Essay Questions published so far

For programs that start in 2012

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
Babson
Booth - Chicago
Columbia
Darden
ESADE
Fuqua - Duke
Haas - Berkeley  Common Topics
Harvard  Common Topics
IE
INSEAD  Very Common Topics
Johnson - Cornell
Judge - Cambridge
Kellogg  Somewhat Common Topics
Kenan Flagler - UNC
LBS  Very Common Topics
Ross - Michigan  Somewhat Common Topics
Sloan - MIT
Stanford
Stern - NYU
Tepper - Carnegie Mellon  Somewhat Common Topics
Tuck  Very Common Topics
Wharton
Yale  Common Topics

 

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

Harvard:
Essay 1 – with minor adjustments, you can use it for INSEAD (essay 2).
With some adjustments, you can use it for Berkeley (essay 2).
Essay 2 – with some adjustments, you can use it for Judge (essay 2) or Tuck (essay 3) or Berkeley (essay 4) or INSEAD (essay 3).
Essay 3 – with minor adjustments, you can use it for Yale (S.A. 3).
Essay 4 - with minor adjustments, you can use it for LBS (essay 6).

Stanford:
Essay 1 – with some adjustments, you can use it for Ross (essay 4a).
Essay 3B – with some adjustments, you can use it for Tepper (essay B).
Essay 3C – without adjustments, you can use it for Sloan (essay 2) or Kellogg (essay 4a).
Essay 3D - without adjustments, you can use it for Sloan (essay 1).

Wharton:
Essay 2 - with some adjustments, you can use it for Ross (essay 4b) or Tepper (essay C1).

Columbia:
Essay 2 - with some adjustments, you can use it for Tuck (essay 2).

Berkeley:
Essay 4 - with some adjustments, you can use it for Judge (essay 2) or Tuck (essay 3) or INSEAD (essay 3).
Essay 5 - with some adjustments, you can use it for Kellogg (essay 2) or Tuck (essay 2).

Kellogg:
Essay 2 - with some adjustments, you can use it for Berkeley (essay 5) or Tuck (essay 2).
Essay 4a – with some adjustments, you can use it for Sloan (essay 2) or Stanford (essay 3C).
Essay 4b – without adjustments, you can use it for Tepper (essay 1).

MIT:
Essay 1 – without adjustments, you can use it for Stanford (essay 3D).
Essay 2 - without adjustments, you can use it for Stanford (essay 3C) or Kellogg (essay 4a).

Tuck:
Essay 2 - with some adjustments, you can use it for Columbia (essay 2) or Kellogg (essay 2) or Berkeley (essay 5).
Essay 3 – with some adjustments, you can use it for Judge (essay 2) or Berkeley (essay 4) or INSEAD (essay 3).

LBS:
Essay 5 – with some adjustments, you can use it for INSEAD (essay 5a).
Essay 6 - with some adjustments, you can use it for HBS (essay 4).

INSEAD:
Essay 2 – with some adjustments, you can use it for Berkeley (essay 2) or HBS (essay 1).
Essay 3 – with some adjustments, you can use it for Judge (essay 2) or Berkeley (essay 4) or Tuck (essay 3).
Essay 5a - with some adjustments, you can use it for LBS (essay 5).

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Anderson - UCLA

Click here to see the questions on the school's website
We are interested in getting to know applicants on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to be introspective, genuine, and succinct. Remember that 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. Please note the word limits indicated in parentheses below.

First-time applicants -- 2 required essays:

REQUIRED ESSAYS:

Please be introspective and authentic in your responses. Content is more important than style of delivery. We value the opportunity to learn about your life experiences, aspirations, and goals.

1. What events or people have had the greatest influence in shaping your character and why? (750 words)

2. Describe your short-term and long-term career goals. What is your motivation for pursuing an MBA now and how will UCLA Anderson help you to achieve your goals? (750 words)

OPTIONAL ESSAY:

The following essay is optional. No preference is given in the evaluation process to applicants who submit an optional essay.

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

REAPPLICANT ESSAY QUESTIONS

REQUIRED ESSAY:

Reapplicants who applied for the entering Fall 2010 or 2011 class are required to complete the following essay. Please be introspective and authentic in your response. Content is more important than style of delivery. We value the opportunity to learn more about your aspirations and goals.

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

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Babson

The suggested length for all essays is two double-spaced pages. Please answer these essay questions, if applicable. Please use minimum 10 pt font.

Required essays

(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?

Optional Essays
(7) (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.

