why do you need an MBA to achieve those goals? Why are you interested in Tuck specifically?
Essay 2. Tell us about your most meaningful leadership experience and what role you played. How will that experience contribute to the learning environment at Tuck?
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.
Essay 1. What are your short- and long-term goals? Why do you need an MBA to achieve those goals? Why are you interested in Tuck specifically?
Essay 2. Tell us about your most meaningful leadership experience and what role you played. How will that experience contribute to the learning environment at Tuck?
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.
Essay 1: Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA fit for you and your goals and why are you the best fit for Tuck?
Essay 2: Tell us about your most meaningful leadership experience and what role you played. What did you learn about your own individual strengths and weaknesses through this experience?
Optional Essay: Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.
Reapplicant Essay: How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally.
Essay 1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA fit for you and your goals and why are you the best fit for Tuck?
Essay 2. Tell us about your most meaningful collaborative leadership experience and what role you played. What did you learn about your own individual strengths and weaknesses through this experience?
Essay 3. Describe a circumstance in your life in which you faced adversity, failure, or setback. What actions did you take as a result and what did you learn from this experience?
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.
Reapplicants Essay. (To be completed by all reapplicants) How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally.
Although there is no formal restriction on the length of your response, most applicants use, on average, 500 words for each essay and you should work hard to try to keep your answers around that length. There are no right or wrong answers, so tell us what you really think rather than what you think the admissions committee wants to hear.
Essay 1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA program for you? (If you are applying for a joint or dual degree, please explain how the additional degree will contribute to those goals.)
Essay 2. Discuss your most meaningful leadership experience. What did you learn about your own individual strengths and weaknesses through this experience?
Essay 3. Describe a circumstance in your life in which you faced adversity, failure, or setback. What actions did you take as a result and what did you learn from this experience?
Essay 4. Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck?
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.
Reapplicants Essay. (To be completed by all reapplicants) How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally.
The essay questions are an opportunity to help the admissions committee learn more about you as a potential member of the Tuck community. Please be clear, succinct, forthright, and thoughtful in your responses. We ask that you share what you truly feel, as opposed to writing what you think the admissions committee would like to read. There are no right or wrong answers. Applicants should note that although there is no prescribed restriction on the length of the essays, on average most Tuck applicants use 500 words for each response.
Essay 1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA program for you? (If you are applying for a joint or dual degree, please explain how the additional degree will contribute to those goals.)
Essay 2. Discuss your most meaningful leadership experience. What did you learn about your own individual strengths and weaknesses through this experience?
Essay 3. What is the greatest challenge or hurdle you have overcome, either personally or professionally, and how did you manage to do so?
Essay 4. Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck?
Essay 5. (Optional) Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application
Essay 6. (To be completed by all reapplicants only) How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally.
The essay questions are an opportunity to help the admissions committee learn more about you as a potential member of the Tuck community. Please be clear, succinct, forthright, and thoughtful in your responses. We ask that you share what you truly feel, as opposed to writing what you think the admissions committee would like to read. There are no right or wrong answers. We do not allow substitution or replacement of essay responses after an application has been submitted.
Although there is no restriction on the length of your response, most applicants use, on average, 500 words for each essay. Please double-space your responses.
Essay 1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA program for you? (If you are applying for a joint or dual degree, please explain how the additional degree will contribute to those goals.)
Essay 2. Tuck defines leadership as �inspiring others to strive and enabling them to accomplish great things.� We believe great things and great leadership can be accomplished in pursuit of business and societal goals. Describe a time when you exercised such leadership. Discuss the challenges you faced and the results you achieved. What characteristics helped you to be effective, and what areas do you feel you need to develop in order to be a better leader?
Essay 3. Discuss the most difficult constructive criticism or feedback you have received. How did you address it? What have you learned from it?
Essay 4. Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck?
Essay 5. (Optional) Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.
Essay 6. (To be completed by all reapplicants only) How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally.
Provide response to the following four essay questions, each on a separate page. At the top of each page, please include your full name and a complete statement of the question being answered. Use at least 11 point font and 1.5 line spacing.
You must answer the following four questions.
Long Answers: (500 word)
The essay questions are an opportunity to help the admissions committee learn more about you as a potential member of the Tuck community. Please be clear, succinct, forthright, and thoughtful in your responses. We ask that you share what you truly feel, as opposed to writing what you think the admissions committee would like to read. There are no right or wrong answers. We do not allow substitution or replacement of essay responses after an application has been submitted.
Please respond fully but concisely to the following essay questions. Compose each of your answers offline in separate document files and upload them individually in the appropriate spaces below. Although there is no restriction on the length of your response, most applicants use, on average, 500 words for each essay. Please double-space your responses.
Essay 1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA program for you? (If you are applying for a joint or dual degree, please explain how the additional degree will contribute to those goals.)
Essay 2. Tuck defines leadership as 'inspiring others to strive and enabling them to accomplish great things.' We believe great things and great leadership can be accomplished in pursuit of business and societal goals. Describe a time when you exercised such leadership. Discuss the challenges you faced and the results you achieved. What characteristics helped you to be effective, and what areas do you feel you need to develop in order to be a better leader?
Essay 3. Discuss the most difficult constructive criticism or feedback you have received. How did you address it? What have you learned from it?
Essay 4. Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck?
Essay 5. (Optional) Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.
Essay 6. (To be completed by all reapplicants only) How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally
Essay 1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA program for you? (If you are applying for a joint or dual degree, please explain how the additional degree will contribute to those goals.)
Essay 2. Tuck defines leadership as "inspiring others to strive and enabling them to accomplish great things." Describe a time when you exercised such leadership. Discuss the challenges you faced and the results you achieved. What characteristics helped you to be effective, and what areas do you feel you need to develop in order to be a better leader?
Essay 3. Discuss the most difficult constructive criticism or feedback you have received. How did you address it? What have you learned from it?
Essay 4. Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck?
Essay 5. (Optional) Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.
Essay 6. (To be completed by all reapplicants only) How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally.
Short-Answer Questions
1. Why is pursuing an MBA the right next step for you? (500 characters, or about 100 words)
2. What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first-choice career plan and your alternate plan. (500 characters, or about 100 words)
Essay 1. Instructions: Answer the following question, present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages.
The "Team Fuqua" spirit and community is one of the things that sets The Duke MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the Admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of "25 Random Things About Yourself." As an Admissions team, we already know the new hire's professional and academic background, so learning these "25 Random Things" helps us get to know someone's personality, background, special talents, and more.
Short-Answer Questions
1. Why is pursuing an MBA the right next step for you? (500 characters, or about 100 words)
2. What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first-choice career plan and your alternate plan. (500 characters, or about 100 words)
Essay 1. Instructions: Answer the following question, present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages.
The "Team Fuqua" spirit and community is one of the things that sets The Duke MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the Admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of "25 Random Things About Yourself." As an Admissions team, we already know the new hire's professional and academic background, so learning these "25 Random Things" helps us get to know someone's personality, background, special talents, and more.
Essay 1. Instructions: Answer the following question, present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages.
The "Team Fuqua" spirit and community is one of the things that sets The Duke MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the Admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of "25 Random Things About Yourself." As an Admissions team, we already know the new hire's professional and academic background, so learning these "25 Random Things" helps us get to know someone's personality, background, special talents, and more.
In this spirit, the Admissions Committee also wants to get to know you beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. You can share with us important life experiences, your likes/dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Share with us your list of "25 Random Things" about YOU.
Essay 2. Instructions: Instructions: Your response should be no more than 2 pages in length.
Fuqua prides itself on cultivating a culture of engagement. Our students enjoy a wide range of student-led organizations that provide opportunities for leadership development and personal fulfillment, as well as an outlet for contributing to society. Our student-led government, clubs, centers, and events are an integral part of the student culture and are vital to providing you with a range of experiential learning and individual development experiences.
Based on your understanding of the Fuqua culture, how do you see yourself engaging in and contributing to our community, outside of the classroom?
Essay 1. Instructions: Answer the following question, present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages.
The "Team Fuqua" spirit and community is one of the things that sets The Duke MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the Admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of "25 Random Things About Yourself." As an Admissions team, we already know the new hire's professional and academic background, so learning these "25 Random Things" helps us get to know someone's personality, background, special talents, and more.
In this spirit, the Admissions Committee also wants to get to know you beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. You can share with us important life experiences, your likes/dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Share with us your list of "25 Random Things" about YOU.
Essay 2. Instructions: Instructions: Your response should be no more than 2 pages in length.
Fuqua prides itself on cultivating a culture of engagement. Our students enjoy a wide range of student-led organizations that provide opportunities for leadership development and personal fulfillment, as well as an outlet for contributing to society. Our student-led government, clubs, centers, and events are an integral part of the student culture and are vital to providing you with a range of experiential learning and individual development experiences.
Based on your understanding of the Fuqua culture, how do you see yourself engaging in and contributing to our community, outside of the classroom?
Required Short-Answer Questions Instructions: Answer all 3 of the following questions. For each short answer question, respond in 250 characters only (the equivalent of about 50 words).
1. What are your short-term goals, post-MBA?
2. What are your long-term goals?
3. Life is full of uncertainties, and plans and
circumstances can change. As a result, navigating a career requires you to be adaptable. Should the short-term goals that you provided above not materialize what alternative directions have you considered?
Essay 1 Instructions: Answer the following question, present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages. Duke Fuqua Essay Tips
The "Team Fuqua" spirit and community is one of the things that sets The Duke MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the Admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of "25 Random Things About Yourself." As an Admissions team, we already know the new hire's professional and academic background, so learning these "25 Random Things" helps us get to know someone's personality, background, special talents, and more.
In this spirit, the Admissions Committee also wants to get to know you beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. You can share with us important life experiences, your likes/dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Share with us your list of "25 Random Things" about YOU.
Essay 2 Instructions: Choose only 1 of the following 2 essay questions to answer. Your response should be no more than 2 pages in length.
(i). When asked by your family, friends, and colleagues why you want to go to Duke, what do you tell them? Share the reasons that are most meaningful to you.
(ii). The Team Fuqua community is as unique as the individuals who comprise it. Underlying our individuality are a number of shared ideas and principles that we live out in our own ways. Our students have identified and defined 6 'Team Fuqua Principles' that we feel are the guiding philosophies that make our community special. At the end of your 2 years at Fuqua, if you were to receive an award for exemplifying one of the 6 Principles listed below, which one would it be and why? Your response should reflect the research you have done, your knowledge of Fuqua and the Daytime MBA program and experience, and the types of activities and leadership you would engage in as a Fuqua student.
- Authentic Engagement: We care and we take action. We each make a difference to Team Fuqua by being ourselves and engaging in and supporting activities about which we are passionate.
- Supportive Ambition: We support each other to achieve great things, because your success is my success. The success of each individual member of Team Fuqua makes the whole of Team Fuqua better.
- Collective Diversity: We embrace all of our classmates because our individuality is better and stronger together.
- Impactful Stewardship: We are leaders who focus on solutions to improve our communities both now and in the future. We aren't satisfied with just maintaining the status quo.
- Loyal Community: We are a family who looks out for each other. Team Fuqua supports you when you need it the most.
- Uncompromising Integrity: We internalize and live the honor code in the classroom and beyond. We conduct ourselves with integrity within Fuqua, within Duke, and within all communities of which we are a part.
Optional essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them in an optional essay (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, or any significant weakness in your application)
- Do NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area of the application.
- The Optional Essay is intended to provide the Admissions Committee with insight into your extenuating circumstances only.
- Limit your response to two pages.
Reapplicant essay: It is not uncommon for it to take more than one try to achieve a goal. Please share with us the self-reflection process that you underwent after last year's application and how you have grown as a result. How did it shape your commitment to Fuqua and inspire your decision to reapply?
- Responses should be no more than 2 pages, using 1.5 line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
- Make sure you address any gaps in your application and that you show progress.
Required Short-Answer Questions Instructions: Answer all 3 of the following questions. For each short answer question, respond in 250 characters only (the equivalent of about 50 words).
1. What are your short-term goals, post-MBA?
2. What are your long-term goals?
3. Life is full of uncertainties, and plans and
circumstances can change. As a result, navigating a career requires you to be adaptable. Should the short-term goals that you provided above not materialize what alternative directions have you considered?
Essay 1 Instructions: Answer the following question, present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages. Duke Fuqua Essay Tips
The "Team Fuqua" spirit and community is one of the things that sets The Duke MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the Admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of "25 Random Things About Yourself." As an Admissions team, we already know the new hire's professional and academic background, so learning these "25 Random Things" helps us get to know someone's personality, background, special talents, and more.
In this spirit, the Admissions Committee also wants to get to know you beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. You can share with us important life experiences, your likes/dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Share with us your list of "25 Random Things" about YOU.
Essay 2 Instructions: Choose only 1 of the following 2 essay questions to answer. Your response should be no more than 2 pages in length.
(i). When asked by your family, friends, and colleagues why you want to go to Duke, what do you tell them? Share the reasons that are most meaningful to you.
(ii). The Team Fuqua community is as unique as the individuals who comprise it. Underlying our individuality are a number of shared ideas and principles that we live out in our own ways. Our students have identified and defined 6 'Team Fuqua Principles' that we feel are the guiding philosophies that make our community special. At the end of your 2 years at Fuqua, if you were to receive an award for exemplifying one of the 6 Principles listed below, which one would it be and why? Your response should reflect the research you have done, your knowledge of Fuqua and the Daytime MBA program and experience, and the types of activities and leadership you would engage in as a Fuqua student.
- Authentic Engagement: We care and we take action. We each make a difference to Team Fuqua by being ourselves and engaging in and supporting activities about which we are passionate.
- Supportive Ambition: We support each other to achieve great things, because your success is my success. The success of each individual member of Team Fuqua makes the whole of Team Fuqua better.
- Collective Diversity: We embrace all of our classmates because our individuality is better and stronger together.
- Impactful Stewardship: We are leaders who focus on solutions to improve our communities both now and in the future. We aren't satisfied with just maintaining the status quo.
- Loyal Community: We are a family who looks out for each other. Team Fuqua supports you when you need it the most.
- Uncompromising Integrity: We internalize and live the honor code in the classroom and beyond. We conduct ourselves with integrity within Fuqua, within Duke, and within all communities of which we are a part.
Optional essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them in an optional essay (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, or any significant weakness in your application)
- Do NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area of the application.
- The Optional Essay is intended to provide the Admissions Committee with insight into your extenuating circumstances only.
- Limit your response to two pages.
Reapplicant essay: It is not uncommon for it to take more than one try to achieve a goal. Please share with us the self-reflection process that you underwent after last year's application and how you have grown as a result. How did it shape your commitment to Fuqua and inspire your decision to reapply?
- Responses should be no more than 2 pages, using 1.5 line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
- Make sure you address any gaps in your application and that you show progress.
Short Answer Questions
1. What are your short-term goals, post-MBA?
2. What are your long-term goals?
3. Life is full of uncertainties, and plans and circumstances can change. As a result, navigating a career requires you to be adaptable. Should the short-term goals that you provided above not materialize what alternative directions have you considered?
Essay 1: The "Team Fuqua" spirit and community is one of the things that sets The Duke MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the Admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of "25 Random Things About Yourself." As an Admissions team, we already know the new hire's professional and academic background, so learning these "25 Random Things" helps us get to know someone's personality, background, special talents, and more.
In this spirit, the Admissions Committee also wants to get to know you beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. You can share with us important life experiences, your likes/dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Share with us your list of "25 Random Things" about YOU. Instructions: Answer the following question, present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages.
Essay 2 (i) Instructions: Choose only 1 of the following 2 essay questions to answer. Your response should be no more than 2 pages in length
When asked by your family, friends, and colleagues why you want to go to Duke, what do you tell them? Share the reasons that are most meaningful to you.
Essay 2 (ii) The Team Fuqua community is as unique as the individuals who comprise it. Underlying our individuality are a number of shared ideas and principles that we live out in our own ways. Our students have identified and defined 6 'Team Fuqua Principles' that we feel are the guiding philosophies that make our community special.
At the end of your 2 years at Fuqua, if you were to receive an award for exemplifying one of the 6 Principles listed below, which one would it be and why? Your response should reflect the research you have done, your knowledge of Fuqua and the Daytime MBA program and experience, and the types of activities and leadership you would engage in as a Fuqua student.
- Authentic Engagement: We care and we take action. We each make a difference to Team Fuqua by being ourselves and engaging in and supporting activities about which we are passionate.
- Supportive Ambition: We support each other to achieve great things, because your success is my success. The success of each individual member of Team Fuqua makes the whole of Team Fuqua better.
- Collective Diversity: We embrace all of our classmates because our individuality is better and stronger together.
- Impactful Stewardship: We are leaders who focus on solutions to improve our communities both now and in the future. We aren't satisfied with just maintaining the status quo.
- Loyal Community: We are a family who looks out for each other. Team Fuqua supports you when you need it the most.
- Uncompromising Integrity: We internalize and live the honor code in the classroom and beyond. We conduct ourselves with integrity within Fuqua, within Duke, and within all communities of which we are a part.
Optional Essay If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them in an optional essay (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, or any significant weakness in your application).
- Do NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area of the application.
- The Optional Essay is intended to provide the Admissions Committee with insight into your extenuating circumstances only.
- Limit your response to two pages
Reapplicant Essay
It is not uncommon for it to take more than one try to achieve a goal. Please share with us the self-reflection process that you underwent after last year's application and how you have grown as a result. How did it shape your commitment to Fuqua and inspire your decision to reapply?
- Responses should be no more than 2 pages, using 1.5 line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
- Make sure you address any gaps in your application and that you show progress.
Today, companies must navigate through complex and interdependent issues. They must deal with health and security matters, environmental impact questions, and diversity and cultural concerns. Leaders need adaptability, imagination, emotional intelligence, and business acumen. Thus, Duke is in the midst of an ambitious global venture that will embed and connect us around the world, and we are seeking future leaders of consequence, who value diversity and collaborative leadership, and who aspire to impact the companies and communities of which they are a part in a lasting and positive way. In an effort to identify, engage, and foster the development of future leaders of consequence, the Admissions Committee would like to get to know our applicants in a more holistic manner. We would like to know who you are, what has shaped you into the person you are today, and how you hope to impact both Duke and the communities of which you will be a part in the future. The essays are your opportunity to convey that to us. Please be open, genuine, and passionate. Share with us what makes you a dynamic, multi-dimensional person.
Three essay questions must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your essays carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the questions important in the selection process. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing. Your response to each question should be no more than 2 pages in length, with a font size no less than 10-point.
Essay 1. Describe your vision for your career and your inspiration for pursuing this career path.
Essay 2. How will your background, values, and non-work activities enhance the experience of other Duke MBA students and add value to Fuqua's diverse culture?
Essay 3. Why Duke? (If you are interested in a specific concentration, joint degree, clubs or activities, please discuss how you would contribute to these in this essay.)
Optional Essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weakness in your application).
Reapplicant Essay: All reapplicants are required to complete the Reapplicant Essay. Candidates who applied to The Duke MBA between September 2009 and May 2010 are considered reapplicants. Please limit your response to two pages. Write an essay describing how you are now a stronger candidate for admission compared to the application you submitted the previous year.
Today, companies must navigate through complex and interdependent issues. They must deal with health and security matters, environmental impact questions, and diversity and cultural concerns. Leaders need adaptability, imagination, emotional intelligence, and business acumen. Thus, Duke is in the midst of an ambitious global venture that will embed and connect us around the world, and we are seeking future leaders of consequence, who value diversity and collaborative leadership, and who aspire to impact the companies and communities of which they are a part in a lasting and positive way. In an effort to identify, engage, and foster the development of future leaders of consequence, the Admissions Committee would like to get to know our applicants in a more holistic manner. We would like to know who you are, what has shaped you into the person you are today, and how you hope to impact both Duke and the communities of which you will be a part in the future. The essays are your opportunity to convey that to us. Please be open, genuine, and passionate. Share with us what makes you a dynamic, multi-dimensional person.
Three essay questions must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your essays carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the questions important in the selection process. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing. Your response to each question should be no more than 2 pages in length, with a font size no less than 10-point.
Essay 1. Describe your vision for your career and your inspiration for pursuing this career path.
Essay 2. How will your background, values, and non-work activities enhance the experience of other Duke MBA students and add value to Fuqua's diverse culture?
Essay 3. Why Duke? (If you are interested in a specific concentration, joint degree, clubs or activities, please discuss how you would contribute to these in this essay.)
Optional Essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weakness in your application).
Reapplicant Essay: All reapplicants are required to complete the Reapplicant Essay. Candidates who applied to The Duke MBA between September 2009 and May 2010 are considered reapplicants. Please limit your response to two pages. Write an essay describing how you are now a stronger candidate for admission compared to the application you submitted the previous year.
Today, companies must navigate through complex and interdependent issues. They must deal with health and security matters, environmental impact questions, and diversity and cultural concerns. Leaders need adaptability, imagination, emotional intelligence, and business acumen. Thus, Duke is in the midst of an ambitious global venture that will embed and connect us around the world, and we are seeking future leaders of consequence, who value diversity and collaborative leadership, and who aspire to impact the companies and communities of which they are a part in a lasting and positive way. In an effort to identify, engage, and foster the development of future leaders of consequence, the Admissions Committee would like to get to know our applicants in a more holistic manner. We would like to know who you are, what has shaped you into the person you are today, and how you hope to impact both Duke and the communities of which you will be a part in the future. The essays are your opportunity to convey that to us. Please be open, genuine, and passionate. Share with us what makes you a dynamic, multi-dimensional person.
Three essay questions must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your essays carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the questions important in the selection process. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing. Your response to each question should be no more than 2 pages in length, with a font size no less than 10-point.
Essay 1. Describe your vision for your career and your inspiration for pursuing this career path.
Essay 2. How will your background, values, and non-work activities enhance the experience of other Duke MBA students and add value to Fuqua's diverse culture?
Essay 3. Why Duke? (If you are interested in a specific concentration, joint degree, clubs or activities, please discuss how you would contribute to these in this essay.)
Optional Essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weakness in your application).
Reapplicant Essay: All reapplicants are required to complete the Reapplicant Essay. Candidates who applied to The Duke MBA between September 2009 and May 2010 are considered reapplicants. Please limit your response to two pages. Write an essay describing how you are now a stronger candidate for admission compared to the application you submitted the previous year.
Three essay questions must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your essays carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the following questions important in the selection process. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing. Your response to each question should be no more than 2 pages in length, with a font size not smaller than 10-point.
Today, companies must navigate through complex and interdependent issues. They must deal with health and security matters, environmental impact questions, and diversity and cultural concerns. Leaders need adaptability, imagination, emotional intelligence, as well as business acumen. Thus, Duke is in the midst of an ambitious global venture that will embed and connect us around the world, and we are seeking future leaders of consequence, those who value diversity and collaborative leadership, and who aspire to impact the companies and communities of which they are a part in a lasting and positive way.
In an effort to identify, engage, and foster the development of future leaders of consequence, the Admissions Committee would like to get to know our applicants in a more holistic manner. We would like to know who you are, what has shaped you into the person you are today, and how you hope to impact both Duke and the communities of which you will be a part in the future. The essays are your opportunity to convey that to us. Please be open, genuine, and passionate. Share with us what makes you a dynamic, multi-dimensional person.
The Duke essays nevertheless give you an opportunity to present a balanced picture of yourself from several angles.
1. Describe your vision for your career, your inspiration for pursuing this career path, and the role of The Duke MBA in achieving your goals. If you are interested in a specific concentration or joint degree program, please discuss in this essay.
2. Discuss a person, event, or experience that has significantly shaped your life and explain why.
3. Individuals choose a business school for many different reasons. Through your research, what attributes or characteristics of The Duke MBA program have most resonated with you and why? How do you plan to contribute to the strengthening and enhancement of those attributes and characteristics during your time at Duke and beyond?
Optional Essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weakness in your application).
Reapplicant Essay: Candidates who applied to The Duke MBA between September 2008 and April 2009 are considered reapplicants. All reapplicants are required to complete the Reapplicant Essay in addition to the Applicant Essays. Please limit your response to two pages. Write an essay describing how you are now a stronger candidate for admission compared to the application you submitted the previous year.
Three short answer questions and one long essay question must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your essays carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the following questions important in the selection process. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing. Please avoid using a font size smaller than 10-point.
For the short answer questions, use a single page each. For the long essay question, please restrict your response to two pages.
All applicants have the opportunity to submit an optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware.
Short Answer Essays - Answer all short answer essay questions. Please restrict your response to a single page each.
1. What do you hope to gain from The Duke MBA? How does it fit into your short- and long- term goals? If you are interested in a joint degree or the Health Sector Management program, please address in this response.
2. How will you contribute to the overall experience of your peers at The Duke MBA?
3. Discuss a person, event or experience that has significantly shaped your life and explain why. Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally.
Long Essay - Answer the long essay question below. Please restrict your response to two pages.
1. Today, companies must navigate through complex and interdependent issues. They must deal with health and security matters, environmental impact questions, and diversity and cultural concerns. Leaders need adaptability, imagination, and emotional intelligence as well as business acumen. Upon graduation, a Duke MBA will be a leader of consequence - able to deal simultaneously with complex matters and engage skillfully with colleagues, clients, and community. What impact do you hope to have as a leader of consequence?
Optional Essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weakness in your application).
Reapplicant Essay: Candidates who applied to Fuqua between September 2007 and April 2008 are considered reapplicants. All reapplicants are required to complete the Reapplicant Essay in addition to the Applicant Essays. All reapplicants are also required to complete the Reapplicant Essay below. Please limit your response to two pages.
1. Write an essay describing how you are a stronger candidate for admission compared to the previous year's application.
Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing.
Short Essays - Answer both short essay questions. Please restrict your response to a single page each.
1. Why are you interested in The Duke MBA program and how will it help you achieve your goals? In answering, please also discuss your career path and state your short and long-term goals.
2. How will your background, values, and non-work related activities enhance the experience of other Duke MBA students and add value to the diverse culture we strive for at Fuqua?
Long Essays - For essay 1, please answer only one of the three essay options provided. All applicants should answer question 2. There is no restriction on the length of your response for the two long essay questions. Applicants typically use between 500 and 750 words for long essays one and two.
1. Please respond fully and concisely to one of the following essay topics. Clearly identify which question you have selected.
1. Describe an example of where you were challenged to lead in a team-oriented context. What was the challenge you faced, how did you address it, and what takeaways or lessons learned have you successfully applied in other leadership situations?
2. Describe a situation in which your ability to perform ethically was challenged. What was the issue, how did you handle it, and what did you learn from it?
3. Describe a significant leadership failure in your life. What did you learn from this failure? How has it impacted who you are today and the kind of leader you would like to be?
2. How has your personal history and family background influenced your intellectual and personal development? What unique personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally.
Reapplicant Essay: Candidates who applied to Fuqua between September 2006 and April 2007 are considered reapplicants. There is no restriction on the length of your response. Reapplicants typically use between 500 and 750 words for this essay. 1. Write an essay describing how you are a stronger candidate for admission compared to the previous year's application.
Optional Essay: All applicants have the opportunity to submit an optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware.
For the short answer questions, please restrict your response to a single page each. For the long essay questions you must answer the first question and for the second essay you may select from one of three essay options. There is no restriction on the length of your response for the two long essay questions. Applicants typically use between 500 and 750 words for essays one and two. All applicants have the opportunity to submit an optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware.
Short Essays - Answer both short essay questions.
1. Please discuss your career path, your short and long-term goals.
2. Why are you interested in The Duke MBA program and how will it help you achieve your goals? If you are interested in the Health Sector Management concentration or a joint degree program, please address in this essay.
Long Essays - Answer essay question 1, and for essay question 2 please answer only one of the three essay options provided.
1. How has your personal history and family background influenced your intellectual and personal development? What unique personal qualities or life experiences might distinguish you from other applicants? How will your background, values and non-work related activities enhance the experience of other Duke MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at Fuqua? Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally.
2. Please respond fully and concisely to one of the following essay questions, identifying clearly which question you have selected.
1. To be a good team player, one needs to be an effective individual leader and vice-versa. Describe an example of where you were challenged to become a leader in a team-oriented context. What was the challenge you faced, how did you address it, and what did you take away from the experience for your future development as a leader?
2. Describe a situation in which your ability to perform ethically was challenged. What was the issue, how did you handle it, and what did you learn from it?
3. Describe a significant leadership failure in your life. What did you learn from this failure? How has it impacted who you are today and the kind of leader you would like to be?
Reapplicant Essay: In addition to the Applicant Essays listed above, please answer the following question. There is no restriction on the length of your response. Reapplicants typically use between 500 and 750 words for this essay. Write an essay describing how you are a stronger candidate for admission compared to the previous year's application.
Essay 1. Define your short-term post-MBA career goals. How are your professional strengths, past experience and personal attributes aligned with these goals? (300 words)
Essay 2. The business school is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand responsibility, and creating unprecedented shareholder wealth. Mr. Goizueta's core values guide us in educating Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. Provide an example of your leadership - professional or personal - and explain what you learned about yourself through the experience. (300 words)
Essay 3. Video Essay. Please select ONE of the following topics to share with us using the Video Essay feature. Your comments should last no more than 60 seconds and you have the option to re-record until you are satisfied, before submitting.
a. Of Goizueta Business School's Core Values (Courage, Integrity, Accountability, Rigor, Diversity, Team, Community), which one resonates the most with you and why?
b. What is the best advice you have received and how have you used it in your life or career?
c. Outside of family and work, what is something that you are passionate about and why?
Essay 1. Define your short-term post-MBA career goals. How are your professional strengths, past experience and personal attributes aligned with these goals? (300 words)
Essay 2. The business school is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand responsibility, and creating unprecedented shareholder wealth. Mr. Goizueta's core values guide us in educating Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. Provide an example of your leadership - professional or personal - and explain what you learned about yourself through the experience. (300 words)
Essay 3. Video Essay. Please select ONE of the following topics to share with us using the Video Essay feature. Your comments should last no more than 60 seconds and you have the option to re-record until you are satisfied, before submitting.
a. Of Goizueta Business School's Core Values (Courage, Integrity, Accountability, Rigor, Diversity, Team, Community), which one resonates the most with you and why?
b. What is the best advice you have received and how have you used it in your life or career?
c. Outside of family and work, what is something that you are passionate about and why?
Essay 1. Define your short-term post-MBA career goals. How are your professional strengths, past experience and personal attributes aligned with these goals? (300 words)
Essay 2. The business school is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand responsibility, and creating unprecedented shareholder wealth. Mr. Goizueta's core values guide us in educating Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. Provide an example of your leadership - professional or personal - and explain what you learned about yourself through the experience. (300 words)
Essay 3. Complete ONE of the following statements. Please limit your response to 250 words.
a. I am passionate about...
b. The best piece of advice I've ever received is...
c. The best day of my life was...
d. A personal goal I want to accomplish is..
Essay 4. Share with the committee and your future classmates a fun or noteworthy fact about you. (25 word limit)
Essay 1. Define your short-term post-MBA career goals. How are your professional strengths, past experience and personal attributes aligned with these goals? (300 words)
Essay 2. The business school is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand responsibility, and creating unprecedented shareholder wealth. Mr. Goizueta's core values guide us in educating Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. Provide an example of your leadership - professional or personal - and explain what you learned about yourself through the experience. (300 words)
Essay 3. Complete ONE of the following statements. Please limit your response to 250 words.
a. I am passionate about...
b. The best piece of advice I've ever received is...
c. The best day of my life was...
d. A personal goal I want to accomplish is..
Essay 4. Share with the committee and your future classmates a fun or noteworthy fact about you. (25 word limit)
Essays are considered a very important part of the application process and your opportunity to show the Admissions Committee a bit about yourself beyond the application. All 4 essay questions must be answered for your application to be considered complete. (Only two essays are required for reapplicants.) Please address the following questions and submit all essays in one complete PDF file. Essays should be written in 12pt. font and double-spaced.
Essay 1: What is your short-term career goal and why is an MBA from Goizueta an important next step toward that goal? (200 words)
Essay 2: If your initial career plans are not realized, what else are you considering? (200 words)
Essay 3: The Business School is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand responsibility, and creating unprecedented shareholder wealth. It is his legacy and the strength of his character that gives rise to our vision: Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. Goizueta once said, "The cynics will tell you that the good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. I'm telling you, do it anyway." Provide an example of the good you have contributed to an organization and the impact of your actions. (300 words)
Essay 4: Complete ONE of the following statements. Please limit your response to 250 words.
Essay 5: In 25 words or less, please share with the committee and your future classmates an interesting or fun fact about you.
Reapplicant Essay: [In addition to question 1 and 2 above]. Please explain how you have improved your candidacy for Goizueta Business School's MBA Program since your last application. (250 words)
Essays are considered a very important part of the application process and your opportunity to show the Admissions Committee a bit about yourself beyond the application. All 4 essay questions must be answered for your application to be considered complete. (Only two essays are required for reapplicants.) Please address the following questions and submit all essays in one complete PDF file. Essays should be written in 12pt. font and double-spaced.
Essay 1. Complete each of the following questions. Please limit your response to 200 words.
a. What is your short-term career goal and why is an MBA from Goizueta an important next step toward that goal?
b. If your initial career plans are not realized, what else are you considering?
Essay 2. The Business School is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand responsibility, and creating unprecedented shareholder wealth. It is his legacy and the strength of his character that gives rise to our vision: Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. We encourage you to watch this short video for inspiration in answering the question. The transcript of the video can be found here. How will you contribute to and make a lasting impact on the Goizueta Business School community as a student or alumnus? Please limit your response to 300 words.
Essay 3. Complete one of the following statements. Please limit your response to 300 words.
a. I am unique because...
b. My most memorable cross-cultural experience...
c. I am passionate about...
d. The best piece of advice I've ever received is...
Essay 4. In 25 words or less, please share with the committee and your future classmates an interesting or fun fact about you.
Optional Essay. If you have additional information or feel there are extenuating circumstances which you would like to share with the MBA Admissions Committee (i.e. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance issues, areas of weakness in application). Please limit your response to 250 words.
Reapplicant Essays. [In addition to question 1 above]. Please explain how you have improved your candidacy for Goizueta Business School's MBA Program since your last application. Please limit your response to 250 words.
Four essays must be completed and submitted for your application to be considered complete. (Only two essays are required for reapplicants.) Remember to review each question carefully. We consider essays to be a very important part of the application process and your opportunity to show the Admissions Committee a bit about yourself beyond the application.
Essay 1. Complete each of the following questions. (150 words each)
a. Why have you decided to pursue an MBA at this time?
b. What are your short term post MBA goals?
c. What are your long term professional aspirations?
Essay 2. Share one of your most significant professional accomplishments. Describe your precise role in this activity and how it has helped to shape your management skills. (500 words)
Essay 3. The Business School is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand responsibility, and creating unprecedented shareholder wealth. It is his legacy and the strength of his character that gives rise to our vision: Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. We encourage you to watch this short video for inspiration in answering the question. The transcript of the video can be found here. What sort of impact do you hope to have as a Goizueta Business School student OR business leader and what attributes do you possess that will assist you in achieving this goal? (300 words)
Essay 4. Complete two of the following statements. Please limit your response to 150 words each.
a. I am unique because...
b. My most memorable cross-cultural experience...
c. I am passionate about...
d. The most surprising thing about me is...
e. The best piece of advice I've ever received is...
Optional Essay. If you have additional information or feel there are extenuating circumstances which you would like to share with the MBA Admissions Committee (i.e. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance issues, areas of weakness in application). (250 words or less)
Reapplicant Essays. [In addition to question 1 above]. Please explain how you have improved your candidacy for Goizueta Business School's MBA Program since your last application. [250 words or less]
Instructions: To assist in the timely processing of your application, please convert your document into a PDF prior to uploading it to your application. Instructions and access to a software program that will convert your documents is available within the application.
Essay 1. Please answer each of the following four questions in a short paragraph of no more than 250 words each.
a. Why have you decided to pursue an MBA at this time?
b. What interested you in Goizueta Business School�s MBA program?
c. What are your short term post MBA goals?
d. What are your long term professional aspirations?
Essay 2. Share one of your most significant professional accomplishments. Describe your precise role in this activity and how it has helped to shape your management skills. (1000 words)
Essay 3. Goizueta Business School takes pride in our Core Values: Courage, Integrity, Accountability, Rigor, Diversity, Team, and Community. These ideals drive principled, effective leaders in business, and are the values we seek to instill in all of our students, both during their education at Goizueta and beyond. Provide a specific example of how you have demonstrated one of these values in your professional experience. (500 words)
Essay 4. Complete one of the following statements. Please limit your response to 500 words.
a. I am unique because...
b. My most memorable cross-cultural experience...
c. I am passionate about...
d. My personal brand is...
e. I took a risk when I...
Essay 4. Optional Essay. If you have additional information or feel there are extenuating circumstances which you would like to share with the MBA Admissions Committee (i.e. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance issues, areas of weakness in application). (250 words or less)
Essay 5. Reapplicant Essay [In addition to question 1 above]. Please explain how you have improved your candidacy for Goizueta Business School's MBA Program since your last application. [250 words or less]
Essay 1. List one of your most significant professional or organizational accomplishments. Describe your precise role in this event and how it has helped to shape your management skills. (Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.)
Essay 2. Please complete/address two of the following statements. Full-time candidates (Two-year and One-year programs) must address choice F as one of the two options. (Please limit each response to one, double-spaced, typed page.)
A. I have always wanted to
B. My most memorable cross-cultural experience
C. My family background is unique because
D. The person who has had the greatest influence on my leadership style is ...
E. The greatest lesson I have ever learned
F. Of Goizueta's core values (courage, integrity, accountability, rigor, diversity, team, community), which value resonates most with you and why?
Essay 3. What do you expect to accomplish in the Goizueta Business School MBA program? How will your participation in the MBA program fit in with your experiences and responsibilities as well as your short and long-term career goals? (Please limit your response to two, double- spaced, typed pages.)
Essay 1. List one of your most significant professional or organizational accomplishments. Describe your precise role in this event and how it has helped to shape your management skills. (Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.)
Essay 2. Please complete/address two of the following statements. Full-time candidates (Two-year and One-year programs) must address choice F as one of the two options. (Please limit each response to one, double-spaced, typed page.)
A. I have always wanted to
B. My most memorable cross-cultural experience
C. My family background is unique because
D. The person who has had the greatest influence on my leadership style is..
E. The greatest lesson I have ever learned
F. Of Goizueta's core values (courage, integrity, accountability, rigor, diversity, team, community), which value resonates most with you and why?
Essay 3. What do you expect to accomplish in the Goizueta Business School MBA program? How will your participation in the MBA program fit in with your experiences and responsibilities as well as your short and long-term career goals? (Please limit your response to two, double- spaced, typed pages.)
Essay 1. List one of your most significant professional or organizational accomplishments. Describe your precise role in this event and how it has helped to shape your management skills. (Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.)
Essay 2. Please complete/address two of the following statements. Full-time candidates (Two-year and One-year programs) must address choice F as one of the two options. (Please limit each response to one, double-spaced, typed page.)
A. I have always wanted to
B. My most memorable cross-cultural experience
C. My family background is unique because
D. The person who has had the greatest influence on my leadership style is...
E. The greatest lesson I have ever learned
F. Of Goizueta's core values (courage, integrity, accountability, rigor, diversity, team, community), which value resonates most with you and why?
Essay 3. What do you expect to accomplish in the Goizueta Business School MBA program? How will your participation in the MBA program fit in with your experiences and responsibilities as well as your short and long-term career goals? (Please limit your response to two, double- spaced, typed pages.)
Essay 1: At Rotterdam School of Management our mission statement says that, as an institution, we will be a force for positive change in the world. This mission, which is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals put forth by the United Nations General Assembly, drives our thinking and approach to education, business and the world around us. The mission also guides our admissions process, as we look for academically excellent candidates who also share our belief that we can all make a difference in the world. Keeping this thought in mind, please answer ONE of the following questions:
1. Share how you’ve already been a force for positive change in your world. Your example can be large or small, global or local, but must highlight the positive impact you’ve had through your efforts. Tell us your story. (500 words)
OR
2. Discuss how the RSM MBA will prepare you to become a force for positive change, either in your personal or professional life. (500 words)
Essay 1: At Rotterdam School of Management our mission statement says that, as an institution, we will be a force for positive change in the world. This mission, which is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals put forth by the United Nations General Assembly, drives our thinking and approach to education, business and the world around us. The mission also guides our admissions process, as we look for academically excellent candidates who also share our belief that we can all make a difference in the world. Keeping this thought in mind, please answer ONE of the following questions:
1. Share how you’ve already been a force for positive change in your world. Your example can be large or small, global or local, but must highlight the positive impact you’ve had through your efforts. Tell us your story. (500 words)
OR
2. Discuss how the RSM MBA will prepare you to become a force for positive change, either in your personal or professional life. (500 words)
Essay 1: At Rotterdam School of Management our mission statement says that, as an institution, we will be a force for positive change in the world. This mission, which is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals put forth by the United Nations General Assembly, drives our thinking and approach to education, business and the world around us. The mission also guides our admissions process, as we look for academically excellent candidates who also share our belief that we can all make a difference in the world. Keeping this thought in mind, please answer ONE of the following questions:
1. Share how you’ve already been a force for positive change in your world. Your example can be large or small, global or local, but must highlight the positive impact you’ve had through your efforts. Tell us your story. (500 words)
OR
2. Discuss how the RSM MBA will prepare you to become a force for positive change, either in your personal or professional life. (500 words)
Essay 1: At Rotterdam School of Management our mission statement says that, as an institution, we will be a force for positive change in the world. This mission, which is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals put forth by the United Nations General Assembly, drives our thinking and approach to education, business and the world around us. The mission also guides our admissions process, as we look for academically excellent candidates who also share our belief that we can all make a difference in the world. Keeping this thought in mind, please answer ONE of the following questions:
1. Share how you’ve already been a force for positive change in your world. Your example can be large or small, global or local, but must highlight the positive impact you’ve had through your efforts. Tell us your story. (500 words)
OR
2. Discuss how the RSM MBA will prepare you to become a force for positive change, either in your personal or professional life. (500 words)
Essay 1: How do you see your career developing and how will this program help you achieve your goals? (around 500 words.)
Essay 2: Describe how the socio-economic environment in which you live/work impacts your business decisions. Please explain your answer and use examples from your own experience whenever possible. (around 500 words.)
Essay 3: Describe the most difficult decision you have made and its effect on you. (around 500 words.)
The essays form an integral role in the application and selection procedure. Before you begin preparing your essays, you are requested to conduct a thorough self-assessment. The essays are meant to present a unique picture of you. The Admissions Committee is interested to learn about you, what your values are and the distinctive qualities that make you an interesting candidate for our MBA Program. Please respond fully but concisely to each question. Each essay should contain around 500 words.
Essay 1: How do you see your career developing and how will earning the RSM Erasmus University MBA help you achieve your goals? (around 500 words.)
Essay 2: Describe your favorite hobby, pastime or sport and explain how it reflects your personality. (around 500 words.)
Essay 3: Describe the most difficult decision you have made and its personal effect on you. (around 500 words.)
Optional Essay: Please feel free to supply any additional information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making the final decision on your application.
The essays form an integral role in the application and selection procedure. Before you begin preparing your essays, you are requested to conduct a thorough self-assessment. The essays are meant to present a unique picture of you. The Admissions Committee is interested to learn about you, what your values are and the distinctive qualities that make you an interesting candidate for our MBA Program. Please respond fully but concisely to each question. Each essay should contain around 500 words.
Essay 1: How do you see your career developing and how will earning the RSM Erasmus University MBA help you achieve your goals? (around 500 words.)
