Essay Questions

For programs that start in 2009

Last change made on this page on:

Important Note!
Schools rarely change essay topics after they were already published.
In addition, we may rarely make a mistake in copying content. 

In such cases, it may be that a topic presented here is not accurate!

It is essential that you visit the school website to be 100% certain about the exact essay topics.

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Please note that for re-applicants the essay topics are often different from the below!

Anderson - UCLA

(click to see the essay questions on the UCLA website)

Word limit policy: Successful applicants can write well-thought responses to essay questions within the stated limits. However there is a little leeway should you go over by a few words or a sentence or two. What is not acceptable is single spacing or using very small font, which gives an applicant unfair advantage with more space for their responses than those who do stay within the limits.

The UCLA Anderson Admissions Committee is interested in getting to know you on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to be introspective, genuine, and succinct. We are more concerned with the content of your essays than their form or style.

All responses to essays must be on double-spaced pages that are uploaded in document form, except for Essay 4 for first-time applicants and Essay 3 for reapplicants, which may be submitted as an audio file instead.  (Please note the word limits in parentheses.)

1. How has your family and/or community helped shape your development? Please include information about where you grew up, and perhaps a highlight or special memory of your youth. (750 words)

2. What experience has had the greatest impact on who you are today and why? (500 words)

3. Discuss your short-term and long-term career goals. What is your motivation for pursuing an MBA now at UCLA Anderson? (750 words)

4. Select and respond to one of the following questions. We would like you to respond to the question by recording an audio response (up to 1 minute) and uploading it here (click the 'Upload File' button). If you are unable to submit your response via audio, then please upload a written response instead (250 words), using the 'Upload Document' button.

5. OPTIONAL: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words)

Reapplicant Essays

Reapplicants who applied for the entering Fall 2007 or 2008 class are required to complete the following three essays.

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Boston University

Please include your name and Boston University ID on every document that you upload. Your Boston University ID can be found under the 'Personal' tab.

Documents that are larger than five pages should be mailed to the college/school to which you are applying.

Files cannot exceed 250 KB in size and should be in .doc, .rtf, .txt, or .ppt format.

The document name must be in English.

WordPerfect documents cannot be uploaded. They must be saved in .rtf format using the "Save As" option.

Be sure your document is not password-protected. This will cause the process to fail.

Essay Topics for all Master's Degree in Business Administration Applicants

1. Describe your decision to pursue an MBA degree, highlighting the following (750 words):

1. Your motivation for pursuing an MBA degree at this point in your career;
2. Your reason for choosing to apply to Boston University and the specific program that you have chosen, i.e. MS·MBA, Health Sector Management, Public and Nonprofit Management, or International Management;
3. Your plan to leverage your professional and academic experiences to achieve your post-MBA career goals

2. Describe a formative or significant event in your life and then explain how this event has influenced your subsequent thoughts and actions. (500 words)

3. Tell the Admission Committee about a time when you implemented an innovative solution to a challenge or problem and then describe the resulting impact on the organization or group to which you belonged. (500 words)

4. Other than national identity, describe a uniqueness you will bring to the Boston University community that will impact your classmates - both inside and outside the classroom. (500 words)

5. (Optional) Provide any additional information, not addressed elsewhere in your application materials, which will help the Admission Committee learn more about your candidacy. Please address any employment gaps, strengths or weaknesses. (500 words)

Written Work

You may upload a sample of your written work - a paper, monograph, or report - if you believe it will help the Admissions Committee evaluate your application.

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Chicago GSB

(click to see the essay questions on the Chicago website)

Word limit policy: You can go over by about 20 words, but we are asking applicants to stick to the word limit.

Essays

1. Why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career?  (750 word maximum).

2. Please select one of the following two questions to answer. (1000 word maximum)

1a) Please provide an example of a time when you had to make a choice between two equally important obligations. How did you decide which obligation deserved your attention? b) Did you try and predict other people's reactions to your decision? If so, how accurate were you? Why do you think you were or were not accurate in your prediction? c) Reflecting on this experience, how do you think an MBA from Chicago GSB might have aided in your decision making process?

