MBA Essay Questions Published So Far Probably the best MBA Admissions Consulting firm in the world
Essay Questions for MBA Programs That Start In 2020
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.
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Essay Questions by School
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. We are specifically interested in your MBA goals and why you are applying to UCLA Anderson now. Please type or paste in your response within the word limit shown. Reapplicants (those who applied to the same program in the last two years) are only required to answer the Reapplication essay. Any applicant may use the Optional essay to share additional pertinent information if needed.Please adhere to the word limits outlined for each of the essay questions as you copy and paste your essays directly into the respective text boxes in the application. Please keep in mind that it is to your benefit to make your essays concise, clear and easy to read for the Admissions Committee as you directly answer the question asked. We do check your essays for plagiarism so make sure you always submit your own work.
NEW APPLICATION — SHORT ANSWER 1: Describe your short-term and long-term goals (text box, 150 words maximum)
NEW APPLICATION — SHORT ANSWER 2: Why is UCLA Anderson a good school for you? (text box, 150 words maximum)
NEW APPLICATION — ESSAY 1: At UCLA Anderson, we believe our students are engaged, courageous, humble, and open. Describe a time when you demonstrated one of these traits in your personal life. (text box, 250 words maximum)
REAPPLICATION: Reapplicants who applied for the class entering Fall 2018 or 2019 are required to complete the following essay: Please describe your career progress since you last applied and how you have enhanced your candidacy. Include information on your short-term and long-term career goals, as well as your continued interest in UCLA Anderson. (text box, 500 words maximum)
OPTIONAL: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? Please use your best judgment. (text box, 250 words maximum)
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Academics
- Please explain any failing grades received in college or university courses [text box]
Career
For each employer –
- Job Description [text box]
- Reason for Leaving (text box, 50 words maximum)
- Promotions and Dates Received [text box, 85 characters]
- Please describe and quantify additional annual compensation (e.g., relocation, automobile or military allowances, variable compensation or stock options) (in $U.S.) [text box, 100 characters]
Activities and Distinctions
- Please describe your participation in this activity. Include any honors won and accomplishments. [text box]
- Hobbies – Please list the hobbies you are most interested in [text box]
Conduct
- Other Information – If you wish to provide additional information about circumstances or qualifications not included in this application, please so do here. [text box]
Chicago Booth & 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]
- How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (text box, 250-word minimum)
Academics
- Awards and Honors – Please list any collegiate academic or athletic awards or honors you have received. [text box]
Employment
For each employer –
- Job Description (700 characters)
- Reason for Leaving (50 words maximum)
Professional Awards
- Please list any significant professional awards/recognition that you have received. [text box]
Recommendations
- Why did you choose these two recommenders? [text box]
Activities
- Chicago Booth immerses you in a choice-rich environment. How have your interests, leadership experiences, and other passions influenced the choices in your life? (text box, 250-word minimum)
- For each activity – Description of Participation (text box, 500 characters)
Additional Information
Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation? If so, please use this section to clarify. [text box, 300 words max]
Re-applicant Question:
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 word maximum)
Response Guidelines:
- Length: There is no maximum length, only a 250 word minimum. 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.
- Acceptable Formats: Submissions must be entered into the text box provided in the application.
Applicants must complete one short answer question and three essays.
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 over the next 3-5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)
Essay 2:
Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 words)
Essay 3:
Who is a leader you admire, and why? (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)
Deferred Enrollment candidates will answer three short essay questions instead of the essays listed above.
Question 1: How is a Columbia MBA going to help you? (250 words maximum)
Question 2: What has been your favorite class, and why? (250 words maximum)
Question 3: Who is a leader you admire, and why? (250 words maximum)
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ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION:
Employment
- Please provide an explanation for any gaps in your employment history [textbox, 1000 characters]
- For each employer:
- Duties/Responsibilities: [textbox]
- Reason for leaving [textbox, 50 words max]
Extracurricular Activities
- Please list other activities or interests that you regularly engage in: [textbox]
Tell us your story
Short answer questions:
1. The Darden School of Business is a thriving community of MBA students, faculty and alumni from a diverse array of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Because of the highly participatory nature of the MBA program — both inside and outside of the classroom — Darden actively recruits and fosters a vibrant MBA community. Below are a series of questions to allow you the opportunity to share the many dimensions of you. Darden strives to identify and cultivate responsible leaders who follow their purpose. Please provide an example of a situation in which you have made a meaningful impact. (text box, 200 words)
2. Diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission and they work best when they are an integral and celebrated part of our community. Read University of Virginia’s Diversity & Inclusion Vision Statement. Share a time in which you engaged with a perspective, identity, community, or experience that was different from your own and how it impacted your worldview. (text box, 200 words)
More about you
Short Answer Questions:
1. Tell us what you would want your learning team to know about you – personal, professional or both. (text box, 100 words)
2. What is your short-term, post-MBA career goal and why? (text box, 150 words)
3. The Batten Foundation Worldwide Scholarship provides all Darden students in our full-time MBA program with an opportunity to participate in a Darden Worldwide Course. Each year, Darden connects with over 80 countries. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel? (5 words) And why? (50 words)
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Where did you study?
- Non-Degree Coursework (Optional) – With regard to academic preparedness, we evaluate your undergraduate performance along with standardized test scores. We will also consider additional coursework that you are prepared for Darden. Please share examples that highlight your academic and quantitative preparedness. [text box, 150 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]
What do you do for fun?
