MBA Essay Guidance 2023-24: UCLA Anderson School of Management

UCLA Anderson School of Management has released its MBA application deadlines and essay questions for the 2023-24 application cycle.  Here are the important dates and Admitify’s guidance on the essays.

R1: Oct 5, 2023  /  R2: Jan 4, 2024  / 

R3: Apr 12, 2024  /  Deferred Admissions: Apr 26, 2024

UCLA

Required Essay

For the 2023-2024 application year, we have one essay question that is required for first-time applicants and optional for re-applicants:

UCLA Anderson seeks to develop transformative leaders who think fearlessly, drive change, and share success. We believe the ability to persevere is an essential component of effective leadership. Please share an example from your personal or professional life where you demonstrated perseverance to accomplish a significant goal or milestone. (250 words maximum)

Admitify Guidance

Anyone who applies to a top MBA program can think of examples of “perseverance.” But – keeping in mind (a) that this is UCLA’s only required essay and (b) their use of key phrases like “transformative,” “drive change,” “share success,” and “effective leadership” – you need to share your strongest perseverance example here, one that shows courage, an innovation mindset, EQ (“share success”) and leadership. Ideally, that example will come from your professional life. But no worries if it comes from your personal (including community/extracurricular) life. Just steer clear of solo examples where there was no leadership or sharing. Briefly state the context or problem/challenge that precipitated your action, then provide as many concise and concrete examples of the actions you took to perseverantly drive others toward the goal. If these multiple examples show you exercising varied traits/strengths, all the better. Briefly state the outcome of your action(s) and if space permits include a lesson learned.

UCLA

Optional Essay

No preference is given in the evaluation process to those who choose to respond to this optional essay, so please use your best judgment:

Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)

Admitify Guidance

This is a classic optional essay inviting you to do damage control on any issues in your profile, whether they are undergrad grades or test scores, employment gaps, recommender selection, etc. State clearly the issue you will be explaining, own it fully but also concisely, and focus the bulk of your explanation for all the context that shows that this circumstance was either not fully in your control or a moment in the past that you have since redeemed or built upon in myriad ways. Be factual, honest, and detailed.

UCLA

Short Answers

Within the application, UCLA MBA applicants have a bit more space to explain their goals and interest in UCLA. 

Question 1:  If you wish to provide additional information about academic or personal circumstances not included in your Optional Essay or elsewhere in this application, please do so here. (1,000 characters)

Admitify Guidance

Given that the preceding optional essay allows you to discuss traditional extenuating circumstances, you should use this second optional essay (and we do recommend you use it) to either explain extenuating circumstances that would not fit within the space provided in the first optional essay (not the ideal scenario) or – better – to discuss aspects of your background that are literally not disclosed in the rest of your application (e.g., essays, resume, data section, etc.). Most likely, these “not included” circumstances will be personal experiences that are not captured by resumes, academic transcripts or even hobbies. In other words, this optional essay is an open invitation to share a more personal, introspective glimpse into your life journey – formative experiences, diversity stories, defining moments, personal challenges. Take this prompt seriously and think it through: this could potentially be the strongest essay you submit to UCLA.

UCLA

Question 2:  Describe your short-term and long-term post-MBA career goals (600 characters)

Admitify Guidance

Be as concrete as possible – naming organizations, industry niches, job titles, etc. – in describing both your short- and your long-term goals. Often, short-term goals are highly practical and skill-building in nature; long-term goals can be more ambitious and impactful. If space permits, share your Plan A and B paths to both the short- and long-term goals. If space permits to share the names of people you know or know of who hold the post-MBA positions you seek, consider naming them, especially if their pre-MBA careers echo yours and especially if you have actually spoken to them about their careers.

UCLA

Question 3:  How can UCLA Anderson help you achieve your career and/or personal goals? (1,000 characters)

Admitify Guidance

This is a classic Why Our School essay. Do substantial research (not just online but by reaching out to Anderson people) on Anderson’s program, especially with respect to courses, faculty and other learning resources that directly relate to your post-MBA goals. Avoid general ‘I love your school’ language; concretely state as many relevant Anderson resources as you can, including student clubs, including Anderson’s culture, and including actual Anderson people you have interacted with. Wherever possible state how Anderson resources will help you achieve your goals. 

There’s still time to apply to UCLA’s full-time MBA program in R3! Contact us now and speak with one of our expert coaches. Are you a high school senior looking at deferred MBA programs? UCLA’s deferred MBA deadline is only one month away – contact us now and we’ll guide you through the application process!