-or-

2a) Have you ever made a decision that caused you to go against popular opinion? Please describe that situation and your rationale for you decision. b) Did you feel at any point that people misperceived your motives? Explain? c) In retrospect, how do you think an MBA from Chicago GSB would have affected your decision?

Slide Presentation 

We have asked for a great deal of information throughout this application and now invite you tell us about yourself. Using four slides or less, please provide readers with content that captures who you are.

We have set forth the following guidelines for you to consider when creating your presentation.

1. The content is completely up to you. There is no right or wrong approach this essay. Feel free to use the software you are most comfortable with. Acceptable formats for upload in the online application system are PowerPoint or PDF.

2. There is a strict maximum of 4 slides, though you can provide fewer than 4 if you choose. 

3. Slides will be printed and added to your file for review, therefore, flash, hyperlinks, embedded videos, music, etc. will not be viewed by the committee. You are limited to text and static images to convey your points. Color may be used.

4. Slides will be evaluated on the quality of content and ability to convey your ideas, not on technical expertise or presentation.

5. You are welcome to attach a document containing notes if you feel a deeper explanation of your slides is necessary. However the hope is the slide is able to stand alone and convey your ideas clearly. You will not be penalized for adding notes but you should not construct a slide with the intention of using the notes section as a consistent means of explanation.

Optional Essay

If there is any important information that is relevant for your candidacy that you were unable to address elsewhere in the application, please share that information here.

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Chicago GSB -- Executive MBA Europe

(click to see the essay questions on the Chicago website)

The Admissions Committee values clear, concise responses.

The third essay may include, but is not limited to, information about your participation in any civic, business, professional, or other similar organizations.

The Executive MBA Program looks for applicants with proven leadership in work, school, and community activities. We value outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, self-assurance, self-motivation, and the ability to successfully achieve a stated goal. We look closely for evidence of ethical and moral strength and the desire to be an active citizen of one’s community. We insist on a good foundation for mastering analytical concepts and look for overall academic competence.

Admissions essays provide an opportunity to discuss your unique background, goals, and interests with the Admissions Committee.

1. Why are you seeking an MBA from Chicago GSB, what do you hope to experience and contribute, and what are your plans and goals after you receive your degree? (maximum two pages, single spaced, 12pt. Times New Roman)

2. Chicago GSB Career Services delivers innovative educational programming, offers one-on-one coaching, provides numerous networking opportunities, and provides access to job search tools in order to support your own career management. We would like to learn more about your career strategy and objectives. Please outline your career objectives, how you hope to achieve them, and what you hope to gain from the MBA to help you achieve them.? (maximum 1 page, 12 pt. Times New Roman)

3. OPTIONAL: If there is anything else you would like the admissions committee to know about you, please share that information here. (maximum one page, single spaced, 12pt. Times New Roman)

Reapplicants essays:

Please note: This section is for reapplicants only. Please do not complete this section if you are a first time applicant.

The following application materials are required as part of your re-application: re-application essays (2), one new letter of recommendation (from a current supervisor or manager), updated resume, completed application form, application fee, and an admission interview. Two letters of recommendation and any transcripts already received from your previous application will be filed by the program office with your reapplication.

1. Please update your professional, academic, and community activities since your previous application and highlight what you have done to strengthen your application since you last applied (maximum one page, single spaced, 12pt. Times New Roman)

2. Please provide an example of a time you worked in a challenging group/team situation. What were the challenges? How did you resolve any conflicts? What was the final outcome? (maximum two pages, single spaced, 12pt. Times New Roman)

3. Chicago GSB Career Services delivers innovative educational programming, offers one-on-one coaching, provides numerous networking opportunities, and provides access to job search tools in order to support your own career management. We would like to learn more about your career strategy and objectives. Please outline your career objectives, how you hope to achieve them, and what you hope to gain from the MBA to help you achieve them. (maximum 1 page, 12 pt. Times New Roman)

4. OPTIONAL: If there is anything else you would like the admissions committee to know about you, please share that information here. (maximum one page, single spaced, 12pt. Times New Roman)

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Columbia GSB

The following essay questions are part of the application to Columbia Business School. In addition to learning about your professional aspirations, the Admissions Committee hopes to gain an understanding of your interests, values and motivations through these essays. How you answer these essays is at your discretion, there are no right answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully and honestly.

