Essays - when do the topics change?

Question

Does anybody know when the essay topics are usually renewed for the next year applicants? And are there any schools that don't change their topics?

kryzak · Answer

All schools *can* change their essays when the next season starts, usually somewhere in July-August time frame. Some schools change all their essays, but most will change a few questions here and there.

Almost every school will have some sort of "Why MBA, Why School X, Why Now" type question. So if you know how to write that essay, you'll help yourself a lot when the essays are released.

Practice with the questions from this year from all the schools you're interested in, as many schools have overlapping questions and you can resuse your essays quite a bit (I reused more than 50% of my first set of essays on my other schools). This will save you a lot of time when the Round 1 deadline approaches, giving you more time to visit schools, help the recommenders, and study for the GMAT.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

Kastel · Answer

Thanks a lot!

hotdog · Answer

if you don't get in this year and decide to reapply next year, will they still have your file on hand? i know they'll have a record of you applying, but will they actually keep copies of your essays, etc?

i mean, aside from being tacky, could you theoretically submitt the same app plus the reapplicant essay?

i mean, aside from being tacky, could you theoretically submitt the same app plus the reapplicant essay?

rhyme · Answer

1) Yea they keep em, it's all digital these days. 
2) If the essay didn't get you in the first time, its not going to the second time. 
3) The reapplicant questions are usually a bit different anyway
4) Even if you could submit the same essay, how unmotivated and disingenuous in your interest would that make you look to them?

hotdog · Answer

haha, i mean, yes. i totally agree with you. it would be a pretty tacky move. :wink:

you gotta think they get a fair amount of repeat essays...or essays that have basically been reworded.

Essays - when do the topics change?

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