mba essay questions 2021

MBA Essay Questions for 2021-22 Admissions: Complete List for Top U.S. Programs

• December 15, 2021

By now you’ve probably done a TON of school research and narrowed down your list of target MBA programs. That means it’s time for one of the most challenging parts of the MBA application process: tackling those darn admissions essays!!! 

Your MBA Essays Matter. Here’s why.

The essays are a critical component of your MBA application. They allow the admissions committee to get a better sense of your character, values, career goals, and vision. Adcoms want to know more about the kind of people who might be coming to campus if admitted into their program, and the essays are their main way to find out. Do you share the same core values as the school? Will you contribute to the vitality of the community? The adcom is also learning more about your ability to communicate in these essays. Can you share who you are and what you’re passionate about in a manner that is clear, heartfelt, and inspiring?

Understanding the school’s mission and values is key to deciphering their essay questions.

Many applicants are daunted by the essay writing process, especially since every school requires different essays. If you’re applying to 6-8 MBA programs, you could be writing as many as 10-20 different essays. Unsuccessful applicants are typically those who try to recycle the same essay for several schools, so here at Career Protocol we caution against a one-size-fits-all approach to MBA admissions essays.

Take the time to really research the mission and values of the schools you’re applying to. Those pages on the school websites aren’t just marketing ploys. They offer valuable clues to help you decipher what qualities each school is looking for with their carefully crafted essay prompts.

Now that we’re on the subject, wouldn’t it be nice to have all those different bschool essay prompts in one place for reference? Spare yourself the trouble of hunting, copying, and pasting every essay question into an Excel spreadsheet, because we’ve done something really handy…

That’s right. We’ve collected all the essay questions for the top U.S. MBA programs!

Career Protocol has your back! Below is a one-stop reference guide for all the essay prompts used by top U.S. MBA programs in the 2021-2022 admissions cycle. We’ve also provided some free resources for each school to help you get started on brainstorming. Now you can use the time we saved you to focus on writing!

Applying to programs outside the U.S.? Check out our comprehensive list of essay questions from European MBA programs.

You've got this!!! Talk to us about working together.

U.S. Business Schools

Harvard mba essay question 2021-22.

• 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 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.

Admissions Website

• Harvard Admissions Website  

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Stanford GSB essays (Video)

• How to Answer Stanford GSB’s ‘What Matters Most to You and Why’  
• Stanford MBA Admission Secrets
• How to Wow the MBA Adcom: Inspiring Storytelling for MBA Applications and Interviews
• Don’t Write Boring MBA Essays! Here’s How to Start
• Don’t Write Your MBA Personal Statements Until You Watch This
• Why Your MBA Essay Needs Strong Career Goals

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Stanford GSB essays (Blog Posts)

• Don’t Screw Up Your Goals in the MBA Application
• A Screenwriter’s Guide to Epic Narratives for Your MBA Essay
• How to Write a Great MBA Essay
• Please Stop Trying to Convince People You Are Good

HBS Resources

• The Harbus Essay Guide
• HBS Application Tips

Stanford MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

• Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?

For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

• Essay B: Why Stanford?

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Instructions: Both essays combined may not exceed 1,050 words. We recommend up to 650 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B.

• Stanford Admissions Website
• Don’t Write Boring MBA Essays! Here’s How to Star

GSB Resources

• MBA Admissions Advice
• Evaluation Criteria
• Dean’s Office Hours with Kirsten Moss
• Sharing Your Story I
• Sharing Your Story II
• Sharing Your Story III

University of Chicago (Booth) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

• How will a Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)
• An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)
• Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation? (Maximum 300 words.)

Reapplicant Essay (required for reapplicants)

• Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (Maximum 300 words.)
• Booth Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Chicago Booth essays (Video)

• How to Get into Chicago Booth: Busting Some Booth MBA Myths
• Don't Write Boring MBA Essays! Here's How to Start

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Chicago Booth essays (Blog Posts)

Booth resources.

• Ask a Boothie: What’s your best advice for applicants
• Booth YouTube page
• Booth Full-Time MBA Admissions blog

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

• 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)
• 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)
• Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee. This space can also be used to address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (500 words)
• Please use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)

Admissions Website:

• Wharton Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Wharton essays (Videos)

• How to Answer the Wharton MBA Essays for 2021

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Wharton essays (Blog Posts)

• Wharton MBA Admission Secrets

Wharton Resources

• Wharton Application Tips 2021
• Wharton Essay Tips Article

Northwestern (Kellogg) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

• Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)
• Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)

Additional Essays (for certain applicants)

• One-Year applicants: Please discuss your post-MBA career goal, the current experience you will leverage to support the transition, and the Kellogg 1Y opportunities that will help you reach this goal. (250 words)
• MBAi applicants: The Kellogg McCormick MBAi program is designed to train the next generation of leaders who can help businesses deliver successful outcomes through AI-driven technology. This requires leaders who have both strong technical and business skills; many firms struggle to find leaders with these skills. Tell us about your firsthand experience with this disconnect between business and technology and how MBAi will prepare you to successfully lead businesses at the intersection. (450 words)
• MMM applicants: The five core values of the MMM Program are curiosity, creativity, empathy, open-mindedness and a learning mindset. Describe a situation in which you demonstrated one of these values. Why is this value an important part of the MMM experience for you? (250 words)
• JD-MBA applicants: Please discuss your post-JD-MBA career goals and why the JD-MBA Program is the right program to help you reach those goals. (250 words)
• Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? (250 words)

Required Video Essays

We've read your essays, we've read your resume — now we want you to bring all that to life in a video. Show us the person behind all those carefully crafted words. The video will be comprised of three questions, each designed to help you showcase your personality and share some of the experiences that brought you here today.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare to complete this section:

• Video Essays are due 96 hours after the application deadline
• A video essay link will appear on your application status page after you submit your application and payment
• You will need an internet-connected computer with a webcam and microphone
• The video should take about 20-25 minutes to complete, which includes time for setup

After submitting your application and payment, you will be able to access the video essay through your application status page. You will be asked to answer three questions:

• Video essay 1: Please introduce yourself to the admissions committee. – Consider this your opportunity to share what you would want your future Kellogg classmates and our admissions committee to know about you. What makes you, you?
• Video essay 2: What path are you interested in pursuing, how will you get there, and why is this program right for you? – This is an intentionally broad question so you can answer honestly and meaningfully. We want to know why you’re pursuing an MBA and why you’re choosing a particular Kellogg Full-Time Program
• Video essay 3:  This question will be based on a challenge you've faced and what you've learned from it.

Here are some additional tips:

• There are practice questions that you may complete as many times as you like to get comfortable with the format and technology. The practice questions and experience will simulate the actual video essay experience, so this is meant to be a useful tool to help you feel prepared
• We encourage you to practice so you are comfortable with the format once it is time to complete the official questions. You will not have an opportunity to re-do the answer to the official video essay questions
• You will have 20 seconds to think about the question and up to one minute to give your response
• Kellogg Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Kellogg essays ( Videos)

• “Tell Me About a Time You…”: Answering the Most Common MBA Interview Questions (the tips here on behavioral interview questions are helpful for Kellogg’s leadership essay)
• Awesome MBA Video Essay Advice

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Kellogg essays ( Blog Posts)

• Discovery: Your Essential First Step to Awesome MBA Essays

Kellogg Resources

• Kellogg’s 2022 Full-Time MBA Application: Three Key Areas of the Application
• Insights From Admissions: The Video Essays
• MBA Application Video Essays: Managing Yourself Through Disruption  
• 5 Tips on Writing the Essays

MIT (Sloan) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

Required cover letter.

MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion.

• Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).

Required Video Statement

You will also need to submit a video statement as part of your Sloan MBA application. Check out the requirements below.

• Introduce yourself to your future classmates. Here’s your chance to put a face with a name, let your personality shine through, be conversational, be yourself. We can’t wait to meet you!

Videos should adhere to the following guidelines:

• No more than 1 minute (60 second) in length
• Single take (no editing)  
• Speaking directly to the camera
• Do not include background music or subtitles

Required Organizational Chart

To help us better understand your current role and the impact that you have on your team and department, please submit an organizational chart. We should be able to clearly understand the internal structure of your organization, where you sit in your organization, and your line of reporting.

Organizational charts should not be more than two pages and keep the following in mind:

• Give us as much detail as possible (names, titles, etc.) but it’s ok to redact names if you need to.
• Make sure we can easily identify where you are, to whom you report, and if applicable, who reports to you.
• If your recommender or references are on your organizational chart (they may not be, and that’s ok!), please highlight them for us.
• Most applicants only submit one page. However, you are welcome to submit a second if you recently changed positions or companies.
• If you are a consultant, entrepreneur, or affiliated with the military review our  FAQs  for suggestions on how to approach the organizational chart.

Interview-only Essays

If you get past the initial round, Sloan asks the following of its applicants.

• 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. We believe that a commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and well-being is a key component of both principled leadership and sound management practice. In 250 words or less, please describe how you, as a member of the MIT Sloan community, would work to create a campus that is welcoming, inclusive and increasingly diverse. Details for submitting your essay will be included in the interview invitation.
• We are interested in learning more about how you use data to make decisions and analyze results. Please select one of the following prompts to respond to:

Option 1: Please select an existing data visualization and in 250 words or less explain why it matters to you. The data visualization should be uploaded as a PDF. Examples may come from current events, a business analysis, or personal research.

Option 2: In 250 words or less, please describe a recent data driven decision you had to make, and include one slide (PDF) presenting your analysis. The slide may include a data visualization example and should present data used in a professional context.

• Sloan Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the MIT cover letter and video statement ( Videos)

• How to Ace the MIT Sloan Video Essay

Career Protocol resources for tackling the MIT cover letter and video statement ( Blog Posts)

• Awesome MBA Video Essay Advice for MIT and More

Sloan Resources

• MBA Application Tips & Admissions Overview 2021  
• MIT Sloan Application Tips – The 60-Second Video
• MIT Sloan MBA Application Tips – What is Being Evaluated
• MIT Sloan MBA Application Tips – Resume and Cover Letter
• MIT Sloan Application Tips – Organizational Chart 2021

Columbia MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

Required short answer question  .

• What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Required Essay 1

• Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

Essays 2 and 3: Please respond to 2 of the 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)
• If you wish to provide further information or additional context around your application to the Admissions Committee, please upload a brief explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 words)

Deferred Enrollment Program

Deferred Enrollment candidates will answer three short essay questions instead of the essays listed above .

• How is a Columbia MBA going to help you? (250 words maximum)
• What has been your favorite class, and why? (250 words maximum)
• Who is a leader you admire, and why? (250 words maximum)
• Columbia Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Columbia essays (Videos)

• How to Get into Columbia Business School: Essential Advice from and MBA Admissions Expert

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Columbia essays ( Blog Posts)

Columbia resources.

• MBA Program brochure  
• Columbia Information Session schedule

UC-Berkeley (Haas) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

Our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles – Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself. We encourage you to reflect on your experiences, values, and passions so that you may craft thoughtful and authentic responses that demonstrate your alignment with our principles. 

• What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)
• The definition of successful leadership has evolved over the last decade and will continue to change. What do you need to develop to become a successful leader?   (300 words maximum)

Optional Essay Topics

The admissions team takes a holistic approach to application review and seeks to understand all aspects of a candidate’s character, qualifications, and experiences. We will consider achievements in the context of the opportunities available to a candidate. Some applicants may have faced hardships or unusual life circumstances, and we will consider the maturity, perseverance, and thoughtfulness with which they have responded to and/or overcome them.