Reapplicants: If you have applied to Columbia Business School within the past year, you are required to submit only the re-applicant essay: How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied and reiterate your short-term and long-term goals. Explain how the tools of the Columbia MBA will help you to meet your goals and how you plan to participate in the Columbia community (Recommended 750 word limit). Please write this essay in the Essay 1 box.

Dual Degree applicants: Please address the following questions within your response to Essay 1: Please indicate the Dual Degree programs and schools to which you applied or intend to apply. Please discuss how the Dual Degree will enhance your short-term or long-term goals, and at which school you intend to begin your studies.

1. What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? (Recommended 750 word limit) *

2. Master Classes are the epitome of bridging the gap between theory and practice at Columbia Business School. (View link below) Please provide an example from your own life in which practical experience taught you more than theory alone. (Recommended 500 word limit)

3. Please provide an example of a team failure of which you've been a part. If given a second chance, what would you do differently? (Recommended 500 word limit)

4. (Optional) Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? (Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.)

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Columbia GSB -- 1-year Accelerated MBA program -- January intake

The following essay questions are part of the application to Columbia Business School. In addition to learning about your professional aspirations, the Admissions Committee hopes to gain an understanding of your interests, values and motivations through these essays. How you answer these essays is at your discretion, there are no right answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully and honestly.

Reapplicants: If you have applied to Columbia Business School within the past year, you are required to submit only the re-applicant essay: How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied and reiterate your short-term and long-term goals. Explain how the tools of the Columbia MBA will help you to meet your goals and how you plan to participate in the Columbia community (Recommended 750 word limit). Please write this essay in the Essay 1 box.

Dual Degree applicants: Please address the following questions within your response to Essay 1: Please indicate the Dual Degree programs and schools to which you applied or intend to apply. Please discuss how the Dual Degree will enhance your short-term or long-term goals, and at which school you intend to begin your studies.

If you would like to work on your application in Microsoft Word and then paste it into the essay field, please save your document as a text (.txt) file first. Failure to save as text first may result in characters being truncated from the end of your essays, so please be sure and paste in the text version of your essay. You may also work directly in Notepad (or an equivalent text-only editor), which will automatically save your document as a text (.txt) file. The format may not be retained, but this will not affect admissions decisions.

1. What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals? How will Columbia Business School help you achieve these goals? (Recommended 750 word limit)

2. Master Classes are the epitome of bridging the gap between theory and practice at Columbia Business School. View link below. Please provide an example from your own life in which practical experience taught you more than theory alone. (Recommended 500 word limit)

View with Real Player: http://merlin.gsb.columbia.edu:8080/ramgen/video1/faculty/MasterClass-promo.rm
View via Google: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4698876883776961370&hl=en

3. Please provide an example of a team failure of which you've been a part. If given a second chance, what would you do differently? (Recommended 500 word limit)

4. Describe for us your greatest passion in life. (Recommended 250 word limit)

5. (Optional) Is there any further information that you wish to provide to the Admissions Committee? (Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.)

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Darden - University of Virginia

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ESADE

1. Write a brief explanation of your most important professional and personal achievements to date (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately) 

2. What do you consider your most powerful strength or asset? Describe a situation where you demonstrated this strength or asset? (2000 characters maximum, 
30 lines approximately) 

3. If you could pick the one quality that characterizes a good leader, which would you choose and why? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately) 

4. What are your mid- and long-term goals after doing the MBA? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)

5. Is there anything you have not mentioned in the essays that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (2000 characters maximum, 30 lines approximately)

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Fuqua - Duke

(click to see the essay questions on the Duke website)

Word limit policy: If you feel you must exceed the page limit, I would recommend not going more than 1/4 page over the one or two page limit.

