The UCLA Anderson School of Management requires candidates to provide three “short essays.” The first is about the applicant’s goals and why Anderson is the best MBA program to help them achieve them, while the second prompt asks candidates how they anticipate adding value to the community. The third required essay tasks applicants with sharing what they would tell their classmates about themselves. Some candidates might be tempted to use the school’s optional essay to squeeze in more information about their candidacy, but anyone considering this option must be prudent about doing so, because Anderson very clearly states that the essay is specifically for “extenuating circumstances.” All together, these essays should enable you to share a good deal of information about your professional intentions, your personality, and your strengths. Our full analysis of all the school’s 2026–2027 prompts follows.
Table of Contents
Short Essay 1
Describe your short- and long-term post-MBA goals, including your desired role, industry, and examples of target companies. How will an MBA support your path to achieving your goals, and which UCLA Anderson resources do you expect to rely on most to reach them? (250 words)
With this straightforward prompt about your motivation to earn an MBA and expectations as to where you will go with it after graduation, UCLA Anderson wants you to spell out what you have in mind as you approach this phase of your life and career. Be detailed, especially with your short-term goal, which must include specifics such as your target role, industry, and companies. You should also have enough space to provide context showing that your stated objectives align with your past experiences, existing skills, and professional interests. This will demonstrate that your goals are achievable, thereby lending credibility to your statement.
The level of specificity with which you frame your immediate post-MBA goal is not needed when presenting your long-term goal. However, you want the admissions committee to be confident that you have given serious thought to what your next professional steps might be five to ten years after graduation. Be ambitious—while still being realistic—with this eventual objective. Also, you must show a clear connection between this long-term goal and your short-term goal.
Next, explain how an MBA will provide you with what you need to learn and experience to get you from where you are now to where you want to be in the future. Most importantly, you must convince the admissions committee that the Anderson program specifically is ideal for helping you achieve your goals. Therefore, be sure to learn about the school’s courses, clubs, resources, and events, and then describe how they relate to your career objectives. While you can (and should) gain this knowledge from the school’s website and virtual offerings, speaking directly with students and alumni will often provide even deeper insight into how the program will enable you to succeed in business school and after graduation. Showing that you have genuinely engaged with the school will help you stand out from other applicants who did not put in such time and effort. To learn more about UCLA Anderson’s academic program, defining characteristics, crucial statistics, standout faculty members, and other key features, download a complimentary copy of the mbaMission Insider’s Guide to the Anderson School of Management.
This essay covers the traditional elements of a standard personal statement, so we encourage you to download a free copy of the mbaMission Personal Statement Guide, which offers in-depth guidance on how to frame and discuss these elements of your candidacy, along with multiple illustrative examples.
Short Essay 2
How do you hope your UCLA Anderson classmates will describe you by the time you graduate? What qualities and / or values do you want to be known for, and how will you demonstrate them as a student leader and community member? (200 words)
With this prompt, UCLA Anderson is hoping to gain a sense of your values and understand how they align with those of the school. Therefore, start by thoroughly researching the program and community to understand the type of applicant Andderson seeks. Dig deep into what life at the school is really like by reading student blogs, perusing discussion boards, catching up on press releases from the school, and downloading a free copy of the mbaMission Insider’s Guide to the Anderson School of Management.
After identifying your top two or three qualities that align with Anderson, be aware that simply listing them in your essay will not be adequate. You should also share examples or anecdotes from your past that illustrate them; providing this context is how you convince the admissions committee that you already possess the values you are highlighting.
With your remaining word count, you must then explain how you will express these traits and values as part of the Anderson community. Avoid generalizations; if what you discuss could just as easily apply to the community at any MBA program—not just Anderson in particular—then you have not been sufficiently specific. Your response should clarify for the admissions committee that you will make your mark in targeted ways. This will show Anderson that you have done your research and understand your fit with the program.
Short Essay 3
What is the first thing you would tell your classmates about yourself upon arriving at Anderson? (50 words)
Upon reading this seemingly open-ended question, your mind might initially go to one of the most interesting or funny ideas about you. However, keep in mind that even though the question asks what you would tell your peers, your actual reader here is the Anderson admissions committee. Therefore, you should brainstorm for ideas that would benefit your classmates and community. We suggest that when researching the Anderson program, as we have recommended you do for the first two essays as well, you pay particular attention to its student groups, and identify the ones you can see yourself engaging with the most. Ideally, that first “thing” you tell your classmates would make you a welcome addition to one of these student groups; you might even see yourself being a leader within it.
Optional Essay
Are there any extenuating circumstances or additional context you would like to share with the Admissions committee? (250 words maximum)
Anderson’s optional essay is your opportunity—if needed—to address any lingering questions that an admissions officer might have about your candidacy, such as a poor grade or overall GPA, a low GMAT or GRE score, or a gap in your work experience. Do not simply try to fill this space because you fear that not doing so would somehow count against you (it will not). The admissions committee states very clearly on its application requirements page, “No preference is given in the evaluation process to those who respond to this optional essay, so please use your best judgment in deciding whether to include it.” This means that no matter how tempted you might be, this is not the place to reuse a strong essay you wrote for a different school or to offer an anecdote or two that you were unable to include in one of your required essays. However, if you truly feel that you must emphasize or explain something that would legitimately render your application incomplete if omitted, write a very brief piece on this key aspect of your profile. We suggest that before you do, you download a free copy of the mbaMission Optional Essays Guide, in which we offer detailed advice on deciding whether to take advantage of the optional essay and how best to do so (with multiple sample essays).
Reapplicant Essay
Reapplicants are those who submitted a completed MBA application within the previous two years (that is, who applied for the MBA program starting in 2025 or 2026) and received a final decision. … Reapplicants are required to answer the Short Essay Prompts. It is suggested, but not required, to also answer the Optional Essay.
Rather than simply providing an update on their candidacy and reasserting their interest in Anderson’s MBA program, reapplicants must respond to the school’s short-essay prompts, just as first-time applicants do. This seems to underscore the importance of the required essay questions and the admissions committee’s interest in learning about these aspects of their candidates’ profiles. Although the school notes that providing a response to the optional prompt is encouraged, but not mandatory, we would strongly suggest doing so to demonstrate the level of your investment and interest in an Anderson MBA. That said, you must of course respond thoughtfully and compellingly to the additional prompt—you will not gain points simply for submitting something; the substance still needs to be there.
Again, we suggest downloading your free copy of the mbaMission Insider’s Guide to the Anderson School of Management to learn more about Anderson and the characteristic elements of its MBA program,
The Next Step—Mastering Your UCLA Anderson Interview
Many MBA candidates find admissions interviews stressful and intimidating, but mastering this important element of the application process is definitely possible—the key is informed preparation. We therefore offer our free Interview Guides to spur you along! Download your free copy of the UCLA Anderson Interview Guide today.
