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MBA Essay Format Guide

Ever feel like dissecting an MBA essay is about as exciting as staring at a spreadsheet? Yeah, we’ve been there, too! But what if we told you there's a way to ditch the dull and write about MBAs in a way that's actually interesting?  

Think unpacking a box of business ideas – fun, surprising, and full of potential. This guide will toss out the textbook MBA essay format and show you how to create an essay as cool as a casual Friday meeting with friends.

What Is an MBA Essay?

An MBA essay is a writing format that explores business-related topics in a personal and analytical way. It could be a reflection on a business trend, a leader's perspective on a unique challenge, or even a fictional story set in the business world.

How Long Is an MBA Essay?

The ideal length for your MBA essay depends entirely on the specific program you're applying to.  Here's the breakdown:

• Business School Specific Limits: Every MBA program sets its word count for application essays. It can range anywhere from a super short 150 words to a more standard 500 words, with some outliers going even higher.
• Sticking to the Limit: It's crucial to respect the word limit. Going over shows you can't follow instructions, which might hurt your application.
• Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: Craft a concise and impactful essay that hits all the key points within the allowed word count.

Here are some resources to help you find the specific word count for your target programs:

• School Websites: Most MBA programs clearly state their essay requirements and word limits on their admissions web pages.
• Admissions Contact: If you can't find the information online, reach out to the office of the admissions committee directly for clarification.

Here's an additional tip: Aim to stay under the word limit by a small buffer (like 10-20 words) to ensure you have room for edits and final formatting.

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MBA Essay Formatting Tips

Here are some formatting tips to make your MBA essay shine:

General Formatting:

• Font: Use a standard, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 10 or 12.
• Line Spacing: Double line spacing is preferred for readability.
• Margins: One-inch margins on all sides create a clean and professional look.
• Alignment: Left alignment is the standard.
• Pagination: Include page numbers in the top right corner, starting on page 2.
• Clear Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself, the essay topic, and your main point.
• Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a single idea, supported by specific examples and experiences. Use transitions between paragraphs to ensure a smooth flow.
• Strong Conclusion: Summarize your key points and reiterate your fit for the program.

Additional Tips:

• Formatting Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting throughout the essay.
• Avoid Fancy Formatting: Don't use bold, italics, or underlining for emphasis unless absolutely necessary.
• Readability: Proofread carefully for typos, grammatical errors, and clarity.
• File Format: Save your essay as a PDF to preserve formatting across different systems.

School-Specific Requirements:

• Essay Prompt: Pay close attention to the specific essay prompt and tailor your essay accordingly.
• Optional Formatting: Some schools might have specific formatting requirements, such as font size or margins. Always double-check the program's guidelines.

These formatting tips will ensure your MBA essay is professional, readable, and makes a strong impression on the admissions committee.

How to Format a 5-paragraph MBA Essay?

When you’re formatting an essay for a b-school, it’s important to keep in mind the correct use of punctuation , among other things.

Need Help with Your MBA Essay?

Use an experienced b-school service to write first-class papers 10/10 times!

How to Print and Email Your MBA Essay?

After you finish the draft, print the document and send it to your chosen business school.

• File Format: Save your essay as a PDF document. This ensures that the formatting remains consistent when opening it on different devices.
• Print Settings: For a professional look, use high-quality settings. Choose black ink on white, standard printer paper.
• Double-sided Printing (Optional): If the program doesn't require single-sided submissions, consider double-sided printing to save paper.
• Proofread: Double-check for typos or formatting errors that might have slipped through during the digital editing.
• Subject Line: Craft a clear and informative subject line. Include your full name, the essay prompt or title, and the program you're applying to. (e.g., John Doe - MBA Application - Leadership Essay)
• Attachment: Attach your final PDF essay document.
• Body of Email: Keep it brief and professional. Briefly introduce yourself and mention that you've attached your essay for the program you're applying to. Thank the recipient for their time and consideration.
• Proofread: Before hitting send, double-check for a professional essay tone and any typos or grammatical errors in your email.

Here's an example of an email body:

Dear [Admissions Committee/Program Director name],

I am writing to submit my application for the [MBA Program Name] program. Attached you will find my essay for the [Essay Prompt/Title] prompt.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Your Full Name]

An MBA essay might seem like just another application hoop to jump through, but trust us on this one – it's a skill worth having. It's basically training wheels for becoming a business pro – you learn to communicate clearly, make a convincing case, and influence decisions. A pretty handy perk, no matter where your career takes you.

Should MBA Essays Be Double Spaced?

What format should an mba essay be in.

• How to Write an Admissions Essay for an Executive MBA Program | Naveen Jindal School of Management. (n.d.). https://execed.utdallas.edu/voices/executive-education-articles/executive-mba-admission-articles/how-to-write-an-admissions-essay-for-an-executive-mba-program/ ‍
• Essays. (n.d.). Stanford Graduate School of Business. https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/mba/admission/application/essays ‍
• We’re Introducing a New Essay Format for Our 2018 MBA Application. (2017, May 25). Michigan Ross. https://michiganross.umich.edu/programs/full-time-mba/admissions-blog/2017/05/25/we-re-introducing-new-essay-format-our-2018-mba

How To Format An MBA Admission Essay

• Author Sandra W.

Format Of MBA Admission Essay

The admission essay gives you the opportunity to present yourself to the admission committee and to describe your thoughts, goals and experiences in the process. When writing an MBA admission essay the following rules are followed.

• The entire essay is written by you alone to express your idea and thought. Your offer of admission will be cancelled if the admission committee discovers that you did not write your essay.
• Date of birth, page number and the essay numbers are labeled on top of each MBA admission essay.
• All MBA admission essay must be typed and submitted using standard format.12-point font and double spaced
• Word limit should apply all questions. For example, your essay must answer all questions in the limit of the number of word stated.

General idea

Your MBA essay should succinct by focusing on the question(s). By outlining your essay clearly in the introduction, supporting your argument and lastly concluding or summarizing your purpose your essay remains focused.

