MBA Essay Questions - M7 and Top 50 (2025 Entering Class)

Most schools have released the Essays for the 2025 Entering class. 

MBA Essay Questions of M7 and Global Top 50 MBA programs in the world:

1. Harvard

Applicants to the MBA Class of 2027 (matriculating fall 2025) need to respond to three essay prompts:

• Business-Minded Essay: Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words)

• Leadership-Focused Essay: What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words)

• Growth-Oriented Essay: Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)

Joint Degree Essays:

•  Joint degree applicants for the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Kennedy School must provide an additional essay: How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (up to 400 words)

• Joint degree applicants for the Harvard Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences must provide an additional essay: The MS/MBA Engineering Sciences program is focused on entrepreneurship, design, and innovation. Describe your past experiences in these areas and your reasons for pursuing a program with this focus. (recommended length: 500 words). Applicants will also be able to respond to an optional essay.

2. Stanford

Question 1: What matters most to you, and why? (up to 650 words)

For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

Question 2: Why Stanford? ( up to 400 words) Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

3. Wharton

Question 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

Question 2: Essay 2: Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words)

Reapplicant: Please use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words)

4. Booth

Question 1: How will a Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)

Question 2: An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (Minimum 250 words, no maximum.)

Reapplicant: Upon reflection, how has your perspective regarding your future, Chicago Booth, and/or getting an MBA changed since the time of your last application? (Maximum 300 words.)

5. Columbia

January Entry Essays:

Short Answer Question 1: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Short Answer Question 2: Why do you prefer the January-entry term? (50 characters maximum)

Essay 1: Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job? (500 words)

Essay 2: The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a co-curricular program designed to provide students with the skills and strategies needed to develop as inclusive leaders. Through various resources and programming, students explore and reflect on the following five inclusive leadership skills: Mitigating Bias and Prejudice; Managing Intercultural Dialogue; Addressing Systemic Inequity; Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking; and Creating an Inclusive Environment. Describe a time or situation when you had the need to utilize one of these five skills, and tell us the actions you took and the outcome. (250 words)

Essay 3: We believe Columbia Business School is a special place with a collaborative learning environment in which students feel a sense of belonging, agency, and partnership--academically, culturally, and professionally. How would you co-create your optimal MBA experience at CBS? Please be specific. (250 words)

August Entry Essays:
Short Answer Question 1: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Short Answer Question 2: How do you plan to spend the summer after the first year of the MBA? If in an internship, please include target industry(ies) and/or function(s). If you plan to work on your own venture, please indicate a focus of business. (50 characters maximum)

Essay 1: Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job? (500 words)

Essay 2: The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a co-curricular program designed to provide students with the skills and strategies needed to develop as inclusive leaders. Through various resources and programming, students explore and reflect on the following five inclusive leadership skills: Mitigating Bias and Prejudice; Managing Intercultural Dialogue; Addressing Systemic Inequity; Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking; and Creating an Inclusive Environment. Please respond to one of the below (250 words). 

•    Describe a time or situation when you had the need to utilize one of these five skills and tell us the actions you took and the outcome.

•    Alternatively, please share a specific example of how you made a team more collaborative or fostered a greater sense of community within an organization.

Essay 3: We believe Columbia Business School is a special place with a collaborative learning environment in which students feel a sense of belonging, agency, and partnership--academically, culturally, and professionally. How would you co-create your optimal MBA experience at CBS? Please be specific. (250 words)

6. Kellogg

Question 1: Intentionality is a key aspect of what makes our graduates successful Kellogg leaders. Help us understand your journey by articulating your motivations for pursuing an MBA, the specific goals you aim to achieve, and why you believe now is the right moment. Moreover, share why you feel Kellogg is best suited to serve as a catalyst for your career aspirations and what you will contribute to our community of lifelong learners during your time here. (450 words)

Question 2: Kellogg leaders are primed to tackle challenges everywhere, from the boardroom to their neighborhoods. Describe a specific professional experience where you had to make a difficult decision. Reflecting on this experience, identify the values that guided your decision-making process and how it impacted your leadership style. (450 words)

7. MIT Sloan

Cover Letter: MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect and passion.

Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).

Short Answer Question: How has the world you come from shaped who you are today? For example, your family, culture, community, all help to shape aspects of your identity. Please use this opportunity if you would like to share more about your background. (250 words or less.)

8. Duke Fuqua

Required short-answer essay question: (in 100 words) What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first-choice career plan and your alternate plan.

Question 1: 25 random things about yourself
The 'Team Fuqua' spirit and community is one of the things that sets the MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. Please share with us “25 Random Things” about you. The Admissions Committee wants to get to know YOU - beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. Share with us important life experiences, your hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are.

Your list will be limited to 2 pages (750 words maximum). Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be brief, while others may be longer.

Question 2: The Fuqua community and you

Fuqua prides itself on cultivating a culture of engagement. Our students enjoy a wide range of student-led organizations that provide opportunities for leadership development and personal fulfillment, as well as an outlet for contributing to society. Our student-led government, clubs, centers, and events are an integral part of the student culture and to the development of leaders. Based on your understanding of the Fuqua culture, what are 3 ways you expect to contribute at Fuqua? Your response will be limited to 1 page (500 words maximum).

9. London Business School

Question 1 (500 words): What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School program contribute towards these?

Question 2 (500 words): (This question is optional) Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School?

10. INSEAD

JOBS ESSAYS
Question 1: Briefly summarize 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. (200 words, maximum)
Question 2: What would be your next step in terms of position if you were to remain in the same company instead of going to business school? (200 words, maximum)
Question 3: Please give a full description of your career since graduating from university. Describe your career path with the rationale behind your choices. (300 words, maximum)
Question 4: Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (100 words, maximum)

MOTIVATION ESSAYS:
Question 1: Give a candid description of yourself (who are you as a person), 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. (500 words, maximum)
Question 2: Consider a situation where you failed to achieve your objective(s). How did you handle failure? What did you learn about yourself and/or your interactions with others from this situation? (400 words)
Question 3: Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (maximum 300 words)

11. Tuck

Question 1: Why are you pursuing an MBA and why now? How will the distinct Tuck MBA contribute to achieving your goals and aspirations? (300 words)

Question 2: Tell us who you are. How have your values and experiences shaped your identity and character? How will your background contribute to the diverse Tuck culture and community? (300 words).

Question 3: “Describe a time you meaningfully contributed to someone else’s sense of inclusion in your professional or personal community. (300 words).

12. Yale

Essay 1: Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. Why is this commitment meaningful to you and what actions have you taken to support it?

Essay 2: Describe the community that has been most meaningful to you. What is the most valuable thing you have gained from being a part of this community and what is the most important thing you have contributed to this community?

Essay 3: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced. How have you confronted this challenge and how has it shaped you as a person?

13. Darden

Question 1: Community of Belonging: What would you want your classmates to know about you that is not on your resume? (100 words)

Question2: Inclusive Impact: Please describe a tangible example that illuminates your experience promoting an inclusive environment and what you would bring to creating a welcoming, global community at Darden. (300 words)

Question 3: Careers With Purpose: At this time how would you describe your short-term, post-MBA goal in terms of industry, function, geography, company size and/or mission and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (200 words)

14. Haas

Question 1: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)

Question 2: What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from Haas help you achieve those goals? Short-term career goals should be achievable within 3-5 years post-MBA, whereas long-term goals may span a decade or more and encompass broader professional aspirations. (300 words max)

Question 3: Describe any experience or exposure you have in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging whether through community organizations, personal, or in the workplace?

Question 4 (Short answer): Can you please describe any experience or exposure you have in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging whether through community organizations, personal, or in the workplace? (150 words max)

Question 5: The Berkeley MBA program develops leaders who embody our four Defining Leadership Principles. Briefly introduce yourself to the admissions committee, explain which leadership principle resonates most with you, and tell us how you have exemplified the principle in your personal or professional life. (Not to exceed 2 minutes.)