Essay 2: Describe your favorite hobby, pastime or sport and explain how it reflects your personality. (around 500 words.)
Essay 3: Describe the most difficult decision you have made and its personal effect on you. (around 500 words.)
Optional Essay: Please feel free to supply any additional information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making the final decision on your application.
The essays form an integral role in the application and selection procedure. Before you begin preparing your essays, you are requested to conduct a thorough self-assessment. The essays are meant to present a unique picture of you. The Admissions Committee is interested to learn about you, what your values are and the distinctive qualities that make you an interesting candidate for our MBA Program. Please respond fully but concisely to each question. Each essay should contain around 500 words.
Essay 1: How do you see your career developing and how will earning the RSM Erasmus University MBA help you achieve your goals? (around 500 words.)
Essay 2: Describe your favorite hobby, pastime or sport and explain how it reflects your personality. (around 500 words.)
Essay 3: Describe the most difficult decision you have made and its personal effect on you. (around 500 words.)
Optional Essay: Please feel free to supply any additional information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making the final decision on your application.
Essay 1. How do you see your career developing and how will earning the RSM Erasmus University MBA help you achieve your goals? (around 500 words.)
Essay 2. Describe your favorite hobby, pastime or sport and explain how it reflects your personality. (around 500 words.)
Essay 3. Describe the most difficult decision you have made and its personal effect on you. (around 500 words.)
Optional Essay. Please feel free to supply any additional information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making the final decision on your application.
Essay 1. How do you see your career developing and how will earning the RSM Erasmus University MBA help you achieve your goals? (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Essay 2. Describe your favorite hobby, pastime or sport and explain how it reflects your personality. (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Essay 3. Describe the most difficult decision you have made and its personal effect on you. (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Optional Essay. Please feel free to supply any additional information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making the final decision on your application.
Essay 1. How do you see your career developing and how will earning the RSM Erasmus University MBA help you achieve your goals? (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Essay 2. Describe your favorite hobby, pastime or sport and explain how it reflects your personality. (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Essay 3. Describe the most difficult decision you have made and its personal effect on you. (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Optional Essay. Please feel free to supply any additional information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making the final decision on your application.
Essay 1. How do you see your career developing and how will earning the RSM Erasmus University MBA help you achieve your goals? (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Essay 2. Describe your favorite hobby, pastime or sport and explain how it reflects your personality. (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Essay 3. Describe the most difficult decision you have made and its personal effect on you. (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Optional Essay. Please feel free to supply any additional information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making the final decision on your application.
Essay 1. How do you see your career developing and how will earning the RSM Erasmus University MBA help you achieve your goals? (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Essay 2. Describe your favorite hobby, pastime or sport and explain how it reflects your personality. (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Essay 3. Describe the most difficult decision you have made and its personal effect on you. (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Optional Essay. Please feel free to supply any additional information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making the final decision on your application.
Essay 1. How do you see your career developing and how will earning the RSM Erasmus University MBA help you achieve your goals? (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Essay 2. Describe your favorite hobby, pastime or sport and explain how it reflects your personality. (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Essay 3. Describe the most difficult decision you have made and its personal effect on you. (Please respond fully but concisely to this question, ensuring it does NOT exceed 500 words)
Optional Essay. Please feel free to supply any additional information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making the final decision on your application.
Essay 1: Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2: How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished). (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3: What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4: Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters maximum including spaces per response)
a) I am most proud of...
b) People may be surprised to learn that I...
c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
Essay 1: Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2: How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished). (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3: What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4: Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters maximum including spaces per response)
a) I am most proud of...
b) People may be surprised to learn that I...
c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
Essay 1: Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2: How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished). (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3: What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4: Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters maximum including spaces per response)
a) I am most proud of...
b) People may be surprised to learn that I...
c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
Essay 1: Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2: How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished). (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3: What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4: Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters maximum including spaces per response)
a) I am most proud of...
b) People may be surprised to learn that I...
c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
Essay 1: Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2: How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished). (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3: What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4: Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters maximum including spaces per response)
a) I am most proud of...
b) People may be surprised to learn that I...
c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
Essay 1: Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2: How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished). (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3: What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4: Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters maximum including spaces per response)
a) I am most proud of...
b) People may be surprised to learn that I...
c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
Essay 1: Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2: How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished). (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3: What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4: Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters maximum including spaces per response)
Essay 4 Tips
a) I am most proud of...
b) People may be surprised to learn that I...
c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
Essay 5: Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include gaps in employment, your undergraduate record, plans to retake the GMAT or any other relevant information. (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 1. Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2. How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished). (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3. What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4. Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters maximum including spaces per response)
a) I am most proud of...
b) People may be surprised to learn that I...
c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
Essay 5. Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include gaps in employment, your undergraduate record, plans to retake the GMAT or any other relevant information. (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
What makes you YOU? Today there is a growing need for outstanding business leaders who excel in their field and adapt quickly to the changing needs of the market. Companies look to us for future leaders - people whose expertise and entrepreneurial abilities are flexible and suit a variety of leadership roles. Your drive and motivation and the individual qualities that you bring to the table are your best selling points and are what will enrich your team members most. It is this individuality, together with the diversity at ESADE and our commitment to leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship that make us what we are: a talent pool for the business leaders of tomorrow. The following questions are designed to help us get a more complete picture of who you are and the impact that you will have both here at ESADE and on society after completing your MBA. Please respond openly, explaining what makes you the person that you are and who you will become.
Essay 1. Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2. How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished). (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3. What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (2000 characters maximum including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4. Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters maximum including spaces per response)
a) I am most proud of...
b) People may be surprised to learn that I...
c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
Essay 5. Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include gaps in employment, your undergraduate record, plans to retake the GMAT or any other relevant information. (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 1. Write a brief explanation of your most important professional and personal achievements to date. (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2. What do you consider your most powerful strength or asset? Describe a situation where you demonstrated this strength or asset. (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3. If you could pick the one quality that characterizes a good leader, which would you choose and why? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4. What are your mid- and long-term goals after doing the MBA? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 5. Is there anything you have not mentioned in the essays that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 1. Write a brief explanation of your most important professional and personal achievements to date. (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2. What do you consider your most powerful strength or asset? Describe a situation where you demonstrated this strength or asset. (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3. If you could pick the one quality that characterizes a good leader, which would you choose and why? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4. What are your mid- and long-term goals after doing the MBA? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 5. Is there anything you have not mentioned in the essays that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 1. Write a brief explanation of your most important professional and personal achievements to date. (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 2. What do you consider your most powerful strength or asset? Describe a situation where you demonstrated this strength or asset. (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 3. If you could pick the one quality that characterizes a good leader, which would you choose and why? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 4. What are your mid- and long-term goals after doing the MBA? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
Essay 5. Is there anything you have not mentioned in the essays that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)
As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?
As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?
As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?
As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?
As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?
There is one question for the Class of 2018. It's the first day of class at HBS. You are in Aldrich Hall meeting your "section." This is the group of 90 classmates who will become your close companions in the first-year MBA classroom. Our signature case method participant-based learning model ensures that you will get to know each other very well. The bonds you collectively create throughout this shared experience will be lasting.
Introduce yourself.
Note: Should you enroll at HBS, there will be an opportunity for you to share this with them. We suggest you view this video before beginning to write. There is no word limit for this question. We think you know what guidance we're going to give here. Don't overthink, overcraft and overwrite. Just answer the question in clear language that those of us who don't know your world can understand.
You're applying to Harvard Business School. We can see your resume, school transcripts, extra-curricular activities, awards, post-MBA career goals, test scores and what your recommenders have to say about you. What else would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy? Use your judgment as to how much to tell us. We don't have a "right answer" or "correct length" in mind. We review all the elements of your written application to decide who moves forward to the interview stage.
Essay: You're applying to Harvard Business School. We can see your resume, school transcripts, extra-curricular activities, awards, post-MBA career goals, test scores and what your recommenders have to say about you. What else would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?
There is no word limit for this question. Don't overthink, overcraft and overwrite. Just answer the question in clear language that those of us who don't know your world can understand.
Harvard's mix of required and choice essays offers excellent scope for presenting a multi-faceted candidature to the admissions committee. This year, the second essay is longer and the options section has been expanded to include absolutely any question you want. These essays can (and should) bring out the best in you. Do your best!
Essay 1: Tell us about three of your accomplishments. (600 words)
Essay 2: Tell us three setbacks you have faced. (600 words)
Essay 3: Why do you want an MBA? (400 words)
Essay 4: Answer a question you wish we'd asked. (400 words)
Essay 1: What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)
Essay 2: What have you learned from a mistake? (400-word limit)
Essay 3: Please respond to two of the following (400-word limit each)
Essay 3.1: What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience?
Essay 3.2: What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you?
Essay 3.3: Tell us about a time in your professional experience when you were frustrated or disappointed.
Essay 3.4: When you join the HBS Class of 2013, how will you introduce yourself to your new classmates?
Except for the two new choice essays the essay questions in this year's HBS application remain substantially the same. An essay package that offers excellent scope to present a multi-faceted candidature to the Harvard admissions committee.
Essay 1: What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)
Essay 2: What have you learned from a mistake? (400-word limit)
Essay 3: Please respond to two of the following (400-word limit each)
Essay 3.1: What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience?
Essay 3.2: Discuss how you have engaged with a community or organization.
Essay 3.3: Tell us about a time when you made a difficult decision.
Essay 3.4: Write a cover letter to your application introducing yourself to the Admissions Board.
Essay 3.5: What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you?
Essay 1: What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)
Essay 2: What have you learned from a mistake? (400-word limit)
Essay 3: Please respond to two of the following (400-word limit each)
Essay 3.2: Discuss how you have engaged with a community or organization.
Essay 3.3: What area of the world are you most curious about and why?
Essay 3.4: What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you?
Essay 1: What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)
Essay 2: What have you learned from a mistake? (400-word limit)
Essay 3: Please respond to two of the following (400-word limit each)
Essay 3.2: Discuss how you have engaged with a community or organization.
Essay 3.3: What area of the world are you most curious about and why?
Essay 3.4: What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you?
Essay 1: What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience?
Essay 2: What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)
Essay 3: Discuss a defining experience in your leadership development. How did this experience highlight your strengths and weaknesses as a leader? (400-word limit)
Essay 4: In your career, you will have to deal with many ethical issues. What are likely to be the most challenging and what is your plan for developing the competencies you will need to handle these issues effectively? (400-word limit)
Essay 5: What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you? (400-word limit)
Essay 6: What other information do you believe would be helpful to the Board in understanding you better and in considering your application? (400-word limit)
Essay 1. In which direction do you wish to take your career by pursuing an MBA at HEC Montréal? (500 words maximum)
Four Video Essays: Within one week of submitting your application, you will receive a link to a web-based video interview platform. Using this platform, you will spontaneously answer four pre-recorded questions, the answers to which will allow us to get to know you better. You will have up to seven days to complete this video interview.
Essay 1. In which direction do you wish to take your career by pursuing an MBA at HEC Montréal? (500 words maximum)
Four Video Essays: Within one week of submitting your application, you will receive a link to a web-based video interview platform. Using this platform, you will spontaneously answer four pre-recorded questions, the answers to which will allow us to get to know you better. You will have up to seven days to complete this video interview.
Essay 1. In which direction do you wish to take your career by pursuing an MBA at HEC Montréal? (500 words maximum)
Essay 1. The HEC Montreal MBA program is based on shared experiences and emphasizes collaborative learning. In view of this approach, tell us what you hope to learn from your MBA colleagues to help you achieve your personal and professional goals (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 1. Describe your strengths and weaknesses and explain how you manage these personality traits in your everyday life.
Essay 2. Why are you interested in obtaining an MBA and why have you chosen the HEC Montreal MBA program?
Essay 3. Describe a personal achievement that allowed you to distinguish yourself and explain why you are proud of this achievement.
Answering each of the following questions is compulsory. Each answer must be about 750 words long.
Essay 1. Describe your strengths and weaknesses and explain how you manage these personality traits in your everyday life.
Essay 2. Why are you interested in obtaining an MBA and why have you chosen the HEC Montreal MBA program?
Essay 3. Describe a personal achievement that allowed you to distinguish yourself and explain why you are proud of this achievement.
Answering each of the following questions is compulsory. Each answer must be about 750 words long.
Essay 1. Tell us who you are by focusing on what you believe are your strengths and your weaknesses, and list the main things that have influenced your personal development. (about 750 words)
Essay 2. List your career goals and specify how getting an MBA at HEC Montreal will help you reach them. (about 750 words)
Essay 3. Other than work, what are you most passionate about? (about 750 words)
Essay 4. Describe a personal accomplishment of which you are particularly proud, and explain the role you played in it. (about 750 words)
Answer the following questions on separate sheets (attach the sheets to the last page of the application). Answering each of the following questions is compulsory. Each answer must be about 750 words long.
Essay 1. Tell us who you are by focusing on what you believe are your strengths and your weaknesses, and list the main things that have influenced your personal development. (about 750 words)
Essay 2. List your career goals and specify how getting an MBA at HEC Montreal will help you reach them. (about 750 words)
Essay 3. Other than work, what are you most passionate about? (about 750 words)
Essay 4. Describe a personal accomplishment of which you are particularly proud, and explain the role you played in it. (about 750 words)
Answer the following questions on separate sheets (attach the sheets to the last page of the application). Answering each of the following questions is compulsory. Each answer must be about 750 words long.
Essay 1. Tell us who you are by focusing on what you believe are your strengths and your weaknesses, and list the main things that have influenced your personal development. (about 750 words)
Essay 2. List your career goals and specify how getting an MBA at HEC Montreal will help you reach them. (about 750 words)
Essay 3. Other than work, what are you most passionate about? (about 750 words)
Essay 4. Describe a personal accomplishment of which you are particularly proud, and explain the role you played in it. (about 750 words)
Answer the following questions on separate sheets (attach the sheets to the last page of the application). Answering each of the following questions is compulsory. Each answer must be about 750 words long.
Essay 1. Describe yourself, emphasising your strengths and weaknesses and the major influences that have shaped your personality.
Essay 2. How can an MBA from HEC Montreal help you achieve your career goals?
Essay 3. Besides work, what passions are you driven by?
Essay 4. Describe a personal accomplishment you are proud of and explain the part you played in it.
Answer the following questions on separate sheets (attach the sheets to the last page of the application). Answering each of the following questions is compulsory. Each answer must be about 750 words long.
Essay 1. Describe yourself, emphasising your strengths and weaknesses and the major influences that have shaped your personality.
Essay 2. How can an MBA from HEC Montreal help you achieve your career goals?
Essay 3. Besides work, what passions are you driven by?
Essay 4. Describe a personal accomplishment you are proud of and explain the part you played in it.
Answer the following questions on separate sheets (attach the sheets to the last page of the application). Answering each of the following questions is compulsory. Each answer must be about 750 words long.
Essay 1. Describe yourself, emphasising your strengths and weaknesses and the major influences that have shaped your personality.
Essay 2. How can an MBA from HEC Montreal help you achieve your career goals?
Essay 3. Besides work, what passions are you driven by?
Essay 4. Describe a personal accomplishment you are proud of and explain the part you played in it.
Why are you applying to the HEC MBA Program now? What is the professional objective that will guide your career choice after your MBA, and how will the HEC MBA contribute to the achievement of this objective? (500 words)
Essay 1 Tips. You have already described what you want to do in the online application. Use this space to expand up on the role and give rationale for your choices. What do you aspire to achieve in your career, what motivation will guide you? An easy way to look at that might be sign from your past. What objectives have guided your past career choices?
Ideally both MBA and your short-term goals will lead smoothly into your long-term goal. Things might change, life might change and you might end up somewhere else but assuming few basics of your career path will stay the same- the logic of why MBA and why HEC should clearly connect with your long-term career aspirations.
'Why now' should be addressed concisely giving reasons deriving from your personal or professional aspects of life.
Essay 2. What do you consider your most significant life achievement? (250 words)
Essay 2 Tips. This essays seeks to know your character and personality.
Think about the times in your life when you have been most proud of your accomplishments, usually these would be the most significant achievements in your life.
if there are a couple of different achievements you can talk about, look at what qualities and traits let you become successful for each. Are these the qualities that make you a strong candidate for HEC? Are these the qualities that you want to share with the adcom? If so, then you know what accomplishment to talk about.
Essay 3. Leadership and ethics are inevitably intertwined in the business world. Describe a situation in which you have dealt with these issues and how they have influenced you. (250 words)
Essay 3 Tips. In other words, when did you face an ethical dilemma while you were in a leadership role?
When you are in position of authority, you have to make many choices and take many decisions that have far reaching consequences. Not all choices might be easily be seen as a good or bad, so how do you decide? What factors you considered and what values drove you to your decisions?
Describe the situation, give details about the dilemma and take the reader through your thought process and your emotions. Don't forget to address the last part of the question- how have your choices influenced you?
Essay 4. Imagine a life entirely different from the one you now lead, what would it be? (250 words)
Essay 4 Tips. In other words, when did you face an ethical dilemma while you were in a leadership role?
Ah, an option to send your creative juices flowing!
You are defined in this life by your birth, circumstances, background, profession, geography, people, interests, responsibilities, dreams.. ALL this and much more consists of your current life.
So what do you want to be?!
Essay 5. Please choose from one of the following essays: (250 words)
Essay 5 Tips. A. What monument or site would you advise a first-time visitor to your country or city to discover, and why?
The WHY part of the question will reveal how you think, what you value and hold important. You can pick almost any monument! It will your reasons for why you chose it, that will make or break the answer.
B. Certain books, movies or plays have had an international success that you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyze it.
Another quirky question!
An deserved success in your opinion would mean that the particular piece of art was low on its merit. So that begs to know- what do you consider good art? And what was poor/bad/wrong about this example?
If possible pick a recent and well-known example, that way you can avoid the risk of adcom not knowing about it.
C. What figure do you most admire and why? You may choose from any field (arts, literature, politics, business, etc).
Quite like the essay A, more than who you talk about- the WHY part of the question will truly reveal your personality and character.
You only have 250 words, so keep most of the word counts about yourself. Even while describing and writing about admiring someone else, the focus should be on YOU.
Why are you applying to the HEC MBA Program now? What is the professional objective that will guide your career choice after your MBA, and how will the HEC MBA contribute to the achievement of this objective? (500 words)
Essay 1 Tips. You have already described what you want to do in the online application. Use this space to expand up on the role and give rationale for your choices. What do you aspire to achieve in your career, what motivation will guide you? An easy way to look at that might be sign from your past. What objectives have guided your past career choices?
Ideally both MBA and your short-term goals will lead smoothly into your long-term goal. Things might change, life might change and you might end up somewhere else but assuming few basics of your career path will stay the same- the logic of why MBA and why HEC should clearly connect with your long-term career aspirations.
'Why now' should be addressed concisely giving reasons deriving from your personal or professional aspects of life.
Essay 2. What do you consider your most significant life achievement? (250 words)
Essay 2 Tips. This essays seeks to know your character and personality.
Think about the times in your life when you have been most proud of your accomplishments, usually these would be the most significant achievements in your life.
if there are a couple of different achievements you can talk about, look at what qualities and traits let you become successful for each. Are these the qualities that make you a strong candidate for HEC? Are these the qualities that you want to share with the adcom? If so, then you know what accomplishment to talk about.
Essay 3. Leadership and ethics are inevitably intertwined in the business world. Describe a situation in which you have dealt with these issues and how they have influenced you. (250 words)
Essay 3 Tips. In other words, when did you face an ethical dilemma while you were in a leadership role?
When you are in position of authority, you have to make many choices and take many decisions that have far reaching consequences. Not all choices might be easily be seen as a good or bad, so how do you decide? What factors you considered and what values drove you to your decisions?
Describe the situation, give details about the dilemma and take the reader through your thought process and your emotions. Don't forget to address the last part of the question- how have your choices influenced you?
Essay 4. Imagine a life entirely different from the one you now lead, what would it be? (250 words)
Essay 4 Tips. In other words, when did you face an ethical dilemma while you were in a leadership role?
Ah, an option to send your creative juices flowing!
You are defined in this life by your birth, circumstances, background, profession, geography, people, interests, responsibilities, dreams.. ALL this and much more consists of your current life.
So what do you want to be?!
Essay 5. Please choose from one of the following essays: (250 words)
Essay 5 Tips. A. What monument or site would you advise a first-time visitor to your country or city to discover, and why?
The WHY part of the question will reveal how you think, what you value and hold important. You can pick almost any monument! It will your reasons for why you chose it, that will make or break the answer.
B. Certain books, movies or plays have had an international success that you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyze it.
Another quirky question!
An deserved success in your opinion would mean that the particular piece of art was low on its merit. So that begs to know- what do you consider good art? And what was poor/bad/wrong about this example?
If possible pick a recent and well-known example, that way you can avoid the risk of adcom not knowing about it.
C. What figure do you most admire and why? You may choose from any field (arts, literature, politics, business, etc).
Quite like the essay A, more than who you talk about- the WHY part of the question will truly reveal your personality and character.
You only have 250 words, so keep most of the word counts about yourself. Even while describing and writing about admiring someone else, the focus should be on YOU.
Why are you applying to the HEC MBA Program now? What is the professional objective that will guide your career choice after your MBA, and how will the HEC MBA contribute to the achievement of this objective? (500 words)
Essay 1 Tips. You have already described what you want to do in the online application. Use this space to expand up on the role and give rationale for your choices. What do you aspire to achieve in your career, what motivation will guide you? An easy way to look at that might be sign from your past. What objectives have guided your past career choices?
Ideally both MBA and your short-term goals will lead smoothly into your long-term goal. Things might change, life might change and you might end up somewhere else but assuming few basics of your career path will stay the same- the logic of why MBA and why HEC should clearly connect with your long-term career aspirations.
'Why now' should be addressed concisely giving reasons deriving from your personal or professional aspects of life.
Essay 2. What do you consider your most significant life achievement? (250 words)
Essay 2 Tips. This essays seeks to know your character and personality.
Think about the times in your life when you have been most proud of your accomplishments, usually these would be the most significant achievements in your life.
if there are a couple of different achievements you can talk about, look at what qualities and traits let you become successful for each. Are these the qualities that make you a strong candidate for HEC? Are these the qualities that you want to share with the adcom? If so, then you know what accomplishment to talk about.
Essay 3. Leadership and ethics are inevitably intertwined in the business world. Describe a situation in which you have dealt with these issues and how they have influenced you. (250 words)
Essay 3 Tips. In other words, when did you face an ethical dilemma while you were in a leadership role?
When you are in position of authority, you have to make many choices and take many decisions that have far reaching consequences. Not all choices might be easily be seen as a good or bad, so how do you decide? What factors you considered and what values drove you to your decisions?
Describe the situation, give details about the dilemma and take the reader through your thought process and your emotions. Don't forget to address the last part of the question- how have your choices influenced you?
Essay 4. Imagine a life entirely different from the one you now lead, what would it be? (250 words)
Essay 4 Tips. In other words, when did you face an ethical dilemma while you were in a leadership role?
Ah, an option to send your creative juices flowing!
You are defined in this life by your birth, circumstances, background, profession, geography, people, interests, responsibilities, dreams.. ALL this and much more consists of your current life.
So what do you want to be?!
Essay 5. Please choose from one of the following essays: (250 words)
Essay 5 Tips. A. What monument or site would you advise a first-time visitor to your country or city to discover, and why?
The WHY part of the question will reveal how you think, what you value and hold important. You can pick almost any monument! It will your reasons for why you chose it, that will make or break the answer.
B. Certain books, movies or plays have had an international success that you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyze it.
Another quirky question!
An deserved success in your opinion would mean that the particular piece of art was low on its merit. So that begs to know- what do you consider good art? And what was poor/bad/wrong about this example?
If possible pick a recent and well-known example, that way you can avoid the risk of adcom not knowing about it.
C. What figure do you most admire and why? You may choose from any field (arts, literature, politics, business, etc).
Quite like the essay A, more than who you talk about- the WHY part of the question will truly reveal your personality and character.
You only have 250 words, so keep most of the word counts about yourself. Even while describing and writing about admiring someone else, the focus should be on YOU.
Optional Essay. Is there any additional information you would like to share with us? (900 words)
Optional Essay Tips. First decide whether you need to write this essay at all.
Attempt this essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit a optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel that the quality of your earlier essays is improvable – in that case simply redouble your efforts in those essays and leave the optional essay alone.
You could use this space to explain shortfalls in your application which you feel are truly detrimental to your candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or events which stick out such as gaps in your resumes or a previous MBA or academic disciplinary actions are possible reasons why you attempt this optional essay. Comment on your shortcomings with intelligence, perspective and credibility: giving vague excuses or blaming xyz for failures will be totally counter-productive. Explain the issue clearly and maintain greater focus on the correction for the issue. For example, if you had a disciplinary issue in college, spend most of the space demonstrating what you learned from the experience and how you have been a better person/ student/ citizen ever since.
OR, you could use this this essay to highlight exceptional aspects of your candidature that could not be accommodated in the previous two essays. Since this essay does not have to be limited to a single theme or event, disparate yet impressive info points can be quoted.
If you are certain that this new essay is a robust constructive addition to your candidacy, start working on it!
Essay 1. What do you consider your most significant life achievement? (250 words)
Essay 1 Tips. You have already described what you want to do in the online application. Use this space to expand up on the role and give rationale for your choices. What do you aspire to achieve in your career, what motivation will guide you? An easy way to look at that might be sign from your past. What objectives have guided your past career choices?
Ideally both MBA and your short-term goals will lead smoothly into your long-term goal. Things might change, life might change and you might end up somewhere else but assuming few basics of your career path will stay the same- the logic of why MBA and why HEC should clearly connect with your long-term career aspirations.
'Why now' should be addressed concisely giving reasons deriving from your personal or professional aspects of life.
Essay 2. What do you consider your most significant life achievement? (250 words)
Essay 2 Tips. This essays seeks to know your character and personality.
Think about the times in your life when you have been most proud of your accomplishments, usually these would be the most significant achievements in your life.
if there are a couple of different achievements you can talk about, look at what qualities and traits let you become successful for each. Are these the qualities that make you a strong candidate for HEC? Are these the qualities that you want to share with the adcom? If so, then you know what accomplishment to talk about.
Essay 3. Leadership and ethics are inevitably intertwined in the business world. Describe a situation in which you have dealt with these issues and how they have influenced you. (250 words)
Essay 3 Tips. In other words, when did you face an ethical dilemma while you were in a leadership role?
When you are in position of authority, you have to make many choices and take many decisions that have far reaching consequences. Not all choices might be easily be seen as a good or bad, so how do you decide? What factors you considered and what values drove you to your decisions?
Describe the situation, give details about the dilemma and take the reader through your thought process and your emotions. Don't forget to address the last part of the question- how have your choices influenced you?
Essay 4. Imagine a life entirely different from the one you now lead, what would it be? (250 words)
Essay 4 Tips. In other words, when did you face an ethical dilemma while you were in a leadership role?
Ah, an option to send your creative juices flowing!
You are defined in this life by your birth, circumstances, background, profession, geography, people, interests, responsibilities, dreams.. ALL this and much more consists of your current life.
So what do you want to be?!
Essay 5. Please choose from one of the following essays: (250 words)
Essay 5 Tips. A. What monument or site would you advise a first-time visitor to your country or city to discover, and why?
The WHY part of the question will reveal how you think, what you value and hold important. You can pick almost any monument! It will your reasons for why you chose it, that will make or break the answer.
B. Certain books, movies or plays have had an international success that you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyze it.
Another quirky question!
An deserved success in your opinion would mean that the particular piece of art was low on its merit. So that begs to know- what do you consider good art? And what was poor/bad/wrong about this example?
If possible pick a recent and well-known example, that way you can avoid the risk of adcom not knowing about it.
C. What figure do you most admire and why? You may choose from any field (arts, literature, politics, business, etc).
Quite like the essay A, more than who you talk about- the WHY part of the question will truly reveal your personality and character.
You only have 250 words, so keep most of the word counts about yourself. Even while describing and writing about admiring someone else, the focus should be on YOU.
Optional Essay. Is there any additional information you would like to share with us? (900 words)
Optional Essay Tips. First decide whether you need to write this essay at all.
Attempt this essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit a optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel that the quality of your earlier essays is improvable – in that case simply redouble your efforts in those essays and leave the optional essay alone.
You could use this space to explain shortfalls in your application which you feel are truly detrimental to your candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or events which stick out such as gaps in your resumes or a previous MBA or academic disciplinary actions are possible reasons why you attempt this optional essay. Comment on your shortcomings with intelligence, perspective and credibility: giving vague excuses or blaming xyz for failures will be totally counter-productive. Explain the issue clearly and maintain greater focus on the correction for the issue. For example, if you had a disciplinary issue in college, spend most of the space demonstrating what you learned from the experience and how you have been a better person/ student/ citizen ever since.
OR, you could use this this essay to highlight exceptional aspects of your candidature that could not be accommodated in the previous two essays. Since this essay does not have to be limited to a single theme or event, disparate yet impressive info points can be quoted.
If you are certain that this new essay is a robust constructive addition to your candidacy, start working on it!
Essay 1. If you had to come up with a motto for your life, what would it be and why? Please give an example of how you have demonstrated it (word limit 300 max)
Essay 2. What are your short and medium term post MBA career goals and how will IESE help you achieve them? (word limit 300 max)
Optional Essay. I wish that the application had asked me... (200 word limit)
Essay 1. What do you want to be remembered for? (word limit 300 max)
Essay 2. What are your short and medium term post MBA career goals and how will IESE help you achieve them? (word limit 300 max)
Optional Essay. I wish that the application had asked me... (200 word limit)
Essay 1. How do you expect to be changed by your experience at IESE and what impact you would like to make after your MBA? (word limit 300 max)
Essay 2. What are your short and medium term post MBA career goals and how will IESE help you achieve them? (word limit 300 max)
Optional Essay. I wish that the application had asked me... (200 word limit)
Essay 1. Briefly describe your career aspirations immediately after MBA. Please try to be as specific as possible by giving examples of position, Country and Company you would like to work in: (200 word limit)
Essay 2. Please answer ONE (and only one) of the following two questions. (300 words)
- If you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you see? Please give examples of both your strengths & weaknesses.
- Describe a recent situation (1-2 years ago maximum) that demonstrates your fit with IESE's mission and value
Essay 3. I wish that the application had asked me... (200 word limit)
Essay 1 How do you think IESE can help you achieve your post-MBA goals. (200 words)
Essay 2 Describe a recent professional situation (1-2 years ago maximum) that demonstrates your fit with IESE's mission and values (300 words)
Essay 3 I wish that the application had asked me... (200 word limit)
This essay can be submitted either written (200 words) or as a video (max 2:00 minutes total in length). We are aware that you are not a media professional.
Essay 1 In the style of a "Tweet", sum up clearly and concisely your post-MBA goals. (280 characters)
Essay 2 Describe a recent professional situation (1-2 years ago maximum) that demonstrates your fit with IESE's mission and values (300 words)
Essay 3 I wish that the application had asked me... (200 word limit)
Essay 1: Describe your short-term and long-term career goals (post MBA). (300 word limit)
Essay 2: Describe two substantial accomplishments and one failure in a professional or private endeavour. (600 word limit)
Essay 3: I wish that the application had asked me... (200 word limit)
Scholarship Essay 1: In addition to the academic and professional activities already mentioned, describe any other activities in which you were or are currently involved. This includes university, college, community, athletic, political and cultural organizations, articles published, awards won, professional titles obtained, etc. (200 word limit)
Scholarship Essay 2: How do you plan to finance the IESE MBA and what financial needs do you think justify awarding a scholarship in your case? (200 word limit)
Essay 1: Please describe your short term professional goals (post MBA). (200 word limit)
Essay 2: Please describe your long term professional goals (post MBA). (200 word limit)
Essay 3: Describe two substantial accomplishments and one failure in a professional or private endeavour. (600 word limit)
Essay 4: Describe your job responsibilities. (250 word limit)
Essay 5: Describe the most difficult project (personal or professional) that you have faced recently (within last two years). (200 word limit)
Essay 6: I wish that the application had asked me... (200 word limit)
Essay 1: Please describe your short term professional goals (post MBA). (200 word limit)
Essay 2: Please describe your long term professional goals (post MBA). (200 word limit)
Essay 3: Describe two substantial accomplishments and one failure in a professional or private endeavour. (600 word limit)
Essay 4: Describe your job responsibilities. (250 word limit)
Essay 5: Describe the most difficult project (personal or professional) that you have faced recently (within last two years). (200 word limit)
Essay 6: I wish that the application had asked me... (200 word limit)
Essay 1: Please describe your short term professional goals (post MBA). (200 word limit)
Essay 2: Please describe your long term professional goals (post MBA). (200 word limit)
Essay 3: Describe two substantial accomplishments and one failure in a professional or private endeavour. (600 word limit)
Essay 4: Describe your job responsibilities. (250 word limit)
Essay 5: Describe the most difficult project (personal or professional) that you have faced recently (within last two years). (200 word limit)
Essay 6: I wish that the application had asked me... (200 word limit)
Essay 1: Please describe your short term professional goals (post MBA). (200 word limit)
Essay 2: Please describe your long term professional goals (post MBA). (200 word limit)
Essay 3: Describe two substantial accomplishments and one failure in a professional or private endeavour. (600 word limit)
Essay 4: Describe a recent situation (within last two years) in which you used a contact from your network to achieve a personal or professional objective. (250 word limit)
Essay 5: Describe the most difficult project (personal or professional) that you have faced recently (within last two years). (200 word limit)
Essay 6: Describe a recent situation (within last two years) in which it was difficult to convince others. (200 word limit)
Essay 7: I wish that the application had asked me (200 word limit)
Essay 1: Please describe your short term professional goals (post MBA). (200 word limit)
Essay 2: Please describe your long term professional goals (post MBA). (200 word limit)
Essay 3: Describe two substantial accomplishments and one failure in a professional or private endeavour. (600 word limit)
Essay 4: Describe a recent situation (within last two years) in which you used a contact from your network to achieve a personal or professional objective. (250 word limit)
Essay 5: Describe the most difficult project (personal or professional) that you have faced recently (within last two years). (200 word limit)
Essay 6: Describe a recent situation (within last two years) in which it was difficult to convince others. (200 word limit)
Essay 7: I wish that the application had asked me (200 word limit)
IIMA Essays 2020-2021
Essay 1. Why do you want to do an MBA during these uncertain times? How does that align with your future career goals? Please speculate on your five and ten-year post MBA career trajectory? (1000 words)
Essay 2. What is so special about you that professors and peers would like to have you in the class? (500 words)
Essay 1. Describe the most challenging situation you encountered in your career and how you managed it? What were your learning’s? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe a situation where you demonstrated your leadership abilities (500 words)
Essay 1. Describe your best day at work.
Essay 2. Why would you not like to go back to your last organization?
Essay 1. What do you expect to gain from the PGPX course at IIMA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe an event that has influenced your life and demonstrated leadership qualities. (500 words)
Note: IIMA-PGPX Essays submission is for short-listed applicants only. Typically candidates get hardly 10-15 days time for creating the essays once the shortlist is announced. So it is highly advisable to spend some time to shortlist essay stories and arrive at possible themes for the essays well before the shortlist is announced.
Essay 1. What do you expect to gain from the PGPX course at IIMA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe an event that has influenced your life and demonstrated leadership qualities. (500 words)
Note: IIMA-PGPX Essays submission is for short-listed applicants only. Typically candidates get hardly 10-15 days time for creating the essays once the shortlist is announced. So it is highly advisable to spend some time to shortlist essay stories and arrive at possible themes for the essays well before the shortlist is announced.
Essay 1. What do you expect to gain from the PGPX course at IIMA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe an event that has influenced your life and demonstrated leadership qualities. (500 words)
Note: IIMA-PGPX Essays submission is for short-listed applicants only. Typically candidates get hardly 10-15 days time for creating the essays once the shortlist is announced. So it is highly advisable to spend some time to shortlist essay stories and arrive at possible themes for the essays well before the shortlist is announced.
Essay 1. What do you expect to gain from the PGPX course at IIMA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe an event that has influenced your life and demonstrated leadership qualities. (500 words)
Note: IIMA-PGPX Essays submission is for short-listed applicants only. Typically candidates get hardly 10-15 days time for creating the essays once the shortlist is announced. So it is highly advisable to spend some time to shortlist essay stories and arrive at possible themes for the essays well before the shortlist is announced.
Essay 1. What do you expect to gain from the PGPX course at IIMA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe an event that has influenced your life and demonstrated leadership qualities. (500 words)
Essay 1. What do you expect to gain from the PGPX at IIMA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe a situation that demonstrated your leadership qualities. (500 words)
Essay 3. Describe the single event or achievement that has significantly influenced your life. (500 words)
Essay 4. Give a description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel are your strengths and weaknesses. (500 words)
Essay 5 (Optional). Any other information that you believe may help us make a favorable decision on your application.
Essay 1. What do you expect to gain from the PGPX at IIMA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe a situation that demonstrated your leadership qualities. (500 words)
Essay 3. Describe the single event or achievement that has significantly influenced your life. (500 words)
Essay 4. Give a description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel are your strengths and weaknesses. (500 words)
Essay 5 (Optional). Any other information that you believe may help us make a favorable decision on your application.
Essay 1. What do you expect to gain from the PGPX at IIMA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe a situation that demonstrated your leadership qualities. (500 words)
Essay 3. Describe the single event or achievement that has significantly influenced your life. (500 words)
Essay 4. Give a description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel are your strengths and weaknesses. (500 words)
Essay 5 (Optional). Any other information that you believe may help us make a favorable decision on your application.
Essay 1. What do you expect to gain from the PGPX at IIMA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe a situation that demonstrated your leadership qualities. (500 words)
Essay 3. Describe the single event or achievement that has significantly influenced your life. (500 words)
Essay 4. Give a description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel are your strengths and weaknesses. (500 words)
Essay 5 (Optional). Any other information that you believe may help us make a favorable decision on your application.
Job Essay 1: Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/ products and results achieved. What would be your next step in terms of position If you were to remain in the same company?(350 words max.)
Job Essay 2: What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company? (short answer) is required
Job Essay 3: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. It should be written as if you were talking someone at a social gathering detailing your career path with the rationale behind your choices. Discuss your short and long term career aspirations. (350 words max.)
Job Essay 4: Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (short answer) is required
Job Optional Essay: If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself (who you are as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (600 words max.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others. Comment on what you learned. (400 words max.)
Personal Essay 3: Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, politics, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (approximately 300 words)
Job Essay 1: Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/ products and results achieved. What would be your next step in terms of position If you were to remain in the same company?(350 words max.)
Job Essay 2: What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company? (short answer) is required
Job Essay 3: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. It should be written as if you were talking someone at a social gathering detailing your career path with the rationale behind your choices. Discuss your short and long term career aspirations. (350 words max.)
Job Essay 4: Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (short answer) is required
Job Optional Essay: If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself (who you are as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (600 words max.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others. Comment on what you learned. (400 words max.)
Personal Essay 3: Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, politics, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (approximately 300 words)
Job Essay 1: Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/ products and results achieved. What would be your next step in terms of position If you were to remain in the same company?(350 words max.)
Job Essay 2: What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company? (short answer) is required
Job Essay 3: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. It should be written as if you were talking someone at a social gathering detailing your career path with the rationale behind your choices. Discuss your short and long term career aspirations. (350 words max.)
Job Essay 4: Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (short answer) is required
Job Optional Essay: If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself (who you are as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (600 words max.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others. Comment on what you learned. (400 words max.)
Personal Essay 3: Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, politics, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (approximately 300 words)
Job Essay 1: Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/ products and results achieved. What would be your next step in terms of position If you were to remain in the same company?(350 words max.)
Job Essay 2: What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company? (short answer) is required
Job Essay 3: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. It should be written as if you were talking someone at a social gathering detailing your career path with the rationale behind your choices. Discuss your short and long term career aspirations. (350 words max.)
Job Essay 4: Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (short answer) is required
Job Optional Essay: If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself (who you are as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (600 words max.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others. Comment on what you learned. (400 words max.)
Personal Essay 3: Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, politics, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (approximately 300 words)
Job Essay 1: Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/ products and results achieved. What would be your next step in terms of position If you were to remain in the same company?(350 words max.)
Job Essay 2: What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company? (short answer) is required
Job Essay 3: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. It should be written as if you were talking someone at a social gathering detailing your career path with the rationale behind your choices. Discuss your short and long term career aspirations. (350 words max.)
Job Essay 4: Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (short answer) is required
Job Optional Essay: If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself (who you are as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (600 words max.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others. Comment on what you learned. (400 words max.)
Personal Essay 3: Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, politics, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (approximately 300 words)
Job Essay 1: Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/ products and results achieved. What would be your next step in terms of position If you were to remain in the same company?(350 words max.)
Job Essay 2: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. It should be written as if you were talking someone at a social gathering detailing your career path with the rationale behind your choices. Discuss your short and long term career aspirations. (350 words max.)
Job Optional Essay: If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself (who you are as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (600 words max.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others. Comment on what you learned. (400 words max.)
Personal Essay 3: Tell us about an experience where you were significantly impacted by cultural diversity, in a positive or negative way. (300 words max.)
Optional Essay: Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (300 words maximum)
Reapplicant Essay: In case of reapplication, please provide an update on any new aspects of your professional, international, academic or personal profile that would not have been included in your previous application. Please also explain your motivation for re-applying to INSEAD. (400 words maximum)
Job Essay 1: Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/ products and results achieved. What would be your next step in terms of position If you were to remain in the same company?(350 words max.)
Job Essay 2: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. It should be written as if you were talking someone at a social gathering detailing your career path with the rationale behind your choices. Discuss your short and long term career aspirations. (350 words max.)
Job Optional Essay: If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme.
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself (who you are as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (600 words max.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others. Comment on what you learned. (400 words max.)
Personal Essay 3: Tell us about an experience where you were significantly impacted by cultural diversity, in a positive or negative way. (300 words max.)
Personal Essay 4: Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time
Optional Essay: Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (300 words maximum)
Reapplicant Essay: In case of reapplication, please provide an update on any new aspects of your professional, international, academic or personal profile that would not have been included in your previous application. Please also explain your motivation for re-applying to INSEAD. (400 words maximum)
Job Essay 1: Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/ products and results achieved. (250 words maximum)
Job Essay 2: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. If you were to remain with your present employer, what would be your next step in terms of position? (250 words maximum)
Job Essay 3: If you are currently not working, what are you doing and what do you plan to do until you start the MBA programme? (250 words maximum)
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (600 words maximum)
Personal Essay 2: 2. Describe what you believe to be your two most substantial accomplishments to date (if possible specify one personal and one professional), explaining why you view them as such. (400 words maximum)
Personal Essay 3: Describe a situation taken from your personal or professional life where you failed. Discuss what you learned. (400 words maximum)
Personal Essay 4: a) Have you ever experienced culture shock? What insights did you gain? (250 words maximum)
b) Describe the ways in which a foreigner in your country might experience culture shock. (250 words maximum)
Personal Essay 5: Please choose one of the following two essay topics:
a) Discuss your short and long term career goals. (300 words maximum)
b) How will studying at INSEAD help you achieve your vision? (250 words maximum)
Optional Essay: Is there anything that you have not mentioned in your application that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (350 words maximum)
Reapplicant Essay: In case of reapplication, please provide an update on any new aspects of your professional, international, academic or personal profile that would not have been included in your previous application. Please also explain your motivation for re-applying to INSEAD. (400 words maximum)
Job Essay 1: Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/ products and results achieved. (250 words maximum)
Job Essay 2: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. If you were to remain with your present employer, what would be your next step in terms of position? (250 words maximum)
Job Essay 3: If you are currently not working, what are you doing and what do you plan to do until you start the MBA programme? (250 words maximum)
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (600 words maximum)
Personal Essay 2: Describe what you believe to be your two most substantial accomplishments to date (if possible specify one personal and one professional), explaining why you view them as such. (400 words maximum)
Personal Essay 3: Describe a situation taken from your personal or professional life where you failed. Discuss what you learned. (400 words maximum)
Personal Essay 4:
a) Discuss your short and long term career goals. (300 words maximum)
b) How will studying at INSEAD help you achieve your vision? (250 words maximum)
Personal Essay 5: Please choose one of the following two essay topics:
a) Have you ever experienced culture shock? What insights did you gain? (250 words maximum)
b) Describe the ways in which a foreigner in your country might experience culture shock. (250 words maximum)
Optional Essay: Is there anything that you have not mentioned in your application that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (350 words maximum)
Reapplicant Essay: In case of reapplication, please provide an update on any new aspects of your professional, international, academic or personal profile that would not have been included in your previous application. Please also explain your motivation for re-applying to INSEAD. (400 words maximum)
Job Essay 1: (Required) Please give a detailed description of your job, including nature of work, major responsibilities; and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, number of clients/products and results achieved. (250 words)
Job Essay 2: (Required) Please give us a full description of your career since graduating from university. If you were to remain with your present employer, what would be your next step in terms of position? (250 words)
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (400 words approx.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe what you believe to be your two most substantial accomplishments to date, explaining why you view them as such. (400 words approx.)