   Essay application mechanism

You should use formal and simple language in writing your essay. These is you should use the MLA writing guidelines in order to clearly deliver and present your essay.

Page guidelines

 Your essay should have 1-inch margin all-rounds, which are on top, bottom and along the sides. The standard five-space indent should be in every paragraph. The font size and font type used should be standard. The new times roman 12 is appropriate and globally accepted in writing MBA admission essays. You should use double space in writing your essay. At the end of a sentence, you should use double space. This makes the essay to be exceptional and it is formal.

Style mechanics

You should use first person to write your essay since you are writing about yourself. There should be a review of the essay to check the use of active voice vs., passive voice

Use of grammar

You can use grammar help to understand the use of punctuation since the entire essay reflects who you are. The grammar used should be correct and punctuation usage should be proper.

In summary, when formatting an MBA admission essay it is focused to the question. It should adhere to MLA writing guidelines. Good presentation of the essay is necessary by using correct grammar, correct voice and right perspective. Sentences and spaces must t be correctly spaced. The margins of the pages must be 1-inch all rounded and the paragraphs be indented properly.

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What matters most to Stanford, and why?

What matters most to the stanford gsb admissions office, and why.

How to write

Stanford gsb essays.

Information is subject to change. Please verify all data with the schools.  

NEW for CLASS OF 2022 APPLICANTS

Think about the times you've created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? You are welcome to share up to three examples. (Up to 1500 characters, approximately 250 words for each example)

Essays help us learn about who you are rather than solely what you have done. Other parts of the application give insight to your academic and professional accomplishments; the essays reveal the person behind those achievements.

When writing your essays, resist the urge to “package” yourself into what you think Stanford wants to see. Doing so will only prevent us from understanding who you really are and what you hope to accomplish. The most impressive essays are the most authentic.

Essay Questions

We request that you write two personal essays. The personal essays give us glimpses of your character and hopes. In each essay, we want to hear your genuine voice. Think carefully about your values, passions, aims, and dreams prior to writing them.

Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?

For this essay, we would like you to:

Do some deep self-examination, so you can genuinely illustrate who you are and how you came to be the person you are.

Share the insights, experiences, and lessons that shaped your perspectives, rather than focusing merely on what you’ve done or accomplished.

Write from the heart, and illustrate how a person, situation, or event has influenced you.

Focus on the “why” rather than the “what.”

Essay B: Why Stanford?

Enlighten us on how earning your MBA at Stanford will enable you to realize your ambitions.

Explain your decision to pursue graduate education in management.

Explain the distinctive opportunities you will pursue at Stanford.

If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Your answers for both essay questions combined may not exceed 1,050 words.  We recommend up to 650 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B. We often find effective essays that are written in fewer words.

Each of you has your own story to tell, so please allocate these words between the essays in the way that is most effective for you.  

Double-spaced

Indicate the question you are answering at the beginning of each essay (does not count toward the word limit)

Number all pages

Upload one document that includes both essays

Be sure to save a copy of your essays, and preview the uploaded document to ensure that the formatting is preserved.

found at https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/mba/admission/application/essays ; accessed 2020/06

Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why?

Authenticity matters most to Stanford .

Be yourself. Lots of admissions directors say it. Stanford means it.

Submit essays that you will be able to share with your children or grandchildren.

TIP 1: TELL YOUR STORY

First, I suggest you read the following advice from Derrick Bolton , former Director of MBA Admissions at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

In the first essay, tell a story—and tell a story that only you can tell.

Tell this essay in a straightforward and sincere way. This probably sounds strange, since these are essays for business school, but we really don’t expect to hear about your business experience in this essay (though, of course, you are free to write about whatever you would like).

Remember that we have your entire application—work history, letters of reference, short-answer responses, etc.—to learn what you have accomplished and the type of impact you have made. Your task in this first essay is to connect the people, situations, and events in your life with the values you adhere to and the choices you have made. This essay gives you a terrific opportunity to learn about yourself!

Many good essays describe the "what," but great essays move to the next order and describe how and why these "whats" have influenced your life. The most common mistake applicants make is spending too much time describing the "what" and not enough time describing how and why these guiding forces have shaped your behavior, attitudes, and objectives in your personal and professional lives.

(found at http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/admission/dir_essays-p.html; accessed 2011/07)

TIP 2: GET OUTSIDE YOURSELF

There are two ways to answer Stanford Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why?

Some clients look inside for the answer. They dig through their lives, write extensive memoirs, and emerge with their answer. Think of the Zen monk meditating on the sound of one hand clapping, or the lone physicist searching for an elusive subatomic particle.

Others start with a bunch of stories they want to share, then try to find the best theme to hold them all together. Think of selecting a Christmas tree. First, you imagine all of your favorite ornaments. Then, you try to find the sturdy frame that will display them properly. This is the outside in method.

I cannot say which method is better, but I know which one is faster: outside in.

As the round three deadline approaches, I encourage Stanford GSB challengers to start with five to seven stories you want to share. Then, eliminate those that have the least in common with the others. Through this process of elimination, you can find a pattern. As the pattern emerges, give it a name. This is the "what."

Finally, don’t forget the most important part of the question: why?

Often, my clients discover that their “why” has something to do with family influences. But the successful ones do not stop there. Our parents influence us, but we also make decisions that define our adult lives.

Whatever matters most to you should be that quality, value, or activity over which you simply have no choice. It defines you. If you did not do it, or pursue it, you would die, either literally or figuratively.

What keeps you alive?

What would you want written on your tombstone?

"Here lies Bob. He always tried his best."

"Cindy R.I.P. She cared about her family."

That's it? Really?

TIP 3: SHOW. DON'T TELL

The best writers show. They don't tell.

What does that mean?

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." — Anton Chekov

To "show" means to demonstrate.

To "tell" means to assert.

Most writers emphasize the results of what happened. Can you show your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions to express an event or story? For example, we may say, "He is sloppy." This is telling. In order to truly convince your readers, make sure to show with details exactly what you mean. Save your assertions for the topic and controlling sentences. You can't tell us someone is a wonderful person, a talented musician or a spoiled child. We won't believe you. You must show us. Look for any opportunity to show us in real time, to act out, to let us feel. The difference will amaze you. For example, we may say, "His shoelaces are untied, his socks are mismatched, his shirt untucked, and his face unwashed." This is showing.

More tips here 

https://techwritingtodai.blogspot.com/2011/03/sdt.html

How do I SHOW, not tell?

Read my favorite writing coach, William Zinsser :

The content below is modified from Zinsser's On Writing Well, 25th Anniversary: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Other versions of Zinsser's memoir writing tips can be found here and here .

Writing About Yourself

Of all the subjects available to you as a writer, the one you know best is yourself: your past and your present, your thoughts and your emotions. Yet it’s probably the subject you try hardest to avoid.

Give yourself permission to write about yourself, and have a good time doing it.

Don't be eager to please. If you consciously write for (admissions officers), you'll end up not writing for anybody. If you write for yourself, you'll reach the people you want to write for.

The crucial ingredient in memoir is, of course, people. Sounds and smells and songs and sleeping porches will take you just so far. Finally you must summon back the men and women and children who notably crossed your life. What was it that made them memorable—what turn of mind, what crazy habits?

Write about yourself, by all means, with confidence and with pleasure. But see that all the details—people, places, events, anecdotes, ideas, emotions—are moving your story steadily along. Make sure every component in your memoir is doing useful work.

Which brings me to memoir as a form. I'll read almost anybody's memoir. For me, no other nonfiction form goes so deeply to the roots of personal experience—to all the drama and pain and humor and unexpectedness of life. The books I remember most vividly from my first reading of them tend to be memoirs: books such as

Russell Bakers’ Growing Up

Vivian Gornick’s Fierce Attachments

Mary Karr's The Liars' Club

Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes

Vladimir Nabokov's Speak, Memory

Eudora Welty's One Writer's Beginnings

What gives them their power is the narrowness of their focus. Unlike autobiography, which spans an entire life, memoir assumes the life and ignores most of it. The memoir writer takes us back to some corner of his or her past that was unusually intense—childhood, for instance—or that was framed by war or some other social upheaval.

Nabokov's Speak, Memory , the most elegant memoir I know, invokes a golden boyhood in czarist St. Petersburg, a world of private tutors and summer houses that the Russian Revolution would end forever. It's an act of writing frozen in a unique time and place.

 Think narrow, then, when you try the form. Memoir isn't the summary of a life; it's a window into a life, very much like a photograph in its selective composition. It may look like a casual and even random calling up of bygone events. It's not; it's a deliberate construction. Thoreau wrote seven different drafts of Walden in eight years; no American memoir was more painstakingly pieced together. To write a good memoir you must become the editor of your own life, imposing on an untidy sprawl of half-remembered events a narrative shape and an organizing idea. Memoir is the art of inventing the truth. One secret of the art is detail. Any kind of detail will work—a sound or a smell or a song title—as long as it played a shaping role in the portion of your life you have chosen to distil.

CLICK HERE TO READ MEMOIR EXCERPTS

Start early, dig deep, and enjoy the process.

More Stanford hints are here

We read your essays to get to know you as a person and to learn about the ideas and interests that motivate you. Tell us in your own words who you are.

In other parts of the application, we learn about your academic and professional accomplishments (i.e., what you have done). Through your personal essays (Essays 1 and 2), we learn more about the person behind the achievements (i.e., who you are).

Because we want to discover who you are, resist the urge to "package" yourself in order to come across in a way you think Stanford wants. Such attempts simply blur our understanding of who you are and what you can accomplish.

We want to hear your genuine voice throughout the essays that you write and this is the time to think carefully about your values, your passions, your hopes and dreams.

Truly, the most impressive essays are those that do not begin with the goal of impressing us.

Essay Format

Please use 12-point font, double-spaced.

Recommended fonts are Arial, Courier, and Times New Roman.

Indicate the essay question you are answering at the beginning of each essay. The question does not count against your 1,600 word limit.

Upload all three essays as one document.

Number all pages.

For additional information about writing your essays, please visit our website . 

TIPS FROM THE (old) BOSS

Writing effective essays advice from derrick bolton.

advice from former Stanford MBA Admissions Dean Derrick Bolton

Regardless of the outcome of the admission process, I believe strongly that you will benefit from the opportunity for structured reflection that the business school application provides. I hope that you will approach the application process as a way to learn about yourself—that's the goal—with the byproduct being the application that you submit to us.

Rarely during our lives are we asked to think deeply about what is most important to us. Stanford professor Bill Damon’s book, The Moral Advantage: How to Succeed in Business by Doing the Right Thing, contained the following passages that might help you maintain the larger context as you delve into the essay writing process.

"We are not always aware of the forces that ultimately move us. While focusing on the "how" questions—how to survive, how to get ahead, how to make a name for ourselves—often we forget the "why" questions that are more essential for finding and staying on the best course: Why pursue this objective? Why behave in this manner? Why aspire to this kind of life? Why become this type of person?

These "why" questions help us realize our highest aspirations and our truest interests. To answer these questions well, we must decide what matters most to us, what we will be able to contribute to in our careers, what are the right (as opposed to the wrong) ways of behaving as we aim toward this end, and, ultimately, what kind of persons we want to become. Because everyone, everywhere, wants to live an admirable life, a life of consequence, the "why" questions cannot be ignored for long without great peril to one’s personal stability and enduring success. It is like ignoring the rudder on a ship—no matter how much you look after all the boat’s other moving parts, you may end up lost at sea."

Essay Philosophy

The Stanford MBA Program essays provide you an opportunity to reflect on your own "truest interests" and "highest aspirations."

While the letters of reference are stories about you told by others, these essays enable you to tell your own story, what matters most to you and why, as well as how you have decided you can best contribute to society.

Please think of the Stanford essays as conversations on paper—when we read files, we feel that we meet people, also known as our "flat friends"—and tell us your story in a natural, genuine way.

Our goal is to understand what motivates you and how you have become the person you are today. In addition, we’re interested in what kind of person you need the Stanford MBA Program to help you become.

