MBA Essay Questions Published So Far Probably the best MBA Admissions Consulting firm in the world

Essay Questions for Top MBA Programs That Start In 2016

Important Note! On rare occasions, schools change essay topics after they have been published.
In addition, we may inadvertently make a mistake in copying content.
In such cases, it may be that the information presented here is not accurate!
It is essential that you visit the school website to be 100% certain about the exact essay topics.

Please note that for re-applicants, the essay topics are often different from those below.

Click here to view essay questions by school

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Find Schools That you can Add Easily
Since different school’s essay topics are similar, you might be able to take an essay you wrote for one school and adjust it for other schools.
However, it’s important to give all schools the impression that you care about them and their essay topics. Some admission readers are put off if they feel they are reading a “recycled” essay. Therefore, customize and tailor the essay content to the exact phrasing of the question asked. Make sure you answer all parts of the questions, and not much beyond it. Pay attention to the instructions and word limit.
Questions about career vision/goals are very common and are asked by almost every school, so those are not mentioned here.

Anderson –
with some adjustments, you can use it for Columbia [essay 1], Duke [short answers 1-2], Emory [essay 1], Haas [essay 3], INSEAD [job essay 4], Tuck [essay 1], NYU [essay 1], USC [essay 1], Michigan [essay 2], Cambridge [essay 2], UNC [essay 1], LBS [essay 1].

Columbia –
Essay 1: with some adjustments, you can use it for UCLA, Duke [short answers 1-2], Emory [essay 1], Haas [essay 3], INSEAD [job essay 4], Tuck [essay 1], NYU [essay 1], USC [essay 1], Michigan [essay 2], Cambridge [essay 2], UNC [essay 1], LBS [essay 1].

Berkeley –
Essay 2 (accomplishment): with some adjustments, you can use it for IE [essay D], MIT [essay 1], INSEAD [motivation essay 2].
Essay 3: with some adjustments, you can use it for UCLA, Duke [short answers 1-2], Emory [essay 1], Columbia [essay 1], INSEAD [job essay 4], Tuck [essay 1], NYU [essay 1], USC [essay 1], Michigan [essay 2], Cambridge [essay 2], UNC [essay 1], LBS [essay 1].

LBS –
Essay 1: with some adjustments, you can use it for UCLA, Duke [short answers 1-2], Emory [essay 1], Haas [essay 3], INSEAD [job essay 4], Tuck [essay 1], NYU [essay 1], USC [essay 1], Michigan [essay 2], Cambridge [essay 2], UNC [essay 1], Haas [essay 3].

Duke –
short answers 1-2: with some adjustments, you can use it for UCLA, LBS [essay 1], Emory [essay 1], Haas [essay 3], INSEAD [job essay 4], Tuck [essay 1], NYU [essay 1], USC [essay 1], Michigan [essay 2], Cambridge [essay 2], UNC [essay 1], Haas [essay 3].

INSEAD –
Job Essay 4: with some adjustments, you can use it for UCLA, Duke [short answers 1-2], Emory [essay 1], Haas [essay 3], LBS [essay 1], Tuck [essay 1], NYU [essay 1], USC [essay 1], Michigan [essay 2], Cambridge [essay 2], UNC [essay 1], Haas [essay 3].
Motivation Essay 2: with some adjustments, you can use it for IE [essay D], MIT [essay 1], Berkeley [essay 2 – accomplishment].

MIT
Essay 1: with some adjustments, you can use it for IE [essay D], INSEAD [motivation Essay 2], Berkeley [essay 2 – accomplishment].

Tuck –
Essay 1: with some adjustments, you can use it for UCLA, Duke [short answers 1-2], Emory [essay 1], Haas [essay 3], INSEAD [job essay 4], LBS [essay 1], NYU [essay 1], USC [essay 1], Michigan [essay 2], Cambridge [essay 2], UNC [essay 1], Haas [essay 3].
Essay 2: with some adjustments, you can use it for Emory [essay 2], Kellogg [essay 1], Yale.

Kellogg –
Essay 1: with some adjustments, you can use it for Emory [essay 2], Tuck [essay 2], Yale.

NYU Stern

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Essay Questions by School

One essay is required, in written form only. One optional essay may also be submitted to supply information on extenuating circumstances.

FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS – ONE REQUIRED ESSAY:

We believe that the best results are achieved when you share success, think fearlessly and drive change. With this in mind, what are your goals at UCLA Anderson and in your short-term and long-term career? (750 words maximum)

OPTIONAL ESSAY:
The following essay is optional. No preference is given in the evaluation process to applicants who submit an optional essay. Please note that we only accept written essays.

Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? Please use your best judgment. (250 words maximum)

RE-APPLICANTS – ONE REQUIRED ESSAY:
Reapplicants who applied for the class entering in fall 2014 or 2015 are required to complete the following essay:

Please describe your career progress since you last applied and ways in which you have enhanced your candidacy. Include updates on short-term and long-term career goals, as well as your continued interest in UCLA Anderson. (750 words maximum)


PLEASE NOTE:

Your essays are the primary way for you to share your perspectives and plans with the admissions committee. The best essays are introspective, genuine and succinct in directly answering our questions and responding to our topics.

  • You should try to distinguish yourself by showing what makes you different from others who share similar profiles.
  • Personal expression is what we are looking for, not platitudes.
  • Making a strong case for your future plans requires you to first do research on career paths and find one that resonates. Even if this target will change during business school, your application essays should lay out a clear trajectory for short-term and long-term goals. Do this by demonstrating how you expect to build on skills from your past, and those you expect to gain from the MBA.
  • Essays are more compelling if they include specific courses, programs, groups, opportunities, activities, etc. from which you would benefit, if admitted to UCLA Anderson. These references are best found through website research, personal discussions and a campus visit (if possible).
  • Content and clarity are key elements, as we seek superior communication skills.
  • Style is a consideration too, although we understand that those who speak other languages may have different manners of expression in English.We do check your essays for plagiarism, so make sure you always submit your own work.
  • Length does not equal strength. A well-written short essay can have even more impact than a longer essay. Please try to respect the word limits indicated below.
  • All responses to essays must be on double-spaced pages that are uploaded as a document. We do not accept essays in any other media but written form.
2015-16 Essay: Chicago Booth values individuality because of what we can learn from the diverse experiences and perspectives of others. This mutual respect creates an open-minded community that supports curiosity, inspires us to think more broadly, take risks, and challenge assumptions. At Booth, community is about collaborative thinking and tapping into each other’s different viewpoints to cultivate new ideas and realize breakthrough moments every day.

Using one of the photos provided, tell us how it resonates with your own viewpoint on why the Booth community is the right fit for you.

Essay Guidelines

Choose the format that works for you. Feel free to submit a traditional essay, slide presentation, or any format that you feel best captures your response. Please use the format you are most comfortable with, the Admissions Committee has no preference.

Determine your own length. There is no prescribed minimum or maximum length. We trust that you will use your best judgment in determining how long your submission should be, but we recommend that you think strategically about how to best allocate the space.

Technical Guidelines

File Size: Maximum file size is 16 MB.

Accepted Upload Formats: Acceptable formats are PDF, Word, and PowerPoint. We strongly recommend converting your piece to a PDF file prior to submitting.

Multimedia Restrictions: We will be viewing your submission electronically and in full color, but all submissions will be converted to PDF files, so animation, video, music, etc. will not translate over.

Reapplicant Question

Reapplicants to Chicago Booth must submit an additional essay.

Reapplicant Essay: Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (300 words maximum)

Optional Essay
Is there any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? If so, please address in an optional essay. (300 word maximum)


Additional questions from the online application
:

Post MBA – Goals
What is your short-term post-MBA goal? (250 words).
What is your long-term post-MBA goal? (250 words).

Professional Awards
Please list any significant professional awards/recognition that you have received. (700 characters).
Employment
For each employer – enter Job Description (700 characters).

Activities
For each activity – Description of Participation (500 characters).
We would like to further understand what you are interested in. Please share hobbies and areas of interest that are important to you. (100 words/500 characters)

Essay questions on Columbia’s website

Instructions: In addition to learning about your professional aspirations, the Admissions Committee hopes to gain an understanding of your interests, values and motivations through these essays. There are no right or wrong answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully. The “What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal?” question, Essay 1, Essay 2 and Essay 3 are all required.