Personal Essay 3: Describe a situation taken from school, business, civil or military life, where you did not meet your personal objectives, and discuss briefly the effect. (250 words approx.)
Personal Essay 4: Discuss your career goals. What skills do you expect to gain from studying at INSEAD and how will they contribute to your professional career? (500 words approx.)
Personal Essay 5: Please choose one of the following two essay topics:
a) Have you ever experienced culture shock? What did it mean to you? (250 words approx.)
or b) What would you say to a foreigner moving to your home country? (250 words approx.)
Optional Essay: Is there anything that you have not mentioned in the above essays that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (200 words approx.)
Reapplicant Essay: In case of reapplication, please use this page. Your essay should state any new aspects of professional, international, academic, or personal development since your last application. We would also like you to explain your motivation for re-applying to INSEAD. This essay should not exceed 400 words.
Job Essay 1: (Required) Please give a detailed description of your job, including nature of work, major responsibilities; and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, number of clients/products and results achieved. (250 words)
Job Essay 2: (Required) Please give us a full description of your career since graduating from university. If you were to remain with your present employer, what would be your next step in terms of position? (250 words)
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (400 words approx.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe what you believe to be your two most substantial accomplishments to date, explaining why you view them as such. (400 words approx.)
Personal Essay 3: Describe a situation taken from school, business, civil or military life, where you did not meet your personal objectives, and discuss briefly the effect. (250 words approx.)
Personal Essay 4: Discuss your career goals. What skills do you expect to gain from studying at INSEAD and how will they contribute to your professional career? (500 words approx.)
Personal Essay 5: Please choose one of the following two essay topics:
a) Have you ever experienced culture shock? What did it mean to you? (250 words approx.)
or b) What would you say to a foreigner moving to your home country? (250 words approx.)
Optional Essay: Is there anything that you have not mentioned in the above essays that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (200 words approx.)
Reapplicant Essay: In case of reapplication, please use this page. Your essay should state any new aspects of professional, international, academic, or personal development since your last application. We would also like you to explain your motivation for re-applying to INSEAD. (400 words)
Job Essay 1: (Required) Please give a detailed description of your job, including nature of work, major responsibilities; and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, number of clients/products and results achieved. (250 words)
Job Essay 2: (Required) Please give us a full description of your career since graduating from university. If you were to remain with your present employer, what would be your next step in terms of position? (250 words)
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (400 words approx.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe what you believe to be your two most substantial accomplishments to date, explaining why you view them as such. (400 words approx.)
Personal Essay 3: Describe a situation taken from school, business, civil or military life, where you did not meet your personal objectives, and discuss briefly the effect. (250 words approx.)
Personal Essay 4: Discuss your career goals. What skills do you expect to gain from studying at INSEAD and how will they contribute to your professional career? (500 words approx.)
Personal Essay 5: Please choose one of the following two essay topics:
a) Have you ever experienced culture shock? What did it mean to you? (250 words approx.)
or b) What would you say to a foreigner moving to your home country? (250 words approx.)
Optional Essay: Is there anything that you have not mentioned in the above essays that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (200 words approx.)
Reapplicant Essay: In case of reapplication, please use this page. Your essay should state any new aspects of professional, international, academic, or personal development since your last application. We would also like you to explain your motivation for re-applying to INSEAD. (400 words)
Job Essay 1: (Required) Please give a detailed description of your job, including nature of work, major responsibilities; and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, number of clients/products and results achieved. (250 words)
Job Essay 2: (Required) Please give us a full description of your career since graduating from university. If you were to remain with your present employer, what would be your next step in terms of position? (250 words)
Personal Essay 1: Give a candid description of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary. (400 words approx.)
Personal Essay 2: Describe what you believe to be your two most substantial accomplishments to date, explaining why you view them as such. (400 words approx.)
Personal Essay 3: Describe a situation taken from school, business, civil or military life, where you did not meet your personal objectives, and discuss briefly the effect. (250 words approx.)
Personal Essay 4: Discuss your career goals. What skills do you expect to gain from studying at INSEAD and how will they contribute to your professional career? (500 words approx.)
Personal Essay 5: Please choose one of the following two essay topics:
a) Have you ever experienced culture shock? What did it mean to you? (250 words approx.)
or b) What would you say to a foreigner moving to your home country? (250 words approx.)
Optional Essay: Is there anything that you have not mentioned in the above essays that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (200 words approx.)
Reapplicant Essay: In case of reapplication, please use this page. Your essay should state any new aspects of professional, international, academic, or personal development since your last application. We would also like you to explain your motivation for re-applying to INSEAD. (400 words)
Personal essay. This section is important in understanding who you are, not just as a student but also as a person in order to grasp the value that you could add to our program. Take this as an opportunity to showcase your unique attributes and personality. There are three formats you can choose to express yourself: a video (max. 3 minutes), a PowerPoint presentation (max. 10 slides), or a written essay (between 250-650 words). Please pay special attention to punctuation, structure and content.
Live questions. Once you have submitted the application form and paid the admissions fee, you will receive an email to complete an online assessment through our partners at Kira. During this exercise you will be answering questions to demonstrate why you would be a valuable asset to the IEU community. This will take around 20-30 minutes.
Personal essay. This section is important in understanding who you are, not just as a student but also as a person in order to grasp the value that you could add to our program. Take this as an opportunity to showcase your unique attributes and personality. There are three formats you can choose to express yourself: a video (max. 3 minutes), a PowerPoint presentation (max. 10 slides), or a written essay (between 250-650 words). Please pay special attention to punctuation, structure and content.
What is the most important thing that you would like us to know that is not in your resume or application?
Please keep in mind that the text should be between 250-650 words and should be uploaded as one of the following:.pdf, .doc or. docx, font size 11, line spacing 1.5 or presentation .ppt, .pptx (Max size of file 6 MB)
Personal essay. This section is important in understanding who you are, not just as a student but also as a person in order to grasp the value that you could add to our program. Take this as an opportunity to showcase your unique attributes and personality. There are three formats you can choose to express yourself: a video (max. 3 minutes), a PowerPoint presentation (max. 10 slides), or a written essay (between 250-650 words). Please pay special attention to punctuation, structure and content.
What is the most important thing that you would like us to know that is not in your resume or application?
Please keep in mind that the text should be between 250-650 words and should be uploaded as one of the following:.pdf, .doc or. docx, font size 11, line spacing 1.5 or presentation .ppt, .pptx (Max size of file 6 MB)
Essays. You have to choose and respond to three questions. At least one of these responses must be in text format.
Essay A. If you had the opportunity, what actions would you demand of the United Nations Secretary General and why?
Essay B. Describe the situation with the greatest ethical complexity that you have faced in your professional or academic life, and how your input helped resolve it.
Essay C. Describe a time when you took a great risk. What was the outcome?
Essay D. Cite at least one example of when your leadership had an impact on or changed a certain situation, and justify how an IE Master's Degree program would help you to strengthen or improve this competence.
Essay E. Describe the most outstanding leader you have worked with. Indicate some aspects of the way you work that are similar to the way this leader works and others that are different.
Essay F. You have just participated in an important meeting with your superior. How will you ensure that every part of the instructions you received will properly reach all subordinates, suppliers and clients, located in different parts of the world?
Essay G. Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?
Essay H. What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing the sector or industry you would like to specialize in at IE? What role do you hope to be able to play in this sector or industry in the medium term?
Essay I. Show us an activity you enjoy doing. Tell us how you think it contributes to your personal and professional development.
Essay J. How do you imagine social interaction within 10 years, taking into consideration the impact of technology on human relations?
Essay K. If all of the world's cultural heritage (sports, music, fashion, architecture, literature, painting, etc..) was contained in a time capsule, what would you include to demonstrate the legacy of your country?
Essay L. How do you envision the city of the future?
Essays. You have to choose and respond to three questions. At least one of these responses must be in text format.
Essay A. If you had the opportunity, what actions would you demand of the United Nations Secretary General and why?
Essay B. Describe the situation with the greatest ethical complexity that you have faced in your professional or academic life, and how your input helped resolve it.
Essay C. Describe a time when you took a great risk. What was the outcome?
Essay D. Cite at least one example of when your leadership had an impact on or changed a certain situation, and justify how an IE Master's Degree program would help you to strengthen or improve this competence.
Essay E. Describe the most outstanding leader you have worked with. Indicate some aspects of the way you work that are similar to the way this leader works and others that are different.
Essay F. You have just participated in an important meeting with your superior. How will you ensure that every part of the instructions you received will properly reach all subordinates, suppliers and clients, located in different parts of the world?
Essay G. Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?
Essay H. What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing the sector or industry you would like to specialize in at IE? What role do you hope to be able to play in this sector or industry in the medium term?
Essay I. Show us an activity you enjoy doing. Tell us how you think it contributes to your personal and professional development.
Essay J. How do you imagine social interaction within 10 years, taking into consideration the impact of technology on human relations?
Essay K. If all of the world's cultural heritage (sports, music, fashion, architecture, literature, painting, etc..) was contained in a time capsule, what would you include to demonstrate the legacy of your country?
Essay L. How do you envision the city of the future?
Essays. You have to choose and respond to three questions. At least one of these responses must be in text format.
Essay A. If you had the opportunity, what actions would you demand of the United Nations Secretary General and why?
Essay B. Describe the situation with the greatest ethical complexity that you have faced in your professional or academic life, and how your input helped resolve it.
Essay C. Describe a time when you took a great risk. What was the outcome?
Essay D. Cite at least one example of when your leadership had an impact on or changed a certain situation, and justify how an IE Master's Degree program would help you to strengthen or improve this competence.
Essay E. Describe the most outstanding leader you have worked with. Indicate some aspects of the way you work that are similar to the way this leader works and others that are different.
Essay F. You have just participated in an important meeting with your superior. How will you ensure that every part of the instructions you received will properly reach all subordinates, suppliers and clients, located in different parts of the world?
Essay G. Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?
Essay H. What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing the sector or industry you would like to specialize in at IE? What role do you hope to be able to play in this sector or industry in the medium term?
Essay I. Show us an activity you enjoy doing. Tell us how you think it contributes to your personal and professional development.
Essay J. How do you imagine social interaction within 10 years, taking into consideration the impact of technology on human relations?
Essay K. If all of the world's cultural heritage (sports, music, fashion, architecture, literature, painting, etc..) was contained in a time capsule, what would you include to demonstrate the legacy of your country?
Essay L. How do you envision the city of the future?
Essays. You have to choose and respond to three questions. At least one of these responses must be in text format.
Essay A. If you had the opportunity, what actions would you demand of the United Nations Secretary General and why?
Essay B. Describe the situation with the greatest ethical complexity that you have faced in your professional or academic life, and how your input helped resolve it.
Essay C. Describe a time when you took a great risk. What was the outcome?
Essay D. Cite at least one example of when your leadership had an impact on or changed a certain situation, and justify how an IE Master's Degree program would help you to strengthen or improve this competence.
Essay E. Describe the most outstanding leader you have worked with. Indicate some aspects of the way you work that are similar to the way this leader works and others that are different.
Essay F. You have just participated in an important meeting with your superior. How will you ensure that every part of the instructions you received will properly reach all subordinates, suppliers and clients, located in different parts of the world?
Essay G. Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?
Essay H. What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing the sector or industry you would like to specialize in at IE? What role do you hope to be able to play in this sector or industry in the medium term?
Essay I. Show us an activity you enjoy doing. Tell us how you think it contributes to your personal and professional development.
Essay J. How do you imagine social interaction within 10 years, taking into consideration the impact of technology on human relations?
Essay K. If all of the world's cultural heritage (sports, music, fashion, architecture, literature, painting, etc..) was contained in a time capsule, what would you include to demonstrate the legacy of your country?
Essay L. How do you envision the city of the future?
Essays. You have to choose and respond to three questions. At least one of these responses must be in text format.
Essay A. If you had the opportunity, what actions would you demand of the United Nations Secretary General and why?
Essay B. Describe the situation with the greatest ethical complexity that you have faced in your professional or academic life, and how your input helped resolve it.
Essay C. Describe a time when you took a great risk. What was the outcome?
Essay D. Cite at least one example of when your leadership had an impact on or changed a certain situation, and justify how an IE Master's Degree program would help you to strengthen or improve this competence.
Essay E. Describe the most outstanding leader you have worked with. Indicate some aspects of the way you work that are similar to the way this leader works and others that are different.
Essay F. You have just participated in an important meeting with your superior. How will you ensure that every part of the instructions you received will properly reach all subordinates, suppliers and clients, located in different parts of the world?
Essay G. Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?
Essay H. What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing the sector or industry you would like to specialize in at IE? What role do you hope to be able to play in this sector or industry in the medium term?
Essay I. Show us an activity you enjoy doing. Tell us how you think it contributes to your personal and professional development.
Essay J. How do you imagine social interaction within 10 years, taking into consideration the impact of technology on human relations?
Essay K. If all of the world's cultural heritage (sports, music, fashion, architecture, literature, painting, etc..) was contained in a time capsule, what would you include to demonstrate the legacy of your country?
Essay L. How do you envision the city of the future?
The main objective of the following questions is to have more information regarding your candidature. Please answer the questions corresponding to you as per the following table. You must answer each question in a separate page with a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 (1.5 line spacing).
All Applicants must answer the following essay questions:
Essay A. If you had the opportunity, what would you ask the president or leader of your country, and why? (minimum 250 words)
Essay B. Cite the most difficult situation you have faced in your professional life and how your input helped to resolve it. (minimum 250 words)
Essay C. Cite at least one example in which your leadership impacted or changed a situation and discuss how you think IE Business School will help you refine, focus, or enhance this skill. (minimum 250 words)
Additional Information: For the following questions, please limit your answer to the space provided. (space for approx. 150 words each)
Essay 1. What is your motivation for you to study a Master degree? Describe how you believe a Master degree fits with your future career objectives.
Essay 2. What are your reasons for applying to IE ?
Essay 3.Have you applied to any other schools? If so, please state which ones.
Essay 4. What contribution could you make to a highly dynamic and interactive program?
Essay 5. Which of your personal characteristics could be considered valuable for teamwork?
Essay 6. Which of your personal characteristics would you like to improve through the program?
Essay 7. What, in your opinion, have been your most important achievements?
Essay 8. Please indicate other extra-curricular activities, internships or voluntary work relevant for Admissions.
Essay 9. What are your aspirations ? Personal. Professional. Financial. (3 lines each; approx. 100 words each)
The main objective of the following questions is to have more information regarding your candidature. Please answer each question on a separate sheet of paper with a minimum of 250 words, limiting each reply to one side of paper (1.5 line spacing).
A. If you had the opportunity, what would you ask the president or leader of your country, and why? (minimum 250 words)
B. Cite the most difficult situation you have faced in your professional life and how your input helped to resolve it. (minimum 250 words)
C. Cite at least one example in which your leadership impacted or changed a situation and discuss how you think IE Business School will help you refine, focus, or enhance this skill. (minimum 250 words)
Additional Information: For the following questions, please limit your answer to the space provided. (space for approx. 150 words each)
1. What is your motivation for you to study a Master degree? Describe how you believe a Master degree fits with your future career objectives.
2. What are your reasons for applying to IE ?
3.Have you applied to any other schools? If so, please state which ones.
4. What contribution could you make to a highly dynamic and interactive program?
5. Which of your personal characteristics could be considered valuable for teamwork?
6. Which of your personal characteristics would you like to improve through the program?
7. What, in your opinion, have been your most important achievements?
8. Please indicate other extra-curricular activities, internships or voluntary work relevant for Admissions.
9. What are your aspirations ? Personal. Professional. Financial. (3 lines each)
The main objective of the following questions is to have more information on your candidature. Please answer each question with a minimum of 250 words. These replies form a necessary part of your application. In the absence of any one of them, the Admissions Committee will not take a decision on your candidature. You have various options to fill in this section. Choose the one you prefer. If you wish, you may attach a file containing your essays.
A. If you had the opportunity, what would you ask the president or leader of your country, and why? (minimum 250 words, maximum 500 words)
B. What was the most difficult problem you have faced in your professional life, and how did you deal with it? (minimum 250 words, maximum 500 words)
C. Cite at least one example in which your leadership impacted or changed a situation and discuss how you think Instituto de Empresa will help you refine, focus or enhance this skill. (minimum 250 words, maximum 500 words)
Additional Information: For the following questions, please limit your answer to the space provided.
1. Why do you want to do a master's degree? Describe how you believe a master�s degree fits in with your career plans. (15 lines)
2. What are your reasons for applying for a place on an Instituto de Empresa programme? (10 lines)
3. Have you applied to any other schools? If so, please state which ones. (5 lines)
4. What contribution could you make to a highly proactive programme? (10 lines)
5. Which of your personal characteristics could be considered valuable for teamwork? (10 lines)
6. Which of your personal characteristics would you like to improve with the programme? (10 lines)
7. What, in your opinion, have been your most important achievements? (10 lines)
8. What are your aspirations? Personal : Professional : Economic (3 lines each)
The main objective of the following questions is to have more information on your candidature. Please answer each question with a minimum of 250 words. These replies form a necessary part of your application. In the absence of any one of them, the Admissions Committee will not take a decision on your candidature. You have various options to fill in this section. Choose the one you prefer. If you wish, you may attach a file containing your essays.
A. If you had the opportunity, what would you ask the president or leader of your country, and why? (minimum 250 words, maximum 500 words)
B. What was the most difficult problem you have faced in your professional life, and how did you deal with it? (minimum 250 words, maximum 500 words)
C. Cite at least one example in which your leadership impacted or changed a situation and discuss how you think Instituto de Empresa will help you refine, focus or enhance this skill. (minimum 250 words, maximum 500 words)
Additional Information: For the following questions, please limit your answer to the space provided.
1. Why do you want to do a master�s degree? Describe how you believe a master�s degree fits in with your career plans. (15 lines)
2. What are your reasons for applying for a place on an Instituto de Empresa programme? (10 lines)
3. Have you applied to any other schools? If so, please state which ones. (5 lines)
4. What contribution could you make to a highly proactive programme? (10 lines)
5. Which of your personal characteristics could be considered valuable for teamwork? (10 lines)
6. Which of your personal characteristics would you like to improve with the programme? (10 lines)
7. What, in your opinion, have been your most important achievements? (10 lines)
8. What are your aspirations? Personal : Professional : Economic (3 lines each)
A. If you had the opportunity, what would you ask the president or leader of your country, and why?
B. What was the most difficult problem you have faced in your life, and how did you deal with it?
C. Cite at least one example in which your leadership impacted or changed a situation and discuss how you think IE Business School will help you refine, focus, or enhance this skill.
Additional Information: For the following questions, please limit your answer to the space provided.
1. What is your motivation for you to study a Master degree? Describe how you believe a Master degree fits with your future career objectives?
2. What are your reasons for applying to IE Business School program?
3. Have you applied to any other schools? If so, please state which ones.
4. What contribution could you make to a highly dynamic and interactive program?
5. Which of your personal characteristics could be considered valuable for teamwork?
6. Which of your personal characteristics would you like to improve through the program?
7. What, in your opinion, have been your most important achievements?
8. What are your aspirations?
Personal
Professional
Financial
Essay 1. Describe with examples the most important personal quality that you possess that significantly enhances your prospects of being successful as a leader (400 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. Every leading business school looks for the factors that make you unique and distinct but also a strong leader. In fact, leadership potential is often the most sought after quality in MBA applicants.
Through this question, ISB not only aims to know your leadership potential through the examples, but also want to know your self awareness and insights into your own strengths.
Attempt to bring in an authentic differentiation, while presenting your strong points and tying in the examples with 1-2 high level themes and qualities. Give short examples to support your assertions.
To get info for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues, and family are excellent sources for helping you identify qualities that make you a good leader.
As usual keep in mind that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. Make sure to echo the points mentioned in this essay in your resume as well as letters of recommendations.
Essay 2. What are your short term and long term career goals? How will Post Graduate Program at ISB assist you in achieving your goals. (400 words max)
Essay 2 Tips. Through this essay, ISB seeks to understand what motivates you, what has driven your career path till now and how that will tie in with ISB PGP program and your future career goals.
So, find a quiet spot, grab your favorite drink and take a mental walk down memory lane. Think about your journey till date, what paths you have chosen and why? What has been key drivers of your decisions? Try to find a common theme or a pattern there and see if you can connect the same theme with why you want to pursue an MBA at this time in your life and why you are considering ISB.
If you are not yet sure about why ISB, do your due diligence on the school, the PGP program and both short-term and long-term opportunities you will get with ISB degree.
Attending a business school is an important decision that will have a lifelong impact on your professional and personal lives. So, make sure you have thought long and hard that ISB PGP is indeed the next step in your career.
The ‘why ISB PGP’ section of your answer must be very specific to your career goals. For example, when you write about school’s diverse culture, opportunities for global exchange, amazing faculty, tie them in with why they are critical for your context and are better aligned with deeper themes running across your professional journey. Avoid writing generic statements that you could easily write for any other school.
When you decide to work with us, the first thing we do is help you refine your career goals. We will start by understanding your past experiences and your aspirations. Then we will help you make a compelling case for your goals while highlighting your strengths, uniqueness and attractiveness for future employers.
Essay 1. At ISB we value diversity as it enhances both the in-class and out of class learning experience. Tell us how would you contribute to the same? (400 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. Every leading business school looks for the factors that make you different, that make you unique, that make you distinct. In fact, the primary purpose of the MBA essays is exactly that - to uncover your Unique Selling Proposition or what the business schools call “diversity” and understand what makes you different.
The question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business bother talking to you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics? Your task in the ISB Essay 1 is to answer this question.
Attempt in this essay to bring in an authentic differentiation, present a genuine face and then give the admissions committee some solid reasons for wishing to see you. Give short examples to support your assertions.
To get info for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues, and family are excellent sources for giving you obvious answers which you might have easily overlooked. But the person who knows most is always going to be yourself; so, think about yourself- at work, play and studies. Think about how you think and act in team situations and uncover the salient points that set you apart. Your achievements, your hobbies, your academics, your personality traits, your passions, your work experiences, your life experiences, your language, your attitudes– everything adds to your diversity –so sell whatever you feel you can sell well.
This essay also tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. The differentiation and the value to ISB both require you to have some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!). Perhaps your extensive research on the Indian School of Business before your decision to apply will come in really handy now. Enough information is available on the web for you to start off with a good idea of both aspects. Alumni are another excellent source of information.
As usual keep in mind that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. Make sure to echo the points mentioned in this essay in your resume as well as letters of recommendations.
Essay 2. Describe your short and long term career plans. How does the PGP fit in with those? (300 words max)
Essay 2 Tips. Through this essay, ISB seeks to understand what motivates you, what has driven your career path till now and how that will tie in with ISB PGP program and your future career goals.
So, find a quiet spot, grab your favorite drink and take a mental walk down memory lane. Think about your journey till date, what paths you have chosen and why? What has been key drivers of your decisions? Try to find a common theme or a pattern there and see if you can connect the same theme with why you want to pursue an MBA at this time in your life and why you are considering ISB.
If you are not yet sure about why ISB, do your due diligence on the school, the PGP program and both short-term and long-term opportunities you will get with ISB degree.
Attending a business school is an important decision that will have a lifelong impact on your professional and personal lives. So, make sure you have thought long and hard that ISB PGP is indeed the next step in your career.
The ‘why ISB PGP’ section of your answer must be very specific to your career goals. For example, when you write about school’s diverse culture, opportunities for global exchange, amazing faculty, tie them in with why they are critical for your context and are better aligned with deeper themes running across your professional journey. Avoid writing generic statements that you could easily write for any other school.
Essay 1. At ISB we value diversity as it enhances both the in-class and out of class learning experience. Tell us how would you contribute to the same? (400 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. Every leading business school looks for the factors that make you different, that make you unique, that make you distinct. In fact, the primary purpose of the MBA essays is exactly that - to uncover your Unique Selling Proposition or what the business schools call “diversity” and understand what makes you different.
The question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business bother talking to you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics? Your task in the ISB Essay 1 is to answer this question.
Attempt in this essay to bring in an authentic differentiation, present a genuine face and then give the admissions committee some solid reasons for wishing to see you. Give short examples to support your assertions.
To get info for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues, and family are excellent sources for giving you obvious answers which you might have easily overlooked. But the person who knows most is always going to be yourself; so, think about yourself- at work, play and studies. Think about how you think and act in team situations and uncover the salient points that set you apart. Your achievements, your hobbies, your academics, your personality traits, your passions, your work experiences, your life experiences, your language, your attitudes– everything adds to your diversity –so sell whatever you feel you can sell well.
This essay also tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. The differentiation and the value to ISB both require you to have some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!). Perhaps your extensive research on the Indian School of Business before your decision to apply will come in really handy now. Enough information is available on the web for you to start off with a good idea of both aspects. Alumni are another excellent source of information.
As usual keep in mind that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. Make sure to echo the points mentioned in this essay in your resume as well as letters of recommendations.
Essay 2. Describe your short and long term career plans. How does the PGP fit in with those? (300 words max)
Essay 2 Tips. Through this essay, ISB seeks to understand what motivates you, what has driven your career path till now and how that will tie in with ISB PGP program and your future career goals.
So, find a quiet spot, grab your favorite drink and take a mental walk down memory lane. Think about your journey till date, what paths you have chosen and why? What has been key drivers of your decisions? Try to find a common theme or a pattern there and see if you can connect the same theme with why you want to pursue an MBA at this time in your life and why you are considering ISB.
If you are not yet sure about why ISB, do your due diligence on the school, the PGP program and both short-term and long-term opportunities you will get with ISB degree.
Attending a business school is an important decision that will have a lifelong impact on your professional and personal lives. So, make sure you have thought long and hard that ISB PGP is indeed the next step in your career.
The ‘why ISB PGP’ section of your answer must be very specific to your career goals. For example, when you write about school’s diverse culture, opportunities for global exchange, amazing faculty, tie them in with why they are critical for your context and are better aligned with deeper themes running across your professional journey. Avoid writing generic statements that you could easily write for any other school.
Essay 1. If we were to admit just one more candidate to the Postgraduate Programme (PGP) at the ISB, why should it be you? (400 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. The real question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business bother with you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics or whatever?
The ISB is seeking your 'USP' in this essay. Your primary aim in this essay will be to explain to the ISB Adcom the factors that make you different, unique and distinct. Your task in this ISB Essay is to answer this question effectively and within 400 words.
This essay repeats itself in one form or another most years because it is a simple method for the ISB admissions committee to assess how desirable a candidate you are for the ISB. The essence of the prompt in this essay can be better understood through previous ISB application essay questions.
2012-2013: Please make a strong case to differentiate yourself from an exceptional set of applicants applying for PGP
2013-14. You could cite personal/professional achievements to present your case.
2010-2011: If we were to admit one more student to the class of 2012, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you? 2009-2010: Give 3 reasons as to why you should be selected to the class of 2011. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from the applicant pool and should be backed with some data.
2008-2009: Please give three reasons why ISB should admit you into the class of 2010. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from your competition.
2007-08: The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB?
This essay tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. To write credibly about the differentiation you bring and the value you add to the Indian School of Business will require some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!). Then, ask yourself what genuinely sets you apart. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest achievements? What are the characteristics that you believe will differentiate you in a group of high-reaching professionals? What are the skills and attitude that have driven your greatest personal/professional accomplishments? Choose two examples that credibly sell your candidacy. Whether you want to go with a single theme across both essays or multiple themes across each story is entirely your choice.
The current essay prompt combines the historical focus on "differentiation" the spotlight is on your achievements and learning. While the examples could be professional or personal, choose them based on their overall significance in your life/career, their relevance to the ISB application and most importantly on what it says about YOU. Choose an example that could convince the ISB admissions committee that your qualities, attitude, experience, and knowledge make you different, unique and distinct.
As always, remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. Please ensure that the qualities/achievements mentioned in this essay complement the content in the other parts of your application.
Essay 2. Describe your short and long term career plans. How does the PGP fit in with those? (300 words max)
Essay 2 Tips. This is a shorter version of a previous year's essay: "What are your post ISB career plans and how will your past experiences and the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) contribute to taking you there?"
To get started, think about why you are writing this ISB essay and taking all this trouble applying to ISB. Ask yourself: WHAT kind of career path you want, and HOW will ISB help you get there and WHY do you expect that?
ISB places great importance on your work experience and desires to understand how you envision your career. Although in the current essay, ISB isn't explicitly asking you about how your past experiences will contribute to your future, a good, logical goal essay always does that. So find and express a logical, credible link between your past, present and future. Also, uncover other motivations that have made you choose your particular career goal.
"Why ISB/PGP" is an important part of the question, so handle it with moderation and realism. This section of your answer must be very specific to your career goals. For example, if you write about school’s diverse culture, opportunities for global exchange, top-notch faculty, tie them in with why they are critical for your context and are better aligned with deeper themes running across your professional journey.
Be also specific, both about the industry and the role you are seeking and why. If your goals are more than ordinarily ambitious write credibly about those qualities/skills from your past experiences that qualify you to make these goals a reality.
Go for it!
Optional Essay. Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (200 words max)
Optional Essay Tips. You have to seriously address this essay even if you don't write it. The main question in optional essays is to decide whether it has to be written at all.
In the ISB application, attempt the optional essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit your ISB optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel the quality of your earlier essays is improvable in which case redouble your efforts in the earlier essays and leave the optional essay well alone. Since the ISB has just 3 small essays on which your candidature will be judged, contrary to our usual position we actually encourage you to look for truly enhancing perspectives or information that might make a difference to your application.
Use the optional essay to address areas in your ISB application which you feel are detrimental to your candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or resume areas which stick out (gaps in your employment/academics or earlier MBA) can be commented on if you have an explanation that is intelligent, interesting and credible.
One other situation when the optional essay is acceptable is when you need to describe at length some extraordinarily positive information that CANNOT be accommodated anywhere else in the ISB application. In case you find any of the above applicable, note down the options and then consider again if the optional essay is a strong constructive addition to your candidacy. If yes, then start working on the essay.
Reapplicant Essay. How has your profile changed from the time you last applied to the ISB? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay Tips. The number of candidates who consider this essay an addendum to the other essays is surprising. So let us say this clearly - if you are a reapplicant this is your most vital essay in the ISB application.
Apart from an extremely low applicants versus accepted ratio, the ISB applicants are almost fully Indian. So the ISB admissions committee is under great pressure to select the best candidates from a limited applicant pool. But there's still a door open for rejected candidates (even more so for waitlisted candidates). If you were rejected (or waitlisted) last time, use these 300 words to tell the ISB Admission Committee that there have been enough changes in your profile to justify a revaluation of your candidature.
Your aim will be to present the professional, academic and personal improvements that make you a stronger candidate for an ISB admission this year. State persuasively why you deserve a second chance.
What steps have you taken to strengthen your ISB application? Stronger work experience, professional achievements, better GMAT, personal achievements, accomplishments on the social front, international exposure or academic accomplishments can all find place in the ISB reapplicant essay. Proactive ISB-specific steps taken by you, perhaps based on direct or indirect feedback from the ISB, might prove a trump card.
Additionally, if required, please use the option of new recommendations and application inputs to support your essays and "bring out different qualities or traits of your personality which may have gone unnoticed earlier".
Go for it!
Essay 1. If we were to admit just one more student, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you by describing an (only one) achievement in your personal / professional life that you are most proud of. What did you do that sets you apart from others? What did you learn? (400 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. The real question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business bother with you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics or whatever?
The ISB is seeking your 'USP' in this essay. Your primary aim in this essay will be to explain to the ISB Adcom the factors that make you different, unique and distinct. Your task in this ISB Essay is to answer this question effectively and within 400 words.
This essay repeats itself in one form or another most years because it is a simple method for the ISB admissions committee to assess how desirable a candidate you are for the ISB. The essence of the prompt in this essay can be better understood through previous ISB application essay questions.
2012-2013: Please make a strong case to differentiate yourself from an exceptional set of applicants applying for PGP
2013-14. You could cite personal/professional achievements to present your case.
2010-2011: If we were to admit one more student to the class of 2012, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you? 2009-2010: Give 3 reasons as to why you should be selected to the class of 2011. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from the applicant pool and should be backed with some data.
2008-2009: Please give three reasons why ISB should admit you into the class of 2010. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from your competition.
2007-08: The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB?
This essay tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. To write credibly about the differentiation you bring and the value you add to the Indian School of Business will require some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!). Then, ask yourself what genuinely sets you apart. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest achievements? What are the characteristics that you believe will differentiate you in a group of high-reaching professionals? What are the skills and attitude that have driven your greatest personal/professional accomplishments? Choose two examples that credibly sell your candidacy. Whether you want to go with a single theme across both essays or multiple themes across each story is entirely your choice.
The current essay prompt combines the historical focus on "differentiation" the spotlight is on your achievements and learning. While the examples could be professional or personal, choose them based on their overall significance in your life/career, their relevance to the ISB application and most importantly on what it says about YOU. Choose an example that could convince the ISB admissions committee that your qualities, attitude, experience, and knowledge make you different, unique and distinct.
As always, remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. Please ensure that the qualities/achievements mentioned in this essay complement the content in the other parts of your application.
Essay 2. Answer ONE of the following: (300 words max)
- Describe a defining moment in your personal / professional life when you had to make a risky decision, and explain what you did, why and the outcome? OR
- Describe a situation in your personal / professional life when you had to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. How did it affect you and what did you learn?
Essay 2 Answer ONE of the following: (300 words max). 2a. Describe a defining moment in your personal / professional life when you had to make a risky decision, and explain what you did, why and the outcome? OR
2a Tips. What you decide to talk about will reveal your character, values and maturity. When thinking about a 'risky' decision, the impact of your answer will hinge on the magnitude of the risk you undertook. Some possible high-stakes situations could involve loss of job, reputation, trust, credibility, relationship, love and support of near and dear ones. Whatever you choose to talk about, make sure it is a significant moment, a turning point in your life that has influenced you deeply.
Start by giving the context and if applicable the challenges associated with the situation. Show your thought process throughout the experience. Take the reader with you in your mental and emotional journey. Giving specific, concrete details to your story will make your narrative vivid, engaging and memorable.
2b. Describe a situation in your personal / professional life when you had to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. How did it affect you and what did you learn?
2b Tips. Diverse background is a broad term that could mean many things in different contexts. Cultural diversity is the obvious one and but you can talk about adjusting to any new environment that might include different languages, different values, different beliefs and different expectations. You can explicitly write about your international outlook, learning skills, adaptability and inclusive nature. Please note essay question is about 'people' with diverse background, so your narrative must be focused on the same.
Essay 3. What are your post ISB career plans and how will your past experiences and the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) contribute to taking you there? (300 words)
Essay 3 Tips. Think about why you are writing this ISB essay and taking all this trouble applying to ISB. Ask yourself: WHAT kind of career path you want, and HOW will ISB help you get there and WHY do you expect that?
ISB places great importance on your work experience and desires to understand how you envision your career. Find and express a logical, credible link between your past, present and future. Also uncover other motivations that have made you choose your particular career goal.
"Why ISB" is an important part of the question, so handle it with moderation and realism. This section of your answer must be very specific to your career goals. For example, if you write about school’s diverse culture, opportunities for global exchange, top-notch faculty, tie them in with why they are critical for your context and are better aligned with deeper themes running across your professional journey.
Be also specific, both about the industry and the role you are seeking and why. If your goals are more than ordinarily ambitious write credibly about those qualities/skills from your past experiences that qualify you to make these goals a reality.
Go for it!
Optional Essay. Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (200 words max)
Optional Essay Tips. You have to seriously address this essay even if you don't write it. The main question in optional essays is to decide whether it has to be written at all.
In the ISB application, attempt the optional essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit your ISB optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel the quality of your earlier essays is improvable in which case redouble your efforts in the earlier essays and leave the optional essay well alone. Since the ISB has just 3 small essays on which your candidature will be judged, contrary to our usual position we actually encourage you to look for truly enhancing perspectives or information that might make a difference to your application.
Use the optional essay to address areas in your ISB application which you feel are detrimental to your candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or resume areas which stick out (gaps in your employment/academics or earlier MBA) can be commented on if you have an explanation that is intelligent, interesting and credible.
One other situation when the optional essay is acceptable is when you need to describe at length some extraordinarily positive information that CANNOT be accommodated anywhere else in the ISB application. In case you find any of the above applicable, note down the options and then consider again if the optional essay is a strong constructive addition to your candidacy. If yes, then start working on the essay.
Reapplicant Essay. How has your profile changed from the time you last applied to the ISB? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay Tips. The number of candidates who consider this essay an addendum to the other essays is surprising. So let us say this clearly - if you are a reapplicant this is your most vital essay in the ISB application.
Apart from an extremely low applicants versus accepted ratio, the ISB applicants are almost fully Indian. So the ISB admissions committee is under great pressure to select the best candidates from a limited applicant pool. But there's still a door open for rejected candidates (even more so for waitlisted candidates). If you were rejected (or waitlisted) last time, use these 300 words to tell the ISB Admission Committee that there have been enough changes in your profile to justify a revaluation of your candidature.
Your aim will be to present the professional, academic and personal improvements that make you a stronger candidate for an ISB admission this year. State persuasively why you deserve a second chance.
What steps have you taken to strengthen your ISB application? Stronger work experience, professional achievements, better GMAT, personal achievements, accomplishments on the social front, international exposure or academic accomplishments can all find place in the ISB reapplicant essay. Proactive ISB-specific steps taken by you, perhaps based on direct or indirect feedback from the ISB, might prove a trump card.
Additionally, if required, please use the option of new recommendations and application inputs to support your essays and "bring out different qualities or traits of your personality which may have gone unnoticed earlier".
Go for it!
Essay 1. If we were to admit just one more student, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you by describing an (only one) achievement in your personal / professional life that you are most proud of. What did you do that sets you apart from others? What did you learn? (400 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. The real question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business bother with you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics or whatever?
The ISB is seeking your 'USP' in this essay. Your primary aim in this essay will be to explain to the ISB Adcom the factors that make you different, unique and distinct. Your task in this ISB Essay is to answer this question effectively and within 400 words.
This essay repeats itself in one form or another most years because it is a simple method for the ISB admissions committee to assess how desirable a candidate you are for the ISB. The essence of the prompt in this essay can be better understood through previous ISB application essay questions.
2012-2013: Please make a strong case to differentiate yourself from an exceptional set of applicants applying for PGP
2013-14. You could cite personal/professional achievements to present your case.
2010-2011: If we were to admit one more student to the class of 2012, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you? 2009-2010: Give 3 reasons as to why you should be selected to the class of 2011. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from the applicant pool and should be backed with some data.
2008-2009: Please give three reasons why ISB should admit you into the class of 2010. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from your competition.
2007-08: The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB?
This essay tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. To write credibly about the differentiation you bring and the value you add to the Indian School of Business will require some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!). Then, ask yourself what genuinely sets you apart. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest achievements? What are the characteristics that you believe will differentiate you in a group of high-reaching professionals? What are the skills and attitude that have driven your greatest personal/professional accomplishments? Choose two examples that credibly sell your candidacy. Whether you want to go with a single theme across both essays or multiple themes across each story is entirely your choice.
The current essay prompt combines the historical focus on "differentiation" the spotlight is on your achievements and learning. While the examples could be professional or personal, choose them based on their overall significance in your life/career, their relevance to the ISB application and most importantly on what it says about YOU. Choose an example that could convince the ISB admissions committee that your qualities, attitude, experience, and knowledge make you different, unique and distinct.
As always, remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. Please ensure that the qualities/achievements mentioned in this essay complement the content in the other parts of your application.
Essay 2. Answer ONE of the following: (300 words max)
- Describe a defining moment in your personal / professional life when you had to make a risky decision, and explain what you did, why and the outcome? OR
- Describe a situation in your personal / professional life when you had to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. How did it affect you and what did you learn?
Essay 2 Answer ONE of the following: (300 words max). 2a. Describe a defining moment in your personal / professional life when you had to make a risky decision, and explain what you did, why and the outcome? OR
2a Tips. What you decide to talk about will reveal your character, values and maturity. When thinking about a 'risky' decision, the impact of your answer will hinge on the magnitude of the risk you undertook. Some possible high-stakes situations could involve loss of job, reputation, trust, credibility, relationship, love and support of near and dear ones. Whatever you choose to talk about, make sure it is a significant moment, a turning point in your life that has influenced you deeply.
Start by giving the context and if applicable the challenges associated with the situation. Show your thought process throughout the experience. Take the reader with you in your mental and emotional journey. Giving specific, concrete details to your story will make your narrative vivid, engaging and memorable.
2b. Describe a situation in your personal / professional life when you had to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. How did it affect you and what did you learn?
2b Tips. Diverse background is a broad term that could mean many things in different contexts. Cultural diversity is the obvious one and but you can talk about adjusting to any new environment that might include different languages, different values, different beliefs and different expectations. You can explicitly write about your international outlook, learning skills, adaptability and inclusive nature. Please note essay question is about 'people' with diverse background, so your narrative must be focused on the same.
Essay 3. What are your post ISB career plans and how will your past experiences and the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) contribute to taking you there? (300 words)
Essay 3 Tips. Think about why you are writing this ISB essay and taking all this trouble applying to ISB. Ask yourself: WHAT kind of career path you want, and HOW will ISB help you get there and WHY do you expect that?
ISB places great importance on your work experience and desires to understand how you envision your career. Find and express a logical, credible link between your past, present and future. Also uncover other motivations that have made you choose your particular career goal.
"Why ISB" is an important part of the question, so handle it with moderation and realism. This section of your answer must be very specific to your career goals. For example, if you write about school’s diverse culture, opportunities for global exchange, top-notch faculty, tie them in with why they are critical for your context and are better aligned with deeper themes running across your professional journey.
Be also specific, both about the industry and the role you are seeking and why. If your goals are more than ordinarily ambitious write credibly about those qualities/skills from your past experiences that qualify you to make these goals a reality.
Go for it!
Optional Essay. Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (200 words max)
Optional Essay Tips. You have to seriously address this essay even if you don't write it. The main question in optional essays is to decide whether it has to be written at all.
