Calling Judge (Cambridge) MBA Applicants: [2020 Intake] Class of 2021

Hi Cambridge hopefuls, my two cents on these essays

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?

THE EQUATION
To write a persuasive application, it’s critical that you have those goals honed and refined. Background + MBA = Post-MBA Goal. So, in order to solve for “MBA” part here, you need to figure out the right side of the equation.
Then, take Post-MBA Goal + Experience = Long Term Goal. Ideally this long-term goal will stir the adcom on both an emotional and analytical level. For more information check out this article:https://mbaessaycoaching.com/2017/03/10/mba-interview-goals-mba/

If you are unsure of your post-MBA career path, how will the MBA equip you for the future?
I would strongly recommend first getting clear on your goals – through assessments and informational interviews. However, if you decide to answer the question this way, think about your strengths and weaknesses. Consider how the MBA would specifically close the gap in important ways that would improve your ability to develop your career. Again, however, I advise against going this route because it will be too generic to be compelling.
More explanation on this: https://mbaessaycoaching.com/2017/04/28/mba-goals-first/

What did you learn from your most spectacular failure? (200 words)
In many ways, this question is a way to screen out narcissists (incapable of acknowledging failure or weakness.) They want candidates who are humble, likeable and able to see themselves clearly. Someone who can acknowledge when they failed, and capable of applying what they learned from the experience in a positive and productive way.

If IMD continues with the same essay question as last cycle, about a time you failed as a leader, you can probably repurpose this essay pretty easily.

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)
A bit similar to the previous question, they are looking for coachable candidates who are willing to grow and transform – so I would recommend you speak to an experience where the team experienced a roadblock and detail how you had to grow as a person to overcome it.

Soo.. almost a month left for R1 submissions. Who all are determined to give a shot at Cambridge in R1 this year?

Note to admin, for a 2020 intake, this would be the class of 2021. The dates on this thread will confused applicants.

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what's the duration of this program?

Hi Narenn, The duration of the program is 1 year.

Thanks, RonaAydin and Chethan92 for making us aware of this. I have corrected the dates.

Thanks for making the correction!

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Hi All,

I have a query regarding the LOR format of Cambridge.

I could not find the LOR essay questions anywhere on the Cambridge site, whereas most US universities release their LOR essay questions.

I would like to apprise my manager of what he needs to be prepared for in order to be able to fill the LOR.

Could someone please shed some light on this?

Hi there - I got this from a Cambridge alumni a few months back and the questions are as follows. Do leave a Kudos if it helped you out

"
1. Elaborate and / or provide us with concrete examples if you have rated the applicant as below average, outstanding or exceptional on any of the qualities in the 'Rate the Applicant' Section.
2. Describe what you like most and least about working with the applicant.
3. Tell us about any particular weakness the candidate has compared to other peers / team members that you regularly work with.
4. Describe the applicant’s attitude and behaviour when working with: (a) managers/supervisors (b) peers (c) subordinates.
5. Suggest what you think the applicant will be doing in ten years.
"

I also found it to be quite a bit more difficult to find the LoR portion for European B-Schools.

Its interesting that they are less transparent that US school.

Thank you for your response. Much appreciated!


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I just found this website, maybe that is of help too:

https://www.clearadmit.com/mba-admissio ... questions/

Cheers,
Chris

I would require more clarity on below mentioned question in the work experience section of online application.

What has been your most significant professional challenge? (200 word limit)

Should the answer contain most significant professional challenge among all the job/roles or the challenge in the most recent job assignment.

Please suggest.

My personal take on this would be to state your most significant challenge to date, regardless of your current position.
Limiting the scope to your current job might block you from telling a great story (e.g. significant challenge in your last role (challenge) which you conquered and got promoted for (achievement))

Just my two cents.

Agreed,but hopefully within past 5 years.
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Thanks Arro44 and MBAPrepCoach. It helps.

Anyone knows the decision date I.e. interview notification date for R1 application

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