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2023-2024 ASU MBA Essays: Tips for the W. P. Carey School of Business

Lucky for MBA applicants, W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University tends to stick to the same prompts year-on-year, which means it’s never too early to get started! Wondering where to start, what to write? No worries, we have all the tips you need to get a nice start on writing a quality essay for W.P. Carey School of Business.  

The best way to represent that you possess the qualities the school is looking for is through the type of essay you choose to write. W.P. Carey places an emphasis on leadership development, so they want to admit students who are eager to achieve the same goal. Through their Forward Focus curriculum, they care constantly analyzing their course material to ensure that it is up-to-date with our quickly changing world and prepares students to meet those changes. 

It’s crucial to pick the right experience to discuss in your essay, and the different types of prompts help narrow that down for you. Keep reading for a closer look at the different types of essays, and how best to utilize them in order to write a stand-out essay for W.P. Carey School of Business. 

The Career Goals Essay

You’re not the only one hoping you’ll have a job after you’ve graduated with your Carey MBA. Admissions committees are looking for students who are motivated and clear in their intentions so that when they get a job post-grad, they’ll be more willing to speak positively of their experience in the program. And, of course, in the hopes that their alumni will earn enough money to become a donor to the school one day.  

There are three aspects to the career goals essay: 

• What you want your future profession to look like.
• Why an MBA is necessary to advance your career.
• Particularly, why a Carey MBA will be most beneficial to you and your career path. 

Your aspirations need to be convincing, ambitious, and realistic. The Carey MBA program is looking for applicants who have meaningful goals grounded in their past experiences, and it’s important that you relate that notion in your essay, however it applies to your experience in life.

Career Goals

Describe your career path both immediately upon graduation, and five years post-MBA. How will the W. P. Carey MBA help you accomplish these goals? (500 words or less)

The Behavioral Essay

To make it simple: the behavioral essay is meant to show the W.P. Carey MBA program that you have developed some sort of leadership skills, what your values are as a leader, and how you are going to most benefit from their development programs. 

The admissions committee is looking for applicants that are self-reflective. Whether it’s through a setback you’ve experienced, or how you dealt with situations that have gone awry, the school is looking for students who are resilient and able to learn from their mistakes. 

Do not overexaggerate (or underexaggerate!) the situations you decide to write about. Be honest about what happened; Carey is looking for genuine people to join their campus community, and they are less likely to admit an applicant who has overinflated their prior experiences. 

Last but not least, make sure to describe what you learned and how you implemented this in a subsequent situation. This is an expected element of the behavioral essay, even if it’s not directly written in the prompt. Prompts that deal with these topics can be daunting, especially when they require you to write about a weakness you have or a failure you’ve experienced. Prior to the start of the program, students are asked to fill out an assessment that identifies their strengths and weaknesses as a leader. Going into the courses with this information in mind allows students to always be on the lookout for how they can improve their skills through their time at W.P. Carey. The final leadership assessment at the end of your MBA career is meant to show how you’ve grown as a leader in conjunction with your individual leadership development plan.

Behavioral Essay

Based on your unique personal and professional experiences, what specific contributions do you plan to make both in and outside of the classroom while a member of the W. P. Carey learning community? (500 words or less)

Optional Essay

Please provide any additional information you would like to bring to the attention of the admissions committee. (500 words or less)

Writing strong, coherent, genuine stories is an essential part of your Carey MBA application. These essays are meant to help you stand out among many other applicants, so it is worth your time to do the work and write about situations unique to your life and that you truly learned from. Visit our process page to understand how Menlo Coaching can help you with your Carey MBA essays to win admission to Arizona State University. 

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Admissions director Q&A: What you need to know about getting into the ASU MBA program

Get the inside scoop about the MBA program, including what to expect in admissions, the interview, and more from Rebecca Mallen-Churchill, director of W. P. Carey Graduate Programs Admissions and senior associate director of W. P. Carey Graduate Programs.