Optional Information #1

We invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements:

1. What is the highest level of education completed by your parent(s) or guardian(s)?

• Did not complete high school
• High school diploma or equivalency (GED)
• Associate's degree (junior college) or vocational degree/license
• Bachelor's degree (BA, BS)
• Master's degree (MA, MS)
• Doctorate or professional degree (MD, JD, DDS)

2. What is the most recent occupation of your parent(s) or guardian(s)?

• Skilled worker
• Professional

3. If you were raised in one of the following household types, please indicate:

• Raised by a single parent
• Raised by an extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin)
• Raised in a multi-generational home
• Raised in foster care

4. What was the primary language spoken in your childhood home?

5. If you have you ever been responsible for providing significant and continuing financial or supervisory support for someone else, please indicate:

• Extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin)

6. Please elaborate on any of your above responses. Alternatively, you may use this opportunity to expand on other hardships or unusual life circumstances that may help us understand the context of your opportunities, achievements, and impact. (300 words maximum)

Optional Information #2

This section should only be used to convey relevant information not addressed elsewhere in your application. This may include explanation of employment gaps, academic aberrations, supplemental coursework, etc. You are encouraged to use bullet points where appropriate.

• Haas Admissions Website  

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Berkeley Haas essays

Haas resources.

• Recorded Chats & Webinars  
• Haas Defining Leadership Principles

Dartmouth (Tuck) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

Required short answer question.

• Share your short-term goals.

Required Essay Questions

• Tuck students can articulate how the distinctive Tuck MBA will advance their aspirations. Why are you pursuing an MBA and why Tuck? (300 words)
• Tuck students recognize how their individuality adds to the fabric of Tuck. Tell us who you are. (300 words)
• Tuck students are encouraging, collaborative and empathetic, even when it is not convenient or easy. Describe a meaningful experience in which you exemplified one or more of these attributes. (300 words)

Optional Essay Question

• Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere (e.g., atypical choice of evaluators, factors affecting academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application. (300 words)

Reapplicant Essay (required of all reapplicants)

• How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally. (300 words)
• Tuck Admissions Website  

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Tuck essays ( Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the tuck essays ( blog posts), tuck resources.

• Tuck Essay Guide  
• ACCOMPLISHED  

Yale (SOM) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

• How did you arrive at [your] career interests? How have you or how will you position yourself to pursue them? (250 words maximum)

Required Essay

• Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words)

Video Essays

There is also a video component to the Yale SOM application. You will not receive the questions in advance, and they vary depending on the applicant.

Behavioral Assessment

Yale requires a Behavioral Assessment, which is an online, adaptive test administered by ETS that measures an applicant’s interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. The test uses a multiple-choice format and typically takes around 20-25 minutes to complete. Applicants are presented with 120 pairs of statements and will need to select the statement within the pair that best corresponds with their own behaviors. For more on Yale SOM’s Behavioral Assessment, please check out their website .

Admissions Website  

• SOM Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Yale essay ( Videos)

• Awesome MBA Video Essay Advice  

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Yale essay ( Blog Posts)

Yale som resources.

• Application Guide  
• Application Tips Panel  
• Inside the Application Literally  
• Application Tips – Essay  
• Yale SOM MBA blog

Virginia (Darden) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

• Tell us what you would want your Learning Team to know about you that is not on your resume. (150 words)

Required Leadership & Impact Essay

• 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?

Required Diversity & Inclusion Essay

Diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission, and they work best when they are an integral and celebrated part of our community. Review the University of Virginia's Commitment to Diversity.

Diversity stands with ethics, integrity, and academic excellence as a cornerstone of university culture. The University promotes an inclusive and welcoming environment that embraces the full spectrum of human attributes, perspectives, and disciplines. When people of different backgrounds come together, they exchange ideas, question assumptions (including their own), and broaden the horizons for us all. A University of Virginia community rich in diversity affords every member equal respect and provides a forum for understanding our differences as well as our commonalities.

The Darden School develops practices and cultivates a culture that reflects and incorporates 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.

• Select the prompt to which you will respond. (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?

Required Career Goal Essay

• 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)

Required Darden Worldwide Essay

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.

Click here for the Worldwide video .

• Darden has an incredible network of alumni and partners around the world, and, in a typical year, the School connects with over 80 countries. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel? (5 words). And why? (50 words)

Darden expects its students to participate in at least one global opportunity during their two years of MBA. In 55 words, identify the name of the country that you would choose for your global assignment, explain reasons for your choice, and how your choice will enhance your learning and the learning of your peers. This super short question not only reveals your knowledge of Darden but also speaks about your personality and interest. You may use this essay to show a different side of you that you have not presented elsewhere in the application.

• Darden Admissions Website  

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Darden essays ( Videos)

• “Tell Me About a Time You…”: Answering the Most Common MBA Interview Questions (tips here on behavioral interview questions are helpful for Darden’s leadership essay)

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Darden essays ( Blog Posts)

Darden resources.

• All About the Application: Crafting a Cohesive Application Narrative
• Short Answer Questions for the Darden Admissions Application to the Class of 2024
• All About the Application – Short Answer Questions
• UVA Darden Admissions – Essay Advice
• UVA Darden Admissions – Authenticity in the Application Process
• UVA Darden Admissions – Crafting Your Narrative

Cornell (Johnson) MBA Essay Questions

Required short answer – goals statement.

A statement of your goals will begin a conversation that will last throughout the admissions process and guide your steps during the MBA program and experience. To the best of your understanding today, please share your short- and long-term goals by completing the following sentences and answering the enclosed short answer question (350 words maximum):

• Immediately post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) ____[Targeted Job Role]____ at ___[Targeted JobCompany]___ within ___[Industry]___ .
• In 5 – 10 years post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) ____[Targeted Job Role]____ at ___[Targeted Job Company]___ within ___[Industry]___ .
• How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals?

Required Impact Essay

• At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. Taking into consideration your background, how do you intend to make a meaningful impact on an elite MBA community? (350 words maximum)

Optional Essay (required for all reapplicants)*

• If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application and candidacy since the last time you applied for admission. Please also review our Application Guide for additional information about reapplying. (350 words maximum)

*If you are not reapplying, you can use this section to clarify and add details about aspects of your application which you feel do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson.  

• Johnson Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Cornell essays ( Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the cornell essays ( blog posts), michigan (ross) mba essay questions 2021-22, required short answer questions.

Select one prompt from each group of the two groups below. Respond to each selected prompt in 100 words or less.

• I want people to know that I:
• I made a difference when I:
• I was aware that I was different when:
• I am out of my comfort zone when:
• I was humbled when:
• I was challenged when:  
• What is your short-term career goal and why? (200 words)
• Ross Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Ross essays ( Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the ross essays ( blog posts), ross resources.

• Test Waivers, Essays, and Application Deadlines – 30 Minute Tips

Duke (Fuqua) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

Instructions for all written submissions.

• Responses should use 1.5-line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
• Do not repeat the question in the document you upload with your application as this will cause the essay to be flagged for plagiarism.
• Respond fully and concisely.
• Length requirements vary by question and are detailed below.
• Responses must be completed before submitting your application.
• All submissions are scanned using plagiarism detection software. Plagiarism is considered a cheating violation within the Honor Code and will not be tolerated in the admissions process.

Instructions: Answer the following question in 100 words.

• What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first-choice career plan and your alternate plan.

Required Essay Questions  

• The ‘Team Fuqua' spirit and community is one of the things that sets the MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. Please share with us “25 Random Things” about you. The Admissions Committee wants to get to know YOU – beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. Share with us important life experiences, your hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Your list will be limited to 2 pages (750 words maximum). Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be brief, while others may be longer.
• 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 to the development of leaders. Based on your understanding of the Fuqua culture, what are 3 ways you expect to contribute at Fuqua? Your response will be limited to 1 page (500 words maximum).

Optional Essay

If you feel there are 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). Note that you should NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area. The Optional Information section is intended to provide the admissions committee with insight into your circumstances only. Your response will be limited to 1 page (500 words maximum).

• Fuqua Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Fuqua essays ( Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the fuqua essays ( blog posts), fuqua resources.

• Tips on Writing Your “25 Things” Essay  
• Fuqua Application Insight – Our 25 Random Things
• Inside the Admissions Committee

NYU (Stern) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

Required short answer question: professional aspirations.

• What are your short-term career goals? (150 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

Required Essays

1. Change: _________ it

(350 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

In today’s global business environment, the only constant is change. Using NYU Stern’s brand call to action, we want to know how you view change. Change: _____ it. Fill in the blank with a word of your choice. Why does this word resonate with you? How will you embrace your own personal tagline while at Stern? Examples:

• Change: Dare it.
• Change: Dream it.
• Change: Drive it.
• Change: Empower it.
• Change: Manifest it.
• Change: [Any word of your choice.]

2. Personal Expression (a.k.a. “Pick Six”)

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.

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, GRE, Executive Assessment, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information. (250 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

• Stern Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Stern essays ( Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the stern essays ( blog posts), ucla (anderson) mba essay questions, required (optional for reapplicants).

• For the 2021-2022 application year, we have one essay question that is required for first-time applicants and optional for re-applicants*:

How have recent events influenced the impact you would like to make in your community, career, or both? (250 words maximum) We welcome reflection on any events that influenced you in your personal or professional lives, or in society in general, and look forward to learning about specific ways you want to leave your mark.

• Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)

*Reapplicants are those who applied to the MBA program within the last two application years, so those who applied three or more years ago are considered new applicants. Reapplicants may answer one or both of the essay questions above as options, and they must provide additional updates within text boxes given in the application for any new test scores, career developments, or other changes since their last application.

• Anderson Admissions Website  

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Anderson essays ( Blog Posts)

Ucla anderson resources.

• How to Get in to UCLA Anderson

Carnegie Mellon (Tepper) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

• The Tepper community is dynamic and unique. Each community member’s individual journey has shaped them into classmates who are collaborative, supportive, and inclusive. 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)

There also is an optional essay for additional information about your candidacy that you may wish to share with the admissions committee. Use this essay to convey important information that you may not have otherwise been able to convey. This may include unexplained resume gaps, context for recommender selection, etc. However, do not feel obligated to complete the optional essay.

*Reapplicants should use the optional essay to discuss how their candidacy has strengthened since their last application.

Deferred Admissions

College Seniors applying through the Tepper Future Business Leaders should answer the essays provided in the Deferred Admission for College Seniors section.

• What are your post-undergraduate career plans? What company are you joining? What will be your role? (150 words)
• Why is our Tepper Future Business Leaders format a good fit for your MBA program? (350-500 words)
• Tepper Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Tepper essay

• “Tell Me About a Time You…”: Answering the Most Common MBA Interview Questions (the tips here on behavioral interview questions are helpful for Tepper’s overcoming adversity essay)

CMU Tepper Resources

• Tepper MBA Admissions blog

USC (Marshall) MBA Essay Questions 2021-22

• What is your specific, immediate short-term career goal upon completion of your MBA? Please include an intended position, function, and industry in your response. (word limit: 100)
• Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee.” (word limit: 600)

Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (word limit: 250)

• Marshall Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Marshall essays ( Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the marshall essays ( blog posts), north carolina (kenan-flagler) mba essay questions 2021-22.

1. Your response should be no longer than 500 words and should address the following questions:

• What are your immediate career goals and how will you benefit 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?