In the ISB application, attempt the optional essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit your ISB optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel the quality of your earlier essays is improvable in which case redouble your efforts in the earlier essays and leave the optional essay well alone. Since the ISB has just 3 small essays on which your candidature will be judged, contrary to our usual position we actually encourage you to look for truly enhancing perspectives or information that might make a difference to your application.
Use the optional essay to address areas in your ISB application which you feel are detrimental to your candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or resume areas which stick out (gaps in your employment/academics or earlier MBA) can be commented on if you have an explanation that is intelligent, interesting and credible.
One other situation when the optional essay is acceptable is when you need to describe at length some extraordinarily positive information that CANNOT be accommodated anywhere else in the ISB application. In case you find any of the above applicable, note down the options and then consider again if the optional essay is a strong constructive addition to your candidacy. If yes, then start working on the essay.
Reapplicant Essay. How has your profile changed from the time you last applied to the ISB? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay Tips. The number of candidates who consider this essay an addendum to the other essays is surprising. So let us say this clearly - if you are a reapplicant this is your most vital essay in the ISB application.
Apart from an extremely low applicants versus accepted ratio, the ISB applicants are almost fully Indian. So the ISB admissions committee is under great pressure to select the best candidates from a limited applicant pool. But there's still a door open for rejected candidates (even more so for waitlisted candidates). If you were rejected (or waitlisted) last time, use these 300 words to tell the ISB Admission Committee that there have been enough changes in your profile to justify a revaluation of your candidature.
Your aim will be to present the professional, academic and personal improvements that make you a stronger candidate for an ISB admission this year. State persuasively why you deserve a second chance.
What steps have you taken to strengthen your ISB application? Stronger work experience, professional achievements, better GMAT, personal achievements, accomplishments on the social front, international exposure or academic accomplishments can all find place in the ISB reapplicant essay. Proactive ISB-specific steps taken by you, perhaps based on direct or indirect feedback from the ISB, might prove a trump card.
Additionally, if required, please use the option of new recommendations and application inputs to support your essays and "bring out different qualities or traits of your personality which may have gone unnoticed earlier".
Go for it!
Essay 1. If we were to admit just one more student, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you by describing an (only one) achievement in your personal / professional life that you are most proud of. What did you do that sets you apart from others? What did you learn? (400 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. The real question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business bother with you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics or whatever?
The ISB is seeking your 'USP' in this essay. Your primary aim in this essay will be to explain to the ISB Adcom the factors that make you different, unique and distinct. Your task in this ISB Essay is to answer this question effectively and within 400 words.
This essay repeats itself in one form or another most years because it is a simple method for the ISB admissions committee to assess how desirable a candidate you are for the ISB. The essence of the prompt in this essay can be better understood through previous ISB application essay questions.
2012-2013: Please make a strong case to differentiate yourself from an exceptional set of applicants applying for PGP
2013-14. You could cite personal/professional achievements to present your case.
2010-2011: If we were to admit one more student to the class of 2012, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you? 2009-2010: Give 3 reasons as to why you should be selected to the class of 2011. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from the applicant pool and should be backed with some data.
2008-2009: Please give three reasons why ISB should admit you into the class of 2010. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from your competition.
2007-08: The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB?
This essay tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. To write credibly about the differentiation you bring and the value you add to the Indian School of Business will require some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!). Then, ask yourself what genuinely sets you apart. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest achievements? What are the characteristics that you believe will differentiate you in a group of high-reaching professionals? What are the skills and attitude that have driven your greatest personal/professional accomplishments? Choose two examples that credibly sell your candidacy. Whether you want to go with a single theme across both essays or multiple themes across each story is entirely your choice.
The current essay prompt combines the historical focus on "differentiation" the spotlight is on your achievements and learning. While the examples could be professional or personal, choose them based on their overall significance in your life/career, their relevance to the ISB application and most importantly on what it says about YOU. Choose an example that could convince the ISB admissions committee that your qualities, attitude, experience, and knowledge make you different, unique and distinct.
As always, remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. Please ensure that the qualities/achievements mentioned in this essay complement the content in the other parts of your application.
Essay 2. Answer ONE of the following: (300 words max)
- Describe a defining moment in your personal / professional life when you had to make a risky decision, and explain what you did, why and the outcome? OR
- Describe a situation in your personal / professional life when you had to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. How did it affect you and what did you learn?
Essay 2 Answer ONE of the following: (300 words max). 2a. Describe a defining moment in your personal / professional life when you had to make a risky decision, and explain what you did, why and the outcome? OR
2a Tips. What you decide to talk about will reveal your character, values and maturity. When thinking about a 'risky' decision, the impact of your answer will hinge on the magnitude of the risk you undertook. Some possible high-stakes situations could involve loss of job, reputation, trust, credibility, relationship, love and support of near and dear ones. Whatever you choose to talk about, make sure it is a significant moment, a turning point in your life that has influenced you deeply.
Start by giving the context and if applicable the challenges associated with the situation. Show your thought process throughout the experience. Take the reader with you in your mental and emotional journey. Giving specific, concrete details to your story will make your narrative vivid, engaging and memorable.
2b. Describe a situation in your personal / professional life when you had to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. How did it affect you and what did you learn?
2b Tips. Diverse background is a broad term that could mean many things in different contexts. Cultural diversity is the obvious one and but you can talk about adjusting to any new environment that might include different languages, different values, different beliefs and different expectations. You can explicitly write about your international outlook, learning skills, adaptability and inclusive nature. Please note essay question is about 'people' with diverse background, so your narrative must be focused on the same.
Essay 3. What are your post ISB career plans and how will your past experiences and the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) contribute to taking you there? (300 words)
Essay 3 Tips. Think about why you are writing this ISB essay and taking all this trouble applying to ISB. Ask yourself: WHAT kind of career path you want, and HOW will ISB help you get there and WHY do you expect that?
ISB places great importance on your work experience and desires to understand how you envision your career. Find and express a logical, credible link between your past, present and future. Also uncover other motivations that have made you choose your particular career goal.
"Why ISB" is an important part of the question, so handle it with moderation and realism. This section of your answer must be very specific to your career goals. For example, if you write about school’s diverse culture, opportunities for global exchange, top-notch faculty, tie them in with why they are critical for your context and are better aligned with deeper themes running across your professional journey.
Be also specific, both about the industry and the role you are seeking and why. If your goals are more than ordinarily ambitious write credibly about those qualities/skills from your past experiences that qualify you to make these goals a reality.
Go for it!
Optional Essay. Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (200 words max)
Optional Essay Tips. You have to seriously address this essay even if you don't write it. The main question in optional essays is to decide whether it has to be written at all.
In the ISB application, attempt the optional essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit your ISB optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel the quality of your earlier essays is improvable in which case redouble your efforts in the earlier essays and leave the optional essay well alone. Since the ISB has just 3 small essays on which your candidature will be judged, contrary to our usual position we actually encourage you to look for truly enhancing perspectives or information that might make a difference to your application.
Use the optional essay to address areas in your ISB application which you feel are detrimental to your candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or resume areas which stick out (gaps in your employment/academics or earlier MBA) can be commented on if you have an explanation that is intelligent, interesting and credible.
One other situation when the optional essay is acceptable is when you need to describe at length some extraordinarily positive information that CANNOT be accommodated anywhere else in the ISB application. In case you find any of the above applicable, note down the options and then consider again if the optional essay is a strong constructive addition to your candidacy. If yes, then start working on the essay.
Reapplicant Essay. How has your profile changed from the time you last applied to the ISB? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay Tips. The number of candidates who consider this essay an addendum to the other essays is surprising. So let us say this clearly - if you are a reapplicant this is your most vital essay in the ISB application.
Apart from an extremely low applicants versus accepted ratio, the ISB applicants are almost fully Indian. So the ISB admissions committee is under great pressure to select the best candidates from a limited applicant pool. But there's still a door open for rejected candidates (even more so for waitlisted candidates). If you were rejected (or waitlisted) last time, use these 300 words to tell the ISB Admission Committee that there have been enough changes in your profile to justify a revaluation of your candidature.
Your aim will be to present the professional, academic and personal improvements that make you a stronger candidate for an ISB admission this year. State persuasively why you deserve a second chance.
What steps have you taken to strengthen your ISB application? Stronger work experience, professional achievements, better GMAT, personal achievements, accomplishments on the social front, international exposure or academic accomplishments can all find place in the ISB reapplicant essay. Proactive ISB-specific steps taken by you, perhaps based on direct or indirect feedback from the ISB, might prove a trump card.
Additionally, if required, please use the option of new recommendations and application inputs to support your essays and "bring out different qualities or traits of your personality which may have gone unnoticed earlier".
Go for it!
Essay 1. Innovation or doing things differently it is said is a key to future success. Could you substantiate or negate this idea based on your experience. Please provide examples from your own experience - either examples of your own innovation or examples of others whom you have worked with. (300 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. ISB prides itself on developing leaders for tomorrow and one key trait of a leader is the ability to think differently. If you can show with solid examples that you have displayed this trait, you will be able to differentiate yourself from thousands of applicants who aspire to join ISB.
You could approach this essay by first taking a stand on the bigger idea of innovation- that you agree with ISB's assertion or not. Then follow it with what innovation means to you and showing that with examples.
There are many ways in which you can think about innovative thinking. You can talk about the times you contributed towards improving performance, or efficiency of a process, or how you were able to change your team's perceptions with your new thinking, or how you brought in new business because you thought differently and implemented new strategies. In any instance in which you thought differently, stood apart from the conventional wisdom of a time or a group and took initiatives to bring about change and drove success would form a compelling narrative for this essay.
We suggest you talk about your own thinking and experiences, but if there is another individual who has had a powerful influence on you, writing a thoughtful, mature account from their example you could also work. Ideally it should be someone you have observed closely over a period of time: your manager, your colleague, your client, your family member- whose way of thinking inspires respect and admiration in you. But remember, even when you are talking about another individual, the focus must be on YOU, so write with that approach.
Essay 2. Applying to and enrolling in a Business School is an important career decision. Critically look at your career to date, the choices you have made, the key influences behind those choices, your goals for the future and how you expect to benefit from the ISB experience in achieving your goals (300 words max)
Essay 2 Tips. Through this essay ISB seeks to understand what motivates you, what has driven your career path till now and how that will tie in with ISB PGP program and your future career goals. How you answer this question will also reveal your personality and attitudes.
So, find a quite spot, grab your favorite drink and take a mental walk down memory lane. Think about your journey till date, what paths you chose and why you chose them. As you examine your choices try to find a common theme or a pattern there and see if you can connect the same theme with why you want to pursue an MBA at this time in your life and why you are considering ISB. If you are not yet sure about why ISB, do your due diligence on the school, the PGP program and both short term and long term opportunities you will get with ISB degree. Going to business school is not about an year or two but it will have a lifelong impact on your professional and personal lives, so make sure you take and show that you have thought long and hard that ISB is your next step.
The ‘why ISB’ section of your answer must be very specific to your career goals. For example, when you write about school’s diverse culture, opportunities for global exchange, amazing faculty, tie them in with why they are critical for your context and are better aligned with deeper themes running across your professional journey. Avoid writing generic statements that you could easily write for any other school.
Answer ONE of the following essays
If you are unsure which of these four essays you should attempt, we suggest going with the one for which you have a strong story and which helps present you as a well-rounded candidate.
Essay 3A. This experience completely changed my way of thinking. (200 words)
Essay 3A Tips. The experience you choose could be one dramatic event or a trigger that led to series of events that changed your perceptions. You can decide to make this either a professional or a personal story. Whatever you choose, try to pick an incident or area which has deeper implications on many aspects of your life and possibly relates with your career visions too. If the rest of your essays are becoming heavy on work-focus, choose a non-work anecdote to balance and show them aspects from your personal life.
Approach this essay in three parts: the Before, the Change and the After. You have only 200 words so use this space to very succinctly describe your original thought or belief system. Then talk about what happened and why that was so powerful that you were forced to reconsider your way of thinking. Be sure to show how the change happened inside your mind. Take the reader through your thought process. End the narrative with talking about your changed thought and the learning you have gained, possibly much beyond that specific incident.
Essay 3B. An instance when you went out of the ordinary to achieve something significant, but in hind sight feel you could have done better. (200 words)
Essay 3B Tips A unique and slightly strangely worded essay. What is ISB aiming to get from this answer?
When ISB evaluates your profile, one quality it looks for is your ability to stretch yourself. They see it through your academics and your career track record. Another way for them to see is how you look back on your past successes. Do you feel content and complacent or do you aspire to keep working towards making yourself better and pushing yourself to achieve higher goals?
Going back and reflecting on your success and believing you could have done even better, desiring to push yourself to outdo your own accomplishments- that attitude and spirit is what ISB is looking for.
You could pick a time/event where you succeeded because of your efforts but looking back you see few flaws in your thought process, your approach or foresight and you wish you could have done better and perhaps with a different approach. How you evaluate and reflect on your past experiences and how you show your learning from them will also display the strength of your character, your fortitude and the potential for your success in career and beyond.
Essay 3C. Tell us about your role in a team that made a significant contribution to the organization (200 words)
Essay 3C Tips. A huge part of your time in business school will be spent working in teams so ISB wants to know if you are a result-oriented team player.
When you start answering this question think in terms of your accomplishment and the challenges you had to overcome. You could start by explaining the context and give the reader a clear idea of the team – the number, structure, possible organization and YOUR role in the team. Once you have set the context, then talk about the challenges and conflict you had to face and take the adcom through your heroic journey.
Remember this is a teamwork and leadership essay so keep your stories connected with those themes but make sure to keep the focus on YOU, on how you added value to your team and your organization. Perhaps you brought in a diverse viewpoint, you fostered better communication, you helped in conflict resolution, you kept the team focused and on track, you motivated your teammates. Pick one or two of your many strengths and weave your crisp essay around that.
Essay 3D. Contribution to peer learning and engagement with the ISB student body are important aspects of the ISB experience. What contribution do you expect to make in this direction during the one year at ISB. (200 words)
Essay 3D Tips. You can look at this essay from a several possible perspectives. You could start by demonstrating your strengths as a teacher, sharer and collaborator and giving examples from your past and how you plan on using them to enrich ISB community. You could also highlight how you intend to leverage your vast domain expertise, your unique perspectives, your passions and interests to enhance the experience of your classmates. For example, you can talk about being a finance mentor, starting a new interest club, a new speaker series, organizing a trek!
To emphatically state what specific contributions you will make, you will need to thoroughly understand the ISB program and opportunities it offers. So, do your research, learn about the specific areas you want to get involved in and show adcom how your strengths will make ISB a better community.
Optional Essay. Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (200 words max)
Optional Essay Tips. You have to seriously address this essay even if you don't write it. The main question in optional essays is to decide whether it has to be written at all.
In the ISB application, attempt the optional essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit your ISB optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel the quality of your earlier essays is improvable in which case redouble your efforts in the earlier essays and leave the optional essay well alone. Since the ISB has just 3 small essays on which your candidature will be judged, contrary to our usual position we actually encourage you to look for truly enhancing perspectives or information that might make a difference to your application.
Use the optional essay to address areas in your ISB application which you feel are detrimental to your candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or resume areas which stick out (gaps in your employment/academics or earlier MBA) can be commented on if you have an explanation that is intelligent, interesting and credible.
One other situation when the optional essay is acceptable is when you need to describe at length some extraordinarily positive information that CANNOT be accommodated anywhere else in the ISB application. In case you find any of the above applicable, note down the options and then consider again if the optional essay is a strong constructive addition to your candidacy. If yes, then start working on the essay.
Reapplicant Essay. How has your profile changed from the time you last applied to the ISB? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay Tips. The number of candidates who consider this essay an addendum to the other essays is surprising. So let us say this clearly - if you are a reapplicant this is your most vital essay in the ISB application.
Apart from an extremely low applicants versus accepted ratio, the ISB applicants are almost fully Indian. So the ISB admissions committee is under great pressure to select the best candidates from a limited applicant pool. But there's still a door open for rejected candidates (even more so for waitlisted candidates). If you were rejected (or waitlisted) last time, use these 300 words to tell the ISB Admission Committee that there have been enough changes in your profile to justify a revaluation of your candidature.
Your aim will be to present the professional, academic and personal improvements that make you a stronger candidate for an ISB admission this year. State persuasively why you deserve a second chance.
What steps have you taken to strengthen your ISB application? Stronger work experience, professional achievements, better GMAT, personal achievements, accomplishments on the social front, international exposure or academic accomplishments can all find place in the ISB reapplicant essay. Proactive ISB-specific steps taken by you, perhaps based on direct or indirect feedback from the ISB, might prove a trump card.
Additionally, if required, please use the option of new recommendations and application inputs to support your essays and "bring out different qualities or traits of your personality which may have gone unnoticed earlier".
Go for it!
Similar to the last three years, the ISB PGP application essays package includes three standard essays. The mandatory third 'optional' question has thankfully given way to a fully formed achievement prompt. The Video essay has been dropped. Though the essays still lack the envelop-pushing ISB questions of yore, the Differentiation Essay, Goals Essay and Achievement Essay collectively offer ample scope for presenting a convincing case to the ISB admissions committee. These essays are a good canvas for presenting your self and your career/MBA dreams.
Essay 1. Attitude, skills and knowledge differentiate people. Elaborate with two examples on how you would differentiate yourself from other applicants to the PGP. (300 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. Over the years the Differentiate Yourself essay has become the staple essay opener for the ISB application. This essay repeats itself in one form or another most years because it is a simple method for the ISB admissions committee to assess the desirability of your candidacy. An excellent preliminary exercise to understand the essence of this year's opening essay would be to peruse these older essays.
2012-2013: Please make a strong case to differentiate yourself from an exceptional set of applicants applying for PGP 2013-14. You could cite personal/professional achievements to present your case. 2010-2011: If we were to admit one more student to the class of 2012, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you? 2009-2010: Give 3 reasons as to why you should be selected to the class of 2011. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from the applicant pool and should be backed with some data. 2008-2009: Please give three reasons why ISB should admit you into the class of 2010. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from your competition. 2007-08: The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB?
One key difference this time is that the essay has to be held together by 'two examples' that show how your 'attitude, skills and knowledge' differentiate you. Since the real question is - why should the Indian School of Business bother with you when there are thousands of other applicants with comparable GMAT scores or work experience or academics or whatever? - the two examples should convince the ISB admissions committee that your 'attitude, skills and knowledge' make you different, unique and distinct.
Differentiating yourself within the context of the ISB class profile will be critical. To write credibly about the differentiation you bring, the value you add to the Indian School of Business and where/why you fit in at the ISB you will require some knowledge of the ISB and the ISB student profile. Then, ask yourself what genuinely sets you apart. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest achievements? What are the characteristics that you believe will differentiate you in a group of high-reaching professionals? What are the skills and attitude that have driven your greatest personal/professional accomplishments? Choose two examples that credibly sell your candidacy. Whether you want to go with a single theme across both essays or multiple themes (attitude, skills and knowledge) across each story is entirely your choice.
The current essay prompt combines the historical focus on "differentiation" the spotlight on your achievements. While the examples could be professional or personal, choose them based on their overall significance in your life/career, their relevance to the ISB application and most importantly on what it says about YOU. Choose examples that showcase your qualities, perspectives, skills, attitude, and/or knowledge.
As always, remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. Please ensure that the qualities/achievements mentioned in this essay are complemented by the content in the other essays. Ensure that the chosen examples reinforce your stated goals in Essay 2 while avoiding overlaps with Essay 3.
Go for it!
Essay 2. How does the ISB PGP tie-in with your career goals? (300 words max)
Essay 2 Tips. For the last four years the ISB essay pack has included a career goals and "why ISB" essay. This essay question is even more straightforward than the previous year's goals essay which had an arbitrary three year focus.
2012-2013: Where do you see yourself three years after you graduate from the ISB?
As usual, older ISB essays, will help you realize this essay better.
2010-2011: What are your short term and long term goals? How will the ISB help you achieve the same?
2009-1010: Briefly assess your career progression till date along with your assessment of your future career goals. Discuss how your career goals will be met by the ISB's one year program.
The simplicity of this essay prompt is deceptive. Apart from precisely stating your future plans, you will need to connect them to the ISB, while expressing a logical, credible link between your career thus far (and the skills, experience, knowledge gained) and your goals.
As a first step reflect deeply (if you have not already) on your post-ISB goals. It is essential that you be totally realistic and as specific as possible while detailing your career goals. Be specific, both about the industry and the role you are seeking, and why. This essay is a test of the credibility, practicality and achievability of your dreams and you better construct a multi-point argument that leaves no loose ends. If your goals significantly shift from your earlier experiences or are more than ordinarily ambitious write in detail and with conviction and credibility about those qualities/skills/learning/experiences that (will) qualify you to make those goals a reality.
Convincingly explaining "Why ISB" - why SPECIFICALLY ISB - is critical to your candidature. Showcase the key aspects of the ISB program, community and setting that will help you achieve your goals. The objective is to implicitly and explicitly demonstrate that your application is a reflection of your serious and specific interest in the ISB: so please ensure that the points you mention do not apply equally to other major b-schools as well! Go beyond cutting and pasting info from the ISB website, and personalize your answer as much as possible. Be specific while linking your career goals with the ISB PGP program, alumni, students, faculty, clubs etc. Researching the school, speaking with students and alumni and explaining your fit with the ISB effectively in this essay can make a huge difference to your candidacy.
Having done all of the above your greatest challenge in this essay will perhaps be space - or lack of it. Length is always a challenge with the ISB essays, and we have no choice but to be concise. Keep it short.
Goals, more than most essay topics, are more a matter of credibility and logic than anything else. If you can add passion as well to the mix, you might have the recipe for an effective, successful essay.
Go get 'em!
Essay 3. Pick the most significant achievement (professional or personal) you have had and elaborate on the key learning you took away from it. (300 words)
Essay 3 Tips. This is a new essay for the ISB application. So let's think afresh!
You have several accomplishments in your roster - personal, professional and academic - and choosing just one might prove daunting. The two key factors that will help you make the shortlist are: overall significance in your life/career and relevance to the ISB application. The final selection criteria for the achievement would not be what but WHY: what you learned from the achievement and how the achievements showcases your qualities, strengths, knowledge, experience and/or attitude.
Elucidate the achievement with special emphasis on how your actions and ideas impacted other people. As usual the story is simple a medium to sell your candidacy to the admissions committee. Some of the obvious qualities that the achievement can reflect on are: Leadership, Initiative, Vision, Courage, Innovation, Teamwork.
The dramatic quality of the essay is essential to grab and maintain interest - as in any narrative. Identify aspects and perspectives connected to the story that will make it interesting and dramatic. Be interesting while being totally credible.
As always, remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. The link with Essay 1 is unmistakable. Ensure that the general themes uncovered in the first essay are reflected here as well. Take care to underscore characteristics, traits, viewpoints and/or skills that enable you to be an effective leader or entrepreneur who can achieve the goals set forth in Essay two.
Go for it!
Reapplicant Essay. How has your profile changed from the time you last applied to the ISB? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay Tips . The number of candidates who consider this essay an addendum to the other essays is surprising. So let me say this clearly - if you are a reapplicant this is your most vital essay in the ISB application.
Apart from an extremely low applicants versus accepted ratio, the ISB applicants are almost fully Indian. So the ISB admissions committee is under great pressure to select the best candidates from a limited applicant pool. But there's still a door open for rejected candidates (even more so for waitlisted candidates). If you were rejected (or waitlisted) last time, use these 300 words to tell the ISB Admission Committee that there have been enough changes in your profile to justify a revaluation of your candidature.
Your aim will be to present the professional, academic and personal improvements that make you a stronger candidate for an ISB admission this year. State persuasively why you deserve a second chance.
What steps have you taken to strengthen your ISB application? Stronger work experience, professional achievements, better GMAT, personal achievements, accomplishments on the social front, international exposure or academic accomplishments can all find place in the ISB reapplicant essay. Proactive ISB-specific steps taken by you, perhaps based on direct or indirect feedback from the ISB, might prove a trump card.
Additionally, if required, please use the option of new recommendations and application inputs to support your essays and "bring out different qualities or traits of your personality which may have gone unnoticed earlier".
Go for it!
Scholarship Essay [Optional]. Why do you think that the ISB Scholarship Committee should consider you for scholarship? (300 words max)
Scholarship Essay Tips. Applying for a scholarship is almost always advisable - you have little to lose and something to gain. A scholarship essay should tie in with your application and essay package, without contradicting any part of what you have already written about yourself. As the scholarship process is usually separate from the admissions process in most schools do not be afraid of repeating information that defines your strong candidature.
The ISB scholarship essay can essentially take two approaches - merit based or need based. Though merit based ISB scholarships are automatically considered, the crux of the need based essay would still need merit!
The merit based approach can explain why and how your candidacy is superior to that of the average ISB candidate. It might be a recap of parts of Essay 1 (and possibly Essay 2) with additional points which might tie in with the ISB's stated aims (come on! go refer the ISB website - now!). As the ISB admissions process is separate from the scholarship decision your scholarship essay can repeat information already mentioned in mandatory essays. The need based approach reviews your financial position and explains the strain that the ISB fees would be on you and your immediate family.
If you have more ideas I am waiting to hear them!
Like last year, the ISB PGP application essays package includes two standard essays and a third that offers unlimited scope for the applicant. Though the essays lack the envelop pushing questions they had till a couple of years back, the Achievements Essay and Goals Essay together with an open ended additional information essay, offer ample scope for presenting a convincing case to the ISB admissions committee. With an early start and clarity of thought this is a great opportunity to present your self and your career/MBA dreams.
Essay 1. Please detail your two most significant achievements. These could be either professional or personal but relevant to your application to the ISB. (300 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. This is a new essay for the ISB application. So let's think afresh!
You have several accomplishments in your roster - personal, professional and academic - and choosing just two might be a testing task. The two key factors that will help you make the shortlist are: overall significance in your life/career and relevance to the ISB application. Also, as I have repeatedly mentioned, the final selection criteria for the achievements would not be what but why, since the purpose of detailing the achievements is to underline your qualities, strengths, experience and/or attitude in such a way as to make your candidature relevant to the ISB.
So, the choice of achievements for this essay should be based on the general importance of the achievements, the extent of your contribution to its success and most importantly on what it tells about YOU. Choose achievements that showcase your qualities, perspectives, attitude and/or knowledge that the ISB admissions committee will find attractive. Underscore characteristics, traits, viewpoints and/or skills that enable you to be an effective leader or entrepreneur who can achieve the goals set forth in essay two.
Leadership skills
Initiative
Vision
Courage
Courage
Teamwork
These are just some of the obvious qualities that the achievements can reflect on.
Since differentiating yourself within the context of the ISB class profile will be critical to your candidature, ask yourself what genuinely sets you apart. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest qualities? What are the characteristics that you believe will differentiate you in a group of high-reaching professionals? What are the qualities that have aided most in your past - personally or professionally? What are the standout aspects that drive you? Having evaluated the above, choose achievements that highlight the chosen strengths.
ISB Class Profile: The ISB Post Graduate Programme (PGP) Class of 2011 had 577 students, 72% male and 28% female. The mean age was 27 but mainly ranged between 25 to 31. GMAT scores basically ranged from 680-760 but averaged out at 710. Years of experience remained at an average of 5 and mainly ranged from 2.7 to 7 years. Only 27% of the students had international work experience, compared to an awesome 58% last year.
To write credibly about the differentiation you bring and how your qualities (as reflected in the two achievements) will be valued at the ISB, you will need to build some knowledge of the ISB and the ISB student profile.
The dramatic quality of the stories is essential to grab and maintain interest - in any story. Often, when I say this, an automatic assumption is to spice up the story. Resist the temptation. Without exception, if you think enough, you will find aspects and perspectives connected to the story that make it interesting and dramatic. So be interesting while totally credible.
As always, remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. Please ensure that the strengths/stories mentioned in this essay are complemented by the content in the other essays.
Go for it!
Essay 2. Where do you see yourself three years after you graduate from the ISB? (300 words max)
Essay 2 Tips. For the last two year the ISB essay pack has included a straightforward career goals and "why ISB" essay. 2009-1010: Briefly assess your career progression till date along with your assessment of your future career goals. Discuss how your career goals will be met by the ISB’s one year program.
2010-2011: What are your short term and long term goals? How will the ISB help you achieve the same?
Two quick pointers. One, the simplicity of this essay prompt is deceptive. Apart from the challenge of precisely crystal ball gazing into your future you will need to connect to the ISB and to your longer term future and to your past. These unasked questions might need answering, explicitly or implicitly, for a complete and fitting reply to the asked question. Two, this year, the ISB admissions committee has added a specific time-frame of 3 years at which point your goals essay begins. Changes in essay prompts are often important indicators of what went wrong with the essays the previous year - and how we can improve our own. The specific time period is probably a result of vague timelines and answers in multitudes of essays last year. So, be SPECIFIC - about goals, ideas and actions.
Now, on to the essay! As a first step reflect deeply (if you have not already) on your post-ISB goals. Think about why you are taking all this trouble applying to the ISB in the first place. It is essential that you be totally realistic and as specific as possible while detailing your post-ISB goals. Be specific, both about the industry and the role you are seeking, and why. This essay is a test of the credibility, practicality and achievability of your dreams and you better construct a multi-point argument that leaves no loose ends. If your goals significantly shift from your earlier experiences or are more than ordinarily ambitious write in detail and with conviction and credibility about those qualities/skills/learning/experiences that (will) qualify you to make those goals a reality.
Identifying and expressing a logical, credible link between your career thus far (and the skills, experience, knowledge gained) and your goals is the first of the unasked questions. If possible blend in non-career aspects that are relevant to your story since your career is intricately connected to your personal life/goals.
"Why ISB" and "long term goals" are other important unasked questions that need thought and research - even if you do not write about them explicitly in this essay! The 3-year goals will have to satisfactorily answer "why ISB" and also explain how it will help you reach your longer term goals - not now, but at the interview stage. Thinking about those aspects after you have painted yourself into a corner with short term goals might be disastrous. So be prepared now.
Having done all of the above your greatest challenge in this essay will perhaps be space - or lack of it. Length is always a challenge with the ISB essays, and we have no choice but to be concise. The Goals Essay, which various b-schools expect between 500-1500 words, will have to be completed in just 300 words. Be very stingy with words. Bear in mind that these 300 words will probably be most decisive in your ISB quest this year.
Goals, even more than other essay topics, are more a matter of credibility and logic than anything else. If you can add passion as well, then you might have the recipe for an effective, successful essay.
Go get 'em!
Essay 3. Please provide additional information, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (300 words)
Essay 3 Tips. This mandatory essay, retained as is from last year, is camouflaged as an optional essay, with wording very similar to optional essay prompts from previous years. For example, 2009-2010: "Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. Please do not repeat information which has already been stated elsewhere in the application."
Your first challenge would be to identify a suitable theme for this essay that complements and enhances the two earlier essays, without simply listing a few accomplishments and awards. Strong candidates for themes are: Career Progression, Out of work and Volunteer Activities, Personal Credo, Vision Statement or a collage of achievements.
Since the second essay is limited to a three-year goals outlook and is further restricted to just 300 words a longer, logical and fitting Goals Essay that encompasses "why ISB?", "career progression" and long-term goals is a possibility here.
A thematic presentation of YOU Unplugged - credo, tastes, passions, hobbies - uncovering you as a human being is another possibility.
A Vision Statement is welcome if you have a credible, impressive longer term goal that begs further elaboration.
A collage of achievements we missed out in the first two essays highlighting qualities that will be attractive to the ISB is yet another option.
These are just a few of the themes I have jotted down. Please do your own homework to uncover the theme/s that best fit your achievements, life and goals. Shortlist the options and go for the best!
Once you have done this, consider if there are other aspects of your candidature - negative or positive - that might need a mention here. You can address aspects potentially detrimental to your ISB candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or resume statistics which stick out (gaps in your employment/academics or earlier MBA) can be commented on if you have an explanation that is intelligent, interesting and credible.
Go for it!
Reapplicant Essay. How has your profile changed from the time you last applied to the ISB? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay Tips. The number of candidates who consider this essay an addendum to the other essays is surprising. So let me say this clearly - if you are a reapplicant this is your most vital essay in the ISB application.
Apart from an extremely low applicants versus accepted ratio, the ISB applicants are almost fully Indian. So the ISB Adcom is under great pressure to select the best candidates from a limited applicant pool. But there's still a door open for rejected candidates (even more so for waitlisted candidates). If you were rejected (or waitlisted) last time, use these 300 words to tell the ISB Admission Committee that there have been enough changes in your profile to justify a revaluation of your candidature.
Your aim will be to present the professional, academic and personal improvements that make you a stronger candidate for an ISB admission this year. State persuasively why you deserve a second chance.
What steps have you taken to strengthen your ISB application? Stronger work experience, professional achievements, better GMAT, personal achievements, accomplishments on the social front, international exposure or academic accomplishments can all find place in the ISB reapplicant essay. Proactive ISB-specific steps taken by you, perhaps based on direct or indirect feedback from the ISB, might prove a trump card.
Additionally, if required, please use the option of new recommendations and application inputs to support your essays and "bring out different qualities or traits of your personality which may have gone unnoticed earlier".
Go for it!
Scholarship Essay [Optional]. Why do you think that the ISB Scholarship Committee should consider you for scholarship? (300 words max)
Scholarship Essay Tips. Applying for a scholarship is almost always advisable - you have little to lose and something to gain. A scholarship essay should tie in with your application and essay package, without contradicting any part of what you have already written about yourself. As the scholarship process is usually separate from the admissions process in most schools do not be afraid of repeating information that defines your strong candidature.
The ISB scholarship essay can essentially take two approaches – merit based or need based. Though merit based ISB scholarships are automatically considered, the crux of the need based essay would still need merit! The merit based approach can explain why and how your candidacy is superior to the average ISB candidate’s. It might be a recap of parts of Essay 1 and Essay 2 with additional points which might tie in with the ISB’s stated aims (come on! go refer their website now!). As the ISB admissions process is separate from the scholarship decision your scholarship essay can repeat information already mentioned in mandatory essays. The need based approach reviews your financial position and explains the strain that the ISB fees would be on you and your immediate family.
If you have more ideas I am waiting to hear them!
Essay 1. If we were to admit one more student to the class of 2012, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you? (300 words max)
Essay 1 Tips. The real question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business Hyderabad bother with you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics or whatever? The ISB is seeking your Unique Selling Proposition in this essay. Your primary aim in this essay will be to explain to the ISB Adcom the factors that make you different, unique and distinct.
This essay repeats itself in one form or another most years because it is a simple method for the ISB admissions committee to assess how desirable a candidate you are for the ISB. The essence of the prompt in this essay can be better understood through previous ISB application essay questions.
2009-2010: Give 3 reasons as to why you should be selected to the class of 2011. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from the applicant pool and should be backed with some data.
2008-09: Please give three reasons why ISB should admit you into the class of 2010. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from your competition.
2007-08: The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB?
An excellent preliminary preparation for this essay would be to look at these older essays and formulate rough answers for each.
Since differentiating yourself within the context of the ISB class profile will be critical to your candidature, ask yourself what genuinely sets you apart. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest achievements? What are the characteristics that you believe will differentiate you in a group of high-reaching professionals? What are the qualities that have aided most in your past personal/professional accomplishments? Choose from your achievements, your hobbies, your academics, your personality traits, your passions, your work experiences, your life experiences, your attitude. Sell whatever you feel can sell well - and credibly. Whether you want to go with a single theme or multiple reasons - be clear, concise (300 words cannot support long stories) and completely credible.
To write credibly about the differentiation you bring, the value you add to the Indian School of Business and where/why you fit in at the ISB you will require some knowledge of the ISB and the ISB student profile. Create a word picture of a person who can add definite value to the Indian School of Business Class of 2012.
Give short examples whenever possible. To build the information base for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues and family are excellent sources for giving you obvious answers which you might have easily overlooked. But the person who knows you best will always be the one you see in the mirror.
As always, remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. Please ensure that the strengths/stories mentioned in this essay are complemented by the content in the other essays.
Go for it!
Essay 2. What are your short term and long term goals? How will the ISB help you achieve the same? (300 words max)
Essay 2 Tips. Since last year the ISB essay pack has included a straightforward career goals and "why ISB" essay. Be warned however that the simplicity of this essay prompt is deceptive. Apart from the challenge of precisely crystal ball gazing into your future and connecting ISB to that future, there are several unasked questions that we might need to answer. A look at last year's essay prompt will be a good starting point.
2009-1010: Briefly assess your career progression till date along with your assessment of your future career goals. Discuss how your career goals will be met by the ISB’s one year program.
As a first step reflect deeply (if you have not already) on your post-ISB short term and long term goals. Think about why you are taking all this trouble applying to the ISB in the first place. It is essential that you be totally realistic and as specific as possible while detailing your post-ISB goals. Be specific, both about the industry and the role you are seeking, and why. If your goals are more than ordinarily ambitious write credibly about those qualities/skills that qualify you to make those goals a reality. While credibility, logic and realism are critical the magic element that will transform your essay from a statement into a pledge would be - passion.
Identifying and expressing a logical, credible link between your career thus far (and the skills, experience, knowledge gained) and your goals is the first of the unasked questions. If possible blend in non-career aspects that are relevant to your story since your career is intricately connected to your personal life and personal goals. The main challenge here is length - so be concise.
"Why ISB" is a critical component of the question and should be dealt with application, research and intelligence. Look beyond cutting/pasting info gleaned from the ISB website and make a compelling argument that answers "Why is the ISB PGP the BEST business school program for you?" This unasked question will be critical not only for your online application but also later in your interview. Personalize your answer as much as possible and find as many matches between what ISB specifically (and if possible, uniquely) offers you and your future goals.
Having done all of the above your greatest challenge in this essay will perhaps be space - or lack of it. The Goals Essay, which various b-schools expect between 500-1500 words, will have to be completed in just 300 words. I repeat, be very stingy with words. Bear in mind that these 300 words will probably be most decisive in your ISB quest this year.
Goals, even more than other essay topics, are more a matter of credibility and logic than anything else. If you can add passion as well, you have the recipe for a beautiful and effective essay.
Go get 'em!
Essay 3. Please provide additional information, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (300 words)
Essay 3 Tips. This mandatory essay camouflaged as an optional one is very similar to optional essay prompts from previous years. For example, 2009-2010: "Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. Please do not repeat information which has already been stated elsewhere in the application."
Your first challenge would be to identify a suitable theme for this essay that complements and enhances the two earlier essays, without simply listing a few accomplishments and awards. Strong candidates for themes are: Career Progression, Out of work and Volunteer Activities/Personal Credo, Vision Statement or a collage of achievements.
Since we had just 300 words in the second essay for the goals and why ISB, a logical and fitting Career Progression story that buttresses our goals statement is welcome here. A thematic presentation of YOU unplugged - credo, tastes, passions, hobbies - uncovering you as a human being is another possibility. A Vision Statement is welcome only in those cases where you have a truly amazing set of goals that begs further elaboration. A collage of achievements we missed out in the two essays highlighting qualities that will be attractive to the ISB is yet another option. These are just a few of the themes I have jotted down. Please do your own homework to uncover the theme that best fits your achievements, life and goals. Shortlist the options and go for the best!
Once you have done this, consider if there are other aspects of your candidature - negative or positive - that might need a mention here. You can address aspects potentially detrimental to your ISB candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or resume statistics which stick out (gaps in your employment/academics or earlier MBA) can be commented on if you have an explanation that is intelligent, interesting and credible.
Go for it!
Reapplicant Essay. How has your profile changed from the time you last applied to the ISB?
Reapplicant Essay Tips. It is surprising, the number of candidates who consider this essay an addendum to the other essays. So let me say this clearly - if you are a reapplicant this is your most vital essay in the ISB application.
Apart from an extremely low applicants versus accepted ratio, the ISB applicants are almost fully Indian. So the ISB Adcom is under great pressure to select the best candidates from a limited applicant pool. But there's still a door open for rejected candidates (even more so for waitlisted candidates). If you were rejected (or waitlisted) last time, use these 300 words to tell the ISB Admission Committee that there have been enough changes in your profile to justify a revaluation of your candidature.
Your aim will be to present the professional, academic and personal improvements that make you a stronger candidate for an ISB admission this year. State persuasively why you deserve a second chance.
What steps have you taken to strengthen your ISB application? Stronger work experience, professional achievements, better GMAT, personal achievements, accomplishments on the social front, international exposure or academic accomplishments can all find place in the ISB reapplicant essay. Proactive ISB-specific steps taken by you, perhaps based on direct or indirect feedback from the ISB, might prove a trump card.
Additionally, if required, please use the option of new recommendations and application inputs to support your essays and "bring out different qualities or traits of your personality which may have gone unnoticed earlier".
Go for it!
Essay 1 Tips. Give 3 reasons as to why you should be selected to the class of 2011. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from the applicant pool and should be backed with some data. (300 words max)
The real question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business Hyderabad bother with you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics or whatever? The ISB is seeking your USP in this essay. Your primary aim in this essay will be to explain to the ISB Adcom the factors that make you different, unique and distinct. Your task in this ISB Essay is to answer this question distinctly and within 300 words.
This essay repeats itself in one form or another most years because it is a simple method for the ISB admissions committee to assess how desirable a candidate you are for the ISB. The essence of the prompt in this essay can be better understood through previous ISB application essay questions.
2008-09: Please give three reasons why ISB should admit you into the class of 2010. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from your competition.
2007-08: The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB?
To write credibly about the differentiation you bring, the value you add to the Indian School of Business and where/why you fit in you will require some knowledge of the ISB and the ISB student profile. Since this year the question specifically mentions "the applicant pool" applied research to place you within an applicant pool and to differentiate yourself within that pool will be essential.
Ask yourself what genuinely sets you apart. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest achievements? What are the characteristics that you believe will differentiate you in a group of high-reaching professionals? What are the qualities that have aided most in your past personal/professional accomplishments? Choose from your achievements, your hobbies, your academics, your personality traits, your passions, your work experiences, your life experiences, your attitude. Sell whatever you feel can sell well - and credibly. Even if the Adcom had not requested that your assertions be "backed with some data" you should sustain all your claims with credible supporting information.
Give short (300 words cannot support long stories) examples whenever possible. To get information for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues and family are excellent sources for giving you obvious answers which you might have easily overlooked. But the person who knows you best will always be the one you see in the mirror.
As always, remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. While you are trying to convincingly portray a picture of a person who can add definite value to the ISB do not overdo it because we are only at our first essay. Make sure that you leave enough room for the strengths/stories mentioned in this essay to be complemented by the other essays.
Go for it!
Essay 2 Tips. Describe a challenging assignment you have handled (at work or outside) to date. What were the challenges and how did you handle them. What were the personal learnings you derived from this assignment. (300 words max)
The objective of the essay is to demonstrate that you 1. are a good learner. 2. can handle pressure. 3. possess x,y,z qualities that make you quite a catch for the ISB Class of 2011.
From the several accomplishments you have in your roster - personal, professional and academic - choose one based on the general importance of the achievement, the extent of your contribution to its success and what the story tells about you. Your leadership skills, initiative, learning capacity and teamwork are just some of the qualities that the challenge could reflect on. Do not forget for a moment that the achievements and successes within the challenge are what you focus on in this essay.
Ensure that your story includes identifiable and obviously substantive challenges that you successfully tackled (the reader should not feel - "You did that. So??!!") and specific learnings/lessons that you took away from the story.
Irrespective of whether you choose a professional or a personal example stick to stories that are not located too far back in time.
BTW if someone can tell me why "to date" is necessary in the question I'll be the wiser ;-) I get the feeling ISB had this in mind - "Describe the most challenging assignment you have handled (at work or outside) to date." - but got lost along the way. Since this prompt can only make your essay stronger, why not use it?