(8) 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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Booth - Chicago

Click here to see the questions and tips on the school's website.

Below are the essay questions for the 2011 - 12 application.

1. What are your short- and long-term goals, and how will a Chicago Booth MBA help you reach them? (600 words)

1 a) Re-applicants only: Upon reflection, how has your thinking regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (300 words)

2. At Chicago Booth, we believe each individual has his or her own leadership style. How has your family, culture, and/or environment influenced you as a leader? (750 words)

3. Considering what you've already included in the application, what else should we know about you? In a maximum of four slides, tell us about yourself.

Question 3 Guidelines

We have set forth the following guidelines:

- The content is completely up to you. There is no right, or even preferred, approach to this presentation.
- There is a strict maximum of four pages, though you can provide fewer if you choose.
- Acceptable formats for upload in the online application system are PowerPoint or PDF.
- The document will be viewed electronically, but we cannot support embedded videos, music, or motion images. Additionally, all content MUST be included in the four pages; hyperlinks will not be viewed.
- The file will be evaluated on the quality of content and ability to convey your ideas, not on technical expertise or presentation.


Optional Essay (300 Words)

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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Columbia

Click here to see the questions on the school's website
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 or wrong answers and we encourage you to answer each question thoughtfully.

Dual Degree applicants (Full-Time MBA only): Please address the following questions within your response to Essay 1: How will the Dual Degree enhance your post-MBA and long-term professional goals?

Reapplicants: If you have applied to Columbia Business School within the past year, you are required to answer the "What is your post-MBA professional goal? " question and submit the reapplication essay. If your last application was more than one year ago, you must answer Essays 1, 2 and 3.

Short Answer

What is your post-MBA professional goal? (Maximum of 200 characters.)

Examples of possible responses:

“After my MBA I want to build my expertise in the energy sector and learn more about strategy and decision making by joining a consulting firm specializing in renewable energy and power companies.”

“After my MBA I hope to work in business development for a media company that is expanding its market share in Asia.”

“My short term goal is to work with an investment firm that utilizes public private partnerships to invest in community development projects.”

Essays

1. Considering your post-MBA and long term professional goals, why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career? Additionally, why is Columbia Business School a good fit for you? (Maximum of 750 words.)

2. Describe a life experience that has shaped you. The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally. (Maximum of 500 words.)

3. Essay three has three options (please choose one of the following):

* Option A: The annual A. Lorne Weil Outrageous Business Plan Competition is a student initiative managed and run by the Columbia Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO). The competition encourages Columbia MBA students to explore creative entrepreneurial ideas that are sufficiently ambitious in scope and scale to be considered “outrageous.” Students explore these ideas while learning firsthand what goes into the development and presentation of a solid business proposal.

Develop your own “outrageous” business idea. In essay form, compose your “elevator pitch.” (Maximum of 250 words.)

* Option B: Columbia deeply values its vibrant student community, the building of which begins at orientation when admitted students are assigned to clusters of 65 to 70 fellow students who take most of the first-year core classes together. During the first weeks of school, each cluster selects a Cluster Chair. Further strengthening the student community are the over 100 active student organizations at Columbia Business School, ranging from cultural to professional to community service-oriented. Leadership positions within the cluster and/or clubs offer hands-on management and networking opportunities for students as they interact with fellow students, administrators, faculty members, alumni, and practitioners.

You are running for either Cluster Chair or a club leadership position of your choosing. Compose your campaign speech. (Maximum of 250 words.)

* Option C: Founded nearly three decades ago, the Executives in Residence Program at Columbia Business School integrates senior executives into the life of the School. Current executives in residence include more than a dozen experts in areas ranging from media and investment banking to private equity and management. A hallmark of the program is one-on-one counseling sessions in which executives advise students about their prospective career choices.

Select one of the current executives in residence with whom you would like to meet during your time at Columbia. Explain your selection and tell us how you would best utilize your half hour one-on-one session. (Maximum of 250 words.)


Optional Essay
Is there any further information that you wish to provide the Admissions Committee? Please use this space to provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history. (Maximum 500 words)


REAPPLICANTS: Those reapplying one year or less from the date of their previous application need only to submit one new essay:
How have you enhanced your candidacy since your previous application? Please detail your progress since you last applied, reiterate your post-MBA and long-term professional goals, and address why Columbia Business School is a good fit for you. (Maximum 750 words).

