“Honestly speaking, it will be very difficult for you to be awarded a Fulbright scholarship, so I recommend spending your time on test scores instead. The reason I say it will be difficult is because the Fulbright committee in Japan looks for applicants whose goals can benefit society in direct and creative ways. My clients who were awarded Fulbrights in the past aimed to: open a new type of school in Japan, continue building a healthcare related NPO, help commercialize Japanese space technology, improve NGO-government relationships to improve education in developing countries, etc. These applicants all had direct and significant experiences in these fields as well. Working in Private Equity (your current goal) does not really meet these criteria. Yes, you could change goals and say you wanted to start an NPO or something similar, but without background experience or education in that field, the committee has no evidence of your experience, commitment or capability.”

I consulted with my colleague Michele Rabin, who was a Fulbright Program Advisor, and she added:

“My experience working with successful Fulbright grantees (though they have all been Americans going overseas) is that usually the grantees had a very precisely thought out proposal and most had already had contact with a faculty member at a host institution(s) or organization(s) supporting the goals of the project.   In addition, all of them had outlined exactly how they would share what they learned with other educators and/or professionals, both in the host country and once they returned to the U.S.  And as you said, most of them had experience studying or working in the field of their proposal prior to applying for the program.”

At the same time, the essays used in the Fulbright application process can usually be adapted directly to personal essays and statements of purpose/goals essays for graduate school/MBA applications, so even if you don’t receive the golden ticket, your efforts will not be completely in vain. However, before you commit to the Fulbright application process, be sure you are not sacrificing time and energy that would be better spent on the big picture of getting admitted to your top choice schools. 

So, why do you want to experience Ross’ hands-on culture? How is it similar or different from the learning styles you’ve experienced so far? If it’s similar, great! You can explain how you understand the benefits of trial and error and real-world application. It it’s dissimilar, also great! You can explain how your studies or work up till now didn’t allow you to “get your hands dirty” but now you need that experience for your future career.

What about Kellogg’s teamwork culture? If you have a lot of teamwork and project-based experience, excellent! Share those experiences and lessons with the interviewer to express your comfort in that setting. If, like me, your work is done on a more individual basis, also excellent! Kellogg will be a great opportunity to learn the joys and sorrows of collaboration.

I’ll leave you with a real example from a few years ago. My client was applying to Tuck, his dream school. His educational experiences had ranged from a large public high school to a small liberal arts college, so he knew the benefits and drawbacks of both. In his Tuck Goals essay and also his interview, he emphasized how much he had grown at his small liberal arts college and how he was looking to duplicate that experience at Tuck. He was very sincere in his reasoning and I’m sure the interviewer picked up on that. I’m convinced it played an important role in his acceptance.

CMU Tepper Deadlines 2011-2012

ESSAYS

A. What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will a Tepper MBA help you to achieve these goals. (Please include any information regarding what steps you have taken to learn more about the Tepper School.)

B. The Tepper School’s culture relies on all members to be active contributors to our community. With your values, experiences, and interests, how will you make a unique contribution to the Tepper community? Your examples may include: classroom interaction, student activities, career development, community service, etc.

C. Please answer two of the following three questions or statements. Please clearly specify which questions you are answering. Your two answers should equal a total of two pages or less.

1. Describe an obstacle you have faced in your professional or academic life. How did you overcome this obstacle and how did it foster your development?

2. Describe a time in which your ethics were challenged. How did you deal with the situation and what did you learn from it?

3. One thing people would be surprised to know about me is . . .

D. Is there anything additional that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? Note: if you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION QUESTIONS

In what area is the candidate most exceptional?

In what area does the candidate need most improvement?

Discuss how effective the candidate is when working with others. (Consider whether the candidate is a leader, is sought out as a team member, commands respect of his or her associates.)

Rate the candidate’s achievements when compared to his or her peers. (Consider the opportunities the candidate has had to make use of his or her abilities and how effectively he or she has exploited them; also, consider whether the candidate completes assignments and is an effective performer under stress.)

