Note: The following essay questions pertain to the previous academic year. This section will be updated when the new question are released in early to mid-July of 2008.
1. Why an MBA? Please describe your short and long term goals and how your previous experience and an MBA will help you to achieve these goals. (500 words maximum.)
Because of significant overlap from one MBA application to the next, we have produced the “MBA Mission Personal Statement Guide.” We offer our guide to candidates free of charge, via our online store. Please feel free to download your copy today.
2. Leadership Example: Describe a situation in which your leadership and/or teamwork had a significant impact. (500 words maximum.)
In this straightforward essay, Yale offers you the opportunity to show that you are an “impact player.” While the leadership/team process is crucial to your story (and you will need to show that you took very deliberate steps toward your goals), it is the impact of your actions that is vital. It doesn’t matter if you were the most inspirational leader in the history of your firm, if you don’t have the results, this essay will not work. Further, it can be helpful to broaden your conception of leadership, in particular. You don’t necessarily need to be inspirational – many can lead through diplomacy and influence, often-overlooked styles that can capture the Admissions Committee’s attention because of their differentiation. Regardless of your style, if you are to write a compelling essay, it is important that your actions be clear and that the results flow directly from them.
3. Personal Statement: Please develop a question/topic of your choice and answer it in essay form. Please state the question/topic at the beginning of your essay. (500 words maximum.)
While there is no “right” answer for this essay, there is a way to make efficient use of this space. Generally, we advise candidates to consider their unique experiences and attributes and then try to conceive of an essay question that will showcase as many of them as possible in a clear and coherent way. We strongly advise against simply pasting a thoroughly revised essay intended for another school into this essay. In pursuing such a strategy, you may reveal a lack of effort or you may just miss an opportunity to reveal all that is distinct about you.