What are your short-term career plans immediately post-MBA, and why is an Ivey MBA essential to those plans? (250 words)
One of the main reasons MBA applicants are rejected by top business schools, is the lack of clarity about their career goals. All top MBA programs expect you to give thoughtful consideration to your post-MBA career plans before you submit your MBA applications. This includes research on the kind of role(s) you might take up, your target employers as well as your long-term career vision after completing your MBA.
In this MBA essay, you are expected to provide details about the industry, function, and location of your post-MBA goals and connect it logically and strongly with how the Ivey MBA program will help you get there.
Ivey wants to also understand your plans so that they can evaluate if you are a good fit with their MBA program and if they can indeed help you reach your goals. To make this decision easier they also ask you to specifically write about what aspects of Ivey are really critical for your goals.
This question also forces you to be realistic and really understand if you should indeed apply to the Ivey MBA program. Or maybe another MBA program may be a better fit for you?
A strong essay will also include details about your research on the Ivey MBA program. So if you have spoken to current students or alumni, definitely include those details in this MBA essay.
Tell us about a challenge you have faced in your life, and what lessons you learned from it.(250 words)
This MBA essay is a behavioral question that aims to understand your character and your values. What you decide to talk about in terms of a challenge also reveals what you consider a struggle and shows your attitude and character. So be very mindful that you pick up a challenge that is indeed a challenge and not something trivial.
Since a narrative is expected in this essay, one suggested approach is to use a CAR - Context Action Result format where you talk about the challenge followed by what actions you took to overcome it and what was the outcome. You conclude it by answering the second part of the question - the lessons learned.
The lessons learned are even more important than the challenge - as they highlight your core beliefs and convey to Ivey MBA admissions team - your fit with the school. So introspect deeply and write a strong essay!
Ivey 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 Ivey application, you will be asked to provide two MBA letters of recommendation - from your current or previous supervisors. Like many top business schools, Ivey asks several letter of recommendation questions. MBA LOR tips
As is the policy with most top business schools, Ivey MBA interviews are conducted only by invitation. Students typically would receive an invite 4-6 weeks after submitting their MBA applications. MBA interview tips