- There are a variety of organizations and clubs at Darden that help shape our community and the Darden experience overall. In this section, we’d like to learn about your unique interests, talents and passions. Please list the professional associations and community activities (clubs, faith-based, civic, etc.) in which you have participated since graduation from university. If you graduated from university more than 10 years ago, please simply list your activities for the last 5 years, making sure to include:
- Activity Type
- Organization name
- Your role
- Dates of participation
- Description of your involvement
- List up to three hobbies or interests you enjoy in your free time.
Explore Charlottesville
- Darden community members love our city. Watch the video to learn why we love Charlottesville! What are you excited to explore in Charlottesville? (25 words)
Scholarship Information
Darden offers numerous merit-based scholarship to aspiring MBA students – many made possible through the generosity of alumni and friends of the School. Students who are offered admission to the Darden School are automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship. The majority of our scholarships do not require an additional application. There are a few scholarships for which we need additional information and/or require an additional essay. Please review our website for a complete listing of all scholarship offerings. Please answer the questions below if applicable. Of note, the Jefferson Fellowship is coordinated separately by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation.
Batten Scholars Program
All candidates for the Batten Scholars Program are expected to exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit, strong leadership skills and a drive for innovation, as well as recognizable background characteristics and goals that satisfy the desired purposes of the Batten Institute. For clarity, we designate three categories of Batten Scholars, which embrace particular aspects of entrepreneurship and innovation. Please visit the Darden website for details.
To apply, please select the scholarship for which you are applying and answer the questions below.
Please answer the following in the text box below.
- How do you meet the criteria of the Batten Scholars Program, consistent with the priorities of the Batten Institute?
- How you will contribute to the Darden community?
- How would this award and Darden further your career ambitions in entrepreneurship, innovation and technology?
Additional Information
If there is further information you believe would be helpful to the Admission Committee, please provide it: [text box, 250 words]
1. Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? [text box, max 3000 characters]
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). [text box, max 3000 characters]
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? [text box, max 3000 characters]
4. Complete two of the following four questions or statements: [text box, max 3000 characters]
- 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. (text box, max 3000 characters)
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Languages & International Exposure
- List the countries or country in which you have lived, studied, or worked. Provide the times spent in the country and purpose of the stay. Please state ‘Not Applicable’ if this question does not apply. Maximum 255 characters (including spaces) [TEXT BOX]
Additional information
- Are you applying to other Schools? Please provide detail of Schools and Programmes. This information is for our own records; it will not affect the Admissions Comittee’s decision. Maximum 255 characters (including spaces). [TEXT BOX]
- Did you learn about this programme through an Alumnus recommendation? If so please provide us with the name and graduation year. Maximum 255 characters (including spaces). [TEXT BOX]
Professional Information
- Reason for leaving. Maximum 200 characters (including spaces) [TEXT BOX]
- Main Tasks and Responsibilities. Maximum 4000 characters (including spaces) [TEXT BOX]
Two short answer questions and two essay questions must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your responses carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your answers to the following questions important in the selection process. Re-applicants: candidates who applied to the Daytime MBA program during the 2018-2019 application cycle are considered re-applicants. All re-applicants are required to complete the Re-applicant Essay in addition to the Short Answer Questions and Applicant Essays. Re-applicants are not required to generate a new list of “25 Random Things About Yourself,” but may submit the same list from last year OR create a new list of “25 Random Things”. Applicants also have the opportunity to submit optional information explaining any extenuating circumstances about which the Admissions Committee should be aware. All essays are scanned using plagiarism detection software. Expressing your ideas by using verbiage from existing sources, including other applicants’ essays or materials, without properly crediting those sources constitutes an act of plagiarism. Plagiarism is considered a cheating violation within the Honor Code and will result in an application denial. Note: if you have worked with a consultant to complete your application materials, please ensure that the honor code policy is discussed and he/she will not share your essays with other potential applicants.
Short Answer Questions
Short answer questions will allow for 500 characters only – the equivalent of about 100 words.
1. Why is pursuing an MBA the right next step for you? [text box, 500 characters]
2. What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first-choice career plan and your alternate plan. [text box, 500 characters]
Essay 1
The ‘Team Fuqua’ spirit and community is one of the things that sets the MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. Please share with us “25 Random Things” about you. These ’25 Random Things’ help us get to know someone’s personality, their background, special talents, and more.
The Admissions Committee wants to get to know YOU – beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. Share with us important life experiences, your likes/dislikes, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are.
Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may only be 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. [UPLOAD]
Essay 2
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. [UPLOAD]
Optional Information
If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance). Note that you should NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area. The Optional Information section is intended to provide the admissions committee with insight into your circumstances only.
Your response should be no more than 1 page, 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. [UPLOAD]
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Professional Experience
For each employer –
- In your own words, briefly describe your role and responsibilities [text box]
- Reason for Leaving [text box]
Leadership Experience and Community Involvement
- Please add all leadership experiences and community involvement activities in which you have been active during or after your university studies. Please do not include work-related activities that are a part of your job responsibilities. Indicate the nature of the activity or organization, your role/contribution to the organization, the dates of involvement and the time devoted to each. Contribution [text box]
Conduct and Honor Code
- Have you ever been dropped, suspended, placed on academic or disciplinary probation, disciplined, expelled, requested or advised to resign from any post-secondary school, college, university, professional school, or law school?
