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Essay Questions for MBA Programs That Start In 2017
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.
NYU Stern
Essay Questions by School
Essay questions on UCLA website
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 special circumstances or life experiences that you wish to share with the Admissions Committee? Please use your best judgment on what is pertinent to share. (250 words maximum)
RE-APPLICANTS – ONE REQUIRED ESSAY: Reapplicants who applied for the class entering in 2015 or 2016 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)
Other Information If you wish to provide additional information about circumstances or qualifications not included in this application, please so do here. [text box – no limit]
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 above.
- All essay responses are to be entrered directly in the text box provided in your application.
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Essay Questions on Booth website
View this collection of shared Booth moments. Choose the moment that best resonates with you and tell us why.
Presentation/Essay Guidelines: – Choose the format that works for you. Want to illustrate your response visually? Submit a slide presentation. Like to express yourself with words? Write a traditional essay. Use the format that you feel best captures your response, 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.
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)
Re-applicant 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)
Additional open questions from the online application:
Chicago Booth and You What is your immediate post-MBA career goal? (text box – 250 characters) What is your long-term post-MBA career goal? (text box – 250 characters)
Employment Professional Awards – Please list any significant professional awards/recognition that you have received. (text box – 700 characters)
Activities We would like to further understand what you are interested in. Please share hobbies and areas of interest that are important to you. (text box – unlimited)
Essay questions on Columbia’s website
Applicants must complete one short answer question and three essays.
Short Answer Question: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (51 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? (100-750 words)
Essay 2: Columbia Business School’s students participate in industry focused New York immersion seminars; in project based Master Classes; and in school year internships. Most importantly, our students are taught by a combination of distinguished research faculty and accomplished practitioners. How will you take advantage of being “at the very center of business”? (100-500 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? (100-250 words)
Optional Essay: Is there any further information that you wish to provide the Admissions Committee? If so, use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history. This does not need to be a formal essay. You may submit bullet points. (Maximum 500 Words)
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) Additional open questions from the online application: Employment section – Please provide an explanation for any gaps in your employment history: (1000 characters)
Describe the most important professional feedback you have received and how you responded to this feedback. (500 words)
Additional open questions from the online application:
Interests-More About You Tell us what you would want your learning team to know about you. (100 words) If you could go anywhere in the world with Darden, where would you go and why? (50 words) Charlottesville has a renowned film festival, book festival and vibrant music scene. What is your favorite film, book or song? (15 words)
Education History Non-Degree Post Undergraduate Coursework: Please list any non-degree post-undergraduate coursework here, including Coursera or other online courses. (text box – 250 words) College Extracurriculars and Employment: 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. (text box – 200 words)
Employment History What is your short-term, post-MBA career goal and why? (150 words)
Personal essays (each question is limited to 2000 characters including spaces, 30 lines approximately)
What makes you YOU? Today there is a growing need for outstanding business leaders who excel in their field and adapt quickly to the changing needs of the market. Companies look to us for future leaders – people whose expertise and entrepreneurial abilities are flexible and suit a variety of leadership roles. Your drive and motivation and the individual qualities that you bring to the table are your best selling points and are what will enrich your team members most. It is this individuality, together with the diversity at ESADE and our commitment to leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship that make us what we are: a talent pool for the business leaders of tomorrow.
The following questions are designed to help us get a more complete picture of who you are and the impact that you will have both here at ESADE and on society after completing your MBA. Please respond openly, explaining what makes you the person that you are and who you will become.
1. Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (*) 2. How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished) (*) 3. What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (*) 4. Complete two of the following four questions or statements (1000 characters per response) (*) a) I am most proud of… b) People may be surprised to learn that I… c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself? d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why? 5. Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include gaps in employment, your undergraduate record, plans to retake the GMAT or any other relevant information.
Essay questions on Duke website
Application Essays for 2016 – 2017
Three short answer questions and 2 essays are required from all applicants.
Instructions for All Essays:
- Responses should use 1.5 line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
- Do not copy the essay question in the document you upload with your application.
- Respond fully and concisely. Length requirements vary by question, and are detailed below.
- 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 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
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 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 are vital to providing you with a range of experiential learning and individual development experiences.
Based on your understanding of the Fuqua culture, how do you see yourself engaging in and contributing to our community, outside of the classroom?
Your response to this essay question should be no more than 2 pages in length, with a font size no less than 10-point and 1.5 line spacing. Do not copy the essay question in the document you upload with your application.
