Just to add here, I did not do a TOC. I ended up going with a failure essay instead, and still got in. Some people think the TOC is a great place to show creativity, but for me, it was a bit hindering... It was either creative with zero content, or straight dry content... I was able to express my personality a bit more clearly in the failure essay.

Remember, there's a reason why Johnson made the TOC essay optional last year; if they really wanted everyone to write it, it would still be mandatory.

Essay #1 “Who you are”

We continue to ask the “chapter headings” essay because we really enjoy reading it and get great information about you that we cannot get anywhere else in the process, even the interview.

Ø You are the author for the book of Your Life Story. In 300 words or less please write the table of contents for the book. Note: approach this essay with your unique style. We value creativity and authenticity.



Essay #2 “Who you turn out to be”

Instructions: Please answer the following three questions in abbreviated format. (Keep each answer in 150 words or less)

Ø When did you decide that business school was the next step for you? (Was this an epiphany or an evolutionary process? What was the catalyst that caused you to consider this next step?)

Ø Johnson values people that make things happen for themselves. Give an example of how you have initiated this for yourself.

Ø Please describe your immediate post MBA career goals.

After careful review of successful candidates, we found there are three main elements they addressed very well: 1) understood their value proposition because they knew how to answer difficult questions about their true intentions and understood what they look forward to in joining b-school, 2) we really like people that have made things happen for them showing they are self-driven and motivated and 3) those with brilliant focus and confidence in their career self-efficacy.

The direction we took is straight from our interview questions. I really wanted to give candidates an opportunity to contemplate the type of questions we would ask you in an interview. This doesn’t mean we skip over these sections, but it will enhance the conversation and allow interviewers to dig further about your expectations and fit with our programs.

I hope you enjoy writing them because we certainly enjoy reading. I look forward to another application season.

How are the apps coming??

I've been super busy here! Core classes have just started up, but I have been busy with career panels, leadership discussions, social events.... social events... and social events... The life of an MBA in their first month at Johnson is crazy! Anyway, feel free to ask any questions about life at Johnson so far, or anything else, I'll be around today and will try to stop by every few days.

Good Luck!

SEEKING ADVICE :

Can we submit a ppt / powerpoint presentation for the Life Story question? I was aiming to do something creative but I'm not sure if it is within the rules of the essay.
My idea was a ppt which has a timeline with key stages in life marked with a 'shape'. Pointing at the 'shape' will drop down the intended text. THIS TEXT is within 300 words.

Make sense??