Sample MBA Essay Questions from Top SchoolsLet¡¯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. |
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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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