Short Answer Question:
What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Examples of possible responses:
“Work in business development for a media company.”
“Join a strategy consulting firm.”
“Launch a data-management start-up.”

Essay 1:
Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals going forward, and how will the Columbia MBA help you achieve them? (Maximum 500 words)

Essay 2:
Columbia Business School’s location enables us to bridge theory and practice in multiple ways: through Master Classes, internships, the New York Immersion Seminars, and, most importantly, through a combination of distinguished research faculty and accomplished practitioners. How will you take advantage of being “at the very center of business”? (Maximum 250 words)

Essay 3:
CBS Matters, a key element of the School’s culture, allows the people in your Cluster to learn more about you on a personal level. What will your Clustermates be pleasantly surprised to learn about you? (Maximum 250 words, can be answered with a video)

Optional Essay:

Knight-Bagehot Fellows:
Rather than answer Essay 1, current Knight-Bagehot Fellows applying to Columbia Business School should use the space allocated to the first essay (500 words) to complete the Wiegers Fellowship application essay.

Wiegers Fellowship Essay Question:
What are your career goals? How has the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship affected these goals? How will an MBA help you achieve these goals? (500 words maximum)

Describe the most important professional feedback you have received and how you responded this feedback. (500 words maximum)

Additional Comments

(250 words max)
Additional questions on the application:
Activities
– Please list any non-degree post-undergraduate coursework here, including Coursera or other online courses. (1000 words max)
– List your extracurricular activities while in college including any offices held and awards received. Include dates of participation and list them in order of importance to you. If you were employed while in college, include employer, job responsibilities, hours worked per week and dates for each position held. (200 words max)
Employment history
Application Essays for students who start the program in 2016:

Three short answer questions and 2 essays are required from all applicants.

– Responses should use 1.5 line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
– Respond fully and concisely.
– Responses must be completed before submitting your application.
– Prepare your responses carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your answers important in the selection process.
– All essays 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.

Required Short Answer Questions

Instructions: Answer all 3 of the following questions. For each short answer question, respond in 500 characters only (the equivalent of about 100 words).

1. What are your short-term goals, post-MBA?
2. What are your long-term goals?
3. Life is full of uncertainties, and plans and circumstances can change. As a result, navigating a career requires you to be adaptable. Should the short-term goals that you provided above not materialize what alternative directions have you considered?

First Required Essay: 25 Random Things About Yourself

Instructions: Answer the following question — present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages.

The “Team Fuqua” spirit and community is one of the things that sets The Duke MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. When a new person joins the Admissions team, we ask that person to share with everyone in the office a list of “25 Random Things About Yourself.” As an Admissions team, we already know the new hire’s professional and academic background, so learning these “25 Random Things” helps us get to know someone’s personality, background, special talents, and more.
In this spirit, the Admissions Committee also wants to get to know you–beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. You can share with us important life experiences, your likes/dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Share with us your list of “25 Random Things” about YOU.

Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages, with a font size no less than 10-point. Do not copy the essay question in the document you upload with your application.

Second Required Essay (choose 1 of 2)

Please answer only one of the following two questions. Your response to either essay question should be no more than 2 pages in length, and should reflect your knowledge of the Fuqua program and experience, and the types of activities and leadership you would engage in as a Fuqua student. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing. Do not copy the essay question in the document you upload with your application.

1. Why Duke: When asked by your family, friends, and colleagues why you want to go to Duke, what do you tell them? Share the reasons that are most meaningful to you.

2. Team Fuqua Principles: The Team Fuqua community is as unique as the individuals who comprise it. Underlying our individuality are a number of shared ideas and principles that we live out in our own ways. Our students have identified and defined 6 “Team Fuqua Principles” that we feel are the guiding philosophies that make our community special. At the end of your 2 years at Fuqua, if you were to receive an award for exemplifying one of the 6 Principles listed below, which one would it be and why? Your response should reflect your knowledge of Fuqua and the Daytime MBA program and experience, and the types of activities and leadership you would engage in as a Fuqua student.