Describe the candidate’s ability to communicate verbally, in writing, and through presentations. (For a non-native English speaker, how well does he or she use English?)

Any additional statement you may wish to make concerning the candidate’s aptitude for an MBA and/or her or his potential for becoming a responsible and successful business leader.

Cornell Johnson 2011-2012 Deadlines

ESSAYS

1) What career do you plan to pursue upon completion of an MBA degree and why? (400 words)

2) You are the author for the book of Your Life Story.  Please write the table of contents for the book.  Note: Approach this essay with your unique style.  We value creativity and authenticity. (400 words)

3) What legacy would you hope to leave as a Johnson graduate? (200 words)

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION QUESTIONS

How long have you known the applicant?

In what capacity have you known the applicant?

What are the applicant’s most outstanding abilities or characteristics?

What are the applicant’s most noticeable weaknesses?

What impact has the applicant had on the organization?

Please comment on the applicant’s personal and professional integrity.

Please give examples of the applicant’s performance for any Top 2% ratings. (referring to ratings table)

	Application Date	Decision Date
Round 1	October 12, 2011	December 14, 2011
Round 2	January 11, 2012	March 28, 2012
Round 3	April 4, 2012	May 16, 2012

Applications and letters of reference are due by 5:00 PM, Pacific Time

ESSAYS

• Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why?
  • The best examples of Essay 1 reflect the process of self-examination that you have undertaken to write them.
  • They give us a vivid and genuine image of who you are—and they also convey how you became the person you are.
  • They do not focus merely on what you’ve done or accomplished. Instead, they share with us the values, experiences, and lessons that have shaped your perspectives.
  • They are written from the heart and address not only a person, situation, or event, but also how that person, situation, or event has influenced your life.

• Essay 2: What do you want to do—REALLY—and why Stanford?
  • Use this essay to explain your view of your future, not to repeat accomplishments from your past.
  • You should address three distinct topics:
    • your career aspirations
    • the role of an MBA education in achieving those aspirations
    • and your rationale for earning that MBA at Stanford, in particular.
  • The best examples of Essay 2 express your passions or focused interests; explain why you have decided to pursue graduate education in management; and demonstrate your desire to take advantage of the opportunities that are distinctive to the Stanford MBA Program.
• Essay 3: Answer two of the four questions below. Tell us not only what you did but also how you did it. What was the outcome? How did people respond? Only describe experiences that have occurred during the last three years.
  • Option A: Tell us about a time when you built or developed a team whose performance exceeded expectations.
  • Option B: Tell us about a time when you made a lasting impact on your organization.
  • Option C: Tell us about a time when you generated support from others for an idea or initiative.
  • Option D: Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined or established.

Your answers for all of the essay questions cannot exceed 1,800 words.

	Application Deadline	Decision Notification
Round 1	October 3, 2011	December 19, 2012
Round 2	January 10, 2012	March 29, 2012
Round 3	April 10, 2012	May 17, 2012

Deadline is 12 Noon Boston Time (Eastern Standard Time)

ESSAYS & ANALYSIS

Tell us about three of your accomplishments. (600 words)

Analysis: In altering its longstanding three accomplishments question (ref: What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such?), HBS seems to have loosened up a bit. But while your choices no longer have to represent your “most substantial” wins, clearly you should be choosing from your most noteworthy achievements, both personal and professional, especially if they connect with your reasons for pursuing an MBA. And after having read many tortured and overwrought explanations for “why do you view them as such”, I can imagine that HBS wants you to focus more on the accomplishments themselves and your enabling actions and decisions, from which they can reach their own conclusions about your abilities, values, and characteristics – classic “show, don’t tell”.

Editing hint: for powerful storytelling in such a short space, concentrate on action, action, action, with just enough context to understand the situation and results, and, of course, your impact.