Reflective, insightful essays help us envision the individual behind all of the experiences and accomplishments that we read about elsewhere in your application.

The most important piece of advice on these essays is extremely simple: answer the questions—each component of each question.

An additional suggestion for writing essays is equally straightforward: think a lot before you write. We want a holistic view of you as a person: your values, passions, ideas, experiences, and aspirations.

Many good essays describe the "what," but great essays move to the next order and describe how and why these "whats" have influenced your life. The most common mistake applicants make is spending too much time describing the "what" and not enough time describing how and why these guiding forces have shaped your behavior, attitudes, and objectives in your personal and professional lives. Please be assured that we do appreciate and reward thoughtful self-assessment and appropriate levels of self-disclosure.

In the second essay, please note that there are two separate but related questions. Answer both! First, we ask you what you want to do - REALLY. Tell us what you aspire to do. You don’t need to come up with a "safe" answer because you’re worried that your true aim is not what we want to see. REALLY. What are your ideas for your best self after Stanford? What, and how, do you hope to contribute in your professional life after earning your MBA?

Tell us what, in your heart, you would like to achieve. What is the dream that brings meaning to your life? How do you plan to make an impact? We give you broad license to envision your future. Take advantage of it. You may, however, find it difficult to explain why you need an MBA to reach your aims if those aims are completely undefined. Be honest, with yourself and with us, in addressing those questions. You certainly do not need to make up a path, but a level of focused interests will enable you to make the most of the Stanford experience.

Second, we ask why Stanford. How will the MBA Program at Stanford help you turn your dreams into reality? The key here is that you should have objectives for your Stanford education. How do you plan to take advantage of the incredible opportunities at Stanford? How do you envision yourself contributing, growing, and learning here at the Graduate School of Business? And how will the Stanford experience help you become the person you described in the first part of Essay 2?

From both parts of Essay 2, we learn about your dreams, what has shaped them, and how Stanford can help you bring them into fruition.

Essay 3: Short Answers

Tell us about a time when you…

Unlike the two previous essays, in which you are asked to write about your life from a more holistic perspective, these questions ask you to reflect on a specific recent experience (within the last three years) that has made a difference to you and/or the people around you.

The best answers will transport us to that moment in time by painting a vivid picture not only of what you did, but also of how you did it. Include supporting details. What led to the situation? What did you say? How did they respond? What were you thinking at the time? What were you feeling at the time? Include details about what you thought and felt during that time and your perceptions about how others responded. From these short-answer responses, we visualize you "in action."

Good People Can Give Bad Advice

Moving beyond the specific essay and short-answer questions, I'd like to address a couple of myths.

Myth #1: Tell the Committee on Admissions what makes you unique in your essays. This often leads applicants to believe that you need to have accomplishments or feats that are unusual or different from your peers (e.g., traveling to an exotic place or talking about a tragic situation in your life).

But how are you to know which of your experiences are unique when you know neither the backgrounds of the other applicants nor the topics they have chosen? What makes you unique is not that you have had these experiences, but rather how and why your perspective has changed or been reinforced as a result of those and other everyday experiences.

That is a story that only you can tell. If you concentrate your efforts on telling us who you are, differentiation will occur naturally; if your goal is to appear unique, you actually may achieve the opposite effect.

Truly, the most impressive essays that we read each year are those that do not begin with the goal of impressing us.

Myth #2: There is a widespread perception that if you don't have amazing essays, you won't be admitted even if you are a compelling applicant.

Please remember that no single element of your application is dispositive. And since we recognize that our application has limits, we constantly remind ourselves to focus on the applicant rather than the application.

This means that we will admit someone despite the application essays if we feel we’ve gotten a good sense of the person overall. Yes, the essays are important. But they are neither our only avenue of understanding you, nor are they disproportionately influential in the admission process.

Accounting Versus Marketing

Alumnus Leo Linbeck, MBA '94 told me something on an alumni panel in Houston a few years ago that I have since appropriated.

Leo said that, in management terms, the Stanford essays are not a marketing exercise but an accounting exercise.

This is not an undertaking in which you look at an audience/customer (i.e., the Committee on Admissions) and then write what you believe we want to hear. It is quite the opposite. This is a process in which you look inside yourself and try to express most clearly what is there. We are trying to get a good sense of your perspectives, your thoughts on management and leadership, and how Stanford can help you realize your goals.

As Professor Damon would say, we are helping you ensure that your rudder steers you to the right port.

Derrick Bolton, MBA 1998

Assistant Dean for MBA Admissions

updated 6 July 2011

(found at http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/admission/dir_essays-p.html ; accessed 2011/07)

INTERMISSION

In a recent post to “Ask the School Experts,” the official website of the GMAT, the head of admissions for the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) shared his take on what admissions committees are really looking for from prospective applicants.

Stanford GSB Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions Derrick Bolton explains that the MBA admissions process at most schools includes two separate processes: evaluation and selection.

Evaluation involves reviewing each application and assessing candidates in many areas. “We look for the most promising students in terms of intellectual distinction and professional merit,” Bolton writes, adding that this judgment is based on all of the information available – not just a single factor like college grades, essays, GMAT scores or any other element.

Though every school has its own admissions criteria, most are looking for candidates who exhibit intellect and leadership – a desire to learn and curiosity about the world combined with demonstrated ability to make a difference, Bolton says.

As for evaluating intellect, schools look toward scores and transcripts as a foundation. “But your approach toward your education is as important as your ability,” Bolton stresses. In evaluating leadership, admissions committees assess an applicant’s impact on the people and organizations around you and how those experiences impact you, according to Bolton. “Your leadership potential emerges through aspects including but not limited to athletics, community service, extracurricular activities, internships, research projects and part-time and full-time employment,” he writes.

The second process admissions committees must go through in creating an MBA class is selection. “Having evaluated each application, Admissions Offices then are faced with the difficult decisions of crafting a class: determining which candidates to admit among those evaluated as highly qualified,” he writes, adding that there are many more qualified candidates than there are places in an MBA program.