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Darden

Click here to see the questions on the school's website

The following is the essay question for the Darden MBA 2011−2012 application cycle:
Share your perspective on leadership in the workplace and describe how it has been shaped by the increasing influence of globalization. (500 words maximum)

Open question from the Personal Information section:
At Darden, a core part of your academic experience is your participation in and contributions to your learning team. What will you contribute to your team? (150 words maximum)

Open question from the Employment History section:
If you were on an elevator with your dream company CEO or angel investor, what would you tell him/her about your professional ambitions and goals? (150 words maximum)

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ESADE

Personal essays (each question is limited to 2000 characters including spaces, 30 lines approximately)

What makes you YOU?
Today there is a growing need for outstanding business leaders who excel in their field and adapt quickly to the changing needs of the market.
Companies look to us for future leaders - people whose expertise and entrepreneurial abilities are flexible and suit a variety of leadership roles. Your drive and motivation and the individual qualities that you bring to the table are your best selling points and are what will enrich your team members most.
It is this individuality, together with the diversity at ESADE and our commitment to leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship that make us what we are: a talent pool for the business leaders of tomorrow.

The following questions are designed to help us get a more complete picture of who you are and the impact that you will have both here at ESADE and on society after completing your MBA. Please respond openly, explaining what makes you the person that you are and who you will become.

1. Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this?

2. How will your background, values and non work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished)

3. What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals?

4. Complete two of the following four questions or statements
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.

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Fuqua - Duke

Click here to see the questions on the school's website

Essays for Fall 2012 Entry

Three essay questions must be completed before submitting your application. Prepare your essays carefully. The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the questions important in the selection process. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing. Your response to each question should be no more than 2 pages in length, with a font size no less than 10-point.

Candidates who applied to The Duke MBA between September 2010 and May 2011 are considered re-applicants. All re-applicants are required to complete the Re-applicant 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 : Answer all 3 essay questions.

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, emotional intelligence, and business acumen. Thus, Duke is in the midst of an ambitious global venture that will embed and connect us around the world, and we are seeking future leaders of consequence, who value diversity and collaborative leadership, and who aspire to impact the companies and communities of which they are a part in a lasting and positive way.

In an effort to identify, engage, and foster the development of future leaders of consequence, the Admissions Committee would like to get to know our applicants in a more holistic manner. We would like to know who you are, what has shaped you into the person you are today, and how you hope to impact both Duke and the communities of which you will be a part in the future. The essays are your opportunity to convey that to us. Please be open, genuine, and passionate. Share with us what makes you a dynamic, multi-dimensional person.

1. Describe your vision for your career and your inspiration for pursuing this career path.

2. How will your background, values, and non-work activities enhance the experience of other Duke MBA students and add value to Fuqua's diverse culture?

3. Why Duke? (If you are interested in a specific concentration, joint degree, clubs or activities, please discuss how you would contribute to these in this essay.)

Optional Essay (not required)

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).

Re-applicant Essay

All re-applicants are required to complete the Re-applicant Essay. Please limit your response to two pages. Write an essay describing how you are now a stronger candidate for admission compared to the application you submitted the previous year.

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Haas - Berkeley

Click here to see the questions on the school's website
Listed below are the supplemental questions, required essays, and optional essays for the fall 2012 application.

Supplemental Information

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 and professional organizations and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during or after university studies. Indicate the nature of the activity or organization, size of the organization, dates of involvement, offices held, and 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. 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.)

Essays

At Berkeley-Haas, our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles — question the status quo; confidence without attitude; students always; and beyond yourself. We seek candidates from a broad range of cultures, backgrounds, and industries who demonstrate a strong cultural fit with our program and defining principles. Please use the following essays as an opportunity to reflect on and share with us the values, experiences, and accomplishments that have helped shape who you are.(Learn more about Berkeley-Haas' Defining Principles).

1. What brings you the greatest joy? How does this make you distinctive? (250 word maximum)

2. What is your most significant accomplishment? (250 word maximum)

3. Describe a time when you questioned an established practice or thought within an organization. How did your actions create positive change? (250 word maximum)

4. Describe a time when you were a student of your own failure. What specific insight from this experience has shaped your development? (250 word maximum)

5. Describe a time when you led by inspiring or motivating others toward a shared goal. (250 word maximum)

6. a. What are your post-MBA short-term and long-term career goals? How have your professional experiences prepared you to achieve these goals?

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 not clearly evident, please discuss ways in which you have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities, or plan to strengthen quantitative abilities. You do not need to list courses that appear on your transcript. (250 word maximum)

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Harvard

Essays for the Class of 2014 (click here to see the questions on the school's website)

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 essays online with the rest 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 listed below. College seniors applying to the 2+2 Program have different questions to answer.