15. Ross

Part 1: Ross Experiences in Action-Based Learning (REAL) 

At Michigan Ross, we believe the best way to learn is by doing. In our Full-Time MBA Program, you will put your skills and knowledge to the test in real-world situations with real stakes. How will this learning environment benefit you, and how do you plan to contribute to the action-based learning experience? (300 words)

Part 2: How will you make an impact at Michigan Ross? 
Michigan Ross is proud to support a community of leaders and impact makers. As a future member of this community, we want to know more about who you are and what drives you. Please choose 1 of the following prompts to tell us more about what makes you stand out beyond your academic and work experience. List the prompt you are answering at the top of your response. (200 words) 

•    What makes you unique? 
•    Can you provide a specific example of how you've overcome a personal challenge? 
•    What makes you excited to get up each morning? 
•    Describe a time when you made a difference in your community or with an individual. 

Part 3: Career Aspirations 
What is your short-term career goal, and how will Ross help you achieve it? (200 words)

16. NYU Stern

Short Answer: Professional Aspirations (150 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font) What are your short-term career goals?

Question 1: Change: _________ it (350 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

In today’s global business environment, the only constant is change. Using NYU Stern’s brand call to action, we want to know how you view change. Change: _____ it. Fill in the blank with a word of your choice. Why does this word resonate with you? 

How will you embrace your own personal tagline while at Stern? Examples:
•    Change: Dare it.
•    Change: Dream it.
•    Change: Drive it.
•    Change: Empower it.
•    Change: Manifest it.
•    Change: [Any word of your choice] it.

Question 2: Personal Expression (a.k.a. "Pick Six")

Describe yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements:
•    A brief introduction or overview of your "Pick Six" (no more than 3 sentences).
•    Six images that help illustrate who you are.
•    A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.

17. UCLA Anderson

Short Essay Prompts: For the 2024-2025 application year, there are three short essay prompts that are required for first-time applicants:
•    Why are you pursuing an MBA? (150 words)
•    Describe your short-term and long-term post-MBA career goals. (150 words)
•    At Anderson, our mission is to prepare transformative leaders by developing students to think innovatively, problem-solve, and adapt to others – all with a driven and purposeful mindset. How do you plan to achieve your goals and develop into a transformative leader during your time at UCLA Anderson? (250 words)

18. Cornell

Goals Statement Prompt: A statement of your goals will begin a conversation that will last throughout the admissions process and guide your steps during the MBA program and experience. To the best of your understanding today, please share your short and long term goals by completing the following sentences and answering the enclosed short answer question (350 words maximum):

Immediately post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) [Role] at [Company] within [Industry].
•    Targeted Job Role:
•    Target Job Company:
•    Industry:

In 5–10 years post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) [Role] at [Company] within [Industry].
•    Targeted Job Role:
•    Target Job Company:
•    Industry:

How has your experience prepared and encouraged you to pursue these goals?

Impact Essay: At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make a meaningful impact on the Johnson community? (350 words maximum)
OR
The Unique Trait that Defines Me: What is something unique about you that others will remember you by? (350 words maximum)

19. McCombs

Essay 1 (250 Words): At Texas McCombs, we do things a little differently. We embrace those who take the initiative and forge new paths. What ambitious goal or change do you aim to achieve with an MBA, and why is Texas McCombs your ideal launch pad?

Essay 2 (250 words): Here, you are what's next. At this pivotal crossroads where you’re deciding your future path, the Texas McCombs MBA experience will equip you with the tools and mindset to make “what’s next” happen in your career. Please share unique qualities you possess that highlight your potential to shake up the status quo in your professional life.

Essay 3 (250 words): The University of Texas at Austin's motto, "What starts here changes the world," embodies a spirit of impact and transformation. What fuels your drive to lead change and make your mark in the world?