In this article published July 28, 2022, in Clear Admit :

You'll notice quickly that we don't ask for a personal statement. We've crafted questions that will not only tell us more about what you hope to accomplish by pursuing your MBA but also how you will contribute to the W. P. Carey community. The biggest piece of advice I can give here ... be yourself!

– Rebecca Mallen-Churchill , director of W. P. Carey Graduate Programs Admissions and senior associate director of W. P. Carey Graduate Programs

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After completing his bachelor's in finance at the W. P.

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Being genuine in your essays is highly important, says MBA director John Wisneski ©Ivan-balvan

After giving a scholarship to every MBA student, W. P. Carey School of Business is looking for people who give back—and this means evaluating applications beyond GMAT scores

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At Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business , the intention is to ‘make business personal’, and this philosophy extends to everything from scholarships to their application procedure.

The MBA program at W. P. Carey is currently ranked 29th in the US by US News & World Report, and with the school offering every incoming MBA student a scholarship ranging from 100% tuition to a grant, naturally, competition is high. The average GMAT for MBAs at W. P. Carey sits at 694, so knowing what their admissions team are looking for could be a big help when preparing those all-important essays. 

For John Wisneski, director of the Full-time MBA program, the secret to impressing an admissions director at W. P. Carey is inherently tied to the school's 'Scholarships for All' philosophy.

“We’re making a very heavy investment in students, and we realized that if we invest in our students, likewise, we want our students to invest in one another,” he explains.

“We preach in the classroom about return on investment all the time, so we’re asking each student to be held accountable to return on our investment in scholarship dollars.”

How do you write the perfect essay?

This year, there’s been a marked change in the MBA application procedure at W. P. Carey—namely, in the phrasing of one crucial question on the application form.

“We have two essay questions on our MBA application,” explains John, “the first asks what do applicants envision doing with their new academic credentials, but the new, second question is more outward. We’re asking applicants what sort of impact they envision making while a student in the MBA program."

Specifically, the new essay question asks students to consider 'what specific contributions do you plan to make both in and outside of the classroom' while at W. P. Carey.

The change, though it may seem slight, adds a new element to the way that W. P. Carey evaluates admissions to their Full-time MBA program , and is ultimately tied to their belief that every student should have the chance to complete an MBA.

“It’s a thoughtful question that asks students to think about their experience and skills and how they’ll contribute in a unique and authentic way to the learning of their peers,” John adds. “We’re essentially looking for candidates that can describe clearly and concisely how they can make the learning environment better.”

So where do GMAT scores come in, then?

“The answer is very common across business schools—we look at all of it equally,” says John. “But we do believe that the qualitative responses are where students can really distinguish themselves.”

“The classic quantitative measures of GMAT or GPA are just that—they’re a forced ranking,” he adds. “Where students can distinguish themselves a great deal is in the characteristics of their career goals and anticipated contributions to the MBA program.”

How to impress the admissions director

Louise Hardman (pictured) is a recent successful applicant to W. P. Carey’s full-time MBA program—she started in September 2018.

Louise has a background in mechanical engineering and decided to do an MBA to “gain that fundamental business background,” she says.

“I want to really apply strategies and high-level thinking to help companies grow and drive innovation,” she explains. “The Full-time MBA at W. P. Carey School of Business has a strong focus on self-transformation, there are a lot of career switchers and a lot of resources for mentoring and career coaching.”

Coming from such a technical background, Louise says she found the application initially quite tough. “The hardest thing was trying to visualize my career path moving forward,” she explains. “When I was writing my essays I was really thinking ‘what are the MBA skills that are going to add to my engineering skill set.’”

To flourish in your MBA applications, engineer or not, Louise suggests one thing. “Be honest with yourself and figure out why you want the MBA,” she says.

John has the same tip. “The best advice I can give is for students to be as authentic and genuine in their applications as they can possibly be,” he states.

“It’s that genuine response that we’re really looking to evaluate,” John adds. “If the candidate is not genuine in expressing what their goals are it’s really hard for us to make a good decision, both for them and for us.”

