Applying to Emory Goizueta’s MBA program is an exciting opportunity to share your story and career aspirations. Through their thoughtfully designed essay prompts, the admissions committee seeks to understand not only your professional goals but also your personal values, leadership experiences, and what makes you unique. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to approach each essay, breaking down what Goizueta is looking for and offering tips on how to craft compelling responses. Whether it’s a short answer or a reflective essay, this article will help you put your best foot forward.
Short Answer Questions (40-word limit each)
1. What are your short-term post-MBA career goals?
What the Emory Goizueta MBA Admissions Committee Seeks:
The admissions team wants a clear, concise vision of your immediate career trajectory. They’re looking for realistic, well-thought-out goals that align with your current skills and ambitions while showcasing how the MBA will propel you toward these objectives.
Tips for Writing:
- Be direct. Focus on position, industry, and role.
- Ensure alignment with your background and how an MBA fills the skill gap.
- Example: “Post-MBA, I aim to work as a product manager in a top tech company, leading cross-functional teams to develop innovative customer solutions.”
2. How will your professional experience and the Goizueta MBA help you achieve those goals?
What the Emory Goizueta MBA Admissions Committee Seeks:
They want to see how your past work experience complements the resources and curriculum offered at Goizueta. Demonstrating that you’ve done your research and that Goizueta is the best-fit program for you is key.
Tips for Writing:
- Mention specific experiences and skills you’ve gained.
- Highlight Goizueta’s unique offerings (e.g., leadership courses, experiential learning) that will help bridge your gaps.
- Example: “With 5 years of consulting experience, I will leverage Goizueta’s Leadership Development Program to enhance my strategic decision-making and lead large-scale product innovations.”
3. What’s a fun fact about you that you would like the committee to know?
What the Emory Goizueta MBA Admissions Committee Seeks:
This is a chance to show personality. The committee looks for well-rounded candidates who will enrich the MBA cohort with unique interests, hobbies, or quirks that make them more relatable and memorable.
Tips for Writing:
- Choose a fact that reflects your personality, not necessarily work-related.
- Keep it light yet meaningful. Aim to stand out.
- Example: “I once hiked 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago, and it deepened my appreciation for cultural exploration and endurance.”
Essay Questions (300-word limit each)
Essay 1: Goizueta Business School’s mission is to prepare principled leaders to have a positive influence on business and society. Identify a personal account of a time you effectively demonstrated your leadership skills. Respond to one of these two prompts:
- a. What about this experience made you feel proud of your leadership abilities?
- b. What did this experience teach you about leadership?
What the Emory Goizueta MBA Admissions Committee Seeks:
Leadership is core to Goizueta’s values. The committee is looking for stories where you’ve demonstrated integrity, decision-making, and the ability to rally others toward a common goal. They value leaders who can reflect on their experiences and continuously improve.
Tips for Writing:
- Be specific: Use a clear, well-structured story. State the challenge, your actions, and the results.
- Show impact: Whether you led a team to overcome a challenge or influenced a significant change, explain the positive outcome.
- Focus on growth: If you choose option b, emphasize what you learned about leadership through this experience—perhaps a shift in how you handle conflict or inspire others.
Example: If you led a team through a project with tight deadlines, explain how you coordinated efforts, managed conflicts, and delivered results that exceeded expectations. Then reflect on why this made you proud or how it shaped your leadership style.
Essay 2: Our lived experiences shape who we are and the aspirations we have. As a values-driven community, we care about what has shaped your life. Please share what or who has had the biggest impact on your life.
What the Emory Goizueta MBA Admissions Committee Seeks:
This essay gives the admissions team insight into the personal side of your journey. They want to understand what motivates you, what values you hold dear, and how these factors influence your goals and decision-making. It’s about depth and personal growth.
Tips for Writing:
- Get personal: Share a meaningful story—whether it’s a person, experience, or moment—that deeply shaped who you are today.
- Connect to values: Tie this influence to the values that guide your life or career, such as resilience, empathy, or perseverance.
- Relate it to your future goals: How has this experience shaped your aspirations and how will it continue to influence you in the future?
Example: You could write about how a mentor in your life helped you overcome self-doubt and inspired you to pursue leadership roles. Then explain how this person’s influence continues to shape your professional and personal aspirations.
Final Thoughts
When responding to Emory Goizueta’s MBA essay prompts, remember that the admissions team is looking for thoughtful, self-aware, and purpose-driven candidates. Use these essays to showcase your leadership potential, personal values, and how Goizueta can help you achieve your career goals. Be concise, authentic, and reflective in your answers to make the best impression.