Optional Essay
If you feel there are circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware, please explain them in an optional essay (such as unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance).
- Do NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area of the application.
- The Optional Essay is intended to provide the Admissions Committee with insight into your circumstances only.
- Limit your response to one page.
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.
Re-applicant Essay
It is not uncommon for it to take more than one try to achieve a goal. Please share with us the self-reflection process that you underwent after last year’s application and how you have grown as a result. How did it shape your commitment to Fuqua and inspire your decision to reapply?
- Responses should be no more than 2 pages, using 1.5 line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.
- Make sure you address any gaps in your application and that you show progress.
- You can access the re-applicant essay in the online application.
Additional open questions from the online application: Employment History Briefly describe your organization: (Please limit your response to 250 characters or less) Reason(s) for leaving: (Please limit your response to 240 characters or less).
Leadership Experience and Community Involvement Role & Contribution: (400 characters )
Four essays must be answered and submitted for your application to be considered complete. (Only two essays are required for re-applicants). Remember to review each question carefully. We consider essays to be a very important part of the application process, and they are your opportunity to show the Admissions Committee a bit about yourself beyond the application itself. Please visit the Essays page for details on the questions and how to submit your finished essays. Questions
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.
Please note, if you are applying for a Center Fellowship through one of our Centers (Center for Alternative Investments, the Marketing Analytics Center or Social Enterprise @ Goizueta) an additional essay is required. Please visit the Center Fellowships page for more details on the fellowships and the application process.
Re-Applicant Essays Applicants who have applied to Goizueta Business School in the past are required to answer the following questions:
1. What is your short-term career goal and why is an MBA from Goizueta an important next step toward that goal? ( 200 word limit) 2. If your initial career plans are not realized, what else are you considering? ( 200 word limit) 3. Explain how you have improved your candidacy for Goizueta Business School’s MBA Program since your last application. ( 250 word limit)
You may also submit the optional essay if you wish.
Essays help us learn about who you are as a person and how you will fit with our community. 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. We encourage you to reflect on your experiences, values, and passions so that you may craft a thoughtful and authentic response.
Below are the required essays, supplemental essays, and optional essays for Fall 2017.
Required Essays
Essay #1 If you could choose one song that expresses who you are, what is it and why? (250 words maximum) Your song can be in any language, from any culture, and does not need to contain lyrics. The strongest responses will focus on answering why this song expresses who you are.
Essay #2 Please respond to one of the following prompts: (250 words maximum) – Describe an experience that has fundamentally changed the way you see the world and how it transformed you. – Describe a time when you were challenged by perspectives different from your own and how you responded. – Describe a difficult decision you have made and why it was challenging.
In your response, clearly indicate to which prompt (1, 2, or 3) you are responding. We do not have a preference among the prompts and suggest that you select the one for which you can share a specific experience, professional or personal.
Essay #3 Tell us about your career plans. How have your past experiences prepared you to achieve these goals? How will Berkeley-Haas help you? (500 words maximum)
You are encouraged to reflect on what it is you want to do after business school, including the types of roles, responsibilities, and organizations that are of interest. Through this essay we hope to learn about your professional journey to date and how an MBA will facilitate your success – broadly defined – in the future.
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, significant community and professional organizations and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during or after university studies. Include the following information for each 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 Essay Use this essay to share information that is not presented elsewhere in the application, for example: – Explanation of employment gaps or academic aberrations – Quantitative abilities – For re-applicants, improvements to your candidacy
There is one question for the Class of 2019:
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. 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.
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How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (400 words)
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Additional open questions from the online application:
Employment section – Please provide an explanation for any gaps in your employment history (1000 characters).
Intended Post-MBA Information – Briefly tell us more about your career aspirations (500 characters).
Additional Information – Instructions: Please only add additional information here if you need to clarify any information provided in the other sections of your application. This is not meant to be used as an additional essay. Please limit your additional information to the space in this section. We’ll know you’ll be tempted, but please don’t send us any additional materials (e.g., additional recommendations, work portfolios). To be fair to all applicants, extra materials won’t be considered. (500 characters)
Quick evaluation Describe yourself in three words. Indicate with three words how you believe your colleagues/classmates would describe you. At what age did you first earn money from anyone other than your direct family? How did you earn it? [text box – 140 characters] I wish that the application had asked me… [text box – 140 characters]
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?
