Core Essay 1: Goals
- Include your full name and date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy) on each page
- Limit Core Essay #1 to 2,000 CHARACTERS (not 2,000 words)
- 12-point font
- Microsoft Word document
Prompt, 1st Part: Please describe your short- and long-term goals post-MBA.
Begin by breaking down the essay question:
- What is your immediate career goal, the one that would be the logical outcome of pursuing the MBA? In other words, what is your vision of your role, industry, and/or employer after you complete the MBA?
- What is your longer term vision for your career (meaning 5-10 years after your graduation)? How does the immediate career goal lead to the longer term goals? Please remember that The Consortium has a mission of enhancing "diversity and inclusion in global business education and leadership," outside of the simple "I will go up the career ladder." Your goals should reflect The Consortium mission.
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:
- How did your MBA career goals develop from your life and experiences as a professional?
- What kind of professional exposure have you had to the role, industry, and/or employer(s) that you are interested in pursuing?
- What steps have you already taken to explore your career interests?
- What skills, knowledge, talents, and exposure enables you to pursue your goals successfully?
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)
- Include your full name and date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy) on each page
- Limit Core Essay #2 to 1,000 characters
- 12-point font
- Microsoft Word document
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:
- why your current direct supervisor is not writing your recommendation
- gaps in work experience
- low GPA or inconsistent or questionable academic performance
- interruptions in academic career
- difficult issues (e.g., Driving Under the Influence or other types of arrests)
- areas of weakness (e.g., less than five years work experience - why you are not waiting to apply)
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:
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- Recruit for your MBA program and The Consortium - and why
- Continue your current involvement in organizations
V. What you'll do as an alumnus
- Attend Consortium recruiting events
- Be aware of which companies are Consortium-affiliated as employers friendly to diversity; if you join a non-Consortium company, encourage that company to join the Consortium
- Act as a mentor to minority students and encourage to pursue professional paths
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.