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Amazing Start to Your Career in Social Sciences

I had a great experience at ASU as a Political Science student. ASU is one of the biggest universities in the U.S., offering a wide range of studies. The student body was diverse and overall great to study with. ASU is rich in both academics and student life. There are many clubs, student organizations, amenities, and activities you can join. One thing I would recommend is invest in a lot of sunscreen and good walking shoes. Due to it's large campus you'll be doing a lot of walking which is great but can be a bit of a struggle during the very hot summer months.

Great MSW program!

Arizona State University has an amazing online Master of Social Work Program. Even though it was an online program, I feel that I developed great connections with professors, co-instructors, and peers. Finding an internship placement was stress free because of the high level of support the program offered. I would definitely choose to go back to ASU if I decided to further my education in future.

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I have been able to have incredible experiences and make connections that will live long in my memory. I've had the chance to start my career here in a way I never thought I would. I love how the university lets you choose your major and minor and take classes with a lot of freedom.

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Opinion Arizona State University has many great opportunities available to students. All of the departments are very helpful and really care about student's succeeding. What's there to like? One think I like about ASU is their Education program. They really ensure that students will receive useful information that is directly applicable to their career. One thing I dislike is, nothing! It is a high ranking university but one notable thing is that the school is located in Arizona; where temperatures reach well over 100° throughout the entire Summer. Would I reccomend ASU? I would certainly reccomend Arizona State University for any students who are looking to learn and gain meaningful experiences throughout finishing school.

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ASU is a wonderful university with so many educational opportunities. Its professors are friendly and approachable and were always willing to help or give advice to students whenever their help was needed. It also provided students with many opportunities to meet people outside the classroom for example clubs and other social events hosted within the university. ASU offers great education and I loved the campus and faculty

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The amazing features about Arizona State University would not allow me to write less when it comes to recommending the second to none university to the public! Life on Arizona State University campus is an intriguing possibility! Here is where dreams are realized due to the immense support from lecturers academically as well as fascinating large lecture halls with modernized appliance that makes learning easier. Goals are realized with ease as students who need support are given chances

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The university offers a lot of options for students, particularly in terms of integration and extracurricular activities including involvement in several student organizations. However, I am dissatisfied with the quality of the information offered and the degree of practice skills needed for success in a professional position. Fantastic university location

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I liked about the way a student could choose from thesis, applied project, or a portfolio to complete a degree. And it’s in a prime location where semiconductor companies are situated. Also the university is diversified and cost of living is less.

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Arizona State University | ASU’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

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MBA Essay Prompts and Essay Examples

With sample essays from harvard, kellogg, stanford, and more.

Featured Expert: Nirusan Rajakulendran, MBA

MBA essay questions and answers are helpful in tackling the MBA application essay. Knowing the MBA essay questions or prompts ahead of time lets you know what top MBA programs are looking for and reading some sample essay answers is a great way to begin brainstorming your own answers. The MBA essay is a critical part of your application, so many students consider hiring a grad school essay tutor to coach them on the writing aspect. Others can rely on MBA admission consulting to provide feedback on their essay draft. MBA essay questions typically stay the same year to year, but you might be thrown a curveball once in a while. In this blog, we’ll look at what you can expect from MBA essay questions and answers, as well as some prompts from top MBA programs and sample answers for each. 

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Article Contents 10 min read

Mba essay questions and answers.

Many of the top business schools use MBA short essay questions and prompts as part of their applications. The MBA essay is different than the MBA statement of purpose or MBA personal statement, which both focus on your personal motivations and future career goals. Most MBA programs provide specific prompts for the MBA essay, with questions curated by the admissions committee.

While the MBA essay questions and prompts may change from year to year, most schools stick with what works and ask all applicants the same probing questions about their personal motivations. A common essay question is “ why do you want to pursue an MBA ”. These type of questions are designed to gain a deeper insight into the applicant’s personal, professional and academic life. Admissions committees ask these important questions to see if you can both write a concise, insightful and poignant essay, and also to determine whether you are a good fit for the MBA program. For many programs, the essay is vitally important to the overall application, and can determine whether you’ll need to start your MBA interview prep or not. In fact, many of the most common MBA essay questions are similar to MBA interview questions , and ask applicants why they chose to pursue an MBA, why they chose particular school or how their strengths will contribute to the school’s MBA program.