- Have you ever been arrested, charged or cited for any crime or been convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation? You are not required to report any matter that has been expunged by a court of law.
- Have you ever been discharged or dismissed from the armed forces other than by honorable discharge or been subject to military discipline?
By answering “Yes” to one or more of the above questions, you are required to submit a supplementary explanatory statement. To upload your statement, choose your file and click the upload button. You will be able to preview your document once the upload has completed successfully. [UPLOAD]
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 industries, backgrounds, and cultures. Our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles – Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself. We encourage you to reflect on your experiences, values, and passions so that you may craft thoughtful and authentic responses that demonstrate your fit with our program – culturally, academically, and professionally.
Application essays will be screened through anti-plagiarism software.
Required Essays
Essay #1
What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (text box, 300 words maximum)
Essay #2
At Berkeley Haas, we are redefining leadership. We value different opinions and perspectives, recognizing that we always have more to learn about others’ lived experiences and histories. We encourage speaking up and listening, and courageously use our power to address barriers and drive change for positive impact. Tell us how a Berkeley Haas MBA would enhance your leadership profile, incorporating specific examples. (text box, 300 words 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. (text box)
2. List, in order of importance, up to five 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
If not applicable, enter N/A. [text box]
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. If not applicable, enter N/A. [text box]
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 applicable, enter N/A. (An affirmative response to this question does not automatically disqualify you from admission). [text box]
Optional Information
We invite you to help us better understand the context of your opportunities and achievements. You may answer part, all, or none of the questions as it relates to your background.
1) What is the highest level of education completed by your parent(s) or guardian(s)?
- Parent 1: [select]
- Parent 2: [select]
2) What is the most recent occupation of your parent(s) or guardian(s)?
- Parent 1: [select]
- Parent 2: [select]
3) If you were raised in one of the following household types, please indicate: [select]
4) If English was not the primary language spoken in your childhood home, please indicate: [select]
5) If you have you ever been responsible for providing significant and continuing financial or supervisory support for someone else, please indicate: [select]
Please elaborate on any of your above responses. Alternatively, you may use this opportunity to expand on other hardships or unusual life circumstances that may help us understand the context of your opportunities, achievements, and impact. (text box, 300 words maximum)
Additional Optional Information
This section should only be used to convey relevant information not addressed elsewhere in your application. This may include explanation of employment gaps, academic aberrations, supplemental coursework, etc. You are encouraged to use bullet points where appropriate. [text box]
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Personal Data II
Work Experience – Briefly describe your immediate post-MBA career goal, and discuss how it will put you on a path to a meaningful and rewarding career. (text box, 150 words maximum)
Employment
For each employer –
- Responsibilities / Accomplishments: [text box]
- Reasons for Leaving (put N/A if not applicable): [text box]
There is one question for the Class of 2022:
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, or overwrite. Answer the question in clear language that those of us who don’t know your world can understand.
Please upload your document below. We have no preferences for font type or size. Note that we do not accept audio or video submissions in lieu of a written essay.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION:
Employment
Additional Employment Questions:
- Please provide an explanation for any gaps in your employment history: [text box, 1000 characters]
Extracurricular Activities
- For each activity – Description (200 character limit)
Awards and Recognition
- For each award – Basis of Selection (200 character limit)
Post-MBA Goals
Please enter your Intended Post-MBA goals below.
- Industry Group [select]
- Function [select]
- Briefly tell us more about your career aspirations: [text box, 500 characters]
Additional Information
Please share 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 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. [text box, 500 characters]
How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (400 words)
Essay Question I: What do you want to be remembered for? (word limit 300 max) [upload]
Essay Question II: Describe your short and medium term post-MBA goals? (word limit 300 max) [upload]
Optional Essay – I wish the admissions committee had asked me… (word limit 300 max) [upload]
ADDITIONAL QUESTION FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Do you wish to apply for scholarships offered by IESE? If yes, upload a Scholarship Essay:
IESE Scholarship Essay – How do you plan to finance your MBA and why do think you deserve a scholarship? (500 words)
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 (text box, maximum 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 (text box, maximum 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, etc). How are you enriched by these activities? (text box, maximum 300 words) *
4. Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (optional) (text box, maximum 300 words)
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Please briefly explain any time gaps (2 months or more) since leaving high school that are unaccounted for in your application (text box, 30 words maximum).
VIDEO
Shortly after submitting this application form, you will receive a link to a video interview. This video component is required to start the evaluation of your application. You will have 48 hours after the application deadline you are applying for to complete the video interview. Once submitted, the video interviews will no longer be modifiable. Therefore please ensure that you carefully test your devices before starting the exercise. We are keen on getting to know you better and believe that through a video you can come to life, so be spontaneous, be creative and be yourself! We look forward to virtually meeting you!
Goals Statement
Use this short answer question to succinctly share your short and long term goals. If invited to interview, you will have the opportunity to elaborate further and should be prepared to connect your prior experience with your future aspirations. A statement of your goals will begin a conversation that will last throughout the admissions process and guide your steps during the MBA program and experience. To the best of your understanding today, please share your short and long term goals by completing the following sentences and answering the enclosed short answer question (350 words maximum):
Immediately post-MBA my goal is to work as a(n) ___(Role)___ at __(Company)__ within __(Industry)__.
- Targeted Job Role __________
- Target Job Company __________
- Industry __________
In 5-10 years post-MBA my goal is to work as a(n) ___(Role)___ at __(Company)__ within __(Industry)__.
