Essay Topics
A listing of business school application essay topics posted as they are announced by leading MBA programs. Check back frequently during the summer months for updates!
Stanford GSB Essay Topics 2013-2014
The 2013-2014 Stanford GSB essay topics have been announced! This year’s essays are below:
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why?
- The best examples of Essay 1 reflect the process of self-examination that you have undertaken to write them.
- They give us a vivid and genuine image of who you are—and they also convey how you became the person you are.
- 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.
- 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. Continue reading…
Columbia Business School Essay Topics 2013-2014
The Columbia Business School essay topics for the 2013-2014 admissions season have recently been announced, and the application for the Class of 2016 is now live! The essay topics are below. All essays are required unless otherwise noted.
Short Answer Question
What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (100 characters maximum)
Essay 1
Given your individual background, why are you pursuing a Columbia MBA at this time? (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2
Columbia Business School is located in the heart of the world’s business capital – Manhattan. How do you anticipate that New York City will impact your experience at Columbia? (Maximum 250 words)
Please view the videos below:
New York City – limitless possibilities
New York City – fast paced and adaptable
Essay 3
What will the people in your Cluster be pleasantly surprised to learn about you? (Maximum 250 words)
Optional Essay
An optional third essay will allow you to discuss any issues that do not fall within the purview of the required essays.
For additional information, applicants should visit CBS’s admissions website.
Admissions Tip: Approaching the Career Goals Essay
With essay topics for the coming year already being released by some schools, there are applicants who are eager to get started on their written applications. Though essay questions tend to vary year to year, the two things that nearly every prospective student can count on being asked are “What are your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals?” and “How will Business School X help you achieve these goals?”
These are the fundamental questions of the entire application process; identifying clear answers will help in everything from creating a list of target schools to communicating effectively with recommenders and interviewers down the line. As such, it’s a great idea to begin drafting answers to the Career Goals essay early and often! To help you get started, here are some general pointers: Continue reading…
ISB Essay Topics 2013-2014
ISB’s essays are now available and can be found in ISB’s online application, which is now live. The 2013-2014 essays are as follows:
Essay 1: Attitude, skills and knowledge differentiate people. Elaborate with two examples on how you would differentiate yourself. (300 words max)
Essay 2: How does the ISB PGP tie-in with your career goals? (300 words max)
Essay 3: Pick the most significant achievement (professional or personal) you have had and elaborate on the key learning you took away from it. (300 words max)
Optional Essay: Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (300 words max)
For additional information, applicants should visit ISB’s admissions website.
USC / Marshall Essay Topics 2012-2013
The 2012-2013 USC / Marshall essay topics have been announced. They are listed below:
1. What are your short-term career goals post MBA? How will USC Marshall help you achieve these goals? (750 words)
2. How will other USC Marshall MBA Students benefit from your background, experience, leadership and teamwork skills? (500 words)
3. Select three from the following and describe: (250 words each)
a) A challenging international business experience.
b) How would you contribute to the “Trojan Network.”
c) Your most significant accomplishment.
d) A personal or professional setback.
e) Introduce yourself to your future Marshall classmates in 100 words or less Continue reading…
CMU / Tepper Essay Topics 2012-2013
The 2013-2013 CMU / Tepper essay topics have been announced. You can find them below:
ESSAY A (Required)
Maximum length= 2 double-spaced pages in 12 pt font
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)
Maximum length= 2 double-spaced pages in 12 pt font
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. Continue reading…
UT Austin / McCombs Essay Topics 2012-2013
The UT Austin / McCombs essay topics for 2012-2013 are now available on the school’s admission’s website. The two required essays and one optional essay are as follows:
Required Essays
1. Describe how your professional and personal experiences have led you to pursue an MBA at this time. Please share with us your short and long term goals and why the Texas MBA at McCombs is the program best positioned to help you achieve them.
Limit: 800 words
2. At the University of Texas at Austin, our motto is “What starts here changes the world.” Here at McCombs, we are looking for students who share this vision. We believe that the MBA experience is a transformative one and that our students are able to have a positive impact, not only on their own lives, but also in their workplaces, their local communities, their professional industries and/or the world generally. Continue reading…
Oxford / Saïd Essay Topics 2012-2013
Oxford / Saïd has announced its essay topics for 2012-2013! They are as follows:
Essay 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? (750 words)
Essay 2: What should Oxford expect from you? (750 words)
Re-applicant Essay: What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (250 words) Continue reading…
Cambridge / Judge Essay Topics 2012-2013
The 2012-2013 Cambridge / Judge essay topics have been announced! The three essays are as follows:
1. What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
2. 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 and how do you feel it will help you achieve the career objectives you have? (please do not exceed 500 words)
3. If you could change one thing about your current organisation, what would you make different? How would you overcome obstacles to this change, and what impact would this change have in the short-term and long-term? (300 words) Continue reading…
INSEAD Essay Topics 2012-2013
The 2012-2013 INSEAD essay topics have been released! They are posted below.
Job Description:
1. Briefly summarise your current (or most recent) job, including the nature of work, major responsibilities, and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, clients/ products and results achieved. (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 if applicable? (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) Continue reading…
UCLA / Anderson Essay Topics 2012-2013
Following up on their earlier announcement of the 2012-2013 application deadlines, the Anderson adcom has announced the essay questions for the 2012-2013 admissions season. The essays are as follows:
Essay 1: What is your proudest achievement outside the workplace, and how has it impacted you? (700 words maximum)
Essay 2: What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from UCLA Anderson specifically help you achieve these goals? (700 words maximum
Re-applicant Essay: Please describe your career progress since you last applied and ways in which you have enhanced your candidacy. Include updates on short-term and long-term career goals, as well as your continued interest in UCLA Anderson. (700 words maximum) Continue reading…
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