My first piece of advice when approaching any essay for your business school application is to read the program’s website. You might be thinking to yourself, “Yeah, no kidding!” But when I say read the website, I mean thoroughly review all aspects of it, including videos, brochures, course descriptions, faculty profiles – everything! You first want to learn whether the program is the right fit for you; then, you want to see whether you’re the right fit for it! Admissions committees want to know that you have done your research. In this case, the absolute best place to start is by thoroughly understanding what the school has to offer in its MBA program and what makes Saïd unique.
Oxford’s required essay question is short and succinct, but by no means simple. Oxford lets your resume, recommendations, application form, and transcript(s) speak for themselves. The one required MBA essay question indicates that the adcom wants a glimpse of you beyond these core elements. It seems like a straightforward question, but there is a little twist in it that amplifies its importance in the application and its connection between you and the admissions readers. Also realize that the adcom learns about you from this essay not just through the details of the topic you present but also through your decision to discuss that topic. That decision reflects your values, your understanding of your fit with Oxford, and your overall perspective.
Ready to get to work on your Oxford Saïd application? Read on.
Oxford Saïd application essay tips
Oxford Saïd Supporting Statement
Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 words)
First, before you get started writing, note this tip at the very end of the essay section on the admissions website:
When reviewing your essays, the admissions committee will be looking for evidence of the following: good communication skills, leadership potential, analytical skills, fit with the Oxford MBA community, among other characteristics.
This is where a really thorough review of the program’s website comes into play. While the “something” will be the topic of your essay, the real heart of this essay prompt lies in the phrase “which you would like the Admissions Committee to know.” It almost posits a dialogue between you and the adcom; it sets up a relationship, a dialogue. It’s personal; they’re talking to you. Reading the spirit as well as the literal meaning of these words, you can infer that the adcom is looking for a story or message that gets to the essence of who you are in some way.
Therefore, don’t try to find the most dramatic or exotic topic possible; this essay doesn’t have to shout. Rather, it should incisively reveal a fresh dimension of you – one that is relevant to the application and that will add to the Oxford Saïd community.
That leaves a lot of room for topic choice. I suggest committing to one topic and discussing it in as much depth as is possible in 250 words. Make this single essay vivid and memorable by basing it on your actual experience, which gives the adcom not just information about you but also your unique perspective on an aspect of your life. Tell them something that they cannot glean from the other parts of your application.
As for your topic, be strategic in selecting one that is relevant, will engage the Oxford adcom, and with Oxford Saïd. Remember what I said about reviewing all Saïd has to offer? Go back and review it again! Perhaps a certain aspect of the program will inspire you to write about a topic that truly speaks to who you are.
Oxford 1+1 MBA Essay
If you are applying under the Oxford 1+1 MBA scheme you also need to submit the following essay: Explain why you see this as particularly beneficial for you and how it fits with your career and personal development aims. (Maximum 250 words)
With this essay, the adcom wants to understand why the MBA, in addition to the other degree program you want to pursue at Oxford, is essential for you. What will you gain at Saïd that you would not get from the other program? Think through how the MBA will help you advance professionally, what unique offerings the program has that you will benefit from, and how the network and community will be advantageous as well.
Oxford Saïd Reapplicant Essay
Re-applicants will need to submit an additional essay as below: What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (Maximum 250 words)
This is a straightforward essay asking you to share with the adcom how your profile has improved. Did you retake the GMAT or GRE to improve your score? Did you complete quant classes online to prep for your MBA? Maybe you got promoted at work or really involved in a community project in a leadership capacity. This is the place to spell it out.
Pro tip: if you are reapplying to a selection of MBA programs, this essay can usually be duplicated, with the caveat that you should always note how the reapplicant essay question is worded to ensure that you answer each school’s specific question. Usually, though, they want to understand the same thing – how your application is better this time around.
Lastly, Oxford Saïd requires an online assessment that you will be invited to complete after you submit your application. Don’t be nervous about this! You will have time to practice and rehearse (and I recommend doing some prep beforehand and recording yourself with your phone or laptop so you can get comfortable). The great thing about this is that the adcom will get to know who you are from these videos – your personality, style, and ability to think on your feet – so you don’t have to worry about your submission being redundant here. Be sure to review the admissions site to understand how the online assessment works – and again, deep breaths! You’re going to do great.
Oxford Saïd application deadlines
| Stage 1 | September 2, 2024 |
| Stage 2 | October 1, 2024 |
| Stage 3 | November 1, 2024 |
| Stage 4 | January 6, 2025 |
| Stage 5 | March 3, 2025 |
Source: Oxford Saïd website
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with Oxford Saïd directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***
Oxford Saïd class profile
Here is a look at the 2023-2024 Oxford Saïd MBA cohort (data taken from the Oxford website):
Class size: 334
Nationalities: 63
International students: 97%
Female: 51%
Average years of work experience: 6
Median GMAT: 680
Nationalities
- South Asia: 23%
- East Asia: 15%
- South East Asia: 14%
- North America: 12%
- Africa: 11%
- Europe: 11%
- Middle East: 5%
- Oceania: 5%
- Latin America and the Caribbean: 3%
Check out our Business School Selectivity Index for more stats about top B-schools.
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Kara Keenan Sweeney has more than 15 years of experience in MBA admissions, having worked for some of the world’s top business school programs, including Columbia Business School, INSEAD, and The Lauder Institute’s joint degree MA/MBA program with The Wharton School and the MA/JD program with Penn Law at the University of Pennsylvania. Kara has guided, coached, and counseled thousands of MBA and EMBA applicants, reviewed innumerable applications, sat on admissions committees, and interviewed countless applicants, including while running Wharton’s Team Based Discussions both virtually and in person. Want Kara to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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