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

Essays (MBA applicants only):

All application questions below are required.

* Tell us about three of your accomplishments. (600 words)

* Tell us three setbacks you have faced. (600 words)

* Why do you want an MBA? (400 words)

* Answer a question you wish we'd asked. (400 words)


Joint degree applicants:

* How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (400 words)

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IE

The main objective of the following questions is to have more information regarding your candidature.
You must answer each question in a separate page with a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 (1.5 line spacing).

All Applicants must answer the following essay questions:

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

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

Applicants for MBA and General Management programs should also write an essay on the following topic:

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

Other open questions from the application form:

Additional Information

1. What is your motivation for you to study a Master degree? Describe how you believe a Master degree fits with your future career objectives. (200 words)
2. What are your reasons for applying to IE? (200 words)
3. Have you applied to any other schools? If so, please state which ones. (200 words)
4. What contribution could you make to a highly dynamic and interactive program? (200 words)
5. Which of your personal characteristics could be considered valuable for teamwork? (200 words)
6. Which of your personal characteristics would you like to improve through the program? (200 words)
7. What, in your opinion, have been your most important achievements? (200 words)
8. Please indicate other extra-curricular activities, internships or voluntary work relevant for Admissions. (200 words)
9. What are your aspirations...
...personal? (100 words)
...professional? (100 words)
...financial? (100 words)

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INSEAD

Job Essays:

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. (250 words maximum)

2. Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. If you were to remain with your present employer, what would be your next step in terms of position? (250 words maximum)

3. If you are currently not working, what are you doing and what do you plan to do until you
start the MBA programme? (250 words maximum)

Essays:

1. Give a candid description of yourself, 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. (600 words maximum)

2. Describe what you believe to be your two most substantial accomplishments to date (if
possible specify one personal and one professional), explaining why you view them as such. (400 words maximum)

3. Describe a situation taken from your personal or professional life where you failed.
Discuss what you learned. (400 words maximum)

4. a) Discuss your short and long term career goals. (300 words maximum) and
b) How will studying at INSEAD help you achieve your vision? (250 words maximum)

5. Please choose one of the following two essay topics:
a) Have you ever experienced culture shock? What insights did you gain? (250 words
maximum)
b) Describe the ways in which a foreigner in your country might experience culture shock. (250 words maximum)

6. Is there anything that you have not mentioned in your application that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (350 words maximum) This section is optional.

7. In case of reapplication, please provide an update on any new aspects of your professional, international, academic or personal profile that would not have been included in your previous application. Please also explain your motivation for re-applying to INSEAD. (400 words maximum)

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Johnson - Cornell

Click here to see the questions on the school's website

The essay portion of your application gives you the opportunity to candidly demonstrate your attributes and your compatibility with our rich and vibrant program. Formatting suggestions: 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, single spacing. Please observe the 400 word limit for each essay.

1) What career do you plan to pursue upon completion of an MBA degree and why? (400 word limit)
We are obviously looking at your career pathing and focus. The adcom wants to see that you have done your due diligence on your career trajectory and what is it about b-school (hint: why Johnson) is the right fit and time in your life.

2) What legacy would you hope to leave as a Johnson graduate? (200 word limit)
The adcom wants you to really evaluate what "fit" means to you for Johnson. "Fit" is different for everyone, so we want to see how authentic and purposeful you are about applying.

3) You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please write the table of contents for the book. Note: Approach this essay with your unique style. We value creativity and authenticity. (400 word limit)
We have been asking this essay question for the last two years. It is a favorite to read and to write for our applicants. Keep the creativity and personality because we enjoy learning more about who our applicants are!

Essay Required for All Re-applicants
How did you strengthen your application since you last applied? (400 word limit)

Optional Essay
Complete this essay if you would like to add additional details regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g., undergraduate record or test scores) do not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School. (400 word limit)

Activities

Create and upload a document outlining your activities according to the instructions below. Formatting suggestions: 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, single spacing. (400 word limit) *

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.

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.

Hobbies and Activities - Please describe any hobbies or activities that hold special significance for you.

Park Fellowship
The Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows Program is only available to US Citizens applying for the Two-Year MBA program during the first three rounds. The Park Fellowship is our most prestigious 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.

If eligible, would you like to apply for the Park Fellowship? Yes/No

If applying for the Park Fellowship, please answer the essay question below and upload your response.