20. IESE

Career Goals Essay: What are your immediate career goals after graduation and your mid-term career goals 5-10 years after graduation? How will the IESE MBA program help you achieve them?”  (word limit 300 max)

Optional Essay: What would you like to highlight about yourself or your journey that may have not been captured in your application? (word limit 300 max)

21. IE

Question 1: This section is crucial for us to gain a deeper understanding of who you are, not solely as a student but also as an individual, enabling us to understand the unique value you could bring to our program. What is the most significant aspect you would like us to know about you that is not reflected in your resume or application?

You have the flexibility to choose from three formats to express yourself: a video (maximum duration: 3 minutes), a PowerPoint presentation (maximum of 10 slides), or a written essay (ranging between 550-650 words). Please pay careful attention to punctuation, structure, and content.

All your compositions must be absolutely original and specifically intended for this admission application. The compositions must be composed, executed and completed by you alone. Before submitting the links, check that they work correctly. The links must be active and available for consultation for a minimum of 18 months after the date the application is submitted.

22. Oxford

Question 1: Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 words)

Reapplicants: What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (Maximum 250 words)

23. Cambridge

Essay 1: Please provide details of your post-MBA career plans. The statement should not exceed 500 words and must address the following:

•    What are your short and long-term career objectives? How will the Cambridge MBA equip you to achieve these?
•    Looking at your short-term career goal, describe the research you have done to understand how this industry/role/location recruits MBA talent and what they are looking for in a candidate?

•    How confident do you feel about meeting your short-term career goal? What skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you to achieve them, and what preparation are you doing now?

Essay 2: Tell us about a time when you made a professional mistake. How could it have ended differently? (up to 200 words)

Essay 3: Tell us about the best team you worked with. What made the team successful? (up to 200 words)

Essay 4: Provide an example of when someone else positively impacted your life. What did you learn from this experience? (up to 200 words)

24. HEC Paris

Question 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)

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

Question 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)

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

Question 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).

25. SDA Bocconi

Each answer should not exceed 280 words

Question 1: What interests and occupations do you pursue in your free time?

Question 2: What do you think you gained from your university studies? Conversely, what important things do you think your studies lacked?

Question 3: Explain the most significant goals you think you have achieved so far and the reasons for their importance in your personal growth

Question 4: Describe your strong points, personal and professional, explaining why you see them as such

Question 5: Describe your weak points, personal and professional, explaining why you see them as such

Question 6: What are the reasons that lead you to apply to the Program at this point in your life?

Question 7: What other possibilities have you seriously considered, apart from the Program, for reaching your goals of personal and professional growth?

Question 8: Where do you wish to pursue your profession after receiving the MBA?

Where?
Why?

Question 9: What are your short-term professional goals (within the next 3-5 years)?

Question 10: What are your long-term professional goals?

Question 11: How do you expect to finance your Program studies?

26. Tepper

There is one required essay (maximum 500 words) for all Tepper MBA applicants (except college seniors):

The Tepper School community is committed to helping students reach their full potential. Explain your philosophy on helping others achieve their full potential. How have you implemented this philosophy in your professional life, and what impact has it had on those around you? How will this philosophy influence your approach to leadership in the Tepper MBA program and beyond?

27. McDonough

Please select one of the following three essays to complete in 300-350 words (approximately one page, double spaced) and include the essay prompt and your first/last name at the top of your submission.

Question 1: Principled Leadership: Georgetown Community: Our mission is rooted in Jesuit principles of equality and respect for everyone and an ethos of caring for the whole person. Inclusivity and diversity are core to supporting a community of people with an intersectional understanding of themselves and the world around them. Share how your educational, familial, cultural, economic, social, and/or other individual life experiences will contribute to the diversity of perspectives and ideas at Georgetown University.