- Targeted Job Role in 5-10 years __________
- Target Job Company in 5-10 years __________
- Industry in 5-10 Years __________
How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals? [text box]
IMPACT ESSAY
This essay is designed to explore the intersection of engagement and community culture. Whether during the program or following graduation, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. To help you explore your potential for impact, we encourage you to engage with our students, alumni, faculty, and professional staff. You may choose to connect with them via email or phone or in person during one of our on campus or off campus events. As you seek their input and insight, please be respectful of their time and prepare a few discussion points or questions in advance. At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make an impact during the next several years of your education and/or career? (text box, 350 words maximum)
Back of Your Resume Essay
This essay is an opportunity to present yourself as an individual. We encourage you to think about your proudest accomplishments, interests and passions, and personal highlights that will help us to get to know you as a person and potential community member. 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 essay, please limit your submission to 350 words or fewer. Multimedia submissions should be under 3 minutes. The front page of your resume has given us a sense of your professional experience and accomplishments as well as your academic summary and extracurricular involvement. If the back page reflects “the rest of your story,” please help us get to know you better by sharing ONE example of a life experience, achievement, or passion that will give us a sense of who you are as a potential community member.
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 essay, please limit your submission to 350 words or fewer. Multimedia submissions should be under 3 minutes. Please limit multimedia submissions to under 3 minutes Submission of your application requires a completed Back of Resume essay. Please upload a document or enter your content in the field provided.[text box] [Upload your creative submission]
Optional Essay (Required for Re-Applicants)
You may use this essay to call attention to items needing clarification and to add additional details to any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson (text box, 350 words maximum). If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application and candidacy since the last time you applied for admission. Please also review our Admissions Policy for additional information about re-applying (350 words maximum).
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Employment History
- Description of Organization [text box]
- Describe your duties [text box]
- If applicable, please explain your reason for leaving. [text box]
Family Business
- Are you affiliated with a family business? If yes, please describe the company as well as your relationship to it. [text box]
Education History
- Academic awards, activities, honors, fellowships or scholarships. [text box]
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. [text box]
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. [text box]
Hobbies and Activities
- Please list any hobbies or activities that hold special significance for you. Limit your response to 250 words or fewer. [text box]
Scholarship
- What steps have you taken to prepare financially for your MBA study? [text box]
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 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, max 500 words]
Miscellaneous Information
- What other programs have you or will apply to? [text box]
- Have you ever entered a plea of guilty, no contest, nolo contendere, or an Alford plea or received a deferred prosecution or prayer for judgment continued to a criminal charge? If yes, please explain. (Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer). [text box]
- Have you ever been disciplined or placed under academic sanction (for example, expulsion, suspension, probation or formal reprimand) by any college or university you have attended, or are there disciplinary charges pending against you at the present time? If yes, please explain. (Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer). [text box]
Personal Statement
In an essay that is 500-700 words in length, please answer the following questions:
1. Why are you applying to the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA?
2. Why do you believe you are well-suited for a one-year, tech-focused MBA (as opposed to a traditional two-year MBA program that would offer a summer internship opportunity)?
3. What specific skills or competencies are you hoping to acquire in the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA?
4. What personal attributes or skills do you think make you ideally-suited to be a Cornell Tech MBA student?
5. Demonstrate the relationship between your current professional experience and academic background to your short- and long-term career goals for this program.
6. Describe a situation in your personal or professional life when you were faced with a difficult decision and how you resolved it (focusing on your process, not just the resolution itself).
[upload]ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Academic history
- Have you ever been expelled or academically dismissed from school? if yes, please explain [text box]
Professional Experience
- Professional and career interests [text box]
Additional information
- How did you first learn about Cornell Tech? Please elaborate, if you’d like. [text box]
- What other graduate programs are you applying to, if any? [text box]
Essay question 1
What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (text box, up to 200 words)
Essay question 2
Describe a situation where you had to work jointly with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience? (text box, up to 200 words)
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 QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Language information
- Application Waiver – If English is not your first language, but you are fluent and believe that we should waive the requirement to take an English language proficiency test, please use the field below to provide your explanation. [text box]
Work experience – Current employment
- Reason for leaving [text box]
- Previous roles/promotions at your current company – including dates (text box, Maximum 150 words)
- Describe your primary job responsibilities; type and size of internal and external teams with which you work or supervise; type and number of clients or projects you manage; size of budget or revenue for which you are responsible; international experience or exposure (text box, 150 word limit)
- What has been your most significant professional challenge? (text box, 200 word limit)
- What has been your most significant professional achievement? (text box, 200 word limit)
Additional information
- About you – Please provide information on any aspect of your candidacy that requires further explanation, or information that you would like the Admissions Committee to know (text box, 300 word limit).
This is your chance to tell us why you think Kellogg is the right place for you. As you get started, remind yourself of the experiences that led you here and how they have shaped where you want to go.
*Please note: Be sure to include the essay prompt in bold at the top of your essay. If you’re uploading a document, please use 12-point Times New Roman font, 1.5 line spacing and 1-inch margins.
Essay 1
Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)
[upload document Or, type or copy-and-paste your answer in text box]Essay 2
Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)
[upload document Or, type or copy-and-paste your answer in text box]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.).
