2019–2020 MBA Essay Analysis: Georgetown, London Business School, Oxford
How can you write essays that grab the attention of MBA admissions committees? With these thorough essay analyses, our friends at mbaMission help you conceptualize your essay ideas and understand how to execute, so that your experiences truly stand out.
This week, we round up essay analyses for Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, London Business School, and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.
GEORGETOWN MCDONOUGH ESSAY ANALYSIS 2019-2020
Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business has made some substantial changes to its application essay questions this year, broadening candidates’ opportunity to present their strongest qualities to the admissions committee for evaluation. Applicants must still provide one 500-word written essay but now get to choose from three question options. Rather than being strictly required to discuss a single defining moment, they can write about leading outside of their comfort zone, a failure-as-learning-opportunity situation, or their personal connection with the brand of someone they admire. The school’s video essay remains unchanged and allows candidates to creatively showcase their individuality and personality. Finally, although the school offers only one optional essay this season, rather than two, the prompt gives candidates the leeway to discuss anything they feel is necessary, so it should be sufficient to meet everyone’s needs.
Our full essay analysis offers ideas and advice for addressing all the school’s prompts.
LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL ESSAY ANALYSIS 2019-2020
Once again, London Business School (LBS) appears to be satisfied with the scope and presentation of its application essay questions, having made no modifications to them this season. Although the program strictly requires only one essay—one that largely constitutes a traditional personal statement—some applicants may want to seriously consider submitting the optional essay as well if they feel that doing so will facilitate a fairer or more thorough evaluation of their candidacy.
In our analysis, we offer our advice on crafting your approach, whether you ultimately write just one essay for LBS or two.
Download: Before you apply to London Business School, be sure to check out the following free resources from mbaMission…
For a thorough exploration of London Business School’s academic offerings, defining characteristics, and other key facets of the program, please download your free copy of the mbaMission London Business School Program Guide.
Take the next step towards mastering your London Business School interview by downloading mbaMission’s free London Business School Interview Guide. 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.
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OXFORD SAÏD ANALYSIS 2019-2020
Over the years, we have seen the top business schools slowly scaling back the length—and in some cases, the scope—of their required application essays, but the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford may be setting a new record of sorts with its minimalist approach this season. The program is now requiring applicants to provide just a single essay with their application materials rather than two, as it did last year, and one of only 250 words, at that. On the plus side, perhaps, the prompt gives candidates the leeway to share whatever additional information they believe the admissions committee should have in evaluating them, so they are not restricted by a specific topic.
Click here for our guidance on approaching Oxford Saïd’s single essay question for 2019–2020, as well as its essays for 1+1 MBA candidates and reapplicants.
Download: Before you apply to Oxford Saïd, be sure to check out the following free resource from mbaMission…
For a thorough exploration of Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford’s academic offerings, defining characteristics, and other key facets of the program, please download your free copy of the mbaMission Saïd Business School Program Guide.
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