It’s not as easy as just eliminating candidates with weaknesses, Bolton says. “In an effort to create an engaging student community, we select those applicants who, collectively, represent a breadth of background, talent and experience,” he writes. “The reasons some applicants stand out more than others are not easily categorized, since excellence itself does not come in uniform dimensions.” This means that the selection process, by its very nature, is subjective.

“Complete your application authentically,” Bolton advises prospective applicants. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to shape your application to fit what you think an Admissions Committee is looking for because too often applicants think that view is narrower than it is, he cautions.

“Have confidence in what you have achieved. Be faithful to your passions. Trust in what you aspire to accomplish,” he urges. Look at the application process as an opportunity to truly explore your values and envision your potential, Bolton says.

(found at http://asktheexpert.mba.com/2012/07/30/what-are-admissions-committees-really-looking-for/; accessed 2012/08)

First, update your resume

My best resume video is here ▸ http://youtu.be/f9gyOmHJY5o  

My best resume blog post is here

My best resume links are here ▸ https://delicious.com/admissions/resumebonsai  

REAPPLICANTS

Admission to the Stanford MBA Program is very competitive. We cannot offer a place to as many applicants as we would like in any year.

If you are not offered admission you are welcome to reapply in a future application year. Each year we offer admission to reapplicants who present compelling applications.

What You Should Know

Having applied in a previous year is not considered a negative factor in your application.

Reapplicants are evaluated on the merits of the new application and are required to complete and submit an entirely new application, including Letters of Reference, Transcript(s), and Application Form. Do not assume that the person reviewing your application has seen your previous one.

The Assistant Dean for MBA Admissions does have access to previous applications, however, and may choose whether to review them prior to a final decision.

Give yourself a fresh start when you approach your application. 

Address areas of relative weakness, if possible.

Determine if other recommenders may provide a more insightful and thorough perspective.

Add new information that may be helpful in the admission process.

Use Current Application Materials

Application requirements, including essay questions, change from year to year. It is important that you meet current application requirements.

The application fee is not waived for reapplicants.

As long as your test scores (GMAT-GRE and TOEFL-IELTS-PTE) remain valid, you do not need to have them resent from the test centers. However, you do need to self-report them in the application. If your test scores are no longer valid you need to retake them.

Are your GMAT-GRE and TOEFL-IETLS-PTE scores still valid for the application round in which you wish to apply?

We cannot provide feedback on denied applications.

Second, outline Essay 2 (goals, why Stanford?)

Essay 2: What do you want to do—REALLY—and why Stanford?

(suggested length 450 words / 1600 total)

Use this essay to explain your view of your future, not to repeat accomplishments from your past.

You should address two distinct topics:

your career aspirations

and your rationale for earning your 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.

Third, share your ideas for Essay 1 (what matters most to you and why)

Tell us in your own words who you are. 

Vince’s best Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2016 Essay 1 what matters most to you … (#WMMTYAW) tips are here

Fourth, update your resume and begin filling in the online application data form short answers plus additional info

Online application data form short answer questions

Just for Fun

Your favorite place:

Your favorite thing to read:

Please describe yourself in up to 20 words OR choose up to 20 words to describe you. (Do not exceed 20 words, use bullets, or use hard returns.)

Additional Information

If there is any other information that is critical for us to know and is not captured elsewhere, please include it. Examples of pertinent additional information include:

Extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance

Explanation of why you do not have a Letter of Reference from your current direct supervisor or peer

Explanation of criminal conviction, criminal charges sustained against you in a juvenile proceeding, and/or court-supervised probation

Explanation of academic suspension or expulsion

Any other information that you did not have sufficient space to complete in another section of the application (please begin the information in the appropriate section)

Additional work experience that cannot fit into the space provided

Additional information about your academic experience (e.g., independent research) not noted elsewhere

Only complete this section if there is any other information that is critical for us to know but is not captured elsewhere (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). Do not include essays.

This section is limited to 250 kbs.

For further guidance on reporting additional information, please visit our website .

Fifth, confirm your recommenders

Letters of Reference

You are required to solicit three online Letters of Reference for your MBA application.

Two letters must be from professional/workplace recommenders.

One letter must be from a peer.

Three Letters of Reference Are Required

Two Professional/Workplace References

You must obtain at least one recommendation from your current direct supervisor.

If you are unable to provide a letter from your current direct supervisor, include a brief note of explanation in the Additional Information section of the online application. It is up to you to choose an appropriate replacement.

College seniors may use a direct supervisor from a summer, part-time, or internship experience. Alternatively, you may ask someone who oversaw you in an extracurricular, volunteer, or community activity.

Your second Professional/Workplace Letter of Reference must come from someone else in a position to evaluate your work—another supervisor, a previous supervisor, a client, etc.

Qualitative accounts of your intellectual and professional abilities are essential to us. As we read your letters of reference, we hope to discover specific descriptions and examples illustrating your potential to make a difference in the world.

Choose individuals who know you well, and who will take the time to write thorough, detailed letters with specific anecdotes and examples. The strongest references will demonstrate your leadership potential and personal qualities. We are impressed by what the letter says and how it reads, not by the title of the person who writes it or the native language of the recommender.

All letters of reference must be submitted by the deadline of the round in which you apply.

Guidelines for Letters of Reference

Drafting or writing your own Letter of Reference, even if asked to do so by your recommender, is improper and a violation of the terms of the application process.

Choose individuals who have had significant direct involvement with you within the last few years.

Encourage recommenders to write letters specifically for this application since outdated and/or general recommendations typically do not strengthen an application.

Strictly academic Letters of Reference generally are less helpful in our evaluation.

Your recommenders must submit their Letters of Reference via the online application.

We strongly suggest that your recommenders submit Letters of Reference at least one day prior to the application deadline.

You are responsible for ensuring that all three recommendations are submitted online before the application deadline.

Letters must be submitted in English.

Letters of Reference should not exceed 3 pages, double-spaced, using a 12-point font. Recommended fonts are Arial, Courier, and Times New Roman.

