UCLA Anderson’s MBA application essay topics are largely similar to last year’s in terms of length and format. The school requires that candidates respond to four essay prompts, three in writing and one, preferably, in an audio recording, and covers topics ranging from one’s upbringing to professional goals. The school has replaced a question on an influential experience with an inquiry about a significant risk, suggesting a more active interest in applicants’ hands in shaping their own lives and futures this season.
Let’s consider each of the school’s prompts and how one might approach them.
Essay 1: Describe the ways in which your family and/or community have helped shape your development. (750 words)
Anderson has opened its application with a question about candidate’s family backgrounds for many years running now. While we generally caution applicants against writing at length about their families and upbringing when they could cover other topics in their essays (lest they sound immature or create the impression that they haven’t done anything of note more recently), Anderson makes the unusual move of explicitly requesting information on this subject. The school is likely asking this to get at information that might not otherwise come up in an applicant’s file – such as a childhood spent abroad or difficult socio-economic circumstances overcome – to get a more complete sense of the person as a whole and what an applicant might bring to the community in terms of background and perspective. Another possible motivation might be to identify reflective and self-aware applicants who are able to identify the ways their early experiences have influenced who they are today. No matter what approach you choose to take in framing your comments, remember that in spite of the somewhat unconventional subject, it’s important to speak directly to the question and explore the subject in-depth.
Essay 2: Describe the biggest risk you have ever taken, the outcome, and what you learned in the process. (500 words)
A new prompt for this admissions season, this essay topic telegraphs an interest in applicants who aren’t afraid to take a chance when they see an opportunity or set out to reach a goal. Keep in mind that, in addition to saying something about a your level of risk tolerance, the principle, accomplishment or relationship for which you were willing to make a gamble will also say something about your values and priorities. A professional, academic or activity-related example would be ideal, but personal circumstances could also make for compelling subjects here. The key will be providing a sound explanation of why the risk was worth it, and sharing some lessons that will carry into your time at business school and beyond.
Essay 3: 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)
Maintaining its somewhat unusual placement toward the end of the school’s list of questions, this is otherwise a fairly standard career goals essay. While it’s important to provide a candid account of your professional objectives and interest in Anderson’s program, remember that a truly artful set of essays will introduce common themes that run throughout these first three responses. Ideally, then, the topic of this essay will not come as a complete surprise to an adcom member who has read the previous essays.
Note that the second part of the question encompasses two parts: the timing of one’s application, and the ways that UCLA’s MBA program will satisfy one’s interest or needs. In order to tailor your response to Anderson’s unique merits and offerings, you will need to be able to identify certain programs and courses that are relevant to your goals and stated interests. Taking the time to learn about the school’s curriculum, special programs and extracurricular activities – whether through a visit to campus, conversation with alumni or reading the Clear Admit School Guide to the Anderson School of Management – will pay dividends here.
Essay 4: Select and respond to one of the two following questions. We would like you to respond to the question by recording an audio or video response (up to 10Mb maximum) for upload in the online application. If you are unable to submit your response via audio or video, then please prepare a written response instead. (250 words)
This audio-preferred essay was introduced last year, and is a unique question type among the top MBA programs. By favoring a recorded oral response (and now adding a video option), UCLA may be signaling the value it places on effective communication, looking for applicants who can express themselves articulately through both spoken and written channels. Thus, speaking with clarity and in as engaging a manner as possible will likely be quite beneficial. The two prompts, meanwhile, seem to be seeking a response that displays passion, commitment, and drive. Let’s take a closer look at each:
a. Entrepreneurship is a mindset that embraces innovation and risk-taking within both established and new organizations. Describe an instance in which you exhibited this mindset.
This is a reworking of a similar prompt from last year that asked candidates what entrepreneurial spirit meant to them; this time around, Anderson wants to know how applicants have acted in accordance with its own definition.
This question is a great opportunity to display a sense of vision and innovation – a great option for candidates with a track record of creative problem solving and improvement, as well as those with entrepreneurial experience or goals. Tying your comments in to UCLA’s entrepreneurial values could be helpful in exhibiting a vision that includes Anderson’s program. Of course, this is a tall order for a 250-word script, so brevity will be important as you set the scene and take the listener through your actions and their impact.
b. What is something people will find surprising about you?
This question provides candidates with a chance to explore an important aspect of their candidacy not mentioned in data forms, the resume, or other responses. For applicants from oversubscribed groups in the applicant pool, this forum could offer a great chance to truly stand out from the crowd by sharing an interesting detail about their background or interests. While the door is open to just about anything, from a quirky hobby to an exotic travel experience, it would be ideal for the topic of this essay to have some relevance to your future in the MBA program.
I love the last question.