Authentic Engagement: We care and we take action. We each make a difference to Team Fuqua by being ourselves and engaging in and supporting activities about which we are passionate.
Supportive Ambition: We support each other to achieve great things, because your success is my success. The success of each individual member of Team Fuqua makes the whole of Team Fuqua better.
Collective Diversity: We embrace all of our classmates because our individuality is better and stronger together.
Impactful Stewardship: We are leaders who focus on solutions to improve our communities both now and in the future. We aren’t satisfied with just maintaining the status quo.
Loyal Community: We are a family who looks out for each other. Team Fuqua supports you when you need it the most.
Uncompromising Integrity: We internalize and live the honor code in the classroom and beyond. We conduct ourselves with integrity within Fuqua, within Duke, and within all communities of which we are a part.

Optional Essay

If you feel there are 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 Essay is intended to provide the admissions committee with insight into your circumstances only.

Your response should be no more than 1 page in length, with a font size no less than 10-point. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing. Do not copy the essay question in the document you upload with your application.

Please address the following questions and submit all essays in one complete PDF file. Essays should be written in 12-point font and double-spaced. On the top of each page, indicate your full name as listed on your application and the question to which you are responding. The application system requires that you convert your document into PDF format prior to uploading it to your application. Instructions and access to a software program that will convert your documents are available within the application.

2015-16 Full-Time MBA Applicant Essays:

Answer all essays, following the directions indicated in the questions. NOTE: Applicants who apply to more than one MBA program will only complete the essay question requirement related to their first-program preference.

1. 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)
2. The business school is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand responsibility, and creating unprecedented shareholder wealth. Mr. Goizueta’s core values guide us in educating Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. Provide an example of your leadership – professional or personal – and explain what you learned about yourself through the experience. (300 word limit)
3. Complete one of the following statements. (250 word limit)
– I am passionate about…
– The best piece of advice I’ve received is…
– The best day of my life was…
– A personal goal I want to accomplish is…
4. Share with the committee and your future classmates a fun or noteworthy fact about you. (25 word limit)

Optional Essay

If you have additional information or feel there are extenuating circumstances which you would like to share with the MBA Admissions Committee (i.e. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance issues or areas of weakness in application). Please limit your response to 250 words.

Re-Applicant Essays
Applicants who have applied to Goizueta Business School in the past are required to answer the following questions:
1. 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)
2. Explain how you have improved your candidacy for Goizueta Business School’s MBA Program since your last application. (250 word limit)

Listed below are the required essays, supplemental essays, and optional essays for fall 2016.

Essays

At Berkeley-Haas, we seek candidates from a broad range of cultures, backgrounds, and industries who demonstrate a strong cultural fit with our program and defining principles. Our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles — Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself. Please use the following essays as an opportunity to reflect on and share with us the values, experiences, and accomplishments that have helped shape who you are. (Learn more about Berkeley-Haas’ Defining Principles)

1. If you could choose one song that expresses who you are, what is it and why? (250 word maximum)
2. Please respond to one of the following prompts: (250 word maximum)
– Describe an experience that has fundamentally changed the way you see the world and how it transformed you.
– Describe a significant accomplishment and why it makes you proud.
– Describe a difficult decision you have made and why it was challenging.
3. Tell us about your path to business school and your future plans. How will the Berkeley-Haas experience help you along this journey? (500 word maximum)

Supplemental Information

1. If you have not provided a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, please explain. If not applicable, enter N/A.
2. List in order of importance all community and professional organizations and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during or after university studies. Include the following information for each organization or activity using the format below:
– Name of organization or activity
– Nature of organization or activity
– Size of organization
– Dates of involvement
– Offices held
– Average number of hours spent per month
3. List full-time and part-time jobs held during undergraduate or graduate studies, indicating the employer, job title, employment dates, location, and the number of hours worked per week for each position held prior to the completion of your degree.
4. If you have ever been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation, suspended, or required to withdraw from any college or university, please explain. If not, please enter N/A. (An affirmative response to this question does not automatically disqualify you from admission.)

Optional Essays
(Optional) Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? You may also use this essay to provide further explanation of employment gaps or your quantitative abilities. (500 word maximum)

There is one essay question for the Class of 2018:

It’s the first day of class at HBS. You are in Aldrich Hall meeting your “section.” This is the group of 90 classmates who will become your close companions in the first-year MBA classroom. Our signature case method participant-based learning model ensures that you will get to know each other very well. The bonds you collectively create throughout this shared experience will be lasting.

