New York University’s Stern School of Business has announced the application deadlines and essay topics for the upcoming MBA admissions season.

This year’s four deadlines are:

Round 1

Deadline: October 15, 2013

Initial Notification*: December 15, 2013

Round 2

Deadline: November 15, 2013

Initial Notification: February 15, 2014

Round 3

Deadline: January 15, 2014

Initial Notification: April 1, 2014

Round 4

Deadline: March 15, 2014

Initial Notification: June 1, 2014

*Applicants will receive one of three initial notifications: invitation to interview, waitlist offer, or denial of admissions.

The essay topics are as follows:

Essay 1: Professional Aspirations (750 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

(a) Why pursue an MBA (or dual degree) at this point in your life?

(b) What actions have you taken to determine that Stern is the best fit for your MBA experience?

(c) What do you see yourself doing professionally upon graduation?

Essay 2: Choose either Option A or Option B

Option A: Your Two Paths (500 word maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font)

The mission of the Stern School of Business is to develop people and ideas that transform the challenges of the 21st century into opportunities to create value for business and society. Given today’s ever-changing global landscape, Stern seeks and develops leaders who thrive in ambiguity, embrace a broad perspective and think creatively about the range of ways they can have impact.

(a) Describe two different and distinct paths you could see your career taking long term. How do you see your two paths unfolding?

(b) How do your paths tie to the mission of NYU Stern?

(c) What factors will most determine which path you will take?

Option B: Personal Expression

Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use almost any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative. If you submit a non-written piece for Option B  (i.e., artwork or multimedia) or if you submit Option B via mail, please upload a brief description of your submission with your online application.

Guidelines for Option B:

• Your submission becomes the property of NYU Stern and cannot be returned for any reason.
• If you submit a written essay, it should be 500 words maximum, double-spaced, 12-point font.
• If you submit a video or audio file, it should be five minutes maximum.
• If you prepare a multimedia submission, you may mail a CD, DVD or USB flash drive to the Admissions Office. These are the only acceptable methods of submission.
• Please do not submit an internet link to any websites or to a video hosting service such as YouTube.
• The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request an alternate Essay 3 if we are unable to view your submission.
• Do not submit anything perishable (e.g. food), or any item that has been worn (e.g. clothing).

Essay 3: Optional

Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript(s), plans to retake the GMAT, GRE and/or TOEFL or any other relevant information.

If you are unable to submit a recommendation from your current supervisor, you must explain your reason in Essay 3.

If you are a re-applicant from last year, please explain how your candidacy has improved since your last application.

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Stay tuned for Stacy Blackman’s NYU Stern MBA essay tips, coming soon!

The MIT Sloan School of Management has posted the application deadlines for the 2013-2014 MBA admissions cycle.

Round 1

Deadline: September 24, 2013

Notification: December 20, 2013

Round 2

Deadline: January 7, 2014

Notification: April 1, 2014

All application materials must be received by 3 p.m. Eastern Time on the day of the deadline.  For additional information, please visit MIT Sloan’s admissions website.

The 2013-2014 MBA application to the Indian School of Business (ISB) is now live. Here are the deadlines and essay prompts for the upcoming admissions cycle.

Cycle One

Deadline: September 15, 2013

Notification: On or before November 15, 2013

Cycle Two

Deadline: November 30, 2013

Notification: On or before February 15, 2014.

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Essay 1: Attitude, skills and knowledge differentiate people. Elaborate with two examples on how you would differentiate yourself. (300 words max)

Essay 2: How does the ISB PGP tie-in with your career goals? (300 words max)

Essay 3: Pick the most significant achievement (professional or personal) you have had and elaborate on the key learning you took away from it. (300 words max)

Optional Essay: Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (300 words max)

The ISB conducts admissions events on the national and international scale at different locations. Click here to register.

If you are contemplating applying to the Chicago Booth School of Business, here are just a few items to focus on when crafting your application package.