What is your greatest example of leadership and what personal qualities helped you succeed in that role? (400 word limit)

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Judge - Cambridge

Click here to see the questions on the school's website

The following are the main essay questions on the Cambridge MBA application:

1. What are the key issues facing organisations in your sector over the next three years? What course of action would you recommend to such organisations? (300 words)

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

Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must include the following:
 - What are your short and long term career objectives?
 - What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them?
 - What do you hope to gain from the degree programme and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have?

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Kellogg

2012 Application Essay Questions - 2Y, 1Y & MMM questions
Click here to see the questions on the school's website

Essay #1
a) MBA Program applicants - Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing an MBA. (600 word limit)

b) MMM Program applicants – Briefly assess your career progress to date. How do the unique characteristics of the MMM Program meet your educational needs and career goals? (600 word limit).

Essay #2
Describe your key leadership experiences and evaluate what leadership areas you hope to develop through your MBA experiences (600 word limit).

Essay #3
Assume you are evaluating your application from the perspective of a student member of the Kellogg Admissions Committee. Why would you and your peers select you for admission, and what impact would you make as a member of the Kellogg community? (600 word limit).

Essay #4
Complete one of the following three questions or statements. (400 word limit)
Re-applicants have the option to answer a question from this grouping, but this is not required.

a) Describe a time you had to inspire a reluctant individual or group.
b) People may be surprised to learn that I…..
c) The riskiest personal or professional decision I ever made was…..

Required essay for re-applicants only – Since your previous application, what steps have you taken to strengthen your candidacy? (400 word limit) Please note: re-applicants are required to answer questions 1-3 in addition to this essay.

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.)

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Kenan Flagler - UNC

Click here to see the questions on the school's website

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.

1. What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? What are the other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)

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

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? (500 words maximum)

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

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

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LBS

Download the essay-questions answer template

Essay Question Instructions:

The Admissions Committee will consider carefully your answers to the following questions. Please complete all of the essay questions beginning your answer below each question and giving word counts for each answer. Once complete, please attach this document to your online application following the instructions given on the web form.

You are required to add the word count at the end of each question.

Please do not write more than the specified word limit for each essay. Any extra words or essays may be disregarded.

Candidates should not contact us to ask for advice on how to answer the essay questions. We expect all candidates to interpret the questions as they see fit.

Question 1 (500 words)
Please discuss your career progress to date and explain why now is the right time to undertake an MBA at London Business School?

Question 2 (300 words)
Where do you see your career progressing five years after graduation and what is your longer term career vision?

Question 3 (250 words)
Give a specific example of when you have had to test your leadership and team working skills. Given this experience what role will you play in a first year study group?

Question 4 (300 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. Please describe how you will contribute to student clubs and the community and why?

Question 5 (250 words)
London Business School offers a truly global and diverse experience. Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country or culture. What did you gain and how will your experience contribute to London Business School?

Question 6 (250 words)
Considering what you have already included in the application, what else would you like to tell us about yourself? You can approach this question however you like.

Question 7 (300 words)
(This question is for re-applicants only)
How has your candidacy for the London Business School MBA improved since your last application? Have your views of London Business School or the MBA programme changed since you last applied?

Additional Information
(This question is optional)
This is not a compulsory essay but please complete if you would like the opportunity to clarify or expand upon any information submitted in your application.

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Ross - Michigan

Fall 2012 Full-time MBA Essay Questions:
Click here to see the questions on the school's website

1. Introduce yourself to your future Ross classmates in 100 words or less.

2. Describe your career goals. How will an MBA from Ross help you to achieve those
goals? What is your vision for how you can make a unique contribution to the Ross
community? (500 word maximum)

3. Describe a time in your career when you were frustrated or disappointed. What did you
learn from that experience? (500 word maximum)

4. Select one of the following questions:
• What are you most passionate about? (300 word maximum)
• Describe a personal challenge or obstacle and why you view it as such. How
have you dealt with it? What have you learned from it? (300 word maximum)

5. Optional question: Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should
know about you to evaluate your candidacy? (500 word maximum)

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Sloan - MIT

Cover Letter

Prepare a cover letter (up to 500 words) seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Describe your accomplishments and include an example of how you had an impact on a group or organization. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence and be addressed to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions. (Required)

Essays

We are interested in learning more about you and how you work, think, and act. For each essay, please provide a brief overview of the situation followed by a detailed description of your response. Please limit the experiences you discuss to those which have occurred in the past three years.

In each of the essays please describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did.