2. Your response should be no longer than 500 words and should address the following question:

We all belong to different communities representing various aspects of who we are, including groups we belong to, where we come from, how we think, what we believe, and how we see and experience the world. The process of discovery is strengthened when people with diverse perspectives and life experiences come together to share and learn from one another, negotiate differences, and engage in diplomacy.

• How have you dealt with differences in your personal or professional relationships? In what ways will you contribute to the community and learning environment by embracing your authentic self while respecting others? How do you envision furthering your growth in inclusive leadership as an MBA student and as a business leader?

We encourage you to tell us more about who you are so we can get to know you as a person and potential member of the Carolina community. Use this essay to convey information that you may not have otherwise been able to in the application. Your response should be no longer than 200 words. Optional topics:

• Personal or professional accomplishments
• Interests and passions
• Gaps in work experience or inconsistent academic performance
• Context for recommender selection
• A fun fact about yourself
• Kenan-Flagler Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Kenan-Flagler essays ( Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the kenan-flagler essays ( blog posts), texas (mccombs) mba essay questions 2021-22.

• Write an essay (250 words)
• Share a video introduction (one minute in length)
• Picture yourself at the completion of your MBA journey. Describe how you spent your time as a Texas McCombs MBA student to achieve your personal and professional goals. (500 words)
• Please provide any additional information you believe is important or address any areas of concern that you believe will be beneficial to MBA Admissions in considering your application (e.g., gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances). (250 words)  
• McCombs Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the McCombs essays (Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the mccombs essays (blog posts), washington (foster) mba essay questions 2021-22.

• Post-MBA Plans (750 words maximum) – Tell us your ideas about what lies ahead for you in your career. What are the gaps or deficiencies currently preventing you from pursuing these potential career paths? How do you plan to use your time in the Foster MBA program to fill these gaps and advance your career?
• Inspiring Experience Essay (500 words maximum) – Tell us about an experience that inspired or confirmed your decision to pursue the MBA.
• Optional essay (500 words maximum) – Include this essay if you have additional information you believe would be helpful to the admissions committee in considering your application.
• Optional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion essay (500 words maximum) – At the Foster School of Business, we embrace diversity as one of the foundations of both successful business strategy and a world-class educational experience. We share the University’s dedication to promoting the understanding and appreciation of human differences, and the constructive expression of ideas. We welcome you to share some of the ways you have practiced inclusion, promoted equity or supported the advancement of underrepresented groups.
• Foster Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Foster Essays (Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the foster essays (blog posts), emory (goizueta) mba essay questions 2021-22.

• Post-MBA Career Goals – Define your short-term post-MBA career goals. How are your professional strengths, past experience, and personal attributes aligned with these goals? (300-word limit)
• Leadership in Business – 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, creating unprecedented shareholder wealth, and demonstrating a commitment to values and positive impact on society. Roberto Goizueta's core values guide us in educating principled leaders to have a positive influence on business and society. Provide a specific example of your leadership and explain what you learned about yourself through the experience. (300-word limit)
• Why Goizueta? – What are you looking to gain from Goizueta's MBA degree and how do you see yourself contributing to the Goizueta community? (200-word limit)

Required Video Essay

Telling your story in the written essays is an important part of the application process, but we also want to hear you tell some of your story. The video essay lets every candidate talk to the MBA Admissions Committee and we enjoy getting to know you through the “small talk” questions.

• If there is an important part of your story missing from your MBA application (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic probation issues), please use this section to provide a brief explanation. Please use bullets if you need to address more than one topic. (200-word limit)
• Goizueta A dmissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Goizueta essays (Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the goizueta essays (blog posts), indiana (kelley) mba essay questions 2021-22.

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)

2. Respond to one of the following short essay prompts. (300 words)

• My greatest memory is…
• I'm most afraid of…
• My greatest challenge has been…
• I'm most proud of…

3. Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words)

• Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you shouldn't feel obligated to answer this question. (300 words)
• Kelly Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Kelley essays (Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the kelly essays (blog posts), georgetown (mcdonough) mba essay questions 2021-22.

Please select one of the following essays to complete in 300-350 words (approximately one page, double spaced) and include the essay prompt and your first/last name at the top of your submission .

• 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 have 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?
• Hoyas for the Common Good: 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 have demonstrated these values during uniquely challenging times. Describe a time where you have 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.
• 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.
• The Georgetown Community: Georgetown McDonough is a diverse, global community. We look to understand the contribution that your personal background would make to our community. As appropriate, you may wish to address any obstacles or challenges you have overcome; any educational, familial, cultural, economic, and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals; or how your background (e.g. first-generation student, resident outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g. community service and leadership) will contribute to our community.
• Please provide any information you would like to add to your application that you have not otherwise included (300-350 words, approximately one page, double spaced).

Reapplicant Essay (required for all reapplicants)

• 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 or fewer).

What makes you unique? In a one-minute video, describe the most compelling aspects of yourself that you believe make you unique from other MBA candidates. (Hint: one minute goes fast! We already have your resume and goals – share something new!) Use this video as an opportunity to bring life to your application.

• 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.  
• The admissions committee would like for you to appear in person during part of your video.
• We recommend unscripted, conversational videos – help us get to know the real you!
• Upload your video to an accessible website (such as YouTube, Vimeo, Youku, or Tudou), and submit the direct video URL into your online application.  
• Please note that all videos must remain active and accessible to the admissions committee online for a minimum of five years for record retention purposes.
• For your privacy: Do not include your name in the title of your video. You may submit “unlisted” videos via YouTube or password protected videos through Vimeo. If using a password, please include immediately after your link in the text box below. [Ex: www.youtube.com/123, password: Hoyas]
• McDonough Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the McDonough essays (Videos)

• Tell Me About a Time You…”: Answering the Most Common MBA Interview Questions ( the tips here on behavioral interview questions are helpful for the McDonough leadership and common good essays)

Career Protocol resources for tackling the McDonough essays (Blog Posts)

Georgia tech (scheller) mba essay questions 2021-22.

• Why an MBA and why Georgia Tech? – Describe how your experiences, both professional and personal, have led you to the decision to pursue an MBA at Georgia Tech. (2,000 character maximum, including spaces)
• Short- and long-term career goals: Discuss your short- and long-term career goals and how Georgia Tech is best suited to help you achieve your goals. (2,000 character maximum, including spaces)
• Ten Facts: List 10 facts about yourself that will help your future classmates get to know you. (2,000 character maximum, including spaces)
• The admissions committee believes that the required essays address issues that help us learn about you and understand your candidacy for the MBA program; however, you may provide us with any additional information pertinent to your admission that has not been previously covered in the rest of the application. Feel free to discuss any unique aspects of your candidacy or any perceived weaknesses. (2,000 character maximum, including spaces)
• Scheller A dmissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Scheller essays

Rice (jones) mba essay questions 2021-22.

• “In 100 words or less, please share your short-term goals.”
• “In 100 words or less, please share your long-term goals.”

Creative Essay (required for Full-Time MBA & Professional MBA Applicants)

Please choose to answer one of the following prompts . (Choose one topic and response format.)

• What movie, song, or book has most influenced your life and the way you view the world? Why?
• While we know a picture is worth 1000 words, in 500 words or less tell us the story of a photo of your choosing that has significant value in your life experiences. Please feel free to share your photo!
• Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the United States and food is a large element of culture. If you had to design a 3-course menu to prepare for your future MBA Core Team, what would be on the menu that showcases more about who you are?

Please choose only one method of communication that you would like to use for your response :

• Write an essay (500-word limit)
• Share a video (one to three-minute time limit)

Executive MBA Required Essay

As you evaluate where you are today, how have your educational, professional, and personal endeavors brought you to this point? In addition, please explain how the Rice EMBA is part of your future plan. (750-word limit)

• If you have any additional information for the admissions committee or if you wish to clarify any aspect of your application (including breaks in employment, your choice of recommendation providers, your past academic performance, etc.), you may submit an additional, optional essay. (750-word limit)
• Jones Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Jones essays (Video)

• Don’t Write Your Personal Statements Until You Watch This

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Jones essays (Blog Posts)

Notre dame (mendoza) mba essay questions 2021-22.

• Please share your short-term professional goals. What role does a Notre Dame MBA play in helping you achieve these goals? (100 words or less)
• 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? (500 words or less)
• 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. (500 words or less)
• Mendoza Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Mendoza essays (Videos)

• “ Tell Me About a Time You…”: Answering the Most Common MBA Interview Questions (the tips here on behavioral interview questions are helpful for Mendozo obstacle essay)

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Mendoza essays (Blog Posts)

Vanderbilt (owen) mba essay questions 2021-22, video response.

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.

• 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? What are some specific skills that you want to develop during your time in business school to help you achieve your career goals? (150-word limit)
• Please highlight something about yourself that isn’t already captured in the application. (150-word limit)
• 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.
• Owen Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Owen essays

Washington (olin) mba essay questions 2021-22.

• Share with us one of your strongest values. Help us understand how that value connects to your career aspirations. Please include the following in your response: Target function and/or industry; Desired company or organization; Skills you will need to develop; Necessary connections and/or experiences. (350-500 words maximum)
• The confidence to operate beyond one’s comfort zone is grounded in understanding who you are, what you value and how you uniquely contribute. Share your story. Describe who you are and the impact you wish to have. (350-500 words maximum)
• Is there anything else you would like to share? If so, please provide any additional information not previously addressed in the application that would help the admissions committee assess your candidacy. (250-word maximum)
• Olin Admissions Website

Career Protocol resources for tackling the Olin essays (Videos)

Career protocol resources for tackling the olin essays (blog posts), byu (marriott) mba essay questions 2021-22.

BYU Marriott requires different essays, depending on the degree:

Each of the degrees offered at BYU Marriott require a different application essay. This is a very important part of the application. Regardless of your GPA, we recommend that you spend a considerable amount of time answering the questions.

You can find the essay topics for each degree here .  

• Entrepreneurial Management
• Experience Design & Management
• Global Supply Chain Management
• Human Resource Management
• Information Systems
• Strategic Management

And there you have it! Our comprehensive guide to the essay questions that top U.S. MBA programs asked in the 2021-2022 cycle. We’re sure you’ll put your best foot forward when it comes to your MBA admissions essays, especially if you dedicate ample time to school research (its importance can’t be overestimated!!) and take advantage of the incredible resources linked in this guide.  

Chat with a member of our team  about how Career Protocol can make your MBA journey more awesome.

Connect with a Career Protocol team member to discuss working with us:

Free strategy call.

Angela Guido

Student of Human Nature| Founder and Chief Education Officer of Career Protocol

The highest quality MBA resources you’ll find this month. (Jonny’s MBA Bulletin, March 2024)

The highest quality MBA resources you’ll find this month. (Jonny’s MBA Bulletin, February 2024)

The highest quality MBA resources you’ll find this month. (Jonny’s MBA Bulletin, January 2024)

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50 MBA Essays That Got Applicants Admitted To Harvard & Stanford

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What Matters? and What More? is a collection of 50 application essays written by successful MBA candidates to Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business

I sat alone one Saturday night in a boardroom in Eastern Oregon, miles from home, my laptop lighting the room. I was painstakingly reviewing a complex spreadsheet of household energy consumption data, cell by cell. ‘Why am I doing this to myself? For remote transmission lines?’…I felt dejected. I’d felt that way before, during my summer at JP Morgan, standing alone in the printing room at 3 a.m., binding decks for a paper mill merger that wouldn’t affect my life in the least.

That’s how an analyst at an MBB firm started his MBA application essay to Stanford Graduate School of Business. His point: In a well-crafted essay, he confronts the challenge of finding meaning in his work and a place where he can make a meaningful difference. That is what really matters most to him, and his answer to Stanford’s iconic MBA application essay helped get him defy the formidable odds of acceptance and gain an admit to the school.

