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30 Aug 2024, 13:43
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When preparing your application for the London Business School (LBS) MBA program, it's crucial to pay close attention to the LBS MBA essays and application deadlines. LBS is known for its rigorous selection process, emphasizing not just academic excellence but also leadership potential and a global outlook. As you craft your essays, be sure to align your personal goals with what LBS offers in terms of its diverse and international community.
To ensure you meet all application requirements on time, here are the important deadlines for the LBS MBA Class of 2027:
Key Essay Tips
While the specific prompts may vary each year, LBS typically asks about your career goals, leadership experiences, and personal qualities. Here are some general tips to keep in mind:
LBS Essay Topic Analysis 2024-2025
Let’s take a closer look at each of this year’s LBS MBA essays.
Required Essay 1
What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
Being instinctive and conscientiously diligent, throughout my life I have been entrusted with leadership roles, from holding the position of head boy of a school of 2,000+ pupils to leading the football team in college. After college, I was selected from 500+ candidates who appeared for the selection process of the X Army for which a total of ~400K candidates appear each year. Post a gruelling yearlong training at the ABC Academy, Z, following in the footsteps of my father, I joined the ABC, which provides ICT solutions to the X Army.
On October 20XX, I was deployed in the conflict-ridden KL. I led specialist teams of 25+ personnel, maintaining communication links in extremely hostile conditions, and established two communication towers at 12,500+ ft leading two diverse teams of 15-20 people each, which provided communication to 1,500+ military personnel at each site. After four years on October 20XX, I was sent to an elite strike formation of the X Army where I managed administrative and disciplinary aspects of 1,100+ personnel. During planned operational deployments, I managed the Network Operations Centre ensuring information security of communication links. With a profile aligned with strike formations, I was then sent as a communication specialist to the first Mountain ABC of the X Army where I have been serving from January 20XX to date. My core competency in the field of telecommunication and information/ cyber security has made me appreciate the disruptive capabilities of the combination of these technologies.
At this juncture, after 10 years of military service, I seek to leap into the business world, plug my skill gaps and develop my business acumen to augment the transferable military skills I have gained along the way. I am positive that London Business School is an ideal avenue for me to achieve my future career goals.
Post MBA, I want to transition into the information/ cyber security vertical of a leading consulting firm like XYZ & Co. The line dividing the real and virtual world will soon disappear with the advent of AI and niche tech like Brain–brain-computer interface. Information security, thus, takes precedence as the corruption of data could turn a cyborg into a bionic zombie. My long-term goal is to leverage the business skills accrued at London Business School and start an information security firm in X, providing solutions to enterprises and agencies to better protect their critical infrastructure and provide digital education and training to the masses. The program will further provide me an avenue to interact with a diverse international cohort, which will help me gain valuable cultural insights, broaden my horizons, and build a global network.
At London Business School, I am excited to learn the business management fundamentals through classes in Data Analytics, Accounting, and Operations. With my 10-year work experience in the ICT domain, I am looking forward to contributing to the Tech & Media Club. Lastly, as a veteran, I wish to significantly contribute to the Military in Business Club.
Required Essay 2
What makes you unique? (200 words)
What sets me apart is my unique combination of cultural heritage and professional dedication to innovative farming technologies. Born in Brazil to a Japanese and Brazilian family, I was raised in a household where multiple viewpoints were embraced. This upbringing has endowed me with the ability to navigate and merge diverse perspectives, enhancing my personal and professional interactions.
My career is rooted in biotechnology, focusing on advancing sustainable agricultural practices. I have led projects that reduced the reliance on harmful pesticides by 40%, benefiting both the environment and agricultural efficiency. My work not only addresses immediate ecological concerns but also paves the way for safer food production techniques worldwide.
This intersection of cultural adaptability and a commitment to sustainable development is what I bring to the table. I approach problem-solving with a global perspective, aiming for solutions that are both innovative and practical. My goal is to continue refining these solutions at London Business School, gaining insights that will allow me to influence positive changes in global agriculture more effectively.
By studying at London Business School, I seek to deepen my business understanding and leadership skills to champion sustainable practices that make a significant difference globally.
Optional Essay
Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (500 words)
After coming to my senses inside a crushed car in a canal we had landed in after turning turtle thrice, the first thought was for my fellow passengers. I was leading a convoy that was en route for an operational communication duty in an active conflict zone. Unmindful of my own injuries, after ensuring that the other occupants were not seriously injured, I deployed the remaining uninjured manpower around the site as the presence of militants couldn't be ruled out. Recovery effort reached us two hours later and I was able to get the team back to safety. A year later, while evacuating an injured soldier in the dead of the night, the truck in which I was travelling started sliding towards a 150 ft gorge slipping on the stream which had turned into ice in -10°C temperature. I stopped the convoy, dug up the ice and used stones and mud to retrieve the vehicle before getting the individual to the hospital before daybreak. These experiences taught me that although planning is essential, one has to be prepared for the worst. I also learnt the importance of communicating with my team, flexibility in the face of adversity and mutual trust. Care and concern for one's fellow brothers and sisters in arms is something that becomes naturally ingrained into the leadership style of a military officer.