Upload your essay(s) in text format here 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. Include the link(s) if you are responding in a format other than text:
Organizational chart In your Organizational Chart, show where you are in the organization, who you report to, and who reports to you. People’s names are not required for any positions except yours, but position titles are suggested. If your organization is extremely large, show only your division or your immediate reporting structure. If you are self-employed with no employees, show your position and your business-to-business and/or business-to-customer relationship structure.[upload]
Background Statement If you think there is any relevant information on possible disciplinary actions, criminal proceedings where you were involved or related matters, please describe them. [text box – 400 characters]
Essay Question I Please answer ONE (and only one) of the following two questions. (400 words) 1. Please describe a time when you had an idea that had a positive impact. 2. How do you develop yourself? What do you see as your development areas now?
Essay Question II (Optional) I wish that the application had asked me… This essay can be submitted either written (200 words) or as a video (max 2:00 minutes total in length). We are aware that you are not a media professional. Please upload video file(s) here. Acceptable formats are mp4, mpeg, mpg, mov, avi, m4v, vob, wmv.
Additional open questions from the online application:
Post-MBA Goals Briefly describe your career aspirations immediately after MBA. Please try to be as specific as possible by giving examples of position, Country and Company you would lile to work in: (200 word limit)
Essay 1: Describe yourself in two hundred words or less [text box – Maximum 200 words]
Essay 2: Describe a time in your life where you faced an unrecoverable event. How did it affect you and what were your greatest learnings? [text box – 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. [text box – Maximum 300 words]
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) [text box – Maximum 300 words]
Additional open questions from the online application:
What is your career goal : right after IMD / in 5 years / in 10 years? [text box – Maximum 500 characters]
In order to reach your goals, what do you foresee as your top 3 challenges? [text box – Maximum 500 characters]
Employment Details Responsibilities: Firstly please give us a two-line description of the nature of your business. Then summarize briefly and concisely the nature and scope of your job, your overall responsibilities, and where appropriate, the number of staff you supervise, and the US dollar value of physical and financial resources for which you are accountable. Please make it clear to the Admissions Committee what you feel you have contributed to your company and give examples of achievements, as well as relevant international exposure. [2 text boxes – 150 characters, 950 characters]
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? [text box – Maximum 300 words] 2. What other programs are you considering? Of the programs you are considering, what can IMD bring to you as a differentiator? [text box – Maximum 300 words]
Essay questions for January 2018 intake:
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) * [text box]
2. What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company? (short answer) * [text box]
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) * [text box]
4. Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (short answer) * [text box]
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) [text box]
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). * [text box]
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). * [text box]
3. 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) * [text box]
4. Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (approximately 300 words) [text box]
Essay questions for September 2017 intake:
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. 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) *
4. OPTIONAL – Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (approximately 300 words)
Video Interviews (from September 2017 intake onwards)
Upon submission of your application form, you will receive a message requesting you to record video interviews through Kira Talent. You will also be able to access this from your online application dashboard. Please complete your video interviews within one week of submitting your application. Through the videos we hope to get a deeper insight into your background.
Additional open questions from the online application: Please explain any time gaps since you left high school that have not been accounted for in either the education or employment sections. [text box – unlimited]
Essay questions for January 2017 intake:
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}
1. Goals At Johnson, we are committed to supporting our students as they strive to achieve their many goals. We recognize that the MBA is a transformational and dynamic experience and one that reflects a candidate’s own self-awareness, understanding of program outcomes and opportunities, as well as alignment between personal and institutional values. Therefore, we see your goals statement as just that. A statement that begins a conversation to last throughout the admissions process, your studies, and career. To the best of your understanding today, please share your goals statement with the Admissions Committee by completing the following sentences: Immediately post-MBA my goal is to work as a(n) ___(Role)___ at __(Company)__ within __(Industry)__. Targeted Job Role ___________ Targeted Job Company ___________ Industry ___________
In 5-10 years post-MBA my goal is to work as a(n) ___(Role)___ within __(Industry)__. Job Role in 5-10 years ___________ Industry in 5-10 Years ____________
2. Creating Impact At Cornell, we value students who create impact. Please indicate the opportunities for impact that you have identified through engagement with our community and describe how these interactions have influenced your decision to apply to Johnson. [Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer ; text box]
3. Table of Contents You are the author 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. If you choose to submit a written Table of Contents, please limit your submission to 500 words or fewer. Please limit multimedia submissions to under 5 minutes Submission of your application requires a completed Table of Contents essay. Please upload a document or enter your content in the field provided. [text box – 500 words] [Upload your creative submission]
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 Johnson. 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 see our Admissions Policy for more information and limit your response to 500 words or fewer. [text box]
Additional open questions from the online application:
Collegiate Activities and Employment List your extracurricular activities while in college in order of importance to you. You may include details about your positions and the time commitment, honors or awards received, and dates of participation. The list may also include part-time and summer employment held while in college. Please list your employer, job title, responsibilities, hours per week, and the dates for each position. Limit your response to 250 words or fewer.