Getting into the prestigious MBA programs at either Stanford Graduate School of Business or Harvard Business School are among the most difficult journeys any young professional can make.

NEARLY 17,000 CANDIDATES APPLIED TO HARVARD & STANFORD LAST YEAR. 1,500 GOT IN

This collection of 50 successful HBS and GSB essays, with smart commentary, can be downloaded for $60

They are two of the most selective schools, routinely rejecting nine or more out of every ten applicants. Last year alone, 16,628 candidates applied to both schools; just 1,520 gained an acceptance, a mere 9.1% admit rate.

Business school admissions are holistic, meaning that while standardized test scores and undergraduate transcripts are a critical part of the admissions process, they aren’t the whole story. In fact, the stories that applicants tell the schools in the form of essays can be a critical component of a successful application.

So what kinds of stories are successful applicants to Harvard and Stanford telling their admission officers? For the first time ever, a newly published collection of 50 of these essays from current MBA students at these two schools has been published. In ten cases, applicants share the essays they wrote in applying to both schools so you can see whether they merely did a cut-and-paste job or approached the task anew. The 188-page book, What Matters? and What More?, gains its title from the two iconic essay prompts at Harvard and Stanford.

THOUGHTFUL CRITIQUES OF THE ESSAYS

Stanford can easily boast having the most difficult question posed to MBA applicants in any given year: In 650 words or less, candidates must tell the school what matters most to them and why. Harvard gives applicants ample room to hang themselves, providing no word limit at all, “What more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?”

One makes this unusual collection of essays powerful are the thoughtful critiques by the founders of two MBA admissions consulting firms, Jeremy Shinewald of mbaMission and Liza Weale of Gatehouse Admissions. They write overviews of each essay in the book and then tear apart portions by paragraphs to either underline a point or address a weakness. The book became available to download for $60 a pop.

As I note in a foreword to the collection, published in partnership with Poets&Quants, the essay portion of an application is where a person can give voice to who they are, what they have achieved so far, and what they imagine their future to be. Yet crafting a powerful and introspective essay can be incredibly daunting as you stare at a blank computer screen.

APPLICANTS OPEN UP WITH INTIMATE STORIES THAT SHOW VULNERABILITY

One successful applicant to Harvard Business School begins his essay by conveying a deeply personal story: The time his father was told that he had three months to live, with his only hope being a double lung transplant. had to undergo a lung transplant. His opening line: “Despite all we had been through in recent years, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I asked my mother one summer evening in Singapore, ‘What role did I play during those tough times?’”

For this candidate to Stanford Graduate School of Business, the essay provided a chance to creatively engage admission readers about what matters most to him–equality-by cleverly using zip codes as a hook.

60605, 60606, 60607.

These zip codes are just one digit apart, but the difference that digit makes in someone’s life is unfathomable. I realized this on my first day as a high school senior. Leafing through my out-of- date, stained, calculus textbook, I kept picturing the new books that my friend from a neighboring (more affluent) district had. As college acceptances came in, I saw educational inequality’s more lasting effects—my friends from affluent districts that better funded education were headed to prestigious universities, while most of my classmates were only accepted by the local junior college. I was unsettled that this divergence wasn’t the students’ doing, but rather institutionalized by the state’s education system. Since this experience, I realized that the fight for education equality will be won through equal opportunity. Overcoming inequality, to ensure that everyone has a fair shake at success, is what matters most to me.

HOW AN APPLICANT TO BOTH SCHOOLS ALTERED HIS ESSAYS

Yet another candidate, who applied to both Harvard and Stanford, writes about being at but not fully present at his friend’s wedding.

The morning after serving as my friend’s best man, I was waiting for my Uber to the airport and—as usual—scrolling through my phone,” he wrote. “I had taken seemingly hundreds of photos of the event, posting in real time to social media, but had not really looked through them. With growing unease, I noticed people and things that had not registered with me the night before and realized I had been so preoccupied with capturing the occasion on my phone that I had essentially missed the whole thing. I never learned the name of the woman beside me at the reception. I could not recall the wedding cake flavor. I never introduced myself to my friend’s grandfather from Edmonton. I was so mortified that before checking into my flight, I turned my phone off and stuffed it into my carry-on.

The Stanford version of his essay is more compact. In truth, it’s more succinctly written and more satisfying because it is to the point. By stripping away all but the most critical pieces of his narrative, the candidate focuses his essay entirely on his central point: the battle of man versus technology.

Even if you’re not applying to business school, the essays are entertaining and fun to read. Sure, precious few are New Yorker worthy. In fact, many are fairly straightforward tales, simply told. What the successful essays clearly show is that there is no cookie-cutter formula or paint-by-the-numbers approach. Some start bluntly and straightforwardly, without a compelling or even interesting opening. Some meander through different themes. Some betray real personality and passion. Others are frankly boring. If a pattern of any kind could be discerned, it is how genuine the essays read.

The greatest benefit of reading them? For obsessive applicants to two of the very best business schools, they’ll take a lot of pressure off of you because they are quite imperfect.

GET YOUR COPY OF WHAT MATTERS? AND WHAT MORE? NOW

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Tuck’s 2021-2022 Essay Questions

By tuck admissions.

We are excited to share an advance look at the Tuck application essays! The application for the 2021-2022 season will open before the end of June, but our essay questions have been finalized and we wanted to give you a sneak peek at them now.  Be sure to look for our upcoming blog that will talk about our new prompt for essay 3 and provide advice and guidance on what we are looking for in each of our essay questions.

• Tuck students can articulate how the distinctive Tuck MBA will advance their aspirations. Why are you pursuing an MBA and why Tuck? (300 words)
• Tuck students recognize how their individuality adds to the fabric of Tuck. Tell us who you are. (300 words)
• Tuck students are encouraging, collaborative and empathetic, even when it is not convenient or easy.  Describe a meaningful experience in which you exemplified one or more of these attributes. (300 words)
• (Optional) Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere and 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. (300 words)
• (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. (300 words)

The MBA application process is an opportunity to reflect on your experiences, your plans for the future and what motivates you. Just as you learn about us in the coming months, we can't wait to learn about you as well!

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MBA Essays: Everything You Need to Know

Scott Edinburgh - Personal MBA Coach

Scott Edinburgh is an mba.com Featured Contributor and the founder of Personal MBA Coach , a boutique MBA admissions consulting and tutoring firm.

Nearly all MBA hopefuls are familiar with the term “MBA essay”, but what exactly does this mean and why is the MBA essay so important? To help guide MBA hopefuls, Personal MBA Coach would like to answer some common questions about the MBA essays and share details on the most common MBA essay types.

Why do I need an MBA essay?

Beyond the obvious answer that nearly all schools require you to write one in order to be admitted, the MBA essay is your chance to show MBA admissions committee members who you are BEYOND the facts and figures. These essays are your opportunities to show what makes you unique, share your goals and discuss how you will add to the dynamic community at your target business school. 

Do I need different MBA essays for each program I apply to?

Unfortunately, YES! While there are some overlapping themes across the most common MBA essay types (more on this below), each business school has its own unique essays. Unless you are applying through an organization such as The Consortium (which has some specific requirements), you must complete a separate application for each MBA program and answer each school’s specific essay questions.

To make this daunting task more manageable, Personal MBA Coach helps clients identify common elements across essay types. Ultimately, however, you should develop a separate essay for each school you are applying to.

What should I write about in my MBA essay?

First and foremost, you should answer the question. It is surprising how often candidates write beautiful essays that do not actually answer the question. Instead of writing what you think admissions committee members want to hear, answer the question.

What are the most common MBA essay questions?

While there are countless different essay questions across MBA programs, the three most common types of essays questions are Goals Essays, Why an MBA? Essays, and Personal Story Essays. (Often one essay question will ask clients to discuss both their goals and why they want an MBA.)

Below, Personal MBA Coach shares our tips for answering each of these key essay types:

Goals Essay

When answering a question about your MBA goals , it is crucial that you are decisive . While no one will hold you to what you write in your MBA applications, you should have a specific post-MBA plan. For most schools, you will want a short-term and a long-term career goal. This goal should be logical for you. This means it should flow naturally from your passions and experience. If it doesn’t, it is crucial that you explain why this goal makes sense for you.

Finally, this goal should be attainable. You are not going to be the CFO of Pepsi two years after graduating from business school (sorry!). Do your research in terms of what position might be reasonable in your target industry.

Why an MBA? Essay

To answer a question about why you want an MBA or why you want to study at X school, you want to show that you have carefully thought through how an MBA (at your target program) will prepare you to achieve your career goals. To do so, Personal MBA Coach suggests being very specific in detailing the opportunities you plan to take advantage of on campus.

Discuss classes you are particularly interested in or perhaps professors you are looking to study with, etc. Do not include a laundry list. Instead, carefully think through how each offering will allow you to fill in your skill and/or experience gaps. Be sure to show an understanding of your target school’s culture and avoid writing vague statements and copying content from other MBA application essays.

Personal Story Essay

With a personal story essay, your objective is to show the reader how your story is unique and how you will add value and diversity to classroom discussions and on campus activities. This can be one of the hardest essays to write. To get started, Personal MBA Coach advises that you make a list of everything you have done in your life and take the time to write it all down. Then, think carefully about the decisions you have made, activities you enjoy and, most importantly, why you made those choices. Finally, look for a theme! What single idea connects these items? This is the hard part, so give it time.

How do you conclude an MBA essay?

Do not overthink the conclusion. In fact, with short word limits, Personal MBA Coach often advises clients to write just one concluding sentence or remove the conclusion altogether. Conclusions can be fluffy, generic or repetitive. You do not need (or want) to waste words here. If you have told your story well and you have addressed the question clearly and concisely, do not worry about the conclusion!

How far in advance should I start my MBA essays?

As soon as possible! It is never too early to start thinking about your MBA essays. In fact, Personal MBA Coach works with many clients 6 month – 3 years in advance through our Early Planning package, helping future applicants make the appropriate career and extracurricular decisions to ensure they have enough experience to write strong MBA essays.

That said, with diligence, some Personal MBA Coach clients are able to develop a compelling MBA essay within a month. (Keep in mind, this is a very compressed timeline and takes dedication to achieve!). Plus, you always want to leave time for proofreading and should avoid submitting your essays at the last minute. 

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 14 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2, currently holding the #1 ranking in the US on Poets&Quants.

We help clients with all aspects of the MBA application process including early planning, GMAT/GRE/EA tutoring, application strategy, school selection, essay editing and mock interviews. Our team includes a former M7 admissions director and former M7 admissions interviewers.

Last year, our clients earned more than $6M in scholarships!

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Mba essays: top tips for 2021.

Sia Admissions founder and Yale graduate, Susan Berishaj, shares her insight on crafting winning MBA essays © Yale via Facebook

2021 is set to be a competitive year for applicants, so it's vital your MBA essay stands out—Susan Berishaj of Sia Admissions explains how to craft your stand-out essay

Tue Nov 17 2020

In this Applicant Question , Susan Berishaj, founder of Sia Admissions, explains how to get ahead in your 2021 MBA essays.

Given the economic landscape as a result of COVID-19 , the admission process has become even more competitive—and your MBA essay is a crucial part of the application equation. 

Some professionals have moved up their MBA timeline, while others who had not considered applying are now forced to reconsider retooling to ensure they are competitive in whatever comes next. As a result, you have a larger applicant pool to compete with. 

