Before beginning the long and painstaking process of writing each essay, we strongly encourage you to take a  bit of time out for yourself. No, we don't mean that you should hide out on a small Greek island far from the rest of the world, but more so that you should take the time to go through a process of self-reflection. Most importantly, the idea is for you to take the time out to think about the reasons motivating you to do an MBA and to conclude what you will get out of it. On the other hand, considering what doing an MBA is going to cost you, not only the financial and professional implications (from interrupting your career), but also the consequences for your social and personal life.

Kellogg MBA Essays

All applicants are required to answer questions 1, 2 and 3 and must select 2 of the 3 essays in Question 4.
If you are uploading your essay, please include at least a one inch top margin on each page and re-state the question at the beginning of the essay.
 

Essay Question 1

All applicants must complete A or B as appropriate:

A. Master of Business Administration applicants only. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at Kellogg. (one to two pages double-spaced)
B. Master of Management and Manufacturing applicants only. Briefly assess your career progress to date. How does the MMM program meet your educational needs and career goals? (one to two pages double-spaced)

Essay Question 2

Each of our applicants is unique. Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experiences of other Kellogg students.
(one to two pages double-spaced)

Essay Question 3
How have your past and current leadership experiences prepared you for Kellogg? What leadership areas are you hoping to develop through your MBA experience? (one to two pages double-spaced)

Essay Question 4
If you are uploading your essay, please include at least a one inch top margin on each page and re-state the question at the beginning of the essay.

Complete 2 of the 3 essays. (two to three double spaced paragraphs for each question).

A. Outside of work I…
B. I wish the Admissions Committee had asked me…
C. Describe the most challenging professional relationship you have faced and how you handled it.
D. (Required essay for re-applicants only)--Since your previous application, what are the steps you've taken to strengthen your candidacy?

*In addition to the first 3 required essay questions, all re-applicants must answer question 4D and one of the other essays from this grouping.

(Note: If uploading essays, both must be included in the same document file)

Chicago GSB MBA Essay Questions and Slide Presentation

Essays

1. Why are you pursuing an MBA at this point in your career? Describe your personal and professional goals and the role an MBA from the University of Chicago GSB plays in your plans to reach these goals. (1500 word maximum).
2. If you could step into someone else's shoes for a day, who would it be and why? (500 word maximum).

Slide Presentation

We have asked for a great deal of information throughout this application. In this portion of the application, we invite you tell us about yourself using a non-traditional application format - a PowerPoint presentation. In four slides or less, please provide readers with content that captures who you are.

Given that this is a new section we have set forth the following guidelines for you to consider when creating your presentation.

• The content is completely up to you. There is no right or wrong approach to the way you construct your slides or answer this question.

• There is a strict maximum of 4 slides.

• Slides will be printed and added to your file for review, therefore, flash, hyperlinks, embedded videos, music, etc. will not be viewed by the committee. You are limited to text and static images to convey your points.

• Slides will be evaluated on the quality of content and ability to convey your ideas.

• You are welcome to attach a word document of notes if you feel a deeper explanation of your slides is necessary.

• If you do not have access to PowerPoint or a similar software application, you can contact the admissions office at for alternative methods.

(Optional) If there is any important information that is relevant for your candidacy that you were unable to address elsewhere in the application, please share that information here.

Harvard MBA Essays

All applicants must submit answers to five essay questions. The first two questions are required of all applicants. The remaining three essays may be in response to your choice of the next six sub-questions.

Joint program applicants for the Harvard Medical School, Harvard Law School, and Kennedy School of Government must provide an additional essay.

MBA Essays:

1. What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such? (600-word limit)
2. What have you learned from a mistake? (400-word limit)
3. Please respond to three of the following (400-word limit each)

1. Discuss a defining experience in your leadership development. How did this experience highlight your strengths and weaknesses?
2. How have you experienced culture shock?
3. What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience?
4. What is your career vision and why is this choice meaningful to you?
5. What global issue is most important to you and why?
6. What else would you like the MBA Admissions Board to understand about you?

Joint degree applicants:

1. How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (400-word limit)

Stanford MBA Essays

• Essay A: What matters most to you, and why? (Recommended length is 3 pages, double-spaced)
• Essay B: What are your aspirations? How will your education at Stanford help you achieve them? (Recommended length is 2 pages, double-spaced)
As a Stanford MBA student, you will be assigned a team of advisors who will guide both your academic experience and your personal development. Your team will include a faculty advisor, a career counselor, and a leadership coach. Use Essay B to help you prepare for your first conversations with these mentors.
• Essay C: Short Essays—Options 1-4 Answer two of the questions below.

o Option 1: Tell us about a time when you empowered others. (Recommended length is 1 page, double-spaced)
o Option 2: Tell us about a time when you had a significant impact on a person, group or organization. (Recommended length is 1 page, double-spaced)
o Option 3: Tell us about a time when you tried to reach a goal or complete a task that was challenging, difficult, or frustrating. (Recommended length is 1 page, double-spaced)
o Option 4: Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined, established, or expected. (Recommended length is 1 page, double-spaced)

In answering both questions, tell us not only what you did, but also how you did it. Tell us the outcome, and describe how people responded. Describe only experiences that have occurred within the last three years.

Wharton MBA Essays

Essay 1 (Required)
Describe your career progress to date and your future short-term and long-term career goals. How do you expect a Wharton MBA to help you achieve these goals, and why is now the best time for you to join our program? (1,000 words)
Essay 2 (Required)
Describe a failure or setback that you have experienced. What role did you play and what did you learn about yourself? (500 words)
Essay 3 (Required)
Tell us about a situation in which you were an outsider. What did you learn from the experience? (500 words)
Essay 4 (Required)
Please Complete One Of The Following Two Questions:

1. Where in your background would we find evidence of your leadership capacity and/or potential? (500 words)

2. Is there anything about your background or experience that you feel you have not had the opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee in your application? If yes, please explain. (500 words)

Essay 5 (Optional)
If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, TOEFL waiver request, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application). (250 words)

MIT Sloan MBA Essays

Essay 1: Please tell us about a time when you had an impact on a group or organization. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less.)
Essay 2: Please tell us about a challenging interaction you had with a person or group. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less.)
Essay 3: Please tell us about a time when you defended your idea. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less.)
Essay 4: Please tell us about a time when you executed a plan. Describe in detail what you thought, felt, said, and did. (500 words or less.)

Source: gmatcat.com