MBA Admissions: Essay Topic Analyses 2024-2025
The essay portion of the MBA application is one of the most crucial and time-consuming aspects of the MBA application process. These essays are designed to learn about an MBA candidate and to determine if the candidate is a good fit for the program. While “goals” essays are common across many top programs, other essays might seek to explore a candidate’s personality, accomplishments, weaknesses, or ethical code, to name just a few attributes that are interesting to business schools.
While we offer general MBA essay writing advice, through our Essay Tips, we also offer specific guidance for each set of essays for the leading MBA programs, as listed below.
2024-2025 MBA Essay Topic Analyses
These schools have released their essay topics for the 2024-2025 admissions season.
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MBA Applywire
Studying for GRE and estimated around 320 in mocks. Is a 320 GRE better than 700 GMAT (classic)?
3.5 GPA with a B.S. in Molecular Biology from a small, private, non-target school. Graduating in 2025 but I'm looking to apply to a top MBA program in the next 3-5 years. I currently have a role lined up with a top 5 pharmaceutical company in clinical operations but my end goal would be to pivot into strategy or business development at a pharma company or consulting for life sciences. I have already taken GMAT FE (605 score) but I don't count this as I plan to retake and study (ideal score would be 675+, this will hopefully be achievable). If you have any additional advice I can implement in the next 3-5 years it would be greatly appreciated.
Academics: Neuroscience major at large state school, initially struggled with mental health issues in undergrad failing about 6 classes and got academically suspended, able to retake 2 of my failed classes, very strong upward trend after getting life together.
Impact/growth at work: Worked as an EMT for 3 years full time while attending school, went to paramedic school for a year, then promoted to work as a medic for another 2 years finishing my undergrad. Had the opportunity to help save some lives and hopefully make their lives better. Left medical field about a year ago, now working in state government in an environmental compliance role.
Activities: Writing/mixing/producing music, rock climbing, long distance running, volunteer crisis counselor for suicide hotline.
Interested in MBB Consulting, Healthcare management, Biotech, and eventually starting my own business.
Plan on taking GMAT early August for R1 application, looking to score around 700
Had quite a few extracurriculars in undergrad years and first two years of career, then all ECs are mostly at my job (like conducting training, mentorship program, etc.)
Don't know if this is relevant, but I was born and grew up in Central Asia (think Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, etc.)
I got 4 years professional working experience
MBA LiveWire
honestly no clue why, this was my top choice so not sure what happened besides maybe my timing was bad and I'm from a atypical background (obesity research)
Very upward trajectory since my last year at school and in my 7 YOE in tech and starting an NGO that is well known (did well in applications to other schools)
Did everything possible to get out of the list as it was my target school: letters from alumni that I genuinely know well and admire and even a letter from the dean at my undergrad uni (very grateful that people went above and beyond to help me)
Pretty bummed but wanted to share this in case may help anyone. Good luck and congrats to those who made it in!