UCLA Anderson MBA – Essays Tips and Deadlines for 2024-25 

UCLA Anderson MBA – Essay Writing Tips 

Navigating the MBA application process for UCLA Anderson requires crafting essays that showcase your unique story, aspirations, and fit with the school’s culture. Anderson values leadership, innovation, and a diverse perspective. Here are essential tips to help you create standout essays for your UCLA Anderson MBA application.

From showcasing your personal and professional journey to highlighting your fit with Anderson’s unique culture, these insights will guide you in creating essays that resonate with the admissions committee. Dive in to discover how to effectively convey your experiences, goals, and the impact you aim to make, ensuring your application stands out in the competitive field.

Essay: UCLA Anderson seeks to develop transformative leaders who think fearlessly, drive change, and share success. We believe the ability to persevere is an essential component of effective leadership. Please share an example from your personal or professional life where you demonstrated perseverance to accomplish a significant goal or milestone.

1. Clearly Define the Challenge:

• Clearly articulate the significant goal or milestone you set out to achieve.
• Explain the specific challenge or obstacle you faced.

Example: During my tenure as a project manager at XYZ Corporation, I was tasked with leading a team to develop a new product under a tight deadline. We faced multiple challenges, including limited resources, technical issues, and stakeholder resistance.

2. Highlight Perseverance and Actions:

• Discuss the actions you took to persevere through the challenge.
• Explain how you demonstrated resilience, problem-solving skills, and leadership.

Example: To overcome these challenges, I worked closely with my team to reallocate resources efficiently, implemented agile project management techniques to address technical issues promptly, and facilitated open communication with stakeholders to manage expectations. My perseverance and proactive approach helped keep the team motivated and focused on our goal.

3. Describe the Impact and Achievement:

• Highlight the impact of your achievement.
• Explain how this experience connects to your future MBA plans in the short- and long-term.

Example: As a result of our collective efforts, we successfully launched the product on time, resulting in a 20% increase in company revenue. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of perseverance and collaborative leadership. The skills and lessons learned will be instrumental in achieving my short-term goal of transitioning into a strategic management role and my long-term aspiration of becoming a transformative leader in the technology sector.

Optional Essay: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions committee should be aware?

1. Address Any Gaps or Weaknesses:

• Use this space to explain any gaps in employment, low grades, or other inconsistencies in your application.
• Focus on how you have grown or learned from these experiences.

Example: During my undergraduate studies, I faced a challenging semester due to a family health crisis, resulting in a temporary dip in my GPA. This experience taught me valuable lessons in time management and resilience. I developed better study habits and sought help from professors and peers, which led to significant improvements in my academic performance in subsequent semesters.

2. Highlight Unique Achievements:

• Discuss any significant accomplishments or experiences not covered in other parts of your application.
• Highlight extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or personal projects.

Example: Beyond my professional accomplishments, I have been actively involved in community service. As a volunteer at a local non-profit organization, I led fundraising initiatives that raised over $50,000 for community development projects. These experiences have honed my leadership and project management skills and reinforced my commitment to social impact.

3. Share Personal Insights:

• Provide any additional information that you believe will strengthen your application.
• Ensure that the information adds value to your candidacy and aligns with Anderson’s values and culture.

Example: I would also like to share my passion for promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at my current company, I have led several initiatives to create a more inclusive environment, including organizing workshops on unconscious bias and developing mentorship programs for underrepresented groups. These efforts have not only fostered a more inclusive culture but also contributed to improved team performance and employee satisfaction. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my commitment to diversity and inclusion to the Anderson community and to contribute to the school’s efforts in this area.

General Tips for UCLA Anderson Essays:

1. Be Authentic:

• Write in your own voice and be genuine in sharing your story.
• Avoid using overly technical jargon or industry-specific language that may be off-putting to a broad audience.

2. Show Impact:

• Emphasize the impact of your experiences and achievements.
• Use specific examples to illustrate your points and demonstrate your potential for success at Anderson.

3. Tailor Your Essays:

• Customize each essay to highlight why Anderson is the perfect fit for your aspirations.
• Mention specific programs, professors, or aspects of the Anderson culture that resonate with you.

Things to avoid in your UCLA Anderson Essays

• Avoid Overly Technical Jargon: While Anderson appreciates analytical and technical skills, filling your essays with too much industry-specific jargon can be off-putting. Ensure your essays are accessible to a broad audience, including those without your specific technical background.

• Don’t Underestimate the Personal Touch: Anderson values unique personal stories. Avoid focusing solely on professional achievements. Share personal anecdotes that illustrate your character, resilience, and passion. Personal stories can often be more memorable and impactful.

• Steer Clear of a One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Using the same essays for multiple schools can lead to a lack of specificity. Tailor each essay to highlight why Anderson is the perfect fit for your aspirations. Mention specific programs, professors, or aspects of the Anderson culture that resonate with you.

• Avoid Lack of Evidence for Leadership and Collaboration: Anderson places a high value on leadership and teamwork. Don’t just claim you have these qualities; provide concrete examples. Avoid vague statements and show real instances where you led a team, collaborated on a project, or contributed to a community.

• Don’t Ignore the Global Focus: Anderson has a strong global focus. Avoid essays that don’t touch on your global experiences or perspectives. If you lack international experience, discuss how you plan to gain global insights at Anderson or why this global perspective is important to you.