Question 2: Cura Personalis: As the oldest Jesuit institution in the United States, cura personalis is a Latin phrase deeply ingrained within our community and translates to “care of the person.” It encompasses a profound sense of care and responsibility for one another, rooted in personalized attention to each individual’s needs, unique circumstances, gifts, and limitations, fostering the growth of each person. Please reflect on a specific instance where you exemplified cura personalis by supporting a teammate or coworker. Describe the particular actions you took to guide them, and explain the impact of these efforts. 

Additionally, discuss how you would leverage these experiences to contribute to the collaborative environment at Georgetown McDonough.

Question 3: Achieving Excellence: Georgetown McDonough is committed to achieving greater excellence to enrich the legacies of our students and alumni. Please reflect on a professional experience from your resume where you achieved outstanding results. Describe why this experience exemplified excellence, highlight the strengths or skills you utilized that contributed to this achievement, and share how these qualities will help you leave a legacy at Georgetown.

28. UNC

Question 1: Essay 1 is required. Your response should be no longer than 500 words and should address the following questions:

•    What are your immediate career goals and how will you benefit from earning an MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School?

•    As the business world continues to evolve, circumstances can change that can guide you in a different direction. Should your goals that you provided above not transpire, what other opportunities would you explore?

Question 2: Your response should be no longer than 500 words and should address the following question: 
Reflect on a project or initiative you were involved in that had a significant positive impact on a community, organization, or individual. How did this experience shape your sense of responsibility as a future leader dedicated to making a difference in the world?

29. Rice Jones

Short Question 1: Short-Term Career Goal Text (Word Limit: 100 words)

Short Question 2: Long-Term Career Goal Text (Word Limit: 100 words)

Required Creative Essay: While we know a picture is worth 1000 words, in 500 words or less tell us the story of a photo of your choosing that has significant value in your life experiences. Please feel free to share your photo!
You can complete this essay via a traditional written response (500-word limit) or via a video response (one to three-minute time limit).

30. Vanderbilt Owen

Your written statements give us great insight into your unique qualities and goals. We have two required written statements with a 200-word limit.

Statement 1: Our Career Management Center offers resources, guidance, and support to students as they navigate their anticipated post-MBA career paths. Examples of popular industry career paths are Consulting, Financial Services, Consumer Products, Healthcare, Human and Organizational Performance, Technology, and beyond. It is noteworthy that many students opt to concurrently explore multiple industry career paths.

As you contemplate your post-MBA aspirations, share two post-MBA career paths you aim to explore during the Vanderbilt MBA program. Please articulate your rationale and enthusiasm for these choices, and include the skills you have developed that will help you achieve your career goals.

Statement 2: We are genuinely interested in getting to know you and recognize that your identity extends beyond the confines of this application's structured questions. Please highlight something about yourself that isn't already captured in the application. This highlight statement is an opportunity for you to provide context and depth to something that is important or meaningful to you.

Optional Explanatory Statement: You may provide an additional statement to briefly explain anything that is not already addressed elsewhere in your application. This could include employment gaps, lack of recommendation from your current or most recent supervisor, violations of the law, academic misconduct, sub-par academic performance, or anything else that is relevant to your application. Bullet points are acceptable for this statement when appropriate.

31. NUS MBA

Question 1: How do you plan to spend your time on The NUS MBA to transform yourself personally & professionally? Briefly describe your experience to date, and how this and The NUS MBA can help you achieve your mid and long-term career goals. (350 words)

Question 2: How have people, events, and/or situations in your life influenced who you are today? (250 words)

32. Kelley MBA

Question 1: Discuss your immediate post-MBA professional goals. How will your professional experience, when combined with a Kelley MBA degree, allow you to achieve these goals? Should the short-term goals you have identified not materialize, what alternate career paths might you consider? (500 words)

Question 2: Respond to one of the following short essay prompts. (300 words)
a. My greatest memory is...
b. I'm most afraid of...
c. My greatest challenge has been...
d. I'm most proud of...

Question 3: Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words)

33. Foster MBA

Essay 1: Post-MBA Plans (750 words maximum)

Tell us your ideas about what lies ahead in your career. What are the gaps or deficiencies currently preventing you from pursuing these potential career paths? How do you plan to use your time in the Foster MBA program to fill these gaps and advance your career?

Essay 2: Personal Resilience Essay (500 words maximum)

Resilience is one of the most important values of a successful Foster student. Tell us about what resilience means to you and share some of the ways that you have demonstrated resilience in overcoming personal or professional challenges. How do you anticipate showing resilience during your time as an MBA candidate?

Essay 3: Optional essay (500 words maximum)

Include this essay if you have additional information you believe would be helpful to the admissions committee in considering your application.

Essay 4: Optional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion essay (500 words maximum)

At the Foster School of Business, we embrace diversity as one of the foundations of both successful business strategy and a world-class educational experience. We share the University’s dedication to promoting the understanding and appreciation of human differences, and the constructive expression of ideas. We welcome you to share some of the ways you have practiced inclusion, promoted equity or supported the advancement of underrepresented groups.

34. USC Marshall

Essay 1 (Required) - What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from USC Marshall help you achieve those goals? Short-term career goals should be those you want to achieve within 3-5 years post-MBA, whereas long-term goals may span a decade or more and encompass broader professional aspirations. (word limit: 400)

Essay 2 (Required) - In the USC Marshall MBA Program, teamwork is essential to success. Please share an example of a time when you collaborated effectively with others to achieve a personal or professional goal. (word limit: 400)

Essay 3 (Optional) - We realize that each person is more than a list of facts or pre-defined categories, and we’d like to recognize each individual’s unique qualities and experiences. Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider when reviewing your candidacy for the MBA program. (word limit: 500)

35. Mendoza College

Statement of Purpose: Please share your short term professional goals. How does the Notre Dame Master of Business Administration help achieve your career goals? (100 words or less)

Essay 1 – Option 1: The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842, by Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C, with a mission to become “one of the most powerful means for doing good in this country”. In 1879, Father Sorin’s vision for Notre Dame appeared to be at a sudden, abrupt end. A massive fire destroyed the building that housed virtually the entire University. Instead of giving up, Father Sorin interpreted the fire as a sign that he had dreamed too small, and decided to rebuild, bigger and better than ever. That Main Building still stands today, topped by the gleaming Golden Dome, not only as an iconic campus building, but as an ongoing symbol of perseverance and vision.

Tell us the story of a time in your own life or career when you had to overcome an obstacle, start over, or rebuild. (maximum 2 pages, 12pt font, double-spaced)

Essay 1 – Option 2: The foundation of a Notre Dame business education is the vision of the College’s founder and first dean, John Cardinal O’Hara: “The primary function of commerce is service to mankind.” Students choose Notre Dame because they are willing to Grow the Good in Business™. They look beyond profits and shareholder value and drive decisions based on values and a greater good. Please describe what “growing the good in business” means to you.

Slide Presentation: Effective communication is a central skill for managers and visual presentations are an important method of communication. Demonstrate your ability to clearly and concisely communicate by telling us about yourself, using a short slide presentation.

Please consider the following guidelines when creating your presentation:
•    Please submit four (4) slides.
•    You may create your slides in any software that works for you, but you must save and upload as a .pdf.
•    Do not use audio or video files.
•    You are free to share anything about yourself that you think would be of value to the Admissions Committee. You can have some fun and be a bit more lighthearted in this portion of your application. Your tone should reflect your personality.
•    Please be assured that the Admissions Committee will read your essay, your resume, and your transcripts in detail. Your slides are an opportunity to go beyond your academic and work history and show the Committee who you are as a person.

36. BU Questrom School of Business

Written Essay or Video Essay
Written Essay: Your written essay should be no more than 750 words, and should explain to the admissions committee why you’d like to earn your degree from the Questrom School of Business specifically. It should also address why you have selected the program you are applying to (Full-Time MBA, Professional Evening MBA, Health Sector MBA, Dual Degree, etc.) – and how that program will help you achieve your post-graduate goals.