Introduce yourself.

Note: Should you enroll at HBS, there will be an opportunity for you to share this with them.

We suggest you view this video before beginning to write.

There is no word limit for this question. We think you know what guidance we’re going to give here. Don’t overthink, overcraft and overwrite. Just answer the question in clear language that those of us who don’t know your world can understand.

Express Yourself

In this second part of the section “More about You” you have the chance to show us in a freer, more personalized way characteristics of the way you think and work, which will help us analyze your candidacy in more depth.

You have to choose and respond to three questions. At least one of these responses must be in text format. You have the option of responding to the rest of the questions through the following forms of human expression: poetry, photography, drawing, video (with a response that is spoken, sung, danced or played on a musical instrument), animation or presentation. With the exception of compositions in text format, all the rest of the responses must be linked to content hosting platforms. You may also choose to tweet your response using the hashtag #IEApplication and copy the link of your tweet in the bottom of this page.

We suggest the following platforms:
photography or drawing – Picasa / flickr
video or animation – YouTube / vimeo
presentation – Prezi / slideshare

All your compositions must be absolutely original and specifically intended for this admission application. The compositions must be composed, executed and completed by you alone, without the direct help of outside experts. Before submitting the links, check that they work correctly. The links must be active and available for consultation for a minimum of 18 months after the date the application is submitted.

These are the questions you must choose from:
A. If you had the opportunity, what actions would you demand of the United Nations Secretary General and why?
B. Describe the situation with the greatest ethical complexity that you have faced in your professional or academic life, and how your input helped resolve it.
C. Describe a time when you took a great risk. What was the outcome?
D. Cite at least one example of when your leadership had an impact on or changed a certain situation, and justify how an IE Master’s Degree program would help you to strengthen or improve this competence.
E. Describe the most outstanding leader you have worked with. Indicate some aspects of the way you work that are similar to the way this leader works and others that are different.
F. You have just participated in an important meeting with your superior. How will you ensure that every part of the instructions you received will properly reach all subordinates, suppliers and clients, located in different parts of the world?
G. Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?
H. What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing the sector or industry you would like to specialize in at IE? What role do you hope to be able to play in this sector or industry in the medium term?
I. Show us an activity you enjoy doing. Tell us how you think it contributes to your personal and professional development
J. How do you imagine social interaction within 10 years, taking into consideration the impact of technology on human relations?
K. If all of the world´s cultural heritage (sports, music, fashion, architecture, literature, painting, etc..) was contained in a time capsule, what would you include to demonstrate the legacy of your country?
L. How do you envision the city of the future?

Write between 400 and 600 words per essay (in .pdf, . doc or. docx, font size 11, line spacing 1.5). Remember that all the essays must be in one single file, with the question(s) being answered indicated in its header.

Essay Question I
How do you think IESE can help you achieve your post-MBA goals. (200 words)

Essay Question II
Describe a recent professional situation (1-2 years ago maximum) that demonstrates your fit with IESE’s mission and values (300 words).

Essay Question III (Optional)
I wish that the application had asked me… (200 word limit)

Essay 1: Describe yourself in two hundred words or less (Maximum 200 words)

Essay 2: Give an example of a time when you were confronted with an unrecoverable event. How did it affect you and what were your greatest learnings? (Maximum 300 words)

Essay 3: On your 75th birthday someone close to you presents your laudatio (tribute). It can be a friend, colleague, family member etc. Please describe in detail what this person would say about you and your life. (Maximum 300 words)

Additional questions: Is there any additional information that is critical for the Admissions Committee to know which has not been covered elsewhere in this application? If you would like to comment on career gaps, education, GMAT/GRE, a disability or illness, please use this space. (Optional) (max 300 words)

Administrative questions
Your responses to these questions will not be taken into consideration in the admissions process.
1. How do you intend to finance your MBA at IMD? What would your budget be? (Maximum 300 words)
2. Why are you applying to IMD? What other programs have you considered / are you considering? (Maximum 300 words)

Essay questions for January 2017:

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/products and results achieved. (short answer)
2. What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company? (short answer)
3. Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. Describe your career path with the rationale behind your choices. (short answer)
4. Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with or without an MBA from INSEAD. (short answer)
5. If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme. (optional)

