{"id":52882,"date":"2021-08-10T06:00:47","date_gmt":"2021-08-10T13:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=52882"},"modified":"2023-10-10T04:26:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T11:26:28","slug":"yale-som-mba-essay-tips-deadlines-2021-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/yale-som-mba-essay-tips-deadlines-2021-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Yale SOM MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 \u2013 2022]"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
\"Yale<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This application has changed very little from last year. As applicants have done for the last few years when applying to\u00a0Yale SOM<\/a>, you need to make the most of its single required essay, but you also need to take the time to\u00a0make every box in the application a homerun<\/a>. They are not afterthoughts; your job descriptions and activity history are very important. Write and edit them carefully. Focus on achievements. Quantify when possible and keep front and center Yale\u2019s commitment to \u201ceducating leaders for business and society.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Yale SOM essay question<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made.\u00a0(500 words maximum<\/em>)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The question evolved from a conversation with Professor of Organizational Behavior Amy Wrzesniewski, who noted, \u201cReading about future plans is helpful, but actions speak louder than words.\u201d In your response, we are looking to learn about how you have approached a particular commitment, whether personal or professional, and the behaviors that support it. You should be less concerned about what we want to hear and instead focus on being honest with yourself in selecting and describing the commitment that has been most significant to you.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This question is based not only on the stated premise that actions speak louder than words, but on the additional premise that\u00a0past behavior predicts future behavior<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You want to show that you are a person who follows through on commitments. So when did you make a commitment and follow through? Do you make big commitments? What are the results? What impact have you had as a result of your biggest commitment? What was the impact on you?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

An anecdotal response,\u00a0telling the story<\/a>\u00a0of the commitment you made, could be very effective. What was the challenge or problem that triggered the commitment? How did you follow up? What was the outcome and why is it significant? Did you successfully solve that initial problem or achieve your goals in meeting that challenge?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You can start with the moment of challenge or the moment of triumph. If you choose the latter, then go back, provide context, and tell your story of commitment, resolve, hurdles overcome, and challenge handled. If the impact has lasted \u2013 on you and others \u2013 succinctly include that part of the story too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Optional information<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation (unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, promotions or recognition, etc.), please provide a brief description here.\u00a0(200 words maximum)<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As Yale says, this essay is optional. It is an opportunity for you to provide context for something in your application that may cause the application reader to come to an incorrect and undesirable conclusion.\u00a0 Yale gives a couple of examples above. I would add a sudden dip in your grades due to illness or family problems that are no longer affecting your performance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Yale SOM application video component<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Yale also has a video component to its application. The questions are not posted ahead of time and they vary from applicant to applicant. The key element to preparation here is practice. Practice talking into a webcam without feedback from another human being. Practice the 60-90 second timeframe. Rehearse answers to typical interview questions in this format. Remember the STAR (Situation \u2013 Task \u2013 Action \u2013 Result) or CAR (Context\/Challenge \u2013 Action \u2013 Result) framework in structuring your answers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Yale suggests that you practice via video chat with a friend, but have your friend turn off their webcam and just provide feedback at the end of your response. I also suggest you put up a smiley face somewhere so you can see it and remind yourself to smile. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Watch: Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions at Yale SOM, talks about the resume, essay, and video questions:<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n