Learning from my parents who partake in outreach programs organized by our parish, I too have contributed in my own little way at each military base where I was deployed. In my first unit, under Operation XYZ, while deployed in the KL, I was responsible for managing the medical care for the populace residing in the nearby villages (arranging hospital visits and provisioning of medicines), and infrastructure development in the school-run by the military formation for the children. In my second tenure, I assisted the local health infrastructure by building a 200-bed makeshift hospital for taking care of COVID-19-positive military personnel in the first wave. In my present duty station, as the officer in charge, I am responsible for organizing outreach programs for NGOs working for underprivileged children and the elderly in the vicinity of the military base.
Serving in the army was a lifelong dream for me. My primary reason for transitioning from military to corporate is that my wife, who works with an automotive company creating algorithms for self-driving cars, will not be able to join me in my tough deployments without it hampering her work. Thus, giving due diligence to my family, I took the most difficult decision of hanging up my boots. After speaking with veterans who had already made the transition, I decided to pursue an MBA soon after my service prior to joining the workforce.
Lastly, regarding my application, I have left the ‘work mobile/cell phone’ and ‘work e-mail address’ blank. Our official numbers are extensions available only to military personnel and similarly, the email service is accessible only on the Army Intranet and not over the internet.
Writing a great MBA essay for London Business School means sharing your personal story in a way that feels genuine and relatable. Focus on the experiences that have shaped you and the lessons you've learned along the way. Show how these insights connect with LBS's values like leadership and innovation. Keep it straightforward and sincere, highlighting how you can contribute to and grow from the LBS community. This approach will help the admissions team see not just what you’ve achieved, but who you are and what you bring to the table.
Feel free to hop on a 1:1 profile evaluation call with our experts, where we’ll dip deep into your profile and help you understand your chances at top B-schools with absolutely honest feedback. “at certain points in life; we require guidance and assistance from others to grow".
To ensure you meet all application requirements on time, here are the important deadlines for the LBS MBA Class of 2027:
Key Essay Tips
While the specific prompts may vary each year, LBS typically asks about your career goals, leadership experiences, and personal qualities. Here are some general tips to keep in mind:
- Be Specific: Use concrete examples to illustrate your points and make your essays more engaging.
- Highlight Your Unique Value Proposition: Explain how your experiences and skills make you a valuable addition to the LBS community.
- Show, Don't Tell: Use vivid anecdotes and stories to demonstrate your qualities rather than simply stating them.
- Align with LBS's Values: Clearly connect your experiences and goals to LBS's mission and values.
LBS Essay Topic Analysis 2024-2025
Let’s take a closer look at each of this year’s LBS MBA essays.
Required Essay 1
What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
Being instinctive and conscientiously diligent, throughout my life I have been entrusted with leadership roles, from holding the position of head boy of a school of 2,000+ pupils to leading the football team in college. After college, I was selected from 500+ candidates who appeared for the selection process of the X Army for which a total of ~400K candidates appear each year. Post a gruelling yearlong training at the ABC Academy, Z, following in the footsteps of my father, I joined the ABC, which provides ICT solutions to the X Army.
On October 20XX, I was deployed in the conflict-ridden KL. I led specialist teams of 25+ personnel, maintaining communication links in extremely hostile conditions, and established two communication towers at 12,500+ ft leading two diverse teams of 15-20 people each, which provided communication to 1,500+ military personnel at each site. After four years on October 20XX, I was sent to an elite strike formation of the X Army where I managed administrative and disciplinary aspects of 1,100+ personnel. During planned operational deployments, I managed the Network Operations Centre ensuring information security of communication links. With a profile aligned with strike formations, I was then sent as a communication specialist to the first Mountain ABC of the X Army where I have been serving from January 20XX to date. My core competency in the field of telecommunication and information/ cyber security has made me appreciate the disruptive capabilities of the combination of these technologies.
At this juncture, after 10 years of military service, I seek to leap into the business world, plug my skill gaps and develop my business acumen to augment the transferable military skills I have gained along the way. I am positive that London Business School is an ideal avenue for me to achieve my future career goals.
