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2014 – 2015 Consortium Application Essays

The essays below are published to assist Consortium applicants prepare their 2014-2015 application. The essays are current as of July 15, 2014 and could change before the application opens in mid-August. Applicants are encouraged to read each school prompt closely once the application is accessible.

Membership Essay The mission of The Consortium is to enhance diversity in business education and leadership by helping the serious underrepresentation of African American, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans in both our member schools’ enrollments and the ranks of management. What have you done pre-MBA in your business, academic or personal life to demonstrate commitment to this mission? What will you do while enrolled in your MBA program to demonstrate your commitment to the mission? What will you do post-MBA with respect to community service and leadership involvement to demonstrate your continued commitment to The Consortium’s mission of diversity and inclusion? Please provide specific examples of your involvement, actions and results. * (4,000 characters)

Core Application Essays

The following essay questions provide us with an opportunity to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, experiences, and any other traits and abilities that are considered relevant to your educational goals and long-term career objectives. Please include your full name and essay number or subject on each page. Type your essays in a standard size 8 1/2" x 11" MS Word document. Please limit each essay to no more than two double -spaced pages. Core Essay One: Please describe your short and long term goals post-MBA. How has your professional experience shaped these goals and influenced your decision to pursue an MBA degree? Core Essay Two: Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? You may also use this essay to provide further explanation of employment gaps, test scores, etc. (Optional)

University of California, Berkeley

At Berkeley-Haas, our distinctive culture is defined by four key principles — Question the Status Quo; Confidence without Attitude; Students Always; and Beyond Yourself. We seek candidates from a broad mix of cultures, backgrounds, and industries who demonstrate a strong cultural fit with our program and defining principles. Please use the following essays as an opportunity to reflect on and share with us the values, experiences, and accomplishments that have helped shape who you are. (Learn more about Berkeley-Haas' Defining Principles.) Essay One: Describe an experience that has fundamentally changed the way you see the world. How did this transform you? *(4000 characters) Essay Two: What is your most significant professional accomplishment? (2,000 characters)*

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Optional Essay One: (Optional) If you do not explicitly answer the below points in your career goals essay for the Consortium, please take up to 4000 characters to address them now Optional Essay Two: (Optional) Please feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven't addressed elsewhere. (4,000 characters)

What is your desired post-MBA role and at what company or organization? In your response, please specifically address sub-questions a., b., and c. a. How is your background compelling to this company? b. What is something you would do better for this company than any other employee? c. Why is an MBA necessary and how will Haas specifically help you succeed at this company? Optional Essay Three: (Optional - FOR REAPPLICANTS ONLY) Please submit a statement outlining how you have improved your candidacy since your last application. (4,000 characters)

University of California, Los Angeles Essay: UCLA Anderson is distinguished by three defining principles: Share Success, Think Fearlessly, Drive Change. What principles have defined your life and pre-MBA career? How do you believe that Anderson’s principles, and the environment they create, will help you attain your post-MBA career goals?

Carnegie Mellon University Essay One: From your research, tell us why you are a good fit with Tepper?* (Maximum 200 words) Essay Two: Describe a defining moment in your life and explain how it has shaped you as a person.* (Maximum Length = 300 words)

Cornell University Character Essay (800 character maximum) You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. Please write the table of contents for the book. Note: Approach this essay with your unique style. We value creativity and authenticity. Optional Essay (800 character maximum) Complete this essay if you would like to add additional details regarding your candidacy. For instance, if you believe one or more aspects of your application (e.g.. undergraduate record or test scores) do not accurately reflect your potential for success at the Johnson School.

Dartmouth College

Essay One: Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is Tuck the best MBA fit for you and your goals and why are you the best fit for Tuck?

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Essay Two: Tell us about your most meaningful collaborative leadership experience and what role you played. What did you learn about your own individual strengths and weaknesses through this experience?

Emory University Essay One: The Business School is named for Roberto C. Goizueta, former Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, who led the organization for 16 years, extending its global reach, quadrupling consumption, building brand equity, and creating unprecedented shareholder wealth. It is his legacy and the strength of his character that gives rise to our vision: Principled Leaders for Global Enterprise. Goizueta once said, “The cynics will tell you that the good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. I’m telling you, do it anyway.”

Provide an example of the good you have contributed to an organization and the impact of your actions. Please limit your response to 300 words. Essay Two: In 25 words or less, please share with the committee and your future classmates an interesting or fun fact about you.