For further reference, please see: The MBA Leadership Essay

Tell us three setbacks you have faced. (600 words)

Analysis: I like this change from HBS’s past focus on just one “mistake” (ref: What have you learned from a mistake?), which is a fairly common and easy essay for most MBA applicants to write, because it demands more self-reflection and understanding of the role you played – either through action or inaction – in a failure, mistake, or setback. Requiring three of them will also give the HBS adcom a better sense of the adversity you’ve faced and risks you’ve taken throughout your life. I can imagine that some of these setbacks were overcome at the time, and the lessons from others might have paved the way for your accomplishments above. And while your accomplishments taken together should demonstrate a core set of strengths that you can build on at your MBA, your setbacks should show your ability to learn and grow – and not necessarily succeed – under a variety of settings. In other words, don’t include similar setbacks that would indicate a negative behavioral pattern and inability to overcome a weakness. Also, focus on the learning, and not on sneaking these experiences in as “disguised accomplishments”. I could also imagine that one or possibly more of your setbacks could serve as motivation for pursuing an MBA, as long as you don’t miss the overall focus of this question, which is to show your ability and willingness to face and grow from adversity.

For further reference, please see: The MBA Failure Essay

Why do you want an MBA? (400 words)

Analysis: This is a straightforward Goals Essay question, which HBS has once again made mandatory. The only thing I’ll add is that you should not waste words on explaining why you want HBS. In such a short amount of space, it’s virtually impossible to say anything of much depth, and when applicants try, they almost always mention the same things: case method, unparalleled leadership training, etc. Skip it, and focus on your goals and motivations. Connect them to your accomplishments and setbacks. HBS is smart. They don’t need a recitation of their curriculum.

For further reference, please see: The MBA Goals Essay

Answer a question you wish we’d asked. (400 words)

Analysis: A freebie. Obviously, you should be writing about something that will provide another dimension to your profile. Were most of your accomplishments professional? Then this is your chance to balance that with something personal. Last year, three of my clients were invited to interview at HBS (Two were admitted). All three of them submitted the following essays: 1) 3 accomplishments and 2) mistake (mandatory), 3) goals and 4) introduction to classmates (choice). I’m not saying this was “THE Winning Pattern”, but for them it provided the best configuration to show them as accomplished, interesting and balanced individuals.

Joint Degree Applicants:

How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (400 words)

Letter of Recommendation Questions:

Please comment on the context of your interaction with the applicant. If applicable, briefly describe the applicant’s role in your organization. (250 words)

How does the candidate’s performance compare to other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (250 words)

Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)

Please make additional statements about the applicant’s performance, potential, or personal qualities you believe would be helpful to the MBA Admissions Board. (250 words)

	Application Deadline
Early Decision	October 5, 2011
Regular Decision	April 11, 2012

ESSAYS & ANALYSIS (TO BE ANNOUNCED)

	Application Deadline	Decision Notification
Round 1	October 3, 2011	December 19, 2012
Round 2	January 10, 2012	March 29, 2012
Round 3	April 10, 2012	May 17, 2012

Deadline is 12 Noon Boston Time (Eastern Standard Time)

ESSAYS & ANALYSIS

Tell us about three of your accomplishments. (600 words)
Tell us three setbacks you have faced. (600 words)
Why do you want an MBA? (400 words)
Answer a question you wish we’d asked. (400 words)

Joint Degree Applicants:

How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (400 words)

Letter of Recommendation Questions:

Please comment on the context of your interaction with the applicant. If applicable, briefly describe the applicant’s role in your organization. (250 words)

How does the candidate’s performance compare to other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? (250 words)

Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)

Please make additional statements about the applicant’s performance, potential, or personal qualities you believe would be helpful to the MBA Admissions Board. (250 words)

DEADLINES

INSEAD Deadlines (Jan. 2012 intake, Class of Dec. 2012)

INSEAD Deadlines (Sept. 2012 intake, Class of July 2013)

INSEAD Deadlines (Jan. 2013 intake, Class of Dec. 2013)

ESSAYS & ANALYSIS

INSEAD doesn’t include the following two as part of their “Essays” list, but you should consider them when developing your application profile since they likely have a direct bearing on your career goals. You can think of these as a narrative version of your resume, which you should complete beforehand.

