Texas McCombs MBA Essay Tips for the Class of 2025
The UT McCombs School of Business is a globally recognized MBA program located in Austin, Texas, a center of technology and business for the region. When you are getting ready to draft your Texas McCombs MBA application, consider that entrepreneurship is a huge focus.
Along with Management Consulting, Clean Tech, Innovation Leadership, and Supply Chain & Operations Management, Entrepreneurship is a top 5 concentration. The class size at Texas McCombs MBA is small and close-knit, and the students’ backgrounds are diverse.
Texas McCombs MBA admissions committee has announced a new set of essays this year. These new essays are meant to increase accessibility and minimize bias. This change moves the required essays from two to one and adds a video assessment.
The AdCom has also introduced the Texas McCombs Admissions Connection. This is a zoom meeting during which candidates can ask their questions directly to a member of the school community.
Also, don’t miss B-Schooled Podcast Episode #82: Interview with UT McCombs AdCom MD, Rodrigo Malta. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in UT McCombs.
The Texas McCombs MBA Application
Essay One: Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your time as a Texas McCombs MBA to achieve your personal and professional goals. (500 words)
This essay is your opportunity to demonstrate your fit with the Texas McCombs MBA program. As part of your homework for the Texas McCombs MBA application, you should learn as much as possible about the school. Here, you can combine that research with your aspirations and goals.
Use your imagination and think about how you might describe your Texas McCombs MBA experience at graduation. You'll likely have had both professional and personal growth. Also, you will have met interesting people who will be part of your lifelong network.
Researching Texas McCombs is key to this essay. To get started, research some of the unique opportunities at McCombs, like the Venture Labs, if you have entrepreneurial dreams. Another great program is The MBA+ Program, with options to work with large companies. Living in the city of Austin is also a benefit to the program to consider.
For example, maybe you were interested in working for a major technology firm to learn product management skills to start your own business. While at McCombs, you might have tested ideas with the Venture Labs. You could have also consulted for major companies like Adobe or HP to learn how large companies worked. These experiences were probably formative as you made your career plans.
Don't forget the personal! McCombs has an active and engaged student culture with student clubs you likely joined. And your classmates and the friends you made were undoubtedly an influence.
Video Assessment
Texas McCombs is excited to introduce the video assessment as a new application component for the 2022-23 Full-Time MBA admissions cycle. All applicants will complete the video assessment, which will give MBA candidates increased accessibility to the application process and the opportunity to share their story with us in their own voice.
Through the video assessment, the Admissions Committee will have a chance to experience the “real” you, beyond a resume, test scores, and transcripts. Lastly, the video assessment will enable Texas McCombs to reduce bias in the admissions process by providing all applicants with a structured and consistent assessment experience.
MBA candidates with a submitted application, whose application fee has been paid or waived will be invited to take part in our Texas McCombs Video Assessment. The video assessment is virtual and on-demand, so applicants can complete it from anywhere in the world at a time in the day convenient to them. The video assessment will help the Admissions Committee evaluate the following competencies that are crucial for the fit and success of our students within the program and their future careers:
- Adaptability/Resilience Ambition
- Motivation Career Goals
- Empathy/Inclusivity Verbal Communication
- Collaboration Self-Awareness
Applicants will be asked to use the video assessment tool to record responses to seven questions, with each response lasting no more than three minutes each. Detailed instructions will be provided with the video assessment invitation so you know what to expect, and applicants will have the opportunity to practice as many times as they wish before completing the final video assessment. Applicants will have seven days from the invitation to complete the final video assessment.
This is your time to show us your personality and enthusiasm! We recommend that you prepare for the video assessment similarly to how you might prepare for an interview. Think reflectively about your work experience, strengths, weaknesses, and practice your delivery. More tips will be provided in the coming weeks.
Though more details are forthcoming, you can start thinking now about what you want to communicate to the admissions committee in this video assessment.
Evaluate what you may want to describe to Texas McCombs. For example, your cultural background or formative moments in your life. Also consider friends, family, and colleagues who have influenced you. To identify engaging stories for your Texas McCombs MBA application, think about those pivotal moments of change.
Life transitions can spark your Texas McCombs MBA application essay topics. For many people, the transition from high school to college and from college to work leads to personal change. Others have had formative childhood experiences or experiences that led to shifts in perspective, like travel or living outside your home country. These types of incidents could be an excellent way to illustrate your values and what motivates you.
This video assessment could allow you to add elements of emotion, such as humor, that are harder to convey in writing. Therefore, think about the bullet points you want to cover and any essential points. Before you talk into the camera, make sure you rehearse. Consider having a friend or family member there so you can speak to a person instead of the camera.
OPTIONAL STATEMENT
Additionally, and if applicable, applicants can provide an optional statement in the essay section of the application. Applicants should only provide an optional statement if there is something they wish to explain about their candidacy that is not addressed elsewhere.
An optional essay allows you to explain anything that needs more context. For example, some areas to explain for your Texas McCombs MBA application include: lower than average test scores, any grades below a C on your transcript, academic probation, or a significant resume gap. Keep your explanation short and factual. Also, focus on the context of the issue instead of excuses.
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Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more.