[upload document Or, type or copy-and-paste your answer in text box]Certain applicants will respond to additional questions:
1Y applicants: Please discuss your post-MBA career goal, the current experience you will leverage to support the transition, and the Kellogg 1Y opportunities that will help you reach this goal. (250 words)
JD-MBA applicants: Please discuss your post-JD-MBA career goals and why the JD-MBA Program is the right program to help you reach those goals. (250 words)
MMM applicants: The five core values of the MMM Program are curiosity, creativity, empathy, open-mindedness and a learning mindset. Describe a situation in which you demonstrated one of these values. Why is this value an important part of the MMM experience for you? (250 words)
Reapplicants: Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? (250 words)
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Professional Experience
Career Goals
- What has been your most significant career accomplishment? [text box, 240 characters]
- What is your desired position after Kellogg? [text box, 150 characters]
- What is your long-term career goal? [text box, 150 characters]
- What drives your interest in these short- and long-term goals? [text box, 240 characters]
Higher Education
Jobs or Work-Study Programs
If you held a paid part-time job or work-study position during your undergraduate studies, please list the average number of hours a week spent working. Internships and summer positions should not be included here.
- Brief description of employment: [text box, 200 characters]
Awards, Certifications and Recognition
- Description (100 Character Limit)
Extracurricular Activities
- Activity – Description of Participation (100 character limit)
- International Experience – Purpose (100 character limit)
The Admissions Committee will consider carefully the answers to the following essay questions. To provide your answers to the following essay questions, you must download the essay-question answer template using the link at the end of this paragraph. Complete your answers in the template, then attach them to your application form. 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 goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these?
Question 2 (500 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 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, 400 words max)
- 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 (text box, max 300 words).
- 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, been forced to withdraw from a course of study, or failed to graduate? If so, you must declare that information here. [text box]
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? [text box]
Additional information
The information you give on this page will help us to provide you with information relevant to your interests and to improve our admissions process.
- Please tell us your most significant international experiences to date. (text box, 100 words max)
- Tell us about your main interests and activities in your free time. (text box, 400 words max)
- 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? (text box, 300 words max)
- If you know any London Business School Alumni or Students, please give their names, graduating class and tell us how you know them. (text box, 300 words max)
Put your full name and the question being answered at the top of each page and use at least 11 point font and 1.5 line spacing for each essay question.
Do NOT include any other self-identifying information in your essays such as social security number or date of birth.
Essays may be submitted to a third party vendor to detect for submissions that may contain plagiarized content.
1. Select one prompt from each group of the three groups below. Respond to each selected prompt in 100 words or less (<100 words each; 300 words total). Every word counts here – the tight word count is intentional to force you to focus.
- Group 1
- I want people to know that I:
- I made a difference when I:
- Group 2
- I was humbled when:
- I am out of my comfort zone when:
- Group 3
- I was aware that I was different when:
- I was challenged when:
Please attach your essay using the following button: [upload, Limit files to under 10Mb, Accepted File Types: ., .pdf, .rtf, .doc, .docx]
2. Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this career goal right for you? (300 words)
Please attach your essay using the following button: [upload, Limit files to under 10Mb, Accepted File Types: .pdf, .rtf, .doc, .docx]
Optional statement:
Is there something in your resume or application that could use some explanation? This is your chance to elaborate. You might want to discuss completion of supplemental coursework, employment gaps, academic issues, etc.
Please attach your essay using the following button: [upload, Limit files to under 10Mb.]
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]
Crime and Conduct
- Have you ever been expelled, suspended or placed on probation by any secondary school or college you have attended, for reason of academic dishonesty or because of an offense that harmed or had the potential to harm others? (You must check a response.) Yes No
- Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation, or been found to be delinquent by a juvenile court, or are there such charges currently pending against you at this time? (You must check a response.) Yes No
- Have you ever had a professional license revoked or been subject to disciplinary action by a licensing board or commission due to an ethical violation or professional misconduct? (You must check a response.) Yes No
If you answered “Yes” to any of the questions above, please enter your explanation here. Please limit your response to no more than 50 lines of text. [text box]
Your essays should be your own work and may be checked using plagiarism detection software as part of the admissions process. If you are including information in your essays that you did not author, for example, quoting from an article, please use appropriate citations and footnotes (these are excluded from the word count). Please keep to the word count, though a tolerance of +/- 10% is acceptable. When reviewing your written statement and essays, the Admissions Committee will be looking for evidence of the following: Good communication skills, leadership potential, analytical skills, and fit within the Oxford MBA community, among other characteristics.