1. Please give a detailed description of your job, including nature of work, major responsibilities; and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, number of clients/products and results achieved. (250 words)

Analysis: This question is asking specifically about your current position/work. In addition to providing the requested description and details, I recommend including key accomplishments that might distinguish you from other people with the same job and/or are related to your future career goals.

2. Please give us a full description of your career since graduating from university. If you were to remain with your present employer, what would be your next step in terms of position? (250 words)

Analysis: This question is asking for an overview of your career development, i.e. what sequence of companies you’ve worked for or positions you have taken. As with your resume, it is important to show progress at each stage of your career, which is straightforward if you have worked for the same company and enjoyed regular promotions. If you have changed companies or industries, however, it is important to explain how and why you made your career choices with consistent reasoning. Include accomplishments to spice it up.

The second half of the question is tricky, since your next position should be more challenging than your current work, but less ambitious than your MBA career goals; if you can achieve your next position without the INSEAD MBA, then you don’t need it.

Essays:

1. 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. (400 words approx.)

Analysis: You might be tempted to use this essay to describe your professional strengths and weaknesses, however, the words “personal development” make it clear that INSEAD wants to know what core attributes and deficiencies define you as a person. Just as importantly, they want to know how and why you developed those traits. Perhaps you developed a strong sense of independence because you were an only child. Or maybe your strategic thinking comes from a passion for chess. Maybe your teamwork orientation is a direct result of playing soccer all your life. If these are truly core personality traits, then they will likely play a role in your accomplishments (Essay 2) and failures (Essay 3). If so, you have a great chance to harmonize all three essays, perhaps more. Despite the “when necessary,” examples are mandatory.

This essay requires significant self-awareness. If you are having difficulty getting started, I suggest waiting until finishing the other essays, which should reveal important clues, if not outright answers.

Please see: The MBA Personal Essay

2. Describe what you believe to be your two most substantial accomplishments to date, explaining why you view them as such. (400 words approx.)

Analysis: You pretty much have to include at least one professional accomplishment here, probably two if you have significant (say over 5 years) work experience. There are good reasons  to include personal accomplishments also, especially if they are related to your future career goals.  When choosing, be sure to pick accomplishments that are different from each other and that can demonstrate your effectiveness in a variety of settings.

Editing hint: for powerful storytelling in such a short space, concentrate on action, action, action, with just enough context to understand the situation and, of course, the importance of the accomplishment to you.

Please see: The MBA Leadership Essay

3. Describe a situation taken from school, business, civil or military life, where you did not meet your personal objectives, and discuss briefly the effect. (250 words approx.)

Analysis: Straightforward.

Please see: The MBA Failure Essay

4. Discuss your career goals. What skills do you expect to gain from studying at INSEAD and how will they contribute to your professional career. (500 words approx.)

Analysis: INSEAD does not ask for a breakdown between short-term and long-term career goals, but it’s a good idea to include both to show consistency between them and between your goals and your past experiences/accomplishments. A career summary section is not necessary since you’ll cover that in the “Job Related” essays. Just jump right into your goals to make the most effective use of space.

Please see: The MBA Goals Essay

5. Please choose one of the following two essay topics:
a) Have you ever experienced culture shock? What did it mean to you? (250 words approx.), or

Analysis: With a 90% international student population, INSEAD clearly has a strong interest in an applicant’s international experience. And unless you’ve lived abroad for at least a few months, you probably haven’t experienced enough of culture shock, which is a very specific phenomenon, to write a convincing essay. In essence, you have to show how you overcame the extreme disorientation and frustration of living in a foreign country, particularly language and cultural barriers. If you don’t, INSEAD may question your ability to adapt to life in France or to work with people from extremely different backgrounds, or to go on to a successful international career. If you have made it through culture shock, then this essay is for you. Write about what it felt like, and be sure to include the positive and concrete actions you initiated to break through.

b) What would you say to a foreigner moving to your home country? (250 words approx.)