Motivation Essays

1. Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary (approximately 500 words).
2. Describe the achievement of which you are most proud and explain why. In addition, describe a situation where you failed. How did these experiences impact your relationships with others? Comment on what you learned(approximately 400 words).
3. Tell us about an experience where you were significantly impacted by cultural diversity, in a positive or negative way(approximately 300 words).
4. Describe all types of extra-professional activities in which you have been or are still involved for a significant amount of time (clubs, sports, music, arts, politics, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (approximately 300 words)
5. Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (approximately 300 words) {Optional}

Table of content:
You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please create the table of contents for the book in the space provided or upload it as an attachment. We value creativity and authenticity and encourage you to approach this essay with your unique style. Alternative submission formats may include a slide presentation, links to pre-existing media (personal website, digital portfolio, YouTube etc.), as well as visually enhanced written submissions.
Maximum file size is 5 MB. We recommend that you upload your submission in MS Word, PowerPoint, or PDF format. We cannot accept .zip or .exe files. If you choose to submit a written Table of Contents, please limit your submission to 500 words or fewer.

Goals:
What are your short and long term goals and how do you see the Cornell MBA enabling you to achieve both? Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.

Optional essay:
Complete this essay if you would like to add additional details regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate record or test scores) do not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School.
If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application since the last time you applied.
Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.

1. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)

2. What are your short and long term career objectives? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them? What do you hope to gain from the degree and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (please do not exceed 500 words)

For 2015-2016, the following two essays are required of all applicants:

1. Leadership and teamwork are integral parts of the Kellogg experience. Describe a recent and meaningful time you were a leader. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn? (450 words)

2. Pursuing an MBA is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. How have you grown in the past? How do you intend to grow at Kellogg? (450 words)

Certain applicants will respond to additional questions:

Dual-degree applicants: For applicants to the MMM or JD-MBA dual degree programs, please explain why that program is right for you. (250 words)

Re-applicants: Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? (250 word limit)

All applicants have the opportunity to provide explanations or clarification in Additional Information:
If needed, use this section to briefly describe any extenuating circumstances (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, etc.) (no word count)

Video Essays:

After submitting a completed application, each applicant will be asked to complete two Video Essay Questions. One will be about the candidate’s interest in Kellogg and the other will be a “getting to know you” type of question.
There are 10 practice questions which candidates can complete as many times as they 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 and help applicants feel prepared.
There is not an opportunity to re-do the answer to the official video essay questions. We encourage applicants to practice so they are comfortable with the format once it is time to complete the official questions.
Candidates will have 20 seconds to think about their question and up to 1 minute to give their response.
We estimate the Video Essays will take 15-20 minutes to complete – which includes time for set-up and answering all the practice questions.

The first question is a random icebreaker question, with no “right answer”.
The second question will be: “What path are you interested in pursuing, how will you get there, and why is this program right for you?”

We have one required essay and three optional essays. The essays for the 2015-2016 application season are:

1. Essay One (Required)
Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. Explain how your professional experience has shaped these goals, why this career option appeals to you, and how you arrived at the decision that now is the time and the MBA is the appropriate degree. (500 words maximum)

2. Essay Two (Optional)
What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (300 words maximum)

3. Essay Three (Optional)
If your standardized test scores are low, or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)

4. Essay Four (Optional)
Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? (300 words maximum)

Essay Question Instructions:
The Admissions Committee will consider carefully your answers to the following questions. Please complete all of the essay questions beginning your answer below each question and giving word counts for each answer. Once complete, please attach this document to your online application following the instructions given on the web form.
You are required to add the word count at the end of each question.
Please do not write more than the specified word limit for each essay. Any extra words or essays may be disregarded.
Candidates should not contact us to ask for advice on how to answer the essay questions. We expect all candidates to interpret the questions as they see fit.

Question 1 (500 words)
What are your post-MBA plans and how will your past experience and the London Business School programme contribute?

Question 2 (300 words)
What specific areas of London Business School life are you most excited about getting involved in and where will you add value?

Question 3 (300 words)
(This question is optional)
Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School?

Additional open questions from the online application:

Employment:
– What’s your organisation’s main area of activity?
– Tell us about your responsibilities. Describe your day-to-day role, details of any clients you work with/for, the level/title of the person you report to, the size of budget for which you are directly responsible and the number of people in your team.
– Is your employer willing to support you? In what way – time, tuition, or both?

