Applying to business school is a major milestone in your professional journey, and staying ahead of application deadlines is crucial for securing your spot at a top MBA program.
With the 2025 admissions cycle approaching, it’s time to start preparing your application strategy. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key application deadlines for the top business schools in the U.S. and Europe, and provide you with the essay prompts each school is asking this year.
Whether you’re eyeing Harvard, Stanford, INSEAD, or LBS, this comprehensive overview will help you stay organized and ensure that your application is as polished and compelling as possible.
- MBA Application Deadlines for Top US Business Schools
- MBA Application Deadlines for Top European & Asian Business Schools
- 2025 MBA Admissions Essay Topics
- Harvard Business School
- Stanford GSB
- Wharton
- Chicago Booth
- MIT Sloan
- Northwestern Kellogg
- INSEAD
- London Business School
- Michigan Ross
- Berkeley Haas
- Yale SOM
- NYU Stern
- Duke Fuqua
- Cornell Johnson
- CMU Tepper
- Indiana Kelley
- UNC Kenan-Flagler
- USC Marshall
- Texas McCombs
- Georgetown McDonough
- Emory Goizueta
- Washington Foster
- Rice Jones
- Georgia Tech Scheller
- Vanderbilt Owen
- UCLA Anderson
- Minnesota Carlson
- Notre Dame Mendoza
- Boston College Carroll
- IE Business School
- IESE Business School
- HEC Paris
- SDA Bocconi
- Cambridge Judge
- Oxford Saïd
- Imperial College Business School
- Rotterdam School of Management
- NUS Singapore
- NTU Singapore
- HKUST
- ISB (Indian School of Business)
- Final Thoughts
MBA Application Deadlines for Top US Business Schools
Business School | Round 1 (or Early) Deadline | Round 2 Deadline | Round 3 Deadline |
Stanford GSB | September 10, 2024 | January 8, 2025 | April 8, 2025 |
University of Chicago Booth | September 19, 2024 | January 7, 2025 | April 3, 2025 |
Dartmouth Tuck | September 26, 2024 (Early deadline: September 3, 2024) | January 6, 2025 | March 26, 2025 |
Virginia Darden | October 2, 2024 (Early deadline: September 5, 2024) | January 7, 2025 | April 2, 2025 |
Columbia Business School | September 10, 2024 | January 7, 2025 | April 1, 2025 |
Harvard Business School | September 4, 2024 | January 6, 2025 | NA |
Northwestern Kellogg | September 11, 2024 | January 8, 2025 | April 2, 2025 |
Wharton | September 4, 2024 | January 3, 2025 | April 2, 2025 |
Michigan Ross | September 9, 2024 | January 6, 2025 | March 24, 2025 |
MIT Sloan | September 30, 2024 | January 14, 2025 | April 7, 2025 |
UC Berkeley Haas | September 12, 2024 | January 9, 2025 | April 3, 2025 |
Yale SOM | September 10, 2024 | January 7, 2025 | April 8, 2025 |
NYU Stern | September 16, 2024 | October 16, 2024 | January 16, 2025 |
Duke Fuqua | October 1, 2024 (Early deadline: September 4, 2024) | January 9, 2025 | February 20, 2025 |
Cornell Johnson | September 18, 2024 | January 9, 2025 | April 10, 2025 |
Carnegie Mellon Tepper | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
Indiana Kelley | October 15, 2024 | January 5, 2025 | March 1, 2025 |
UNC Kenan-Flagler | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
USC Marshall | October 1, 2024 | January 10, 2025 | April 15, 2025 |
Texas McCombs | October 15, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | April 1, 2025 |
Georgetown McDonough | October 1, 2024 | January 6, 2025 | April 2, 2025 |
Emory Goizueta | October 2, 2024 | January 6, 2025 | March 19, 2025 |
Washington Foster | October 1, 2024 | January 7, 2025 | March 12, 2025 |
Rice Jones | October 14, 2024 | January 6, 2025 | March 10, 2025 |
Georgia Tech Scheller | October 4, 2024 | January 10, 2025 | March 7, 2025 |
Vanderbilt Owen | October 8, 2024 | January 8, 2025 | February 25, 2025 |
UCLA Anderson | October 1, 2024 | January 6, 2025 | April 7, 2025 |
Minnesota Carlson | October 1, 2024 | December 1, 2024 | February 1, 2025 |
Notre Dame Mendoza | October 15, 2024 | January 7, 2025 | March 17, 2025 |
Boston College Carroll | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
MBA Application Deadlines for Top European & Asian Business Schools
Business School | Round 1 Deadline | Round 2 Deadline | Round 3 Deadline | Round 4 Deadline |
INSEAD (Aug 2025 intake) | September 10, 2024 | November 5, 2024 | January 14, 2025 | March 4, 2025 |
London Business School | September 6, 2024 | January 3, 2025 | March 24, 2025 | NA |
IE Business School | Rolling admissions | Rolling admissions | Rolling admissions | Rolling admissions |
IESE Business School | September 26, 2024 | January 9, 2025 | March 20, 2025 | May 6, 2025 |
