Texas McCombs combines rigor with a passionate community, including passion for the MBA program. The school’s essay questions reflect this value; the adcom invites you to demonstrate deep familiarity with the program, connected to your unique vision for the future. It has a practical slant. Convey concrete goals, and make a case for how the McCombs program is ideally suited to prepare you to achieve them. The school has introduced some significant changes to its essays this season, going from one required essay to three required essays, plus a video component.

The adcom states at the beginning of the essay section,

“The essay prompts serve as a powerful storytelling tool, allowing you to share narratives and insights that may not be captured elsewhere in your application. … These are purposefully designed to elicit thoughtful and introspective responses that reveal your motivations, values, and aspirations.”

So, to begin, the purpose of these essays is twofold. First, the adcom wants to see what information you consider most pertinent about yourself and how you present that information, and second, it wants evidence that you have truly researched their program. What you say in these essays can reveal a lot about you and your reasons for wanting to earn an MBA at McCombs, so don’t just copy and paste sentences from your resume or other MBA essays! Keep your answers thoughtful and concise. The adcom wants a story, not just a list of facts.

Ready to get to work on your Texas McCombs application? Read on. 

• McCombs application essay tips
• McCombs application deadlines
• McCombs class profile

For great advice, listen to Get Accepted to UT Austin McCombs, a podcast interview with Rodrigo Malta, managing director of MBA Marketing, Recruiting, and Admissions at Texas McCombs.

McCombs application essay tips

McCombs Essay 1

At Texas McCombs, we do things a little differently. We embrace those who take the initiative and forge new paths. What ambitious goal or change do you aim to achieve with an MBA, and why is Texas McCombs your ideal launch pad? (250 words)  

This essay will require you to dig deep and come up with a concrete goal that you plan to achieve with your MBA. Before you start writing, do some brainstorming to think about what you’d really like to achieve in the future. Be realistic but also creative. Then, make a list of a few ideas: creating or marketing a new product, reorganizing a department to recognize employee needs and celebrate employee achievements, creating an innovative real estate development. Think about why you want to work for a certain company – what will you learn there? And finally, explain how the Texas McCombs MBA will prepare you to attain those goals. The adcom doesn’t want generalizations. Make sure you really know the program well; explore the website, connect with students, and above all, attend in-person or virtual admissions events to learn more, and ask questions that you can’t find answers for anywhere else.

​​McCombs Essay 2

Here, you are what’s next. At this pivotal crossroads where you’re deciding your future path, the Texas McCombs MBA experience will equip you with the tools and mindset to make “what’s next” happen in your career. Please share unique qualities you possess that highlight your potential to shake up the status quo in your professional life. (250 words)

What makes you unique? As mentioned earlier, the McCombs adcom wants to know who you are in your professional life and in your personal life, so if you have acquired a unique skill or knowledge, this is the place to share it. How do you see your short-term plan leading to your long-term plan? Be as specific as possible. For example, if you are changing careers, state why you are attracted to a different path, what you know about it, who you know who works in the industry, and most importantly, what skills you already possess that are relevant to this new position. Don’t just say, for example, that you want to be a strategy consultant. Why? Which area of consulting? With what company? And why would a consulting firm want to hire you? What do you know, and what impact have you made in the past? The MBA is not a magic wand – the adcom wants to see that your expectations are realistic and feasible. 

The best way to show what you can do is to give specific examples of what you have already done. Don’t just say, “I’m a good problem solver.” Prove it! And include a few personal experiences to enhance your story. This will give the adcom a good idea of your fit for their program. Texas has a very close-knit and intensely loyal community, so based on your hobbies and interests, what specific clubs or organizations would you be involved with? And what would you share with your classmates that might be special? McCombs wants to be sure you understand what their program offers and why it is the one that will best prepare you for your desired career path. 

McCombs Essay 3

The University of Texas at Austin’s motto, “What starts here changes the world,” embodies a spirit of impact and transformation. What fuels your drive to lead change and make your mark in the world? (250 words)

This essay seeks to elicit specific information about what drives you. Think about a leadership position you held, why you wanted to take on this position, what you accomplished, and how you felt afterward. Or if you have a specific goal in mind, what propels you to want to pursue this goal? What impact will it have if you succeed in your goal and upon whom? Again, this is a very personal essay that will require a lot of reflection and honesty.  

McCombs Optional Statement

Please explain any gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, and/or academic performance issues that may help the admission committee in reviewing your application. (Limit: 250 words)

If you write the optional essay, present information that is essential for the adcom to be able to fully understand your candidacy. If you do not have any concerns to address, you could explore a relevant topic not addressed in your application, but above all, be succinct. If you believe your candidacy is well represented without the optional essay, that is totally fine; don’t write an optional essay just to write one.

McCombs application deadlines

	Application due	Decision delivered
Round 1	October 15, 2024	December 17, 2024
Round 2	January 15, 2025	March 27, 2025
Round 3	April 1, 2025	April 29, 2025
Round 4	May 15, 2025	June 5, 2025

Source: Texas McCombs website

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

McCombs Class Profile

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

Class size: 241

Average age: 29

Age range (middle 80%): 25-34

Female students: 35%

International students: 26%

U.S. minority students: 35%

Underrepresented minority students: 18%

Consortium members: 37

Forté MBA fellows: 61

Dual degree students (MD, JD, Master of Public Affairs): 15

Average years of work experience: 5.9

Range of years of work experience (middle 80%): 3-10

U.S. military service: 14%

Average undergrad GPA: 3.46

Undergrad institutions: 152

First-generation college: 20%

Advanced degree holders: 17%

Undergraduate majors:

• Business/Economics: 35%
• STEM: 32%
• Other: 20%
• Humanities: 13%

Average GMAT score: 704

Range of GMAT scores (middle 80%): 670-740

Average GRE Verbal score: 160

Range of GRE Verbal scores (middle 80%): 156-165

Average GRE Quant score: 161

Range of GRE Quant scores (middle 80%): 154-169 

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
• Get Accepted to UT Austin McCombs, podcast Episode 452
• Business School Selectivity Index, a free tool