Is there anything not covered in the application form that you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you? [Upload document, 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)
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Qualifications
- 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 (full-time Programmes only). [text box]
- Please provide details of any research, publications and/or awards. [text box]
- Executive Programmes Attended [text box]
- Professional Qualifications – 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]
- Professional Qualifications – Please upload any certificates relevant to your professional qualifications [upload]
Employment History
- Define your current role – Please list your main responsibilities, your most significant challenges and greatest achievement [text box, 5500 characters]
Post-MBA Plans
Please select the option(s) most aligned to your short-term career goals: [employment / Entrepreneurship / other / returning to current employer]
If employment was selected:
- Describe below your immediate plan after graduating from the MBA: [text box]
- Preferred sector upon graduating from the MBA [select]
- Preferred location upon graduating from the MBA [select]
- How does your preferred sector in your preferred location recruit MBA talent and what do they look for in a candidate? Describe the research you have done so far. [text box]
- Reflecting on your answer above, how do you meet these requirements? [text box]
- What do you plan to do between now and starting your MBA to prepare and maximise your chances of success? [text box]
- Should you not be successful in securing your first choice of role, what is your alternative? [text box]
If Entrepreneurship was selected:
- 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]
- How will the MBA help you start, or further develop, your own business? [text box]
- What do you plan to do between now and starting your MBA to prepare and maximise your chances of success? [text box]
- Should you not be successful in developing or launching your own business, what is your alternative? [text box]
If other was selected:
- Describe your plan after graduating from the MBA [text box]
- How does the MBA fit in your plans and how will it enhance your short-term direction? [text box]
- How will you develop your career goals before starting your MBA? [text box]
- What research have you already conducted? What further research will you do? [text box]
- How will the MBA help equip you for the future? [text box]
If returning to current employer was selected:
- Is your current employer planning to sponsor your MBA? [select]
- Describe the role you will be returning to and provide any other pertinent information [text box]
Funding
- Linbury Scholarships – Upload your Linbury Scholarship essay here (maximum 500 words)
- Jacobs Foundation Scholarships – Upload your Jacobs Foundation Scholarship essay here (maximum 500 words)
- Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Scholarship – Upload your supporting materials here
- Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme – Upload your supporting materials here
How did you hear about this programme
- Which other programmes at which institutions have you applied for or are planning to apply for? [text box]
- Please specify your three main criteria for shortlisting programmes: ____________________ ____________________ ____________________
Oxford online assessment – see details here: https://aringo.com/oxford-online-assessment/
Cover Letter
MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion. Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Assistant Deans of Admissions, Rod Garcia and Dawna Levenson (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).[Upload a Word or PDF document.]
Resume
Please submit a one-page resume (Times New Roman 10 point font preferred) 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. Please REDACT your name, address, and contact information. For formatting purposes, please list the information in the following order: Education – please feel free to include relevant awards, scholarships, professional societies Work Experience – please list in reverse chronological order and include: company name, title, results-oriented bullets that demonstrate your skill set, and dates. Additional information – languages, extracurricular activities/community service, technical skills/certifications, special skills/interests (if appropriate)[Upload a Word or PDF document.]
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Academic Information
- Additional Details – Are there any areas of concern with regard to your academic record? If so, please briefly explain here: [text box]
Employment Information
- For each employer –
- Company and Job Description [text box]
- Reason for Leaving [text box, 50 words maximum]
- If there are any gaps in your employment history, please use the space below to explain. [text box, 1000 characters]
Organizational Structure
Please upload an organizational chart which outlines the internal structure of your department and current organization. Limit to two pages. Note: You may choose to create your own document or redact individuals’ names. However, please provide as much information as possible. We should be able to see your line of reporting to the top of your organization, and to easily find you, your peers, your supervisor, their peers, and your direct reports (should you have any), as well as any recommender or references from your current organization. For those in consulting, please submit an organizational chart of a current or previous project you were staffed on.
Video
Please take a minute to introduce yourself to your future classmates via video. Tell us about your past experiences and why MIT Sloan is the best place for you to pursue your MBA.
Videos should be a single take (no editing) lasting no more than one minute and consisting of you speaking directly to the camera. We recommend using an application such as QuickTime or iMovie to record yourself.
Upload Instructions
To upload media to your digital portfolio, add the files using the “Select Files” button below and click “Start Upload.” Uploading may take anywhere from seconds to several hours depending upon the size of the media file and your connection speed. If your file is large, we recommend that you upload from a wired connection if possible. Once your file has been received, it will be displayed under the “Your Portfolio” tab. Your file will be processed and converted into its final form soon after uploading. Processing may take several minutes or hours depending upon the file size. You do not need to remain on this page after the media has been uploaded, as processing will occur automatically and independently. You may re-order your uploaded media at any time by dragging the slides around. Please supply title and media information by clicking Edit Details. Should you experience difficulties uploading your file, please ensure that you’re using a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) on the fastest wired Internet connection available. An intermittent or slow Internet connection can cause uploads to timeout.
File Sizes and Types
We support media files as large as 5GB, but please be advised that larger files will take longer to upload from your Internet connection and may stall if you are on a wireless connection or one that cannot sustain a connection for the necessary period of time. Uploaded documents may contain no more than 75 pages. We support the following file formats:
- Video: .avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, .wmv
- Apple ProRes is not currently supported. If uploading a .mov, please use an alternate codec.
We request that you write two personal essays. In each essay, we want to hear your genuine voice. Think carefully about your values, passions, aims, and dreams. There is no “right answer” to these questions—the best answer is the one that is truest for you.
Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?
For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?
Essay B: Why Stanford?
Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.
Length
Both essays combined may not exceed 1,150 words. We recommend up to 750 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B. We often find effective essays written in far fewer words.
Formatting
- Double-spaced
- 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.
Optional Short-Answer Question
The two required essays shed light on who you are and how you imagine Stanford will help you achieve your aspirations. We are also interested in learning about the things you have done that are most meaningful to you. In this section, we provide an optional opportunity to go beyond your resume to discuss some of your contributions more fully.
Please do not include your short-answer response in your essays upload; use the text boxes provided in the application.
Optional Short-Answer Question:
Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? You are welcome to share up to three examples. (Up to 1500 characters, approximately 250 words, for each example)
Editing Your Essays
Begin work on the essays early to give yourself time to reflect, write, and edit.