Go for it!
Essay 3 Tips. Briefly assess your career progression till date along with your assessment of your future career goals. Discuss how your career goals will be met by the ISB’s one year program. (300 words max)
A straightforward career progression, career goals and "why ISB" essay from ISB! Surprise!
This is a simple and important essay that will put your career - past, present and future - into perspective and explain why you are writing this application to the ISB in the first place. The task here is to clearly delineate your career development in the context of your career goals, while also linking the ISB MBA with your present and future. Finding and expressing a logical, credible link between your career thus far, your goals and the ISB would be the key to this essay. If possible blend in non-career aspects that are relevant to your story since your career is intricately connected to your personal life and personal goals.
Be realistic and be as specific as you need to be while detailing your post-ISB goals. While credibility, logic and realism are critical the magic element that will transform your essay from a statement into a pledge would be - passion. Pour it in!
"Why ISB" is a critical component of the question and should be dealt with application, research and intelligence. Look beyond cutting/pasting info gleaned from the ISB website. Personalize your answer as much as possible and find as many matches between what ISB specifically offers you and your future goals.
Having done all of the above your greatest challenge in this essay will perhaps be space - or lack of it. The Goals Essay, which various b-schools expect between 500-1500 words, will have to be completed in just 300 words. So be very stingy with words.
Go get 'em!
Optional Essay Tips. Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. Please do not repeat information which has already been stated elsewhere in the application. You may use this to clarify any breaks in education/work, inform about any other item which you think has not been covered elsewhere etc. (300 words max) Optional
You have to seriously address this essay even if you don’t write it. The main question in optional essays is to decide whether it has to be written at all. And the ISB is quite emphatic that they do not want their time wasted with repetitive information or insignificant details.
In the ISB application, attempt the optional essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit your ISB optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel the quality of your earlier essays is improvable – in which case redouble your efforts in the earlier essays and leave the optional essay well alone. Since the ISB has just 3 small essays on which your candidature will be judged, contrary to my usual position I actually encourage you to look for truly enhancing perspectives or information that might make a difference to your application.
Use the optional essay to address areas in your ISB application which you feel are detrimental to your candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or resume areas which stick out (gaps in your employment/academics or earlier MBA) can be commented on if you have an explanation that is intelligent, interesting and credible.
One other situation when the optional essay is acceptable is when you need to describe at length some extraordinarily positive information that CANNOT be accommodated anywhere else in the ISB application. In case you find any of the above applicable, note down the options and then consider again if the optional essay is a strong constructive addition to your candidacy. If yes, then start working on the essay.
Scholarship Essay Tips [Optional]. Why do you think that the ISB Scholarship Committee should consider you for scholarship? (300 words max)
Applying for a scholarship is almost always advisable - you have little to lose and something to gain. A scholarship essay should tie in with your application and essay package, without contradicting any part of what you have already written about yourself. As the scholarship process is usually separate from the admissions process in most schools do not be afraid of repeating information that defines your strong candidature.
The ISB scholarship essay can essentially take two approaches – merit based or need based. Though merit based ISB scholarships are automatically considered, the crux of the need based essay would still need merit! The merit based approach can explain why and how your candidacy is superior to the average ISB candidate’s. It might be a recap of parts of Essay 1 and Essay 2 with additional points which might tie in with the ISB’s stated aims (come on! go refer their website now!). As the ISB admissions process is separate from the scholarship decision your scholarship essay can repeat information already mentioned in mandatory essays. The need based approach reviews your financial position and explains the strain that the ISB fees would be on you and your immediate family.
If you have more ideas I am waiting to hear them!
Reapplicant Essay Tips. How has your profile changed from the time you last applied to the ISB? (300 words max)
Apart from an extremely low applicants versus accepted ratio, the ISB applicants are almost fully Indian. So the ISB Adcom is under great pressure to select the best candidates from a limited applicant pool. But there's still a door open for rejected candidates (even more so for waitlisted candidates). If you were rejected (or waitlisted) last time, use these 300 words to tell the ISB Admission Committee that there have been enough changes in your profile to justify a revaluation of your candidature.
Your aim will be to present the professional, academic and personal improvements that make you a stronger candidate for an ISB admission this year. State compelling reasons why you deserve a second chance. What steps have you taken to strengthen your ISB application? Stronger work experience, professional achievements, better GMAT, personal achievements, accomplishments on the social front, international exposure or academic accomplishments can all find place in the ISB reapplicant essay. Proactive ISB-specific steps taken by you, perhaps based on direct or indirect feedback from the ISB, might prove a trump card.
Go for it!
Essay 1 Tips. Please give three reasons why ISB should admit you into the class of 2010. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from your competition. (300 words max)
The real question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business Hyderabad bother with you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics or whatever? Given a vast (huge number of applicants) but limited (almost entirely Indian, mostly male, many from IT) field of choice ISB is seeking your USP. Your primary aim in this essay will be to explain to the ISB Adcom the factors that make you different, unique and distinct. Your challenge in this ISB Essay is to answer this question with three distinct points and within 300 words.
Ask yourself what genuinely sets you apart. What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest achievements? What are the characteristics that you believe will differentiate you in a group of high-reaching professionals? What are the qualities that have aided most in your past personal/professional accomplishments? Choose from your achievements, your hobbies, your academics, your personality traits, your passions, your work experiences, your life experiences, your attitude. Sell whatever you feel can sell well - and credibly.
Give short (300 words cannot support long stories) example whenever possible. To get info for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues and family are excellent sources for giving you obvious answers which you might have easily overlooked. But the person who knows most is always going to be yourself.
This essay tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. To write credibly about the differentiation you bring and the value you add to the Indian School of Business will require some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!).
As always remember that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. While you are trying to convincingly portray a picture of a person who can add definite value to ISB do not overdo it because we are only at our first essay. Make sure that you leave enough room for the points mentioned in this essay to be complemented by the other essays – most specifically Essay 2 where your leadership skills might be under the spotlight.
Essay 2 Tips. You are contesting the election to be the President of the ISB Student Body. Write a speech you will deliver to the student body on why they should elect you as the President? (300 words max)
The first track you can take in this essay is the ISB Student Body Presidency. Question: What do you know about the "ISB Student Body"? If your answers are on the line of "Nothing", "Its a body of ISB students" or "Its an unidentified non-flying object" etc. read on. Since student bodies and student involvement will be an important part of the ISB MBA experience your extensive research on the Indian School of Business will come in handy now. If you do not know enough, building some knowledge about the ISB Student Body would be in order. To get dope for the essay do not hesitate to knock on many doors. Enough information is available on the web for you to start off. A school visit might help (and not just for the essay). Communicating with alumni, specifically ISB GSB members, would be a good idea (and not just for the essay).
The second track is obviously leadership - this is the first non-case ISB essay in my memory that envisages the applicant in a leadership position. A parallel (or even primary) aim of the essay is to convey the type of leader you are. Showcase your leaderships qualities and add weight to these assertions through well chosen professional or personal leadership experiences. Consider your defining characteristics as a leader and link it with your past achievements accomplishments and with future possibilities at ISB. Similar to the LBS application essay question this is almost a case study. Identify student club or campus activities you will initiate and develop as President of the ISB Student Body. What will you accomplish as the Student Body leader at ISB? Communicate your vision for the future and express credibly why you will make a great choice for leading the ISB Student Body.
The most difficult part of this essay might actually be .. the previous ISB essay. Err.. yes.. all that praise that you heaped on yourself in Essay 1. Can you buttress some of the qualities and skills mentioned in the previous essay without actually repeating them? If you can, in concert with your leadership vision, that should do the trick.
Go for it!
Essay 3 Tips. CASE: You have been appointed to head the team to build a dam across the River Zumba. Success in this project is critical for your company and would earn you a promotion. Failure would mean that your company would be bankrupt and will take along with it, its investors and its employees. Building a dam across the river would result in deforestation of a portion of the rainforests and would mean relocation of the tribal and destabilization of wild life at Zumba. There is resistance from environmental groups against your project. You are meeting the head of the resistance movement in one hour wherein you would have to explain your decision. Describe what you would do and why? (You will be evaluated on the creativity and practicality of your solution). (300 words max)
Ha Ha! This is fun!
ISB has a penchant for including one essay question each year simply to terrorize the applicants! Last year it was the knighthood versus million dollars essay and this year we have a decision making + dilemma case study.
Do not despair however, as this essay can also be the ace up your ISB application sleeve. As there are very few questions in any MBA essay package that a majority of the applicants are actually afraid of attempting, each such question automatically presents you with a chance to create an advantage for yourself. This ISB essay is definitely one such as it is easy to write a directionless, wavering, indecisive essay that gives no real solutions but just repeats the question. So seize this opportunity with both hands.
I am sure you have several questions. What should my solution be? Which side should I lean to? Can I bribe the head of the resistance movement (creative?! and practical?!). Can I resign?
Actually the solution itself DOES NOT MATTER quite as much, because this essay is NOT about River Zumba but about YOU. The solution you devise should fits your convictions, your personality (as reflected in the rest of the application) and your thought process. While the creativity and practicality of the solution is important, as important is the maturity, intelligence, reasoning and research that marks your approach to the solution. Unlike the case study situation you actually have much more than one hour to prepare your response - use the time well. Also, while presenting a original, workable solution do not overlook the potential of this essay for effectively presenting your attitude and outlook towards the environment, corporate social responsibility, ethics, ambition, career and success.
Be honest. Be intelligent. Be creative. Be persuasive.
And do you feel 300 words is too, too short to do all this? Well, I agree. But it is 300 words that we have to work with and so we will.
So go get 'em!
Aside: Hey ISB oldies, if memory serves me right this was the ISB case study essay question in 2003. Remember the old Zumba, anyone?
Optional Essay Tips. Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. Please do not repeat information which has already been stated elsewhere in the application. You may use this to clarify any breaks in education/work, inform about any other item which you think has not been covered elsewhere etc. (300 words max)
In the ISB application, attempt the optional essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit your ISB optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel the quality of your earlier essays is improvable – in which case redouble your efforts in the earlier essays and leave the optional essay alone.
Since ISB has just 3 essays on which your candidature will be judged. So contrary to my usual position, and notwithstanding all that is mentioned above, I would encourage you to look for really (I mean truly) enhancing perspectives or information that might make a difference to your application.
Scholarship Essay Tips. Why do you think that the ISB Scholarship Committee should consider you for scholarship? (300 words max)
The ISB scholarship essay can essentially take two approaches – merit based or need based. Though merit based ISB scholarships are automatically considered, the base of the need based essay would still need merit
The merit based approach can explain why and how your candidacy is superior to the average ISB candidate’s. It might be a recap of parts of Essay 1 and Essay 3 with additional points which might tie in with ISB’s stated aims. The summary you present here can repeat some information from the mandatory essays because the scholarship decision is separate from your admission decision. The need based approach reviews your financial position and explains the strain that the ISB fees would be on you and your immediate family. If you have more ideas I am waiting to hear them!
Go for it!
Essay 1 Tips. The ISB culture stresses on a diverse mix of students; life at the ISB is a unique experience for the students. How will your candidature contribute to this culture at the ISB? (300 words max)
Every leading Business School looks for the factors that make you different, that make you unique, that make you distinct. In fact the primary purpose of the MBA essays is exactly that - to uncover your USP (Unique Selling Proposition, but most B Schools call it “diversity”!) and understand what makes you different.
The question that is asked here is - why should Indian School of Business Hyderabad bother talking to you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or academics or whatever? Your task in the ISB Essay 1 is to answer this question.
Attempt in this essay to “bring in an authentic differentiation, present a genuine face” and then give the admissions committee some solid reasons for wishing to see you. Give short (300 words cannot support long stories) example if possible. To get info for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues and family are excellent sources for giving you obvious answers which you might have easily overlooked. But the person who knows most is always going to be yourself; so think about you at work, play and studies, especially team situations, and uncover the salient points that set you apart. Your achievements, your hobbies, your academics, your personality traits, your passions, your work experiences, your life experiences, your language, your attitudes – sell whatever you feel can sell well.
This essay tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. The differentiation and the value to ISB both require you to have some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!). Perhaps your extensive research on Indian School of Business before your decision to apply, will come in really handy now. If you do not know enough building some knowledge about ISB would be in order. Enough information is available on the web for you to start off with a good idea of both aspects. Alumni are another excellent source of information.
As usual keep in mind that this essay is part of a bigger package and write accordingly. While you are trying to convincingly portray a picture of a person who can add definite value to ISB do not overdo it because we are only at our first essay. Make sure that you leave enough room for the points mentioned in this essay to be buttressed by the other essays – most specifically Essay 3 which requires another portrait of your self.
Essay 2 Tips. A million dollars or knighthood: what would you choose and why? (300 words max)
But this essay can also be the ace in your essay package. There are very few questions in any MBA essay package that most applicants will get almost completely wrong. Each such question gives you the opportunity to create a well-defined advantage for yourself. This ISB essay is undeniably one such as it is so easy to write a aimless, wandering essay here, that goes nowhere.
By the way, just so knew it, ISB is not really interested in your fictional million dollars or illusory knighthood. Here too, the essay is all about your most favorite subject in the whole world - YOU. So choose what you are going to focus on. Apart from presenting your own attitude and outlook towards ethics, ambition, career and/or society, thus essay, more than in any other area of the ISB application, allows you scope to exhibit your "depth of analysis" and "unique perspective".
Present your case as fits your personality and your convictions. Present it with passion. Do not try to be facile. Be honest, and seem honest.
And what should your decision be? YOU DECIDE – why should I have all the fun?
Essay 3 Tips. You have a new manager who has just joined your organization. As a part of the handover, the outgoing manager is describing each person reporting to him. How do you think the outgoing manager will describe you to the incoming manager? (300 words max)
Take Essay 1 and put a professional/career face to it, and you have Essay 3. Once more the person most qualified to give you clues to this essay is the one you see in the mirror.
Ask yourself what you genuinely consider to be your main characteristics as a professional. Search for past professional situations to identify qualities that you would like to write about. You can actually go up to your manager (outgoing or not!) and ask him to describe your work, attitude and strengths.
Go ahead and scour the archives for old appraisal forms and pick out points that are relevant and useful. Since ISB Essay 1 looks at the same person, albeit from a different perspective, how you blend these two essays is critical to getting an interesting, non-repetitive essay package ready.
Perhaps for the first ISB is actually laying emphasis on your current job. So concentrating on the recent past is advisable, assuming you have enough to write about. At the same time, let your best qualities and traits as a professional come through in the essays, and try to complete the picture by tying them in with your past professional record.
Make maximum use of stories and incidents that link you to professional achievements or awards. Just tell them why you are good - now what could be easier.
Go for it!
Optional Essay Tips. Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. Please do not repeat information which has already been stated elsewhere in the application. You may use this to clarify any breaks in education/work, inform about any other item which you think has not been covered elsewhere etc. (300 words max)
In the ISB application, attempt the optional essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit your ISB optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays. Do not submit your optional essay because you feel the quality of your earlier essays is improvable – in which case redouble your efforts in the earlier essays and leave the optional essay alone.
This year ISB has just 3 essays on which your candidature will be judged. So contrary to my usual position, and notwithstanding all that is mentioned above, I would encourage you to look for really (I mean truly) enhancing perspectives or information that might make a difference to your application.
Scholarship Essay Tips. Why do you think that the ISB Scholarship Committee should consider you for scholarship? (300 words max)
The ISB scholarship essay can essentially take two approaches – merit based or need based. Though merit based ISB scholarships are automatically considered, the base of the need based essay would still need merit
The merit based approach can explain why and how your candidacy is superior to the average ISB candidate’s. It might be a recap of parts of Essay 1 and Essay 3 with additional points which might tie in with ISB’s stated aims. The summary you present here can repeat some information from the mandatory essays because the scholarship decision is separate from your admission decision. The need based approach reviews your financial position and explains the strain that the ISB fees would be on you and your immediate family. If you have more ideas I am waiting to hear them!
Go for it!
Essay 1 Tips. What, in your opinion, makes you distinct from other applicants to ISB? How will that add value to other students and ISB? (300 words max)
What is your USP (Unique Selling Proposition, but most B Schools call it “diversity”!), what makes you different, why should ISB bother talking to you when there are a hundred other applicants with a comparable GMAT score or work experience or whatever? Your job is to answer these questions in this essay.
This essay tells the admissions committee how desirable a candidate you are for ISB. This is where you “bring in an authentic differentiation, present a genuine face” and then give the admissions committee some solid reasons for wishing to see you. Give short (300 words cannot support long stories) example if possible. To get info for the essay you should not mind knocking at many doors. Your friends, colleagues and family are excellent sources for giving you obvious answers which you might have easily overlooked.
But the person who knows most is always going to be yourself; so think about you at work, play and studies, especially team situations, and uncover what sets you apart. Your achievements, your hobbies, your academics, your personality traits, your passions, your work experiences, your life experiences, your language, your attitudes – sell whatever you feel can sell well.
Even while working out the first part of the essay you should have the second part in mind. The differentiation and the value to ISB both require you to have some knowledge of ISB and the average ISB student profile (research time!). Enough information is available on the web for you to start off with a good idea of both aspects.
In addition to integrating both the essay sections all you need to do (!) is to portray a convincing picture of a person who can add definite value to ISB. Put extra effort into this essay but don’t overdo it because we are only at the first essay in a series. Make sure that you leave enough room for the points mentioned in this essay to be buttressed by the other essays – especially Essay 2 (not difficult) and Essay 4 (difficult but very rewarding if done well).
Essay 2 Tips. What are the three things about yourself that you would like to change? Why? (300 words max)
If you are thinking that this is yet another strengths=0, weakness=100 essay, remember that even a weakness essay does not have to be about weaknesses.
Once again the person most qualified to give you clues to this essay is the one you see in the mirror. Ask yourself what you consider to be your main areas of improvement. Look at personal and professional situations and find out which characteristics or qualities you most desired or lacked. You could refer a few past appraisal forms at work and pick some you felt were relevant.
And ensure that these weaknesses are those that you can eradicate or improve upon, and also that the weaknesses are not severely debilitating: the purpose of this essay is not to convince the ISB admissions committee that you are thoroughly unfit to be a part of the institution.
Perhaps you can tie in parts of Essay 1 into this essay to show the admissions committee that you are already improving in some areas. You can also use Essay 1 to emphasize areas where you passionately committed.
If you are confident (or have the guts) you can look at the question from an entirely different angle and talk not about changing your qualities or traits but about your history and your actions. You could consider revising an action on your part (how doing it differently might have changed your life) or a reaction to an event or even some occurrence. But be warned, this is a risky approach, and if not done extremely well, may end up taking attention from the main aspects.
Essay 3 Tips. You are applying to your dream job after ISB. Please prepare a cover letter accompanying your CV. (300 words max)
This is a “what is your post-ISB goal” question packaged beautifully. So having a clear goal in terms of job profiles and companies for your first post-ISB job is imperative.
In fact it is preferred that you be very specific, both about the company and the designation, after all it’s your dream! So why don’t you make a good thing of a liability and really write that dream letter as if it were true (maybe it will be).
The purpose of any covering letter is to introduce you as a serious candidate for a particular job. Present your qualifications – experience, skills set, attitude, academics (including ISB) – that make you an ideal for your dream job.
Tell them why you want that job, how long you have wanted it (certainly even before you joined ISB!) and what (and how) you can achieve if given the job.
And last, but certainly not the least, let the cover letter talk about the ISB PGP and how it has been useful in preparing you for the job in question. If possible bring a hint of the difference between your pre-ISB and post-ISB selves.
Essay 4 Tips. You are part of a team which has been assigned a project with a tight deadline that is not extendible. One of the team members fails to deliver on the part of the project assigned to him at the fag end of the project despite his assurance. All the other members of the team have performed flawlessly and completed their parts. There is no way that the project can now be completed even if all the team members provide their utmost help. Appropriate punishment has now to be meted out by the management. The team member is willing to own up his shortcoming and shoulder the responsibility. Should all the team members share the responsibility for failure equally or should they allow that particular team member to get all the blame and punishment? Take a firm position on the issue and support your stand with relevant arguments. (300 words max)
I love this essay question. But none (barred none) of the ISB applicants I know can even look at this essay without distaste, discomfort or sheer terror.
I admire this essay because it forces you to take a stand and there are few things more difficult than to take a call when it could easily swing either way.
But this essay can also be the ace in the essay package: it not only gives you a chance to talk about leadership, failure, teamwork and decision making, but also gives you a context to place them in.
Present your case as fits your personality and your convictions. Do not try to be facile: this is the easiest to be caught out in a false position (probably through a conflict in another essay or perhaps the recommendation letter).
And what should your decision be? YOU DECIDE – why should I have all the fun?
Go for it!
Optional Essay Tips. Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect consideration of your application to the PGP (300 words max) Optional
Use the optional essay to explain shortfalls in your ISB application which you feel are truly detrimental to your candidature. Areas of underperformance (academic or professional or GMAT) or events which stick out (gaps in your resumes or second MBA) or application issues (reapplications) can be commented on if you have an explanation that is intelligent, interesting and credible.
Scholarship Essay Tips. Why do you think that the ISB Scholarship Committee should consider you for scholarship? (300 words max)
Groan! OK, the secret’s out! I do not enjoy writing scholarship essays.
The scholarship essay can essentially take two approaches – merit based or need based.
The merit based approach can explain why and how your candidacy is superior to the average ISB candidate’s. It might be a recap of parts of Essay 1 and additional points which might tie in with ISB’s stated aims. The summary you present here can repeat some information from the mandatory essays because the scholarship decision is separate from your admission decision. The need based approach reviews your financial position and explains the strain that the ISB fees would be on you and your immediate family.
Present your ISB scholarship essay as a combination of the above two.
Go for it!
Essay 1: What are your short-term career plans immediately post-MBA, and why is an Ivey MBA essential to those plans? (250 words)
Essay 2: What is the most important issue that you've ever changed your mind about? (250 words)
Essay 1: What are your short-term career plans immediately post-MBA, and why is an Ivey MBA essential to those plans? (250 words)
Essay 2: What is the most important issue that you've ever changed your mind about? (250 words)
You must submit your video essay in KIRA in order to be able to submit your completed application.
Essay 1: What are your short-term career plans immediately post-MBA, and why is an Ivey MBA essential to those plans? (250 words)
Essay 2: What is the most important issue that you've ever changed your mind about? (250 words)
You must submit your video essay in KIRA in order to be able to submit your completed application.
Essay 1: What are your short-term career plans immediately post-MBA, and why is an Ivey MBA essential to those plans? (250 words)
Essay 2: What is the most important issue that you've ever changed your mind about? (250 words)
You must submit your video essay in KIRA in order to be able to submit your completed application.
Essay 1: What are your short-term career plans immediately post-MBA, and why is an Ivey MBA essential to those plans? (250 words)
Essay 2: Why will your Ivey MBA classmates want to work with you on team projects? (250 words)
Essay 1: What are your short-term career plans immediately post-MBA, and why is an Ivey MBA essential to those plans? (250 words)
Essay 2: Why will your Ivey MBA classmates want to work with you on team projects? (250 words)
Essay 1: What are your short-term career plans immediately post-MBA, and why is an Ivey MBA essential to those plans? (250 words)
Essay 2: Why will your Ivey MBA classmates want to work with you on team projects? (250 words)
Essay 1. Career Goals: How will the Ivey MBA Program help you to achieve your short-term career goals?(250 words)
Essay 2. Ivey Environment: Why do you believe you will be successful in the Ivey MBA environment? (250 words)
Essay 3. Best Advice: What is the best advice you ever received? Why? (250 words)
Essay 1. Career Goals: How will the Ivey MBA Program help you to achieve your short-term career goals?(250 words)
Essay 2. Ivey Environment: Why do you believe you will be successful in the Ivey MBA environment? (250 words)
Essay 3. Best Advice: What is the best advice you ever received? Why? (250 words)
Essay 1. Career Goals: How will the Ivey MBA Program help you to achieve your short-term career goals?(250 words)
Essay 2. Ivey Environment: Why do you believe you will be successful in the Ivey MBA environment? (250 words)
Essay 3. Best Advice: What is the best advice you ever received? Why? (250 words)
Essay 1. What are your goals and how will an Ivey MBA help you achieve them? (250-word limit)
Essay 2. Explain how your experience in people management, client relationships or other demonstrable leadership experience will contribute to the success of others in the Ivey MBA program. (250-word limit)
Essay 3. Describe a difficult decision you made and the process that you went through to make it. (250-word limit)
Essay 1. What are your goals and how will an Ivey MBA help you achieve them? (250-word limit)
Essay 2. Explain how your experience in people management, client relationships or other demonstrable leadership experience will contribute to the success of others in the Ivey MBA program. (250-word limit)
Essay 3. Describe a difficult decision you made and the process that you went through to make it. (250-word limit)
Essay 1. Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must include the following: What are your short and long term career objectives? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them? What do you hope to gain from the degree and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (500 words)
Essay 2. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
Essay 3. Describe a situation where you had to work jointly with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience? (200 words)
Essay 1. Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must include the following: What are your short and long term career objectives? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them? What do you hope to gain from the degree and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (500 words)
Essay 2. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
Essay 3. Describe a situation where you had to work jointly with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience? (200 words)
Essay 1. Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must include the following: What are your short and long term career objectives? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them? What do you hope to gain from the degree and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (500 words)
Essay 2. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
Essay 3. Describe a situation where you had to work jointly with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience? (200 words)
Essay 1. Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must include the following: What are your short and long term career objectives? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them? What do you hope to gain from the degree and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (500 words)
Essay 2. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
Essay 3. Describe a situation where you had to work jointly with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience? (200 words)
Essay 1. Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must include the following: What are your short and long term career objectives? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them? What do you hope to gain from the degree and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (500 words)
Essay 2. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
Essay 1: Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must include the following: What are your short and long term career objectives? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them? What do you hope to gain from the degree and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (500 words)
Essay 2: What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
Work Experience Essay 1: Describe your primary job responsibilities; 1) type and size of internal and external teams with which you work or supervise 2) type and number of clients or projects you manage; 3) size of budget or revenue for which you are responsible; 4) international experience or exposure (150 word limit) (1000 characters)
Work Experience Essay 2: What is your most significant challenge within your current company? (1000 characters)
Work Experience Essay 3:What is your most significant accomplishment within your current company? (1000 characters)
Optional Essay: Please provide information on any aspect of your candidacy that requires further explanation, or information that you would like the Admissions Committee to know. (300 words)
Essay 1. Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must include the following: What are your short and long term career objectives? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them? What do you hope to gain from the degree and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (500 words)
Essay 2. If you could change one thing about your current organisation, what would you make different? How would you overcome obstacles to this change, and what impact would this change have in the short-term and long-term? (300 words)
Essay 3. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
Work Experience Essay 1. Describe your primary job responsibilities; 1) type and size of internal and external teams with which you work or supervise 2) type and number of clients or projects you manage; 3) size of budget or revenue for which you are responsible; 4) international experience or exposure (150 word limit) (1000 characters)
Work Experience Essay 2. What is your most significant challenge within your current company? (1000 characters)
Work Experience Essay 3. What is your most significant accomplishment within your current company? (1000 characters)
Optional Essay. Please provide information on any aspect of your candidacy that requires further explanation, or information that you would like the Admissions Committee to know. (300 words)
Essay 1. What are the key issues facing organisations in your sector over the next three years? What course of action would you recommend to such organisations? (300 words)
Essay 2. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
Essay 3. What are your short and long term career objectives? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them? What do you hope to gain from the degree and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (500 words)
Essay 1. What are the key issues facing organisations in your sector over the next three years? What course of action would you recommend to such organisations? (300 words)
Essay 2. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
Essay 3. What are your short and long term career objectives? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them? What do you hope to gain from the degree and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (500 words)
Essay 1. Describe yourself. What are your strengths and how do you utilise them? What attributes would you like to improve upon and why? (up to 400 words)
Essay 2. Describe the worst team experience you have ever had. What did you do? (up to 400 words)
Essay 3. Either: In which place have you felt most inspired and why? Or: If you only had twenty-four hours to live, how would you spend them? (up to 300 words)
Career Objectives Questions (2008-2009):
A. Describe your career progression to date. What have been the key mile stones and/or turning points? What decisions and choices brought you to your current role? (Please do not exceed 300 words)
B. What is your immediate post MBA career objective (role, industry, location, responsibilities)? What skills and experience do you have that will help you achieve it? How will the Cambridge MBA contribute to your attainment of your goals? (Please do not exceed 300 words)
C. What is your long term career vision and how will an MBA help you to achieve it? (Please do not exceed 150 words)
Essay A. Describe yourself. What are your strengths and how do you utilise them? What attributes would you like to improve upon and why? (400 words)
Essay B. Describe your leadership style. Tell us about a project, task or experience where you had to motivate and direct individuals or a team. Were you successful, and if so, and why? If not, what did you learn yourself? (400 words)
Essay C. Why is the Cambridge MBA the right programme for you? Which aspects will contribute the most to our learning experience? What unique experience and/or personal attributes will you contribute to the learning experience of your classmates? (400 words)
Career Objectives Questions:
A. Describe your career progression to date. What have been the key mile stones and/or turning points? What decisions and choices brought you to your current role? (Please do not exceed 300 words)
B. What is your immediate post MBA career objective (role, industry, location, responsibilities)? What skills and experience do you have that will help you achieve it? How will the Cambridge MBA contribute to your attainment of your goals? (Please do not exceed 300 words)
C. What is your long term career vision and how will an MBA help you to achieve it? (Please do not exceed 150 words)
Essay 1. Tell us about a work project or task where you did not perform well. What did you learn about yourself?
Essay 2. How would you like to be remembered?
Essay 3. Why is the Cambridge MBA right for you?
Career Objectives Question: What is your immediate post MBA career objective? What will you be doing 10 years after graduation? What skills/experience do you already have that will help achieve your aims? How will the Cambridge MBA help you? (Please do not exceed 400 words in total.)
Essay 1. Describe a work project or task that you found difficult or which did not go well. What would you have done differently in retrospect?
Essay 2. How would you like to be remembered?
Career Objectives Question: What are your short-term and long-term career objectives? What skills / characteristics do you already have that will help achieve them? How will the Cambridge MBA help you? (Please do not exceed 400 words in total.)
Essay 1. Discuss your immediate post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider? (500 words)
Essay 2. Respond to one of the following short essay prompts. (300 words)
a. My greatest memory is...
b. I'm most afraid of...
c. My greatest challenge has been...
d. I'm most proud of...
Essay 3. Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words)
Essay 1. Discuss your immediate post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider? (500 words)
Essay 2. Respond to one of the following short essay prompts. (300 words)
a. My greatest memory is...
b. I'm most afraid of...
c. My greatest challenge has been...
d. I'm most proud of...
Essay 3. Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words)
Essay 1. Discuss your immediate post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider? (500 words)
Essay 2. Respond to one of the following short essay prompts. (300 words)
a. My greatest memory is...
b. I'm most afraid of...
c. My greatest challenge has been...
d. I'm most proud of...
Essay 3. Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words) Please limit your essay to a maximum of 500 words (the equivalent of 2 pages, double spaced with a 12 point font).
Essay 1: Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip & inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Tell us about a time you have demonstrated leadership and created lasting value. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn? (450 word limit)
Essay 2: Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)
Essay 1: Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip & inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Tell us about a time you have demonstrated leadership and created lasting value. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn? (450 word limit)
Essay 2: Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)
Essay 1: Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip & inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Tell us about a time you have demonstrated leadership and created lasting value. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn? (450 word limit)
Essay 2: Pursuing an MBA is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. How have you grown in the past? How do you intend to grow at Kellogg? (450 word limit)
Video Essay: After submitting a completed application, each applicant will be asked to complete two Video Essay Questions. One will be about the candidate’s interest in Kellogg and the other will be a “getting to know you” type of question.
Essay 1: Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip & inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Tell us about a time you have demonstrated leadership and created lasting value. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn? (450 word limit)
Essay 2: Pursuing an MBA is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. How have you grown in the past? How do you intend to grow at Kellogg? (450 word limit)
Video Essay: After submitting a completed application, each applicant will be asked to complete two Video Essay Questions. One will be about the candidate’s interest in Kellogg and the other will be a “getting to know you” type of question.
Reapplicant Essay: Since your previous application, what are the steps you have taken to strengthen your candidacy?
Optional Essay: If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.) (No word limit)
Essay 1: Resilience. Perseverance. Grit. Call it what you will. Challenges can build character. Describe a challenging experience you’ve had. How were you tested? What did you learn?
Essay 2: Leadership requires an ability to collaborate with and motivate others. Describe a professional experience that required you to influence people. What did this experience teach you about working with others, and how will it make you a better leader? (450 word limit)
Video Essay: After submitting a completed application, each applicant will be asked to complete two Video Essay Questions. One will be about the candidate’s interest in Kellogg and the other will be a “getting to know you” type of question.
Reapplicant Essay: Since your previous application, what are the steps you have taken to strengthen your candidacy?
Optional Essay: If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.) (No word limit)
Essay 1: Resilience. Perseverance. Grit. Call it what you will. Challenges can build character. Describe a challenging experience you’ve had. How were you tested? What did you learn?
Essay 2: Leadership requires an ability to collaborate with and motivate others. Describe a professional experience that required you to influence people. What did this experience teach you about working with others, and how will it make you a better leader? (450 word limit)
Video Essay: After submitting a completed application, each applicant will be asked to complete two Video Essay Questions. One will be about the candidate’s interest in Kellogg and the other will be a “getting to know you” type of question.
Reapplicant Essay: Since your previous application, what are the steps you have taken to strengthen your candidacy?
Optional Essay: If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.) (No word limit)
Essay 1: Resilience. Perseverance. Grit. Call it what you will. Challenges can build character. Describe a challenging experience you’ve had. How were you tested? What did you learn?
Essay 2: Leadership requires an ability to collaborate with and motivate others. Describe a professional experience that required you to influence people. What did this experience teach you about working with others, and how will it make you a better leader? (450 word limit)
Video Essay: After submitting a completed application, each applicant will be asked to complete two Video Essay Questions. One will be about the candidate’s interest in Kellogg and the other will be a “getting to know you” type of question.
Reapplicant Essay: Since your previous application, what are the steps you have taken to strengthen your candidacy?
Optional Essay: If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.) (No word limit)
Essay 1: What's the greatest obstacle you have overcome (personally or professionally)? How has overcoming this obstacle prepared you to achieve success now and in the future? (500 word limit)
Essay 2: What have been your most significant leadership experiences? What challenges did you face, and what impact did you have? This is your opportunity to explain how you Think Bravely (personally and/or professionally). (500 word limit)
Essay 3 Part 1: What career/role are you looking to pursue and why? (250 word limit)
Essay 3 Part 2: Why are Kellogg and the MBA essential to achieving these career goals? (250 word limit)
Reapplicant Essay: Required essay for Reapplicants only: Since your previous application, what are the steps you have taken to strengthen your candidacy?
Optional Essay: If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.) (No word limit)
Essay 1: Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing an MBA. (600 word limit)
Essay 2: Describe your key leadership experiences and evaluate what leadership areas you hope to develop through your MBA experiences. (600 word limit)
Essay 3: Assume you are evaluating your application from the perspective of a student member of the Kellogg Admissions Committee. Why would you and your peers select you for admission, and what impact would you make as a member of the Kellogg community? (600 word limit)
Essay 4: Complete one of the following three questions or statements. Reapplicants have the option to answer a question from this grouping, but this is not required. (400 word limit)
Essay 4a: Describe a time you had to inspire a reluctant individual or group.
Essay 4b: People may be surprised to learn that I….
Essay 4c: The riskiest personal or professional decision I ever made was.....
Reapplicant Essay: Required essay for Reapplicants only: Since your previous application, what are the steps you’ve taken to strengthen your candidacy?
Essay 1: Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing an MBA. (600 word limit)
Essay 2: Describe your key leadership experiences and evaluate what leadership areas you hope to develop through your MBA experiences. (600 word limit)
Essay 3: Assume you are evaluating your application from the perspective of a student member of the Kellogg Admissions Committee. Why would you and your peers select you for admission, and what impact would you make as a member of the Kellogg community? (600 word limit)
Essay 4a: Describe an instance where you encountered resistance in a professional team setting. How did you address the situation?
Essay 4b: People may be surprised to learn that I….
Essay 4c: The best mistake I ever made was…….
Reapplicant Essay: Since your previous application, what are the steps you’ve taken to strengthen your candidacy?
Essay 1: Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at the Kellogg School. (600 word limit)
Essay 2: Describe your key leadership experiences and evaluate what leadership areas you hope to develop through your MBA experiences. (600 word limit)
Essay 3: Assume you are evaluating your application from the perspective of a student member of the Kellogg Admissions Committee. Why would your peers select you to become a member of the Kellogg community? (600 word limit)
Essay 4a: Describe a time when you had to make an unpopular decision.
Essay 4b: b. People may be surprised to learn that I….
Essay 4c: I wish the Admissions Committee had asked me…
Essay 1: A. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at the Kellogg School. (One to two pages double-spaced)
Essay 2: Each of our applicants is unique. Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Kellogg students. (One to two pages double-spaced)
Essay 3: How have your past and current leadership experiences prepared you for Kellogg? What leadership areas are you hoping to develop through your MBA experience? (One to two pages double-spaced)
Essay 4 A: Outside of work I…
Essay 4 B: I wish the Admissions Committee had asked me…
Essay 4 C: Describe the most challenging professional relationship you have faced and how you handled it.
Essay 4 D: Since your previous application, what are the steps you have taken to strengthen your candidacy? Question 4F must be answered by all reapplicants as one of the required two questions.
Essay 1: A. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at the Kellogg School. (One to two pages double-spaced)
Essay 2: Each of our applicants is unique. Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Kellogg students. (One to two pages double-spaced)
Essay 3: How have your past and current leadership experiences prepared you for Kellogg? What leadership areas are you hoping to develop through your MBA experience? (One to two pages double-spaced)
Essay 4 A: Outside of work I…
Essay 4 B: I wish the Admissions Committee had asked me…
Essay 4 C: Describe the most challenging professional relationship you have faced and how you handled it.
Essay 4 D: Since your previous application, what are the steps you have taken to strengthen your candidacy? Question 4F must be answered by all reapplicants as one of the required two questions.
Essay 1: A. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at the Kellogg School. (One to two pages double-spaced)
Essay 2: Each of our applicants is unique. Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Kellogg students. (One to two pages double-spaced)
Essay 3: You have been selected as a member of the Kellogg Admissions Committee. Please provide a brief evaluative assessment of your file. (One to two pages double-spaced)
Essay 4 A: What have been your most significant leadership experiences to date?
Essay 4 B: Describe an ethical dilemma that you faced and how it was resolved.
Essay 4 C: Outside of work I…
Essay 4 D: Describe a professional situation where you were able to successfully persuade others to see things your way.
Essay 4 E: I wish the Admissions Committee had asked me…
Essay 4 F: Since your previous application, what are the steps you have taken to strengthen your candidacy? Question 4F must be answered by all reapplicants as one of the required three questions.
Essay 1. Please respond to the questions below that will assist us in learning more about you (500 words)
- Tell us what your immediate career goals are and how you will benefit personally and professionally from earning an MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School.
- As the business world continues to evolve, circumstances can change and guide you in a different direction. Should your goals that you provided above not transpire, what other opportunities would you explore?
Essay 2. Please select one topic below and respond to the prompt. (250 words)
- Topic 1: What is one thing that we do not know about you that you want us to know?
- Topic 2: Provide us an example of a time you were able to be creative with your work. What was exciting or difficult about it? Did you achieve the results you were looking for?
- Topic 3: Tell us about a time when you felt or witnessed someone being marginalized. How did you feel? What did you take away from the experience and how has it encouraged you to be an inclusive leader?
Essay 1. Please respond to the questions below that will assist us in learning more about you (500 words)
- Tell us what your immediate career goals are and how you will benefit personally and professionally from earning an MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School.
- As the business world continues to evolve, circumstances can change and guide you in a different direction. Should your goals that you provided above not transpire, what other opportunities would you explore?
Essay 2. The UNC Kenan-Flagler community lives by its core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork.(250 words)
- Pick a core value that resonates most deeply with you.
- Identify the most challenging situation that you have encountered and how you responded while upholding that core value.
Essay 1. Please respond to the questions below that will assist us in learning more about you (500 words)
- Tell us what your immediate career goals are and how you will benefit personally and professionally from earning an MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School.
- As the business world continues to evolve, circumstances can change and guide you in a different direction. Should your goals that you provided above not transpire, what other opportunities would you explore?
Essay 2. The UNC Kenan-Flagler community lives by its core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork.(250 words)
- Pick a core value that resonates most deeply with you.
- Identify the most challenging situation that you have encountered and how you responded while upholding that core value.
Essay 1 (Required) Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 2 (Optional) What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (300 words maximum)
Essay 3 (Optional) If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional) Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1 (Required) Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 2 (Optional) What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (300 words maximum)
Essay 3 (Optional) If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional) Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1 (Required) Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 2 (Optional) What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (300 words maximum)
Essay 3 (Optional) If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional) Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1: Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 2 (Optional): What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (300 words maximum)
Essay 3 (Optional): If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional): Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1: What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? What are the other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Essay 2: Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 3: What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay 1. If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 1: What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? What are the other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Essay 2: Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 3: What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay 1. If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Optional Essay 2. Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1: What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? Do you have other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Essay 2: Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 3: What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional): If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 5 (Optional): Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay One (Required): What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? Do you have other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Essay Two (Required): Briefly describe the career path you intend to pursue immediately after b-school. Explain why this career option appeals to you and why an MBA is appropriate at this time. (500 words maximum)
Essay Three (Required): What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Essay Four (Required): Kenan-Flagler has five core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork. If you could add one value what would it be and why? Be sure to explain how you have lived this value. (300 words maximum) We greatly value current student involvement in the admissions process. Essay #4 will be read and evaluated by a trained student admissions volunteer. Please do not put your name on this essay since we would like the student evaluation to be anonymous.
Essay Five (Optional): If your GMAT quantitative score is low, or if you have not had coursework in calculus, microeconomics, statistics and financial accounting, please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay Six (Optional): Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you in order to evaluate your candidacy? (300 words maximum)
Additional Essay: The Admissions Committee believes that the MBA application is comprehensive and does not require submission of any supplemental information. If you feel that additional information or explanations are necessary, please use this page for that purpose.
