Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (3000 characters)
ESADE admissions team wants to understand how you have grown in your career and through what means you have created your professional journey. It could be through education, mentoring, taking initiative, leading challenging projects, or anything that has helped you grow. The tone of the essay expects a proactive approach to enhancing your career.
You can also consider your motivation career progress and how specifically you have designed your path. For example, it could be that to gain more experience in leading teams, you took up a different role, or perhaps gained experience with small-sized companies because you want to be an entrepreneur in the long-term, or took additional courses to boost your understanding about certain concepts.
For this essay, it would be preferable to concentrate on your post-collegiate activities - where you have taken initiative to prepare yourself for your career goals.
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). (3000 characters)
Every one of us has interests, perspectives, abilities, and passions that make us unique and capable of contributing. This is your chance to showcase yours!
In the ESADE application, the instruction is clear: "the goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished".
So talk about your past experiences to show your qualities, your insights, and maybe even skills and knowledge that you have gained. Through all these, show them what kind of person you are. And as a potential member of ESADE class, how will you add value to their community?
You are much more than your job title and your professional accomplishments, so use this space to talk about personal aspects of yourself outside the workplace.
Look at your passions, interests, motivations, and how they have translated into your life experiences. What do you care about? What do you pursue with commitment? It could be a cause, an ideology, or an activity. Think about the bigger level impact that you can create to add value to ESADE.
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? (3000 characters maximum including spaces)
ESADE business school wants to ensure that all those seeking admission to their MBA program are very clear about their career plans after their MBA. And why they really need an ESADE MBA education to achieve their goals.
You must do a thorough job describing your MBA goals with a clear focus on the medium-term, say 5-7 years after graduating from ESADE, and your long-term aspiration.
When writing about your goals, make sure they are credible, practical, and viable. Mention clearly the function and industry you want to pursue and why, given your background and skillsets, it makes a logical next step for you.
The part on "motivations for pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life" included two questions - why MBA? and why now? To answer these questions credibly, you need to make a strong connection between your goals and current gaps in your knowledge and skills that only ESADE MBA can fulfill.
"Why ESADE" is a critical component of the question and should be dealt with in-depth research and intelligence. Look beyond cutting/pasting info gleaned from their website and make a compelling argument supporting your need for ESADE MBA
Think about the unique aspects of the ESADE MBA that makes it attractive to you and how you would make the best use of its incredible opportunities - the academics, exposure, clubs, initiatives, network, location, and industry connections to realize your dreams.
To research the ESADE program, explore both online and offline modes including the business school's website, and social media pages. Speak with current MBA students and alumni, and attend online events, MBA fairs, and coffee chats - to learn as much as possible about the business school. Only then you will be able to uncover unique aspects of the program, curriculum, recruitment resources, and global opportunities that will help your essays stand out from other applicants.
Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters maximum including spaces per response)
- I am most proud of... You can take an anecdotal approach and talk about one professional or personal experience you are really proud of OR you could take a thematic approach to highlight what aspects of your life make you feel immense pride. You could also talk about examples in your past where you have taken initiative and made an impact.
- People may be surprised to learn that I... surprise comes from finding something unexpected, so think about what is so expected about your background. Are you often seen as one of the stereotypes? If so, think about what about your profile breaks that and presents you in a completely new light. Maybe you are an engineer who likes to write poetry, an accountant who enjoys painting.. and so on
- What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?.... For this essay, it would preferable to talk about an internal challenge than an external factor. Pick a challenge that is not superficial but at the same time not debilitating either. While talking about the issue, don't dwell too much on how it places you in a disadvantageous position but rather think and talk about what you have done to overcome your challenge.
- Which historical figure do you most identify with and why? ... In talking about a historical figure, you reveal your thoughts, strengths, and character. So choose wisely! And even while talking about the historical figure, keep the focus on yourself. Relate their achievements, character, attitude, values, and leadership style to yourself. If your choice of a historical figure isn't expected to be well-known, give a quick description of their life and achievement.
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)
You could use this optional essay 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 (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.
One other situation when an optional essay is acceptable is when you need to describe at length an extraordinarily positive information that you could not accommodate anywhere else in the application.
ESADE MBA application requires you to submit a one-page resume along with details about your employment and academics. The typical MBA resume format consists of employment, education, and extracurricular details. MBA resume tips
In your ESADE application, you will be asked to provide two MBA letters of recommendation - from you current or previous supervisors. MBA LOR tips
As is the policy with most top business schools, ESADE MBA interviews are conducted only by invitation. Students typically would recieve an invite 4-6 weeks after submitting their MBA applications. MBA interview tips
