The University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management is one of the leading business schools in Canada. Known for its design approach to MBA education and strong emphasis on problem-solving, Rotman’s program continues to grow in renown and was ranked number one in Canada in the 2024 QS Global MBA Rankings.

Through its uniquely engaging essay question and the opportunity to shape a rich and in-depth message over a generous word limit, Rotman invites you to demonstrate the self-knowledge and personal insight that will convey your fit with the values and culture of the program.

Ready to get to work on your Toronto Rotman application? Read on.

• Toronto Rotman application essay tips
• Toronto Rotman deadlines
• Toronto Rotman class profile

Toronto Rotman application essay tips

Essay 

Our admitted students stand out by doing interesting things with their personal and professional lives — something we describe as the ‘spike factor’. 

What are the things that you have done in your life that demonstrate passion, grit, resilience, innovation, drive, ambition, and more? This can cross all or any aspects of life outside of work – hobbies, volunteerism, awards, entrepreneurial ventures, sports and the arts. We believe that exposure to a rich diversity of viewpoints makes for a superior learning experience, and pride ourselves on building a diverse class of exceptional individuals who will go on to make the School proud as professionals and alumni.

Explain your spike factor (something unique about yourself) that you believe will contribute to the Rotman community and is aligned with Rotman values (up to 500 words).

If you don’t know what the adcom means by “spike factor,” check out Accepted’s podcast episode with Mohammad Salhia, managing director of recruitment, admissions, and business development at Rotman. 

The important thing with this essay is to first share your “spike factor” – what makes you unique and how that will add value to your classmates. Make any explanation short and sweet. You do have to explicitly explain your “spike factor,” because the question directs you to. But you don’t have to do it at the start of your essay, and you don’t have to do it at length. Consider beginning your essay with an anecdote to engage the reader. 

Next, you need to be sure to communicate your ideas clearly and logically yet stay within the 500-word limit. What you reveal about yourself in the essay helps the adcom discover who you are and whether you would be a good fit for their program. “Fit” is a very difficult term to explain concretely, but adcoms know how to identify it. They’ve learned over the years which candidates have the potential to be leaders, which ones have the potential to be creative and innovative, and which ones just won’t be right for the program.

Once you decide on the spike factor you will present, identify up to three illustrative anecdotes from both work and outside of work that illustrate it, and make sure each one shows a different context or facet of the spike factor. Be strategic about which anecdotes you use. For example, what are some meaningful “zoom-in” moments or experiences from your life (at least one of which should be relatively recent) that would enhance your application in relevant ways? Use this essay to fill in the mosaic of who you are.

The emphasis on the word “diverse/diversity” in the preamble to the question indicates that the adcom appreciates reflections that are not only individual perspectives but that also connect the applicant to a broader group in some way. If you portray such a connection, great; just make sure it adds a distinctive nuance or message.

Optional: You can upload 1-3 of your ‘spikiest’ pictures to the supplemental items section of your application. Note: Your photos must be uploaded as a single PDF.

Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words, so if you can show what is unique about you using a photo, then do so. Perhaps add a one-line comment to identify the photo, or consider referring to the photo(s) in your essay. You’ll want to explain why you chose the photo and why the experience depicted in the photo made an impact on you.

Required video interview

Required video interview (2 questions) with a new timed written response component (10 minutes in length). Applicants will receive an email within 24 hours of applying with a link to the video component. 

The video interview component is a required part of Rotman’s admissions process, designed to give all candidates guaranteed “face time” with the adcom. Note that only after your application has been submitted will you receive an invitation (via email) to complete your video interviews and the essay, which must be done within two business days of receiving the invitation. So keep your eyes on your Inbox!

Rather than panicking at the thought of doing a recording on an unknown subject, look at this as a fun challenge. You get to show the adcom who you are, what gets you excited, what your values are, and why Rotman is the right school for you. You will have an opportunity to test your audio and video (which you should also do in advance) and then will be asked two pre-recorded questions that you will have 90 seconds to answer, followed by a real-time, ten-minute written response (no video with this component.) Both video questions are personality/values based and are designed to be answered without advanced preparation. The written question is designed to simulate the typical email communications you will create as a Rotman MBA student. 

Without knowing what the questions are, it’s best to approach the video interview with both your application essays and the Rotman program fresh in your mind. This will help you avoid being both (1) redundant and (2) contradictory or inconsistent. I suggest viewing and approaching it as a continuation of the dialogue started in your essay. Yes, this part of the application might present a challenge, particularly for non-native English speakers and writers who might typically take more time to polish their writing in English. But again, be calm! Perhaps make notes about particular classes you want to take or professors you’d like to work with as you are reviewing the website, so you can call up their names without being flustered. If you’ve spoken with students or alumni, try to bring that element into either the video recordings or the associated written essay. And if the opportunity presents itself, mention the Leadership Development Lab or the Self-Development Lab, two core features of the Rotman program, or the school’s incorporation of artificial intelligence into its curriculum. While it’s natural for a follow-up piece like this essay to be less polished and less thoughtful than essays on which you are able to spend more time, it should not sound as though a different person wrote it or present such a gap in English writing ability that it raises doubts about the authorship of the written portions of your application. If you are worried about these elements, practice. Give yourself sample topics and a five- to ten-minute response window. Use tough questions, to make the actual one (hopefully) seem easier!

You’ve worked so hard to get to this point in your journey. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your Rotman application. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Schedule a free consultation with an Accepted expert today!

Toronto Rotman deadlines

Round 1	September 25, 2024
Round 2	January 15, 2025
Round 3	March 5, 2025
Round 4	April 30, 2025

Source: Rotman website.

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with Rotman directly to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

Toronto Rotman class profile

Here is a look at the Rotman MBA Class of 2025 (data taken from the Rotman website):

Total students: 266

Women: 49%

LGBTQ+: 8%

Black or Indigenous: 10%

Average age: 28

Age range: 21-36

Average years of work experience: 5

Range of years of work experience: 0-14

Average GPA: 3.6

Average GMAT: 672

GMAT range (80%): 630-720

Global reach

• Born outside of Canada: 79%
• International students: 70%
• Speaks two languages: 46%
• Passport regions represented: 41
• First languages spoken: 37
• Domestic students: 30%
• Speak three or more languages: 15%

Industry background

• Consulting: 29%
• Financial services: 28%
• Technology: 17%
• Healthcare/Biotech/Pharma: 6%
• Legal: 6%
• Consumer goods: 5%
• Other: 4%
• Manufacturing: 2%
• Retail: 1%
• Not-for-profit: 1%
• Media/Entertainment: 1%

Academic background

• Business/Commerce: 34%
• Engineering: 20%
• Economics: 14%
• Other: 11%
• Math/Computer science: 5%
• Life sciences: 4%
• Social sciences: 4%
• Applied Sciences: 3%
• Humanities: 3%
• Physical sciences: 1%
• Law: 1%

Dr. Christie St-John has more than 25 years of higher ed and admissions experience, including ten years in admissions at Dartmouth Tuck. She was formerly the director of MBA recruiting and admissions, director of international relations, and an adjunct faculty member at Vanderbilt University. Having also served on the board of directors of the MBA Career Services & Employer Alliance and the Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management, Christie has a deep knowledge of MBA and other graduate admissions. Want Christie to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• The Winning Ingredients of a Dynamic MBA Goals Essay, a free guide
• Do You Have the Spike for Toronto Rotman MBA?, podcast Episode 581
• MBA Selectivity Index, a free tool