Essay One (Required): What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? Do you have other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Essay Two (Required): Briefly describe the career path you intend to pursue immediately after b-school. Explain why this career option appeals to you and why an MBA is appropriate at this time. (500 words maximum)
Essay Three (Required): What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Essay Four (Required): What do you expect from your MBA program? How and when will you measure the return on your investment in the MBA? (500 words maximum)
Essay Five (Optional): If your GMAT quantitative score is low, or if you have not had coursework in calculus, microeconomics, statistics and financial accounting, please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay Six (Optional): Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you in order to evaluate your candidacy? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1 (Required): Describe your career progression to date, highlighting leadership and management positions and reasons for changing jobs or career paths, if applicable. Tell us how your experience, coupled with an MBA degree from UNC, will lead you to your short-term and long-term career goals. (1200 words maximum)
Essay 2 (Required): Describe the major obstacles or challenges you have faced in pursuit of your goals. Tell us how you addressed these challenges and how they have shaped you. (800 words maximum)
Essay 3 (Optional): Tell us about any international experience you have, either living or working abroad. Tell us how it has impacted your global perspective. (400 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional): UNC Kenan-Flagler seeks to enroll students from a variety of undergraduate majors. Regardless of your major, we strongly recommend that all students enter the program with some background in calculus, microeconomics, statistics and financial accounting. If you have not studied one or more of these subjects in college or university, please tell us how you have developed proficiency in these areas. If you have not been exposed to one or more of these subjects, please tell us how you will prepare yourself prior to entering UNC Kenan-Flagler. (400 words maximum)
Essay 1. What are your post-MBA plans and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
Essay 2. Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (300 words)
Essay 1. What are your post-MBA plans and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
Essay 2. Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (300 words)
Essay 1. What are your post-MBA plans and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
Essay 2. Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (300 words)
Essay 1. What are your post-MBA plans and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
Essay 2. Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (300 words)
Essay 1. What are your post-MBA plans and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
Essay 2. What specific areas of London Business School life are you most excited about getting involved in and where will you add value? (300 words)
Essay 3. Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (300 words)
Essay 1. What are your post-MBA plans and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
Essay 2. What specific areas of London Business School life are you most excited about getting involved in and where will you add value? (300 words)
Essay 3. Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (300 words)
Essay 1: What are your post-MBA plans and how will your past experience and the London Business School programme contribute? (500 words)
Essay 2: How will you add value to the London Business School community? (300 words)
Essay 3: Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (300 words)
Essay 1: What will your future look like after completing your MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2: What value will you add to London Business School? (300 words)
Essay 3: What is the School's responsibility to you and what is your responsibility to the School? (400 words)
Reapplicant Essay: How has your candidacy for the London Business School MBA improved since your last application? Have your views of London Business School or the MBA programme changed since you last applied? (300 words)
Optional Essay: This is not a compulsory essay but please complete if you would like the opportunity to clarify or expand upon any information submitted in your application.
Essay 1: Please discuss your career progress to date and explain why now is the right time to undertake an MBA at London Business School? (500 words)
Essay 2: Where do you see your career progressing five years after graduation and what is your longer term career vision? (300 words)
Essay 3: Give a specific example of when you have had to test your leadership and team working skills. Given this experience what role will you play in a first year study group? (300 words)
Essay 4: Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London Business School MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. Please describe how you will contribute to student clubs and the community and why? (300 words)
Essay 5: London Business School offers a truly global and diverse experience. Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country or culture. What did you gain and how will your experience contribute to London Business School? (250 words)
Essay 6: Considering what you have already included in the application, what else would you like to tell us about yourself? You can approach this question however you like. (250 words)
Reapplicant Essay: How has your candidacy for the London Business School MBA improved since your last application? Have your views of London Business School or the MBA programme changed since you last applied? (300 words)
Optional Essay: This is not a compulsory essay but please complete if you would like the opportunity to clarify or expand upon any information submitted in your application.
Essay 1: Give us a brief assessment of your career progress to date. In what role do you see yourself working in immediately after graduation and what is your longer term career vision? How will your past and present experiences help you to achieve this? How will the London Business School MBA Programme contribute to this goal? Why is this the right time for you to pursue an MBA? (750 words)
Essay 2: Give a specific example of when you have had to test your leadership and team working skills. Given this experience what role will you play in a first year study group? (300 words)
Essay 3: Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London Business School MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. Please describe how you will contribute to student clubs and the community and why? (300 words)
Essay 4: London Business School offers a truly global and diverse experience. Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country or culture. What did you gain and how will your experience contribute to London Business School? (300 words)
5. Please choose ONE of the following:
LBS London Essay 5a: You have decided to stand for the role of Student Association President. Announcing your campaign to the London Business School community for the first time, please describe your manifesto. (150 words)
Essay 5b: What is your most substantial achievement to date and why? (150 words)
Optional Essay: Is there any other information that you believe would help the MBA Admissions Committee when considering your application? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay: How has your candidacy for the London Business School MBA improved since your last application? Have your views of London Business School or the MBA programme changed since you last applied? (300 words)
Essay 1: In what role do you see yourself working immediately after graduation? Why? How will your past and present experiences help you achieve this? How will the London Business School MBA Programme contribute to this goal? Why is this the right time for you to pursue an MBA? (600 words)
Essay 2: Where do you see your career progressing five years after graduation and what is your longer term career vision? (200 words)
Essay 3: Please describe your experience of working in and leading teams, either in your professional or personal life. Include any specific challenges you have faced. Given this experience, what role do you think you will play in your first year study group? (500 words)
Essay 4: Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. What type of student club or campus community events will you be involved with and why? How will you contribute? (400 words)
Essay 5: Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country. What did you gain from these? (150 words)
Optional Essay: Is there any other information that you believe would help the MBA Admissions Committee when considering your application? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay: How has your candidacy for the London Business School MBA improved since your last application? (300 words)
Essay 1: In what role do you see yourself working immediately after graduation? Why? How will your past and present experiences help you achieve this? How will the London Business School MBA Programme contribute to this goal? (500 words)
Essay 2: Where do you see your career progressing five years after graduation and what is your longer term career vision? (200 words)
Essay 3: Please describe your experience of working in and leading teams, either in your professional or personal life. Given this experience, what role do you think you will play in your study group, and how do you intend to contribute to it? (500 words)
Essay 4: Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. What type of student club or campus community event do you envisage yourself leading? How would you set about becoming involved in a leadership position and how would you align and communicate the goals and vision for the club to the wider School community? (400 words)
Essay 5: Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country. What did you gain from these? (150 words)
Optional Essay: Is there any other information that you believe would help the MBA Admissions Committee when considering your application? (300 words)
Essay 1: In what role do you see yourself working immediately after graduation? Why? How will your past and present experiences help you achieve this? How will the London Business School MBA Programme contribute to this goal? (500 words)
Essay 2: Where do you see your career progressing five years after graduation and what is your longer term career vision? (200 words)
Essay 3: Please describe your experience of working in and leading teams, either in your professional or personal life. Given this experience, what role do you think you will play in your study group, and how do you intend to contribute to it? (500 words)
Essay 4: Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. What type of student club or campus community event do you envisage yourself leading? How would you set about becoming involved in a leadership position and how would you align and communicate the goals and vision for the club to the wider School community? (400 words)
Essay 5: Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country. What did you gain from these? (150 words)
Optional Essay: Is there any other information that you believe would help the MBA Admissions Committee when considering your application? (300 words)
Essay 1: In what role do you see yourself working immediately after graduation? Why? How will your past and present experiences help you achieve this? How will the London Business School MBA Programme contribute to this goal? (500 words)
Essay 2: Where do you see your career progressing five years after graduation and what is your longer term career vision? (200 words)
Essay 3: Please describe your experience of working in and leading teams, either in your professional or personal life. Given this experience, what role do you think you will play in your study group, and how do you intend to contribute to it? (500 words)
Essay 4: Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. What type of student club or campus community event do you envisage yourself leading? How would you set about becoming involved in a leadership position and how would you align and communicate the goals and vision for the club to the wider School community? (400 words)
Essay 5: Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country. What did you gain from these? (150 words)
Optional Essay: Is there any other information that you believe would help the MBA Admissions Committee when considering your application? (300 words)
Essay 1: In what role do you see yourself working immediately after graduation? Why? How will your past and present experiences help you achieve this? How will the London Business School MBA Programme contribute to this goal? (600 words)
Essay 2: Please describe your experience of working in and leading teams, either in your professional or personal life. Given this experience, what role do you think you will play in your study group, and how do you intend to contribute to it? (500 words)
Essay 3: Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. What type of student club or campus community event do you envisage yourself initiating? How would you set about organising this, and how would you communicate it to the wider School community? (400 words maximum)
Essay 4: Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country. What did you gain from these? (100 words)
Essay 5: Please explain if you have been involved in charity/volunteer and/or entrepreneurial activities, giving examples of your involvement, the amount of time you gave to each activity and why you chose to get involved. (100 words maximum)
Essay 1. Introduce yourself. Select only ONE communication method that you would like to use for your response. Write an essay (250 words), Share a video introduction (one minute).
Essay 2. Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your two years as a Texas MBA student, and how that experience helped to prepare you for the post-MBA world. (500 words)
Essay 1. Introduce yourself. Select only ONE communication method that you would like to use for your response. Write an essay (250 words), Share a video introduction (one minute).
Essay 2. Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your two years as a Texas MBA student, and how that experience helped to prepare you for the post-MBA world. (500 words)
Essay 1. Introduce yourself. Select only ONE communication method that you would like to use for your response. Write an essay (250 words), Share a video introduction (one minute).
Essay 2. Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your two years as a Texas MBA student, and how that experience helped to prepare you for the post-MBA world. (500 words)
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional information to the admissions committee that you believe is important and/or will address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the committee in considering your application. (250 words)
Essay 1. Introduce yourself. Select only ONE communication method that you would like to use for your response. Write an essay (250 words), Share a video introduction (one minute).
Essay 2. Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your two years as a Texas MBA student, and how that experience helped to prepare you for the post-MBA world. (500 words)
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional information to the admissions committee that you believe is important and/or will address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the committee in considering your application. (250 words)
Essay 1. At The University of Texas at Austin, what starts here changes the world. You are at the Texas MBA Orientation for the Class of 2018, meeting your cohort for the first time. Please introduce yourself to your new classmates, including relevant information about your personal and professional life. Select only ONE communication method that you would like to use for your response. Write an essay (250 words), Share a video introduction (one minute), Share your about.me profile.
Essay 2. The McCombs School of Business is where leadership is earned. We have an inclusive environment where our dynamic and driven students take an active role in the Texas MBA community. Please discuss why the Texas MBA is the ideal program for you, what you hope to achieve, and how you will contribute to your classmates' experience. (500 words)
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional information to the admissions committee that you believe is important and/or will address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the committee in considering your application. (250 words)
Essay 1. At The University of Texas at Austin, what starts here changes the world. You are at the Texas MBA Orientation for the Class of 2018, meeting your cohort for the first time. Please introduce yourself to your new classmates, including relevant information about your personal and professional life. Select only ONE communication method that you would like to use for your response. Write an essay (250 words), Share a video introduction (one minute), Share your about.me profile.
Essay 2. The McCombs School of Business is where leadership is earned. We have an inclusive environment where our dynamic and driven students take an active role in the Texas MBA community. Please discuss why the Texas MBA is the ideal program for you, what you hope to achieve, and how you will contribute to your classmates' experience. (500 words)
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional information to the admissions committee that you believe is important and/or will address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the committee in considering your application. (250 words)
Essay 1: Imagine that you are at the Texas MBA Orientation for the Class of 2017. Please introduce yourself to your new classmates, and include any personal and/or professional aspects that you believe to be significant. Select only ONE communication method that you would like to use for your response. Write an essay (250 words), Share a video introduction (one minute), Share your about.me profile.
Essay 2: In the Texas MBA program, we promote a diverse and collaborative community by providing opportunities for growth in an academically rigorous environment. Please discuss why McCombs is the right program for you, what you hope to gain from your time in the Texas MBA Program both personally and professionally, and how you will contribute to your classmates' experiences. (500 words)
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional information to the admissions committee that you believe is important and/or will address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the committee in considering your application. (For example, if your standardized test scores are low or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (i.e. calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. Discuss any unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, or any significant weaknesses in your application or extenuating personal circumstances that you think may impact your candidacy.) (200 words)
Essay 1. Imagine that you are at the Texas MBA Orientation for the Class of 2016. Please introduce yourself to your new classmates, and include any personal and/or professional aspects that you believe to be significant. Select only one communication method that you would like to use for your response.
Write an essay (250 words)
Share a video introduction (one minute)
Share your about.me profile.
Essay 2. In the Texas MBA program we value our tight-knit and highly collaborative culture. Outside of your professional goals, please discuss why you are a good fit with the Texas MBA program and how you intend to impact the Texas MBA community? (250 words)
Essay 3. What do you hope to gain from your Texas MBA experience? How do you expect to develop, both personally and professionally, during the Texas MBA program? (250 words)
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional information to the admissions committee that you believe is important and/or will address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the committee in considering your application. (For example, if your standardized test scores are low or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (i.e. calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. Discuss any unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, or any significant weaknesses in your application or extenuating personal circumstances that you think may impact your candidacy.) (200 words)
Essay 1. Describe how your experiences, both personal and professional, have led you to pursue an MBA at this time. What are your short- and long-term goals and how will a Texas MBA help you achieve them? (900 words)
Essay 2. At the McCombs School of Business, we are proud to have an active and diverse student community. What do you consider to be your personal strengths and how have you leveraged them in the past to enrich your work and non-work communities? (500 words)
Optional Essay 1. If your standardized test scores are low or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (i.e. calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (200 words)
Optional Essay 2. Please provide any additional information to the Admissions Committee that you believe is important and/or will address any areas of concern that will ultimately be beneficial to the committee in considering your application. (350 words)
Essay 1. Describe how your experiences, both personal and professional, have led you to pursue an MBA at this time. What are your short- and long-term goals and how will a Texas MBA help you achieve them? (900 words)
Essay 2. Discuss a defining experience in your leadership development. What did you learn from this experience about your strengths and weaknesses as a leader? (650 words)
Essay 3. At the McCombs School of Business, you will be part of an active and diverse community. How will you use your personal strengths and unique experiences to enrich the McCombs community during your two years in the program? (500 words)
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional information to the Admissions Committee that you believe is important and/or will address any areas of concern that will ultimately be beneficial to the committee in considering your application. (350 words)
Essay 1. Describe how your experiences, both personal and professional, have led you to pursue an MBA at this time. What are your short- and long-term goals and how will a Texas MBA help you achieve them? (900 words)
Essay 2. Discuss a defining experience in your leadership development. What did you learn from this experience about your strengths and weaknesses as a leader? (650 words)
Essay 3. At the McCombs School of Business, you will be part of an active and diverse community. How will you use your personal strengths and unique experiences to enrich the McCombs community during your two years in the program? (500 words)
Essay 1. Please define your short- and long-term goals and objectives, your career progression to date, and how an MBA fits in at this time. What makes the Texas MBA the perfect fit for you? (Limit: 900 words)
Essay 2. The Texas MBA is built around four key pillars of leadership. Describe an experience that you have had that clearly demonstrates your leadership as it relates to one of our four pillars: 1) Responsibility/Integrity; 2) Knowledge/Understanding; 3) Collaborative/Communication; or 4) Worldview of Business and Society. (Limit: 650 words)
Essay 3. At the McCombs School of Business, you will be part of an active and diverse community. Referencing your personal strengths and unique experience, how will you enrich the McCombs community during your two years in the program? (Limit: 500 words)
Optional Essay: Please provide any additional information to the Admissions Committee that will highlight your unique personality and character and/or address any areas of concern that will ultimately be beneficial to the committee in considering your application. Limit: 350 words
Essay 1. Discuss your intermediate and long-term career goals, as well as a current vision of your desired employment upon graduation. Your explanation should include, but is not necessarily limited to the following: how you will leverage your professional and personal experiences in pursuit of these goals; why an MBA is necessary to achieve them; and why McCombs is the right MBA program for your career path. (Limit 1000 words).
Essay 2. Please choose one of the following (Limit 500 words):
1. What non-professional accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
2. What special contributions do you feel you would bring to the McCombs Community? Please include contributions beyond your professional skills and talents.
Essay 3. Please choose one of the following (Limit 500 words):
1. Discuss a time when you were faced with a professional disappointment. How did you handle the disappointment and what did you learn from the situation?
2. Are there any aspects of your application which you feel require further clarification that are not addressed here?
Essay 1. Discuss your intermediate and long-term career goals, as well as a current vision of your desired employment upon graduation. Your explanation should include, but is not necessarily limited to the following: how you will leverage your professional and personal experiences in pursuit of these goals; why an MBA is necessary to achieve them; and why McCombs is the right MBA program for your career path. (Limit 1000 words).
Essay 2. Please choose one of the following (Limit 500 words):
1. What non-professional accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
2. What special contributions do you feel you would bring to the McCombs Community? Please include contributions beyond your professional skills and talents.
Essay 3. Please choose one of the following (Limit 500 words):
1. Discuss a time when you were faced with a professional disappointment. How did you handle the disappointment and what did you learn from the situation?
2. Are there any aspects of your application which you feel require further clarification that are not addressed here?
Essay 1. Please select one of the following three essays to complete (500 words max)
Essay Option One: Principled Leadership: Georgetown McDonough places a strong emphasis on principled leadership, providing both curricular and co-curricular opportunities to strengthen your leadership skills. Describe a time when you’ve led a team in a professional environment to implement a new idea or process. What leadership characteristics did you utilize? What could you have done to be more effective? And most importantly, what skills will you be able to bring to the teams you lead at McDonough?
Essay Option Two: Hoyas Helping Hoyas: Georgetown McDonough embodies the ethos that people and organizations can and should contribute to the greater good. The admissions committee would like to better understand how you’ve demonstrated these values during uniquely challenging times. Describe a time where you’ve put the needs of others ahead of your own or ahead of the bottom line. We look forward to learning more about the challenge you faced, what unique characteristics you brought to that scenario, and what you learned from it.
Essay Option Three: Personal Brand: Think of a business leader or role model you admire or aspire to be. What are the defining characteristics of his or her personal brand that you see in yourself? Give an example of how you have been able to emulate these characteristics in your professional career and how your personal brand will enrich the McDonough community.
Video Essay. We ask that you introduce yourself to your cohort in one minute or less. The admissions committee would like for you to appear in person for part of your video and we strongly encourage you to speak outside of the experiences noted on your resume. You may use your phone, computer, or other means to record the video, but please ensure all audio and visual components are clear. We recommend a well-lit room and minimal noise distraction. Your video should be about 1 minute in length.
Essay 1. It can be said that life begins outside your comfort zone. Describe a situation when you were asked to lead outside of your comfort zone. What leadership characteristics did you exemplify in this situation that allowed you to succeed?
Essay 2. "Failure is not something to be ashamed of, it's something to be POWERED by. Failure is the high-octane fuel your life can run on. You've got to learn to make failure your fuel." -Abby Wambach.
Describe a situation when failure has been your fuel. What was your failure (or when did you not succeed to your full potential), and how did you use this as motivation to move forward and be successful in a future situation?
Essay 3. Think of the business leader or role model you admire or aspire to be. What are the defining characteristics of their personal brand that you see in yourself, why would you highlight those qualities, and how will those characteristics enrich the community at McDonough?
Essay 1. “Describe a defining moment when you were challenged and exceeded expectations.” The moment can be a professional or personal one. If personal, then please also include how it had an impact on your professional development.
We ask that you prepare a one-minute video, upload it to an accessible website (such as Youtube, Vimeo, Youku, or Tudou), and submit the direct video URL into your online application. Please introduce yourself to your future Georgetown MBA cohort. Use this video as an opportunity to bring life to your application. Please note that we cannot accept private or password protected videos.
Optional Essay 1. If you are not currently employed full-time, use this essay to provide information about your current activities. (250 words or fewer)
Essay 1. What matters to you? Please share an experience from your past that illustrates why this matters to you and how it will enable you to contribute during your MBA Program (note: this does not necessarily need to be related to your professional goals). (500 words)
We ask that you prepare a one-minute video, upload it to an accessible website (such as Youtube, Vimeo, Youku, or Tudou), and submit the direct video URL into your online application. Please introduce yourself to your future Georgetown MBA cohort. Use this video as an opportunity to bring life to your application. Please note that we cannot accept private or password protected videos.
Optional Essay 1. If you are not currently employed full-time, use this essay to provide information about your current activities. (250 words or fewer)
Essay 1. What matters to you? Please share an experience from your past that illustrates why this matters to you and how it will enable you to contribute during your MBA Program (note: this does not necessarily need to be related to your professional goals). (500 words)
We ask that you prepare a one-minute video, upload it to an accessible website (such as Youtube, Vimeo, Youku, or Tudou), and submit the direct video URL into your online application. Please introduce yourself to your future Georgetown MBA cohort. Use this video as an opportunity to bring life to your application. Please note that we cannot accept private or password protected videos.
Optional Essay 1. If you are not currently employed full-time, use this essay to provide information about your current activities. (250 words or fewer)
Essay 1. Why you? (Hint: we are looking for an answer that cannot be found from research on our website) (750 words or fewer)
Optional Essay 1. If you are not currently employed full-time, use this essay to provide information about your current activities. (250 words or fewer)
Optional Essay 2. Please provide any information you would like to add to your application that you have not otherwise included. (500 words or fewer)
Reapplicant Essay: How have you strengthened your candidacy since your last application? We are particularly interested in hearing about how you have grown professionally and personally. (500 words of fewer)
Essay 1. Why do you intend on pursuing an MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path and how will the Desautels MBA program add value to your future career? (500 words)
Essay 2. What qualities would you look for in an MBA classmate when working on a team project and describe how your background and leadership skills will enhance the experience of others?(500 words)
Essay 3. Describe a difficult decision you made and the process that you went through to make it.(500 words)
Essay 1. Describe a situation where you failed to achieve an objective, and what you learned from it.(Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. Describe an experience where, working in a team as a member or leader, you successfully managed to deal with a challenge posed by the diversity of the group.(Maximum 500 words)
Essay 3. As concisely as possible, please explain why you intend on pursuing your MBA studies at this time and how will the Desautels MBA program help you in achieving your professional goals. (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 1. Describe a challenge you have faced either professionally or academically, and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. What did you learn from it? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. While pursuing your MBA studies, what steps do you believe you need to take in order to achieve your career goals? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 3. As concisely as possible, please explain why you intend on pursuing your MBA studies at this time and how will the Desautels MBA program help you in achieving your professional goals. (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 1. Describe a challenge you have faced either professionally or academically, and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. What did you learn from it? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. While pursuing your MBA studies, what steps do you believe you need to take in order to achieve your career goals? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 3. As concisely as possible, please explain why you intend on pursuing your MBA studies at this time and how will the Desautels MBA program help you in achieving your professional goals. (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 1. Describe a situation where you failed to achieve an objective, and what you learned from it. (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. Describe an experience where, working in a team as a member or leader, you successfully managed to deal with a challenge posed by the diversity of the group. (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 3. As concisely as possible, please explain why you intend on pursuing your MBA studies at this time and how will the Desautels MBA program help you in achieving your professional goals. (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 1. Describe a situation where you failed to achieve an objective, and what you learned from it. (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. Describe an experience where, working in a team as a member or leader, you successfully managed to deal with a challenge posed by the diversity of the group. (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 3. As concisely as possible, please explain why you intend on pursuing your MBA studies at this time and how will the Desautels MBA program help you in achieving your professional goals. (Maximum 500 words)
Please give careful thought to your personal statements. As a guide, your response to each question should be between 100 and 300 words long (a maximum character limit applies).
Essay 1. What are your long term career goals?
Essay 2. What is unique about your background and experience that you would bring to your classmates at MBS?
Essay 3. What gaps in your knowledge or skills do you hope that this program will help you to work on?
Essay 4. Describe a workplace situation where you had a responsibility for managing people. Reflect on what you learned.
Please give careful thought to your personal statements. As a guide, your response to each question should be between 100 and 300 words long (a maximum character limit applies).
Essay 1. What are your long term career goals?
Essay 2. What is unique about your background and experience that you would bring to your classmates at MBS?
Essay 3. What gaps in your knowledge or skills do you hope that this program will help you to work on?
Essay 4. Describe a workplace situation where you had a responsibility for managing people. Reflect on what you learned.
Please give careful thought to your personal statements. As a guide, your response to each question should be between 100 and 300 words long (a maximum character limit applies).
Essay 1. What are your long term career goals?
Essay 2. What is unique about your background and experience that you would bring to your classmates at MBS?
Essay 3. What gaps in your knowledge or skills do you hope that this program will help you to work on?
Essay 4. Describe a workplace situation where you had a responsibility for managing people. Reflect on what you learned.
Please give careful thought to your personal statements. As a guide, your response to each question should be between 100 and 300 words long (a maximum character limit applies).
Essay 1. What are your long term career goals?
Essay 2. What is unique about your background and experience that you would bring to your classmates at MBS?
Essay 3. What gaps in your knowledge or skills do you hope that this program will help you to work on?
Essay 4. Describe a workplace situation where you had a responsibility for managing people. Reflect on what you learned.
Please give careful thought to your personal statements. As a guide, your response to each question should be between 100 and 300 words long (a maximum character limit applies).
Essay 1. What are your long term career goals?
Essay 2. What is unique about your background and experience that you would bring to your classmates at MBS?
Essay 3. What gaps in your knowledge or skills do you hope that this program will help you to work on?
Essay 4. Describe a workplace situation where you had a responsibility for managing people. Reflect on what you learned.
Please give careful thought to your personal statements. As a guide, your response to each question should be between 100 and 300 words long (a maximum character limit applies).
Essay 1. What are your long term career goals?
Essay 2. What is unique about your background and experience that you would bring to your classmates at MBS?
Essay 3. What gaps in your knowledge or skills do you hope that this program will help you to work on?
Essay 4. Describe a workplace situation where you had a responsibility for managing people. Reflect on what you learned.
Statement of purpose. Please share your short term professional goals. What role does a Notre Dame MBA play in helping you achieve these goals? (max 100 words)
Essay 2. The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842, by Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C, with a mission to become “one of the most powerful means for doing good in this country”. In 1879, Father Sorin's vision for Notre Dame appeared to be at a sudden, abrupt end. A massive fire destroyed the building that housed virtually the entire University. Instead of giving up, Father Sorin interpreted the fire as a sign that he had dreamed too small, and decided to rebuild, bigger and better than ever. That Main Building still stands today, topped by the gleaming Golden Dome, not only as an iconic campus building, but as an ongoing symbol of perseverance and vision. Tell us the story of a time in your own life or career when you had to overcome an obstacle, start over, or rebuild.
Essay 1. Cardinal O'Hara established the Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame in 1921, firmly committed to the idea that "the primary function of commerce is service to mankind". As the world economy continues to grow and change, how do you see business acting as a positive force in the world?
Essay 2. The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842, by Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C, with a mission to become “one of the most powerful means for doing good in this country”. In 1879, Father Sorin's vision for Notre Dame appeared to be at a sudden, abrupt end. A massive fire destroyed the building that housed virtually the entire University. Instead of giving up, Father Sorin interpreted the fire as a sign that he had dreamed too small, and decided to rebuild, bigger and better than ever. That Main Building still stands today, topped by the gleaming Golden Dome, not only as an iconic campus building, but as an ongoing symbol of perseverance and vision. Tell us the story of a time in your own life or career when you had to overcome an obstacle, start over, or rebuild.
Essay 1. Cardinal O'Hara established the Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame in 1921, firmly committed to the idea that "the primary function of commerce is service to mankind". As the world economy continues to grow and change, how do you see business acting as a positive force in the world?
Essay 2. The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842, by Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C, with a mission to become “one of the most powerful means for doing good in this country”. In 1879, Father Sorin's vision for Notre Dame appeared to be at a sudden, abrupt end. A massive fire destroyed the building that housed virtually the entire University. Instead of giving up, Father Sorin interpreted the fire as a sign that he had dreamed too small, and decided to rebuild, bigger and better than ever. That Main Building still stands today, topped by the gleaming Golden Dome, not only as an iconic campus building, but as an ongoing symbol of perseverance and vision. Tell us the story of a time in your own life or career when you had to overcome an obstacle, start over, or rebuild.
Essay 1. At Mendoza, we encourage our students, faculty, and staff to Ask More of Business. We embrace a threefold commitment to achieve this goal:
- Greater Good
- Effective Organizations
- Individual Integrity
Tell us about an experience in which you lived out one of those values.
Essay 2. The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842, by Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C, with a mission to become “one of the most powerful means for doing good in this country”. In 1879, Father Sorin's vision for Notre Dame appeared to be at a sudden, abrupt end. A massive fire destroyed the building that housed virtually the entire University. Instead of giving up, Father Sorin interpreted the fire as a sign that he had dreamed too small, and decided to rebuild, bigger and better than ever. That Main Building still stands today, topped by the gleaming Golden Dome, not only as an iconic campus building, but as an ongoing symbol of perseverance and vision. Tell us the story of a time in your own life or career when you had to overcome an obstacle, start over, or rebuild.
You are free to cover any material about yourself that you think would be of value to the Admissions Committee.
Please use whatever software programs you like to develop your presentation but note that the only acceptable formats for upload in the online application system is Adobe PDF.
Please complete the following essay question. Create a file for your essay and include your name on each page. Your essay should be typed, double-spaced, and no longer than 2 pages.
Essay 1. Your responsibility as a lifelong member of the Mendoza community is to Ask More of Business - to exemplify individual integrity, organizational excellence, and a concern for the greater good. How do you plan to do this in your professional career?
Slide Presentation: Effective business communication is a central skill for managers and visual presentations are an important and frequent method of communication. Demonstrate your ability to clearly, concisely and persuasively communicate important information by telling us about yourself using a short slide presentation.
Please consider the following guidelines when creating your presentation.
You are free to cover any material about yourself that you think would be of value to the Admissions Committee.
Please use whatever software programs you like to develop your presentation but note that the only acceptable formats for upload in the online application system is Adobe PDF.
Please complete the following essay question. Create a file for your essay and include your name on each page. Your essay should be typed, double-spaced, and no longer than 2 pages.
Essay 1. Your responsibility as a lifelong member of the Mendoza community is to Ask More of Business - to exemplify individual integrity, organizational excellence, and a concern for the greater good. How do you plan to do this in your professional career?
Slide Presentation: Effective business communication is a central skill for managers and visual presentations are an important and frequent method of communication. Demonstrate your ability to clearly, concisely and persuasively communicate important information by telling us about yourself using a short slide presentation.
Please consider the following guidelines when creating your presentation.
You are free to cover any material about yourself that you think would be of value to the Admissions Committee.
Please use whatever software programs you like to develop your presentation but note that the only acceptable formats for upload in the online application system is Adobe PDF.
Essay 1. Select one prompt from each group. Respond to your selected prompts using 100 words or fewer (< 100 words each; 300 words total).
Group 1
I want people to know that I:
I made a difference when I:
I was aware that I am different when:
Group 2
I was humbled when:
I am out of my comfort zone when:
I was challenged when:
Essay 2.Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this the right choice for you? (300 words)
Essay 1. Select one prompt from each group. Respond to your selected prompts using 100 words or fewer (< 100 words each; 300 words total).
Group 1
I want people to know that I:
I made a difference when I:
Group 2
I was humbled when:
I am out of my comfort zone when:
Group 3
I was aware that I am different when:
I find it challenging when people:
Essay 2.Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this the right choice for you? (300 words)
Essay 1. Select one prompt from each group. Respond to your selected prompts using 100 words or fewer (< 100 words each; 300 words total).
Group 1
I want people to know that I:
I made a difference when I:
Group 2
I was humbled when:
I am out of my comfort zone when:
Group 3
I was aware that I am different when:
I find it challenging when people:
Essay 2.Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this the right choice for you? (300 words)
Select one prompt from each group. Respond to your selected prompts using 100 words or fewer (100 words each; 300 words total).
Group 1
I want people to know that I:
I turned an idea into action when I:
I made a difference when I:
Group 2
I showed my resilience when I:
I was humbled when:
I am out of my comfort zone when:
Group 3
I was aware that I am different when:
I find it challenging when people:
A valuable thing I have taught someone is:
Essay 2. Please share your short-term and long-term career goals. What skills/strengths do you have that will be relevant to your career goals? How will Ross prepare you for your goals? (300 words)
Essay 1. What are you most proud of outside of your professional life? How does it shape who you are today? (up to 400 words)
Essay 2. What is your desired career path and why? (up to 250 words)
Essay 1. What are you most proud of and why? How does it shape who you are today? (400 words)
Essay 2. What is your desired career path and why? (400 words)
Optional Essay: Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you to evaluate your candidacy? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay(s): Detailed cover letter that tells us what you have been doing since you last applied and how your application is stronger. You can use the cover letter to update us on your goals, highlight your accomplishments, and discuss your reasons for seeking an MBA from Ross. This can be uploaded along with your updated resume. Optional: you may submit one or more of our current essay questions.
Essay 1: What are you most proud of professionally and why? What did you learn from that experience? (400 words maximum)
Essay 2: What are you most proud of personally and why? How does it shape who you are today?(400 words)
Optional Essay: Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you to evaluate your candidacy? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay: Detailed cover letter that tells us what you have been doing since you last applied and how your application is stronger. You can use the cover letter to update us on your goals, highlight your accomplishments, and discuss your reasons for seeking an MBA from Ross. This can be uploaded along with your updated resume. (Optional: you may submit one or more of our current essay questions.)
Essay 1: Introduce yourself to your future Ross classmates in 100 words or less. (100 words maximum)
Essay 2a: What about your professional experiences has led you to determine that business school is the right next step? (150 words)
Essay 2b: As you have researched MBA programs, what actions have you taken to learn more about Ross and what has led you to believe that Ross is the right MBA program for you? (150 words)
Essay 2c: What career do you plan to pursue after business school and why? (150 words)
Essay 3: Describe a time in your career when you were frustrated or disappointed. What did you learn about yourself from that experience? (400 words)
Optional Essay: Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you to evaluate your candidacy? (300 words)
Reapplicant Essay: Detailed cover letter that tells us what you have been doing since you last applied and how your application is stronger. You can use the cover letter to update us on your goals, highlight your accomplishments, and discuss your reasons for seeking an MBA from Ross. This can be uploaded along with your updated resume. Optional: you may submit one or more of our current essay questions.
Essay 1: Introduce yourself to your future Ross classmates in 100 words or less. (100 words maximum)
Essay 2: Describe your career goals. How will the Ross MBA help you to achieve your goals? What is your vision for how you can make a unique contribution to the Ross community? (500 word maximum)
Essay 3: Describe a time in your career when you were frustrated or disappointed. What did you learn from that experience? (500 word maximum)
Essay 4: Select one of the following questions. (300 word maximum each)
Essay 4a: What are you most passionate about? (300 word maximum)
Essay 4b: Describe a personal challenge or obstacle and why you view it as such. How have you dealt with it? What have you learned from it? (300 word maximum)
Essay 1: Introduce yourself in 100 words or less. (100 words maximum)
Essay 2: Describe your career goals. How will the Ross MBA help you to achieve your goals? (500 word maximum)
Essay 3: Describe a time in your career when you were frustrated or disappointed. What did you learn from that experience? (500 word maximum)
Essay 4 Select one of the following questions. (300 word maximum each)
Essay 4a: What are you most passionate about and why? (300 word maximum)
Essay 4b: We expect that Ross MBAs will not only be effective leaders, but also effective teachers. How will you contribute to the learning experience of your peers at Ross? (300 word maximum)
Long Answers: (500 words)
Essay 1. Briefly describe your short-term and long-term career goals. Why is an MBA the best choice at this point in your career? What and/or who influenced your decision to apply to Ross?
Essay 2. Describe your most significant professional accomplishment. Elaborate on the leadership skills you displayed, the actions you took and the impact you had on your organization.
Short Answers: (300 words)
Essay 3. If you were not pursuing the career goals you described in Question 1, what profession would you pursue instead? (for example, teacher, musician, athlete, architect, etc.) How will this alternate interest contribute to your effectiveness in solving multi-disciplinary problems?
Essay 4: Describe your experience during a challenging time in your life. Explain how you grew personally, either despite this challenge or because of it.
You must answer the following four questions.
Long Answers: (500 word)
Essay 1. Briefly describe your short-term and long-term career goals. Why is an MBA the best choice at this point in your career? What and/or who influenced your decision to apply to Ross?
Essay 2. Describe your most significant professional accomplishment. Elaborate on the leadership skills you displayed, the actions you took and the impact you had on your organization.
Short Answers: (300 words)
Essay 3. If you were not pursuing the career goals you described in Question 1, what profession would you pursue instead? (for example, teacher, musician, athlete, architect, etc.) How will this alternate interest contribute to your effectiveness in solving multi-disciplinary problems?
Essay 4. Describe your experience during a challenging time in your life. Explain how you grew personally, either despite this challenge or because of it.
Optional Question: Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you to evaluate your candidacy?
Essay 1. Briefly describe your short-term and long-term career goals. Why is an MBA the best choice at this point in your career? What and/or who influenced your decision to apply to Ross?
Essay 2. Describe your most significant professional accomplishment. Elaborate on the leadership skills you displayed, the actions you took and the impact you had on your organization.
Short Answers: (300 words)
Essay 3. If you were not pursuing the career goals you described in Question 1, what profession would you pursue instead? (for example, teacher, musician, athlete, architect, etc.) How will this alternate interest contribute to your effectiveness in solving multi-disciplinary problems?
Essay 4. Describe your experience during a challenging time in your life. Explain how you grew personally, either despite this challenge or because of it.
Optional Question: Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you to evaluate your candidacy?
Essay 1. We believe one of the keys to effective leadership is the ability to transform ideas into action. Describe a time within the last three years in which you exercised such leadership. What did you learn about your leadership strengths and development needs?
Essay 2. What are your career goals? How will a Ross MBA help you achieve your goals? How might the action-based learning aspects of the Ross curriculum make a difference?
Essay 3. Describe the initiatives you have taken over the past two years to develop professionally and personally. What motivated you to take those initiatives?
Optional Question: Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you to evaluate your candidacy? (500-word maximum)
Essay 1: Please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Senior Director of Admissions. (250 words or fewer)
Essay 2. Please introduce yourself to your future classmates via a brief video statement.
Essay 1: Please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Senior Director of Admissions. (250 words or fewer)
Essay 2. Please introduce yourself to your future classmates via a brief video statement.
Essay 1: Please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Senior Director of Admissions. (250 words or fewer)
Essay 2. Please introduce yourself to your future classmates via a brief video statement.
Essay 1: Please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Senior Director of Admissions. (250 words or fewer)
Essay 2. Please introduce yourself to your future classmates via a brief video statement.
Optional Essay: The Admissions Committee invites you to share anything else you would like us to know about you, in any format.
Essay 1: Tell us about a recent success you had: How did you accomplish this? Who else was involved? What hurdles did you encounter? What type of impact did this have? (500 words or fewer).
Essay 2. A second, short-answer question will be asked only of those invited to interview: The mission of the MIT Sloan School of Management is to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and to generate ideas that advance management practice. Please share with us something about your past that aligns with this mission. (250 words or fewer).
Optional Essay: The Admissions Committee invites you to share anything else you would like us to know about you, in any format.
Essay 1: Tell us about a recent success you had: How did you accomplish this? Who else was involved? What hurdles did you encounter? What type of impact did this have? (500 words or fewer).
Essay 2. A second, short-answer question will be asked only of those invited to interview: The mission of the MIT Sloan School of Management is to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and to generate ideas that advance management practice. Please share with us something about your past that aligns with this mission. (250 words or fewer).
Optional Essay: The Admissions Committee invites you to share anything else you would like us to know about you, in any format.
Essay 1: The mission of the MIT Sloan School of Management is to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and generate ideas that advance management practice. Discuss how you will contribute toward advancing the mission based on examples of past work and activities. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
Essay 2. Write a professional letter of recommendation on behalf of yourself. Answer the following questions as if you were your most recent supervisor recommending yourself for admission to the MIT Sloan MBA Program: (750 words or fewer)
Optional Essay: The Admissions Committee invites you to share anything else you would like us to know about you, in any format.
Essay 1: The mission of the MIT Sloan School of Management is to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and generate ideas that advance management practice. Discuss how you will contribute toward advancing the mission based on examples of past work and activities. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
Essay 2: Describe a time when you pushed yourself beyond your comfort zone. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
Optional Essay: The Admissions Committee invites you to share anything else you would like us to know about you, in any format.
Cover Letter: Prepare a cover letter (up to 500 words) seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Describe your accomplishments and include an example of how you had an impact on a group or organization. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions.
Essay 1: Please describe a time when you went beyond what was defined, expected, established, or popular. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
Essay 2: Please describe a time when you convinced an individual or group to accept one of your ideas. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
Essay 3: Please describe a time when you had to make a decision without having all the information you needed. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)
Supplemental Information Essay: You may use this section to address whatever else you want the Admissions Committee to know. (250 words or fewer, limited to one page)
Cover Letter: Prepare a cover letter (up to 500 words) seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Describe your accomplishments and include an example of how you had an impact on a group or organization. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions.
Essay 1: Please describe a time when you went beyond what was defined, expected, established, or popular. (500 words or less, limited to one page)
Essay 2: Please describe a time when you convinced an individual or group to accept one of your ideas.
Essay 3: Please describe a time when you took responsibility for achieving an objective. (500 words or less, limited to one page)
Supplemental Information Essay :You may use this section to address whatever else you want the Admissions Committee to know.
Cover Letter: Prepare a cover letter (up to 500 words) seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Describe your accomplishments and include an example of how you had an impact on a group or organization. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions.
Essay 1: Please describe a time when you went beyond what was defined, expected, established, or popular. (500 words or less, limited to one page)
Essay 2: Please describe a time when you coached, trained, or mentored a person or group. (500 words or less, limited to one page)
Essay 3: Please describe a time when you took responsibility for achieving an objective. (500 words or less, limited to one page)
Supplemental Information Essay: You may use this section to address any specific circumstances related to your academic background. (250 words or less, limited to one page)
Cover Letter: Prepare a cover letter (up to 500 words) seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Describe your accomplishments and include an example of how you had an impact on a group or organization. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions.
Essay 1: Please tell us about a challenging interaction you had with a person or group. (500 words or less, limited to one page)
Essay 2: Please tell us about a time when you defended your idea. (500 words or less, limited to one page)
Essay 3: Please tell us about a time when you executed a plan. (500 words or less, limited to one page)
Essay 4: Please tell the Admissions Committee whatever else you would like us to know. (250 words or less, limited to one page)
Supplemental Information Essay
You may use this section to address any specific circumstances related to your academic background. (250 words or less, limited to one page)
Essay 1: Please tell us about a time when you had an impact on a group or organization. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less)
Essay 2: Please tell us about a challenging interaction you had with a person or group. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less)
Essay 3: Please tell us about a time when you defended your idea. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less)
Essay 4: Please tell us about a time when you executed a plan. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less)
Cover Letter: Prepare a cover letter (up to 500 words) seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Please comment on your career goals and those factors which influenced you to pursue an MBA education at MIT Sloan. The cover letter provides a chance for you to discuss your passions, values, and interests, thereby helping us to determine whether you will thrive at MIT Sloan, and how you will contribute to our diverse community. Address your cover letter to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions.
Supplemental Information: Use this part of the application to give us any additional information that might help us understand the choices you have made, your leadership activities and skills, and your scholastic and professional achievements. Please elaborate on your personal interests, activities and hobbies, as well as any special circumstances you feel are relevant. We would like to know what you've learned and how you learned it. Please tell us anything that will round out our impression of you as a unique individual.
Essay 1: Please tell us about a time when you had an impact on a person, group, or organization. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did (500 words or less).
Essay 2: Please describe a time when your team had to arrive at a compromise. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did (500 words or less).
Essay 3: Please tell us a time when you advocated for a position. What alternatives did you consider? Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did (500 words or less).
Essay 4: Please tell us a time when you put an idea into action. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did (500 words or less).
Cover Letter: Prepare a cover letter (up to 500 words) seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Please comment on your career goals and those factors which influenced you to pursue an MBA education at MIT Sloan. The cover letter provides a chance for you to discuss your passions, values, and interests, thereby helping us to determine whether you will thrive at MIT Sloan, and how you will contribute to our diverse community. Address your cover letter to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions.
