MBA Application Essay FAQ
MBAアプリケーション エッセイの基本知識
典型的なアプリケーションエッセイとはどんなものですか？
アプリケーションエッセイにはパターンがあり、８つのテーマが主なものとなります。それらは “Goals,” “Teamwork,” “Leadership,” “Success/ Accomplishment,” “Failure,” “Ethical Dilemma” “Personal” “Optional” というエッセイになります。これ以外のエッセイが出題されていますが、テーマは上記の８つのテーマがコンビネーションになった形であるので、基本の８つのテーマを押さえておくことがポイントとなります。 または、スクールごとに特徴のあるテーマを出題してくるところもあります。例えばStanford GSB’s “What matters most to you…” エッセイなどです。
中には “who would you like to have lunch with?” とか “share a cross-country drive with” といったものもあります。
以下に示すのが主なパターンです。
a) The “Goals” (short or long term) エッセイ: anything from 250-1,500 words, with an average of under 1,000 words: Generally speaking, applicants will have to write between 500 and 1,000 words. This エッセイ is usually the critically most important エッセイ of them all.
Typical U.S. MBA questions “Classic” Top-20 U.S. Schools:
UC Berkley: “What are your short-term and long-term career goals? How do your professional experiences relate to these goals? Why do you want an MBA from Berkeley at this point in your career? (1000 word maximum)
Tuck (Dartmouth): Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goal? Why is Tuck the best MBA program for you?
Tepper (CMU): “What are your short term and long term goals?a How will a Tepper MBA help you achieve these goals? (Please include any information regarding what steps you have taken to learn more about Tepper)” (2 double-spaced pages)
Illinois: “Discuss the goals that you have set for yourself immediately following an MBA. Explain why an MBA is necessary, and why the Illinois MBA is the right program for you. In addition, what is your backup plan if this goal is not realized?”
一つの質問に対し二つのエッセイを書くように出題するスクールもあります:
Carlton Minnesota: “Why are you applying to the Carlson Full-Time MBA Program? Why is The Carlson School a good match for your educational and professional development goals? (400 words) and “Describe your short-term goals upon completing your MBA. What would be your "ideal" first job after graduation?” (250 words)
ほかの例として:
The Sloan (MIT) MBA Question: “Prepare a cover letter (up to 500 words) seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA Program. Please comment on your career goals and those factors which influenced you to pursue an MBA education at MIT Sloan. The cover letter provides a chance for you to discuss your passions, values, and interests, thereby helping us to determine whether you will thrive at MIT Sloan, and how you will contribute to our diverse community. Address your cover letter to Mr. Rod Garcia, Director of MBA Admissions.”
有名な出題がStanford大学の “What Matters Most”: エッセイ A: “What matters most to you, and why? (Recommended length is 3 pages, double-spaced) Use a 12-point font, double spaced, and make sure it is easy to read. Indicate which エッセイ question you are answering at the top of each page. Number all pages…”
European Schools
たいてい多くのヨーロッパのスクールはスタンダードな質問で“Why MBA/ Goals”の エッセイを出題してきます。しかしスクールによってはかなり難題なアプローチを要求してきます。（下記参照）。例えば、イギリスではランキングが高いスクールは１つまたは２、３の質問を出題し、質問内容もスタンダードなものが多いです。
Edinburgh: Please word-process as a separate document an エッセイ - of no more than 500 words - titled "Why I wish to study for the Edinburgh MBA." In this please cover the points below: How do you see the MBA affecting your career plans? What contributions do you feel you can make to the programme? Why have you selected the Edinburgh MBA programme?”
Judge (Cambridge): “What is your immediate post MBA career objective? What will you be doing 10 years after graduation? What skills/experience do you already have that will help achieve your aims? How will the Cambridge MBA help you? (400 words) and “Why is the Cambridge MBA right for you?” (400 words)
Erasmus RSM: “How do you see your career developing and how will earning the RSM MBA help you achieve your goals?” (500words)
しかしながら、構成をしっかりしたアプローチを求めるところもあります。例えばINSEADなどは “Why MBA/ Goals” エッセイ を４つのエッセイへと分割して、詳細に書くように出題しています:
INSEAD: “Please give a detailed description： of your job, including nature of work, major responsibilities; and, where relevant, employees under your supervision, size of budget, number of clients/products and results achieved.” (250 words) and “Please give us a full description： of your career since graduating from university. If you were to remain with your present employer, what would be your next step in terms of position?” (250 words) and “Give a candid 概要： of yourself, stressing the personal characteristics you feel to be your strengths and weaknesses and the main factors, which have influenced your personal development, giving examples when necessary.” (400 words) and “Discuss your career goals. What skills do you expect to gain from studying at INSEAD and how will they contribute to your professional career.” (500 words)
Manchester: “Describe your career progression to date” and “Describe the nature and scope of your current job, your overall responsibilities and any international exposure” and “The MBA at Manchester Business School is a life changing experience and whilst enjoyable, is very demanding. Why do you want to study an MBA, why at MBS and why now?”
b) Teamwork エッセイ: これはしばしば “Leadership” や“Failure/setback” エッセイと会わせて出題されることがあります（下記参照）。アメリカのスクールによく見られる傾向です。
“Teamwork” エッセイ例:
Tepper (CMU): “Describe an instance in which you made an impact as part of a team or as an individual. How did this experience help shape you as a team member or leader and how will it enable you to contribute to the diverse Tepper community?” (2 double-spaced pages)
Yale: “Describe a situation in which your leadership and/or teamwork had a significant impact.” (500 words maximum)
こちらはヨーロッパでよくみられる例です:
MBS: “How do you define teamwork? How have you demonstrated team work in your career?”
c) Leadership: こちらは典型的な例となります。
Anderson UCLA: (Required) “Discuss a situation, preferably work related, where you have taken a significant leadership role. How does this event demonstrate your managerial potential?” (Limit to 1 page, double-spaced.)
Berkeley Haas:“Give us an example of a situation in which you displayed leadership.” (500 word maximum)
Harvard: “Discuss a defining experience in your leadership development. How did this experience highlight your strengths and weaknesses?” (400words)
Simon Rochester: “Discuss two examples that demonstrate your potential as a successful leader.” (500 words)
Tuck Dartmouth: “’Tuck defines leadership as inspiring others to strive and enabling them to accomplish great things.’ Describe a time when you exercised such leadership. Discuss the challenges you faced and the results you achieved. What characteristics helped you to be effective, and what areas do you feel you need to develop in order to be a better leader?” (500 words)
Wharton: “Where in your background would we find evidence of your leadership capacity and/or potential?” (500 words)
Yale: “Describe a situation in which your leadership and/or teamwork had a significant impact.” (500 words maximum)
d) Success/ Accomplishment:
Berkeley Haas: “Tell us about your most significant accomplishment.” (250 word maximum)
Cornell: “Describe your greatest professional achievement and how you were able to add value to your organization.” (400 words)
Duke Fuqua: “Describe an example of where you were challenged to lead in a team-oriented context. What was the challenge you faced, how did you address it, and what takeaways or lessons learned have you successfully applied in other leadership situations?” (500-700 words)
Emory Goizueta: “List one of your most significant professional or organizational accomplishments. Describe your precise role in this event and how it has helped to shape your management skills.” Please limit your response to two, double-spaced, typed pages.
Harvard GSB: “What are your three most substantial accomplishments and why do you view them as such?” (600-word limit)
INSEAD: (Required) “Describe what you believe to be your two most substantial accomplishments to date, explaining why you view them as such.” (400 words)
“Success/ Accomplishment” エッセイを2007年に出題したスクール: AIM, Babson, Carlson, Fisher Ohio, HEC Montreal, IESE, UC Marshall, Notre Dame Mendoza, など。
e) Failure/ Setback: 典型的な例:
(Judge) Cambridge: “Tell us about a work project or task where you did not perform well. What did you learn about yourself?” (400)
Stanford GSB: “Tell us about a time when you tried to reach a goal or complete a task that was challenging, difficult, or frustrating.” (1 page)
Wharton: “Describe a failure or setback that you have experienced. What role did you play and what did you learn about yourself?” (500 words)
Duke Fuqua: “Describe a significant leadership failure in your life. What did you learn from this failure? How has it impacted who you are today and the kind of leader you would like to be?” (500-700 words)
A subset of this question is the “Difficult Feedback” type:
Yale: asks for difficult feedback example in its Why MBA エッセイ
Tuck Dartmouth “Discuss the most difficult constructive criticism or feedback you have received. How did you address it? What have you learned from it? (500 words)
Other schools that asked Failure/Setback エッセイs in 2007:
Notre Dame Mendoza, Smeal, CEIBS, IESE, IMD, McGill, etc.
