US MBA Application Questions and Deadlines

Harvard MBA Application Essay Questions

1. As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program? (no word count limit)

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Stanford MBA Application Essay Questions

1. What matters most to you and why?
2. Why Stanford?

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Wharton MBA Application Essay Questions

1. What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (500 words)
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)

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MIT Sloan MBA Application Essay Questions

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Kellogg MBA Application Essay Questions

1. Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)

2. Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)

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Chicago Booth MBA Application Essay Questions

1.  How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 word minimum)

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. (250-word minimum)

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Berkeley Haas MBA Application Essay Questions

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

2. At Berkeley Haas, we are redefining leadership. We value different opinions and perspectives, recognizing that we always have more to learn about others’ lived experiences and histories. We encourage speaking up and listening, and courageously use our power to address barriers and drive change for positive impact.

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Columbia MBA Application Essay Questions

1. Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next 3-5 years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

2. Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you? (250 words)

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Yale SOM MBA Application Essay Questions

1. Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)

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NYU Stern MBA Application Essay Questions

1. What are your short and long-term career goals?

2. How will the MBA help you achieve them?

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Virginia Darden MBA Application Essay Questions

1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? (500 word limit)

2. Each of our applicants is unique. Describe how your background, values, education, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Darden students. (500 word limit)

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Tuck MBA Application Essay Questions

1. Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short and long term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA program for you?

2. Tell us about your most meaningful leadership experience and what role you played. What did you learn about your own individual strengths and weaknesses through this experience? (500 words)

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Duke Fuqua MBA Application Essay Questions

1. Share with us your list of “25 Random Things” about YOU

2. Why is pursuing an MBA the right next step for you?

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Michigan Ross MBA Application Essay Questions

1. Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. Please share your short-term career goal. Why is this career goal right for you?  (300 words)

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Cornell Johnson MBA Application Essay Questions

1. 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)

2. At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make an impact during the next several years of your education and/or career? (350 words maximum)

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UCLA Anderson MBA Application Essay Questions

1.How have events of the past year influenced the impact you would like to make in your community, career, or both? (250 words maximum)

2. Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware of ?  (250 words maximum)

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USC Marshall MBA Application Essay Questions

1.What is your specific, immediate short-term career goal upon completion of your MBA? Please include an intended position, function, and industry in your response. (word limit: 100)

2. Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” (word limit: 600) This letter is meant to be your personal statement that provides the Admissions Committee with an understanding of your candidacy for Marshall beyond what is evident in other parts of your application. This essay is purposely open-ended. You are free to express yourself in whatever way you see fit. Our goal is to have an appreciation for and an understanding of each candidate in ways that are not captured by test scores, grades, and resumes.

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McCombs MBA Application Essay Questions

1. We will learn a lot about your professional background through your resume and letter of recommendation, but we want to get to know you further. Please introduce yourself. Select only one communication method for your response.

a.Write an essay (250 words)

b.Share a video introduction (one minute in length)

2. Picture yourself at the completion of your MBA journey. Describe how you spent your time as a Texas McCombs MBA student to achieve your personal and professional goals.(500 word

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CMU Tepper MBA Application Essay Questions

1. The Tepper community is dynamic and unique. Each community member’s individual journey has shaped them into classmates who are collaborative, supportive, and inclusive. Describe how you have overcome adversity during your journey. What did you learn about yourself and how has that shaped who you are? (Maximum 350-500 words.)

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UNC Kenan Flagler MBA Application Essay Questions

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

• What are your immediate career goals?
• How will you benefit personally and professionally from earning an MBA at UNC Kenan-Flagler?
• 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?

2. Your response should be no longer than 300 words and should address the following question:

2020 brought many defining experiences, including a global pandemic, changes to learning and working environments, and calls for social justice and racial equity. At UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, these experiences propel us to strengthen efforts to increase the diversity in our community, to create a more equitable and inclusive learning environment, and to teach our students to manage diversity, equity and inclusion. What have you learned about diversity, equity and inclusion in 2020?

Please share your experience and what you learned about yourself as a leader. Tell us how you changed or would like to change your leadership style? If you were not leading a team, tell us what you learned at your level about diversity, equity and inclusion. How do you expect to continue that growth in the MBA program?

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