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Tuesday Tips: Cambridge MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021

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Cambridge MBAAre you getting ready to prepare an application for Judge Business School at Cambridge? The Cambridge MBA essays are out, and we have the latest tips for you! As part of a world-class campus and a location that is a center for technology and business, Judge Business School offers an excellent MBA program.

(Our post Getting a European MBA: A Unique Experience explains the many benefits of studying across the pond.)

To learn more about the Cambridge MBA program, you can chat with current students, read student blogs, and, for now, at least, attend virtual admissions events. The Judge admissions team seeks ambitious, innovative, and confident students with strong interpersonal skills.

International experience is another essential attribute for Cambridge MBA applicants. Although none of the Cambridge MBA essays specifically ask about it, you can work your global outlook into one or more of the essay responses.

For guidance on your Cambridge MBA essays, contact Stacy Blackman Consulting. And to learn more about the Cambridge MBA, visit the Cambridge Judge website.

Cambridge MBA Essays for 2020-2021

Required Essay 1

Please provide a personal statement. It should not exceed 500 words and must address the following questions:
• What are your short and long term career objectives and what skills/characteristics do you already have that will help you achieve them?
• What actions will you take before and during the MBA to contribute to your career outcome?
• If you are unsure of your post-MBA career path, how will the MBA equip you for the future?

This personal statement essay asks you to explain why you are pursuing an MBA. If you have a specific long- and short-term career objective in mind, that is one way to structure the essay. And, if not, you will want to explain why an MBA is the right next step for you in your life.

This essay gives you the space to talk about the career accomplishments that make you most proud. Also, you will show that you are motivated and ambitious. In addition, you are ready for the challenge of an MBA at Cambridge. Use an equal amount of space to explain how you plan to enhance your career before and during your MBA to accomplish your goals.

What can you learn from your current job before you enroll at Judge? Which classes, professors, and projects will you pursue to prepare yourself for your next career step? If you are not exactly sure what you will do next, how will the MBA enhance the skills you already have?

As you write your Cambridge MBA essays, keep in mind that Judge is seeking candidates who “are highly motivated and ambitious, thrive under pressure, and have already exhibited clear progression within their career.”

In this essay, show that you have performed well and moved up within your jobs since you began working. Finally, demonstrate what you have learned and how you plan to further hone your developing skills through an MBA and future career.

Required Essay 2

What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)

Failures are challenging to work through. Yet, they can also lead to growth and increased self-awareness. Once you get past the embarrassment and shame of any failure, you can reflect on what the experience taught you. Did you take on too much, prepare too little, or fail to ask for help when you needed it?

This essay is mostly about what you learned. First, take a few sentences to explain the situation and failure. Then, dive into what you learned and ideally how you have moderated your approach. Also, write about how you improved yourself or learned to recognize challenging situations better.

Finally, consider using either a personal or professional example. Any topic can work here as long as you can show something about your leadership or personal qualities. However, consider what topics you are focusing on for essays 2, 3 and 4 to make sure you are describing both personal and professional stories. Also, you may have extracurricular experiences that are also useful to describe. Overall, your goal is to present a well-rounded view of your background and personality.

Required Essay 3

Describe a situation where you had to work jointly with others to achieve a common goal. What did you learn from the experience? (up to 200 words)

Cambridge Judge seeks students who are collaborative and innovative with strong interpersonal skills. This essay can show the admissions committee that you know how to work within a team to accomplish a common goal.

As you did in essay 2, take a few sentences to explain the situation, then focus on what you learned. Also, you can describe your style when you work jointly and how you collaborate. Don’t forget to mention how you help others do their best work and manage challenges.

For this Cambridge MBA application essay, consider if you have a particular role or skill within a team. If so, whether building consensus or take a devil’s advocate position, explain that approach here.

Required Essay 4

If you could give one piece of advice to your 18-year-old self, what would it be? (up to 200 words)

Essay 4 is the most open-ended of this set of essays. Therefore, this essay could be an ideal place for a personal story. Especially because you are asked to reflect upon the years since you were 18, this topic lends itself to introspection.

Consider the paths you took and the paths you did not. Ask yourself if you have any regrets? Do you wish you had taken more risks in your life? On the other hand, you might wish you had persisted with something that seemed boring at the time. Remember, you only have 200 words to convey the point of this essay, and should focus on briefly explaining the advice and the context behind it.

The post Tuesday Tips: Cambridge MBA Essays and Tips for 2020-2021 appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting.