The application has little change from last year. As applicants have done for the last few years when applying to Yale SOM, you need to make the most of its single required essay, but you also need to take the time to make every box in the application a home run. They are not afterthoughts. Your job descriptions and activity history are very important. Write and edit them carefully. Focus on achievements. Quantify when possible and keep in mind Yale’s commitment to “educating leaders for business and society.”
My tips are in blue.
Yale SOM essay question
Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)
The question evolved from a conversation with Professor of Organizational Behavior Amy Wrzesniewski, who noted, “Reading about future plans is helpful, but actions speak louder than words.” In your response, we are looking to learn about how you have approached a particular commitment, whether personal or professional, and the behaviors that support it. You should be less concerned about what we want to hear and instead focus on being honest with yourself in selecting and describing the commitment that has been most significant to you.
The question is based not only on the stated premise that actions speak louder than words, but on the additional premise that past behavior predicts future behavior.
You want to show that you are a person who follows through on commitments. So when did you make a commitment and follow through? Do you make big commitments? What are the results? What impact have you had as a result of your biggest commitment?
An anecdotal response, telling the story of the commitment you made, could be very effective. What was the challenge or problem that triggered the commitment? How did you follow up? What was the outcome and why is it significant? Did you successfully solve that initial problem or achieve your goals in meeting that challenge?
You can start with the moment of challenge or the moment of triumph. If you choose the latter, then go back, provide context, and tell your story of commitment, resolve, hurdles overcome, and challenge handled. If the impact has lasted – on you and others – succinctly include that part of the story too.
Yale SOM application video component
Yale also has a video component to its application. The questions are not posted ahead of time and they vary from applicant to applicant. The key element to preparation here is practice. Practice talking into a webcam without feedback from another human being. Practice the 60-90 second time frame. Rehearse answers to typical interview questions in this format. Remember the STAR (Situation – Task – Action – Result) or CAR (Context/Challenge – Action – Result) framework in structuring your answers.
Yale suggests that you practice via Skype with a friend, but have your friend turn off their webcam and just provide feedback at the end of your response. I also suggest you put a smiley face somewhere so you can see it and remind yourself to smile. 🙂
For expert guidance with your Yale SOM 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 Yale SOM’s MBA program and look forward to helping you too!
Yale SOM 2019-20 MBA application deadlines
| Application Deadline | Decisions Released | |
| Round 1 | September 10, 2019 | December 4, 2019 |
| Round 2 | January 7, 2020 | March 24, 2020 |
| Round 3 | April 14, 2020 | May 19, 2020 |
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***
By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. Linda earned her bachelors and MBA at UCLA, and has been advising applicants since 1994 when she founded Accepted. Linda is the co-founder and first president of AIGAC. She has written or co-authored 13 e-books on the admissions process, and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Poets & Quants, Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, and others. Linda is the host of Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for graduate school applicants. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources:
• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your MBA Application Essays, a free guide
• Yale Som: Integrated in Its Curriculum, with Its University, and to the World, a podcast episode
• How Can You Show Passion in Admissions?
