Tippie School of Managements has published the MBA Application essays for 2012-13. In this article, we will cover tips and strategies to answer the essays. There are one supplemental and two mandatory essay questions. The total word count for the mandatory questions is 800 words.
Question 1: Discuss your specific career objectives and how the Tippie MBA will contribute to the accomplishment of your objectives.
Word limit: 450 words
Essay Question 1 - Tips
Although the question looks like a post-MBA goals question and the AdCom hints at what need to written with the guideline “This question is designed to communicate clearly and succinctly what you want to do with your MBA after graduation”, it is better that we understand the difference between goals and objectives.
From Business School MBA Application Essay point of view, the definition of Goals and Objectives are similar. But in terms of definitions, objectives are more tangible and measurable. Goals are more general and abstract with the intention of guiding the students to a career path.
Let us assume that the AdCom wants specific targets that you intend to achieve with Tippie MBA. Before we answer how we are going to leverage the courses, activities and expertise of Tippie MBA Faculty to achieve the career goals, answer the following questions:
1) What salary increase are you targeting?
2) What industry would you like to work?
3) What would be the job function?
4) What would be the daily responsibilities?
5) Where would be the Job location?
To answer the above questions, read how to define post-MBA goals, and visit Tippie MBA’s Career Statistics Page , and find out the latest trends in employment.
Setting high goals is not discouraged but applicants should have an idea about the employment trends of Tippie MBA students, and set a realistic path on reaching the career goals. Networking with current students and Alumni will give applicants a clearer idea on the potential career paths. Instead of setting vague career options, clearly mention where you want to be after the MBA program.
Since the word limit is 450 words, you cannot expand a lot on the multiple options that you are going to pursue with the MBA but instead pick the most feasible career path based on your interest, feedback from Alumni and Current students, and the learning experience offered by Tippie MBA.
To convey your Post MBA objective in a clear and concise manner, research should be done about Tippie MBA and its unique value proposition.
We have summarized some of the key components of the Tippie MBA program:
• Tippie MBA is a 21-Month Full-time MBA program with a focus on leadership and experiential learning
• Foundation Courses are completed in the first semester itself (16 weeks)
• By Second Semester, students are ready for consulting projects and concentrations
• Leadership development is integrated throughout the course
• Tippie MBA program requires students to attend the International Immersion program (Guangzhou or São Paulo)
• Students can take part in the Study Abroad Program in Vienna, Frankfurt, Oslo, Rotterdam, and other European cities
We encourage you to visit the Tippie MBA program Summary Page in F1GMAT and the MBA page at Tippie.
Question 2: Share an image that tells us something about you as an MBA candidate -- one that has ties to your past or present and is an indicator of your future as an MBA -- that will help to expand our understanding of who you are. To accompany your image, include an essay of no more than 350 words that describes why this image is meaningful to you. Creativity encouraged!
From this response, we want to get to know you. Our goal is to get a sense of the person and personality behind the resume.
Prepare your response to this essay question in a single document, which should contain both your image and your 350-word (max) written response. We recommend using Microsoft Word (or similar), pasting the image at the top and adding text below.
Essay Question 2 - Tips
The essay has clear guidelines: paste the image in MS word document, then write your essay below the image and describe why the image is meaningful to you.
We had written about Tippie MBA Admission team’s unique approach to essays in our article MBA Admissions - 4 Business Schools Are Thinking Different. Lydia Fine, Associate Director MBA Admissions and Recruiting, shared some valuable tips on answering this essay question:
“We've seen photo shopped collages, clip art, and more. Some of our favorites have had a tie to the candidate's childhood -- one particularly evocative picture featured a candidate as a young child, being held by his father who was in a policeman's uniform (this candidate was from India). He talked about his father's service to the community and how it led him to want to change lives through business. Another candidate's essay included a photo of him and his brother in a military fighter jet, as they were deployed into the military together. Very affecting, and very revealing. “
As you can see above, the responses that found favor with the Admissions team were images that evoked strong emotions. Being clever with the image essay might not work out. Focus instead on images that represent the person or event or change in your life that had the biggest impact. Write why the image is important for you. The word-limit is 350 words. Therefore, spend your words judicially.
The first one-third of the essay should explain the context of the image and the remaining 2/3rd on the impact the person, event or change had in your life.
Supplemental Essay
If you feel that adverse conditions have played a substantial role in your educational development and if you would like the Admissions Committee to weigh the factors involved, please describe your situation in a written response and give a brief explanation of its impact on your academic record. Examples of circumstances that could merit consideration are significant economic, social, physical, or cultural factors in your background. Please limit your answer to 350 words or less.
Tips
Answer this essay if you had circumstance where your full potential could not be reached in your academics or career. Don’t make any excuses but explain the circumstances, taking full responsibility of the outcome.
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