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June 27, 2025
Duke Fuqua Application Essay Tips, 2025–2026 Duke Fuqua presents its applicants with one of the most creative, and maybe challenging, essay prompts out there — asking candidates to come up with a list of more than two dozen “random” bits of information about themselves. Then, applicants need to craft a more traditional essay in which…

June 26, 2025
Cornell Johnson has a small, close-knit community and an amiable culture with an international focus and an emphasis on collaboration. The school looks for candidates who will have an impact on the program both as students and after graduation. Leadership, teamwork skills, the ability to analyze problems, and strong interpersonal capabilities are key traits the…

June 26, 2025
MIT Sloan Application Essay Tips, 2025–2026 MIT Sloan wants you to make your pitch for admission in a somewhat unique application essay format: a business cover letter. Although the information the admissions committee wants is not that different from what most programs seek, the presentation might be a bit daunting for some candidates. Sloan also…

June 24, 2025
Stanford GSB Application Essay Tips, 2025-2026 The application essays for the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) are among the more expansive and demanding of those for the top MBA programs; the GSB truly wants to get to know you. With a 650-word essay that necessitates some soul-searching, 350 words on your interest in Stanford…

June 17, 2025
Berkeley Haas Application Essay Tips, 2025–2026 Berkeley Haas decided to simplify its application this year, reducing the number of essays and changing its primary essay to a video. Here are some thoughts to help you stand out in your Haas application. Demonstrating how you embrace or embody one of Haas’s four Defining Leadership Principles —…

June 17, 2025
NYU Stern Application Essay Tips, 2025–2026 Given how short this “essay” is, you want to start with a goals statement that indicates the role, industry, and type of company you want to work in, including even the firm’s stage, if possible. For example, “Post-MBA, I’d like to work as product manager in a medium-stage fintech…

June 17, 2025
INSEAD Application Essay Tips, 2025–2026 Job Description 1: For this first prompt, describe the different phases of your career thus far, and don’t forget to explain “the rationale behind your key decisions” along the way. INSEAD wants to know what has motivated you professionally. You also need to describe multiple elements of your current job…

June 12, 2025
UW Foster School of Business Essay Tips, 2025–2026 In this post, we offer tips on how to tackle each of the program’s application essays. Keep in mind that your personal narrative should flow throughout all components of your application. The admissions committee already has your resume, so the purpose of your essays is to add…

June 11, 2025
London Business School Application Essay Tips, 2025-2026 With this prompt, LBS wants to know that you have given careful thought to your career path, that you understand what the program has to offer with respect to your particular professional objectives, and that you believe the skills and experiences you will gain there will help you…

May 27, 2025
Michigan Ross Application Essay Tips, 2025-2026 This year, Michigan Ross condensed its essay questions and added a note regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Let’s take a moment to discuss how you can best position yourself through your essays for this year’s applicant pool. Part 1: Career Aspirations What is your short-term career goal,…

May 27, 2025
Columbia Business School (CBS) has made minor changes to its essay questions for this year. August term applications have (Round 1 is September 3, Round 2 is January 6, and Round 3 is March 26). There are two application deadlines for the January term program (Round 1 is June 17, and Round 2 is August…

November 25, 2024
When reviewing your business school application, admissions committees want to see that you can clearly articulate your goals and tie them into your personal story. Why, you might ask, do you need to articulate your goals if many people either change their mind or want to explore career options during their time in an MBA…
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