Sample MBA Essay Questions from Top Schools
Let’s begin by actually looking at the essay questions from several top schools. Don’t get intimidated as you look at these questions. After you follow this guide, you should have material to answer these questions. For now, just read over these questions to get a feel of what the schools are looking for. Please note that the essays questions below may not be up-to-date. To get the most recent essays, please visit the school's website.
Harvard Business School: Fall 2006 Essays
1. What would you like the MBA Admissions Board to know about your undergraduate academic experience?
2. What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such?
3. Discuss a defining experience in your development as a leader.
4. In your career, you will have to deal with many ethical issues. What are likely to be the most challenging and what is your plan for developing the competencies you will need to handle these issues effectively?
5. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a leader?
6. What are your career aspirations and how can an MBA help you to reach them? Why now?
7. What do you wish the MBA Admissions Board had asked you?
University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School: Fall 2006 Essays
1. Describe your career progress to date and your future short-term and long-term career goals. How do you expect an MBA from Wharton to help you achieve these goals and why now?
2. Describe an impact you've had on an individual, group or organization. How has this experience been valuable to you or others?
3. Please complete two of the following three questions: Describe when you were part of a team where the group process and/or intended outcome failed. What did you learn?
4. Describe a situation where your values, ethics, or morals were challenged. How did you handle the situation?
5. Describe a personal characteristic or something in your background that will help the Admissions Committee to know you better.
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management: Fall 2006 Essays
1. Briefly assess your career progress to date. Elaborate on your future career plans and your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree at the Kellogg School.
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.
3. You have been selected as a member of the Kellogg Admissions Committee. Please provide a brief evaluative assessment of your file.
4. Complete three of the following six questions or statements.
A. What have been your most significant leadership roles to date? What was the most valuable lesson learned?
B. Describe an ethical dilemma that you faced and how it was resolved.
C. Outside of work, I...
D. In your professional experience, what do you consider to be the area of your greatest personal growth?
E. I wish the Admissions Committee had asked me...
F. Since your previous application, what are the steps you have taken to strengthen your candidacy? (for re-applicants)
There are many more essays from top schools but I will stop here. Re-read the essay questions and see if you similarities in them. Try categorizing them. You will realize that many of the essay questions ask for the same things. You should also have the essay questions from the schools you are planning to apply to handy as well.
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