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Sample MBA Essays and School Specific Tips

Ross MBA Group 1 and Group 2 Questions – How to Decide

Ross MBA Group 1 and Group 2 prompts are designed with two major themes. Group 1 talks about experiences from your professional and personal life that lack context in your resume or can’t even be completely captured with other application questions because of the limited space.

Group 2 is about your Emotional Intelligence and Resilience.

Sample Yale MBA Significant Challenge Essay - Leadership

Leadership narratives are the best as applicants in the 3-5 year range in traditional industries - finance or technology often don't get the opportunity to lead. In this example, the applicant shares an opportunity to lead that fell into his lap from an M&A. From leading 3-5 people in a startup to managing a 30-person team is the narrative arc.

Sample Yale MBA Significant Challenge Essay - COVID-19 Vaccine Development

The significant challenge for the essay is around professional challenges. The applicant, who worked as a consultant for the Pharma industry, found herself facing the biggest challenge of her life - developing a COVID-19 vaccine in 6 months. Unlike traditional milestones, COVID-19 required a parallel milestone framework that the consultant pushed for.

Sample Yale MBA Significant Challenge Essay - Growth Mindset

For this essay, the applicant shares his childhood, the poverty, and the scarcity mindset with which he grew up. This mindset helped him stand out when he joined as an Investment Banker in New York. By spotting a flaw in valuation that came from his habit of extreme due diligence, he earned a reputation as a conservative investor.