The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas is a globally recognized MBA program, located in the center of technology- Austin.
Round 1: Application deadline: October 10, 2017 at 11:59pm CT, Priority deadline for scholarships & fellowships Decision date: December 19, 2017
Round 2: Application deadline: January 9, 2018 at 11:59pm CT, Decision date: March 19, 2018
Round 3: Final application deadline: April 3, 2017 at 11:59pm CT, Decision date: May 11, 2018
Like last year, McCombs business school asks its applicants to write two required essays and one optional essay. The first essay remains unchanged from last year, but the second essay has been changed.
Essay 1: The University of Texas at Austin values unique perspectives and cultivates a collaborative environment of distinct individual contributions. It is the first day of orientation. You are meeting your study group, comprised of five of your classmates from various backgrounds. Please introduce yourself to your new team, highlighting what drives you in your personal and professional life.
Select only one communication method that you would like to use for your response.
- Write an essay (250 words)
- Share a video introduction (one minute)
This is the fifth year running that McCombs requires the applicants to write an essay on introduction to their class mates. McCombs allows them to delve on their personal as well as professional attributes in 250 words. This essay, in terms of the topic and the medium of communication, provides applicants with a flexibility and freedom to showcase their creative side. You may take time to brainstorm ideas about what you would like your team mates at McCombs to know about you. Considering this is your first encounter with them, you can discuss your cultural background, motivation, personal and professional goals/accomplishments, hobbies/interests, and issues that pique your interest. The motive is to tell you future class mates who you really are.
To showcase your creativity, McCombs offers you a choice of two modes of communication. You may pick the format that works best for you. If you are an introvert, or if you love to write, you may select the ‘essay mode’ for sure. If you are an extrovert, you may find the video mode more exciting. A video essay allows applicants to be more creative as well as imaginative. For example, if you plan to share your culinary skills with your class mates, you may consider shooting part of the one minute video in your kitchen.
Though it’s fun doing a video essay, it is my understanding that it would demand more time than a regular essay (This by no means implies that crafting an ‘introduction’ essay in 250 words is not challenging). You may experiment with the video option if you can invest significant amount of time to make sure that you grab the attention of your audience not only through your words, but also through your body language and facial expressions. And remember your challenge is to say it all in a one minute video. Also, if you are camera shy and don’t feel comfortable before the camera, then video option may not be a good option. Whichever medium you choose, dedicate the work necessary to ensure that your introduction is engaging and presents you as a likeable, friendly, and well-rounded individual to your cohorts.
Essay 2: Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your two years as a Texas MBA student, and how that experience helped to prepare you for the post-MBA world. (500 words)
This second required question has been changed this year. Last year’s applicants were asked to write about what drove them in their personal and professional life, how Texas MBA is the ideal program for them and how they planned to engage in McCombs community. The key was to demonstrate their ‘fit ‘with the school. This year’s applicants will also be highlighting their ‘fit’ with the school, but in a different way. They will visualize themselves at their graduation day and explain how two years at the Texas MBA helped prepare them for their post MBA personal and professional goals.
To prepare yourself, you must do your homework of researching the program well. Explain how various resources/ offerings and activities at McCombs (courses, study groups, clubs etc.) brought you closer to your post MBA goals. In addition to explaining how Texas MBA helped you fulfill your professional goals, you should also discuss how participation in various activities of student organizations and clubs at McCombs contributed to your personal growth. Additionally, you may also comment on your experiences of being a part of the city of Austin. Wrap up your essay with your final thoughts on your overall experience at McCombs.
Optional Statement:
Please provide any additional information you believe is important and/ or address any areas of concern that will be beneficial to the Admissions Committee in considering your application (e.g. unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, significant weaknesses in your application, or extenuating personal circumstances). (250 words)
An optional essay is an opportunity for you to give the Ad Com relevant information that you could not provide in other parts of your application other essays and résumé. For example, if you have a lower than average GMAT score, any grades below a C on your transcript, academic probation or a significant employment gap, you can explain in this essay. To provide context for a weakness in your profile, make sure your reason is genuine to convince the Admission committee that your low grades or employment gap occurred due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control. Your response should be positive, straightforward, and fact-focused and should not sound like you are making excuses for a weakness in your profile.
Also, if you cannot get your recommendation letter from your current supervisor, please explain that in the optional statement. For more information on the choice of recommenders for your McCombs application, please visit admission blog.
myEssayReview has helped many applicants get accepted into McCombs School of Business. You may email Poonam at poonam@myessayreview.com with questions about your application for McCombs School of Business.
You may be interested in previous years’ essay questions analysis:
UT Austin McCombs Essay Questions Analysis 2016-17
UT Austin McCombs Essay Questions Analysis 2015-16
UT Austin McCombs Essay Questions Analysis 2014-15
This post was first published in myEssayReview blog.
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