Post-Collegiate Activities List community activities (clubs, church, civic, etc.) and professional associations you contributed to since graduation from college. Please include the organization name, your role, hours dedicated, elected offices held, and dates of participation. Limit your response to 250 words or fewer.
Hobbies and Activities Please list any hobbies or activities that hold special significance for you. Limit your response to 250 words or fewer.
Park Fellowship The Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows Program is only available to US Citizens applying for the Two-Year MBA program. The Park Fellowship is a full-tuition award and we select up to twenty-five Park Leadership Fellows each year. Park Fellows complete a rigorous leadership program in addition to academic classes. As part of the fellowship obligation, each Park Leadership Fellow also makes a significant public service contribution to the Johnson community, Cornell University, or the surrounding community. To receive consideration for the fellowship, you must submit your online application and complete an essay regarding leadership and attend a Johnson Leadership Exploration and Assessment Day (L.E.A.D.) event. Please limit your essay to 500 words or fewer. If eligible, would you like to apply for the Park Fellowship? If applying for the Park Fellowship, please answer the essay question below. What is your greatest example of leadership and what personal qualities helped you succeed in that role? [text box]
Essay questions
1. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (up to 200 words)
2. Describe a situation where you had to work jointly with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience? (up to 200 words)
Please complete both questions in the form below. [text box]
Career objectives Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must address the following questions: [text box] – What are your short and long term career objectives and what skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you achieve them? – What actions will you take before and during the MBA to contribute to your career outcome? – If you are unsure of your post-MBA career path, how will the MBA equip you for the future?
Additional open questions from the online application
Work experience – Employment Primary responsibilities – Describe your primary job responsibilities: 1. type and size of internal and external teams with which you work or supervise 2. type and number of clients or projects you manage; 3. size of budget or revenue for which you are responsible; 4. international experience or exposure (150 word limit) What is your most significant challenge? What is your most significant accomplishment?
Essay questions on Kellogg website
Please include the essay prompt in bold at the top of the page. Please use 12-point Times New Roman font, line spacing at 1.5 lines and 1-inch margins.
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)
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)
Additional open questions from the online application: Employer-Career Goals – What has been your most significant career accomplishment? (text box – 250 characters) – What is your desired position after Kellogg? (text box – 150 characters) – What is your long-term career goal after Kellogg? (text box – 150 characters) – What drives your interest in these short and long-term goals? (text box – 250 characters)
Video Essay Info
The Video Essay is one component of the application and provides you with an additional opportunity to demonstrate what you will bring to our vibrant Kellogg community – in an interactive way. You will respond to three short video essay questions. The questions are designed to bring to life the person we have learned about on paper.
- Starting September 1st, after submitting an application you will receive an email that will include directions on how to complete the three video essay questions. One question will be a “getting to know you,” icebreaker type of question. The second question will be an opportunity to describe your plans for the future and how Kellogg will help you on that journey. The third question will focus on a challenge you have faced.
- There are practice questions which 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. There is not 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.
- We estimate the video essays will take 20-25 minutes to complete – which includes time for set-up and answering all the practice questions. You will need an internet connected computer with a webcam, microphone and an updated version of Adobe Flash in order to complete the video essay.
For further information on the Video Essay please click here.
Essay questions on UNC website
We have one required essay and three optional essays. The essays for the 2016-2017 application season are:
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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 questions on LBS website
The Admissions Committee will carefully consider 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.
