Essay Question Insight

[w0283767]

I am trying to get an early start on some of the essay questions for my target schools. I came across an essay question that completely stumped me. It is the optional essay for UT Dallas' MBA program.

Propose a business plan with an initial investment in capital that is equivalent to the amount of scholarship you may receive based on your current qualifications. Assess the growth and profitability of your venture 5, 10, 15 years from the present date.

The scholarship that may be awarded to you is an investment made in you by the Cohort MBA Program and the UTD School of Management. Describe how they will benefit from this investment.

This just seems like a lot of information to tackle in only 350 - 500 words. How much focus should I put into how it will benefit the school? How in depth should the business plan be with such a word count limit? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal]

I agree this is tough to tackle in 350 words but with 500 you can do it. If you were my client, I would advise you to spend about 80% of the essay describing the idea and its evolution in the time frames they mention. Of course pick an idea that requires initial capital somewhat close to what a scholarship would be---starting an airline or a drilling company certainly won't match.

Then spend perhaps the last 20% talking about how the school could use their portion of the firm's profits to fund more scholarship, intensify an educational area that matches your start up area...

There are no right and wrong answers for these types of questions. Answers that touch on real things you have done, or aspire to do based on demonstrated interest always seem to ring more true than random ideas.

Good luck and let me know if you need more personal help.