Notify your recommender which type of Letter of Reference he/she will be completing for you (Professional/Workplace or Peer/Team).

Your recommenders are highly encouraged to submit the letter(s) of reference at least one day prior to your application deadline date, as high server traffic may cause submission problems.

Late recommendations may not be reviewed with your application.

Recommendations are late if they are received after 5:00 PM Pacific Time on the deadline date of the round in which you applied.

For more information on Letters of Reference, please review the appropriate instructions on our website.

Sixth, share ideas with each recommender

How to use Stanford GSB's Leadership Behavior Grid to secure authentic letters of recommendation for top MBA programs

No other school has taken the time to define the difference between a 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 rating. Why is this the case?

From my understanding, Stanford hired a leading strategic consulting firm to assess and overhaul their entire admissions process around 2007

If my understanding is correct, the Leadership Behavior Grid probably represents a significant investment

No wonder they have copyrighted it. So kudos to Derrick and his team for giving recommenders and applicants something concrete to dig their teeth into 

Even if you are not applying to Stanford, I encourage you to use Stanford’s Leadership Behavior Grid to organize your recommendation letter process

Step 1 - Assess yourself

Give yourself a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 based on the qualified details included in Stanford’s Leadership Behavior Grid

What were your highest ratings? 

What were your lowest ratings? 

Step 2 - Justify your highest and lowest ratings with real examples that your recommender may remember

Step 3 - share your Stanford Leadership Behavior Grid self-assessment, and the supporting examples, with your recommender and ask him or her to follow the same process before writing his or her references for all schools on your list (better to secure an unused reference now than to bother your supervisor on holiday). 

for reference

Stanford Leadership Behavior Grid

(fall 2014 version) 

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LETTER OF REFERENCE

Professional/Workplace 

Skill/Quality 

Results Orientation

1 Fulfills assigned tasks 

2 Overcomes obstacles to achieve goals

3 Exceeds goals and raises effectiveness of organization

4 Introduces incremental improvements to enhance business performance using robust analysis

5 Invents and delivers best-in-class standards and performance

Strategic Orientation

1 Understands immediate issues of work or analysis

2 Identifies opportunities for improvement within area of responsibility

3 Develops insights or recommendations that have improved business performance

4 Develops insights or recommendations that have shaped team or department strategy

5 Implements a successful strategy that challenges other parts of the company or other players in the industry

Team Leadership

1 Avoids leadership responsibilities; does not provide direction to team

2 Assigns tasks to team members

3 Solicits ideas and perspectives from the team; holds members accountable

4 Actively engages the team to develop plans and resolve issues through collaboration; shows how work fits in with what others are doing

5 Recruits others into duties or roles based on insight into individual abilities; rewards those who exceed expectations

Influence and Collaboration

1 Accepts input from others

2 Engages others in problem solving

3 Generates support from others for ideas and initiatives

4 Brings others together across boundaries to achieve results and share best practices

5 Builds enduring partnerships within and outside of organization to improve effectiveness, even at short-term personal cost

Communicating 

1 Sometimes rambles or is occasionally unfocused

2 Is generally to the point and organized

3 Presents views clearly and in a well-structured manner

4 Presents views clearly and demonstrates understanding of the response of others

5 Presents views clearly; solicits opinions and concerns; discusses them openly

Information Seeking

1 Asks direct questions about problem at hand to those individuals immediately available

2 Personally investigates problems by going directly to sources of information

3 Asks a series of probing questions to get at the root of a situation or a problem

4 Does research by making a systematic effort over a limited period of time to obtain needed data or feedback

5 Involves others who would not normally be involved including experts or outside organizations; may get them to seek out information

Developing Others

1 Focuses primarily on own abilities

2 Points out mistakes to support the development of others

3 Gives specific positive and negative behavioral feedback to support the development of others

4 Gives specific positive and negative behavioral feedback and provides unfailing support

5 Inspires and motivates others to develop by providing feedback and identifying a new growth opportunities as well as supporting their efforts to change

Change Leadership

1 Accepts status quo; does not see the need for change

2 Challenges status quo and identifies what needs to change

3 Defines positive direction for change and persuades others to support it

4 Promotes change and mobilizes individuals to change behavior

5 Builds coalition of supporters and coordinates change across multiple individuals: may create champions who will mobilize others to change

Respect for Others 

1 Is sometimes self-absorbed or overly self-interested

2 Generally treats others with respect: usually shares praise and credit

3 Is humble and respectful to all

4 Is respectful to all and generous with praise: ensures other opinions are heard

5 Uses understanding of others and self to resolve conflicts and foster mutual respect 

Trustworthiness 

1 Shows occasional lapses in trustworthy behavior

2 Generally acts consistently with stated intentions

3 Acts consistently with stated intentions even in difficult circumstances

4 Is reliable and authentic even at some personal cost: acts as a role model for the values of the organization

5 Is reliable and authentic even at some personal costs: works to ensure all members of the organization operate with integrity

Based on your professional experience, how do you rate this candidate compared to her/his peer group? 

Below average 

Very good (well above average) 

Excellent (top 10%) 

Outstanding (top 5%) 

The best encountered in my career

Just for fun, compare Stanford’s super intense Leadership Behavior Grid with the HBS laissez faire LoR criteria, which only ask your recommenders to simply check a number without needing to parse and apply extensive, qualifying text

Reference HBS recommender criteria

Awareness of Others

Imagination, Creativity, and Curiosity

Interpersonal Skills (with subordinates/colleagues)

Interpersonal Skills (with superiors)

Self-awareness

Self-confidence

Skills: Analytical thinking

Skills: Listening

Skills: Quantitative Aptitude

Skills: Verbal Communication

Skills: Writing

FOR REFERENCE

Essay Questions for the Class of 2018

Your answers for both essay questions combined may not exceed 1,150 words. Below are suggested word counts per essay, but you should allocate the maximum word count in the way that is most effective for you.

Suggested Word Count

Essay A 750 words

Essay B 400 words 

12-pt. font size

Recommended font types: Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman

Editing Your Essays

Begin work on the essays early to give yourself time to reflect, write, and edit.