However, a number of the top MBA programs ask the same questions each year, and the admissions committee are looking for certain traits and strengths in their applicants. Below we’ll look at some of the MBA essay questions asked by top MBA programs, as well sample answers.

The Stanford Business School requires all its applicants to submit two MBA essays. Both essays have a maximum word count of 500, so they are asking for short essay format. For Essay A, Stanford MBA asks applicants to answer: “What matters most to you, and why?”. For Essay B, the question is a simple: “Why Stanford?”. These both seem like simple questions, but they can be tricky to answer in practice. Read the sample below for an answer to the first Stanford MBA essay question.

Prompt: What matters most to you, and why? For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

I have found both in business and in life, that having direction, having a purpose and goals, are vital. And the root of direction, in my experience, is organization. Organization might seem a strange thing to prize so highly, but to me it is essential to be organized lest we become disorganized. In disorganization, nothing can be planned, no goals can be accomplished. It breeds only aimlessness and purposelessness.

My dislike of disorganization can be traced back to my grandfather. For over 25 years, he owned a hardware store and handyman shop which he operated alongside my grandmother. Grandma’s office in the hardware store was tidy as a church. She did the books, hired and fired the staff, dealt with customers, sales and payroll. She was the skeleton, the structure holding the business together for decades. My grandfather’s shop could be featured on an episode of Hoarders. Shelves of boxes in disarray, tools laid haphazardly on benches or tables, sawdust and wood shavings littering the floor. Yet in this madman’s chaos he was never lost. He always found what he needed. His skill and passion for carpentry, for craftsmanship was undeniable. His creations were sold out of the store, and his expertise was highly valued by customers. It was a business marriage that somehow worked.

When my grandmother passed of a sudden heart attack, everything changed. The existing staff did their best to fill my grandmother’s shoes, but business started a slow decline anyways. My grandfather let disorganization creep into his time management. He ran behind on projects without my grandmother’s prompting and refused to enter her office. When I took it upon myself, I discovered an organized, if dusty, office. I managed to slide into my grandmother’s old job, but not her old role. My grandfather resisted attempts to organize his shop, saying it was organized the way he liked it. After some fruitless fights, I decided to try a new approach. I asked him to take me through his organization system and explain it to me. The way I saw it, the business he had built and nurtured his entire life wouldn’t survive if we couldn’t learn to balance his creative genius with organized structure. I wanted to understand his way of thinking so I could preserve the side of the business that was my grandfather. My grandmother, in her hyper-organized glory, had left behind everything we needed to continue. If my grandfather were to pass, there was no one who could replace him and keep his business and legacy behind. There was no sense of direction. Of organization.

My grandfather spent an entire day explaining his system to me. I followed behind him, taking notes and making labels. I recorded his organizational system, nonsensical though it was to all but him, so I could preserve the spirit of his goals and direction for the business. But without knowing how it was all organized, I would not be able to carry on his role. (word count 496)

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For those who want to know how to get into Harvard Business School , there is only one required essay for the MBA application. This year, the school has imposed a maximum word limit of 900, though it is acceptable to stay within the 500-to-700-word range. The Harvard Business School essay is considered vitally important to the admissions committee, so it can be a significant factor in your overall application. Hiring an MBA essay consultant might be a good idea to tackle the Harvard essay, so you can be sure to submit a polished and succinct document. Or read some Harvard MBA personal statement samples to get an idea of what to write about.

Prompt: As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?

I’ve often been accused of being unable to commit to anything. Of being too flaky. Of changing my mind or jumping from opportunity to opportunity, hobby to hobby. This has always been said with an air of censure and disappointment. It’s always set off my internal defense mechanism because I never understood why having many interests or pursuing them could be bad. When I decided to apply to this MBA program, there were plenty of naysayers. Those who thought I wouldn’t be able to commit to this program. Yet I arrived at the decision to pursue an MBA after learning a vital lesson about myself, and it is this lesson I would like to share with you.

