London Business School posted its 2008 MBA essay questions on Monday. Its submission and notification dates are still under review. I'll add them when they are available.
The questions are unchanged from last year, and so, pretty much are my comments. Still I am posting my comments below in red.
LBS MBA Class of 2010 Essay Questions
The application essay questions for admission to the next Full-time MBA class (MBA2010) beginning in August 2008 have now been confirmed and remain unchanged from those required last year.
Question 1 (500 words)
In what role do you see yourself working immediately after graduation? Why? How will your past and present experiences help you achieve this? How will the London Business School MBA Programme contribute to this goal?
This is a classic goals question with the focus on your short-term goals -- what you want to do immediately after you receive your MBA. How did you develop this goal? Why does it appeal to you? How did your experiences shape your goal and how do they reveal the appropriateness of your goal. (If you are a couch-potato or klutz, don't say you want to be a professional athlete--which wouldn't be a match for b-school anyway.) Finally, how will LBS help you achieve your goal?
Question 2 (200 words)
Where do you see your career progressing five years after graduation and what is your longer term career vision?
Here come the long-term goals. LBS splits the goals question in two. That doesn't mean the two unrelated. Far from it. Although a separate short question, your long-term goals should flow naturally from your short-term goals and previous experiences, including your hoped-for stint at London Business School.
Question 3 (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?
First of all learn about the role of student life at LBS, in particular the role of study groups. Also, reflect on your experience in teams. If you have been involved in teams outside of work and your other essays focused on work, then this essay presents an opportunity to discuss another facet of your life. Have you been able to both lead and occasionally take a back seat when others with skills or qualifications you lack are better prepared to lead your team? After thinking about your team experience and the role of study groups at LBS show how your past experience will help you contribute to your study group.
Question 4 (400 words)
Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. What type of student club or campus community event do you envisage yourself leading? How would you set about becoming involved in a leadership position and how would you align and communicate the goals and vision for the club to the wider School community?
Again, you need to research student life at LBS before you can answer this question. The best answers will directly respond to all elements in the question by showing that you have been involved in similar college, community or professional organizations in the past. And you will be able to illustrate your abilities to contribute at LBS by discussing your earlier contributions.
Question 5 (150 words)
Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country. What did you gain from these?
This question reflects the importance of international and cross-cultural experiences for LBS. Note the tiny word limit here. Short and sweet. What were the most 1-2 significant experiences you have had outside your home country and what did you learn from them.
Question 6 (300 words) (This question is optional)
Is there any other information that you believe would help the MBA Admissions Committee when considering your application?
Please see "The Optional Question: To Be or Not to Be "
The online application form will be made live at the beginning of September, but for those of you that wish to make a start on the essays, the template document can be downloaded here. Download essay_template_mba2010 (Word doc).
If you would like help with your London Business School MBA application, please consider Accepted's MBA essay editing and admissions consulting or an LBS Comprehensive Package, which offers soup-to-nuts advising and editing for the LBS MBA application.
Linda Abraham
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Reader Comments (21)
Good luck!
I got admit from HEC Paris for Jan 2008 batch, Unfortunately I am not in a position to go (family issues).
Now I am thinking of applying to LBS. Do you think I should mention my admit offer from HEC? Will this create a +ve impact or take away something from my application?
This will be my first attempt for LBS.
thanks
Vikas
Good luck!
Another question about Q4, I understand that we should do some research on the club we wish to lead, however, in response, should we be focussing on WHAT new or different initiatives we would undertake at the club or more on the process we would go about, the HOW?
It seems to me that the WHAT isn't all that important.
Thanks!
Do you know is there a difference to apply in round 2 or round 3? I tried to get to the second deadline but I won't be able to do so.
Thanks in advance!
I don't have stats but my sense is that third round is not as good as second round, but a lot better than fourth round. In any case, it is better to submit your best third round than something else second round.
Good luck!
What value needs to be attached for the fact that LBS MBA makes one eligible for HSMP but the Sloan Fellow doesn't?
If you have new information about increased responsibilities, initiatives, and success, let LBS know about them. You will showing how you are an even better candidate and also showing your interest in LBS.
Good luck!
Your ROI is going to depend on your income when you go in and what you want to do after you graduate. I can't calculate that for you. The Career Management Center at LBS may be able to help you with stats and averages.
You may also be interested in this interview http://accepted.squarespace.com/acceptedcom_blog/2007/3/26/qa-with-lyn-hoffman-associate-dean-of-the-sloan-fellows-program-at-london-business-school.html .
I don't know the answer to your second question, either. Sorry.
I have a quick question about the length of the essays. Can I go over the specified length by 10-15 words for one or two essays? Please suggest.
Thanks in advance,
Hareesh
IMHO, yes.
Linda
Good luck!
Linda
I recently graduated from a U.S. pharmacy school, and have been working in a community practice for about 6 months now. I have a total of 4 years relevant work experience (3.5 as a tech/intern, and 6 months as a pharmacist). I never considered LBS until I received a mailing from them this past week. Any suggestions for what I should do in the next few years to have a great shot at admission at LBS. Also, how competitive is LBS compared to top-10 MBA programs here in the U.S.
Thanks