Essay 1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your near-term (3-5 years) future career objectives and how pursuing a Nanyang MBA will help you achieve these. (400 word limit)
Essay 2. Tell us about two achievements (one personal and one professional) that you are most proud of, and why you feel that to be so. (400 word limit)
Essay 3. Share with us a situation where you faced adversity. Describe how you resolved it and what you learned from this experience. (400 word limit)
Essay 4. Briefly describe your involvement in any Social Responsibility or Sustainable Development activities (maximum 150 words)
Essay 1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your near-term (3-5 years) future career objectives and how pursuing a Nanyang MBA will help you achieve these. (400 word limit)
Essay 2. Tell us about two achievements (one personal and one professional) that you are most proud of, and why you feel that to be so. (400 word limit)
Essay 3. Share with us a situation where you faced adversity. Describe how you resolved it and what you learned from this experience. (400 word limit)
Essay 4. Briefly describe your involvement in any Social Responsibility or Sustainable Development activities (maximum 150 words)
Essay 1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your near-term (3-5 years) future career objectives and how pursuing a Nanyang MBA will help you achieve these. (400 word limit)
Essay 2. Tell us about two achievements (one personal and one professional) that you are most proud of, and why you feel that to be so. (400 word limit)
Essay 3. Share with us a situation where you faced adversity. Describe how you resolved it and what you learned from this experience. (400 word limit)
Essay 4. Briefly describe your involvement in any Social Responsibility or Sustainable Development activities (maximum 150 words)
Essay 1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your near-term (3-5 years) future career objectives and how pursuing a Nanyang MBA will help you achieve these. (400 word limit)
Essay 2. Tell us about two achievements (one personal and one professional) that you are most proud of, and why you feel that to be so. (400 word limit)
Essay 3. Share with us a situation where you faced adversity. Describe how you resolved it and what you learned from this experience. (400 word limit)
Essay 1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your near-term (3-5 years) future career objectives and how pursuing a Nanyang MBA will help you achieve these. (400 word limit)
Essay 2. Tell us about two achievements (one personal and one professional) that you are most proud of, and why you feel that to be so. (400 word limit)
Essay 3. Share with us a situation where you faced adversity. Describe how you resolved it and what you learned from this experience. (400 word limit)
Essay 1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your near-term (3-5 years) future career objectives and how pursuing a Nanyang MBA will help you achieve these. (400 word limit)
Essay 2. Tell us about two achievements (one personal and one professional) that you are most proud of, and why you feel that to be so. (400 word limit)
Essay 3. Share with us a situation where you faced adversity. Describe how you resolved it and what you learned from this experience. (400 word limit)
Essay 1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your near-term (3-5 years) future career objectives and how pursuing a Nanyang MBA will help you achieve these. (400 word limit)
Essay 2. Tell us about two achievements (one personal and one professional) that you are most proud of, and why you feel that to be so. (400 word limit)
Essay 3. How do you anticipate contributing to the Nanyang MBA Program and your fellow participants? It may be helpful to share experiences from your past where you have been able to do something similar. (400 word limit)
Social Responsibility. Briefly describe your involvement in any Social Responsibility or Sustainable Development activities (maximum 150 words).
Reapplicant Essay: Since the time of your last application, how has your perspective regarding your future & Nanyang MBA changed? (300 word limit)
The Admissions Committee is interested in getting to know you on both a professional and personal level. Please answer the following questions candidly. All applicants are required to complete all three essays.
Essay 1. If you were to choose the single most important thing that matters to you, what would it be and why? (Share the experiences, lessons and insights that shaped your choice). (300 word limit)
Essay 2. Share your most significant leadership experience. Indicate the challenges you faced, and the impact that was created in this experience. (Illustrate a particular moment or incident that showcase the type of leadership you are made of). (300 word limit)
Essay 3. Discuss your vision of your future after earning your MBA (career aspirations within a 3-5 year time frame), and how Nanyang MBA will help you achieve that. (300 word limit)
Essay 1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and how pursuing an MBA will help you achieve these. (500 word limit)
Essay 2. Answer any ONE of these two questions below. (500 word limit)
(a) Describe one of your most meaningful and rewarding leadership challenges. Reflect on the leadership attributes you aspire to develop through your Nanyang MBA experience, and why these are important to your future goals.
(b) Discuss how and why a global event that occurred in the past two years has influenced or impacted the way you think about leadership.
Essay 3. Describe a time when you failed at what you set out to do. What insights did you obtain from the experience? Did this experience create a paradigm shift in your definition of failure (400 word limit)
Essay 4. Tell us about a time or incident where you had to propel yourself beyond expectations or established norms. Explain why you did it. (300 word limit)
Optional Essay. Optional Is there any additional information that is critical for the Admissions Committee to know which has not been covered elsewhere in this application? (500 word limit)
Essay 5. Briefly describe your involvement in any Social Responsibility or Sustainable Development activities (maximum 150 words).
Essay 1. Answer the following questions (maximum 500 words)
(a) Tell us what actions you have taken to learn about us.
(b) From an academic and non academic point of view, describe what most excites you about The NANYANG MBA. Why is The NANYANG MBA best for you?
(c) Each student aspires to make a mark on The NANYANG MBA community. Tell us about the specific role/s you will take on and the impact you hope to achieve.
Essay 2. Discuss your career goals. In what role do you see yourself working in immediately after completing your MBA studies and what is your longer term (10 years) career vision? What skills do you expect to gain from studying at Nanyang and how will they contribute to your vision? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 3. Answer one of the questions below (maximum 500 words)
: If you are planning to stay in your industry sector post-MBA : Identify the key issues facing organizations in your sector over the next three years? What course of action would you you recommend to such organizations?
: If you are planning to switch industry sector post-MBA : Identify the key issues facing organizations in that target sector you wish to go to over the next three years? What course of action would you recommend to such organizations?
Essay 4. Describe two of your most important achievements to date where you led a team and why you consider these two as most important. (maximum 500 words)
Optional Essay: Is there any additional information that is critical for the Admissions Committee to know which has not been covered elsewhere in this application? (maximum 350 words)
Essay 1. Give an evaluation of your career to date. Elaborate on your career plans and your motivation for pursuing the Nanyang MBA. (maximum 300 words)
Essay 2. If you were a member of our Selection Committee, how would you evaluate your own application? (maximum 300 words)
Essay 3. Please answer 2 out of the 3 questions below. (maximum 300 words in total)
a. When I am not at work, I ...
b. If I could change one thing in my work environment ...
c. If I were selecting a worthy cause to support on behalf of my organization, ...
Essay 4. Describe a failure you encountered and how you handled it professionally. (maximum 300 words)
Essay for reapplicants: To enable the Selection Committee to view your application differently, describe what you have achieved since you last applied for admission to the Nanyang MBA programme. (maximum 200 words)
Essay 1. What are your reasons for wishing to pursue an MBA now, at this point in your career? (maximum 100 words)
Essay 2. The Nanyang MBA is a highly interactive programme and values participation and diversity in the classroom. What can you contribute to the programme and your fellow participants in class? (maximum 200 words)
Essay 3. Describe a situation or experience that demonstrates your leadership ability or potential. This situation or experience does not necessarily have to be related to your current job. (maximum 300 words)
Essay 4. Describe a failure you encountered and how you handled it professionally and personally. (maximum 300 words)
Essay for reapplicants: What have you achieved since you last applied for admission that will enable the Selection Committee to view your application differently? (maximum 200 words)
Essay 1. What are your reasons for wishing to pursue an MBA now, at this point in your career? (maximum 100 words)
Essay 2. The Nanyang MBA is a highly interactive programme and values participation and diversity in the classroom. What can you contribute to the programme and your fellow participants in class? (maximum 200 words)
Essay 3. Describe a situation or experience that demonstrates your leadership ability or potential. This situation or experience does not necessarily have to be related to your current job. (maximum 300 words)
Essay 4. Describe a failure you encountered and how you handled it professionally and personally. (maximum 300 words)
Essay for reapplicants: What have you achieved since you last applied for admission that will enable the Selection Committee to view your application differently? (maximum 200 words)
Essay 1. How do you plan to spend your time on The NUS MBA to transform yourself personally & professionally?(350 words)
Essay 2. How have people, events, and/or situations in your life influenced who you are today? (250 words/ 3500 characters) essay tips
Essay 1. The NUS MBA offers a highly transformative education experience. What kind of transformation are you working towards in your professional and personal self? (250 words)
Essay 2. Describe the type of leader you are right now, and the qualities of a leader you aspire to be. How would The NUS MBA help you cultivate those qualities? (250 words)
Essay 3. Share a situation in your personal or professional life, where your value system was put to the test. How did you react, and what did you learn from it? (250 words)
Essay 4. Tell us about your intermediate (3years) post-MBA career goal, describing your industry, function and country of choice and a plan on how you would achieve this goal. (250 words)
Essay 1. Briefly describe your immediate post-MBA career goal including your industry, function and country of choice and how have your prior experiences motivated and prepared you to pursue these goals? (Max 300 words) essay tips
Essay 2. Name one current issue (economic / social / political) that Asia is facing and identify a couple of strategies that you feel may adequately address the issue.
Essay 3. If there is anything else you would like to share with the Admissions Committee that was not covered in your application, please include here. (Max 300 words)
Essay 1. Please answer ONE of the following short essay prompts. (Max 300 words)
a. I am passionate about…
b. My greatest challenge has been…
c. My biggest failure was...
Essay 2. Briefly describe your immediate post-MBA career goal including your industry, function and country of choice and how have your prior experiences motivated and prepared you to pursue these goals? (Max 300 words)
Essay 3. If there is anything else you would like to share with the Admissions Committee that was not covered in your application, please include here. (Max 300 words)
Essay 1. We would like you to tell us about your post-MBA immediate career goal, describing your industry, function & country of choice and a plan on how you would achieve this goal. (Maximum 300 words/3500 characters)
Essay 2. Considering the vision and values of NUS Business School and a typical NUS MBA class, tell us (in 300 words) what makes you a good candidate for admission. (Maximum 300 words/3500 characters)
Essay 3. What is the most critical problem facing your organisation or community? What recommendations would you make to deal with this problem? (Maximum 300 words/3500 characters)
Essay 1. We would like you to tell us about your post-MBA immediate career goal, describing your industry, function & country of choice and a plan on how you would achieve this goal. (Maximum 300 words/3500 characters)
Essay 2. Considering the vision and values of NUS Business School and a typical NUS MBA class, tell us (in 300 words) what makes you a good candidate for admission. (Maximum 300 words/3500 characters)
Essay 3. What is the most critical problem facing your organisation or community? What recommendations would you make to deal with this problem? (Maximum 300 words/3500 characters)
Essay 1. We would like you to tell us about your post-MBA immediate career goals and how your professional experiences have prepared you to achieve these goals. You may do so by a 300 words written essay or a two-minute video. If you wish to submit a video, you can upload it on YouTube, change the privacy settings to “Unlisted” and email us the URL. Alternatively, you can send in your video to us in a thumbdrive or CD. (Maximum 300 words)
Essay 2. The mission of NUS Business School is to advance knowledge and develop leaders so as to serve business and society. Discuss how you will contribute toward advancing the mission based on examples of past work and activities. (Maximum 300 words)
Essay 3. Tell us something interesting or unique about yourself which you think would be helpful for the Admission Committee to better evaluate your candidacy. (Maximum 300 words/1800 characters)
All applicants to the NUS MBA programme have to complete three (3) essay questions via the online application system. The word limit for each essay is 300 words.
Essay 1. The mission of NUS Business School is to advance knowledge and develop leaders so as to serve business and society. Discuss how you will contribute toward advancing the mission based on examples of past work and activities. (Maximum 300 words/1800 characters)
Essay 2. Tell us something interesting or unique about yourself which you think would be helpful for the Admission Committee to better evaluate your candidacy. (Maximum 300 words/1800 characters)
Essay 3. We would like you to tell us about your post-MBA immediate career goals and how your professional experiences have prepared you to achieve these goals. You may do so by a 300 words written essay or a two-minute video. If you wish to submit a video, you can upload it on YouTube, change the privacy settings to Unlisted and email us the URL. Alternatively, you can send in your video to us in a thumbdrive or CD. (Maximum 300 words/1800 characters)
Reapplicant Essay: Reapplicants need to complete this additional reapplicant essay. Please provide an update on any new aspects of your professional, international, academic or personal profile that would not have been included in your previous application. Please also explain your motivation for re-applying to NUS. (Maximum 1800 characters)
Essay 1. Choose one of the two questions below:
a. Describe your most valued accomplishment and explain why you view it as such. OR
b. Describe a time when you failed. What did you learn from that failure? How has that failure made you better equipped for the future?
Essay 2. Name one current issue (economic / social / political) that Asia is facing and identify a couple of strategies that you feel may adequately address the issue.
Essay 3. Rampant consumerism (seeking material goods without the ability to afford them) is one of the main causes for the current global economic crisis. Restraining consumerism remains a key task for developed countries like the US and Western Europe.� What are your views?
Essay 1. You are the head of production for a company headquartered in Singapore. To save costs, the production activities are being moved offshore to a developing country. You have also been entrusted with successful implementation of the off-shoring initiative. Identify the critical factors you will need to address to achieve the desired outcome. (300 words)
Essay 2. You are working in an Oil / Energy organisation which just started a Corporate social responsibility (CSR) Department. You have been appointed to lead this CSR department. As a Department Manager, what department goals would you set? What are the major activities and initiatives that you would plan in the coming 2 to 3 years? (300 words)
Essay 3. Describe a specific experience/ event/situation when you had to think on your feet to get yourself out of a difficult situation. (300 words)
Essay 1. NUS Business School seeks a diverse and unique class of future managers. How will your distinctiveness enrich our learning environment and enhance your prospects for success as a manager? (300 words)
Essay 2. As a manager, you are likely to work with a team in order to accomplish a particular task. In a hypothetical group of six working towards the completion of a project in Corporate Strategy, describe your own role & responsibilities, and the qualities and characteristics of your ideal teammates. (300 words)
Essay 3. Suppose you had to choose two people people alive now or people from another era � to travel with you on a cross-country automobile trip. Who would you choose and why? What would you hope to learn from them? (300 words)
Essay 4. Please answer these questions to allow us to have a better understanding of your career aspirations. A) What industry do you intend to work in after your MBA? B) What is your salary expectation immediately after the NUS MBA? (in USD) C) Name 3 countries (in order of preference) do you wish to continue your career immediately after the NUS MBA. (Max 50 words)
Essay 1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing an MBA degree at NUS Business School.
Essay 2. NUS Business School seeks a diverse and unique class of future managers. How will your distinctiveness enrich our learning environment and enhance your prospects for success as a manager.
Essay 3. Describe an ethical dilemma you experience first-hand. How did you manage and resolve the situation?
Essay 1. Discuss your career progression to date. How do you think the NUS MBA can help you achieve your goals? How do you envision your career progressing after receiving the MBA?
Essay 2. Each of us has been influenced by the people, events and situations occurring in our lives. How have these influences shaped you into who you are today?
Essay 3. Globalization and technology are rapidly changing the world of business. How must MBA programs change to prepare students for these challenges? In your view, what features of the NUS MBA prepare students for business as it will be in future, not business as it is today?
Optional Bonus Question: What would you cite as the one distinguishing factor you have vis-�-vis other candidates who are applying to the NUS MBA? What potential contribution(s) can you bring to the class? (max 80 words)
Essay 1. How will an NUS MBA help you fulfill your career ambition? (max 300 words)
Essay 2. What are you passionate about? How will your fellow students benefit from this passion? (max 300 words)
Essay 3. Your organisation is facing a major crisis, and you are tasked to write to your poorest performing staff. Please draft the letter. (max 300 words)
Essay 1. Professional Aspirations:
What are your short and long-term career goals?
Essay 2. Personal Expression:
Describe yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements: A brief introduction or overview of your "Pick Six" (no more than 3 sentences). Six images that help illustrate who you are. A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.
Note: Your visuals may include photos, infographics, drawings, or any other images that best describe you. Your document must be uploaded as a single PDF. The essay cannot be sent in physical form or be linked to a website.
Essay 1. Professional Aspirations:
Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following (750 word maximum)
: What are your short and long-term career goals?
: How will the MBA help you achieve them?
Essay 2. Personal Expression:
Describe yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements: A brief introduction or overview of your "Pick Six" (no more than 3 sentences). Six images that help illustrate who you are. A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.
Note: Your visuals may include photos, infographics, drawings, or any other images that best describe you. Your document must be uploaded as a single PDF. The essay cannot be sent in physical form or be linked to a website.
Essay 1. Professional Aspirations:
Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following (750 word maximum)
: What are your short and long-term career goals?
: How will the MBA help you achieve them?
Essay 2. Personal Expression:
Describe yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements: A brief introduction or overview of your "Pick Six" (no more than 3 sentences). Six images that help illustrate who you are. A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.
Note: Your visuals may include photos, infographics, drawings, or any other images that best describe you. Your document must be uploaded as a single PDF. The essay cannot be sent in physical form or be linked to a website.
Essay 1. Professional Aspirations:
Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following (750 word maximum)
: What are your short and long-term career goals?
: How will the MBA help you achieve them?
Essay 2. Personal Expression:
NYU Stern offers a portfolio of MBA programs designed to meet the needs of our applicants. Your program preferences are very important as you will be admitted to only one program. You cannot switch your program option after receiving your admissions decision.
A. Primary Program Preference (250 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font) Please indicate the primary MBA program for which you would like to be considered, as indicated in the Primary Program Selection section of the application. Explain why the program you have selected is the best program for you.
B. Alternative Program Preference(s) (250 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font) Please indicate any alternative program(s) for which you would also like to be considered, as indicated in the Alternative Program Selection section of the application and why you would also like to be considered for this/these program(s). An alternate program does not need to be selected. If you have no alternate programs you do not need to complete this essay, just indicate "N/A"
Essay 3. Personal Expression:
Describe yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements: A brief introduction or overview of your "Pick Six" (no more than 3 sentences). Six images that help illustrate who you are. A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.
Note: Your visuals may include photos, infographics, drawings, or any other images that best describe you. Your document must be uploaded as a single PDF. The essay cannot be sent in physical form or be linked to a website.
Additional Information (Optional): Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript/s, plans to retake the GMAT and/or TOEFL or any other relevant information. If you are unable to submit a recommendation from a current supervisor, you must explain your reason in Essay 4; If you are a reapplicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application.
Our Stern essay questions give you the opportunity to more fully present yourself to the Admissions Committee and to provide insight into your experiences, goals and thought processes. Please adhere to the essay word limits provided for each question.
Our Stern essay questions give you the opportunity to more fully present yourself to the Admissions Committee and to provide insight into your experiences, goals and thought processes. Please adhere to the essay word limits provided for each question.
Essay 1. Professional Aspirations:
Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following (750 word maximum)
: Why pursue an MBA (or dual degree) at this point in your life?
: What actions have you taken to determine that Stern is the best fit for your MBA experience?
: What do you see yourself doing professionally upon graduation?
Essay 2. Personal Expression:
Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use almost any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative. If you submit a non-written piece for this essay (i.e., artwork or multimedia) or if you submit this essay via mail, please upload a brief description of your submission with your online application.
Essay 3. Additional Information (Optional): Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript/s, plans to retake the GMAT and/or TOEFL or any other relevant information. If you are unable to submit a recommendation from a current supervisor, you must explain your reason in Essay 4; If you are a reapplicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application.
Our Stern essay questions give you the opportunity to more fully present yourself to the Admissions Committee and to provide insight into your experiences, goals and thought processes. Please adhere to the essay word limits provided for each question.
Essay 1. Professional Aspirations:
Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following (750 word maximum)
: Why pursue an MBA (or dual degree) at this point in your life?
: What actions have you taken to determine that Stern is the best fit for your MBA experience?
: What do you see yourself doing professionally upon graduation?
Essay 2. Personal Expression:
Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use almost any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative. If you submit a non-written piece for this essay (i.e., artwork or multimedia) or if you submit this essay via mail, please upload a brief description of your submission with your online application.
Essay 3. Additional Information (Optional): Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript/s, plans to retake the GMAT and/or TOEFL or any other relevant information. If you are unable to submit a recommendation from a current supervisor, you must explain your reason in Essay 4; If you are a reapplicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application.
Essay 1: Professional Aspirations: Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following (750 word maximum)
(a) Why pursue an MBA (or dual degree) at this point in your life?
(b) What actions have you taken to determine that Stern is the best fit for your MBA experience?
(c) What do you see yourself doing professionally upon graduation?.
Essay 2 Choose Option A or B.
Essay 2 A: Your Two Paths: The mission of the Stern School of Business is to develop people and ideas that transform the challenges of the 21st century into opportunities to create value for business and society. Given today's ever-changing global landscape, Stern seeks and develops leaders who thrive in ambiguity, embrace a broad perspective and think creatively about the range of ways they can have impact. (500 word maximum)
(a) Describe two different and distinct paths you could see your career taking long term. How do you see your two paths unfolding?
(b) How do your paths tie to the mission of NYU Stern?
(c) What factors will most determine which path you will take?
Essay 2 B: Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use almost any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative. If you submit a non-written piece for this essay (i.e., artwork or multimedia) or if you submit this essay via mail, please upload a brief description of your submission with your online application. If you submit a written essay, it should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font. If you submit a video or audio file, it should be five minutes maximum.
Optional Essay: Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript/s, plans to retake the GMAT and/or TOEFL or any other relevant information. If you are unable to submit a recommendation from a current supervisor, you must explain your reason in Essay 4; If you are a reapplicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application; If you are applying to a dual degree program, please explain your decision to pursue a dual degree.
Reapplicant Essay: You are at no disadvantage if you apply as a reapplicant. We encourage you to take every opportunity during the re-application process to demonstrate how you have become a more competitive applicant since your last application. You may use the optional essay, Essay 4, to proactively address how your application has improved.
Essay 1: Professional Aspirations: Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following (750 word maximum)
(a) Why pursue an MBA (or dual degree) at this point in your life?
(b) What actions have you taken to determine that Stern is the best fit for your MBA experience?
(c) What do you see yourself doing professionally upon graduation?
Essay 2 Choose Option A or B.
Essay 2 A: Your Two Paths: The mission of the Stern School of Business is to develop people and ideas that transform the challenges of the 21st century into opportunities to create value for business and society. Given today's ever-changing global landscape, Stern seeks and develops leaders who thrive in ambiguity, embrace a broad perspective and think creatively about the range of ways they can have impact. (500 word maximum)
(a) Describe two different and distinct paths you could see your career taking long term. How do you see your two paths unfolding?
(b) How do your paths tie to the mission of NYU Stern?
(c) What factors will most determine which path you will take?
Essay 2 B: Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use almost any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative. If you submit a non-written piece for this essay (i.e., artwork or multimedia) or if you submit this essay via mail, please upload a brief description of your submission with your online application. If you submit a written essay, it should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font. If you submit a video or audio file, it should be five minutes maximum.
Optional Essay: Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript/s, plans to retake the GMAT and/or TOEFL or any other relevant information. If you are unable to submit a recommendation from a current supervisor, you must explain your reason in Essay 4; If you are a reapplicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application; If you are applying to a dual degree program, please explain your decision to pursue a dual degree.
Reapplicant Essay: You are at no disadvantage if you apply as a reapplicant. We encourage you to take every opportunity during the re-application process to demonstrate how you have become a more competitive applicant since your last application. You may use the optional essay, Essay 4, to proactively address how your application has improved.
Essay 1: Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font):
(a) What choices have you made that led you to your current position?
(b) Why pursue an MBA at this point in your life?
(c) What is your career goal upon graduation from the NYU Stern? What is your long-term career goal?
Stern Essay 2: We take great care to shape the Stern community with individuals who possess both intellectual and interpersonal strengths. We seek individuals who are highly intelligent, collaborative, and committed to flourishing as Stern leaders. Please answer the following questions: (500 word maximum)
(a) What is your personal experience with the Stern community? Tell us what actions you have taken to learn about us.
(b) Describe what most excites you about Stern from both an academic and extracurricular perspective.
(c) How do you anticipate making your mark on the Stern community? Be specific about the roles you will take on and the impact you hope to achieve.
Stern Essay 3:Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative. All submissions become part of NYU Stern’s permanent records and cannot be returned for any reason. We do not recommend submitting anything that must be played or viewed electronically, that is perishable (e.g. food) or that has been worn (e.g. used clothing). If you submit a written essay, it should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font.
Stern Optional Essay: Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript/s, plans to retake the GMAT and/or TOEFL or any other relevant information. If you are unable to submit a recommendation from a current supervisor, you must explain your reason in Essay 4; If you are a reapplicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application; If you are applying to a dual degree program, please explain your decision to pursue a dual degree.
Essay 1: Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font):
(a) What choices have you made that led you to your current position?
(b) Why pursue an MBA at this point in your life?
(c) What is your career goal upon graduation from the NYU Stern? What is your long-term career goal?
Essay 2: We take great care to shape the Stern community with individuals who possess both intellectual and interpersonal strengths. We seek individuals who are highly intelligent, collaborative, and committed to flourishing as Stern leaders. Please answer the following questions: (500 word maximum)
(a) What is your personal experience with the Stern community? Tell us what actions you have taken to learn about us.
(b) Describe what most excites you about Stern from both an academic and extracurricular perspective.
(c) How do you anticipate making your mark on the Stern community? Be specific about the roles you will take on and the impact you hope to achieve.
Essay 3: Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative. All submissions become part of NYU Stern’s permanent records and cannot be returned for any reason. We do not recommend submitting anything that must be played or viewed electronically, that is perishable (e.g. food) or that has been worn (e.g. used clothing). If you submit a written essay, it should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font.
Optional Essay
Please provide any additional information you would like to bring to the attention of the admissions committee. This may include gaps in employment, your undergraduate record, plans to retake the GMAT or any other relevant information. An explanation must be provided in Essay 4 if:
You have been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation or required to withdraw from any college or university.
You have ever been convicted of a crime.
You cannot provide a recommendation from your current supervisor.
Essay 1: Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Describe the following (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font):
(a) What choices have you made that led you to your current position?
(b) Why pursue an MBA at this point in your life?
(c) What is your career goal upon graduation from the NYU Stern? What is your long-term career goal?
Essay 2: The NYU Stern community is one of our strongest assets. Please answer the following questions about this community: (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)
(a) What is your personal experience with the Stern community? What actions have you taken to learn more about us?
(b) How would you contribute to our community as a student?
(c) How will you benefit personally and professionally from the Stern community?
Essay 3: Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative. All submissions become part of NYU Stern’s permanent records and cannot be returned for any reason. We do not recommend submitting anything that must be played or viewed electronically, that is perishable (e.g. food) or that has been worn (e.g. used clothing). If you submit a written essay, it should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font.
Optional Essay: Please provide any additional information you would like to bring to the attention of the admissions committee. This may include gaps in employment, your undergraduate record, plans to retake the GMAT or any other relevant information. An explanation must be provided in Essay 4 if:
You have been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation or required to withdraw from any college or university.
You have ever been convicted of a crime.
You cannot provide a recommendation from your current supervisor.
Essay 1. To move past the impossibilities and create the next breakthrough we must first understand where we started. Reflect on your story and experiences. Help us understand who you are. What is important to you and what drives you to do more? (350-word maximum)
Essay 2. In the space that lies between statistical evidence and carefully honed ethics—in a place where numbers and people intersect—we find incredible opportunity and untapped potential. Share with us your untapped potential and help us understand how Olin can help you achieve your post-MBA goals. (500-word maximum)
Essay 3. At Olin we build conscientious leaders who take extreme care to create a community of inclusion, respect and collaboration so that each person’s value can be fully recognized and realized. Please share your passions, hobbies, interests, greatest accomplishments and/or achievements. (100-word maximum)
Essay 1. At WashU Olin we champion better decision-making among leaders who will change the world, for good. We believe the thing that makes you different makes you valuable. Share with us what you believe makes you different and makes you a valuable addition to our community focused on change for good. (350-word maximum)
Essay 2. In our full-time MBA program, the Global Immersion will be your first hands-on experience, shaping your perspective and appreciation for differences. Through the immersion, you will change. You will become more nimble, mobile, and global. Knowing plans may change then, and throughout the program, share with us what your personal and professional goals are for life post-MBA. How do you anticipate Olin will help you achieve these goals? (500-word maximum)
Essay 3. We appreciate the value diverse backgrounds bring to WashU Olin. We strive to create a community of inclusion, respect, and collaboration so that each person’s value can be fully recognized and realized. Please share with us some of your personal story. This can be passions, hobbies, interests, fun facts, memorable moments, and/or noteworthy achievements. We want to know you by name and by story.(suggested 100-word maximum)
Essay 1. We never said it would be easy. Describe a time that you had made a challenging decision that changed your path or the path of another. (500-word maximum)
Essay 2. Tell us about your top five most influential social media posts. (500-word maximum)
Essay 3. Career plan: Please describe your immediate career plans after graduation from Olin. (250-word maximum)
Essay 1. At Olin, we aim to know every student by name and story. Please share your journey with us and why the pursuit of this degree is the right decision for you. (500-word maximum)
Essay 2. Please describe your immediate career plans after graduation from Olin. Don’t worry, we won’t hold you to them. (300 character maximum).
The purpose of these statements is to help the Admissions Committee get to know you. Any information you can provide concerning those qualities and experiences that distinguish you from other applicants will be especially helpful.
Essay 1. In one or two sentences, please describe your immediate career plans upon graduation from Olin.
Essay 2. At Olin, we pride ourselves on our close-knit community and aim to know every student by name and story. In an essay of no more than 500 words, please introduce yourself as you would to your future Olin classmates.
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional information not previously addressed in other areas of the application that you feel would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in its assessment of your candidacy. (300 word maximum)
The purpose of these statements is to help the Admissions Committee get to know you. Any information you can provide concerning those qualities and experiences that distinguish you from other applicants will be especially helpful.
Essay 1. In one or two sentences, please describe your immediate career plans upon graduation from Olin.
Essay 2. At Olin, we pride ourselves on our close-knit community and aim to know every student by name and story. In an essay of no more than 500 words, please introduce yourself as you would to your future Olin classmates.
Optional Essay. Please provide any additional information not previously addressed in other areas of the application that you feel would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in its assessment of your candidacy. (300 word maximum)
Essay 1. Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 words)
Essay 1. Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 words)
Essay 1. Consider a statistic or trend that shocks you. Why it is important to you and how could it be changed for the better? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. Is there anything not covered in the application form which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you? (maximum 250 words)
Essay 1. Consider a statistic or trend that shocks you. Why it is important to you and how could it be changed for the better? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. Is there anything not covered in the application form which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you? (maximum 250 words)
Essay 1. How do you fit with Oxford Said's mission? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. Is there anything not covered in the application form which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you? (maximum 250 words)
Essay 1. How do you fit with Oxford Said's mission? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. Is there anything not covered in the application form which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you? (maximum 250 words)
Essay 1: What should Oxford expect from you? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 2: How do you hope to see your career developing over the next 5 years? How will the MBA and Oxford assist you in the development of these ambitions? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 3: Please choose and answer one of the two essays below:
Essay 3a: Sport is pure competition. What does it teach us about companies, individuals, and markets? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 3b: The business of business is business. Is this true? (maximum 500 words)
Reapplicant Essay: Reapplicants will need to complete the two essays mentioned above and a third essay on the topic: What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (250 words)
Essay 1: What should Oxford expect from you? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 2: How do you hope to see your career developing over the next 5 years? How will the MBA and Oxford assist you in the development of these ambitions? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 3: Please choose and answer one of the two essays below:
Essay 3a: Sport is pure competition. What does it teach us about companies, individuals, and markets? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 3b: The business of business is business. Is this true? (maximum 500 words)
Reapplicant Essay: Reapplicants will need to complete the two essays mentioned above and a third essay on the topic: What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (250 words)
Essay 1: Explain why you chose your current job. How do you hope to see your career developing over the next five years? How will an MBA assist you in the development of these ambitions? (maximum 1000 words)
Essay 2: Which recent development, world event or book has most influenced your thinking and why? (maximum 2000 words)
Essay 1: Explain why you chose your current job. How do you hope to see your career developing over the next five years? How will an MBA assist you in the development of these ambitions? (maximum 1000 words)
Essay 2: Which recent development, world event or book has most influenced your thinking and why? (maximum 2000 words)
Essay 1: Explain why you chose your current job. How do you hope to see your career developing over the next five years? How will an MBA assist you in the development of these ambitions? (maximum 1000 words)
Essay 2: Which recent development, world event or book has most influenced your thinking and why? (maximum 2000 words)
Essay 1: Explain why you chose your current job. How do you hope to see your career developing over the next five years? How will an MBA assist you in the development of these ambitions? (maximum 1000 words)
Essay 2: Which recent development, world event or book has most influenced your thinking and why? (maximum 2000 words)
Essay 1: Explain why you chose your current job. How do you hope to see your career developing over the next five years? How will an MBA assist you in the development of these ambitions? (maximum 1000 words)
Essay 2: Which recent development, world event or book has most influenced your thinking and why? (maximum 2000 words)
Essay 1. Our admitted students stand out by doing interesting things with their personal and professional lives — something we describe as the ‘spike factor’; what are the things that you have done in your life that demonstrate Passion/ Grit/ Resilience/ Innovation/ Drive/ Ambition and more? This can cross all or any aspects of life outside of work – hobbies, volunteerism, awards, entrepreneurial ventures, sports and the arts. We believe that exposure to a rich diversity of viewpoints makes for a superior learning experience, and pride ourselves on building a diverse class of exceptional individuals who will go on to make the School proud as professionals and alumni.
Please upload 1-3 of your 'spikiest' pictures and use the essay to tell us why you have chosen these particular images to illustrate your ‘spike factor’ (use up to 1000 words).
*Note: Your photos must be uploaded as a single PDF.
Reflection Question: List 3-5 attributes or characteristics that best describe you. Limit response to 50 characters.
Essay 1. Our admitted students stand out by doing interesting things with their personal and professional lives — something we describe as the ‘spike factor’; what are the things that you have done in your life that demonstrate Passion/ Grit/ Resilience/ Innovation/ Drive/ Ambition and more? This can cross all or any aspects of life outside of work – hobbies, volunteerism, awards, entrepreneurial ventures, sports and the arts. We believe that exposure to a rich diversity of viewpoints makes for a superior learning experience, and pride ourselves on building a diverse class of exceptional individuals who will go on to make the School proud as professionals and alumni.
Please upload 1-3 of your 'spikiest' pictures and use the essay to tell us why you have chosen these particular images to illustrate your ‘spike factor’ (use up to 1000 words).
*Note: Your photos must be uploaded as a single PDF.
Reflection Question: List 3-5 attributes or characteristics that best describe you. Limit response to 50 characters.
Essay 1. Please describe why you are pursuing an MBA? Why Rotman? Why now? (500 words maximum)
Reflection Question: List 3-5 attributes or characteristics that best describe you. Limit response to 50 characters.
Video Questions: The video interview component is a required part of Rotman Admissions process designed to give all candidates guaranteed "face time" with the Admissions Committee and showcase your personality, characteristics, passions, and values.
Essay 1. Please describe why you are pursuing an MBA? Why Rotman? Why now? (500 words maximum)
Reflection Question: List 3-5 attributes or characteristics that best describe you. Limit response to 50 characters.
Video Questions: The video interview component is a required part of Rotman Admissions process designed to give all candidates guaranteed "face time" with the Admissions Committee and showcase your personality, characteristics, passions, and values.
Essay 1. Please describe why you are pursuing an MBA? Why Rotman? Why now? (500 words maximum)
Reflection Question: List 3-5 attributes or characteristics that best describe you. Limit response to 50 characters.
Video Questions: The video interview component is a required part of Rotman Admissions process designed to give all candidates guaranteed "face time" with the Admissions Committee and showcase your personality, characteristics, passions, and values.
Essay 1. Please state your professional goals and how you plan to achieve them. (250 words maximum)
Reflection Question: List 3-5 attributes or characteristics that best describe you. Limit response to 50 characters.
Video Questions: The video interview component is a required part of Rotman Admissions process designed to give all candidates guaranteed "face time" with the Admissions Committee and showcase your personality, characteristics, passions, and values.
Few examples of practice video questions:
: Tell us why you've selected Rotman. What makes it the best fit and best choice for your MBA.
: Please introduce yourself. Talk about who you are and where you are headed
: Why should Rotman select you? What it is about your background that makes you a great candidate for our program?
: Why are you pursuing an MBA? What are your goals.
Essay 1. Why have you decided to pursue an MBA at Rotman at this point in your career, and where do you envision your career going post-MBA? (250 words maximum)
Essay 2. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have received recently. Please detail the circumstance and your plan to address it. (250 words maximum)
Reflection Question: List 3-5 attributes or characteristics that best describe you. Limit response to 50 characters.
Video Questions: The video interview component is a required part of Rotman Admissions process designed to give all candidates guaranteed "face time" with the Admissions Committee and showcase your personality, characteristics, passions, and values.
Essay 1. Why have you decided to pursue an MBA at Rotman at this point in your career, and where do you envision your career going post-MBA? (250 words maximum)
Essay 2. The Rotman School of Management is uniquely located in downtown Toronto, the heart of Canada's business and financial centre. Toronto is the world's most multicultural city, and is the fourth largest city in North America. How do you plan to maximize the opportunities available to you by studying in Toronto? (250 words maximum)
Video Interview/Questions. The video interview component is a required part of Rotman Admissions process designed to give all candidates guaranteed "face time" with the Admissions Committee and showcase your personality, characteristics, passions, and values. You will have an opportunity to test the technology, and then will be asked two taped questions. Both questions are personality/values based and are designed to be answered without any advanced preparation and will only take a few minutes to complete. After completing your questions, you will receive a confirmation email and unique URL to input into this section of the application and complete the video component. Good luck and have fun with the process! LINK
Optional Essay. This is not a required part of the admissions process, but instead an opportunity to share anything you think the Admissions Committee should know that has not been covered by the rest of the application? There is no need to answer this question if you feel that your background has been thoroughly presented throughout the application.
Essay 1. Discuss your personal and professional development over the past five years and describe how these changes have led you to choose to do your MBA at this time. What are your career goals and how will a Rotman MBA help you to achieve them? (Please limit your answer to 500 words)
Essay 2. One of the Rotman School's underlying principles is the value of one; this reflects the belief that each member of the Rotman community has unique needs and talents. What are your greatest talents and/or abilities and how would each enhance the experience of your classmates? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Essay 3. Imagine that ten years from now a colleague is describing you to a new employee. What will s/he say about you that you are not known for now? How will you achieve these new skills? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Essay 4. Describe a professional experience when you did not live up to your full potential. What would you do differently if you had to do it again? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Optional Essay. Is there anything that you think the Admissions Committee should know which you feel has not been covered by the rest of the application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, do not feel obligated to answer this question.
Essay 1. Discuss your personal and professional development over the past five years and describe how these changes have led you to choose to do your MBA at this time. What are your career goals and how will a Rotman MBA help you to achieve them? (Please limit your answer to 500 words)
Essay 2. One of the Rotman School's underlying principles is the value of one; this reflects the belief that each member of the Rotman community has unique needs and talents. What are your greatest talents and/or abilities and how would each enhance the experience of your classmates? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Essay 3. Imagine that ten years from now a colleague is describing you to a new employee. What will s/he say about you that you are not known for now? How will you achieve these new skills? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Essay 4. Describe a professional experience when you did not live up to your full potential. What would you do differently if you had to do it again? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Optional Essay. Is there anything that you think the Admissions Committee should know which you feel has not been covered by the rest of the application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, do not feel obligated to answer this question.
Essay 1. Discuss your personal and professional development over the past five years and describe how these changes have led you to choose to do your MBA at this time. What are your career goals and how will a Rotman MBA help you to achieve them? (Please limit your answer to 500 words)
Essay 2. One of the Rotman School's underlying principles is the value of one; this reflects the belief that each member of the Rotman community has unique needs and talents. What are your greatest talents and/or abilities and how would each enhance the experience of your classmates? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Essay 3. Imagine that ten years from now a colleague is describing you to a new employee. What will s/he say about you that you are not known for now? How will you achieve these new skills? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Essay 4. Describe a professional experience when you did not live up to your full potential. What would you do differently if you had to do it again? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Optional Essay. Is there anything that you think the Admissions Committee should know which you feel has not been covered by the rest of the application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, do not feel obligated to answer this question.
Essay 1. Discuss your personal and professional development over the past five years and describe how these changes have led you to choose to do your MBA at this time. What are your career goals and how will a Rotman MBA help you to achieve them? (Please limit your answer to 500 words)
Essay 2. One of the Rotman School's underlying principles is the value of one; this reflects the belief that each member of the Rotman community has unique needs and talents. What are your greatest talents and/or abilities and how would each enhance the experience of your classmates? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Essay 3. Imagine that ten years from now a colleague is describing you to a new employee. What will s/he say about you that you are not known for now? How will you achieve these new skills? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Essay 4. Describe a professional experience when you did not live up to your full potential. What would you do differently if you had to do it again? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Optional Essay. Is there anything that you think the Admissions Committee should know which you feel has not been covered by the rest of the application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, do not feel obligated to answer this question.
Essay 1. Discuss your personal and professional development over the past five years and describe how these changes have led you to choose to do your MBA at this time. What are your career goals and how will a Rotman MBA help you to achieve them? (Please limit your answer to 500 words)
Essay 2. One of the Rotman School's underlying principles is the value of one; this reflects the belief that each member of the Rotman community has unique needs and talents. What are your greatest talents and/or abilities and how would each enhance the experience of your classmates? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Essay 3. Imagine that ten years from now a colleague is describing you to a new employee. What will s/he say about you that you are not known for now? How will you achieve these new skills? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Essay 4. Describe a professional experience when you did not live up to your full potential. What would you do differently if you had to do it again? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Optional Essay. Is there anything that you think the Admissions Committee should know which you feel has not been covered by the rest of the application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, do not feel obligated to answer this question.
Essay 1. How will the Schulich MBA degree help you achieve your short and long-term career goals? (350 words)
Video Essay and Timed Writing Sample. Before embarking on these application elements, you will need:
1. an uninterrupted 20 to 30 minutes
2. a stable webcam and proper keyboard
3. to be dressed in interview-appropriate clothing
Once you are set up, please use the unique link (provided by the school) to record two video essays and to complete a five-minute timed writing sample. Kindly note that these must be completed in one sitting, and you only get one chance to record your answer to each question.
When registering, to ensure that the Video Essays and Timed Writing Sample get matched up with your application, please be sure to use the same email address that you are using for this application.
You will have up to 5 minutes to answer a question we provide in writing. This allows us see what you come up with on the spot. We will not expect a polished product, but will continue to look for interesting ideas, correct spelling and proper syntax.
Essay 1. How will the Schulich MBA degree help you achieve your short and long-term career goals? (350 words)
Video Essay and Timed Writing Sample
After the short questions, you will be required to submit a video answer and answer a 5min-timed question.
Essay 1. How will the Schulich MBA degree help you achieve your short and long-term career goals? (350 words)
Video Essay and Timed Writing Sample
After the short questions, you will be required to submit a video answer and answer a 5min-timed question.
Essay 1. How will the Schulich MBA degree help you achieve your short and long-term career goals? (350 words)
Video Essay and Timed Writing Sample
After the short questions, you will be required to submit a video answer and answer a 5min-timed question.
Please answer the following questions and statements clearly and concisely ensuring that each essay adheres to the required word length requested. The following question will assist the Admission Committee in evaluating your application.
Essay 1. How will the Schulich MBA degree help you achieve your short and long-term career goals? (350 words)
Video Essay and Timed Writing Sample
Before embarking on these application elements, you will need:
1. an uninterrupted 20 to 30 minutes
2. a stable webcam and proper keyboard
3. to be dressed in interview-appropriate clothing
Once you are set up, please use the unique link below to record two video essays and to complete a five-minute timed writing sample. Kindly note that these must be completed in one sitting, and you only get one chance to record your answer to each question. We suggest that you review our Application Tips, above, before getting started.
When registering, to ensure that the Video Essays and Timed Writing Sample get matched up with your application, please be sure to use the same email address that you are using for this application.