Three short answer questions and one long essay question must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your essays carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the following questions important in the selection process. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing.

For the short answer questions, please restrict your response to a single page each. For the long essay question, please restrict your response to two pages. Please avoid using a font size smaller than 10-point.

Candidates who applied to Fuqua between September 2007 and April 2008 are considered reapplicants.  All reapplicants are required to complete the Reapplicant Essay in addition to the Applicant Essays. 

All applicants have the opportunity to submit an optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware.

Applicant Essays

Short Answer Essays - Answer all short answer essay questions.

1. What do you hope to gain from The Duke MBA?  How does it fit into your short- and long- term goals? If you are interested in a joint degree or the Health Sector Management program, please address in this response.
2. How will you contribute to the overall experience of your peers at The Duke MBA? 
3. Discuss a person, event or experience that has significantly shaped your life and explain why. Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally.

Long Essay - Answer the long essay question below.

1. Today, companies must navigate through complex and interdependent issues. They must deal with health and security matters, environmental impact questions, and diversity and cultural concerns.  Leaders need adaptability, imagination, and emotional intelligence as well as business acumen.

Upon graduation, a Duke MBA will be a leader of consequence - able to deal simultaneously with complex matters and engage skillfully with colleagues, clients, and community.  What impact do you hope to have as a leader of consequence?

Optional Essay (not required)

1. If you feel there are extenuating 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, significant weakness in your application).  

Reapplicant Essay

All reapplicants are also required to complete the Reapplicant Essay below. Please limit your response to two pages.

1. Write an essay describing how you are a stronger candidate for admission compared to the previous year's application.

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Goizueta - Emory

(click to see the essay questions on the Emory website)

In separate documents, please address the following questions. On the top of each page, please indicate your full name as listed on your application and the question to which you are responding.

1. List one of your most significant professional or organizational accomplishments. Describe your precise role in this event and how it has helped to shape your management skills. Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.

2. Please complete/address two of the following statements. Full-time candidates (Two-Year and One-Year Programs) must complete/address choice F as one of the two options. Please limit each response to one, double-spaced, typed page.

1. I have always wanted to....
2. My most memorable cross-cultural experience....
3. My family background is unique because....
4. The person who has had the greatest influence on my leadership style is... because...
5. The greatest lesson I have ever learned....
6. Of Goizueta’s core values (courage, integrity, accountability, rigor, diversity, team, community), which value resonates most with you and why?

3. What do you expect to accomplish in the Goizueta Business School MBA program? How will your participation in the MBA program fit in with your experiences and responsibilities as well as your short and long-term career goals? Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.

To assist in the timely processing of your application, please convert your document into a PDF prior to uploading it to your application. Instructions and access to a software program that will convert your documents is available within the application.

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 Haas - Berkeley

(click to see the essay questions on the Berkeley website)

Short Answer:

1. If you could change one thing you've done in your life, what would it be, and how would you do it differently? (250 word maximum)

2. Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. (250 word maximum)

3. At Haas, we value innovation and creativity. Describe an innovative solution you have created to address a specific challenge. (250 word maximum)

4. What steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA program, and what factors have influenced your decision to apply? (250 word maximum)

Required Essays:

1. Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership. (500 word maximum)

2. What are your short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? Why do you want an MBA from Berkeley at this point in your career? (1000 word maximum)

Optional Essays:

1. (Optional) Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven’t addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)

2. (Optional) If you wish to be considered for the Haas Achievement Award (for individuals who have achieved success in spite of significant economic, educational, health-related and/or other obstacles), please use this space to address the obstacles you have overcome. (750 word maximum)

3. (Optional). Please provide the occupation of, and highest degree obtained by, your parent(s) or guardian(s). 

Supplemental Questions:

1. If you have not provided a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, please explain; otherwise, enter N/A.

2. List in order of importance all community & professional organizations and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during or after university studies. Indicate the nature of the activity or 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. Please explain all gaps in your employment since earning your university degree.