Gaining admission to a top MBA program has always been challenging; this new landscape makes it even more competitive. Therefore, to gain admission, capturing what you bring to the table in a nuanced way is essential to making sure you stand out. 

While there are several layers to a strong application, the three elements outlined below are critical to delivering a stand-out profile—there is a slim chance of admission to a top MBA program if you do not incorporate these elements in your writing. 

Always bring it back to your goals

Regardless of which school you target, each MBA program has its own set of essay questions related to your goals, leadership experiences, and getting to know you. 

Irrespective of the question being asked, I recommend you keep your goals in mind. Suppose you seek a role in operations consulting. In that case, the leadership experience you recount in your narrative should relate to or reflect your ability to envision a process that supports an organization's mission and effectively and successfully leads the initiative. 

This example shows the admission committee that you have the improvement-oriented mindset required to succeed in an operations role and are persuasive in influencing and leading others. 

In this example, these elements showcase transferable skills that the admission committee can reference as evidence supporting a successful job placement immediately post-MBA.

Be careful to answer all parts of the question

While this may seem obvious, I mention it for a reason. Answering the question in its entirety is essential as it serves as evidence of your teachability. 

You do not want the admission committee to receive your beautifully written essay, and, after reading it, be left feeling puzzled: "too bad she didn't answer the question!" It is wise then that, when you start writing, you break the sentence down into its multiple parts. 

I recommend that you first, in bullet form, write your direct responses to each part of the question before you proceed into crafting a narrative. This approach will save you a lot of time and frustration with the writing process, by helping you structure the essay early on.

Find a reliable proofreader

Whatever you’re applying for, it’s important to have a trusted friend, colleague, or family member proofread your writing. 

Ask them to ensure it is coherent, that all the critical points have been addressed, and that there are no ambiguities. When you are very close to the project you are working on, it is easy to miss essential elements that need to be clarified or addressed. 

Therefore, I recommend that you ask someone you trust to read your material before you submit. While this may wound the ego, ask the trusted reviewer to be brutally honest with their feedback because that's the only way you can produce a stronger written work. 

A generous editor will provide comments that will make you reflect on strengthening your writing so the reader, in this case the admission committee, can understand what you bring to the table. You still reserve the right to reject your reviewer’s recommendations and go your own way, but you do so consciously.

Writing strong essays requires reflection and time, and I recommend placing writing deadlines on your calendar to ensure you continue crafting your written essays until your application captures the leader you are and the experiences you bring to the classroom. 

READ ANOTHER APPLICANT QUESTION:

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What You Need To Know: 2021-22 Essay Questions and Application Deadlines

I’m Iooking forward to a summer with a bit more sense of normalcy, and hope the same is true for you. With many internships expected to be virtual and full-time jobs not starting until later this summer, I expect to see many Michigan Ross students around Ann Arbor golfing, hiking, biking, kayaking, stand -up paddleboarding, and ice cream eating (all activities I recommend to students who are here over the summer). 

Spring is also the time of year when the Admissions team and I debrief on what went well and what we may want to adjust for the upcoming cycle. We felt really good about the quality of this year’s candidates and the prospective students’ feedback about our application, so I encouraged the team not to tinker too much with what is working. 

Here are important updates about our 2021-22 application process: 

Same choice, same essay prompts

We enjoy providing students a choice in their essay answers. This past year, we received very insightful answers to the prompts that allowed us to learn more about your values and what you would add to the Michigan Ross community. 

Part 1: Short-answer questions

Select one prompt from each group of the two groups below. Respond to each selected prompt in 100 words or less .

I want people to know that I:

I made a difference when I:

I was aware that I was different when:

I am out of my comfort zone when:

I was humbled when:

I was challenged when: 

Part 2: Career Goal Essay

What is your short-term career goal and why? (200 words)

A return to three rounds

In the 2021-22 cycle, we will return to three application rounds. We’ve found this year that a June decision timeframe causes more stress for our international applicants given visa processing timelines and want to be as equitable as possible going forward. 

Since we continue to receive strong applications from applicants in the spring, we decided to push back the Round 3 deadline rather than having an additional round. 

The application deadlines and decision releases are below.

Reapplicant process

Our team has been getting lots of questions from reapplicants, so we wanted to share an update on the reapplication process. 

We’re proud to continue our streamlined application for reapplicants with details here. We will also continue waiving the application fee for all reapplicants. In addition, we are hosting a panel of current Michigan Ross students who were successful reapplicants in July to share tips and success stories from their reapplicant journey. 

As a reminder, the test waiver request process will open in July, along with the application itself. 

We look forward to seeing you at Admissions Office Hours and other Michigan Ross events this summer! 

View upcoming events

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Essays help us learn about who you are rather than solely what you have done.

Other parts of the application give insight into your academic and professional accomplishments; the essays reveal the person behind those achievements.

Essay Questions

We request that you write two personal essays.

In each essay, we want to hear your genuine voice. Think carefully about your values, passions, aims, and dreams. There is no “right answer” to these questions - the best answer is the one that is truest for you.

Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?

For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

Essay B: Why Stanford?

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Both essays combined may not exceed 1,050 words. We recommend up to 650 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B. We often read effective essays that are written in fewer words.

Editing Your Essays

Begin work on the essays early to give yourself time to reflect, write, and edit.

Feel free to ask friends or family members for feedback, especially about whether the tone and voice sound like you. Your family and friends know you better than anyone. If they think the essays do not capture who you are, what you believe, and what you aspire to do, then surely we will be unable to recognize what is distinctive about you.

Feedback vs. Coaching

There is a big difference between “feedback” and “coaching.” You cross that line when any part of the application (excluding the letters of recommendation ) ceases to be exclusively yours in either thought or word.

Appropriate feedback occurs when others review your completed application - perhaps once or twice - and apprise you of omissions, errors, or inaccuracies that you later correct or address. After editing is complete, your thoughts, voice, and style remain intact. Inappropriate coaching occurs when you allow others to craft any part of your application for you and, as a result, your application or self-presentation is not authentic.

It is improper and a violation of the terms of this application process to have someone else write your essays. Such behavior will result in denial of your application or revocation of your admission.

Additional Information

If there is any information that is critical for us to know and is not captured elsewhere, include it in the “Additional Information” section of the application. Pertinent examples include:

• Extenuating circumstances affecting your candidacy, including academic, work, or test-taking experiences
• Academic experience (e.g., independent research) not noted elsewhere

This section should not be used as an additional essay.

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Homepage > MBA Admissions > Michigan Ross MBA Essays: Analysis and tips for 2022 intake

Michigan Ross MBA Essays: Analysis and tips for 2022 intake

Posted by Suheb Hussain | Aug 17, 2021 | Business Schools , MBA Admissions , MBA Application Process

Michigan Ross has announced the deadlines and essay questions for the 2021-22 MBA application season. This year, Ross has returned to three rounds of application unlike four rounds last year. Ross has pushed back the Round 3 deadline rather than having an additional round.

There is no change in the essay questions. Like last year, this year’s applicants will answer two short answer questions and a goals essay. Soojin Kwon, managing director Full-time MBA program writes in her  blog ,  “ We felt really good about the quality of this year’s candidates and the prospective students’ feedback about our application, so I encouraged the team not to tinker too much with what is working… We enjoy providing students a choice in their essay answers. This past year, we received very insightful answers to the prompts that allowed us to learn more about your values and what you would add to the Michigan Ross community .”

Once again, the applicants have only 400 words to present their candidacy to the admission committee.  From 5 essay questions totaling 1700 words in 2012-13 to 2 essays of only 400 words, Ross has come a long way in its ‘less is more’ requirement.

In this article, Poonam Tandon from myEssayReview, who has been helping students with their MBA applications since 2011, shares her tips on the Michigan Ross MBA essay for 2022 intake.

Let’s first look at the MBA application deadlines for Michigan Ross.

Application Deadline for the Michigan Ross MBA Application 2021-22

The below table provides information regarding the Michigan Ross MBA Application deadline

Did you know a  GMAT score of 730+ yields incremental $500K in ROI ? Start your GMAT Preparation by  Signing up for our FREE Trial  and get access to FREE online GMAT preparation resources. We are the  most reviewed GMAT preparation company on GMATClub  with more than 1870 reviews.

Michigan Ross MBA essay analysis 2021-2022

Part 1- short-answer questions, select one prompt from each group of the two groups below. respond to each selected prompt in 100 words or less (<100 words each; 200 words total). every word counts here — the tight word count is intentional to force you to focus..

• I want people to know that I:
• I made a difference when I:
• I was aware that I was different when:
• I am out of my comfort zone when:
• I was humbled when:
• I was challenged when:

The purpose of these short questions is to give the admissions team valuable insight into who you are as a person and how you view yourself.

Therefore, answer it in such a way that allows you to tell them what  you  want them to know about you. These questions require you to introspect and dig deeper for specific stories/ life experiences when you ‘made a difference’ or ‘when you were humbled’ or ‘when you were challenged’.

Begin your response to each prompt by completing the question. Your responses to these questions will showcase your unique personal traits- your interest as well as the impact you made, and your self-awareness (Group 1) and your humility, your experience of being out of your comfort zone (Group 2).

Both the groups ask for a behavioral response, where you discuss one experience or situation and reflect on it. The key to all these responses is to demonstrate how you responded in the face of different situations and emerged a better and stronger person.

What makes these essays more challenging is the multiple-choice component?

I can imagine applicants having a hard time deciding which option will paint them in a better light or which stories will reflect the traits that Ross is looking for.

My advice is that you brainstorm ideas on all the 6 prompts and then evaluate which are your best 2 stories that you would want the Ad Com to know about you as a person.

After you have finalized your best 2 stories, begin formulating your response, focusing on the challenges you faced, the action you took, and the impact you made. Don’t forget to include your thought process behind your decisions as your thoughts and actions will provide the reader with a glimpse into your values and beliefs.

It’s a challenge to discuss two different experiences in only 200 words.  To meet the tight word limit, make every word count, and be as precise as you can.

Short answer questions Tips from Ross MBA Admissions Blog

“ The team has found that essays that reveal something personal- about what you value, how you think- give us much more insight into how you’ll fit into the Ross culture than an accomplishment story. And, as you’ve probably learned, fit is an important part of our decision. (It should be an important part of yours, too). There are many other opportunities in the application to share your work accomplishments, use the essays to get personal .”

Part 2- Career Goals Essay

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 career goal the right choice for you (200 words).

This essay focuses on short-term goals and your reasons for those goals. When explaining your post-MBA goals, make sure to be as specific as you can.

Specify which industry, which company, and what position you would like to see yourself after graduating from Ross. Even if you are not 100% sure, you should be clear and decisive about your short-term goals. Though the question asks only about the short-term goal, you may still touch upon your long-term goal, but you should not elaborate on it.

Next, provide a brief account of your career history, summarizing your skills/strengths. Then go on to explain how your work experience has inspired your career plans and discuss the gap in your skillset that an MBA would fill. You don’t want to discuss the ‘Why Ross’ part because the school doesn’t want a ‘laundry list’ of the courses offered by Ross.

With a total of 400 only words to tell your story to the Ross admission committee, you should make every word count. There is no room for elaborate details or beating around the bush. To present a well-rounded picture of your candidacy, use 200 words (short questions) to demonstrate who you are as a person and 200 words (goals essay) to showcase who you are as a professional.

Optional Statement

Is there something in your resume or application that could use some explanation? You might want to discuss the completion of supplemental coursework, employment gaps, academic issues, etc. Feel free to use bullet points where appropriate.

