Essays
Welcome to the MBA Essay Resource Hub
Are you beginning to brainstorm ideas for your MBA admissions essays? Looking to get some tips on polishing essays? We have gathered together all of our MBA essay prep resources in one place to help you craft your MBA essays.
The essay portion of the MBA application is one of the most crucial and time-consuming aspects of the MBA application process. These essays are designed for MBA admissions committee members to learn about an MBA candidate and to determine if the candidate is a good fit for the program. While ‘career goals’ essays are common across many top programs, other essays seek to explore a candidate’s personality, accomplishments, weaknesses, or ethical code, to name just a few attributes that are interesting to business schools.
Given the importance of the essay in the MBA admissions process, it is essential for you to prepare. On this page you will find a list of key Clear Admit MBA admissions essay tips, advice and resources that will help you craft compelling MBA admissions essays.
MBA Essay Writing Tips
Here is a group of articles that can help you prepare to draft your MBA admissions essays.
Drafting Essays
Revising and Finalizing Essays
More Admissions Essay Writing Tips
Clear Admit MBA Essay Topic Analysis
Updated for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle.
Clear Admit MBA Essay Strategy Videos
Be sure to review Clear Admit’s essay strategy videos where we review different essay topics and questions in the Clear Admit+ Admissions Academy Series.
Watch the rest of our Admissions Academy Essay Strategy Videos at the links below:
Clear Admit MBA Essay Podcasts
The following podcasts provide in-depth guidance on key strategies you can use to start drafting your essays. Be sure to give them a listen.
10 Tips for Tackling the MBA Written Application
![Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast](https://www.clearadmit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ClearAdmit-Logo-1400x1400-150x150.jpg)
Former Harvard Business School (HBS) Admissions Director Chad Losee Dishes on Interviews, Essays, Financial Aid, and More
![Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast](https://www.clearadmit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ClearAdmit-Logo-1400x1400-150x150.jpg)
![Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast](https://www.clearadmit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ClearAdmit-Logo-1400x1400-150x150.jpg)
![Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast](https://www.clearadmit.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ClearAdmit-Logo-1400x1400-150x150.jpg)
MBA Applywire
I took two GRE, 337 (Q170, 2020) and 336 (Q170, 2023)
My bachelor's degree is in Marketing, with a GPA of 2.7. Due to a family member's hardship, I had to balance my responsibilities at home with my academic pursuits.
After graduation, I worked as a data scientist in the business department of a Fortune 500 company for 3years, achieving top performance. Later, I pursued a master's degree in business analytics, earning a GPA of 3.79 at a well-known public university in the United States.
For approximately 2 years, I have been a data scientist in the business department of a top automotive company in the U.S., and I have also volunteered for data science and analytics at the American Red Cross for approximately 3 years.
I want pivot to consulting, specifically focusing on the automotive sector. My personality naturally gravitates towards engaging with people rather than solely working with machines. This transition aligns with my desire for more human interaction and the opportunity to apply my analytical skills in a consultative role.
Work Experience:
I am in risk management at a well-known bank and had two promotions in three years. Additionally, I have been a people manager for the last 1.5 years. I’ve also won our most prestigious award (less than 1% of employees receive it each year).
My career moves prior to my current company were short but interesting (reporting and time at a later stage start-up).
I have worked for my family business part-time for 5 years and tend to be the catch all person when things go wrong or for tasks that can be conducted remotely. This experience has served as a primer for my long-term goals.
I’d have six years experience upon matriculation and have started to wonder if I’m getting to be too old based on more young 2+2 candidates being in the classes.
GMAT
I got a 645 on the GMAT - 80Q, 85V, 81DI. I have done better on some practice tests but have often found myself doing worse on tests than broader coursework, especially for math-related courses. I'm having a very hard time motivating to re-take it but know this is my weakest link.
I also took the GRE without studying just to check it out. I got a 322 - 163V, 159Q.
Education
I have a 3.6 (HYP) in the humanities. I also have a Master's from a university that is top 2 for the field with a 3.9 GPA.
I was president of three different clubs in undergrad.
Outside of Work
I volunteer significantly with my undergrad and our local alumni club. One of my favorite parts of that commitment is mentoring current students and speaking on career-related panels.
I volunteer for a local non-profit and have held various roles (managing our budget, mentoring new members).
Long-Term Goals
I will be taking over my family business in manufacturing. While I could do this without an MBA, I would like to bring the most value possible and grow my network.
Short-Term Goals
Consulting at MBB to gain more breadth of knowledge/prepare for my long-term goal.
I would like to pursue an MBA to grow my strategy, finance, and operations skillset to make a career pivot into Consulting where I would be able to really develop my strategy experience. Post consulting, I would like to make a move into a strategy role at an ecommerce company focused on the LatAm region. This is why I am very interested in international focused/strong MBA programs.
Double majored in Psychology and Language, minored in Business Finance at a competitive school. Balanced part-time work, leadership roles in extracurriculars and international experiences (internship, experiential corporate learning programs in, study abroad and business programs).
Post-graduation, began an operations role in a large financial services company before pivoting into an automation role where I was promoted 3 times. Completed several professional certificates including Project Management and Data Analytics, automation, Microsoft. Currently enrolled in Python Programming certificate and a leadership program. Leadership role in employee resource group, involved in a case study program at work.
Confident in letters of recommendation from VP and Sr. Manager. Applying to R1 for scholarship. Less confident in test scores and GPA.
Interested in MBA to build business acumen and leadership/strategy skills to advance career. Post-MBA goal tech strategy/consulting
MBA LiveWire
I’ve stayed on the waitlist since March and provided 2 half-assed personal updates about continued interest and a promotion. I didn’t chase alum or student recs as I was accepted to another top choice school which I think would’ve helped turn the decision around in May. Best of luck to everyone else!
June 10th - Submitted application
July 2nd - Interview invitation received
July 10th - Interviewed (alum)
July 19th - Accepted via email (I couldn't answer the call)
GMAT Focus 655
applied 18th June
interviewed 15th July
accepted 25th July