Anderson only asks for three short essays. That should make the application easier, right? Actually, such short essays makes writing more difficult, in that you need to convey your personality, thoughts, and motivations - why you should be admitted - in a very short word count. Every word counts.
Prompt: Describe your short- and long-term post-MBA goals, including
How will an MBA support your path to achieving your goals, and which UCLA Anderson resources do you expect to rely on most to reach them? (250 words maximum)
When describing your short-term (immediate post-MBA) and long-term (5-10 years in the future) goals , again consider the three pillars Share Success, Think Fearlessly, and Drive Change. In describing your goals, be aware of how your goals fit with the Anderson culture.
Ask yourself: What about your personality, values, and/or motivations makes you want to pursue your post-MBA goals?
Here are some examples of goals that demonstrate fit with Anderson:
Anderson has always seemed to prefer goals that go beyond "this seems like a logical next step in my career."
Of course, your reasons for why you wish to pursue an MBA must map to your goals.
In answering "Why an MBA," you should be able to provide concrete reasons that are specific to you and your goals.
Finally, you must answer "Why Anderson."
You only have 250 words, so obviously you cannot provide a lot of detail here on Why Anderson. This is something that hopefully you can expand upon in an interview.
Prompt: How do you hope your UCLA Anderson classmates will describe you by the time you graduate?
In this essay, you must envision yourself from the point of view of an MBA student at Anderson. Research into the program is required for this essay. You are describing:
In this essay, you are not only describing what you will contribute to Anderson but also what qualities and values are most important to you.
At Anderson, our mission is to prepare transformative leaders by developing students to think innovatively, problem-solve, and adapt to others – all with a driven and purposeful mindset. - Anderson Admissions
In writing this essay, besides describing a potential contribution(s), a good strategy is to tell a short story from your past that illustrates what you are able to give.
Consider the fact that Anderson was built on three pillars, namely, Share Success, Think Fearlessly, and Drive Change. Ideally, your short story will demonstrate two of three objectives:
Number 3 is more important than you may realize. Year after year, Anderson has referred to the three pillars, and so your answer should be built upon one or two of those pillars. To that end, below are some questions that your essay might answer (not all of them, but one or two).
Ultimately, you are describing what valuable experience, approach, background, and/or learning you will be bringing to Anderson.
Prompt: What is the first thing you would tell your classmates about yourself upon arriving at Anderson? (50 words maximum)
Your answer should reveal one of your hidden strengths (something not readily found in your resume) and/or one thing that you really care about and/or what you value and/or your personality.
Your objective is to intrigue them enough that they invite you for an interview!
Prompt: Are there any extenuating circumstances or additional context you would like to share with the Admissions committee? (250 words maximum)
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 the negative experience, and how this learning has influenced future actions.