HEC Paris (Sep 2025 intake) | August 19, 2024 | September 16, 2024 | October 14, 2024 | November 12, 2024 |
SDA Bocconi | Rolling admissions | Rolling admissions | Rolling admissions | Rolling admissions |
Cambridge Judge | August 27, 2024 | October 7, 2024 | January 6, 2025 | March 31, 2025 |
Oxford Saïd | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
Imperial College Business School | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
Rotterdam School of Management | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
NUS Singapore | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
NTU Singapore | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
HKUST | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
ISB | September 15, 2024 | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced |
2025 MBA Admissions Essay Topics
Harvard Business School
- 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)
Analysis, Tips, and Framework to create a winning Harvard MBA Essays
Stanford GSB
- What matters most to you, and why? (650 words)
- Why Stanford? (400 words)
Wharton
- 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)
- 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)
- Required Essay for all Reapplicants: 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)
- Optional Essay: Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee. This space can also be used to address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (500 words)
Analysis, Tips, and Framework to create a winning Wharton MBA Essays
Chicago Booth
- How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 words)
- 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.)
- The following question is optional: Is there any unclear information in your application that needs further explanation? (Maximum 300 words.)
- Reapplicants must answer the following question: 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.)
Analysis, Tips, and Framework to create a winning Chicago Booth MBA Essays
MIT Sloan
- 2 Video questions:
- Introduce yourself to your future classmates. Here’s your chance to put a face with a name, let your personality shine through, be conversational, be yourself. We can’t wait to meet you!
- Randomly generated, open-ended question.
- 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 life experiences and perspective. Please use this opportunity to share more about your background. (250 words)
Northwestern Kellogg
- 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)
- 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)
- Reapplicant Essay: How have you grown or changed personally and professionally since you previously applied and what steps have you taken to become the strongest candidate you can be? (250 words)
Analysis, Tips, and Framework to create a winning Kellogg MBA Essays
INSEAD
Career Essays
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Discuss your short and long term career aspirations with an MBA from INSEAD. (100 words, maximum)
- If you are currently not working or if you plan to leave your current employer more than 2 months before the programme starts, please explain your activities and occupations between leaving your job and the start of the programme. (Optional)
Motivation Essays
- Give a candid description of yourself, 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 max)
- 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?
- Optional: Is there anything else that was not covered in your application that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (maximum 300 words)
London Business School
- What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
- What makes you unique? (200 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? (500 words)
Michigan Ross
- 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)
- 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.
- What is your short-term career goal, and how will Ross help you achieve it? (200 words)
- Optional Essay: Is there something in your resume or application that needs a brief explanation? Appropriate uses of this essay would be the explanation of an employment gap, academic outliers, choice of recommender, completion of supplemental coursework, etc. You may use bullet points where appropriate. (250 words)
Analysis, Tips, and Framework to create a winning Michigan Ross MBA Essays
Berkeley Haas
- What makes you feel alive when you’re doing it, and why? (300 words)
- 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.
Yale SOM
Required Essay: We want to know what matters to you, and our essay question is designed to help us gain insight into your background, passions, motivations, responsibilities, ideals, identities, challenges, or aspirations, depending on where you take your response. To ensure that you’re able to write about something important to you, we offer you three essay prompts from which to choose:
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? (500-word limit)
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? (500-word limit)’
3) Describe the most significant challenge you have faced. How have you confronted this challenge and how has it shaped you as a person? (500-word limit)
NYU Stern
- Short Answer Professional Aspirations (150 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font): What are your short-term career goals?
- Essay 1: 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? (350 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)
- Essay 2: Introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. The Pick Six is a way to share more about the qualities you will bring to the Stern community, beyond your professional and academic achievements. 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 your interests, values, motivations, perspective and/or personality.
- A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.
Analysis, Tips, and Framework to create a winning NYU Stern MBA Essays
Duke Fuqua
- What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first-choice career plan and your alternate plan.
- 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.
- 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?
- Optional Essay: If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance). Note that you should NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area. The Optional Information section is intended to provide the admissions committee with insight into your circumstances only.
- Reapplicant Essay: It is not uncommon for it to take more than one try to achieve a goal. Please share with us the self-reflection process that you underwent after last year’s application and how you have grown as a result. How did it shape your commitment to Fuqua and inspire your decision to reapply?
Cornell Johnson
- 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? (OR) The Unique Trait that Defines Me: What is something unique about you that others will remember you by? (350 words maximum)
- You may use this essay to call attention to items needing clarification and to add additional details to any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson. (350 words maximum)
- If you are reapplying for admission, please use this essay to indicate how you have strengthened your application and candidacy since the last time you applied for admission. Please also review our Application Guide for additional information about reapplying (350 words maximum).
CMU Tepper
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
Indiana Kelley
Essay Prompts:
- 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) - 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… - Share a brief fact about yourself that your classmates would find interesting, surprising, or noteworthy. (25 words)
- (Optional) Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you shouldn’t feel obligated to answer this question. (300 words)
UNC Kenan-Flagler
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
USC Marshall
- Essay #1 (Required) – 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)
- Essay #2 (Required) – Please draft a letter that begins with “Dear Admissions Committee” 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. (word limit: 600)
- Essay #3 (Optional) Please provide any additional information you would like the admissions committee to consider. (word limit: 250)
Texas McCombs
- 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? (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 posess that highlight your potential to shake up the status quo in your professional life. (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? (250 words)
Analysis, Tips, and Framework to create a winning Texas McCombs MBA Essays
Georgetown McDonough
Personal Essay
Please select one of the following three essays to complete in 500 words (approximately two pages, double-spaced) and include the essay prompt and your first/last name at the top of your submission.
- Essay Option One – 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. - Essay Option Two – 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. - Essay Option Three – 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.
Video Essay
We believe a vibrant community is built on diverse and unique individuals, and we want you to bring your whole self to Georgetown McDonough. We’ve learned about your professional and leadership qualities throughout the application, but now we want to know more about you beyond work. Whether it’s a new hobby, a fun adventure, or a simple pleasure, in one minute, share what has recently brought you joy outside of work.
Video Guidelines
- You may use your phone, computer, or other means to record the video, but please ensure all audio and visual components are clear. We recommend a well-lit room and minimal noise distraction.
- The admissions committee would like for you to appear in person during part of your video.
- Please adhere to the time guideline of one minute.
- We recommend unscripted, conversational videos – help us get to know the real you!
- Upload your video to an accessible website (such as YouTube, Vimeo, Youku, or Tudou), and submit the direct video URL into your online application.
- Please note that all videos must remain active and accessible to the admissions committee online for a minimum of five years for record retention purposes.
- For your privacy: Do not include your name in the title of your video. You may submit “unlisted” videos via YouTube or password protected videos through Vimeo. If using a password, please include immediately after your link in the text box below. [Ex: www.youtube.com/123, password: Hoyas]
Optional Essay
Please provide any information you would like to add to your application that you have not otherwise included (300-350 words, approximately one page, double spaced).
Emory Goizueta
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:
a. What about this experience made you feel proud of your leadership abilities?
b. 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.
Washington Foster
- 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?