f) “Ethical Dilemma” エッセイs: One of our favorite questions of the 2006-7 season was Harvard’s FUTURE ethical dilemma question: “In your career, you will have to deal with many ethical issues. What are likely to be the most challenging and what is your plan for developing the competencies you will need to handle these issues effectively?” (400-word limit)
Here are some standard examples:
Tepper (CMU): Describe a time in which your ethics were challenged. How did you deal with the situation and what did you learn from it? (2 pages)
Kelly (Indiana): Describe an ethical dilemma that you faced in your professional career. How was it resolved and what did you learn from the experience? (2 pages)
Garvin (Thunderbird): “Describe an ethical dilemma you have encountered and the process by which you resolved the situation. Provide an explanation of any areas of concern in your academic record or your personal history.” (1,500)
Ethical Dilemma エッセイを 2007年に出題したスクール: USF, Drucker, Cranfield, HEC Paris、など。
g) Personal/ Diversity
Kellogg: “Each of our applicants is unique. Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Kellogg students.” (One to two pages double-spaced)
McCombs: “At the McCombs School of Business, you will be part of an active and diverse community. Referencing your personal strengths and unique experience, how will you enrich the McCombs community during your two years in the program?” Limit: 500 words
Schulich York: “The Schulich School of Business is global and widely recognized for its diversity. Each applicant has a set of unique experiences and perspectives which contribute to the program. How will your background enhance and broaden your learning and that of your classmates in Schulich's dynamic environment?”
Darden Virginia: Please choose one phrase that describes you from the set below and support your statement using concrete examples.
“Professionally I am: (a) involved globally. (b) committed to diversity. (c) socially responsible” (300 word maximum)
Kelley Indiana: “Describe what there is about your background and your experiences that will contribute to the diversity of the entering…”
Krannert Purdue: “The Krannert community is comprised of a diverse student body. Describe an aspect of your personality, things you have learned, skills you have acquired, or life experiences you've had that could benefit potential classmates and will help you contribute to Krannert's diversity.” Limit your response to no more than 500 words.
Babson: “What unique contributions will you bring to the Babson community that will enhance the value of the classroom experience for your classmates?”
h) Optional: 多くのアメリカとヨーロッパのスクールにみられる“Optional” の質問は通常、申請書においての“gaps”や“missing information” または説明がなされなかった部分をカバーするためにあります。例えばあなたが１年余分に大学に時間を費やしたとします。その理由が病気のためなのか、他の理由なのか、このOptionalエッセイで説明をします。スクール側はこのOptional エッセイの目的を明確にだしてきます。例を挙げますと、
Wharton:“If you feel there are extenuating circumstances of which the Committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, TOEFL waiver request, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application).” (250 words)
NYU SternB“Additional Information (Optional): Please provide any additional information you would like to bring to the attention of the admissions committee. This may include gaps in employment, your undergraduate record, plans to retake the GMAT or any other relevant information.”
Anderson UCLA: (Optional) Is there any other information that you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in considering your application? If you feel the application already represents you well, do not feel obligated to answer this essay question.
Babcock Wake Forest: Please share any additional information that you believe will help the admissions committee in considering your application. (No word limit)
Babson: Optional: Is there anything else that you think we should know as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question.
Cornell Johnson: Optional essay - 400 words. Complete this essay if there is other information you would like to add regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one (or more) aspect of your application (e.g., undergraduate GPA or test scores) does not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School.