Georgetown University

Essay One: Why You? (Hint: we are looking for an answer that cannot be found from research on our website) – Response must fit in the space provided Optional Essay: If you are not currently employed full-time, use this space to provide information about your current activities. (1,000 characters) Dual Degree Essay: If you are applying to a dual degree program, please address how the additional degree will help you reach your goals. (2,000 characters) Re-applicant Essay: How have you strengthened your candidacy since your last application? We are particularly interested in hearing about how you have grown professionally and personally. In addition, please update the Admissions Committee on you short-term career goals following graduation from the Georgetown MBA program. (4,000 characters)

Indiana University – Bloomington How did you first learn of the Kelley School of Business? How will the particular attributes of the Kelley MBA Program prepare you to meet your professional goals?

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor Essay One: What are you most proud of professionally and why? What did you learn from that experience? (400 words) Essay Two: In your first core Consortium essay, you describe your short and long term goals post-MBA and you note how your professional experience shaped these goals and influenced

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your decision to pursue an MBA degree. To add to that information, as you have researched MBA programs, what actions have you taken to learn more about Ross and what has led you to believe that Ross is the right MBA program for you? (Maximum 150 words) Essay Three: What are you most proud of personally and why? How does it shape who you are today? (400 words)

New York University Your Fit with NYU Stern* What actions have you taken to determine that NYU is the best fit for your MBA experience? (250 words maximum)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Essay One: OPTIONAL -- What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to UNC Kenan-Flagler? (500 words max) Essay Two: OPTIONAL -- If you have not had coursework in core business subjects (calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting) or if your standardized test scores are low, please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. (300 words max)

University of Rochester

Essay One (Required): Discuss your specific interest in completing the MBA program at the Simon School. What aspects of the Rochester MBA program make it a good fit for your studies and how do you anticipate contributing to the business school community? (250-500 word limit) Essay Two (Required): In 25 words or less, provide us with a fun and interesting fact about yourself (25 word limit)

University of Southern California Essay One: What actions have you taken to determine that USC Marshall is a fit for you and how will you contribute to the Marshall community? (750 words or less)*

Optional Essay: Please provide information that will address any areas of concern in your application. (750 words or less)*

The University of Texas at Austin Essay One: Imagine that you are at the Texas MBA Orientation for the Class of 2017. Please introduce yourself to your new classmates, and include information you feel relevant to both your personal and professional life. Select only one communication method that you would like to use for your response.*

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a. Write an essay (250 words) b. Share a video introduction (one minute) c. Share your about.me profile

Essay Two: In the Texas MBA program, we promote a diverse and collaborative community by providing opportunities for growth in an academically rigorous environment. Please discuss why McCombs is the right program for you, what you hope to gain from your time in the Texas MBA Program both personally and professionally, and how you will contribute to your classmates’ experiences. (500 words)*

Optional Essay: Please provide any additional information that you believe is important and/or will address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the Admissions Committee in considering your application. (250 words)

For example, if your standardized test scores are not exactly what you would like them to be or if you have not had coursework in core business subjects (i.e. calculus, microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting, or finance), please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum. If relevant to your circumstances, please also discuss any other factors that you think may impact your candidacy (i.e. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, or any significant weaknesses in your application or extenuating personal circumstances).

University of Virginia

Essay One: Describe the most courageous professional decision you have made or most courageous action you have taken at work. What did you learn from that experience? (500 words)*

Washington University in St. Louis Essay One: Please describe why you view the Olin Business School as a good fit for you.*

University of Wisconsin-Madison All candidates are required to complete the essay below. Candidates also have the option to submit a 2nd optional essay. Essay One: Explain why you are interested in pursuing your MBA at this point in your life. Specifically, explain how your chosen career specialization aligns with your short-term and long-term career goals.* Optional Essay: If you wish, you may include an additional essay on a topic of your choice. This optional essay is typically used to cover any issues you may want to address to the admissions committee that are not already covered in your application. Examples include a low undergraduate GPA, gaps in education or employment history, or explanations of your choice in recommenders. This optional essay is not required.

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Yale University Essay Instructions: Please answer the essay below within the specified word limit. Your essay must be entirely your own work. Although you may ask others for general feedback on your essay, you may not allow anyone else to edit it for you. Essay One: The Yale School of Management educates individuals who will have deep and lasting impact on the organizations they lead. Describe how you have positively influenced an organization as an employee, a member, or an outside constituent. (500 words maximum)* Optional Information: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation (unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, promotions or recognitions, etc.), please provide a brief description here. (250 words maximum)