As directed in the essay prompt, you may use this essay question to address a weakness in your profile, such as employment gap, low GPA/low GMAT, completion of supplemental work, or unusual choice of the recommender. Your weakness may also bring out a positive aspect of your personality. You may either use bullet points or essay format for the optional statement.

Video interview of a Ross student :  In this video interview with Poonam, Pablo  shares his amazing experiences during his first year at Ross .

For more information about the reapplication process click  here.

For Short answer questions Tips from Ross MBA Admissions Blog, Click  here.

For more advice and tips on application essays, resume, and LORs,  do not forget to check out the video from a few members of the admission team of Ross:

Free Resources:

• 10 Key Essay Tips with Examples
• Essay Analysis of Other Top Programs-2021-22
•   MER Students Share their success Stories
•  E-book of 30 Essays that Worked
• Case Studies

Since 2011, MER ( myEssayReview ) has helped many applicants get accepted into the top 20 MBA programs, including Ross. (Poonam is one of the  top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club .)

Do you have questions about your application? E-mail Poonam at  [email protected]  or sign up  here  for a free consultation.

About the author

Poonam, one of the  top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club , is a master storyteller with more than three decades of experience in successfully helping students craft compelling stories for undergraduate and graduate school programs.

A Ph.D. in English, with three decades of teaching experience in India and the US, Poonam launched myEssayReview (MER) in 2011 to provide highly personalized and dedicated consulting services to Business School applicants. Since then, she has helped hundreds of students around the world get into top MBA, EMBA, part-time MBA, and specialized graduate programs. A full-time consultant, Poonam is passionate about her work and is highly committed to each of her students’ success.

Here are a few other topics related to MBA Essays: 

• Michigan Ross School of Business: Class Profile, Employment Reports, and Salaries
• What is a good GMAT score for Michigan Ross?
• How Aayush scored a 750 on the GMAT and received admits from Columbia and Michigan Ross
• Importance of MBA Essays in Business School applications
• How to make an impressive MBA Application Video Essay
• MBA essay: 5 types of essays explained with examples

About The Author

Suheb Hussain

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Stanford MBA Essay Questions for 2023-2024

Stanford Graduate School of Business has confirmed the essay prompts for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. The required Stanford MBA essay questions remain unchanged from previous admissions seasons.

Stanford asks for two personal essays in order to gain a greater understanding of applicants’ character and hopes. “In each essay, we want to hear your genuine voice,” the admissions team advises. “Think carefully about your values, passions, aims, and dreams. There is no ‘right answer’ to these questions — the best answer is the one that is truest for you.”

Stanford MBA Essay Questions

Essay a: what matters most to you, and why.

For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

Essay B: Why Stanford?

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Both essays combined may not exceed 1,050 words. We recommend up to 650 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B. We often find effective essays that are written in fewer words.

Optional Short-Answer Question

In the Essays section of the application, we ask you to tell us about who you are and how you think Stanford will help you achieve your aspirations. We are also interested in learning about the things you have done that are most meaningful to you. If you would like to go beyond your resume to discuss some of your contributions more fully, you are welcome to share up to three examples (up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words, for each example)

What do we mean by “optional”? We truly mean you have the opportunity to choose. If you feel that you’ve already described your contributions well in other areas of the application, congratulations, you’re done! If not, feel free to use this opportunity to tell us more.

Question: Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others?

The Stanford MBA application for the Class of 2026 is officially open. Here are the GSB’s updated application deadlines . For more information, please visit the Stanford GSB admissions website. If you need guidance on your Stanford MBA application or wish to discuss your MBA plans, reach out for a complimentary analysis  of your candidacy. We’re here to help!

Meanwhile, here’s a snapshot of the AdCom expertise on the Stacy Blackman Consulting team:

SBC’s star-studded consultant team is unparalleled. Our clients benefit from current intelligence that we receive from the former MBA Admissions Officers from Harvard HBS, Stanford GSB and every elite business program in the US and Europe.  These MBA Admissions Officers have chosen to work exclusively with SBC.

Just two of the many superstars on the SBC team: Meet Erin , who was Assistant Director of MBA Admissions at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) and Director of MBA Admissions at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

Meet Andrea , who served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.

Tap into this inside knowledge for your MBA applications by requesting a consultation .

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Texas McCombs MBA Insider

• Full-Time MBA Application
• Working Professional and Executive MBA Application Tips
• MBA Community
• Full-Time MBA
• Evening MBA
• Executive MBA
• MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth
• MBA at Houston

Year: 2021 (page 1 of 4)

Working Professional and Executive MBA Essay Questions

The essays in your MBA application are an important part of sharing your unique story. The most successful essays thoughtfully address the prompts, clearly communicate why you want to attend Texas McCombs, and authentically share who you are. We’ve shared some tips below to aid you in submitting a strong set of essays.

Texas McCombs MBA Essay 1

We will learn a lot about your professional background through your resume and letter of recommendation, but we want to get to know you further. Please introduce yourself. Select only one communication method for your response a. Write an essay (250 words) b. Share a video introduction (one minute in length)

First, this prompt is purposely open-ended. It grants you the freedom to introduce yourself in a way that is genuinely “you.” Think about what gives you energy and recharges you. When you first meet someone, what’s your personal elevator pitch? How does it share your values? Give us a well-rounded mix of information in this essay so we can better understand you beyond your work life.

Don’t forget about the first sentence of the prompt: “We will learn a lot about your professional background through your resume and letter of recommendation.” The admissions committee already read your resume, letter of recommendation, education history, and goals. While your professional life is important, this essay is your opportunity to share who you are outside of those components.

Finally, the choice is yours: written essay or video. We have seen significant success with both mediums and do not have a preference for one over the other. Therefore, play to your strengths! If your skill is in writing, focus on the essay. If you’re not shy in front of a camera, then record a video. However, if you do submit a video, keep in mind that sending us a photo slideshow isn’t advisable. These slideshow submissions don’t grant the admissions committee the chance to actually see and hear from you, which is really what we are looking for in a video submission. Have fun with either submission and do not take this essay for granted— it can go a long way in setting the stage for your MBA application and creating another great impression.

Texas McCombs MBA Essay 2

Describe how the Texas McCombs MBA will help you realize your professional aspirations, and the unique knowledge and experiences you have to share with your classmates. (500 words)

Essay Two provides an opportunity to explain why you’re applying to Texas McCombs.

By answering the first part of the prompt, we will understand why the Texas McCombs MBA, your career plan, and discover how you want to develop yourself both in and out of the classroom. What classes, organizations, and experiential opportunities specifically relate to your career plan? Connect the dots between your goals and how McCombs will get you there.

By answering the second part of the prompt, we will learn what you will bring to the program.  How do you envision yourself becoming an active member of our community? What personal and professional attributes and experiences will you be sharing with your classmates?

Make sure to give us specifics. If you’ve engaged with the program, you know there is a lot to look forward to: challenging classes, organizations, student/alumni networking, award-winning professors, unique career-oriented opportunities…the list goes on. Illustrate what attributes of the program you plan to take full advantage of and how you plan to make a positive impact while you are a student. What will be your MBA legacy? Convince us that you are indispensable to our community.

MBA Optional Statement

Please provide any additional information you believe is important or address any areas of concern that you believe will be beneficial to MBA Admissions in considering your application (e.g. gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances). If living outside of the metro area that the program is held in, please provide explanation regarding your plans to commute or relocate to the program location. (250 words)

Honestly, the most important piece of advice we can provide you on the optional statement is to remember that it is just that– optional. Only applicants who feel some piece of their profile deserves more explanation should submit an optional statement. This section of the application is not to tell us more about your extracurricular activities or expand upon your personal introduction. While we love to see how excited you are to share additional information with us, there are other ways to let the admissions committee know about additional projects or passions. The bottom of your resume or your interview are likely better forums for these details. Optional statements should focus on filling gaps or answering questions we are likely to have about you.

Our Top Essay Writing Tips

• Be patient with yourself. Take time to reflect, brainstorm, rewrite, and EDIT. It will likely take more than one draft to realize your final submission.
• Don’t Copy and paste. Do not use the same content for multiple business schools. We can always spot recycled content.
• STAY ON PROMPT. If you bypass the actual questions in an effort to tell us something you think we want to hear, you will not provide the information we are looking for. This includes sticking to the word counts and time limits that are given.
• Be honest. These essays are our way to learn more about you. Our community values authenticity and we look for essays that reflect your authentic self.
• Have someone you trust read over your essays. Those closest to you can provide valuable insights, feedback, and perspectives as you highlight your personal gifts and qualities.

We hope these insights into the essay prompts give you some ideas to think about and some points to revisit as you write (and rewrite) your essays. Good luck and happy applying!

Please reach out to the  MBA Admissions Team  with any questions.

Working Professional and Executive MBA Testing Options

Preparing for and taking an MBA admissions exam is one of the best ways to get your mind back into academic mode as you prepare for business school. Some of the most common questions we receive from MBA candidates are about the standardized tests. Texas McCombs MBA admissions is excited to share that working professional and executive MBA candidates have more options than ever before when considering how to complete the standardized test requirement in their application. All applicants are required to submit a GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA).  We will waive the testing requirement if:

• Expired (taken 5+ years ago) GMAT, GRE, or EA score
• General Test Waiver (merit-based) is approved
• COVID-19 Test Exception is approved

Standardized exams like the GRE, GMAT, EA, TOEFL, and IELTS help us to evaluate a candidate’s academic preparedness for the rigor of business school and is one metric used to compare candidates within a large pool of applicants.

In addition, studying for and taking the exam – for some, even taking it multiple times – can show the admissions committee your commitment to the competitive business school application process and how you may approach academic challenges as a student.

This post contains a lot of information, broken down into three sections:

Test Options for Working Professional and Executive MBA Candidates

• Which Exam is Right for You?
• Impact of Your Test Score.

All applicants are required to submit a GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA).  We will waive the testing requirement if:

Our admissions committee does not have a preference on which test you take and there is no minimum score.

Submitting Current GMAT, GRE, or EA Scores

For current scores, you must self-report your test scores in your application as well as have official score reports sent directly to UT Austin by the testing agency. The date that your official scores are sent to UT Austin by the testing agency should be no later than the application round deadline, as it can take up to 3-4 weeks for new scores to be processed. Note that if you are taking the GMAT, GRE, or EA online, you will want to allow up to two weeks to receive your score from the testing agency. You must have your test score in hand by the application deadline in order to submit your application.

Submitting Expired GRE, GMAT, or EA Scores

For expired scores (5 years or older), you must self-report your score and upload proof of the test score in the application. Examples of proof for expired test scores include a score report you received previously from the testing agency OR documentation from another educational institution that previously received the score (e.g. for another graduate/terminal degree application).

About the Executive Assessment (EA)

In 2016 GMAC (who also administers the GMAT exam) saw the need for a new exam, designed specifically for the needs of MBA applicants who have a significant amount of work experience. Originally conceived for Executive MBA programs, the Executive Assessment (EA) exam was launched. Today, almost 100 MBA programs, Full-Time, Professional, and Executive, accept the EA. Unlike the GMAT or GRE, the EA is a readiness exam and a benchmark for academic preparedness. More details about the EA exam can be found below.

General Test Waiver Petition

A merit-based test waiver is available by request prior to submitting your application. Waivers/Exceptions are not available for applicants who have already sent scores to UT.