Feel free to ask friends or family members for constructive feedback — specifically if the tone and voice sound like you. Your family and friends know you better than anyone. If they think the essays do not capture who you are, how you live, what you believe, and what you aspire to do, then surely we will be unable to recognize what is most distinctive about you.

Feedback Vs. Coaching

There is a big difference, however, between “feedback” and “coaching.” You cross that line when any part of the application (excluding the letters of reference) ceases to be exclusively yours in either thought or word.

Appropriate feedback occurs when others review your completed application — perhaps once or twice — and apprise you of omissions, errors, or inaccuracies that you later correct or address. After editing is complete, your thoughts, voice, and style remain intact. Inappropriate coaching occurs when you allow others to craft your application for you and, as a result, your application or self-presentation is not authentic.

It is improper and a violation of the terms of this application process to have someone else write your essays. Such behavior will result in denial of your application or withdrawal of your offer of admission.

If there is any information that is critical for us to know and is not captured elsewhere, include it in the “Additional Information” section of the application. Pertinent examples include:

Explanation of why you do not have a letter of reference from your current direct supervisor

Work experience that did not fit into the space provided

Academic experience (e.g., independent research) not noted elsewhere

Last Updated 6 May 2015

2014 - 2015 ESSAY QUESTIONS

Essays help us learn about who you are rather than solely what you have done. Other parts of the application give insight to your academic and professional accomplishments; the essays reveal the person behind those achievements. When writing your essays, resist the urge to “package” yourself into what you think Stanford wants to see. Doing so will only prevent us from understanding who you really are and what you hope to accomplish. The most impressive essays are the most authentic.

Essay Questions for the Class of 2017

A strong response to this question will:

Reflect the self-examination process you used to write your response.

Genuinely illustrate who you are and how you came to be the person you are.

Be written from the heart, and illustrate how a person, situation, or event has influenced you.

A strong response to this essay question will:

Your answers for both essay questions combined may not exceed 1,100 words. Below are suggested word counts per essay, but you should allocate the maximum word count in the way that is most effective for you.

Essay A650-850

Essay B250-450

(found at http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/mba/admission/application-materials/essays; accessed 2014/05)

Information is subject to change. Please, verify all data with the schools.

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How to Write and Format an MBA Essay

Create a strong essay for your MBA application

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What Is an MBA Essay?

The term MBA essay is often used interchangeably with MBA application essay or MBA admissions essay. This type of essay is submitted as part of the MBA admissions process and is usually used to provide support for other application components like transcripts, recommendation letters, standardized test scores, and resumes.

Why You Need to Write an Essay

Admissions committees sort through a lot of applications in each round of the admissions process. Unfortunately, there are only so many places that can be filled in a single MBA class so a vast majority of the candidates who apply will be turned away. This is especially true of top MBA programs that receive thousands of applicants each school year.

Many of the applicants who apply to business school are qualified MBA candidates —they have the grades, the test scores, and the work experience needed to contribute to and succeed in an MBA program. Admissions committees need something beyond a GPA or test scores to differentiate applicants and determine who is a good fit for the program and who is not. This is where the MBA essay comes into play. Your MBA essay tells the admissions committee who you are and helps to set you apart from other applicants.

Why You Don't Need to Write an Essay

Not every business school requires an MBA essay as part of the admissions process. For some schools, the essay is optional or not required at all. If the business school does not request an essay, then you don’t need to write one. If the business school says the essay is optional, then you should DEFINITELY write one. Don't let the opportunity to differentiate yourself from other applicants pass you by.

MBA Essay Length

Some business schools put strict requirements on the length of MBA application essays. For example, they may ask applicants to write a one-page essay, a two-page essay, or a 1,000-word essay. If there is a desired word count for your essay, it is very important to adhere to it. If you are supposed to write a one-page essay, don't turn in a two-page essay or an essay that is only a half-page long. Follow instructions.

If there is not a stated word count or page count requirement, you have a little more flexibility when it comes to length, but you should still limit the length of your essay. Short essays are typically better than a long essay. Aim for a short, five-paragraph essay . If you can't say everything you want to say in a short essay, you should at least stay below three pages. Remember, admissions committees read thousands of essays - they don't have time to read memoirs. A short essay demonstrates that you can express yourself clearly and concisely.

Basic Formatting Tips

There are some basic formatting tips that you should follow for every MBA essay. For example, it is important to set the margins so that you have some white space around the text. A one-inch margin on each side and on the top and bottom is typically good practice. Using a font that is easy to read is also important. Obviously, a silly font like Comic Sans should be avoided. Fonts like Times New Roman or Georgia are typically easy to read, but some of the letters so have funny tails and embellishments that are unnecessary. A no-frills font like Arial or Calibri is usually your best option.

Formatting a Five Paragraph Essay

Many essays - whether they are application essays or not - utilize a five-paragraph format. This means that the content of the essay is split into five separate paragraphs:

• One introductory paragraph
• Three body paragraphs
• One concluding paragraph 

Each paragraph should be about three to seven sentences long. If possible try to create a uniform size for the paragraphs. For example, you don't want to start with a three-sentence introductory paragraph and then follow up with an eight-sentence paragraph, a two sentence paragraph and then a four-sentence paragraph. It is also important to use strong transition words that help the reader move from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph. Cohesion is key if you want to write a strong, clear essay.

The introductory paragraph should start with a hook - something that captures the reader's interest. Think about the books you like to read. How do they start? What grabbed you on the first page? Your essay isn't fiction, but the same principle applies here. Your introductory paragraph should also feature some sort of thesis statement , so the topic of your essay is clear.

The body paragraphs should contain details, facts, and evidence that support the theme or thesis statement introduced in the first paragraph. These paragraphs are important because they make up the meat of your essay. Don't skimp on information but be judicious - make every sentence, and even every word, count. If you write something that doesn't support that main theme or point of your essay, take it out. 

The concluding paragraph of your MBA essay should be just that - a conclusion. Wrap up what you are saying and reiterate your main points. Do not present new evidence or points in this section. 

