Tips for writing a good MBA Diversity Essay
The diversity essay is yet another integral part of business school applications. Every school gives you a glance of their previous class profiles to help you understand their class composition. That doesn't mean that they are looking at replicating it every year or doing things very differently either. The most interesting aspect of a MBA class is the diversity - be it in terms of your profession, nationality, industry, interests, achievements, principles, motivation, choices - that's what business schools look for. The MBA is a two way process - as you intend to learn from your peers do these peers look forward to learning from you; so what you bring to the class is important too. That is what these requirements mean - Personal Qualities and Contributions at Stanford, Engaged Community Citizenship at Harvard, Dynamic, Diverse and Smart Community at MIT Sloan, Strong Interpersonal and Team Skills at Ross, Intellectual Curiosity at IMD, Personal Character at Kellogg, Diversity at Tuck, Ready to Get Involved at Darden, Personal Qualities at Haas, Ability to Contribute to INSEAD Experience at INSEAD, Strengths, Weaknesses at Cornell, Enrich the Classroom Experience at UCLA.
State how you contribute to this diversity and how your presence can add value to the forthcoming class. May be it is the trekking experience or the secret that you are a great cook or your belief in Rand's objectivism. Whatever makes you different and can truly describe you are qualifiers. You don't have to scaled the Everest to be different - by "hard work" that you mean working 35 hours straight also counts. Telling them you are special is all that matters. If you think otherwise, then probably you should rework your strategy for the MBA application.
The essays are about you... This is the most important part of the application. Though the central character of all of the essays is you, this is that essay where you explicitly mention those reasons that set you up apart from other applicants and make you the ideal student for their forthcoming class. Contemplate on those key traits that differentiate you from your peers, those strengths that have helped you emerge more successful and those characteristics that has made you the obvious choice (in the past). Interactions with people who know you - your family, your friends, your colleagues at clubs, staff at your school - could help you uncover and identify areas which you might tend to overlook or take for granted. Every additional activity - be it volunteering in community activities or representation of your organization in a sports meet or participation in an arts festival - all can make an impact. Try to include scholastic achievements - general proficiency awards, trophies from tournaments, prizes from debating clubs etc. Mention key positions of responsibilities held - school captain, president of Toastmasters, coordinator of social gatherings - and bring in those specific contributions you made to each of these organizations through these roles.
Yes, it is a lot and most of the schools only give you a 500 (or less) word space to incorporate all the above sections. Make a list of all of these and then identify key points that can help you win the admission. Again, the idea is to write an application that gives the selection committee a good reason to shortlist you. A good set of essays reflects the personality traits, talents and interests that are not apparent in your resume or application. A good set of essays highlights and re-enforces the most important strengths of your application while also answering the specific questions.
The above diversity essay tips would be useful in tackling the following diversity questions from these business schools.
Babson MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 3. What unique contributions will you bring to the Babson community that will enhance the value of the classroom experience for your classmates?
Berkeley Haas MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 1. What brings you the greatest joy? How does this make you distinctive? (250 word maximum)
Boston Carroll MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 3. (Optional) Introduce yourself to the BC community. Feel free to be creative in expressing your message.
Chicago Booth MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay
3. Considering what you've already included in the application, what
else should we know about you? In a maximum of four slides, tell us
about yourself.
Question 3 Guidelines: We have set forth the following guidelines: The
content is completely up to you. There is no right, or even preferred,
approach to this presentation. There is a strict maximum of four pages,
though you can provide fewer if you choose. Acceptable formats for
upload in the online application system are PowerPoint or PDF. The
document will be viewed electronically, but we cannot support embedded
videos, music, or motion images. Additionally, all content MUST be
included in the four pages; hyperlinks will not be viewed. The file will
be evaluated on the quality of content and ability to convey your ideas,
not on technical expertise or presentation.
CMU Tepper MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 3. One thing people would be surprised to know about me is ...
Columbia MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essays 2. Describe a life experience that has shaped you. The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have achieved professionally. (500 words maximum)
Cornell Johnson MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essays
Essay 2. You are the
author for the book of Your Life Story. Please write the table of
contents for the book. Note: Approach this essay with your unique style.
We value creativity and authenticity. We have been asking this essay
question for the last two years. It is a favorite to read and to write
for our applicants. Keep the creativity and personality because we enjoy
learning more about who our applicants are!
Essay 3. What legacy would you hope to leave as a Johnson graduate? The
adcom wants you to really evaluate what "fit" means to you for Johnson.
"Fit" is different for everyone, so we want to see how authentic and
purposeful you are about applying.
Duke Fuqua MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 2. How will your background, values, and non-work activities enhance the experience of other Duke MBA students and add value to Fuqua's diverse culture?
Emory Goizueta MBA 2011-2012 Diversity
Essay 4. Complete two of the following statements. Please limit your
response to 150 words each.
I am unique because...
My most memorable cross-cultural experience...
I am passionate about...
The most surprising thing about me is...
The best piece of advice I've ever received is...