- Personal Resilience (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?
Rice Jones
- Required Short Answer Responses: (100-word limit, each)
Rice Business seeks to have a clear understanding of your career goals upon the completion of your MBA experience.
Response #1: “In 100 words or less, please share your short-term career goals.”
Response #2: “In 100 words or less, please share your long-term career goals.”
- 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).
Georgia Tech Scheller
- 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 character maximum (including spaces).
- Professional aspirations (Required)
What are your short-term career goals after you complete your MBA? 2,000 character maximum (including spaces).
- Ten facts (Required)
List 10 facts about yourself that will help your future classmates get to know you. 2,000 character maximum (including spaces).
Vanderbilt Owen
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.
UCLA Anderson
- 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)
Minnesota Carlson
Your personal statement should be no more than 1200 words (3 pages), that address the following questions:
- Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA at this time in your career? What are you hoping to accomplish by doing so? Briefly describe your short-term (upon graduation from the program) and long-term (5-10 years after the program) career goals. Please be as specific as possible with roles, companies and/or industries.
- What excites you about being part of the Carlson School MBA program? Do you have an enterprise program that you are currently interested in and why?
- Carlson MBA programs are looking for diverse voices and experiences to add to classroom discussions. Can you tell us about how you have participated in and/or advocated for building more inclusive communities in your career?
Notre Dame Mendoza
Statement of Purpose:
The statement of purpose is a 100-word statement detailing your short-term professional goals. Include the roles and industries you are targeting after completing your MBA and how you plan to leverage the skills and knowledge gained from the program to achieve these goals. This statement will help the Admissions Committee understand your career vision and how our MBA program fits into your professional development plan.
Essay Prompt:
Applicants will respond to the required essay prompt in 500 words or less. This essay allows the MBA Admissions Committee to understand who you are and who you will be at Notre Dame.
“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 seemingly came to an abrupt end when a massive fire destroyed the main building that housed the entire university. Instead of giving up, Father Sorin interpreted the fire as a sign that his dream was too small. He then decided to rebuild, bigger and better. The now iconic main building still stands today, topped by the gleaming Golden Dome, as an ongoing symbol of perseverance and vision.
Tell us about a time, in your personal or professional experience, when you persevered and overcame obstacles or you had to start over and rebuild. What did you learn most about yourself, and how has that influenced how you show up in the world?”
Boston College Carroll
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
IE Business School
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
IESE Business School
Career Goals Essay: What are your immediate career goal after graduation and your mid-term career goal 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 which may have not been captured in your application? (word limit 300 max)
HEC Paris
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
SDA Bocconi
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
Cambridge Judge
- 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? - Tell us about a time when you made a professional mistake. How could it have ended differently? (up to 200 words)
- Tell us about the best team you worked with. What made the team successful? (up to 200 words)
- Provide an example of when someone else positively impacted your life. What did you learn from this experience? (up to 200 words)
Oxford Saïd
- As part of your application, you will need to submit a supporting statement. Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 words)
- If you are applying under the Oxford 1+1 MBA scheme you also need to submit the following essay: Explain why you see this as particularly beneficial for you and how it fits with your career and personal development aims. (Maximum 250 words)
- Re-applicants will need to submit an additional essay as below: What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (Maximum 250 words)
Imperial College Business School
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
Rotterdam School of Management
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
NUS Singapore
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
NTU Singapore
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
HKUST
Essay topics for 2025 admissions yet to be announced
ISB (Indian School of Business)
- 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 only)
- 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 only)
- Given your experience and aspirations, how do you plan to use the PGP at ISB to fulfill your professional goals? (Optional) (250 words only)
Final Thoughts
Navigating the MBA application process can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation and a keen eye on the deadlines, you can make your dream of attending a top business school a reality.
Remember, each school not only looks at your qualifications but also how well you fit with their values and culture, as reflected in your essays. Take the time to carefully craft your responses to the essay prompts, and don’t hesitate to seek feedback from mentors or admissions consultants.
By staying on top of deadlines and putting your best foot forward in your essays, you’ll be well on your way to joining the ranks of the world’s future business leaders. Good luck!