All applicants:

• Essay 1: Please describe a time when you went beyond what was defined, expected, established, or popular. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)

• Essay 2: Please describe a time when you convinced an individual or group to accept one of your ideas. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)

• Essay 3: Please describe a time when you had to make a decision without having all the information you needed. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page)

Supplemental Information

You may use this section to address whatever else you want the Admissions Committee to know. (250 words or fewer, limited to one page) (Optional)

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Stanford

Click here to see the questions on the school's website
We read your essays to get to know you as a person and to learn about the ideas and interests that motivate you. Tell us in your own words who you really are.

In other parts of the application, we learn about your academic and professional accomplishments (i.e., what you have done). Through your personal essays (Essays 1 and 2), we learn more about the person behind the achievements (i.e., who you are).

Because we want to discover who you are, resist the urge to "package" yourself in order to come across in a way you think Stanford wants. Such attempts simply blur our understanding of who you are and what you can accomplish.

We want to hear your genuine voice throughout the essays that you write and this is the time to think carefully about your values, your passions, your hopes and dreams.

In your short answer responses (Essay 3, options A, B, C, or D), we learn more about the experiences that have shaped your attitudes, behaviors, and aspirations.

Truly, the most impressive essays are those that do not begin with the goal of impressing us.

Essay Questions for Class of 2014 (entering Fall 2012)

Tell us in your own words who you really are. Answer essay questions 1, 2, and two of the four options for essay 3.

* Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why?

o The best examples of Essay 1 reflect the process of self-examination that you have undertaken to write them.
o They give us a vivid and genuine image of who you are—and they also convey how you became the person you are.
o They do not focus merely on what you've done or accomplished. Instead, they share with us the values, experiences, and lessons that have shaped your perspectives.
o They are written from the heart and address not only a person, situation, or event, but also how that person, situation, or event has influenced your life.

* Essay 2: What do you want to do—REALLY—and why Stanford?

o Use this essay to explain your view of your future, not to repeat accomplishments from your past.
o You should address three distinct topics:
    + your career aspirations
    + the role of an MBA education in achieving those aspirations
    + and your rationale for earning that MBA at Stanford, in particular.
o The best examples of Essay 2 express your passions or focused interests; explain why you have decided to pursue graduate education in management; and demonstrate your desire to take advantage of the opportunities that are distinctive to the Stanford MBA Program.

* Essay 3: Answer two of the four questions below. Tell us not only what you did but also how you did it. What was the outcome? How did people respond? Only describe experiences that have occurred during the last three years.
o Option A: Tell us about a time when you built or developed a team whose performance exceeded expectations.
o Option B: Tell us about a time when you made a lasting impact on your organization.
o Option C: Tell us about a time when you generated support from others for an idea or initiative.
o Option D: Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined or established.

Essay Length

Your answers for all of the essay questions cannot exceed 1,800 words.

You have your own story to tell, so please allocate the 1,800 words among all of the essays in the way that is most effective for you. We provide some guidelines below as a starting point, but you should feel comfortable to write as much or as little as you like on any essay question, as long as you do not exceed 1,800 words total.

* Essay 1: 750 words
* Essay 2: 450 words
* Essay 3: 300 words each


Formatting

* Use a 12-point font, double spaced
* Recommended fonts are Arial, Courier, and Times New Roman
* Indicate which essay question you are answering at the beginning of each essay (this does not count towards the 1800 word limit).
* Number all pages
* Upload all four essays as one document
* Preview the uploaded document to ensure that the formatting is true to the original
* Save a copy of your essays


Editing Your Essays

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

Feel free to ask your friends or family members to provide constructive feedback. When you ask for feedback, ask if the essays' tone sounds like your voice. It should. Your family and friends know you better than anyone else. If they do not believe that the essays capture who you are, how you live, what you believe, and what you aspire to do, then surely the Committee on Admissions will be unable to recognize what is most distinctive about you.

There is a big difference, however, between 'feedback' and 'coaching.' There are few hard and fast rules, but you cross a 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 you show someone your completed application, perhaps one or two times, and are apprised of errors or omissions.

In contrast, inappropriate coaching occurs when your application or your self-presentation is colored by someone else.

You best serve your own interests when your personal thoughts, individual voice, and unique style remain intact at the end of your editing process.

It is improper and a violation of the spirit of the Fundamental Standard and Honor Code and the terms of this application process, to have someone else write any part of your Stanford MBA Program application. Such an act will result in denial of your application or withdrawal of your offer of admission.


