If you look at the London Business School questions, you’ll see that a lot of introspection is required if you want to answer the questions thoroughly, thoughtfully, and compellingly. When elaborating on your career goals, your desire to participate in the global workforce, and your strong leadership skills, make sure you consider how each of these elements is important to the London Business School. The adcom doesn’t just want to see how impressive you are; it also wants to see how you will contribute to the dynamic London Business School community.
London Business School Essay Questions
The Admissions Committee will consider carefully your answers to the following questions. Please complete all of the essay questions beginning your answer below each question and giving word counts for each answer. Once complete, please attach this document to your online application following the instructions given on the web form.
You are required to add the word count at the end of each question.
Please do not write more than the specified word limit for each essay. Any extra words or essays may be disregarded. Candidates should not contact us to ask for advice on how to answer the essay questions. We expect all candidates to interpret the questions as they see fit.
Question 1 (500 words)
In what role or sector do you see yourself working immediately after graduation? Why? How will your past and present experiences help you achieve this? How will the London Business School MBA Programme contribute to this goal?
This is a straight-forward MBA goals question. How will your past experience when combined with a London MBA help you achieve your immediate post-MBA goal? Obviously you need to know what role or section you want to work in. If you know both, all the better.
You could start this MBA essay with a vision of what you would like to be doing. A day in the life after you graduate. Then circle back and relate how this goal developed, perhaps highlighting a related achievement that you found satisfying and that convinced you this is the path for you. What about this experience appeals to you? Then discuss why you need the LBS MBA to move ahead in this direction.
Alternatively, start with the experience that convinced you your post-MBA goal is the right one for you. What about this achievement convinced you to go down your chosen path. How will the LBS MBA plus your previous experience and education get you to your desired destination? Make sure you clearly define that desired destination.
Question 2 (200 words)
Where do you see your career progressing five years after graduation and what is your longer term career vision?
Again, LBS is asking about career progression. How do you see yourself moving forward from that initial position. You can be a little fuzzier here, but still show that you have given thought to where you would like to be in five years.
For the vision element, you can dream a little more and show how your goals for the next five years fit into a bigger picture. Do you have an altruistic element to your plan? Reveal it (but don’t make one up!). Are you thinking strategically about your career? If so, show it.
Question 3 (300 words)
Give a specific example of when you have had to test your leadership and / or team working skills either professionally, or outside of work. What role will you play in your first year study group?
Give one example of an experience that tested your ability to work with others either as a team member or as a leader. What did you learn from that experience? How will that experience influence the role you intend to play on your first-year study group? Learn more about LBS study groups here.
Question 4 (300 words)
Student involvement is an extremely important part of the London MBA experience and this is reflected in the character of students on campus. What type of student club or campus community events will you be involved with and why? How will you contribute?
Before answering this question, research student life at LBS . The best answers will directly respond to all elements in the question by showing that you have been involved in similar college, community, or professional organizations in the past. And you will be able to illustrate your abilities to contribute at LBS by discussing your earlier contributions as well as the clubs you would like to be involved in. I recommend you pick two or three that appeal to you, not 10 or 20. Remember to answer “and why.”
Question 5 (150 words)
London Business School offers a truly global and diverse experience. Describe any significant experiences outside of your home country or culture. What did you gain and how will your experience contribute to the School?
This question reflects the importance of international and cross-cultural experiences for London Business School. Note the word limit here. Short and sweet. What were the most 1-2 significant experiences you have had outside your home country, and what did you learn from them? How will you consequently contribute?
Question 6 (300 words)
Give an example of a person who, in your opinion, has made a profound impact on the way the world does business. How will this person influence your contribution to your MBA Programme at London Business School?
New question. There is not correct answer here. If you read the business press, you will know whom you want to write about. How has this person influenced the business world? How has he influenced your view of the business world and how you want to grow, develop, and contribute at London Business School?
Question 7 (300 words)
(This question is for re-applicants only)
How has your candidacy for the London Business School MBA changed since your last application?
This the key question in every MBA reapplication: How have you enhanced (not just changed) your candidacy? Career progress is an obvious place to start and something you must address, but if academics were a weakness, then what have you done since you last applied to show you can excel at London Business School.
Additional Information (This question is optional)
This is not a compulsory essay but please complete if you would like the opportunity to clarify or expand upon any information submitted in your application.
Please see “The Optional Question: To Be or Not to Be.”
If you would like help with your London Business School application, please consider Accepted’s MBA essay editing and MBA admissions consulting or our London Business School Packages, which include advising, editing, interview coaching, and a resume edit for the LBS MBA application.
By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted.com and co-author of the new, definitive book on MBA admissions, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools.
Accepted.com's experienced admissions consultants can help you create the most impressive application possible with comprehensive packages, or provide targeted assistance from picking perfect programs to designing a dazzling resume, constructing engaging essays, or preparing for intense interviews…and more! Accepted.com has guided thousands of applicants to acceptances at top MBA programs since 1994 – we know what works and what doesn't, so contact us to get started now!
This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.