Feel free to ask friends or family members for feedback — especially about whether the tone and voice sound like you. Your family and friends know you better than anyone. If they think the essays do not capture who you are, what you believe, and what you aspire to do, then surely we will be unable to recognize what is distinctive about you.
Feedback vs. Coaching
There is a big difference between “feedback” and “coaching.” You cross that line when any part of the application (excluding the letters of 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 any part of your application for you and, as a result, your application or self-presentation is not authentic.
It is improper and a violation of the terms of this application process to have someone else write your essays. Such behavior will result in denial of your application or revocation of your admission.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Background
- More About You – Tell us about a time within the last two years when your background influenced your participation at work or school. [textbox, 1150 characters max]
Application Information
- Have you ever been convicted of a crime, had a criminal charge sustained against you in a juvenile proceeding, or been placed on a court-supervised probation, or do you currently have a criminal charge pending against you? if yes, Please explain: Upload a separate document here.
Education
- Have you ever been suspended, dismissed, or placed on enforced leave from any college, university, or post-secondary institution or been the subject of disciplinary action by such an institution? Have you ever been placed on academic probation by any college or university? if yes, Please explain: Upload a separate document here.
Professional Experience
Employment Information
- Please write a sentence or two about what you aspire to do after graduating from Stanford GSB. (textbox, 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. (textbox, Limit 145 characters)
- For each employer – Nature of organization/employer’s activities [textbox, 255 characters limit]
Activities and Interests
- Description of activity/interest and your role, impact, or contribution. (textbox, Limit 300 characters.)
Awards and Honors
- Basis of Selection (textbox, 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 additional information 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 maximum of 500 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 (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)
- What are your short and long-term career goals?
- How will the MBA help you achieve them?
Essay 2: Personal Expression (a.k.a. “Pick Six”)
Describe yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements:
- A brief introduction or overview of your “Pick Six” (no more than 3 sentences).
- Six images that help illustrate who you are.
- A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.
Note: Your visuals may include photos, infographics, drawings, or any other images that best describe you. Your document must be uploaded as a single PDF. The essay cannot be sent in physical form or be linked to a website.
[UPLOAD]Essay 3: Additional Information (optional) (250 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, EA, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Background Information
- Disciplinary Background – Have you ever been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation, suspended, or required to withdraw from any college or university? if yes, Please explain the circumstances in the field below (text box, 1000 characters).
Professional Background
- Are you including an EQ Endorsement from your current supervisor? if not, You must provide an explanation for not including a recommendation from your current supervisor here. [text box, no limit]
Employment History
For each position –
- Description [text box, no limit]
- Reason for Leaving (text box, 50 words maximum)
Activities and Achievements
Activities
- List 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, no limit]
- List 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, no limit]
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, no limit]
Professional Certifications
- List any professional certifications you have received (e.g. CFA, CPA, PMP, Series 7, etc.) [text box, no limit]
Goals and Essays
Here’s where things get interesting! Now its your turn. Tell us about your professional goals and then give us a little insight into who you are and why you should be part of the Tepper MBA. First, tell us your career goals – where are you headed? Next, answer our essay question so we can learn more about you. That’s right, just ONE essay question! Finally, there is an optional essay for you to share whatever you like with us. We can’t wait to see what you have to say.
Career Goals
- Desired Industry? [select]
- Desired Function? [select]
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]
MBA Essay
At Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School, we value our community and it is important for each person to contribute to its success. What difference will you make as a member of the MBA class at the Tepper School? (Maximum 300 – 350 words, double spaced, 12 point font) [upload]
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. [upload]
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Employment
For each employer –
- Tell us about your company – industry, products/services, how many employees and annual revenue. [text box]
- Reason for Leaving (text box, 50 words maximum)
Reaching Out MBA Fellowship
- Would you like to be considered for the Reaching Out MBA Fellowship? If yes, please upload a one-page essay that answers the following question: At the Tepper School, we look for outspoken leaders who are willing to take adversity head on. What specific initiatives have you engaged in to bring awareness to your local community or place of work? [upload]
One More Thing
- One more question from the Admission Committee – just for fun! List an interesting fact about yourself that you’d like to share with your future Tepper classmates (P.S. – 1 or 2 sentences will be just fine): [text box]
Your essays are an opportunity to articulate your candidacy for Tuck. The best responses are clear, succinct, forthright, thoughtful, genuine, and so distinctly personal that only you could have written them. We expect that your essays are completely accurate and exclusively your own. Use of essay writing services violates Tuck’s admissions policies.
