London Business School MBA Essay Tips for 2019-2020
London Business School values independence and original thought. Other values clearly displayed by these London Business School essays are an international approach to business and culture.
This year's streamlined LBS application has only two essay questions. Showcasing all of your career accomplishments, extracurriculars, and personal attributes will be a challenge.
Therefore, you will likely need to maximize other parts of the application, like your resume and recommendations. Talk to your recommenders about the experiences in your background you might want to highlight through their letters. Also, use your resume to describe key moments at work.
Start your research brainstorm by learning all you can about the culture at London Business School. This will help you answer these London Business School essay questions. In addition, knowing the culture can help you prepare the rest of your application for admission.
One of the best ways to get to know LBS is to visit campus, and/or interact with a London Business School Student Ambassador. Once you have a good sense of the school and how you will take advantage of the opportunity to attend LBS, you will be better prepared to approach the essay questions.
Challenged by the London Business School essay questions? Contact us to learn how Stacy Blackman Consulting can help. To learn more about LBS, visit the programme website.
Required Essay
What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
Self-awareness about your strengths and interests will help you refine what you truly want in your career for this London Business School essay. It could be helpful to talk to colleagues and alumni who have MBAs in your field to identify various career paths. Make sure that your career goals are both realistic and aspirational. Think about the short term roles post-MBA that may lead to your most ambitious longer term goals.
Your past experiences have likely informed your post-MBA plans. Touching on those most relevant will help you set the background for your current pursuit of an MBA. Don't make this essay a mere rehash of your resume. Think about explaining the rationale for your decisions throughout the essay. Why did you pursue your past experience and what has been the impetus behind subsequent career choices? At this point, why are you choosing LBS?
As you speak with current LBS students and visit campus or other events, learn as much as you can about the programs, professors, and classes that may help you achieve your goals. In addition, consider what you will learn at LBS and in your time in London. What new skills and classes will lead to achievement of your career goals? Also, the network you create during your MBA will open doors for you, and preparing for this essay can help you to make the most of the experience.
Optional Essay
Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (500 words)
In describing the LBS vision, continued business impact, the school describes the culture: We challenge how things are done and we teach our students to constantly question and innovate. We believe in providing our students with the most diverse, world-class and rewarding business education in the world.
This open-ended question is a great opportunity to touch on a personal story and add color to your story to demonstrate how you will be part of this culture. This could be the ideal place to describe a unique background, experience or attribute that did not fit elsewhere in the application.
Diversity can mean many things. For example, it can be where you are from, the culture you identify with, or your approach to life. If diversity of experience or attitude doesnt resonate for you, have you been challenged and innovated? When have you taken a new view or challenged conventional wisdom? Global perspective is invaluable as well. Think about stories that could illustrate how you have demonstrated any of these qualities that are valued by LBS.