Additional information:
– Tell us about your main interests and activities in your free time.
– We encourage applicants to take into consideration the impact of study on family and friends. Who have you discussed your plans with, and what was the response? Feel free to give the names of members of the school community (alumni, students, faculty, staff etc) as appropriate.

English language ability:
– Please outline your experience of working or studying in an English-speaking environment. Do you plan to take further English language tuition before the programme starts?

1. Please complete both sections in no more than 700 words combined:
a. What is your immediate short-term goal post-graduation from the USC Marshall MBA
program? (Please include industry and function information in your answer).
b. How will USC Marshall enable you to develop or improve your skills in order to reach
your goals?

2. Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined, established, or expected.

  1. What are you most proud of? How does it shape who you are today? (400 words)
  2. What is your desired career path and why? (400 words)
  3. Optional question: Is there anything not addressed elsewhere in the application that you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you to evaluate your candidacy? (300 words)
Mandatory essays:
1. How do you fit with Oxford Saïd’s mission? (Maximum 500 words)
2. Is there anything not covered in the application form which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you? (Maximum 250 words)

If you are applying under the 1+1 scheme you also need to submit the following essay:
1. Explain why you see this as particularly beneficial for you and how it fits with your careers and personal development aims (Maximum 250 words)

Re-applicants will need to complete the essays mentioned above and another essay on the topic:
1. What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (Maximum 250 words)

When reviewing your essays the Admissions Committee will be looking for evidence of the following: Good communication skills, leadership potential, analytical skills, fit within the Oxford MBA community, among other characteristics.

Essay 1:

Tell us about a recent success you had: How did you accomplish this? Who else was involved? What hurdles did you encounter? What type of impact did this have? (500 words or fewer).

Essay 2:

A second (short-answer) question will be asked of those invited to interview: The mission of the MIT Sloan School of Management is to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and to generate ideas that advance management practice. Please share with us something about your past that aligns with this mission. (250 words or fewer).

Optional Question
The Admissions Committee invites you to share anything else you would like us to know about you, in any format. If you choose to use a multimedia format, please host the information on a website and provide us the URL. (no word limit)

Essay questions on Stanford’s website

Essay Questions for the Class of 2018

We request that you write two personal essays. The personal essays give us glimpses of your character and hopes. In each essay, we want to hear your genuine voice. Think carefully about your values, passions, aims, and dreams prior to writing them.

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

For this essay, we would like you to:

– Focus on the “why” rather than the “what.”
– Do some deep self-examination, so you can genuinely illustrate who you are and how you came to be the person you are.
– Share the insights, experiences, and lessons that shaped your perspectives, rather than focusing merely on what you’ve done or accomplished.
– Write from the heart, and illustrate how a person, situation, or event has influenced you.

Essay B: Why Stanford?
Enlighten us on how earning your MBA at Stanford will enable you to realize your ambitions.

– Explain your decision to pursue graduate education in management.
– Explain the distinctive opportunities you will pursue at Stanford.

Length
Your answers for both essay questions combined may not exceed 1,150 words. Below are suggested word counts per essay, but you should allocate the maximum word count in the way that is most effective for you.

Suggested Word Count for essay A is 750 words and for essay B is 400 words.

Formatting
– 12-pt. font size
– Double-spaced
– Recommended font types: Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman
– Indicate the question you are answering at the beginning of each essay (does not count toward the word limit)
– Number all pages
– Upload one document that includes both essays

Be sure to save a copy of your essays, and preview the uploaded document to ensure that the formatting is preserved.

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 constructive feedback — specifically if 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, how you live, what you believe, and what you aspire to do, then surely we will be unable to recognize what is most distinctive about you.

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

Our Stern essay questions give you the opportunity to more fully present yourself to the Admissions Committee and to provide insight into your experiences, goals and thought processes.

Please note the following details when completing your essays.

– All written essays must be typed and submitted using the standard U.S. 8 1/2” x 11” format, double-spaced, in 12-point font.
– Word limits apply to the total question. For example, your response to Essay 1 should answer all parts of the question with a total maximum of 750 words.
– Label the top of each essay with the following: Name, Date of Birth (month, day, year), Essay Number and Page Number (e.g.: Joe Applicant, January 1, 1988, Essay 1, Page 1).
– Your essays should be written entirely by you. An offer of admission will be revoked if you did not write your essays.