For candidates who would like to request a merit-based test waiver:

• Submit the General Test Waiver petition form prior to submitting your application.
• The General Test Waiver petition form can be accessed directly (UT EID login required) or via the test scores section of the application .
• Waiver approval is merit-based and takes into account your work experience and academic history. Your resume and transcripts are required for consideration.
• A decision on your test waiver request will be shared within 5-10 business days after submission.
• Waivers/Exceptions are not available for applicants who have already sent scores to UT.

COVID-19 Test Exception Petition

A test exception is available if you have been directly affected by COVID-19 and are unable to take the exam in person or at home. Waivers/Exceptions are not available for applicants who have already sent sores to UT.

For candidates who would like to request a COVID-19 Test Exception:

• Request the COVID-19 test exception form by emailing [email protected] .
• Submit the COVID-19 test exception form prior to submitting your application.
• The COVID-19 test exception is only for those applicants who are unable to take an exam in or at home for reasons directly related to COVID-19.

Which Exam is Right for You? 

The Admissions Committee does not prefer one test over the other in terms of demonstrating your preparedness for business school, but it is important to think about which exam is best for you as an individual. There are different reasons to consider taking the GMAT vs the GRE vs the EA.

​​While the GMAT and GRE tests both have quantitative and verbal sections, they have noticeable differences. We encourage you to do your research and take practice tests to learn each test’s points of emphasis, and how they are scored.

Both The GMAT and GRE are adaptive , which means that your success in answering questions correctly has an impact on the future questions you are given. But the tests deliver adaptive questions in different ways.

• The GMAT is adaptive by question. When you get an answer correct, the next question is more difficult, and when you get an answer wrong, the next question is less difficult. This also means that once you answer a question, you can’t go back to that question.
• The GRE is adaptive by section. If you do well on the first verbal section, you get a more difficult version of the next verbal section and vice versa.

We have included some more details about the GMAT, GRE, and EA below, but if you are unsure which exam is best for you, here are our tips:

• We recommend taking some practice tests! There’s a chance you may be more comfortable with one test format over the other.  At the end of the day, the choice of which exam to take is yours.
• Build in study time and leave yourself enough room on the calendar to retake an exam if necessary. If you’re not happy with your score, you can retake either test. While many candidates take the test only once thinking it will fulfill the requirement, others recognize that a second effort is likely to yield improvement. It comes at the cost of additional time and another test fee, but the payoff can be significant if it makes you a stronger candidate.
• Make sure you submit your application as confidently as possible and with a score you feel good about.

For many years, the GMAT was the only standardized test accepted by business schools, but in the last decade, that has changed. Like Texas McCombs, many schools accept the GMAT, GRE, and EA with no preference for one test over another. However, it’s important to be aware that the GMAT is still used by most large consulting and investment banking companies as a baseline qualifier for the recruiting process. If consulting or I-banking are in your sights, this means that the GMAT is the best choice. The Fine Print: Not ALL consulting and investment banking firms look at your GMAT – boutique consulting firms, for example, typically do not ask for your score. So this is not a one-size-fits-all rule but is something to consider if those industries are of interest to you.

Exam Structure:   The GMAT has only one section each of verbal and quantitative questions. Within each section, a handful of questions are experimental, however, you won’t know which questions count towards your score and which are experimental. The verbal section of the GMAT focuses on grammar (sentence correction) and reading comprehension. In the quantitative section, the GMAT questions center on problem-solving and data sufficiency– you will get some questions where you have to understand if you have enough data to reach a conclusive answer. The GMAT also includes an Integrated Reasoning section, which measures how well you use data to solve complex problems, and an Analytical Writing Assessment, which asks you to analyze an argument and communicate your critique of that argument through a written essay.

Scoring:  The GMAT overall scoring range is 200-800, with verbal and quant sections scored on a scale of 6 to 51. The verbal and quant sections both count toward your overall score. The Integrated Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections are scored individually.

Preparation:  The amount of time you need to study for the GMAT will be unique to your individual circumstances. However, on average, candidates report that they spend 3 – 6 months preparing for the GMAT exam.  You can find more information and resources for GMAT preparation  at MBA.com.

Time to Complete:   3.5 hours total (including two optional breaks) with 30 minutes for Analytical Writing, 30 minutes for Integrated Reasoning (12 questions), 62 minutes each for the quantitative section (31 questions), and 65 minutes for the verbal section (36 questions). The GMAT is considered the ultimate test of executive decision-making. Time is short and you only have one section of each format, so you must what questions are worth spending the most time on.

Cost:  $250 – $275 USD depending on location

Delivery:  The GMAT is delivered in-person at testing centers or online. You can take the GMAT once every 16 days, no more than five times in a rolling 12-month period, and no more than eight times total. Within the overall limit, you can only take the GMAT online exam up to two times.

Learn more about the GMAT at  mba.com/exams .

Sometimes the GRE is the best choice for applicants who have already completed a Master’s degree or those who are pursuing their MBA in conjunction with other Master’s degrees, for example, our dual degree programs. Taking only the GRE allows you to apply to both programs separately with one score, a convenience factor that most dual-degree applicants very much appreciated.

Exam Structure:  The GRE has two sections of verbal and two sections of quantitative questions, plus one additional section that could be either verbal or quantitative. This additional section is experimental– your responses won’t count toward your score – but like the GMAT, you don’t know which section is the experimental one. So you have to treat each section on its own as if it will count toward your score. The GRE is also known for having a tough vocabulary portion (antonyms, analogies, and sentence completion) in the verbal sections, along with reading comprehension. Quant questions focus more on geometry and data comparisons. Also, the GRE quant includes questions where more than one answer is correct, and you must select all of the correct answers to get credit for that question. The GRE does give you the use of an on-screen calculator, though this provides only basic arithmetic functions. The GRE also includes an Analytical Writing section, which includes an “Analyze a Task” question and one “Analyze an Argument” question.

Scoring:  The GRE gives you one score for verbal and one score for quant, both ranging from 130 to 170. There is no total score for the GRE.

Preparation:  Preparation time will vary based on your individual schedule and strengths. ETS offers a variety of free and low-cost tools to help you  prepare for the GRE  exam.

Time to Complete:  The overall testing time for the GRE is about 3 hours and 45 minutes, consisting of 60 minutes for Analytical Writing, 60 minutes for two sections of Verbal Reasoning questions (20 questions per section), 70. minutes for two sections of Quantitative Reasoning (20 questions per section), along with some un-scored and research questions.

Cost:  $205 USD

Delivery:  The GRE can be taken at testing centers or online. You can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous 12-month/365 day period.

Learn more about the GRE at  ets.org/gre .

Executive Assessment (EA) 

The Executive Assessment is a readiness exam and a benchmark for academic preparedness. It is designed specifically for busy, experienced professionals. Anyone is eligible to take the EA.

Exam Structure:  There are three sections on the exam – quant, verbal, and integrated reasoning with the type of questions for quant and verbal on the EA being very similar to GMAT. The integrated reasoning section has four types of questions: multi-source reasoning, graphics interpretation, two-part analysis, and table analysis.

Scoring:  The total score ranges from 100 to 200 with all three sections weighted equally (0-20).

Preparation:  The EA was designed to require minimal preparation, but we recommend putting in enough prep to feel comfortable when you take the exam. On average, candidates put in 21-30 hours of prep time before taking the EA. This test is good option for busy working professionals looking for a way to demonstrate their MBA readiness without the rigorous preparation that the GMAT and GRE demands.

Exam Length:  The test is shorter in duration compared to the GMAT and GRE. The test takes about 90 minutes to complete for 40 questions – 30 minutes for Integrated Reasoning (12 questions), 30 minutes for Verbal (14 questions), and 30 minutes for Quant (14 questions).

Cost:  $350 USD

Delivery:  The Executive Assessment is available both online and in-person at test centers worldwide making the assessment available around the clock to ensure you meet your application deadlines. You can take the Executive Assessment up to two times.

Learn more about the EA at  gmac.com/executive-assessment .

Impact of Your Test Score

Future employment.

Before you make a final decision on your testing options, it’s best to research some of your target companies or industries and determine two things:

• The extent to which they evaluate a test score in reviewing job candidates.
• Whether they have a preference for one of the tests. At McCombs, we have found that most consulting and investment banking firms do look at the candidate’s test scores, and both industries historically have favored the GMAT.

Regardless of which test you take, you should consider it as another opportunity to not only impress the Admissions Committee, but also potential employers.

Academic History

Does your undergraduate or graduate transcript accurately reflect your academic ability? If your GPA is low, and you do not submit a strong test score, the admissions committee may have concerns about your ability to succeed in the rigorous MBA curriculum.

One other factor to consider is whether or not your quantitative ability shines elsewhere in your application. While many of our MBA students come to McCombs from non-quantitative majors, these applicants are typically able to prove their quantitative prowess through their test scores. If you come from a non-quantitative background and do not submit a strong test score, you will need to find other areas within your background or experience that can demonstrate your quantitative skills. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that you are set up to succeed academically in the program. If the admissions committee has concerns about your quantitative ability, it may impact your chance of admission, or you may be required to complete pre-MBA coursework prior to admission and/or prior to enrollment.

Scholarships

Scholarship awards are competitive and limited in number. Scholarship decisions are based on a longstanding holistic review process that takes into account your entire application and serves to assess the overall strength of your candidacy, including readiness for academic rigor, career goals, leadership potential, and fit with our program culture.  Submitting an application without a strong test score may limit the information available to award a merit-based scholarship.

Please reach out to the MBA Admissions Team with any questions.

Good luck and Hook ’em!

How to Reapply for Your MBA

With each new admissions cycle, questions come in from those who have applied in the past about applying again to join the next class of Texas McCombs MBAs.  

First, having applied in a previous year is not considered a negative factor in your application . We are pleased to see your continued interest in the program and will evaluate your new application on its merits and in the context of the new applicant pool, just as if you are applying for the first time. Below is an overview of important info and tips for reapplying to the MBA program that we hope you find helpful.

Application

All candidates reapplying are required to complete a new application , new essays,  a new resume, and pay the application fee. Our essay prompts can change from year to year, so copying and pasting your essay responses from a previous application cycle is not recommended. In addition, rewriting your essays shows effort!

Review essays and application components for:

• Full-Time MBA 

Official Transcripts

We keep your official transcript on file for one year. You will need to submit your transcripts again if you have taken any additional coursework or if you applied more than one year ago. You can always review your application status on the “MyStatus” page  to make sure you have current transcripts.

Test Scores

GMAT  and GRE  scores are also kept on file for one year and overall, scores are valid five years after the date the test is taken. For TOEFL scores, this period is two years. The McCombs Admissions Committee considers only the highest total submitted score in the evaluation of applications.

Recommendation Letter 

Although not required , we suggest you submit a new letter of recommendation . Determine if another recommender may provide a more current, insightful, and thorough perspective on your experience. If you choose to submit a prior recommendation, you will need to email MBA Admissions with a request to resubmit.

How Have You Improved?

While completing your application, you will be asked, “Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to enhance your candidacy?”  The Admissions Committee reviews this answer closely so please ensure that you spend time reflecting on and explaining these improvements.

Choosing to re-apply to the MBA program shows perseverance and dedication. We encourage you to consider giving yourself a fresh start when you approach your new application. Think through and reassess your application, address any weak areas, and add new information that may be helpful in the admission process.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to receiving your new application.

Good luck and Hook ’em!

Submitting Your Full-Time MBA Application

The 2021-2022 Full-Time MBA application is now open!

We usually receive questions about application deadlines and whether or not it matters  when you submit your application– Round 1, 2, or 3.