Essay Questions
- Tuck students can articulate how the distinctive Tuck MBA will advance their aspirations. Why are you pursuing an MBA and why Tuck? (textbox, 300 words)
- Tuck students recognize how their individuality adds to the fabric of Tuck. Tell us who you are. (textbox, 300 words)
- Tuck students invest generously in one another’s success even when it is not convenient or easy. Share an example of how you helped someone else succeed. (textbox, 300 words)
- Optional: Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere (e.g., atypical choice of evaluators, factors affecting academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application. (textbox, 300 words)
- To be completed by all reapplicants: How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally. (textbox, 300 words)
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Personal Information
- Convictions – Have you ever been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a criminal offense (other than a minor traffic violation), or are there such charges currently pending against you? if yes, Please explain the circumstances. [text box, 200 words]
Application Specifics
- Share your short term goals. [text box, 50 words]
- Share your long term goals [text box, 50 words]
Other Education Information
- Did you transfer to another institution during your undergraduate or graduate degree? (Remember to provide transcript(s) for any transfer institutions) if yes, Please explain the reason(s) for your transfer(s). [text box, 200 words]
- Did you study abroad or participate in an exchange program during your undergraduate or graduate degree? if yes, Please list the institutions and/or programs you attended. [text box, 200 words]
- Have you taken or are you currently enrolled in any post-graduate, non-degree courses? If yes, please list courses below. It is not necessary to list courses that appear on your uploaded transcripts. Please provide the following information: Institution, Term/Year, Course Title, and Grade. [text box]
- Are you planning to take any courses prior to enrollment at Tuck? If yes, please list courses below. It is not necessary to list courses that appear on your uploaded transcripts. Please provide the following information: Institution, Term/Year, Course Title, and Grade [text box]
- Have you ever been suspended, expelled, or placed on probation at any institution of higher education for academic or disciplinary reasons? if yes, Please provide an explanation below. (If you need additional space please use the optional essay.) [text box, 200 words]
Employment History
For each employer –
- Description of your organization [text box, 75 words]
- Description of your responsibilities [text box, 75 words]
- Reason for leaving, if applicable [text box, 75 words]
Activities
- For each activity – Description of Participation [text box]
Awards
- For each award – Description [text box]
First-time applicant and re-applicants (those who applied to begin the program in the fall of 2019 or 2018) 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.
1. (Required) What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (text box, 500 words max)
2. (Required) Describe an impactful experience or accomplishment that is not reflected elsewhere on your application. How will you use what you learned through that experience to contribute to the Wharton community? (text box, 400 words max)
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). (text box, 250 words max)
All re-applicants (those who applied for Fall 2019 or 2018) 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)
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Personal Information
- Awards – List your most significant community & professional awards as well as recognitions you have received. (text box, 2000 characters max)
Work Experience
- How many employees do you supervise? Please explain this number briefly (i.e. direct reports, matrix organization, dotted line). (text box, 500 characters max)
- Reason for Leaving (text box, 400 characters max)
Academic Background
- Academic Awards (text box, 1000 characters max)
Test Information
- English Language Test Waiver – I am waiving the English language test because I have earned an undergraduate or master’s degree in an English-speaking country or from an institution at which English is the language of instruction or I have spent 4 years in an English speaking professional environment. (If waiving due to professional environment, please provide a description of your environment below.) If waiving due to professional environment or academic experience, please provide a description here. (text box, 1000 characters max)
- Additional Language Information – Standardized test scores are not the only indicator of language skills, therefore, if you have submitted an English language test 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 max)
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. If you have applied to the Yale School of Management in the last two years, you must complete both the Required Essay and the Required for Reapplicants essay. Any aspect of your application that requires additional explanation may be addressed in the Optional Information section. Please note that this section is truly optional – if no aspect of your application requires further explanation, you can leave this section blank.
ARINGO’s note to candidates, due to Yale’s 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.
Required Essay
Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum) [upload]
Optional Information
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) [upload]
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM THE ONLINE APPLICATION
Video Questions
After you pay the application fee, a link to the required video questions will appear on your status page. The three video questions require a laptop or desktop and high-speed internet connection. They will take about 20 minutes to complete.
Behavioral Assessment
After you pay the application fee, a link to the behavioral assessment will appear on your status page. The assessment is a series of questions that will take about 20 minutes to complete. The Behavioral Assessment is an online admissions tool administered by the research division of ETS, which measures a set of interpersonal and intrapersonal competencies associated with business school success. It is a forced-choice module that takes about 20-25 minutes to complete, and should be completed in a single sitting. Applicants do not need to do anything in advance to prepare for the assessment, nor does it require any specialized knowledge, background, or information to complete. At Yale SOM, we look for broadminded, intellectually curious students that represent a diversity of backgrounds and interests. With this goal in mind, we consider applications holistically, and review each candidate within the context of the overall pool without fixed weight given to specific pieces of the application. The Behavioral Assessment is one piece of this puzzle, and we will use it with a light touch within the overall set of admissions considerations. While the assessment alone will not be the deciding factor for admission, it can provide valuable information when used in context with other elements of an application.
Academic Record
Legal Questions:
- Have you ever been disciplined or placed under academic sanction (for example, expulsion, suspension, probation or formal reprimand) by any college or university you have attended, or are there disciplinary charges pending against you at the present time? if yes, Please describe the nature of the charges, the date on which the incident leading to the charges occurred, and any sanctions that were imposed or the status of current charges (text box, 100 words maximum):
- Have you ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, a felony or misdemeanor? if yes, Please describe the nature and date of the crime, any sentence you received, or other resolution of the matter. (text box, 100 words maximum):
- Are there any criminal charges pending against you at the present time or are you currently subject to the requirements of a deferred prosecution agreement? if yes, Please describe the nature and date of the alleged offense and status of any pending charge or deferred prosecution agreement. (text box, 100 words maximum):
Work Experience
- Gaps in Work Experience – If you have had any post-undergraduate gaps in full-time employment greater than three months (other than for graduate study), or if you are currently unemployed, please use the space below to provide more information. (text box, 250 words maximum)
Post-MBA Career Interests
- How did you arrive at these career interests? How have you or how will you position yourself to pursue them? (text box, 250 words maximum)
Activities
For each activity –
- Leadership Positions, Awards, or Achievements (if any) [text box]
- Description of Involvement (50 words maximum) [text box]
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