UCLA Anderson 2007 MBA Essay Tips
I have missed the first deadline for these tips, but I hope they will help those applying R2. AFter this paragraph black text reveals Anderson's words. Red text is mine.
| The Admissions Committee considers your responses to the following essay questions extremely important in the selection process. We endeavor to admit an interesting and diverse group of students who will both benefit from and contribute to UCLA Anderson. Therefore, you are encouraged to prepare your essays with great care. Any personal insights you can offer us concerning the qualities and experiences you believe distinguish you from other applicants would be especially helpful. | |
All applicants must answer questions 1 through 3; question 4 is optional. (Note: Uploaded essays should be double-spaced.) |
1. 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.)
Choose 1-3 important elements of your background and youth to discuss in this essay. You can focus on your family life, vacations, mealtime, seminal experiences or events that were formative. The key is to highlight particular topics and not write the sweeping (and superficial) bio. Avoid "I was born in Timbuktu and when I was 4 we moved to Outer Mongolia and then when I was ..." or the equivalent.
2. 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.)
The situation is important but more important is how you answer the second part of the question. How does the event you describe "demonstrate managerial potential." Think about Anderson's collegial atmosphere and emphasis on teamwork.
3. Discuss your career goals. Why are you seeking an MBA degree at this particular point in your career? Specifically, why are you applying to UCLA Anderson? (Limit to 2 pages.)
UCLA's is a pretty straightforward goals question. What are you goals? Why now? How will UCLA Anderson help you achieve your goals. As always be specific and make sure you answer all elements of the question.
If you are a concurrent degree applicant, please incorporate in your answer how the dual program fits your professional interests.
4. (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.
Please see The Optional Question: To Be or not To Be.
If you would like help with UCLA's essays as you prepare for its next January 3 deadline, please consider Accepted.com's UCLA Anderson Comprehensive Packages or our other MBA admissions consulting and editing services.
Linda Abraham
UCLA's 2008 essay questions, deadlines and tips are available now. We are closing comments on this article. If you have questions about UCLA's application, please post a comment to the UCLA 2008 application article or a question in the MBA Admissions Forum.
Linda Abraham
in MBA Admissions, UCLA Anderson
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2 Comments
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Reader Comments (2)
Just noticed on UCLA/Anderson's website that they discourage recs from peers/friends.
One of my recs is someone who was a superior for a year and then became a member of my team when I was essentially promoted two levels at one time.
Everything has been submitted for R1. Is it worth it to write a short note to UCLA adcoms to explain the above or no?
Thanks.
If your recommender wrote as a peer, you are probably wise to first call see if UCLA will appreciate a brief explanation as to your choice of recommender under these circumstances. If he wrote as a former boss, I would do nothing.
BTW, most almost all schools prefer recs from supervisors or former supervisors.