My apparent flakiness comes from my childhood upbringing. As all children of military parents, I was often moved around, bounced from school to school. We never learn to put down roots, and we get used to changing environments and having to start over from scratch over and over again. This creates a pattern, but it also builds resilience and flexibility. It plants the seeds of determination to see things through when they really matter. As I grew up and applied for university, I received some surprising feedback from family members when I was rejected from the programs I applied to. Their response was to shrug their shoulders and tell me I wouldn’t have been able to commit to a four-year degree anyways. So it was for the best. At first, I believed them, but eventually my decision not to try again weighed on me. I reapplied for school, and this time I was successful.

Throughout school and even after I graduated, I bounced from job to job, never really satisfied. Once again, it reinforced the view others held of me and the view I held of myself. I couldn’t commit. I had no structure. But I came to realize that it wasn’t me. I wasn’t satisfied with my job because it wasn’t a good position for me. It wasn’t what I really wanted. I quit my job. I booked a ticket to travel abroad for a year. In this short year, I truly examined what I wanted to do and what I did not want to do with my life. I landed on business, and realized I needed an MBA. It was a thought I’d always kept in the back of my mind, and now it was inescapable.

My view of myself as someone who couldn’t commit was shifted. I’m not flaky. I’m adaptable. I know how to pick myself back up again and rise to a new challenge. I am ready for the challenge of getting my MBA and working in business. If I don’t get accepted, I know I can try again and succeed. I believe my apparent inability to commit was really evidence of dissatisfaction. And my background hasn’t made me flaky, it’s made me strong enough and adaptable enough to succeed in business. (word count 494)

The Kellogg Business School focuses on values and leadership in its essay question prompts. Below we’ve included one of the essay prompts provided by the Kellogg Business School for its MBA applicants, as well as a sample answer. The essay prompts all have a word limit of 450 words.

Prompt: Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip, and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn?

My first opportunity to step into a full leadership role at my job came very recently. I have been working as an assistant manager of a restaurant for many years, and the last eight months as the assistant manager. In this role, I have been able to cultivate in myself many useful skills of team management and leadership. But I have always had my manager to back me up and act as my leadership mentor. She has always been able to provide final say and take the reins as needed. Months ago, she was placed on short-term leave to treat an unexpected injury, and with our operation being typically short-staffed, I was thrust into the role of temporary, full-on manager. At first it felt like diving out the plane without the skydiving instructor strapped to your back for the first time. It was intimidating, and it took some time to adjust. And, of course, it didn’t take long for the first real test of my leadership skills to present itself.

An ongoing conflict flared up among the waitstaff soon after our manager was placed on leave. It had started as a scheduling conflict, with two members of the waitstaff each wanting prime shifts but not wanting to work alongside one another. The newer member of staff often accused the more senior member of being controlling and using their seniority to win workplace disputes. The interpersonal conflict was spreading and affecting the rest of the staff, but no compromise had been reached. I had tried to resolve it in the same ways my manager had when creating the schedule or assigning sections. We reached a turning point during a particularly busy shift where I asked the senior staff member to assist on the lounge bar. I noticed her proficiency behind the bar. An idea formed.

I proposed to her that she move behind the bar full-time. That way, both she and the other staff could keep their desired shifts, but they wouldn’t need to interact directly. As a bonus, the senior member of staff wouldn’t suffer on tips and the remainder of the staff wouldn’t be caught in the middle. The reason she hadn’t been moved behind the bar already was no one had realized how much she was suited to it before. I spoke with her and discovered how much she enjoyed working as a bartender. Upon speaking with the other staff member, I was happy to hear how much better their shift went when they didn’t feel “supervised” by the other senior waitress.