Post MBA, I want to transition into the information/ cyber security vertical of a leading consulting firm like XYZ & Co. The line dividing the real and virtual world will soon disappear with the advent of AI and niche tech like Brain–brain-computer interface. Information security, thus, takes precedence as the corruption of data could turn a cyborg into a bionic zombie. My long-term goal is to leverage the business skills accrued at London Business School and start an information security firm in X, providing solutions to enterprises and agencies to better protect their critical infrastructure and provide digital education and training to the masses. The program will further provide me an avenue to interact with a diverse international cohort, which will help me gain valuable cultural insights, broaden my horizons, and build a global network.
At London Business School, I am excited to learn the business management fundamentals through classes in Data Analytics, Accounting, and Operations. With my 10-year work experience in the ICT domain, I am looking forward to contributing to the Tech & Media Club. Lastly, as a veteran, I wish to significantly contribute to the Military in Business Club.
Required Essay 2
What makes you unique? (200 words)
What sets me apart is my unique combination of cultural heritage and professional dedication to innovative farming technologies. Born in Brazil to a Japanese and Brazilian family, I was raised in a household where multiple viewpoints were embraced. This upbringing has endowed me with the ability to navigate and merge diverse perspectives, enhancing my personal and professional interactions.
My career is rooted in biotechnology, focusing on advancing sustainable agricultural practices. I have led projects that reduced the reliance on harmful pesticides by 40%, benefiting both the environment and agricultural efficiency. My work not only addresses immediate ecological concerns but also paves the way for safer food production techniques worldwide.
This intersection of cultural adaptability and a commitment to sustainable development is what I bring to the table. I approach problem-solving with a global perspective, aiming for solutions that are both innovative and practical. My goal is to continue refining these solutions at London Business School, gaining insights that will allow me to influence positive changes in global agriculture more effectively.
By studying at London Business School, I seek to deepen my business understanding and leadership skills to champion sustainable practices that make a significant difference globally.
Optional Essay
Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (500 words)
After coming to my senses inside a crushed car in a canal we had landed in after turning turtle thrice, the first thought was for my fellow passengers. I was leading a convoy that was en route for an operational communication duty in an active conflict zone. Unmindful of my own injuries, after ensuring that the other occupants were not seriously injured, I deployed the remaining uninjured manpower around the site as the presence of militants couldn't be ruled out. Recovery effort reached us two hours later and I was able to get the team back to safety. A year later, while evacuating an injured soldier in the dead of the night, the truck in which I was travelling started sliding towards a 150 ft gorge slipping on the stream which had turned into ice in -10°C temperature. I stopped the convoy, dug up the ice and used stones and mud to retrieve the vehicle before getting the individual to the hospital before daybreak. These experiences taught me that although planning is essential, one has to be prepared for the worst. I also learnt the importance of communicating with my team, flexibility in the face of adversity and mutual trust. Care and concern for one's fellow brothers and sisters in arms is something that becomes naturally ingrained into the leadership style of a military officer.
Learning from my parents who partake in outreach programs organized by our parish, I too have contributed in my own little way at each military base where I was deployed. In my first unit, under Operation XYZ, while deployed in the KL, I was responsible for managing the medical care for the populace residing in the nearby villages (arranging hospital visits and provisioning of medicines), and infrastructure development in the school-run by the military formation for the children. In my second tenure, I assisted the local health infrastructure by building a 200-bed makeshift hospital for taking care of COVID-19-positive military personnel in the first wave. In my present duty station, as the officer in charge, I am responsible for organizing outreach programs for NGOs working for underprivileged children and the elderly in the vicinity of the military base.
Serving in the army was a lifelong dream for me. My primary reason for transitioning from military to corporate is that my wife, who works with an automotive company creating algorithms for self-driving cars, will not be able to join me in my tough deployments without it hampering her work. Thus, giving due diligence to my family, I took the most difficult decision of hanging up my boots. After speaking with veterans who had already made the transition, I decided to pursue an MBA soon after my service prior to joining the workforce.
Lastly, regarding my application, I have left the ‘work mobile/cell phone’ and ‘work e-mail address’ blank. Our official numbers are extensions available only to military personnel and similarly, the email service is accessible only on the Army Intranet and not over the internet.
Writing a great MBA essay for London Business School means sharing your personal story in a way that feels genuine and relatable. Focus on the experiences that have shaped you and the lessons you've learned along the way. Show how these insights connect with LBS's values like leadership and innovation. Keep it straightforward and sincere, highlighting how you can contribute to and grow from the LBS community. This approach will help the admissions team see not just what you’ve achieved, but who you are and what you bring to the table.
Feel free to hop on a 1:1 profile evaluation call with our experts, where we’ll dip deep into your profile and help you understand your chances at top B-schools with absolutely honest feedback. “at certain points in life; we require guidance and assistance from others to grow".
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