5. Please identify the course(s) you have taken or intend to take to demonstrate quantitative proficiency. Provide the course name, date, grade if any, and institution at which the course was or will be taken. If you wish, you may discuss other ways in which you have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities.

6. 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.)

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Harvard Business School

(click to see the essay questions on the Harvard Business School website)

Word limit policy: Please respect the word limit specified for each essay question.

As an opportunity to present your distinctive qualities, your essays are an important part of your MBA application. You will be asked to submit your personal statements online with the balance of your application materials. Essays should be single-spaced. Please limit your response to the length indicated.

All applicants must submit answers to four essay questions. The first two questions are required of all applicants. The remaining two essays may be in response to your choice of the next four sub-questions.

Joint program applicants for the Harvard Medical School, Harvard Law School, and Kennedy School of Government must provide an additional essay.

1. What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)

2. What have you learned from a mistake? (400-word limit)

1. What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience?
2. Discuss how you have engaged with a community or organization.
3. What area of the world are you most curious about and why?
4. What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you?

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HEC Paris

Word limit policy: Essays should be typed and should not exceed the number of words assigned.

Answer each essay topic listed below as completely and candidly as possible. Essays should be typed and should not exceed the number of words assigned.

1. Why are you applying to the HEC MBA Program now? What is the professional objective that will guide your career choice after your MBA, and how will the HEC MBA contribute to the achievement of this objective? (500 words)

2. What do you consider your most significant life achievement? (250 words)

3. Leadership and ethics are inevitably intertwined in the business world. Describe a situation in which you have dealt with these issues and how they have influenced you. (250 words)

4. Imagine a life entirely different from the one you now lead, what would it be? (250 words)

5. Please choose from one of the following essays: (250 words)

a) What monument or site would you advise a first-time visitor to your country or city to discover, and why?

b) Certain books, movies or plays have had an international success that you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyse it.

c) What figure do you most admire and why? You may choose from any field (arts, literature, politics, business, etc).

6. Is there any additional information you would like to share with us? (900 words)

Additional Questions (from the Application Form):

Please describe your main hobbies and any honors or distinctions you have earned. (100 words)

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IE

On-line application instructions: The main objective of the following questions is to have more information on your candidature. Please answer each question with a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 words.You may either attach a file of fill in the text box.

PDF application instructions: The main objective of the following questions is to have more information regarding your candidature. Please answer each question on a separate sheet of paper with a minimum of 250 words, limiting each reply to one side of paper (1.5 line spacing).

A. If you had the opportunity, what would you ask the president or leader of your country, and why?

B. (On-line application) What was the most difficult problem you have faced in your life, and how did you deal with it?

(PDF application) Cite the most difficult situation you have faced in your professional life and how your input helped to resolve it.

C. Cite at least one example in which your leadership impacted or changed a situation and discuss how you think Instituto de Empresa will help you refine, focus or enhance this skill.

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b) What would you say to a foreigner moving to your home country? (250 words approx.)

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Johnson - Cornell

1. Describe your greatest professional achievement and how you were able to add value to your organization. (Required; 400 word limit)

2. What career do you plan to pursue upon completion of an MBA degree and why? How will the Johnson School help you achieve this goal? (Required; 400 word limit)

3. You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please write the Table of Contents for the book. (Required; 400 word limit)
NOTE: Be creative. Approach this essay in any way you choose; there is no 'right' or 'wrong' response.

4. Complete this essay if there is other information you would like to add regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate GPA or test scores) does not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. (Optional; 400 word limit)

5. Describe the measures you have taken to strengthen your application since you last applied to the Johnson School. (Required for all re-applicants; 400 word limit)

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Judge - Cambridge

Please answer each of the following 3 essays, keeping each answer to 400 words:

A) Describe yourself. What are your strengths and how do you utilise them? What attributes would you like to improve upon and why? 

