McCombs combines its rigor with a passionate community. To create its desired community, it seeks a student body that is diverse in every dimension and comprises individuals who can bring together their varied voices to form a cohesive group. The questions below reflect this value; they draw out applicants’ individuality, motivations, and ability to communicate, while also addressing the practical matters of goals and why you are seeking an MBA at McCombs.
UT McCombs Application Essays
My tips for answering the McCombs application essays are in blue below.
McCombs MBA Essay #1
We will learn a lot about your professional background through your resume and letter of recommendation, but we want to get to know you further. Please introduce yourself. Select only one communication method that you would like to use for your response.
• Write an essay (250 words), OR
• Share a video introduction (one minute)
First, choose from the two options – for the purpose of self-introduction, which medium is the most natural for you? That is the one you should use – both are equally good. Next decision: out of the universe that is you, what to say? I suggest a combination of distinctive professional and non-work points to reflect well-roundness – points that show the adcom what you’ll “bring to the table.” Another effective approach is to focus on one key event or experience, which works best if that one element bridges your work and non-work spheres. Both communication options require brevity, so focus on the essential.
McCombs MBA Essay #2
Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your time as a Texas MBA to achieve your personal and professional goals. (500 words max)
The key here is to show that Texas McCombs is the right program for you, professionally and personally, that you understand the program, and that you have a plan to use its resources productively.
It will be most efficient and intuitive for many people to start with the last part of the question first: your personal and professional goals – what you are doing upon graduation and beyond; what position, what company, where geographically, what you will be accountable for. Other people will appropriately start with describing their time at McCombs; perhaps you commenced your MBA with one career goal in mind but your exposure there to classes/topics, classmates, professors, etc. prompted you to find a new professional focus and purpose.
Either way, in discussing your time in the program, be specific. Describe what academic coursework (including electives) prepared you, and highlight other aspects of the academic program as relevant. Also, note activities that contributed to your goals, such as study groups, clubs, etc. Finally, consider adding some insight into the personal growth you gained while at Texas and how this prepares you for the “post-MBA world.”
McCombs MBA Essay #3 (optional statement)
Please provide any additional information you believe is important and/or address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the Admissions Committee in considering your application (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances). (250 words)
I encourage you to write the optional essay. Just make sure you are submitting an informative optional essay that complements the required essays and adds to the reader’s knowledge of you and your qualifications. If you do not have “an area of concern to address,” this optional would be a great place to explore a non-professional interest or commitment of yours not addressed in your application. As always, if you have nothing to say, don’t say anything.
For expert guidance with your Texas McCombs MBA application, check out Accepted’s MBA Application Packages, which include comprehensive guidance from an experienced admissions consultant. We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs and look forward to helping you too!
UT McCombs 2019-2020 MBA Application Deadlines
| Application Deadline | Decisions Released | |
| Round 1 | October 8, 2019 | December 17, 2019 |
| Round 2 | January 7, 2020 | March 26, 2020 |
| Round 3 | March 31, 2020 | May 7, 2020 |
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***
Cindy Tokumitsu has advised hundreds of successful applicants, helping them gain acceptance to top MBA and EMBA programs in her 20 years with Accepted. She would love to help you too. Want Cindy to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources:
• Why MBA?, a guide to writing the goals essay
• How to Practice for a Video Interview or Essay
• Haas, McCombs, and Case Interviews, a podcast interview
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