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)
As one of the best business schools in Europe, HEC Paris wants to admit students who are very clear about their career vision and that they really need an HEC Paris MBA education to achieve their goals.
If the phrasing of "professional objective that will guide your career choice" seems confusing, think about it in terms of why you want to pursue certain goals. E.g, if you want to be a management consultant or an investment banker - why? what is the professional objective that will guide this career choice?
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 HEC Paris is indeed the next step in your career.
When writing about your career goals and professional objective, 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 'why now' section should be addressed concisely giving reasons deriving from your personal or professional aspects of life. Maybe you have gained enough experience in a certain field and are now ready to grow further, maybe a personal milestone is achieved and now you want to focus on your professional growth. Reflect on why now sincerely, and you'll have the answer.
The ‘why HEC Paris’ section of your answer must be very specific to your career goals and explain why they are critical for your context and are aligned with deeper themes running across your professional journey. Think about the unique aspects of the HEC Paris MBA program that makes it attractive to you and how you would make the best use of incredible opportunities - the academics, exposure, clubs, initiatives, network, location, and industry connections to realize your dreams.
To research the HEC Paris MBA, explore both online and offline modes including the business school's website, and social media pages, speak with current 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.
What do you consider your most significant life achievement? (250 words)
This MBA essay is not about "an achievement". It is about your life's most significant achievement.
So, you can't just write about a professional achievement and be done with it. You'll need to 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. We strongly feel that your answer here will be more about your personal growth and achievement.
If there are a couple of different ways in which you can talk about that achievement, look at what qualities and traits let you become successful. Are these the qualities that will also make you a strong MBA candidate? If so, then include those and present your best self.
Since this achievement story should be one of the most important and memorable achievements of your life, your narration should be brimming with passion, enthusiasm, and pride.
Give your best!
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)
Why is HEC Paris asking this question?
Like most business schools, HEC Paris also expects its MBA students to become future leaders and carry its name and brand globally. Among most leadership qualities, ethics is one of the most important ones. And world's best business schools want to select potential leaders who have a strong ethical compass, who will deal with integrity, and who would make the business school proud.
When you are in a position of authority, you have to make many choices and take many decisions that have far-reaching consequences. Not all choices might be easily seen as good or bad, so how do you decide? What factors do you consider and what values drive your decisions?
In this MBA essay, 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? How, after going through this experience, your beliefs, worldview, and resolve has changed or strengthened?
Imagine a life entirely different from the one you now lead, what would it be? (250 words)
Doesn't this MBA essay makes your creative juices flow?!
You are defined in this life by your birth, circumstances, background, profession, geography, people, interests, responsibilities, and dreams. All this and much more consists of your current life.
If you were to leave all, most of it - what would that life look like? Now one thing that would still remain constant is YOU. So even in the absence of external factors, you must think about the alternative life as an extension of your passion and strengths.
And, while it would be fun to think about any variation of your life, it would be prudent to not make it sound so exciting, that your current life looks dull and sad. You don't want the admissions team to wonder - then why are you not living that life?!
Please choose from one of the following essays: (250 words)
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, and what you value and hold important. You can pick almost any monument! It will be your reasons for why you chose it, that will make or break the answer. If you choose a monument that might not be known to a reader in France, do include a brief description of it.
B. Certain books, movies or plays have had an international success that you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyze it.
A quirky and risky 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 so was poor, bad, or wrong about this example?
If possible pick a recent and well-known example, that way you can avoid the risk of the HEC Paris admissions team 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 essay A, more than who you talk about- the WHY part of the question is important and will reveal your personality and character to the admissions team. Again, if you choose to talk about a figure from your country that might not be known to a reader in France, do add a brief description of this personality.
iYou 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! Go for it
Is there any additional information you would like to share with us? (900 words)
Attempt this essay only if you feel that it will improve the factual and material strength of your application. Do not submit an optional essay as an addendum to any of your essays.
You could use this space to explain shortfalls in your application that 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 resume 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 a 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 MBA essay to highlight exceptional aspects of your candidature that could not be accommodated in the previous essays. Since this essay does not have to be limited to a single theme or event, disparate yet impressive info points can be quoted.
HEC Paris 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 HEC Paris application, you will be asked to provide two MBA letters of recommendation - from you current or previous supervisors. Like many top business schools, Rotman asks several letter of recommendation questions. MBA LOR tips
HEC Paris conducts interviews with its alumni. In addition to answering the basic interview questions, students are also required make and deliver a 5-10min presentation on the topic of their choice. All HEC Paris MBA interviews are conducted only by invitation. Students typically would receive an invite 4-6 weeks after submitting their MBA applications. MBA interview tips