B) Describe your leadership style. Tell us about a project, task or experience where you had to motivate and direct individuals or a team. Were you successful, and if so why? If not, what did you learn about yourself?

C) Why is the Cambridge MBA the right programme for you? Which aspects will contribute the most to your learning experience? What unique experience and/or personal attributes will you contribute to the learning experience of your classmates? 

Additional Questions (from the Application Form):

Current full-time employment

Describe how you have you set direction, influenced decision making, and/or made an impact in your current role

What is your most significant challenge?

What is your most significant accomplishment?

Previous full-time employment

What was your most significant challenge?

What was your most significant accomplishment?

Career objectives

A) Describe your career progression to date. What have been the key milestones and/or turning points? What decisions and choices brought you to your current role? (Please do not exceed 300 words)

B) What is your immediate post-MBA career objectives (role, industry, location, responsibilities)? What skills and experience do you have that will help you achieve it? How will the Cambridge MBA help you to achieve it? (Please do not exceed 150 words)  

C) What is your long term career vision and how will a MBA help you to achieve it? (Please do not exceed 150 words)

Personal statement

Please prepare a three sentence summary of your experience, outlook and goals to be read to your Cambridge MBA classmates on the first day of term.

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Kellogg - Northwestern U.

All applicants are required to answer questions 1, 2 and 3in addition to 2 of the essays in question 4.

1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at Kellogg. (one to two pages double-spaced)

2. Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experiences of other Kellogg students. (one to two pages double-spaced)

3. Describe your key leadership experiences and evaluate what leadership areas you hope to develop through your MBA experience? (one to two pages double-spaced).

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Kenan Flagler - UNC

At the top of each page, include your full name and the number of the question you are answering. Use at least 11-point font, and 1.5 line spacing. Documents in *.doc format are preferable, but *.pdf and *.txt files are acceptable.

1. What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? Do you have other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? Your response should not exceed 500 words.

2. Briefly describe the career path you intend to pursue immediately after b-school. Explain why this career option appeals to you and why an MBA is appropriate at this time. Your response should not exceed 500 words. 

3. What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? Your response should not exceed 500 words.

4. What do you expect from your MBA program? How and when will you measure the return on your investment in the MBA? Your response should not exceed 500 words.

5. (Optional) If your GMAT quantitative score is low, or if you have not had coursework in calculus, microeconomics, statistics and financial accounting, please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative MBA curriculum. 300 words maximum. 

6. (Optional) Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you in order to evaluate your candidacy? 300 words maximum.

Additional Information / Explanation Page

The Admissions Committee believes that the MBA application is comprehensive and does not require submission of any supplemental information. If you feel that additional information or explanations are necessary, please use this page for that purpose.

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London Business School

(click to see the essay questions on the LBS website)

The essays are an opportunity to tell us more about yourself. Use the essays to detail your interests, values and goals. We are interested in what motivates you, evidence of leadership and team work, why you are looking to pursue an MBA at this point in your life, and what you will bring to the London Business School Community. The essays are a vital part of your application and thus we recommend that you spend a significant amount of time in their preparation. 

Question 1 (600 words) In what role do you see yourself working immediately after graduation? Why? How will your past and present experiences help you achieve this? How will the London Business School MBA Programme contribute to this goal? Why is this the right time for you to pursue an MBA?  

Question 2 (200 words) Where do you see your career progressing five years after graduation and what is your longer term career vision?

Question 3 (500 words) Please describe your experience of working in and leading teams, either in your professional or personal life. Include any specific challenges you have faced. Given this experience, what role do you think you will play in your first year study group?

Question 4 (400 words) Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London Business School MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. What type of student club or campus community events will you be involved with and why? How will you contribute?

Question 5 (150 words) Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country. What did you gain from these?

Question 6 (300 words) (This question is optional) Is there any other information that you believe would help the MBA Admissions Committee when considering your application?

Question 7 (300 words) (This question is for re-applicants only) Please describe how your candidacy for the London Business School MBA has improved since your last application. 

