Texas McCombs Application Essay Tips, 2023–2024
Transformation. The Texas McCombs MBA is all about personal and professional transformation. The program offers countless opportunities for you to learn and grow. So, before you start writing your essays for the school, reflect on the direction you want to take and how McCombs will help you get there. What impact do you see yourself making in the next 10–20 years? Dream as big as Texas!
Free: Download Stratus Admissions’ Guide to Getting into McCombs School of Business
The application cover letter is a critical means of assessing an applicant’s motivation for attending the McCombs School of Business, their background and goals, and their communication and writing skills. Strong applications convey careful research on Texas McCombs and enthusiasm for the program.
Please write an application cover letter summarizing your aspirations, qualifications, and personal and professional experiences that make you a strong candidate for the Texas Full-Time MBA program.
LIMIT: 500 words
First, set up a formal cover letter. Include your contact information, the date, an address block for Texas McCombs MBA admissions, and a salutation to Rodrigo Malta, as well as a closing, where you can include a signature block.
Through your cover letter, you want to convey your goals and why a Texas McCombs MBA is the best next step to move your career forward. Your immediate post-MBA goal should include the industry, function, and two target companies. The position should be aspirational yet achievable, based on the resources you expect to tap at Texas McCombs. The admissions reader wants to understand that you intend to learn, lead, and change the world.
Do some reverse engineering to determine which areas you must develop to be a strong candidate for the position you aspire to. Perhaps you need to build up broad business skills, go deep in analytics, and hone your leadership abilities so you can motivate and manage larger teams. Or maybe you want to make a career change from nonprofit to a marketing role and would benefit from acquiring some functional skills to become a brand manager.
Next, explore the resources at Texas McCombs, and pick out the ones that will allow you to address your areas for development so you are well prepared to create value in your future career. With just one semester of core curriculum, you have a lot of flexibility at Texas McCombs. What concentration might you pursue? Which electives are you excited to take? What do you hope to learn? Connect with student ambassadors, and ask targeted questions to get insight into professors, classes, and extracurricular initiatives that align with your specific needs. If you could design an ideal MBA+ project, what company would you work with, and what problem would you want to solve?
Beyond coursework, which clubs and activities might you get involved in? A lot of learning and relationship building happens through extracurricular engagement. Maybe to prepare for a career in real estate, you want to represent McCombs in the National Real Estate Challenge during your first year and then help orchestrate the event in your second year. Show the admissions committee how you will use your time on the 40 Acres to develop yourself while simultaneously contributing to the development of your peers. You might consider mentioning friendships you hope to forge with peers on your Study Team — perhaps identifying someone to become your business partner!
Use your introductory paragraph to draw the reader in. Consider telling a story that showcases the “why” behind your aspirations. Share your post-MBA goal, and lay out three areas for development that you will focus on during your time at Texas McCombs. Next, create three body paragraphs, each of which highlights how you will address one of your development areas. You might begin each paragraph by sharing something you have already learned or perhaps a failure that informs your understanding of a weakness that only an MBA will help you address. Throughout the body paragraphs, include a mix of references to curriculum, clubs, and the Texas McCombs culture. If you have spoken to students or alumni, incorporate what you have learned about a specific elective or club initiative.
As you conclude your cover letter, consider addressing your personal development. Think about the classmates from around the world whom you will be learning with and from. How do you expect to grow from engaging with your diverse peers? Maybe you look forward to exploring the music, art, and film scene in Austin. Or perhaps you want to learn to kayak as you explore the outdoors with classmates. Articulate why the people and place of the Texas MBA make it the best fit for you to achieve your aspirations.
A great essay will show the admissions committee that you plan to be an engaged member of the vibrant and diverse McCombs community and that you will use your time on campus preparing yourself to make a positive impact in the years to come.
Optional Statement: Please provide any additional information you believe is important or address any areas of concern that you believe will be beneficial to MBA Admissions in considering your application. (e.g. gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances) (250 words)
This question needs to be addressed only if there is some specific situation where providing background or context would be helpful. If you have any special extracurricular causes or work that you believe would further illustrate who you are, this might be a good place to share this aspect of your profile with the admissions committee. Whatever your topic, there is no need to make this essay any longer than it needs to be to explain your answer.
In Stratus Admissions’ Guide to Getting into McCombs School of Business, you will find information on a variety of the MBA program’s offerings. Download your free copy today!