The Consortium

October 15, 2025
January 5, 2026

Core Essay 1: Goals

Prompt, 1st Part: Please describe your short- and long-term goals post-MBA.

Begin by breaking down the essay question:

Prompt, 2nd Part: How has your professional experience shaped these goals and influenced your decision to pursue an MBA degree? Tell them briefly how your professional experience has motivated your MBA goals. You might answer 1-2 of the following questions:

Core Essay 1 is seen by all of the schools, so it should be specific to none.


2,000 characters = between 200 words to 500 (very short) words

Core Essay 2: Optional Essay

Prompt: Is there any other information you would like to share with us that is not presented elsewhere in your application? (1,000 characters)

This is a space where you can address any questions you think the admissions committee may have about your application.

By address any questions, something that might need further explanation. This space can also be used to address any extenuating circumstances that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. Use to address:

Use this essay to turn a potential weakness into a strength. Tell the Admissions Committee what happened and why it happened. Be honest in your self-evaluation. Most importantly, tell them what you have learned from a negative experience, and how this learning has influenced future actions.

Core Essay 2 is seen by all of the schools, so it should be specific to none.


1,000 characters = between 140 words and 250 words

Mission Essay

The Consortium Mission Essay is the one aimed at winning you a Consortium Fellowship. As explained by DJ (the very first person I knew who was awarded a fellowship), the essay is basically, "Consortium, Consortium, Consortium."

The mission of The Consortium is to enhance diversity in business education and leadership by helping reduce the serious underrepresentation of African American, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans in both our member schools’ enrollments and the ranks of management.

Prompt:

  1. The Consortium is committed to expanding access and increasing representation for individuals and communities that have not always had equal access to opportunity. Please describe the specific actions you have already taken—through your business, personal, academic, or volunteer experiences—that demonstrate your commitment to this mission. Include examples that show your values in action, the impact of your efforts, and how they contribute to building a more inclusive community. (400 words maximum)
  2. How do you plan to support The Consortium’s mission while enrolled in your MBA program? What actions will you take to help build a stronger, more inclusive community? (400 words maximum)
  3. After completing your MBA, how will you continue to support The Consortium’s mission through your career, leadership, or community involvement? (200 words maximum)

When writing your Consortium Mission Essay, be sure to include the following:


I. What you've personally done that has helped a local minority community

II. Any organizations that you've joined that are involved with helping minority members gain education or professional experience

III. Anything that you've done at work to help recruit minority employees, and/or advise your company on recruiting minorities

IV. What you'll do as an MBA

V. What you'll do as an alumnus

The Mission essay is only seen by the fellowship decision-makers, so it is possible to repeat information in the school-specific essays. The schools do not see the Mission essay.