Please note that applicants should submit their completed essays within the Essay template (Word 260kb)

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Marshall - USC

(click to see the essay questions on the USC website)

1) Describe in a brief essay (do not exceed 250 words per section - 750 words maximum):

a) your post-MBA short-term goals (immediately after graduation),

b) your post-MBA long-term goals (3-5 years after graduation), and

c) how your professional experience, when combined with an MBA degree, will enable you to achieve these goals.

2) Complete one of the following three statements. Do not exceed 250 words.

a) "My most significant accomplishment to date is…"

b) "People may be surprised to learn that I…"

c) "I am considered a leader because…"

3) Answer two of the following questions. Do not exceed 500 words per question.

a) The Marshall MBA Prime Program prepares students for doing business in a global economy. Describe a cross-cultural experience that challenged you. How did you meet this challenge and what did you learn from this experience?

b) USC has garnered national acclaim for its emphasis on community outreach and service. How have you impacted your community?

c) We all experience significant events or milestones that influence the course of our lives. Briefly describe such an event and how it affected you.

4) Optional Essay: Please add any additional information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider in evaluating your application. Do not exceed 250

words.

For Re-Applicants Only:

If you have applied within the past two years, you are required to submit only one essay.

Describe any significant professional, personal, or academic growth since your last application to the USC Marshall School of Business. Discuss your specific professional goals and how the USC Marshall MBA will help you to achieve these goals. Do not exceed 500 words.

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McCombs - Austin, Texas

(click to see the essay questions on the Austin website)

Use a word processing package to write and SAVE your essay(s). When you are ready to submit your essay, please click on "Submit Your Essay Response" and cut and paste it into the text box. Complex formatting (such as bold and italics) and special characters may not display properly.

IMPORTANT: You will not be able to view or edit your essay once it has been submitted. If you have any problems with the essay submission, please contact the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) at 512/475-7391.

Topic 1 – REQUIRED
This is a REQUIRED essay. The maximum length for this essay is 900 words. The essays should be submitted through this website. DO NOT MAIL ESSAYS.
Please define your short– and long–term goals and objectives, your career progression to date, and how an MBA fits in at this time. What makes the Texas MBA the perfect fit for you?

Topic 2 – REQUIRED
This is a REQUIRED essay. The maximum length for this essay is 650 words. The essays should be submitted through this website. DO NOT MAIL ESSAYS.
The Texas MBA is built around four key pillars of leadership. Describe an experience that you have had that clearly demonstrates your leadership as it relates to one of our four pillars: 1) Responsibility/Integrity; 2) Knowledge/Understanding; 3) Collaborative/Communication; or 4) Worldview of Business and Society.

Topic 3 – REQUIRED
This is a REQUIRED essay. The maximum length for this essay is 500 words. The essays should be submitted through this website. DO NOT MAIL ESSAYS.
At the McCombs School of Business, you will be part of an active and diverse community. Referencing your personal strengths and unique experience, how will you enrich the McCombs community during your two years in the program?

Topic 4 – OPTIONAL
This is an OPTIONAL essay. The maximum length for this essay is 350 words. The essays should be submitted through this website. DO NOT MAIL ESSAYS.
Please provide any additional information to the Admissions Committee that will highlight your unique personality and character and/or address any areas of concern that will ultimately be beneficial to the committee in considering your application.

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Olin - Babson

All F. W. Olin Graduate School of Business graduate degree candidates should respond to questions 1, 2, and 3. You may provide additional information by answering question 4. Suggested length is two double-spaced pages per essay.

1. Please describe in detail your short- (immediately after graduation from Babson) and long-term career plan - in which industry would you like to work, which function or role would you ideally hold, and how do you intend to secure that position? If your plans entail a career transition, what challenges do you anticipate facing in securing your ideal position, and how will you address those challenges? Your answer should show how your past professional experiences, background, and interests combined with a Babson graduate degree will position you for success in attaining these goals.

2. Babson defines entrepreneurship as 'thinking or acting in a manner that is opportunity obsessed, holistic in approach, and leadership balanced.' Please describe how, in your own experiences, you have met some or all of that definition.