Analysis: Even if you haven’t lived abroad or traveled extensively, you should still be able to empathize with someone moving to your country. What should a foreigner know or do to set up and enjoy their new life? What would they find surprising? What do you recommend for fun? I suggest including things that are practical but also surprising, so the adcom can learn something new about your country and also see how you imagine a foreigner might view your country.

6. Is there anything that you have not mentioned in the above essays that you would like the Admissions Committee to know? (200 words approx.) This essay is optional.

Analysis: Please see: The MBA Optional Essay

7. In case of reapplication, please use this page. Your essay should state any new aspects of professional, international, academic, or personal development since your last application. We would also like you to explain your motivation for re-applying to INSEAD. This essay should not exceed 400 words.

Analysis: Please see: The MBA Re-applicant Essay

UC Berkeley Haas 2010-2011 Deadlines

ESSAYS & ANALYSIS

Short Answer Questions

What are you most passionate about? Why? (250-word maximum)

Analysis: I can think of a few ways to approach this question, but I recommend starting with the truth: what are you truly passionate about? What gets you out of bed early or makes the hours fly by? What would you make a second career of if you could? (Hint: this is not a time for you to reiterate your goals or career ambitions, or express your love of Excel or calculating NPV.) It might be simple, like a hobby or volunteer activity, or more conceptual, like a value or aspiration. I even had a client write a brilliant essay about his newborn daughter. The point is for you to reveal something important and meaningful that might not appear in the other essays. If you do take the hobby approach, be sure you explain what exactly about it excites your passion. If you are espousing a value, such as fairness or creativity, then those things are hopefully evident in your other essays.

Tell us about your most significant accomplishment. (250-word maximum)

Analysis: Normally, your “most significant accomplishment” would be a good candidate topic for a Leadership essay, and you may have to do some re-writing and re-arranging if you’ve already used that topic for the Leadership Required Essay below. This topic can be either personal or professional, small or large, one-time or ongoing as long as you explain why it is significant for you. I would start with your most honest answer, and check for balance, integration and consistency with your other essays.

At Haas, our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles — question the status quo; confidence without attitude; students always; and beyond yourself. Give an example of when you have demonstrated one of these principles. (250 words maximum, Review Berkeley-Haas’ Defining Principles)

Analysis: Haas outlines well what they are looking for in each topic on their website. I’ve added my comments in (CAPS).

Question the Status Quo: We lead by championing bold ideas, taking intelligent risks and accepting sensible failures. This means speaking our minds even when it challenges convention. We thrive at the world’s epicenter of innovation. (LEADERSHIP)

Confidence Without Attitude: We make decisions based on evidence and analysis, giving us the confidence to act without arrogance. We lead through trust and collaboration. (LEADERSHIP)

Students Always: We are a community designed for curiosity and lifelong pursuit of personal and intellectual growth. This is not a place for those who feel they have learned all they need to learn. (HOW HAVE YOU VOLUNTARILY FURTHERED YOUR EDUCATION, EITHER FORMAL OR INFORMAL?)

Beyond Yourself: We shape our world by leading ethically and responsibly. As stewards of our enterprises, we take the longer view in our decisions and actions. This often means putting larger interests above our own. (ETHICS)

There are many ways to learn about our program, what steps have you taken to learn about the Berkeley MBA? (250-word maximum)

Analysis: Being across the San Francisco Bay from Stanford may have given Haas concern that they are a backup school for the Cardinal. Different from the “Why Berkeley?” part of the goals essay (see Required Essay #2 below), your answer should emphasize the process you went through to research Haas, the effort you put into it. There is no excuse not to dive into the website, student blogs, chatrooms, etc. More serious applicants will try to attend information sessions, contact current students and alumni, and – the ultimate show of interest – visit the school. If you’re coming through, let me know. I can recommend some great cafes.

Required Essays

Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership. (500 word maximum)

Analysis: Please see: The MBA Leadership Essay

What are your post-MBA short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? How will an MBA from Berkeley help you achieve these specific career goals? (1000 word maximum)

Analysis: Please see: The MBA Goals Essay

Optional Essay

(Optional) Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven’t addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)

Analysis: Please see: The MBA Optional Essay