Oxford Said Business School Essay Questions:
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)
This question presents a slight twist on the classic goals question. In addition to wanting to know how you see your future and how an MBA will help you there, it asks you to explain why you chose your current job. Don’t say it was the only job offer you got. What motivated you to apply? What do you like about it? Given your work experience, how do you see your career developing in the short-term after you graduate. They don’t ask here if you want to be president in 2028. They’re just asking about the next five years. Finally, how will an MBA get you from today to your desired tomorrow?
Tell anecdotes and use vivid examples to really make this essay come alive. (Please see Essays That Stick Webinar and Roadmap to Bold & Brilliant Essays Webinar)
2) What should Oxford expect from you? (750 words)
Interesting question. Can they expect you to get involved in specific activities? Which ones? How would you like to contribute to the school? Any activities you would like to initiate?
Do you have a business idea you want to develop as part of Oxford's entrepreneurship project? Are you also thinking of participating in the strategic consulting project? Any places you would like to go on an optional student trek?
Oxford is giving you 750 words here. You have the room to show how you have contributed in the past and how you intend to contribute at Oxford. If you are getting the idea that you need to know something about the program before you respond to the question, you're getting the right idea.
If you have specific ideas (along with relevant past experience), you can also mention how you will represent the school after you graduate.
Re-applicants will need to complete the two essays mentioned above and a third essay on the topic:
3) What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (250 words)
This is they key question for all MBA reapplicants. What has changed that will make you a more compelling applicant this year than you were last time you applied?
Oxford Said Application Deadlines:
| Application Deadline | |
| Stage 1 | 12 Oct 2012 |
| Stage 2 | 11 Jan 2013 |
| Stage 3 | 8 Mar 2013 |
| Open Field | 23 Mar 2013 up to 28 Jun 2013 |
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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.
Oxford Picture courtesy of Dipfan.
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This article originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog, the official blog of Accepted.com.