3. What unique contributions will you bring to the Babson community that will enhance the value of the classroom experience for your classmates?

4. For MSM in Technological Entrepreneurship Applicants Only:
Describe the project you plan to investigate and implement during your time in the program.

5. (Optional) Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question.

6. Optional for Two-Year MBA Applicants Only: Frederic C. Hamilton Entrepreneurial Scholarship (a merit-based award) and Price-Babson Fellowship (a need-based award) Essay. Write a 250-word essay that answers the following questions: What are your specific entrepreneurial accomplishments, and how will these accomplishments add value to the Babson MBA?

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Ross - Michigan U.

(click to see the essay questions on the Michigan Ross website)

If you are uploading your essay, 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.

1a. Briefly describe your short-term and long-term career goals.
1b. Why is an MBA the best choice at this point in your career?
1c. What and/or who influenced your decision to apply to Ross?
(500-word maximum total)
If you are applying to the Tauber Institute for Global Operations, please address your interest here.

2. Describe your most significant professional accomplishment. Elaborate on the leadership skills you displayed, the actions you took and the impact you had on your organization. (500-word maximum) 

3. If you were not pursuing the career goals you described in Question 1, what profession would you pursue instead? (For example, teacher, musician, athlete, architect, etc.) How will this alternate interest contribute to your effectiveness in solving multidisciplinary problems? (300-word maximum)

4. Describe your experience during a challenging time in your life. Explain how you grew personally, either despite this challenge or because of it. (300-word maximum)

Additional Information

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Rotman - Toronto

1. Discuss your personal and professional development over the past five years and describe how these changes have led you to choose to do your MBA at this time. What are your career goals and how will a Rotman MBA help you to achieve them? (Please limit your answer to 500 words)

2. One of the Rotman School's underlying principles is the value of one; this reflects the belief that each member of the Rotman community has unique needs and talents. What are your greatest talents and/or abilities and how would each enhance the experience of your classmates? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)

3. Imagine that ten years from now a colleague is describing you to a new employee. What will s/he say about you that you are not known for now? How will you achieve these new skills? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)

4. Describe a professional experience when you did not live up to your full potential. What would you do differently if you had to do it again? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)

Additional Information

Is there anything that you think the Admissions Committee should know which you feel has not been covered by the rest of the application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, do not feel obligated to answer this question.

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Said - Oxford

Please write a concise essay on the following questions. Limit your answer to the number of words indicated and please write your name and the question at the top of each page.

1. Explain why you chose your current job. How do you hope to see your career developing over the next five years? How will an MBA assist you in the development of these ambitions? Maximum 1,000 words.

2. Which recent development, world event or book has most influenced your thinking and why? Maximum 2,000 words.

Additional Questions (from the Application Form):

Please List below your hobbies, interests, and achievements and any clubs or societies of which you are currently a member. (7,900 characters limit)

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SDA Bocconi

Questions:

1. Write down, in order of importance, all possible past or present community or cultural responsibilities

2. What interests and occupations do you pursue in your free time?

3. What do you think you gained from your university studies? Conversely, what important things do you think your studies lacked?

4. Explain the most significant goals you think you have achieved so far and the reasons for their importance in your personal growth

5. Describe your strong points, personal and professional, explaining why you see them as such

6. Describe your weak points, personal and professional, explaining why you see them as such

7. What are the reasons that lead you to apply to the MBA program at this point in your life?

8. What do you hope to get from the MBA program?

9. What other possibilities have you seriously considered, apart from the MBA program, for reaching your goals of personal and professional growth?

10. Have you applied to other business schools in Italy or elsewhere? If yes, which ones and why?

11. Where do you wish to pursue your profession after receiving the MBA diploma? Why?

12. What are your short-term professional goals (within the next four years)?

13. What are your long-term professional goals?

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Sloan - MIT

(click to see the essay questions on the MIT Sloan website)

(click to see the essay questions on the NYU website)

Word Limit Policy: Please adhere to the essay word limits provided for each question.