Printing and Emailing Your Essay

If you are printing out your essay and submitting it as part of a paper-based application, you should print the essay out on plain white paper. Do not use colored paper, patterned paper, etc. You should also avoid colored ink, glitter, or any other embellishments designed to make your essay stand out. 

If you are emailing your essay, follow all of the instructions. If the business school requested it to be emailed with other application components, you should do that. Do not email the essay separately unless you are instructed to do so - it could get in someone's inbox. Finally, be sure to use the correct file format. For example, if the business school requested a DOC, that is what you should send. 

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July 9, 2024

Duke Fuqua MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2024 – 2025]

Leadership, teamwork, and ethics are essential elements of the Duke Fuqua MBA , which is why you’ll need to make sure you express your passion for these qualities in your application essays. Impress the Fuqua adcom by positioning yourself as an innovative leader and team player, as someone who can see the big picture, work collaboratively, and shape global business. To learn more about the school, listen to our podcast interview with Shari Hubert, Duke Fuqua’s associate dean of admissions .

Ready to get to work on your Duke Fuqua application? Read on. 

Duke Fuqua application essay tips

Duke fuqua application deadlines, duke fuqua class profile.

You’ll need to provide your thoughts on one short answer question and two longer essay questions as part of your application . Instructions for all written submissions:

• Responses should use 1.5-line spacing and a font size no smaller than 10-point.    
• Do not repeat the question in the document you upload with your application as this will cause the essay to be flagged for plagiarism.    
• Respond fully and concisely.    
• Length requirements vary by question and are detailed below.
• Responses must be completed before submitting your application.

All submissions are scanned using plagiarism detection software. Plagiarism is considered a cheating violation within the Honor Code and will not be tolerated in the admissions process.

Required short-answer essay question

Instructions: Answer the following question in 100 words. What are your post-MBA career goals? Share with us your first-choice career plan and your alternate plan.

What’s your professional direction? And if you cannot progress in your career in the most direct way, what is another way of reaching your desired destination? Since you are dealing with a 100-word maximum, you will have to think long before you start drafting and then write succinctly to get your point across. 

Required essay #1 (25 random things about yourself)

The ‘Team Fuqua’ spirit and community is one of the things that sets the MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. Please share with us “25 Random Things” about you. The Admissions Committee wants to get to know YOU – beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. Share with us important life experiences, your hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Your list will be limited to 2 pages (750 words maximum). Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be brief, while others may be longer.

Have some fun with this list. It certainly allows for a more creative approach than most essay prompts permit. Note that the question asks you to go “beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript.” So, you can list your Pez collection or perhaps your brief membership in a rock band, or the fact that you took violin from ages 6 to 18, your membership in a gospel choir, your volunteer work in a hospital, your needlepoint, your favorite recipe or photo. Gosh – the list is endless. Just let it reflect you. Think of this list as an introduction to potential friends.

Watch: Shari Hubert, Associate Dean of Admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business on How to answer the 25 Random Things Question:

Required essay #2 (The Fuqua community and you)

Fuqua prides itself on cultivating a culture of engagement. Our students enjoy a wide range of student-led organizations that provide opportunities for leadership development and personal fulfillment, as well as an outlet for contributing to society. Our student-led government, clubs, centers, and events are an integral part of the student culture and to the development of leaders. Based on your understanding of the Fuqua culture, what are 3 ways you expect to contribute at Fuqua? Your response will be limited to 1 page (500 words maximum).

Do your homework about Fuqua (and yourself) before responding to this question. What activities and groups appeal to you? How do you see yourself participating? Making a difference? Imagine how you would take part, collaborate, and sometimes lead. While you can reference similar activities in the past, keep the focus of this essay on what you would do at Fuqua, and choose three activities/groups that most appeal to you.

One approach to responding to this question is to address a letter to a close friend or colleague and tell them how you would contribute to this very participatory culture. That letter could easily morph into this essay.

Optional essay #3 (Tell us more)

If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance). Note that you should NOT upload additional essays nor additional recommendations in this area. The Optional Information section is intended to provide the admissions committee with insight into your circumstances only. Your response will be limited to 1 page (500 words maximum).

Why isn’t your current supervisor writing your rec? Why is there a six-month gap on your resume? Why did your grades dip during the first semester of your senior year? What are your responsibilities at your family business after leaving a prestigious investment bank, and why did you make that change? If these questions aren’t addressed elsewhere in your application, answering any of them (but hopefully not all) could be the focus of your optional essay.

Source: Duke Fuqua website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with Duke Fuqua directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

Here is a look at the Duke Fuqua MBA Class of 2025 (data taken from the Duke Fuqua website ):

Class size: 385

Underrepresented minorities: 27%

International citizens (by U.S. status): 47%

U.S. military: 19%

Partnered: 36%

Countries represented: 51

Average years of work experience: 6.1

Average age: 29

GMAT range (middle 80%): 670-760

GRE Verbal/Quant combined (middle 80%): 306-330

Average undergraduate GPA (middle 80%): 3.10-3.89

Undergraduate institutions represented: 257

Students with advanced degrees: 21%

Undergraduate majors: 

• Engineering/Natural sciences: 37%
• Business and accounting: 30%
• Liberal arts/other: 15%
• Economics: 12%

Industries:

• Financial services: 18%
• Consulting: 12%
• Technology: 15%
• Government: 11%
• Nonprofit/Education: 6%
• Consumer goods: 5%
• Energy/Chemical/Utilities: 5%
• Manufacturing: 5%

Former associate director of admissions at the Yale School of Management, director of MBA admissions at MSU Broad, and consultant at Cardiff Business School in the United Kingdom, Esmeralda Cardenal has guided Accepted clients to acceptance in various graduate programs since 2014, including MBA and master’s in finance, business analytics, data science, sustainability, and public policy.  Want Esmeralda to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• Duke Fuqua Full-Time MBA Program Adds New Round to Its Admissions Calendar
• How to get into Duke Fuqua , podcast Episode 536
• Extracurricular Activities in Your MBA Admissions Profile

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