Additional Information

If there is any other information that is critical for us to know and is not captured elsewhere, please include it. Examples of pertinent additional information include:

* Extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance
* Explanation of why you do not have a Letter of Reference from your current direct supervisor or peer
* Explanation of criminal conviction, criminal charges sustained against you in a juvenile proceeding, and/or court-supervised probation
* Explanation of academic suspension or expulsion
* Any other information that you did not have sufficient space to complete in another section of the application (please begin the information in the appropriate section)
* Additional work experience that cannot fit into the space provided
* Additional information about your academic experience (e.g., independent research) not noted elsewhere.

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Stern - NYU

Click here to see the questions on the school's website
Please note the following details when completing the Essays section of the Fall 2012 online application.

The following 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. Your essays should be written entirely by you. An offer of admission will be revoked if you did not write your essays. Please note the following:

• Essays 1, 2 and 4 must be typed and submitted using the standard U.S. 8 1/2” x 11” format, double-spaced, in 12-point font.
• Please adhere to the essay word limits provided for each question.
• Word limits apply to the total question. For example, your response to Essay 1 should answer part (a), part (b) and part (c) with a total maximum of 750 words.
• Label the top of each essay with the following: Name, Date of Birth (month, day, year), Essay Number and Page Number (e.g.: Joe Applicant, January 1, 1983, Essay 1, Page 1) 

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

Think about the decisions you have made in your life. Answer the following:

(a) What choices have you made that led you to your current position?
(b) Why pursue an MBA at this point in your life?
(c) What is your career goal upon graduation from NYU Stern? What is your long-term career goal?

Admissions Tips:

• Listen to our podcast: Essays.
• Proofread your essays carefully.
• Make sure you have fully answered the essay questions.
• Be genuine in your essays - tell us about the real you.
• Follow the essay instructions, including word limits and font size.

Essay 2. Your Stern Experience
(500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

We take great care to shape the Stern community with individuals who possess both intellectual and interpersonal strengths. We seek individuals who are highly intelligent, collaborative and committed to flourishing as Stern leaders. Please answer the following questions:

(a) What is your personal experience with the Stern community? Tell us what actions you have taken to learn about us.
(b) Describe what most excites you about Stern from both an academic and extracurricular perspective.
(c) How do you anticipate making your mark on the Stern community? Be specific about the roles you will take on and the impact you hope to achieve.

Admissions Tip:

• To see if Stern is a fit for you, come visit us in New York City or at one of our events around the world.

Essay 3. Personal Expression
Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use almost any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative.

If you submit a non-written piece for Essay 3 (i.e., artwork or multimedia) or if you submit Essay 3 via mail, please upload a brief description of your submission with your online application.

Please note the following guidelines and restrictions:

• Your submission becomes the property of NYU Stern and cannot be returned for any reason.

• If you submit a written essay, it should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font. If you submit a video or audio file, it should be five minutes maximum.

• If you prepare a multimedia submission, you may mail a CD, DVD or USB flash drive to the Admissions Office. These are the only acceptable methods of submission. Please do not submit an internet link to any websites or to a video hosting service such as YouTube.

• The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request an alternate Essay 3 if we are unable to view your submission

• Do not submit anything perishable (e.g. food) or any item that has been worn (e.g. clothing).

• Mailed materials must be postmarked by the deadline date. To submit Essay 3 by mail, please follow the mail and labeling instructions.

Essay 3 packages are subject to size restrictions. Essays that exceed the stated size restrictions will not be accepted for review by the Admissions Committee. Please see the table below for the maximum package size guidelines:

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

Admissions Tip:

• Listen to Isser Gallogly, Executive Director of MBA Admissions, discuss Essay 3 on Public Radio's "Marketplace". (Please note that we have updated Essay 3 size restrictions and accept multimedia submissions on CDs, DVDs and USB flash drives.)

Essay 4. Additional Information (optional)
Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript(s), plans to retake the GMAT, GRE and/or TOEFL or any other relevant information.

If you are unable to submit a recommendation from your current supervisor, you must explain your reason in Essay 4.

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

If you are applying to a dual degree program, please explain your decision to pursue a dual degree.

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

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Tepper - Carnegie Mellon

Click here to see the questions on the school's website

ESSAY A* (Required) (Suggested length - 2 double-spaced pages.)
What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you to achieve these goals? (Please include any information regarding what steps you have taken to learn more about the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.)

ESSAY B* (Required) (Suggested length - 2 double-spaced pages.)
The Tepper School is looking for individuals who will make an impact. Give an example of a time where you made an impact in your professional or academic life.