ESADE Spain MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay
2. How will your background, values and non work-related activities
enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the
diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is
to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished)
Essay 3. What are your motivations in pursuing a full-time MBA at this
point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for
your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help
you reach your goals?
Essay 4. Complete two of the following four questions or statements
a) I am most proud of...
b) People may be surprised to learn that I...
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
Georgetown McDonough MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essays 3. Limit - 1 1/2 pages, double spaced, 12 pt font. Describe the essence of who you are both personally and professionally.
HEC Paris MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essays
Essay 4. Imagine a life
entirely different from the one you now lead, what would it be? (250
words)
Essay 5. Please choose from one of the following essays: (250 words)
A. What monument or site would you advise a first-time visitor to your
country or city to discover, and why?
B. Certain books, movies or plays have had an international success that
you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyze it.
C. What figure do you most admire and why? You may choose from any field
(arts, literature, politics, business, etc.).
IMD MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essays
Essay 4. Describe
yourself: How do you imagine your superior would describe your strengths
and weaknesses to someone who does not know you?
Essay 6. Differentiators: IMD receives numerous applications per year.
Give us four bullet points that clearly differentiate you from this
applicant pool.
Indiana Kelley MBA 2011-2012 Ethical Dilemma Essay 4. Describe what there is about your background and your experiences that will contribute to the diversity of the entering class and enhance the educational experience of other students.
INSEAD 2011-2012 MBA Diversity Essay 1: Give a candid description 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. (600 words maximum)
ISB PGP 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 2: Where do you see yourself three years after you graduate from the ISB? (300 words max)
LBS MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essays 6: (250 words) Considering what you have already included in the application, what else would you like to tell us about yourself? You can approach this question however you like.
Manchester MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 5. Tell us about yourself outside the work environment. What inspires and motivates you? What are the successes and achievements you are most proud of? Tell us about any significant personal involvement in social entrepreneurship. Tell us about your hobbies, sports and social activities. Also tell us about any significant personal challenges you have undertaken or overcome. (350-600 words)
Melbourne MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 2. What is unique about your background and experience that you would bring to your classmates at MBS?
Michigan Ross MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 4. What are you most passionate about? (300 word maximum)
Northwestern Kellogg MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essays
Essay 3: Assume you are
evaluating your application from the perspective of a student member of
the Kellogg Admissions Committee. Why would you and your peers select
you for admission, and what impact would you make as a member of the
Kellogg community? (600 word limit).
Essay 4: Complete one of the following three questions or statements.
(400 word limit) Re-applicants have the option to answer a question from
this grouping, but this is not required. b. People may be surprised to
learn that I….
NYU Stern MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 3: Personal Expression: Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use almost any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative. Please do not submit anything that must be viewed or played electronically (e.g. CDs, DVDs, MP3s, online links), that is perishable (e.g. food) or that has been worn (e.g. used clothing). If you submit a written essay, it should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font.
Ohio Fisher MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 3. Discovering You. As a Fisher College MBA student, you get the best of both worlds: the up-close and personal feel of a small program combined with the resources and opportunities offered by a major research university. As an individual participant, you will play a key role in shaping our culture. Consequently, we would like to learn more about who you are and the unique characteristics you will contribute to the Fisher College community. Provide an honest description of yourself outside your professional context, stressing the personal characteristics you believe to be your strengths and weaknesses, along with the factors that have most influenced your development to date. Maximum words: 750
Purdue Krannert MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 2. Krannert is a global and diverse program in many dimensions; explain how you feel your past experiences would contribute to the diversity and global experience of the Krannert classroom, teamwork, and leadership experiences. Limit your response to no more than 350 words.
Queens MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essays 2: Tell us something about yourself that we would not find on your resumé. (Not to exceed 500 words)
Toronto Rotman MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 2. One of the Rotman School's underlying principles is the value of one; this reflects the belief that each member of the Rotman community has unique needs and talents. What are your greatest talents and/or abilities and how would each enhance the experience of your classmates? (Please limit your answer to 250 words)
Tuck Dartmouth MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 4. Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck?
UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 3: What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)
USC Marshall MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essays
2. How will other USC
Marshall MBA students benefit from your background, experience,
leadership and teamwork skills? (500 words)
Essay 3. (250 words each)
c) An entrepreneur you admire
d) Your family, including any ties to USC
UT McCombs MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 2. At the McCombs School of Business, we are proud to have an active and diverse student community. What do you consider to be your personal strengths and how have you leveraged them in the past to enrich your work and non-work communities? Limit: 500 words
Villanova MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 1. Please identify a minimum of three traits of The Type V Personality, and discuss how those traits have enabled you to successfully take on a leadership role. Additionally, given these traits, please discuss what value you would add to the business school community and your peers as a member of this incoming class. To learn more about the Type V Personality please visit: mba.villanova.edu.
Yale SOM MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essays 3. Imagine yourself meeting your learning team members for the first time in Orientation. What is the most important thing your teammates should know about you?
York Schulich MBA 2011-2012 Diversity Essay 2. The Schulich School of Business is Canada’s Global Business School™. 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 diverse environment? (500 words)
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