37. IIMA

Yet to Be Declared

38. ISB PGP

Question 1: Contemplate situations that have shaped your personal journey. Present what these situations have taught you about your strengths and weaknesses, and how they have shaped your personal and professional journey. (400 words max)

Question 2: What intellectual experiences have influenced your approach to learning and have led you to pursue an MBA? Please describe using anecdotes from your own experiences. (400 words max)

Question 3: OPTIONAL: Given your experience and aspirations, how do you plan to use the PGP at ISB to fulfil your professional goals? (Optional) (250 words max)

39. IIMB

Yet to Be Declared

40. Washington University Olin Business School

Required Essay: At WashU Olin, we recognize that our community is comprised of individuals who come to us from different pathways and perspectives. Similarly, each student’s journey during and after the program is unique. Please provide a personal statement that describes how your life experiences have shaped your decision to apply to graduate school and how you believe WashU Olin will help you achieve your long-term professional and personal goals. (500-word maximum) 

Optional: Please describe what your ideal career will be immediately following graduation from business school. (100-word maximum)

41. ESADE

Question 1: Are you applying to other Schools? Please provide detail of Schools and Programmes. This information is for our own records; it will not affect the Admissions Comittee's decision. Maximum 255 characters (including spaces).

Question 2: Did you learn about this programme through an Alumnus recommendation? If so please provide us with the name and graduation year. Maximum 255 characters (including spaces). 

Question 3: Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this?

Question 4: 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).

Question 5: 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?

Question 6: Complete two of the following four questions or statements
•    I am most proud of...
•    People may be surprised to learn that I...
•    What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
•    Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?

Question 7: 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. (max 3 000 characters)

42. IMD

Question 1: Tell us your story. (Make sure you include specific examples that would be relevant to the application process). Minimum length 300 words and maximum 400 

Question 2: Is there any additional information that is critical for the Admissions Committee which has not been covered elsewhere in this application? (i.e. re-application, health, grades, etc.) (Word limit 100)

43. Rochester – Simon School of Business

Question 1: In 250–500 words total, respond to the following prompts:
•    Describe your short-term and long-term post-graduation goals.
•    Given the fluctuation of economic and industry hiring trends, identify a back-up plan should your short-term goal not be immediately attainable.
•    How does your past education and experience support your career objectives?
•    Lastly, what aspects of your intended Simon Business School program make it a good choice for your graduate study?

Question 2: Simon’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has been long-standing and demonstrated by our diverse student profile. An essential part of our mission is to foster diversity of thought throughout our wide breadth of curricular and co-curricular activities in order to help develop students into global business leaders. In recognition of this, U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Simon as the No. 2 most diverse MBA program among its top-50 business schools (2022). As a Simon student, how will you contribute to Simon’s pledge to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access? (250-500 words)

Video Essay: You will receive a single question. (All questions are those often asked by our Admissions Committee members during an in-person interview.) You will have 30 seconds to think about your answer and then up to 90 seconds to answer the question. You do not have to use the entire 90 seconds, so if you finish your answer earlier, it’s fine to stop the recording.

44. Georgia Tech Scheler School of Business

There are three required essays and one optional essay on the "MBA supplemental" tab of the application that will appear when you select our program. 

Question 1: Why an MBA and why Georgia Tech? (Required)
Describe how your experiences, both professional and personal, have led you to the decision to pursue an MBA at Georgia Tech. 2,000 characters maximum (including spaces).

Question 2: Short- and long-term career goals (Required)
Discuss your short- and long-term career goals and how Georgia Tech is best suited to help you achieve your goals. 2,000 characters maximum (including spaces).

Question 3: Ten facts (Required)
List 10 facts about yourself that will help your future classmates get to know you. 2,000 characters maximum (including spaces).

Optional essay: The admissions committee believes that the required essays address issues that help us learn about you and understand your candidacy for the MBA program; however, you may provide us with any additional information pertinent to your admission that has not been previously covered in the rest of the application. Feel free to discuss any unique aspects of your candidacy or any perceived weaknesses. 2,000 character maximum (including spaces).

