UCLA Anderson 2012 MBA Application Questions, Tips.

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This UCLA Anderson 2012 MBA Application tip post is one of a series of posts providing MBA application and essay advice for applicants to top MBA programs around the world. Check out the entire 2012 MBA Application Tips series for more valuable MBA essay advice. 

UCLA Anderson 2012 MBA Essay Questions

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Please be introspective and authentic in your responses. We value the opportunity to learn about your life experiences, aspirations and goals.

Required Essays:

1. What event or life experience has had the greatest influence in shaping your character and why? (750 words)

This question, in use for the second year, continues the Anderson tradition of starting with a non-professional question. This lead-off reveals the importance Anderson places on learning about you as a person. What motivates you? What has touched you?

Choose your greatest “Ah-ha!” moment. What happened? How has it influenced you? Why was it so important?  FYI, the answers to these least three questions in this order could be a great structure for your essay.

Please note that this question is not asking about your professional goals or your educational aspirations. It is asking about you and your character.

2. What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from UCLA Anderson specifically help you achieve these goals? (750 words)

UCLA’s is a pretty straightforward MBA goals question. What are you professional goals? Why do you want an MBA now? How will UCLA Anderson’s program and strengths help you realize your goals? As always be specific and make sure you answer all elements of the question.

3. OPTIONAL: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? Please use your best judgment. (250 words)

If there are extenuating circumstances that would add perspective on or “explain” a weakness, you can discuss them here.

A few years ago, UCLA added the following: “Please do not submit redundant information in the Optional Essay.” Good advice for all optional questions. For more suggestions, please see The Optional Question: To Be or not To Be.

4. Reapplicant Essay: Please describe your career progress since you last applied and ways in which you have enhanced your candidacy. Include updates on short-term and long-term career goals, as well as your continued interest in UCLA Anderson. (750 words maximum)

This the key question in every MBA reapplication: How have you enhanced your candidacy? Career progress is an obvious place to start and something you must address, but if academic were a weakness, then what have you done since you last applied that shows you can excel at Anderson? 

If you would like professional guidance with your UCLA Anderson MBA application, please consider Accepted’s MBA essay editing and MBA admissions consulting or our  UCLA Anderson Essay Packages, which include advising, editing, interview coaching, and a resume edit for the Anderson MBA application.

UCLA Anderson 2012 MBA Application Deadlines

Round      Due Date               Notification
Round 1    October 26, 2011    January 25, 2012
Round 2    January 11, 20112  April 4, 2012
Round 3    April 18, 2012         June 6, 2012

By Linda Abraham, President and Founder of Accepted.com.