1. What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
2. (OPTIONAL) Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (500 words)
Additional open questions from the online application:
Current employment What’s your organisation’s main area of activity? [text box]
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. [text box]
If you are currently not working, or if you plan to leave your current employer more than three months before the programme starts, please explain your activities between leaving your last role and the start of the programme (max 300 words). [text box]
Is your employer willing to support you? In what way – time, tuition, or both? [text box]
Previous employment What was your organisation’s main area of activity? [text box]
Your responsibilities: [text box]
Academic performance Do you feel that your academic performance so far gives an accurate indication of your potential for success on the programme? If so, why? If not, why not? [text box]
Have you ever received formal disciplinary action from an academic institution or been forced to withdraw from a course of study? If so, you must declare the information here. [text box]
GMAT / GRE test 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? [text box]
Additional information Please tell us your most significant international experiences to date: (100 words max) [text box]
Tell us about your main interests and activities in your free time [text box]
Do you know any London Business School Alumni or Students? Please give their names, graduating class and tell us how you know them. [text box]
Essay #1 (Required) – 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)
Essay #2 (Required) – At Marshall, we take pride in the fact that our students work collaboratively, both inside and outside the classroom, to create a culture, a community, and an environment that truly defines what we call the Trojan Family. Please describe the contributions you expect to make to your classmates during your time at USC. How will they benefit from your presence in the program? (word limit: 500)
Essay #3 (Optional) – Please provide any additional information that will enhance our understanding of your candidacy for the program. (word limit: 250)
Essay questions on McCombs website
1. The University of Texas at Austin values unique perspectives and cultivates a collaborative environment of distinct individual contributions. It is the first day of orientation. You are meeting your study group, comprised of five of your classmates from various backgrounds. Please introduce yourself to your new team, highlighting what drives you in your personal and professional life. Select only one communication method that you would like to use for your response. – Write an essay (250 words) – Share a video introduction (one minute)
2. Based on your post-MBA goals and what drives you in your personal and professional life, why is the Texas MBA the ideal program for you and how do you plan to engage in our community? (500 words)
3. Optional Statement: Please provide any additional information you believe is important and/or address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the Admissions Committee in considering your application (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances). (250 words)
Essay questions on Ross website
Complete both required essays: 1. What are you most proud of outside of your professional life? How does it shape who you are today? (up to 400 words) 2. What is your desired career path and why? (up to 250 words)
Optional Statement: This section should only be used to convey information not addressed elsewhere in your application, for example, completion of supplemental coursework, employment gaps, academic issues, etc. Feel free to use bullet points where appropriate.
Additional Information If you need to provide additional information not provided in another part of the application, please upload below. Include your name and the type or purpose of the document in the header for identification. [upload file, up to 10 MB]
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: 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: 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.
Additional open questions from the online application:
Your Qualifications Have you undertaken degree-level study at any institution which you have not completed? If yes, please provide details of the course and the institution, and give an account of the circumstances. [text box – 100 characters] Are you planning to begin studying for a degree at any institution or will you be in the course of studying for a degree at any institution at any time when you would also be studying at Oxford for the programme for which you are now applying? If yes, please provide details of the course, the institution and how you believe it will be possible to pursue both programmes of study at the same time. [text box – 100 characters] Please provide details of any period of study, complete or incomplete, taken in the UK that you have not already listed. Please list start and end dates, course title, level and institution. Please only complete this section if you require a Tier 4 Visa. [text box – 500 characters] Please provide details of any research, publications and/or awards. [text box – 500 characters] Please provide information regarding any relevant professional qualifications that you hold including the professional firm or educational institution attended, qualification, subject, year achieved and result. [text box – 500 characters]
You at Work Please list your main responsibilities, your most significant challenge and your greatest achievement: [text box – 5000 characters]
Career Development Employment (respond ONLY if you have selected “Employment”): Describe below your immediate post-MBA plans: [text box – 1000 characters] How does your preferred sector in your preferred location recruit MBA talent? Describe the research you have done so far. [text box – 1000 characters] How do you meet these requirements? [text box – 1000 characters] What do you plan to do between now and starting your MBA to prepare and maximise your chances of success? [text box – 1000 characters] Should you not be successful in securing your first choice of role, what is your alternative? [text box – 1000 characters]
Entrepreneurship (respond ONLY if you have selected “Entrepreneurship”) Describe your business idea including details of your business plan and the steps you have taken so far to develop or launch your business idea. [text box – 1000 characters] How will the MBA help you start, or further develop, your own business? [text box – 1000 characters] What do you plan to do between now and starting your MBA to prepare and maximise your chances of success? [text box – 1000 characters] Should you not be successful in developing or launching your own business, what is your alternative? [text box – 1000 characters]
Other (respond ONLY if you have selected “Other”) Describe your immediate post-MBA plans [text box – 1000 characters] How does the MBA fit in your plans and how will it enhance your post-MBA direction?: [text box – 1000 characters]
Unsure (respond ONLY if you have selected “Unsure”) How will you develop your career goals before starting your MBA? [text box – 1000 characters] What research have you already conducted? What further research will you do? [text box – 1000 characters] How will the MBA help equip you for the future? [text box – 1000 characters]
Cover Letter and Resume
Cover Letter: Please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Senior Director of Admissions. (250 words or fewer) Upload a Word or PDF document.
Resume: Please submit a resume that includes your employment history and academic record in reverse chronological order. Other information appropriate to a business resume is welcomed and encouraged, including extracurricular activities, awards, and achievements. The resume should be no more than one page in length. Upload a Word or PDF document.
Optional Information The Admissions Committee invites you to share additional information about yourself in any format. If you choose a multimedia format, please host the information on a website and provide us with the URL.
Suggested guidelines: – Please keep all videos and media limited to 2:00 minutes, or LESS, in total length. – Please keep all written essays to 500 words or less. – If hosting your submission on a website, please ensure you provide an unprotected link (no password required).
Additional open questions from the online application: Employment Information – If there are any gaps in your employment history, please use the space below to explain. (text box – 1000 characters)
Essay questions on Stanford website
Essays help us learn about who you are rather than solely what you have done. Other parts of the application give insight to your academic and professional accomplishments; the essays reveal the person behind those achievements.
When writing your essays, resist the urge to “package” yourself into what you think Stanford wants to see. Doing so will only prevent us from understanding who you really are and what you hope to accomplish. The most impressive essays are the most authentic.
Essay Questions
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:
– 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. – Focus on the “why” rather than the “what.”
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. – If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.
Length Your answers for both essay questions combined may not exceed 1,150 words (1,200 words if you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs). Each of you has your own story to tell, so please allocate these words between the essays in the way that is most effective for you. Below is a suggested word count, based on what we typically see.
Essay Suggested Word Count Essay A 750 Essay B 400 Essay B (if applying to both the MBA and MSx programs) 450
Formatting – Double-spaced – 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 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, 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. 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 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 withdrawal of your offer of admission.
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Additional open questions from the online application:
Background – Tell us about a time within the last two years when your background or perspective influenced your participation at work or school. (text box – 1200 characters)
Professional Experience – Please write a sentence or two about what you aspire to do after graduating from Stanford GSB. (Limit 255 characters.) Have you had any gap(s) of four months or more in your employment or educational history since secondary school? Let us know what you did during that period. (Limit 145 characters)
Activities and Interests – For your first (most significant) activity or interest listed, why did you become involved? (Limit 255 characters.)
Additional Information – Through all of the elements of your application, we believe that we get to know you well. Complete this section only if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). Do not include essays, and please be brief. [upload document]
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:
– Written essays must be submitted using double-spacing and 12-point font. – Your response to Essay 1 should answer all parts of the question with a total maximum of 750 words. – Your essays should be written entirely by you. An offer of admission will be revoked if you did not write your essays.
Uploading Formats
You may upload word and PDF documents into the online application.
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.
Please note the following guidelines and restrictions:
– Your submission becomes the property of NYU Stern and cannot be returned for any reason. – Written Submission: The essay should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font. – Video/Audio Submission: If you submit a video or audio file, it should be five minutes maximum, and the file should be uploaded to a video/audio hosting website. You must include the URL, along with a brief description of the video/audio piece, in a Word or PDF document with your online application. Do not mail a USB or DVD to our office. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request an alternate essay if we are unable to view your submission. – Physical Submission: If you submit a physical piece for this essay (e.g. artwork), you must include a Word or PDF document with a photo and a brief description of your submission with your online application and note the following: * 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. * Mailed packages are subject to the size restrictions below. Submissions that exceed the stated size restrictions will not be accepted for review by the Admissions Committee.
| 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 |
. If you are a re-applicant from last year, you are not required to submit Essay 2.
Essay 3. Additional Information (optional) (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font) 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, IELTS or TOEFL or any other relevant information. If you are a re-applicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application. Additional open questions from the online application: Activities List college and post-college extracurricular, professional, or community activities in the order of their importance to you. Include dates of involvement and any offices held (e.g., Activity – Dates of Involvement – Office Held). [text box – 600 characters] Achievements List any college and post-college awards, scholarships, or other types of recognition you have received (academic – for example, Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude; military; extracurricular; professional; community). [text box – 400 characters] Professional Certifications List any professional certifications you have received (e.g. CFA, CPA, PMP, Series 7, etc.) [text box]
Essay question on Tepper website
Your essays are a great way for us to really get to know who you are. There are no right or wrong answers here – be authentic and tell us what we won’t find in the rest of your application.
Only one essay is required. There also is an optional essay if there is additional information you wish to share with the admissions committee about your candidacy.
REQUIRED ESSAY (Maximum 300 words, double spaced, 12 point font): Imagine that you meet up with a member of the Admission Committee at an airport while on a layover. You have an opportunity to make a memorable impression. Use this essay to introduce yourself. Include any information that you believe is important for the committee member to know about you both professionally and personally. OPTIONAL ESSAY Is there anything else that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application. This could include clarification of your employment or academic record, choice of recommenders or helpful context for the admissions committee in reviewing your application.
Additional open questions from the online application:
Post-MBA Goals We know that you have a lot to tell us but to keep it fair, your answers are limited to 150 words. – What is your professional goal immediately following graduation from Tepper? [text box] – What other role would you consider? In other words, what is your Plan B? [text box]
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 to 700 words for Essay #1 and 500 words for Essay #2. Please double-space your responses.
- (Required) Tuck educates wise leaders who better the world of business. What are your short- and long-term goals? How will a Tuck MBA enable you to become a wise leader with global impact?
- (Required) As a diverse and global community, our students arrive at the same place from many different paths. Tell us about an experience in which you have had to live, learn and/or work with other people very different from yourself. What challenges and/or opportunities did you experience, how did you respond, and what did you learn about yourself as a result?
- (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. [no word limit]
- (Required from Reapplicants) How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally. [no word limit]
Additional open questions from the online application:
Global Exposure Briefly list all experience you have working, studying, living, or traveling outside your home country. How have your experiences influenced your world view? If you have not yet had opportunities outside of your country, please discuss other ways in which you have gained global perspective. [text box – 300 words]
Awards Please list honors, awards, or other recognitions you have received since graduating from high school (academic, community, military, business, etc.) and provide a brief description of each, including the date received, the criteria/basis for selection and the organization granting it. [text box – 200 words per award]
First-time applicant and re-applicants (those who applied to begin the program in the fall of 2016 or 2015) are required to complete both essays. 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.
Essay 1: What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
Essay 2: Teamwork is at the core of the Wharton MBA experience with each student contributing unique elements to our collaborative culture. How will you contribute to the Wharton community? (400 words)
By asking these two questions, effectively breaking apart and expanding on last year’s essay question, our hope is to give applicants ample space to more fully explain their aspirations, goals, and how Wharton fits into those. We want to be able to view applicants from both sides of their world – one where they are professionals developing skills and seeking career advancement, but also the personal growth side where they are seeking out enriching experiences to become better, stronger, wiser, and a more robust person.
Take these two questions as an important opportunity to express who you are and what and who you want to be. It is important for us to know the real you and be able to envision you as part of the Wharton community.
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 2016 or 2015) 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)
Please upload all essays together as one document. Please include the question at the beginning of each essay.
Additional open questions from the online application:
Awards List your most significant community & professional awards as well as recognitions you have received. [text box – 2000 characters limit]
TOEFL/Additional Language Information Standardized test scores are not the only indicator of language skills, therefore, if you have submitted a TOEFL score, please use this section to describe how, when and where you are using English in your day-to-day life. This should include circumstances where you speak, read or write in English on a regular basis. (200 words) [text box – 1000 characters limit]
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.
One required essay:
Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)
Required for Reapplicants Only Since your last application, please discuss any significant updates to your candidacy, including changes in your personal or professional life, additional coursework, or extracurricular/volunteer activities. (200 words maximum; required for all reapplicants)
Optional Essay If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation (unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, promotions or recognitions, etc.), please provide a brief description here. (200 words maximum)
Additional open questions from the online application:
Academic Record – Graduate Degree Information If you have a graduate degree, how, if at all, does pursuing an MBA relate to your previous graduate studies? (text box – 100 words maximum)
Work Experience If you have had any post-undergraduate gaps in full-time employment greater than three months (other than for graduate study), please explain them below. (text box – 150 words maximum)
Post-MBA Career Goals How did you arrive at these career interests and how do you intend to pursue them? (text box – 200 words maximum)
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