ESSAY C* (Required) (Suggested length – 1 double-spaced page.)
Please answer one of the following two questions. Please clearly specify which question you are answering.

1. Describe an obstacle you have faced in your professional or academic life. How did you overcome this obstacle and how did it foster your development?

2. Describe a time in your professional or academic life in which your ethics were challenged. How did you deal with the situation and what did you learn from it?

ESSAY D* (Required) (Suggested length – 1 double-spaced page.)
Please answer one of the following two questions. Please clearly specify which question you are answering.

1. Outside of my professional and/or academic life, one thing that people would be surprised to know about me is…

2. Outside of my professional and/or academic life, I am especially proud of…

Additional Essay
ESSAY E (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. 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 provide helpful context for the admissions committee in reviewing your application.
NOTE: You must complete this essay if you answered 'yes' to either of the 'additional information' questions above.

 

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Tuck

Click here to see the questions on the school's website

Please respond fully but concisely to the following essay questions. Compose each of your answers offline in separate document files and upload them individually in the appropriate spaces below.

Although there is no restriction on the length of your response, most applicants use, on average, 500 words for each essay. There are no right or wrong answers. Please double-space your responses.

1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA program for you? (If you are applying for a joint or dual degree, please explain how the additional degree will contribute to those goals.)

2. Discuss your most meaningful leadership experience. What did you learn about your own individual strengths and weaknesses through this experience?

3. Describe a circumstance in your life in which you faced adversity, failure, or setback. What actions did you take as a result and what did you learn from this experience?

4. Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck?

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

6. (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.

Additional question from the "international experience" section in the application:
Briefly describe all experiences you have working, studying, living, or traveling outside your home country. Include the location, purpose, and length of stay. If relevant, reflect on how these experiences have shaped your world view. (Limit 250 words)

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Wharton

Click here to see the questions on the school's website
Class of 2014 Essay Questions

The Admissions Committee is interested in getting 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.

REQUIRED QUESTION:

What are your professional objectives? (300 words)

RESPOND TO 2 OF THE FOLLOWING 3 QUESTIONS:

1. Reflect on a time when you turned down an opportunity. What was the thought process behind your decision? Would you make the same decision today? (600 words)

2. Discuss a time when you faced a challenging interpersonal experience. How did you navigate the situation and what did you learn from it? (600 words)

3. "Innovation is central to our culture at Wharton. It is a mentality that must encompass every aspect of the School - whether faculty research, teaching or alumni outreach." - Thomas S. Robertson, Dean, The Wharton School

Keeping this component of our culture in mind, discuss a time when you have been innovative in your personal or professional life. (600 words)

ADDITIONAL QUESTION FOR REAPPLICANTS:

All reapplicants to Wharton are 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 to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, extracurricular/volunteer engagements). You may also use this section to address any extenuating circumstances. (250 words)

OPTIONAL SECTION FOR ALL APPLICANTS:

If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application).  (250 words)

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Yale

Short Answers

Please answer each of the four (4) questions below with a short paragraph of no more than 150 words. This is an opportunity to distill your core ideas, values, goals and motivations into a set of snapshots that help tell us who you are, where you are going professionally, and why. (600 words total)

1. What are your professional goals immediately after you receive your MBA?

2. What are your long-term career aspirations?

3. Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA? (If you plan to use your Yale MBA to make a significant change in the nature of your career, please tell us what you have done to prepare for this transition.)

4. The intentions of our students to engage in a broad-minded business school community and to connect to an eminent and purposeful university greatly influences the Yale MBA experience. How do you plan to be involved in the Yale SOM and greater Yale communities as a student?

Personal Statements

Choose two (2) of the following topics and answer them in essay form. Please indicate the topic number at the beginning of your essay. (500 words maximum)

1. At the Yale School of Management, we believe the world needs leaders who:

- Understand organizations, teams, networks and the complex nature of leadership;
- Understand markets and competition in different contexts; and
- Understand the diversity of economies throughout the world and the relationships between business and society.

What experiences have you had that demonstrate your strength in one or more of these areas?

2. What is the most difficult feedback you have received from another person or the most significant weakness you perceive in yourself? What steps have you taken to address it and how will business school contribute to this process?

3. Imagine yourself meeting your learning team members for the first time in Orientation. What is the most important thing your teammates should know about you?

4. Required for reapplicants: What steps have you taken to improve your candidacy since your last application?

Optional Essay
Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application (e.g., choice of recommender(s), academic background or performance, etc.). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not otherwise fully represented by this application. (250 words maximum)

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