Timed writing sample tips from York: You will have up to 5 minutes to answer a question we provide in writing. This allows us see what you come up with on the spot. We will not expect a polished product, but will continue to look for interesting ideas, correct spelling and proper syntax.
Please answer the following questions and statements clearly and concisely ensuring that each essay adheres to the required word length requested. The following question will assist the Admission Committee in evaluating your application.
Essay 1. How will the Schulich MBA degree help you achieve your short and long-term career goals? (350 words)
Essay 2. Describe a time when you were faced with an ethical dilemma. What strategies did you use to resolve the issue? What would you have done differently if faced with a similar situation? (350 words)
Essay 3. Optional Scholarship and Award consideration. Describe your involvement in activities outside of work. How have they contributed to your personal achievements and enhanced your self-development? (500 words)
Additional Information Essay. Is there any other information or areas of concern in your academic or personal history that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in considering your application?
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words - suggested)
Essay 2: Why Stanford? (350 words - suggested)
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words - suggested)
Essay 2: Why Stanford? (350 words - suggested)
Additional Information: Through all of the elements of your application, we believe that we get to know you well. Only complete this section if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). Do not include essays, and please, be brief.
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words - suggested)
Essay 2: Why Stanford? (350 words - suggested)
Additional Information: Through all of the elements of your application, we believe that we get to know you well. Only complete this section if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). Do not include essays, and please, be brief.
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words - suggested)
Essay 2: Why Stanford? (350 words - suggested)
Additional Information: Through all of the elements of your application, we believe that we get to know you well. Only complete this section if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). Do not include essays, and please, be brief.
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words - suggested)
Essay 2: Why Stanford? (350 words - suggested)
Additional Information: Through all of the elements of your application, we believe that we get to know you well. Only complete this section if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). Do not include essays, and please, be brief.
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words - suggested)
Essay 2: Why Stanford? (350 words - suggested)
Additional Information: Through all of the elements of your application, we believe that we get to know you well. Only complete this section if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). Do not include essays, and please, be brief.
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words - suggested)
Essay 2: Why Stanford? (350 words - suggested)
Additional Information: Through all of the elements of your application, we believe that we get to know you well. Only complete this section if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). Do not include essays, and please, be brief.
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words - suggested)
Essay 2: What do you want to do—REALLY—and why Stanford? (450 words - suggested)
Essay 3: Answer one of the three questions below. Tell us not only what you did but also how you did it. What was the outcome? How did people respond? Only describe experiences that have occurred during the last three years. In your short answer responses we learn more about the experiences that have shaped your attitudes, behaviors, and aspirations. (400 words - suggested)
Essay 3a: Tell us about a time when you built or developed a team whose performance exceeded expectations. (300 words - suggested)
Essay 3b: Tell us about a time in the last three years when you identified and pursued an opportunity to improve an organization. (400 words - suggested)
Essay 3c: Tell us about a time in the last three years when you went beyond what was defined or established. (400 words - suggested)
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words - suggested)
Essay 2: What do you want to do—REALLY—and why Stanford? (450 words - suggested)
Essay 3: Answer two of the four questions below. Tell us not only what you did but also how you did it. What was the outcome? How did people respond? Only describe experiences that have occurred during the last three years. In your short answer responses (Essay 3, options A, B, C, or D), we learn more about the experiences that have shaped your attitudes, behaviors, and aspirations. (300 words each - suggested)
Essay 3a: Tell us about a time when you built or developed a team whose performance exceeded expectations. (300 words - suggested)
Essay 3b: Tell us about a time when you made a lasting impact on your organization. (300 words - suggested)
Essay 3c: Tell us about a time when you generated support from others for an idea or initiative. (300 words - suggested)
Essay 3d: Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined or established. (300 words - suggested)
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words - suggested)
Essay 2: What are your career aspirations? What do you need to learn at Stanford to achieve them? (450 words - suggested)
Essay 3: Answer two of the four questions below. Tell us not only what you did but also how you did it. What was the outcome? How did people respond? Only describe experiences that have occurred during the last three years. (300 words each - suggested)
Option A: Tell us about a time when you built or developed a team whose performance exceeded expectations.
Option B: Tell us about a time when you made a lasting impact on your organization.
Option C: Tell us about a time when you generated support from others for an idea or initiative.
Option D: Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined, established, or expected.
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words)
Essay 2: What are your career aspirations? How will your education at Stanford help you achieve them? (450 words)
Essay 3: Short Essays Options 1-4. Answer two of the four questions below. Tell us not only what you did but also how you did it. What was the outcome? How did people respond? Only describe experiences that have occurred during the last three years. (300 words each)
Option A: Tell us about a time when you built or developed a team whose performance exceeded expectations.
Option B: Tell us about a time when you made a lasting impact on your organization.
Option C: Tell us about a time when you motivated others to support your vision or initiative.
Option D: Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined, established, or expected.
Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?
Essay B: What are your career aspirations? How will your education at Stanford help you achieve them?
As a Stanford MBA student, you will be assigned a team of advisors who will guide both your academic experience and your personal development. Your team will include a faculty advisor, a career counselor, and a leadership coach. Use Essay B to help you prepare for your first conversations with these mentors.
Essay C: Short Essays Options 1-4. Answer two of the questions below. Tell us not only what you did but also how you did it. What was the outcome? How did people respond? Only describe experiences that have occurred during the last three years.
1: Tell us about a time when you built or developed a team.
2: Tell us about a time when you felt most effective as a leader.
3: Tell us about a time when you tried to reach a goal or complete a task that was challenging, difficult, or frustrating.
4: Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined, established, or expected.
Essay A: What matters most to you, and why? 3 pages
Essay B: What are your career aspirations? How will your education at Stanford help you achieve these? 2 pages As a Stanford MBA student, you will be assigned a team of advisors who will guide both your academic experience and your personal development. Your team will include a faculty advisor, a career counselor, and a leadership coach. Use Essay B to help you prepare for your first conversations with these mentors.
Essay C: Answer 2 of the questions listed below. In answering both questions in Essay C, tell us not only what you did, but also how you did it. Tell us the outcome and describe how people responded. Describe only experiences that have occurred during the last three years. 1 page each
1: Tell us about a time when you empowered others.
2: Tell us about a time when you had a significant impact on a person, group or organization.
3: Tell us about a time when you tried to reach a goal or complete a task that was challenging, difficult, or frustrating.
4: Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined, established, or expected.
Essay A: What matters most to you, and why? (Recommended length is 3-4 pages, double-spaced)
Essay B: What are your career aspirations? How will your education at Stanford help you achieve these? (Recommended length is 2-3 pages, double-spaced)
Essay C: Short Essays—Options 1-4
Please answer two of the questions below. In answering each question, please tell us not only what you did, but also how you did it. Describe what you felt, said, and thought during these experiences. Tell us the outcome, and describe how people responded. Your responses should describe experiences that have occurred within the last three years.
Option 1: Tell us about a time when you did something that was not established, expected, or popular. (Recommended length is 1-2 pages, double-spaced)
Option 2: Tell us about a time when you felt effective or successful. (Recommended length is 1-2 pages, double-spaced)
Option 3: Tell us about a time when you had a significant effect on a group or individual. (Recommended length is 1-2 pages, double-spaced)
Option 4: Tell us about a time when you tried to reach a goal or complete a task that was challenging, difficult, or frustrating. (Recommended length is 1-2 pages, double-spaced)
Essay 1. The Tepper community is dynamic and unique. Each community member’s individual journey has shaped them into classmates who are collaborative and supportive. Describe how you have overcome adversity during your journey. What did you learn about yourself and how has that shaped who you are? (Maximum 350-500 words.)
Optional Essay. Use this essay to convey important information that you may not have been otherwise able to convey. This may include unexplained resume gaps, context for recommender selection, etc.
Essay 1. At Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School, we value our community and it is important for each person to contribute to its success. What difference will you make as a member of the MBA class at the Tepper School? (Maximum 350-500 words.)
Optional Essay. Use this essay to convey important information that you may not have been otherwise able to convey. This may include unexplained resume gaps, context for recommender selection, etc.
At Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School, we love to tell our story. Below is your chance to tell yours. Please select only ONE of the options below to complete the essay requirement (maximum 300–350 words).
Option #1: Carnegie Mellon University is an institution that never stops looking and moving ahead, pioneering the next way forward with technology, business and research to answer questions big and small. Personally or professionally, in what way have you been a pioneer?
Option #2: Amidst the ambiguous and unchartered nature of change, Carnegie Mellon University students and alumni rise above to envision and create. Discuss how you have anticipated change in your professional life. In what ways did you effectively collaborate to create your desired outcome?
Option #3: At Carnegie Mellon University, our difference is what we imagine for the world and how we answer its challenges. What impact have you had on the world around you?
Essay 1. Imagine that you meet up with a member of the admission committee at an airport while on a layover. You have an opportunity to make a memorable impression. Use this essay to introduce yourself. Include any information that you believe is important for the committee member to know about you both professionally and personally. (300-350 words)
Optional Essay. Use this essay to convey important information that you may not have been otherwise able to convey. This may include unexplained resume gaps, context for recommender selection, etc.
Essay 1. Describe a defining moment in your life and explain how it shaped you as a person. (maximum 300 words)
Essay 2. Based on your research and interactions with the Tepper community, please share why you are a good fit with the Tepper MBA program. (maximum 300 words)
Essay 1. Describe a defining moment in your life and explain how it shaped you as a person. (maximum 300 words)
Essay 2. Based on your research and interactions with the Tepper community, please share why you are a good fit with the Tepper MBA program. (maximum 300 words)
Goal Question 1: What is your professional goal immediately following graduation from Tepper? (1500 Characters max)
Goal Question 2: If you are not successful in your first choice of role after graduation, what other role would you consider? In other words, what is your Plan B? (1500 Characters max)
Essay 1: Describe a defining moment in your life and explain how it shaped you as a person. (maximum 300 words)
Essay 2: Based on your research and interactions with the Tepper community, please share why you are a good fit with the Tepper MBA program. (maximum 300 words)
Optional Essay: Is there anything additional that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application. This could include clarification of your employment or academic record, choice of recommenders or provide helpful context for the admissions committee in reviewing your application. (maximum 500 words)
Short Answer 1. What is your professional goal immediately following graduation from the Tepper School? (maximum 250 words)
Short Answer 2. What are your long term career goals? (maximum 250 words)
Essay 1. What transferrable skills have you developed that are related to your professional goals outlined in Short Answer 1? Additionally, identify the skills that you will need to develop or enhance. Specifically, how will the Tepper MBA help you develop these skills? (maximum 500 words)
Essay 2. Describe a defining moment in your life and explain how it shaped you as a person. (maximum 300 words)
Essay 3. How will your presence in the Tepper MBA program benefit your fellow students? How will you contribute to the school as a student and as an alumnus? (maximum 300 words)
Essay E [Optional]. Is there anything additional that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application. This could include clarification of your employment or academic record, choice of recommenders or provide helpful context for the admissions committee in reviewing your application. (maximum 500 words)
Essay A. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you to achieve these goals? (Please include any information regarding what steps you have taken to learn more about the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.) (Suggested length - 2 double-spaced pages.)
Essay B. The Tepper School is looking for individuals who will make an impact. Give an example of a time where you made an impact in your professional or academic life. (Suggested length - 2 double-spaced pages.)
Essay C. Please answer one of the following two questions. Please clearly specify which question you are answering. (Suggested length - 1 double-spaced page.)
1. Describe an obstacle you have faced in your professional or academic life. How did you overcome this obstacle and how did it foster your development?
2. Describe a time in your professional or academic life in which your ethics were challenged. How did you deal with the situation and what did you learn from it?
Essay D. Please answer one of the following two questions. Please clearly specify which question you are answering. (Suggested length - 1 double-spaced page.)
1. Outside of my professional and/or academic life, one thing that people would be surprised to know about me is
2. Outside of my professional and/or academic life, I am especially proud of...
Essay E [Optional]. Is there anything additional that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application. This could include clarification of your employment or academic record, choice of recommenders or provide helpful context for the admissions committee in reviewing your application.
Essay A. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you achieve these goals. (Please include any information regarding what steps you have taken to learn more about Tepper.)
Essay B. The Tepper School's culture relies on all members to be active contributors to our community. With your values, experiences, and interests, how will you make a unique contribution to the Tepper community? Your examples may include: classroom interaction, student activities, career development, community service, etc.
Essay C. Please answer two of the following three questions or statements. Please clearly specify which questions you are answering. Your two answers should equal a total of two pages or less.
1. Describe an obstacle you have faced in your professional or academic life. How did you overcome this obstacle and how did it foster your development?
2. Describe a time in which your ethics were challenged. How did you deal with the situation and what did you learn from it?
3. One thing people would be surprised to know about me is . . .
Essay D [Optional]. Is there anything additional that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? Note: if you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application. You must complete this essay if you answered 'yes' to the additional information questions on the previous page.
Essay A. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you to achieve these goals. (Please include any information regarding what steps you have taken to learn more about Tepper.)
Essay B. The Tepper School's culture relies on all members to be active contributors to our community. With your values, experiences, and interests, how will you make a unique contribution to the Tepper community? Your examples may include: classroom interaction, student activities, career development, community service, etc.
Essay C. Please answer two of the following three questions or statements. Please clearly specify which questions you are answering. Your two answers should equal a total of two pages or less.
1. Describe an obstacle you have faced in your professional or academic life. How did you overcome this obstacle and how did it foster your development?
2. Describe a time in which your ethics were challenged. How did you deal with the situation and what did you learn from it?
3. One thing people would be surprised to know about me is . . .
Essay D [Optional]. Is there anything additional that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? Note: if you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application. You must complete this essay if you answered 'yes' to the additional information questions on the previous page.
Essay A. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you to achieve these goals. (Please include any information regarding what steps you have taken to learn more about Tepper.)
Essay B. Describe an instance in which you made an impact as part of a team or as an individual. How did this experience help shape you as a team member or leader and how will it enable you to contribute to the diverse Tepper Community?
Essay C. Please answer two of the following three questions or statements. Please clearly specify which questions you are answering. Your two answers should equal a total of two pages or less.
1. Describe an obstacle you have faced in your professional or academic life. How did you overcome this obstacle and how did it foster your development?
2. Describe a time in which your ethics were challenged. How did you deal with the situation and what did you learn from it?
3. One thing people would be surprised to know about me is . . .
Essay D [Optional]. Is there anything additional that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? Note: if you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application. You must complete this essay if you answered 'yes' to the additional information questions on the previous page.
Essay 1. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you to achieve these goals? (two-page limit)
Essay 2. How will your academic and professional background, personal characteristics and life experiences contribute to the diversity of the Tepper community? (two-page limit)
Essay 3. Please answer three of the following five questions or statements: (two-page limit)
A. Describe an ethical dilemma that you have faced in your professional life, how you dealt with the situation, and what the outcome was.
B. Describe a failure or setback in your professional or academic life. How did you overcome this setback? What, if anything, would you do differently if confronted with this situation again?
C. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement and why?
D. Describe your most challenging experience while working in a group.
E. Of what skill or talent are you especially proud?
Essay 1. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you to achieve these goals? (two-page limit)
Essay 2. How will your academic and professional background, personal characteristics and life experiences contribute to the diversity of the Tepper community? (two-page limit)
Essay 3. Please answer three of the following five questions or statements: (two-page limit)
A. Describe an ethical dilemma that you have faced in your professional life, how you dealt with the situation, and what the outcome was.
B. Describe a failure or setback in your professional or academic life. How did you overcome this setback? What, if anything, would you do differently if confronted with this situation again?
C. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement and why?
D. Describe your most challenging experience while working in a group.
E. Of what skill or talent are you especially proud?
Essay 1. How have events of the past year influenced the impact you would like to make in your community, career, or both? (250 words maximum)
Essay 1. Describe your short-term and long-term career goals. How can the UCLA Anderson experience add value to your professional development? (500 words maximum)
Short Answer Question. Describe how you would contribute to the UCLA Anderson community. (250 words maximum)
Essay 1. Describe your short-term and long-term career goals. How can the UCLA Anderson experience add value to your professional development? (500 words maximum)
Short Answer Question. Describe how you would contribute to the UCLA Anderson community. (250 words maximum)
Essay 1. We believe that the best results are achieved when you share success, think fearlessly and drive change. With this in mind, what are your goals at UCLA Anderson and in your short-term and long-term career? (750 words maximum)
Optional Essay. Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words) No preference is given in the evaluation process to applicants who submit an optional essay.
Essay 1. We believe that the best results are achieved when you share success, think fearlessly and drive change. With this in mind, what are your goals at UCLA Anderson and in your short-term and long-term career? (750 words maximum)
Optional Essay. Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words) No preference is given in the evaluation process to applicants who submit an optional essay.
Essay 1. We believe that the best results are achieved when you share success, think fearlessly and drive change. With this in mind, what are your goals at UCLA Anderson and in your short-term and long-term career? (750 words maximum)
Optional Essay. Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words) No preference is given in the evaluation process to applicants who submit an optional essay.
Essay 1. Please respond to the questions below that will assist us in learning more about you (500 words)
- Tell us what your immediate career goals are and how you will benefit personally and professionally from earning an MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School.
- As the business world continues to evolve, circumstances can change and guide you in a different direction. Should your goals that you provided above not transpire, what other opportunities would you explore?
Essay 2. Please select one topic below and respond to the prompt. (250 words)
- Topic 1: What is one thing that we do not know about you that you want us to know?
- Topic 2: Provide us an example of a time you were able to be creative with your work. What was exciting or difficult about it? Did you achieve the results you were looking for?
- Topic 3: Tell us about a time when you felt or witnessed someone being marginalized. How did you feel? What did you take away from the experience and how has it encouraged you to be an inclusive leader?
Essay 1. Please respond to the questions below that will assist us in learning more about you (500 words)
- Tell us what your immediate career goals are and how you will benefit personally and professionally from earning an MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School.
- As the business world continues to evolve, circumstances can change and guide you in a different direction. Should your goals that you provided above not transpire, what other opportunities would you explore?
Essay 2. The UNC Kenan-Flagler community lives by its core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork.(250 words)
- Pick a core value that resonates most deeply with you.
- Identify the most challenging situation that you have encountered and how you responded while upholding that core value.
Essay 1. Please respond to the questions below that will assist us in learning more about you (500 words)
- Tell us what your immediate career goals are and how you will benefit personally and professionally from earning an MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School.
- As the business world continues to evolve, circumstances can change and guide you in a different direction. Should your goals that you provided above not transpire, what other opportunities would you explore?
Essay 2. The UNC Kenan-Flagler community lives by its core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork.(250 words)
- Pick a core value that resonates most deeply with you.
- Identify the most challenging situation that you have encountered and how you responded while upholding that core value.
Essay 1 (Required) Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 2 (Optional) What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (300 words maximum)
Essay 3 (Optional) If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional) Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1 (Required) Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 2 (Optional) What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (300 words maximum)
Essay 3 (Optional) If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional) Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1 (Required) Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 2 (Optional) What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (300 words maximum)
Essay 3 (Optional) If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional) Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1: Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 2 (Optional): What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (300 words maximum)
Essay 3 (Optional): If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional): Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1: What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? What are the other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Essay 2: Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 3: What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay 1. If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 1: What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? What are the other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Essay 2: Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 3: What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay 1. If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Optional Essay 2. Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1: What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? Do you have other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Essay 2: Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how: your professional experience has shaped these goals; why this career option appeals to you; and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)
Essay 3: What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional): If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay 5 (Optional): Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)
Essay One (Required): What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? Do you have other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Essay Two (Required): Briefly describe the career path you intend to pursue immediately after b-school. Explain why this career option appeals to you and why an MBA is appropriate at this time. (500 words maximum)
Essay Three (Required): What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Essay Four (Required): Kenan-Flagler has five core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork. If you could add one value what would it be and why? Be sure to explain how you have lived this value. (300 words maximum) We greatly value current student involvement in the admissions process. Essay #4 will be read and evaluated by a trained student admissions volunteer. Please do not put your name on this essay since we would like the student evaluation to be anonymous.
Essay Five (Optional): If your GMAT quantitative score is low, or if you have not had coursework in calculus, microeconomics, statistics and financial accounting, please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay Six (Optional): Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you in order to evaluate your candidacy? (300 words maximum)
Additional Essay: The Admissions Committee believes that the MBA application is comprehensive and does not require submission of any supplemental information. If you feel that additional information or explanations are necessary, please use this page for that purpose.
Essay One (Required): What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? Do you have other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)
Essay Two (Required): Briefly describe the career path you intend to pursue immediately after b-school. Explain why this career option appeals to you and why an MBA is appropriate at this time. (500 words maximum)
Essay Three (Required): What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
Essay Four (Required): What do you expect from your MBA program? How and when will you measure the return on your investment in the MBA? (500 words maximum)
Essay Five (Optional): If your GMAT quantitative score is low, or if you have not had coursework in calculus, microeconomics, statistics and financial accounting, please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)
Essay Six (Optional): Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you in order to evaluate your candidacy? (300 words maximum)
Essay 1 (Required): Describe your career progression to date, highlighting leadership and management positions and reasons for changing jobs or career paths, if applicable. Tell us how your experience, coupled with an MBA degree from UNC, will lead you to your short-term and long-term career goals. (1200 words maximum)
Essay 2 (Required): Describe the major obstacles or challenges you have faced in pursuit of your goals. Tell us how you addressed these challenges and how they have shaped you. (800 words maximum)
Essay 3 (Optional): Tell us about any international experience you have, either living or working abroad. Tell us how it has impacted your global perspective. (400 words maximum)
Essay 4 (Optional): UNC Kenan-Flagler seeks to enroll students from a variety of undergraduate majors. Regardless of your major, we strongly recommend that all students enter the program with some background in calculus, microeconomics, statistics and financial accounting. If you have not studied one or more of these subjects in college or university, please tell us how you have developed proficiency in these areas. If you have not been exposed to one or more of these subjects, please tell us how you will prepare yourself prior to entering UNC Kenan-Flagler. (400 words maximum)
Written statements. Your written statements give us great insight into your unique qualities, goals and personality. We have four required written statements and all have a 75 word limit. Three statements are career-focused and one is a more creative statement.
Statement 1: What are your short-term career goals after obtaining your MBA and what functional area do you plan to study while in the MBA program?
Statement 2: What are some specific skills that you want to develop during your time in business school to help you achieve your career goals?
Statement 3: The role of the Vanderbilt MBA Career Management Center is to partner with students to discover and define their career goals; to educate and coach students in developing and refining skills and experiences to achieve their career goals; to facilitate partnerships among students, the business community and the Vanderbilt community. How do you plan to direct your career search and collaborate with the Career Management Center to work toward your career goals?
Statement 4: Our mission is to provide world-class business education on a personal scale. What does personal scale mean to you?
Optional Explanatory Statement: You may provide an additional statement to explain anything that you think is important for the Admissions Committee to know about you that is not already addressed elsewhere in your application. Many applicants use this statement to explain significant gaps in full-time employment, lack of recommendation from a current supervisor, or subpar academic performance.
Video essay. The video response is a chance for you to provide a glimpse of the authentic you, speaking without a script. The video questions are designed to be easy to answer and help us to get to know you as a person. You will have time to prepare your response and the application will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to record your answers.
Essay 1. While business school is a time for exploration, we do expect you to have a strong sense about why you want an MBA and what you hope to do once you graduate. Applying to business school is an introspective process, and we want to make sure you have a good sense for what you want from a program, where you hope it will lead you and why Owen is well suited to help you attain your goals. In addition, you should understand what skills you possess that will be transferrable to another job or industry.
Video Essay. The video essay is a required component of the online application. Our goal in asking you for a short video essay is to be able to get a glimpse of the authentic you, speaking without a script. The video questions are easy to answer and you should not be nervous about this. You will have time to prepare and to record your answer. Just follow the instructions on the application.
Essay 1. While business school is a time for exploration, we do expect you to have a strong sense about why you want an MBA and what you hope to do once you graduate. Applying to business school is an introspective process, and we want to make sure you have a good sense for what you want from a program, where you hope it will lead you and why Owen is well suited to help you attain your goals. In addition, you should understand what skills you possess that will be transferrable to another job or industry.
Video Essay. The video essay is a required component of the online application. Our goal in asking you for a short video essay is to be able to get a glimpse of the authentic you, speaking without a script. The video questions are easy to answer and you should not be nervous about this. You will have time to prepare and to record your answer. Just follow the instructions on the application.
Essay. What is your short-term career goal after the MBA and why? Discuss your current skill set and what you will need to add to these skills during the MBA. (350 words)
Optional Essay 1. You are strongly encouraged to provide an additional statement to clarify and explain any of the following: gaps of more than three months in full-time employment, lack of recommendation from your current or most recent supervisor, limited full-time work experience (ignore if you are a recent undergraduate), poor academic performance, weak test scores, academic misconduct, violations of the law, or anything else you think is important for the Admissions Committee to know about you that is not already addressed elsewhere in your application. Applicants reactivating a previous application submitted within the last two years should provide their additional statement here. (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay 2. You may provide in the space below any additional information you would like for us to consider that would strengthen your application.(350 words)
Essay 1. Tell us what you want to do immediately after the MBA. What skills and attributes will help you be successful? (350 words)
Essay 2. In the world of social media, being concise is an attribute. Please select two of the following five prompts below and compose two responses in the form of a mock Tweet. Please limit responses to 140 characters.
- Share one thing the Admissions Committee should know about you.
- Describe yourself to your MBA classmates in three adjectives.
- What song lyric best describes your life?
- Aside from basic food and shelter, what three things can you not live without?
- What is the best advice you have ever received?
Optional Essay. You are strongly encouraged to provide an additional statement to clarify and explain any of the following: gaps of more than three months in full-time employment, lack of recommendation from your current or most recent supervisor, limited full-time work experience (ignore if you are a recent undergraduate), poor academic performance, weak test scores, academic misconduct, violations of the law, or anything else you think is important for the Admissions Committee to know about you that is not already addressed elsewhere in your application. Applicants reactivating a previous application submitted within the last two years should provide their additional statement here. (500 words maximum)
Essay 1. Explain your short-term and long-term career plans as specifically as possible. When combined with your studies at Owen, how will your background, previous experiences, interests and personal attributes enable you to pursue these goals successfully? (500 words maximum)
Essay 2. Vanderbilt looks for individuals who will make an impact. Discuss a time when you made an impact in your professional or personal life. How has this experience equipped you to contribute to the Vanderbilt community? (500 words maximum)
Essay 2. Vanderbilt looks for individuals who will make an impact. Discuss a time when you made an impact in your professional or personal life. How has this experience equipped you to contribute to the Vanderbilt community? (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay 1. You are strongly encouraged to provide an additional statement to clarify and explain any of the following: gaps of more than three months in full-time employment, lack of recommendation from your current or most recent supervisor, limited full-time work experience (ignore if you are a recent undergraduate), poor academic performance, weak test scores, academic misconduct, violations of the law, or anything else you think is important for the Admissions Committee to know about you that is not already addressed elsewhere in your application. Applicants reactivating a previous application submitted within the last two years should provide their additional statement here. (500 words maximum)
Essay 1.
How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)
Essay 2. Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words)
Essay 1. What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words)
Essay 1. What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe an impactful experience or accomplishment that is not reflected elsewhere in your application. How will you use what you learned through that experience to contribute to the Wharton community? (500 words)
The Admissions Committee is interested in getting to know you on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to be introspective, candid, and succinct. Most importantly, we suggest you be yourself.
Essay 1. What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Describe an impactful experience or accomplishment that is not reflected elsewhere in your application. How will you use what you learned through that experience to contribute to the Wharton community? (500 words)
Essay 1. What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2. Teamwork is at the core of the Wharton MBA experience with each student contributing unique elements to our collaborative culture. How will you contribute to the Wharton community? (400 words)
Optional Essay. Please use the space below to highlight any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to know about your candidacy. (400 words)
The Admissions Committee is interested in getting to know you on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to be introspective, candid, and succinct. Most importantly, we suggest you be yourself.
Essay 1. (Required) What do you hope to gain both personally and professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2. (Optional) Please use the space below to highlight any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to know about your candidacy. (400 words)
The Admissions Committee is interested in getting to know you on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to be introspective, candid, and succinct. Most importantly, we suggest you be yourself.
Essay 1. (Required) What do you hope to gain both personally and professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2. (Optional) Please use the space below to highlight any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to know about your candidacy. (400 words)
Essay 1: What do you aspire to achieve, personally and professionally, through the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2: Academic engagement is an important element of the Wharton MBA experience. How do you see yourself contributing to our learning community? (500 words)
Reapplicant Essay: Please use this space to explain how you have reflected on the previous decision on your application and to discuss any updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). You may also use this section to address any extenuating circumstances. (250 words)
Optional Essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words)
Required Essay: What are your professional objectives? (300 words)
Respond to 2 of the following 3 questions:
Essay 1: Reflect on a time when you turned down an opportunity. What was the thought process behind your decision? Would you make the same decision today? (600 words)
Essay 2: Discuss a time when you faced a challenging interpersonal experience. How did you navigate the situation and what did you learn from it? (600 words)
Essay 3: "Innovation is central to our culture at Wharton. It is a mentality that must encompass every aspect of the School - whether faculty research, teaching or alumni outreach." - Thomas S. Robertson, Dean, The Wharton School. Keeping this component of our culture in mind, discuss a time when you have been innovative in your personal or professional life. (600 words)
Reapplicant Essay: Please use this space to explain how you have reflected on the previous decision on your application and to discuss any updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). You may also use this section to address any extenuating circumstances. (250 words)
Optional Essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words)
Required Essay: What are your professional objectives? (300 words)
Essay 1: Student and alumni engagement has at times led to the creation of innovative classes. For example, through extraordinary efforts, a small group of current students partnered with faculty to create a timely course entitled, “Disaster Response: Haiti and Beyond,” empowering students to leverage the talented Wharton community to improve the lives of the Haiti earthquake victims. Similarly, Wharton students and alumni helped to create the “Innovation and the Indian Healthcare Industry” which took students to India where they studied the full range of healthcare issues in India. If you were able to create a Wharton course on any topic, what would it be? (700 words)
Essay 2:Reflect on a time when you turned down an opportunity. What was the thought process behind your decision? Would you make the same decision today? (600 words)
Essay 3: Describe a failure that you have experienced. What role did you play, and what did you learn about yourself? How did this experience help to create your definition of failure? (600 words)
Essay 4: Discuss a time when you navigated a challenging experience in either a personal or professional relationship. (600 words)
Essay 1: As a leader in global business, Wharton is committed to sustaining “a truly global presence through its engagement in the world”. What goals are you committed to and why? How do you envision the Wharton MBA contributing to the attainment of those goals? (750-1000 words)
Essay 2: Tell us about a time when you had to adapt by accepting/understanding the perspective of people different from yourself. (750-1000 words)
Essay 3: Describe a failure that you have experienced. What role did you play, and what did you learn about yourself? (500 words)
Essay 4a: a. Give us a specific example of a time when you solved a complex problem.
Essay 4b: b. Tell us about something significant that you have done to improve yourself, in either your professional and/or personal endeavors.
Optional Essay :If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, TOEFL waiver request, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application) (250 words)
Essay 1: Describe your career progress to date and your future short-term and long-term career goals. How do you expect a Wharton MBA to help you achieve these goals, and why is now the best time for you to join our program? (1,000 words)
Essay 2: Describe a failure or setback that you have experienced. How did you respond, and what did you learn about yourself? (500 words)
Essay 3: Where in your background would we find evidence of your leadership capacity and/or potential? (500 words)
Essay 4: Please respond to one of the following questions
a. Describe an experience you have had innovating or initiating, your lessons learned, the results and impact of your efforts. (500 words)
b. Is there anything about your background or experience that you feel you have not had the opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee in your application? If yes, please explain. (500 words)
Essay 1: Describe your career progress to date and your future short-term and long-term career goals. How do you expect a Wharton MBA to help you achieve these goals, and why is now the best time for you to join our program? (1,000 words)
Essay 2: Describe a failure or setback that you have experienced. How did you respond, and what did you learn about yourself? (500 words)
Essay 3: Tell us about a situation in which you were an outsider. What did you learn from the experience? (500 words)
Essay 4: Complete one of the following two questions:
Where in your background would we find evidence of your leadership capacity and/or potential? (500 words)
Is there anything about your background or experience that you feel you have not had the opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee in your application? If yes, please explain. (500 words)
Optional Essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, TOEFL waiver request, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application) (250 words)
Essay 1: Describe your career progress to date and your future short-term and long-term career goals. How do you expect an MBA from Wharton to help you achieve these goals, and why is now the best time for you to join our program? (1,000 words)
Essay 2: Describe a failure or setback that you have experienced. How did you respond, and what did you learn about yourself? (500 words)
Essays 3 and 4: Complete 2 of the following 4 questions (500 words each):
Describe a personal characteristic or quality that will help the Admissions Committee to know you better.
Describe an impact you've had on a team, group or organization. How has this experience been valuable to you or others, and what did you learn?
What do you do best and why?
When have your values, ethics, or morals been challenged? How has this shaped who you are today?
Optional Essay: If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words)
Essay: Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)
Essay: Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)
Essay: Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)
Reapplicant Essay: Since your last application, please discuss any updates to your candidacy, including changes in your personal or professional life, additional coursework, or extracurricular/volunteer activities. (200 words maximum). (Reapplicant must also write the required essay)
Essay: Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)
Essay: Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)
Essay: "The Yale School of Management educates individuals who will have deep and lasting impact on the organizations they lead. Describe how you have positively influenced an organization, as an employee, a member, or an outside constituent. (500 words maximum); reapplicants from last year may resubmit their essay from that application)
Optional Essay: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation (unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, promotions or recognitions, etc.), please provide a brief description here.
Reapplicant Essay: Since your last application, please discuss any updates to your candidacy, including changes in your personal or professional life, additional coursework, or extracurricular/volunteer activities. (200 words maximum). (Reapplicant must also write the required essay)
Essay 1. What motivates your decision to pursue an MBA? (300 words maximum)
Essay 2. The Yale School of Management provides leadership education for broad-minded, rigorous, and intellectually curious students with diverse backgrounds; a distinctive integrated curriculum; connections to one of the great research universities in the world; and the broad reach of an innovative and expanding global network of top business schools. What motivates you to apply to the Yale School of Management for your MBA? What will you contribute to Yale and Yale SOM? (450 words maximum)
Optional/Reapplicant essay: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation, please provide the additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. You should use this section only if the information is not adequately captured elsewhere in your application. Reapplicants should use this space to indicate how your candidacy has changed since you last applied. (200 words maximum)
SHORT ANSWERS Please answer each of the four questions below with a short paragraph of no more than 150 words. This is an opportunity to distill your core ideas, values, goals and motivations into a set of snapshots that help tell us who you are, where you are going professionally, and why.
1. What are your professional goals immediately after you receive your MBA? (150 words maximum)
2. What are your long-term career aspirations? (150 words maximum)
3. Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA and why now? (If you plan to use your MBA experience to make a significant change in the field or nature of your career, please tell us what you have done to prepare for this transition.) (150 words maximum)
4. The intentions of our students to engage in a broad-minded business school community and to connect to an eminent and purposeful university greatly influence the Yale MBA experience. How do you plan to be involved in the Yale SOM and greater Yale communities? (150 words maximum)
PERSONAL STATEMENTS Choose two of the following topics and answer them in essay form. If you are a reapplicant, you must answer the reapplicant question as one of your personal statement essay responses.
1. At the Yale School of Management, we believe the world needs leaders who: - Understand organizations, teams, networks and the complex nature of leadership; Understand markets and competition in different contexts; and Understand the diversity of economies throughout the world and the relationships between business and society. What experiences have you had that demonstrate your strength in one or more of these areas? (500 words maximum)
2. What is the most difficult feedback you have received from another person or the most significant weakness you perceive in yourself? What steps have you taken to address it and how will business school contribute to this process? (500 words maximum)
3. Imagine yourself meeting your learning team members for the first time in Orientation. What is the most important thing your teammates should know about you? (500 words maximum)
4. Required for Reapplicants: What steps have you taken to improve your candidacy since your last application? (500 words maximum)
SHORT ANSWERS Please answer each of the four questions below with a short paragraph of no more than 150 words. This is an opportunity to distill your core ideas, values, goals and motivations into a set of snapshots that help tell us who you are, where you are headed, and why. (600 words maximum)
1. What are your professional goals immediately after you receive your MBA? (150 words maximum)
2. What are your long-term career aspirations? (150 words maximum)
3. Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA and why now? (If you plan to use your MBA experience to make a significant change in the field or nature of your career, please tell us what you have done to prepare for this transition.) (150 words maximum)
4. What attracts you specifically to the Yale School of Management's MBA program? (150 words maximum)
PERSONAL STATEMENTS Choose two of the following topics and answer them in essay form. Please indicate the topic numbers at the beginning of your essays. (500 words maximum per essay)
1. What achievement are you most proud of and why?
2. What is the most difficult feedback you have received from another person or the most significant weakness you have perceived in yourself? What steps have you taken to address it and how will business school contribute to this process?
3. Describe an accomplishment that exhibits your leadership style. The description should include evidence of your leadership skills, the actions you took, and the impact you had on your organization.
4. An effective leader for business and society is one who is able to hear, understand and communicate with people from all segments of society. In order to educate such leaders, Yale SOM is committed to promoting diversity and creating a community that cultivates a wealth of perspectives. In this spirit, describe an instance when, as part of a team, you played a role in bringing together individuals with different values or viewpoints to achieve a common goal.
Reapplicants Essay (answer this topic plus one (1) of the other topics): What steps have you taken to improve your candidacy since your last application?
Optional Essay: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation, please provide any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (250 words maximum)
SHORT ANSWERS
Please answer each of the four questions below with a short paragraph of no more than 150 words. This is an opportunity to distill your core ideas, values, goals and motivations into a set of snapshots that help tell us who you are, where you are headed, and why. (600 words maximum)
1. What are your professional goals immediately after you receive your MBA? (150 words maximum)
2. What are your long-term career aspirations? (150 words maximum)
3. Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA and why now? (If you plan to use your MBA experience to make a significant change in the field or nature of your career, please tell us what you have done to prepare for this transition.) (150 words maximum)
4. What attracts you specifically to the Yale School of Management�s MBA program? (150 words maximum)
PERSONAL STATEMENT 1: Describe an accomplishment that exhibits your leadership style. The description should include evidence of your leadership skills, the actions you took, and the impact you had on your organization. (500 words maximum)
PERSONAL STATEMENT 2: Choose one of the following topics and answer it in essay form. Please indicate the topic number at the beginning of your essay. (500 words maximum)
1. A central premise of our teaching about leadership at the Yale School of Management is that true leadership�leadership that helps to address a significant problem in a new way�is necessarily personal. It is only when personal passion aligns with meaningful aspirations that individuals are able to inspire others to act in support of an important goal or cause. What are you most passionate about, and how have you demonstrated a commitment to this passion?
2. What achievement are you most proud of and why?
3. What is the most difficult feedback you have received from another person or the most significant weakness you have perceived in yourself? What steps have you taken to address it and how will business school contribute to this process?
4. Describe a situation in which you devised and implemented a creative or unique solution to a difficult problem. What obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them?
5. Required for reapplicants: What steps have you taken to improve your candidacy since your last application?
Optional Essay: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation, please provide any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (250 words maximum)
The two required essays provide an opportunity for you to tell the Admissions Committee about your life, your career, and your goals. Because we are interested in learning as much as possible about you, your essays must be entirely your own work. Although you may ask others for general feedback on your essays, you may not allow anyone else to edit them for you. We suggest that anyone reviewing your essays do so without a pen in hand.
Essay 1. Why a Yale MBA? What is the impact that you wish to have on the world? How will your previous experiences and a Yale MBA enhance your ability, in the short-term and long-term, to pursue a career that will allow you to achieve this impact? (500 words maximum)
Essay 2. Leadership Example: Describe a professional accomplishment that exhibits your leadership style. The accomplishment should include evidence of your leadership skills, a description of the actions you took, as well as the impact you had on your organization. (500 words maximum)
Essay 3. Personal Statement 1 Choose one of the following topics and answer it in essay form. Please indicate the topic number at the beginning of your essay. (500 words maximum)
(1) A central premise of our teaching about leadership at the Yale School of Management is that true leadership � leadership that helps to address a significant problem in a new way � is necessarily personal. It is only when personal passion aligns with meaningful aspirations that individuals are able to inspire others to act in support of an important goal or cause. What are you most passionate about, and how have you demonstrated a commitment to this passion?
(2) What personal achievement are you most proud of and why?
(3) Describe a situation in which your values were challenged. How did you respond to the situation and what did you learn from it?
(4) A phrase often heard among SOM graduates is that they aspire to lead a life that is an 'SOM Story' that of a broadly engaged, values-based leader who owns and solves hard problems that matter. How will you create your own SOM Story? Describe a situation in which you devised and implemented a creative or innovative solution to a difficult problem. What obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them?
(5) The Yale School of Management is a community of individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests. What unique attributes would you bring to the Class of 2011?
(6) What is the most difficult feedback you have received and how did you address it? Looking forward, what skills are you most eager to build or improve upon in business school?
(7) Required for reapplicants: What steps have you taken to improve your candidacy since your last application?
Essay 4. Personal Statement 2 Choose one (1) of the other topics listed in Personal Statement 1, or create a topic of your own about a subject that is meaningful to you, and answer it in essay form. Please indicate the topic number (or state the topic if it is not one of the ones listed) at the beginning of your essay. (500 words maximum)
Optional Essay: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation, please provide any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (250 words maximum)
The two required essays provide an opportunity for you to tell the Admissions Committee about your life, your career, and your goals. Because we are interested in learning as much as possible about you, your essays must be entirely your own work. Although you may ask others for general feedback on your essays, you may not allow anyone else to edit them for you. We suggest that anyone reviewing your essays do so without a pen in hand.
Essay 1. Why an MBA? Please describe your short- and long-term goals and how your previous experience and an MBA will help you to achieve these goals. (500 words maximum)
Essay 2. Leadership Example: Describe a situation in which your leadership and/or teamwork had a significant impact. (500 words maximum)
Essay 3. Personal Statement: Please develop a question/topic of your choice and answer it in essay form. Please state the question/topic at the beginning of your essay. (500 words maximum) Some example questions/topics include: Describe a situation in which your leadership and/or teamwork had a significant impact. - What personal achievement are you most proud of and why? - What activities/interests do you enjoy outside the office and/or classroom and how would you integrate these activities/interests into the Yale SOM community? - What is the most difficult feedback that you have received and how did you address it? - Where is the most exciting place you have ever been and what did you learn from being there? - Describe a situation where you questioned your values and/or beliefs. - What does accountability mean to you? - If you are reapplying: How has your candidacy changed since your last application?
Optional Essay: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation, please provide any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (200 words maximum)
Essay 1. Why an MBA? Please describe your short- and long-term goals and how your previous experience and an MBA will help you to achieve these goals. (500 words maximum)
Essay 2. Personal Statement: Please develop a question/topic of your choice and answer it in essay form. Please state the question/topic at the beginning of your essay. (500 words maximum)
Some example questions/topics include: Describe a situation in which your leadership and/or teamwork had a significant impact. - What personal achievement are you most proud of and why? - What activities/interests do you enjoy outside the office and/or classroom and how would you integrate these activities/interests into the Yale SOM community? - What is the most difficult feedback that you have received and how did you address it? - Where is the most exciting place you have ever been and what did you learn from being there? - Describe a situation where you questioned your values and/or beliefs. - What does accountability mean to you? - If you are reapplying: How has your candidacy changed since your last application?
Optional Essay: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation, please provide any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (200 words maximum)