Timing is a key factor in your overall application strategy. A lot of details go into deciding which round to apply, and one answer is not right for everyone. So, let’s break it down by round so you can get a clearer picture of when might be the best time for you to hit “Submit.”

Round 1 is a good choice for a couple of reasons:

• It is our first priority scholarship deadline– If you want to be considered for all merit-based scholarships, Round 1 is your best shot. As each round closes, our scholarship funding pool decreases.
•  All of our spots are still available! Plus, historically we’ve received fewer applications in R1 than in R2.

You should NEVER rush to submit your MBA application simply to take advantage of “more spots” or “more funding.”

Once you submit your application, you cannot “re-submit” a stronger application in a later round for the same term of entry. If you skip important preparation, including formal test prep, articulating your “why MBA,” or conducting research just to be able to submit in Round 1, you could end up with a test score and application that doesn’t reflect you at your best.

In any case, submitting in Round 1 might not be a good idea, especially if you know that you can improve a component of your application. Waiting to apply until all aspects of your application are strong is always the best approach.

If we filled up the class in Round 1, the Admissions Committee might be out of a job by February. Round 2 is traditionally our largest round and receives many strong applicants. Scholarships and fellowships are still available and all information and data included in your application help the Admission Committee allocate scholarship awards.

Applying later is okay! A strong application will stand out in any round.

Round Three

Round 3 tends to be a smaller round. Many applicants in Round 3 simply didn’t realize an MBA was an option or on their radar until later in the application cycle. Historically, we always have spots available in Round 3 (which is why we have a Round 3), but each year the number varies .  We can’t say it enough– A strong, complete, well-researched application always stands out.

Before you hit “Submit,” points to keep in mind:

• Submit your application only when you’re 99.9% ready. Supplemental application materials submitted after a round deadline are incredibly risky since there is no guarantee the Admissions Committee will see them. Once your file is read, we will not re-review again based upon new information received post-deadline.
• Don’t wait until the last minute! We are not able to accept applications submitted after 11:59pm CT on the day of the deadline. Technical difficulties plague applicants every round, every year. Stay aware of  deadlines the best you can. In the interest of a fair process, we don’t make exceptions to our deadlines, no matter what reason you have for a late submission.
• Be patient. The Admissions Committee does not begin reviewing applications until the round deadline has passed. In other words, you might be far ahead and submit your application in August, but we won’t begin reviewing any submissions until after the Round 1 deadline in October.
• The Admissions Committee does not provide individual feedback on applications, out of fairness to all applicants and due to the volume of requests we receive.

If you feel good about your application, we encourage you to apply but if you aren’t ready yet (i.e.: You need to retake your GMAT/GRE/EA , rework your essay, or wait for a promotion at work to come through), don’t risk it– wait until you’re confident in your application before hitting the “Submit” button.

We look forward to reviewing your application this year and are always here to answer your questions  about applying. Hook ’em!

Who Should Write Your MBA Recommendation?

The Texas McCombs MBA application requires one professional letter of recommendation from a person who has supervised your work and/or has assessed your performance during your career.

A recommendation letter is one of the only things you rely on someone else to provide in your application. Circumstances differ for every applicant and deciding who you should ask will vary.  Below are some scenarios to help guide you in choosing the best recommender for your application.

Your Supervisor

Your current direct supervisor is traditionally the best choice. This is likely the person in your network that knows your strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else. However, this may not be a viable option for you.  Perhaps you aren’t able to communicate to your employer that you’re applying to business school or you do not work with your direct boss that closely. It could also be that you attained a new role recently and your current supervisor has not had a chance to work with you very much. Or,  you’re an entrepreneur & don’t have a supervisor.

All of these are valid reasons to look for other recommendation sources, but remember that if you do not ask your current supervisor to write your recommendation letter, we do ask that you explain your choice in the Optional Statement.

Your Former Supervisor

If you cannot ask your current direct supervisor to write your recommendation, maybe you can ask a previous supervisor? Depending on how recently you worked with them, the “old boss” may be the best choice, especially if you had a strong professional relationship with that person. This is also a very common option.

Your Indirect Supervisor

Asking an indirect supervisor can be another option, especially if you’ve worked with this person closely on past assignments or long-term projects.  This is a nice alternative to a supervisor that you may not work with closely.

Your Client or Vendor

This type of recommendation source is especially useful for entrepreneurs or for applicants who work for a family business.

If you work for a family business, it is preferred that you ask an individual outside of your family to write your letter of recommendation.

Your Mentor

Mentors inside or outside of your workplace are great to have in your corner when it comes time to apply to business school. However, be sure that your mentor has a clear understanding of your current professional value, not just your potential or future goals. Select a mentor with whom you have worked with on measurable tasks to ensure that they will provide a recommendation with depth.  Keep in mind that the admissions committee is looking for someone who has worked with you professionally.

Other Options

There are many individuals who may fall in the category of “other recommenders.” For example, a former professor, a colleague, or a coach.

When it comes to these options: use your best judgment. An undergraduate professor may not be the best person to address some of the questions posed on the recommendation form and we’re looking mainly at your post-undergraduate work experience.  Direct reports should never submit a letter of recommendation on behalf of their boss, so steer clear of that scenario. And don’t focus only on title– the CEO of a large company may sound like an impressive recommendation, but unless they work with you closely, the recommendation letter will likely fall short of delivering on the information that the admissions committee is looking for.

You’ve chosen a recommender. What’s next?

First, before asking your recommender to take this on, keep in mind that they are likely a busy individual – be sure to give them plenty of notice prior to an approaching application deadline.

Secondly, give them a heads-up about your request. You don’t want to blindly email someone and ask them to write something for you without having a conversation. Sometimes it’s good to revisit certain projects you worked on with them. Most importantly, explain to your recommender why you’re pursuing an MBA. Giving them some context behind your ask will go a long way and will likely result in a stronger letter.

Finally, make sure you give them all the info on the recommendation before you ask.  Texas McCombs uses the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation.  Your recommender will be asked to assess specific competencies and traits, as well as answer three explicit questions.  While there will be other programs using this form,  some schools will ask a series of different questions.  If you’re applying to more than one MBA, you may be asking your recommender to fill out and separately submit different forms.

Visit  Texas McCombs MBA to learn more about our programs and upcoming events , or take a peek into student life on Instagram . Please reach out to the MBA Admissions Team  with any questions.

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McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University Essay Analysis 2020-2021

Welcome to this article in which I am going to talk about Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business. If you’re looking at applying to this school in 2020-2021, you have come to the right place.

First, let’s talk about the college itself.  McDonough is part of Georgetown University, which is one of the oldest universities, and is located in Washington DC; most politicians’ children have actually gone to this university. It has a very good alum network, and that is a huge plus point. Another plus point is that being in Washington DC, the university is part of a large city. Hence, its location is great!

Now, apart from the great alum network and the location, what differentiates this program is the international focus and global experience. For example, in the second year, they have the Global Experience program as part of the MBA curriculum where students are given practical consulting projects in numerous international locations. That is one example of the kind of international focus they have. In fact, if you look at the whole curriculum, it has a lot of focus on international business. This is because Georgetown University itself has the School of Foreign Services. This is definitely one top reason for you to apply.

2020-2021 Georgetown McDonough Deadlines

Application Deadline: October 9, 2020

Notification Date: December 19, 2020

Deposit Due: February 15, 2020

Application Deadline: January 7, 2021

Notification Date: March 26, 2021

Deposit Due: April 26, 2021

Round Three

Application Deadline: April 1, 2021

Notification Date: May 15, 2021

Deposit Due: May 28, 2021

Application Deadline: May 1, 2021

Notification Date: May 31, 2021

Deposit Due: June 6, 2021

2020-2021 Georgetown MBA Essay Questions

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) (500 words or fewer).

This is a classic essay where you’re talking about that one moment in your life, or that one thing that you did which possibly defines you. 500 words is a lot of space for you to craft out a good essay. Pick something where you felt that more than the impact it caused others you learned a lot from the experience.  You want to pick something through which you had an impact on others, but remember that the question says, “Describe a defining moment when you were challenged and exceeded expectations.”  Now think about it. Expectations can be very low, you may have overcome the expectations, you might have done well above them. Here, you have to tell them more than what you did; say what it did for you!

After you pick the story, you can use the standard START framework. You talk about the SITUATION – When did this happen? What was the background? What do you think would give gravity to the whole story?  Consider all this while describing the situation. The second thing to cover is the TASK. What were you supposed to do?  What was expected of you when you walked into the situation?. Third, the ACTION . What was the action that you did? What did you eventually do? Did you go and look at the scenario and think something can be done? What action did you take? Fourth, the RESULT. What was the result? Remember that you’re talking about the “Defining moment when you were challenged and exceeded expectations.” The last factor is the personal TAKEAWAYS . This is very important. What were the takeaways?  You have to cover the situation, task, action, result, and takeaways; I would probably spend a lot more on the takeaways. What did I learn about myself? Did it help me in other areas of my life? If it did, how did it help me? The B-School is trying to understand you as a person; that’s what the really want to know. Who are you? Is this the person they would like to see in their class?. You need to bring a personal aspect to the story. More than the occasion, I would say what you learned should be the larger, overarching thing.

Video Essay:

The required video essay is an opportunity for you to bring life to your application. please introduce yourself to your future georgetown mba cohort in a one minute video. the admission commission would like you to appear in person during part of your video and we strongly encourage you to speak outside of the experiences we can read on your resume. use this video as an opportunity to bring life into your application..

Don’t repeat the things on your resume. However, you need to introduce yourself to your cohort, which is your team. What is it that you’re going to say in one minute, which is not already in your resume? You should pick just two or three things you want to share about yourself because 60 seconds will be done very quickly. Share certain things that are personal to you. Maybe you want to say “My name is…”, followed by an adjective, then go on to describe what that adjective means in your context. Talk about your hobbies. Say how you would like to share that hobby with your classmates. You’re bringing your personality into this. What they really want to know is, “if I look at you, are you a paper tiger? Or are you a person that I would like to talk to? Are you a person that I would like to interact with? How good is your communication? Are you able to maintain eye contact? What is your body language?

You don’t need any fancy equipment. One thing people ask me is, “Do I need to get it professionally shot?” These days, with the kind of phones we have, all you need is to keep the phone at a particular place and shoot the video.

• Make sure that the source of light is not behind you but is on your face or even above you.
• You need to be confident, you need to use your hands. You need to be yourself.
• You can take as many retakes as you want. Maybe you’re going to first get comfortable talking and then take the final version.
• You can have it directed. Maybe your friend who holds the camera, who gives an unbiased opinion about the video, could also help you.

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).

If you’re utilizing this essay, remember it is not about having a full-time job as long as you can show them that you are creatively engaged in any activity, and utilizing your time well. Maybe you are taking some online courses. You have 250 words and you can tell them anything else in your application that has not been covered. Ensure that you talk about something that is relevant. Don’t try to fit in some story because it did not find a place elsewhere. Talk about what you would probably do in your future, maybe there is some course that you are planning to do next year or any other passion that you would like to pursue. Maybe you want to learn to play guitar before you join the B-School.

Don’t just write another story, like, “At work, I was given an opportunity to do this and ….”. Don’t do this.

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), re-applicant 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 or fewer).

So that’s pretty much what we have. If you’re applying to Georgetown McDonough, please go ahead and click the link below. We’ve had a lot of students who went there in the past, and we can share our experience of what it takes to really get in. So.

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