According to a recent Business Because interview with Danielle Foster, associate director of admissions at Chicago Booth as of October 2011, applicants would do well to study her top three tips for impressing the MBA admissions team.

Tip #1:  Be Authentic

Don’t try to sell the admissions committee on an idealize image of the perfect b-school candidate. Considering the thousands of applications that come across their desks each year, it’s safe to assume their baloney detectors are finely honed! “We are very transparent at Booth and we appreciate applicants who are able to do the same on their application,” Foster says. Just be true to yourself and tell your own unique story.

Tip #2:  Do Your Research!

In addition to doing a lot of soul-searching to determine why you want to pursue an MBA, and why now is the time to do so, you must convey to the admissions committee why X program is the best fit for your career goals, learning style, etc. Culture and fit are two very important aspects of an MBA program, and truly do vary from school to school.

Foster says the admissions team values applicants who can demonstrate a clear understanding of Chicago Booth culture, and can describe how it is a mutual fit.

Tip #3: Pay Attention to Those Essay Questions

The temptation to cut-and-paste essays from one school to another is a strong one, and in some cases you may be able to judiciously recycle certain examples that support specific attributes or situations. However, Foster notes that often applicants miss the mark on answering the question actually asked in the essay set.

“We may receive a great essay, but if it is not answering the question, you have missed an opportunity to showcase your skills and talents,” says Foster.

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If you’re looking for clear examples of how to address the essay questions, check out our recent Chicago Booth MBA essay tips post for guidance on how to successfully convey your professional and personal stories.

Saïd Business School at University of Oxford has posted the MBA application deadlines and essay questions for the 2012-2013 admissions cycle. 

Stage 1
Deadline: October 12, 2012
Final Decision Notification: December 7, 2012

Stage 2
Deadline: January 11, 2013
Final Decision Notification: March 15, 2013

Stage 3
Deadline: March 8, 2013
Final Decision Notification: April 19, 2013

* * *

Essay 1:  Explain why you chose your current job. How do you hope to see your career developing over the next five years? How will an MBA assist you in the development of these ambitions? (750 words)

Essay 2: What should Oxford expect from you? (750 words)

Re-applicant Essay: What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (250 words)

For more information about the Oxford MBA, a top-ranked one-year program, visit the admissions website.

The Georgetown MBA program at the McDonough School of Business has posted the deadlines and essay questions for the 2012-2013 admissions season.

Round 1

Application Deadline: October 15, 2012
Decision Notification: December 15, 2012

Round 2

Application Deadline: January 5, 2013
Decision Notification: March15, 2013

Round 3

Application Deadline: April 1, 2013
Decision Notification: May 15, 2013

Georgetown McDonough suggests that students wishing to be considered for merit-based scholarships apply no later than Round 2. Likewise, international students are strongly encouraged to apply by Round 2 in order to have sufficient time to secure a student visa.

Essay Questions

Essay One: (answer both part A and part B)

• Part A: What is your short-term goal following graduation from the Georgetown McDonough Full-time MBA Program? What skills are you seeking to develop or improve upon in order to reach your goals?
  (500 words or fewer)

• Part B: What is your long-term career goal? (100 words or fewer)

Essay Two: (answer either option A or option B)

• Option A: Describe a global business challenge and its relevance to your post-MBA career.  
  (750 words or fewer)

• Option B: Describe yourself both personally and professionally and how you will contribute to the Georgetown McDonough community.  (750 words or fewer)

“Essay” Three:  Why do you want to attend the Georgetown McDonough Full-time MBA Program?  Tell us in tweet format.  (140 characters or fewer)

Optional Essay One:   If you are not currently employed full-time, use this essay to provide information about your current activities.  (250 words or fewer)

Optional Essay Two: Please provide any information you would like to add to your application that you have not otherwise included.  (500 words or fewer)

Re-Applicant Essay:  (required only for reapplicants)
How have you strengthened your candidacy since your last application? We are particularly interested in hearing about how you have grown professionally and personally.  (500 words or fewer)