違うタイプの Optional エッセイの質問: Columbia, Cranfield, Darden, Duke Fuqua, RSM, Garvin Thunderbird, IMD, INSEAD , Kelley Indiana, Krannert, LBS
特記すべきは: Hassは２つの選択に分けて出題します。: “Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven’t addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)” and “If you wish to be considered for the Haas Achievement Award (for individuals who have achieved success in spite of significant economic, educational, health-related and/or other obstacles), please use this space to address the obstacles you have overcome.” (750 word maximum)
Kenan Flaglerは数学についてのバックグラウンドを申請者に要求します: “UNC Kenan-Flagler seeks to enroll students from a variety of undergraduate majors. Regardless of your major, we strongly recommend that all students enter the program with some background in calculus, microeconomics, statistics and financial accounting. If you have not studied one or more of these subjects in college or university, please tell us how you have developed proficiency in these areas. If you have not been exposed to one or more of these subjects, please tell us how you will prepare yourself prior to entering UNC Kenan-Flagler.” (400 words maximum)
Other: Personal, Family, and Favorites, etc.
Duke Fuqua : “How has your personal history and family background influenced your intellectual and personal development? What unique personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? Note: The goal of this エッセイ is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally.”
Anderson: (Required) “Please provide us with a summary of your personal and family background. Include information about your parents and siblings, where you grew up, and perhaps a highlight or special memory of your youth.” (Limit to 2 pages, double-spaced.)
(Judge) Cambridge: “How would you like to be remembered?”
Emory Goizueta: Please complete/address two of the following statements. Full-time candidates (Two-year and One-year programs) must address choice F as one of the two options. Please limit each response to one, double-spaced, typed page.
A. I have always wanted to…
B. My most memorable cross-cultural experience…
C. My family background is unique because…
D. The person who has had the greatest influence on my leadership style is because…
E. The greatest lesson I have ever learned
Combination Questions:
しばしばスクールは、２、３のSuccessエッセイを質問する際にトッピックを合わせて出題することがあります。(e.g. in 2007, Harvardの最初の質問、そしてINSEAD)、または３つのfailuresとsetbacksをteamworkやleadershipを合わせたエッセイ出題なども見られます。
Teamwork and Leadershipのコンビネーション:
Australian Graduate School of Management: “Describe a situation where leadership and teamwork were critical to the outcome. What is your sense of leadership and teamwork?” (500 words)
LBS: (500 words): “Please describe your experience of working in and leading teams, either in your professional or personal life. Given this experience, what role do you think you will play in your study group, and how do you intend to contribute to it?”
Duke Fuqua: Describe an example of where you were challenged to lead in a team-oriented context. What was the challenge you faced, how did you address it, and what takeaways or lessons learned have you successfully applied in other leadership situations? (500-700 words)
Failure and Accomplishment:
IESE: “Describe two substantial accomplishments and one failure in a professional or private endeavour” (600 word limit)
Failure and Leadership:
Duke Fuqua: “Describe a significant leadership failure in your life. What did you learn from this failure? How has it impacted who you are today and the kind of leader you would like to be?”
Or all three:
UC Marshall: Complete one of the following three statements. Do not exceed 250 words.
a) "My most significant accomplishment to date is”
b) "People may be surprised to learn that I”
c) "I am considered a leader because”
エッセイはどのくらい重要なものでしょうか?
エッセイは大変重要なものです。スクールは必要なGMATスコアや、実務経験の年数、 GPAや学業の成績の良さなどをチェックします。通常、MBAスクールでは以下の３つのセクションにわけます。
1. 入学の可能性の高い申請者：高い成績とテストスコアをもっている。
2. ボーダーラインの申請者：申請書はいいが特出しているものがない。
3. 入学の可能性が大変低い申請者：成績が低く、テストスコアも低い。
1. 入学の可能性の高い申請者：高い成績とテストスコアをもっている |
エッセイは動機、目的、性格、完全性、仕事でのマナー（motivation and goals, character, integrity, work ethic）を確実にするものとなります。もしあなたのエッセイのレベルが低い場合、スクール側はあなたのスクール対する強い入学の意思がないものとみなします。 |
2. ボーダーラインの申請者：申請書はいいが特出しているものがない |
スクールは７０％の申請者がこのカテゴリーに入っていると表明しています。スクール側に撮って申請者を差別化することは大変難しいので、申請者は特徴となるクオリティや意思表示、熱意などのポシティブな印象を与えれるエッセイが合否を左右すると言えるでしょう。 |
3. 入学の可能性が大変低い申請者：成績が低く、テストスコアも低い |
たとえ素晴らしいエッセイを書いたとしても、合格のチャンスにはつながる事はほとんどありません。 |