45. HKUST

Essay 1: What are your strengths? Please also share an example of how you have used your strengths to make a difference at work or outside of work. (Max. 350 words)

Essay 2: What are your long and short-term goals? How do you plan to use HKUST’s MBA program to help you achieve these goals? (Max. 350 words)

Essay 3: (Optional): What else would you like the admissions committee to know about you and your application? (Max 250 words)

46. Paul Merage School of Business 

Question 1: Applicants are required to upload a 1 minute (60 second) video as part of their application.

In your video, please introduce yourself to the admissions committee, telling us about your professional experience, including a brief overview of your short-term career goals and how an MBA from UCI’s Merage School will positively impact that direction.

Question 2: We must adapt both ourselves and our businesses for the disruption inherent in the digital environment. With this in mind, please identify an emerging trend in your stated industry or function of interest. How will the impact of technology and the skills you develop at Merage help you navigate this trend and be a value-add to a future employer? (500 words or less)

47. Ivey Business School

Question 1: What are your short-term career plans immediately post-MBA, and why is an Ivey MBA essential to those plans? (250 word limit)

Question 2: Tell us about a challenge you have faced in your life, and what lessons you learned from it. (250 word limit)
Video Essay.

48. Rotman School of Management

Essay 1: Our admitted students stand out by doing interesting things with their personal and professional lives — something we describe as the ‘spike factor’; what are the things that you have done in your life that demonstrate Passion/ Grit/ Resilience/ Innovation/ Drive/ Ambition and more? This can cross all or any aspects of life outside of work – hobbies, volunteerism, awards, entrepreneurial ventures, sports and the arts. We believe that exposure to a rich diversity of viewpoints makes for a superior learning experience, and pride ourselves on building a diverse class of exceptional individuals who will go on to make the School proud as professionals and alumni.

Explain your spike factor (something unique about yourself) that you believe will contribute to the Rotman community and is aligned with Rotman values. (up to 1000 words)*  

Optional – Please upload 1-3 of your ‘spikiest’ pictures to the supplemental items section of your application here. Note: Your photos must be uploaded as a single PDF.

49. WHU

Motivation Essay:

Question 1: What are your reasons, both professional and personal, for applying for an MBA program? What are some skills or key competencies you would like to develop when studying at WHU?

Question 2: What are your plans for the first 3-5 years after graduation? What are your long-term career aspirations? How do you think the WHU MBA will help you to achieve your goals?

Question 3: Why do you want to study at WHU?

Question 4: What sets you apart from other applicants? Why are you a perfect fit for the WHU MBA?

Question 5: Please list any professional merits, extra certifications, recognitions you have received.

50. Gouizetta MBA

Short Answer Questions (40-word limit each)

Answer all 3 of the short answer questions below. Each response should be no more than 40 words. 

•    What are your short-term post-MBA career goals?
•    How will your professional experience and the Goizueta MBA help you to achieve those goals?
•    What’s a fun fact about you that you would like the committee to know? 
Essay Questions (300-word limit each)

Answer the 2 essay questions below. Each response should be no more than 300 words.

•    Goizueta Business School’s mission is to prepare principled leaders to have a positive influence on business and society. Identify a personal account of a time you effectively demonstrated your leadership skills. Respond to one of these two prompts:

o    What about this experience made you feel proud of your leadership abilities?
o    What did this experience teach you about leadership? 

•    Our lived experiences shape who we are and the aspirations we have. As a values-driven community, we care about what has shaped your life. Please share what or who has had the biggest impact on your life.

Optional Essay (500-word limit)

Still have more to share? This optional essay is your opportunity to share something you couldn’t find a place for on your application. This is also where you should address anything the committee may question (e.g., gaps in employment, academic challenges, choice of recommender). You can use essay format or bullets. Please identify topics if more than one is addressed.

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