Essay 1: Professional Aspirations
(750 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

– Why pursue an MBA (or dual degree) at this point in your life?
– What actions have you taken to determine that Stern is the best fit for your MBA experience?
– What do you see yourself doing professionally upon graduation?

Essay 2: Personal Expression

Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use almost any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative.
If you submit a non-written piece for this essay (i.e., artwork or multimedia) or if you submit this essay via mail, please upload a brief description of your submission with your online application.

Please note the following guidelines and restrictions:

– Your submission becomes the property of NYU Stern and cannot be returned for any reason.
– If you submit a written essay, it should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font.
– If you submit a video or audio file, it should be five minutes maximum. NYU Stern accepts most common video formats.
– The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request an alternate essay if we are unable to view your submission.
– Do not submit anything perishable (e.g. food), or any item that has been worn (e.g. clothing).
– Mailed materials must be postmarked by the application deadline date. Please follow our mail and labeling instructions.

Please note that mailed packages are subject to size restrictions. Submissions that exceed the stated size restrictions will not be accepted for review by the Admissions Committee. Please see the table below for the maximum package size guidelines:

Packaging Type Dimensions: Non-metric Dimensions: Metric
Box 14” x 12” x 3” 36cm x 31cm x 8cm
Cylindrical tube 3” x 36” 8cm x 91cm
Triangular tube 38” x 6” x 6” x 6” 97cm x 16cm x 16 cm x 16 cm

Essay 3. Additional Information (optional)
Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript(s), plans to retake the GMAT, GRE and/or TOEFL or any other relevant information.

If you are unable to submit a recommendation from your current supervisor, you must explain your reason, even if you are a re-applicant.

If you are a re-applicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application.

Uploading Formats
You may upload documents into the online application in the following formats: word, excel, PDF, .txt, .rtf and .wpd.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

There are two questions to help us get to know you better. In addition, we offer an optional essay if there is additional information you wish to share about your candidacy.

Essay 1 (Maximum 300 words)

Describe a defining moment in your life. How has it shaped you professionally?

Essay 2 (Maximum 300 words)

Based on your research and interactions, describe how your strengths contribute to the Tepper School community. How will you benefit from being a member of the Tepper School MBA program?

Please respond fully but concisely to the following essay questions. There are no right or wrong answers. We encourage applicants to limit the length of their responses to 500 words for each essay. Please double-space your responses.

1. What are your short- and long-term goals? Why do you need an MBA to achieve those goals? Why are you interested in Tuck specifically?

2. Tell us about your most meaningful leadership experience and what role you played. How will that experience contribute to the learning environment at Tuck?

3. (Optional) Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., unusual choice of evaluators, weaknesses in academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application.

4. (To be completed by all reapplicants) How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally.

The Admissions Committee wants to get to know you on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to be introspective, candid, and succinct. Most importantly, we suggest you be yourself.
First-time applicants and reapplicants are required to complete the same set of essay questions.

1. (Required) What do you hope to gain both personally and professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)

2. (Optional) Please use the space below to highlight any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to know about your candidacy. (400 words)

Optional Essay
First-time applicants can use this essay if you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words)

All re-applicants (those who applied for Fall 2015 or 2014) are also required to complete the Optional Essay. Please use this space to explain how you have reflected on the previous decision on your application and to discuss any updates on your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extra curricular/volunteer engagements). You may also use this section to address any extenuating circumstances. (250 words)

Our note to candidates, due to Yale’s ethics policy, if you are “recycling” an essay from another school to create a Yale essay, use the non-edited first draft that you created for the other school.

Please answer the Required Essay question below. Your essay must be entirely your own work. Although you may ask others for general feedback, you may not allow anyone to write or edit your essay.

Reapplicants must complete both the Required Essay and the Required for Reapplicants Only essay.

Any aspect of your application that requires additional explanation may be addressed in the Optional Essay. Please note that this essay is truly optional – if no aspect of your application requires further explanation, you can leave this section blank.


Required Essay
Optional Essay

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