By the time the manager returned to work, the interpersonal conflict had fizzled, both parties were happy with their change in positions, and the rest of the staff were visibly less stressed by the entire thing. In managing this conflict, I realized the importance of seeking new solutions, keeping open and honest communication and establishing clear outcomes with both of the staff members. It also taught me to really listen and observe my staff’s behavior. (word count 499)

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There are many other top business schools which require an MBA essay, MBA cover letter , an MBA motivation letter or otherwise ask students to submit optional essays as part of the application process. Below we’ve covered some other essay questions and prompts from top business schools in the US.

The Haas School of Business also invites applicants to submit an optional or MBA diversity essay to talk about any adversity the applicant has faced. These prompts are similar to the AMCAS statement of disadvantage examples , and might include explanations of gaps in education or significant barriers an applicant has overcome to get their education. There are a variety of different prompts listed on the school\u2019s website. ","label":"Haas School of Business","title":"Haas School of Business"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

To write an MBA essay, use short essay format and stick to 500 words or less, depending on the word count limit. Your MBA essay should be succinct and well structured, with appropriate personal anecdotes and plenty of detail. It’s important to grab the reader’s attention with this and provide some insight into yourself and your experiences. Also don’t be afraid to use a bit of storytelling and creativity to get your point across!

The best MBA essays will of course address the prompt provided, but the key is to do so in a way that is authentic, insightful and meaningful. Storytelling can be a powerful tool here, but make sure you are also making a strong and clear point. Answer the question you are being asked and provide as much detail as you can in the space provided. Go beyond a surface level answer and give the admissions committee a look into your personal experiences.

Usually yes, schools keep the same MBA essay questions or prompts every admission cycle. Once in a while the admissions committee will shake things up, but you can expect to see the same type of questions asked each year.

To effectively answer MBA essay questions, be sure to address each part of the question fully. Don’t leave anything out of your answer and keep a genuine, authentic voice. Also be sure to remain within the word count limit. Keep your writing concise and make your point clearly.

Yes, the MBA essay is typically a required part of the application to any MBA program. For top MBA schools, the essay is critically important to your overall evaluation. 

If an MBA program offers an optional essay, it is a good idea to write one or respond to one of the provided prompts. Any additional essay can only strengthen your application, and optional essays are great ways to expand your application profile.

Start your essay with a short introduction of who you are, where you come from or what your goals are. Most MBA essays have a word count of 500 words or less, so it’s important to introduce yourself right off the bat and tell the admissions committee what they need to know about you. 

Yes, the MBA essay is a very important part of your MBA application. Most admissions committees consider the MBA essay a critical evaluation factor when reading your application, and it can determine whether or not you get an MBA interview at the school. 

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MBA Essays: Everything You Need to Know

Scott Edinburgh - Personal MBA Coach

Scott Edinburgh is an mba.com Featured Contributor and the founder of Personal MBA Coach , a boutique MBA admissions consulting and tutoring firm.

Nearly all MBA hopefuls are familiar with the term “MBA essay”, but what exactly does this mean and why is the MBA essay so important? To help guide MBA hopefuls, Personal MBA Coach would like to answer some common questions about the MBA essays and share details on the most common MBA essay types.

Why do I need an MBA essay?

Beyond the obvious answer that nearly all schools require you to write one in order to be admitted, the MBA essay is your chance to show MBA admissions committee members who you are BEYOND the facts and figures. These essays are your opportunities to show what makes you unique, share your goals and discuss how you will add to the dynamic community at your target business school. 

Do I need different MBA essays for each program I apply to?

Unfortunately, YES! While there are some overlapping themes across the most common MBA essay types (more on this below), each business school has its own unique essays. Unless you are applying through an organization such as The Consortium (which has some specific requirements), you must complete a separate application for each MBA program and answer each school’s specific essay questions.

To make this daunting task more manageable, Personal MBA Coach helps clients identify common elements across essay types. Ultimately, however, you should develop a separate essay for each school you are applying to.

What should I write about in my MBA essay?

First and foremost, you should answer the question. It is surprising how often candidates write beautiful essays that do not actually answer the question. Instead of writing what you think admissions committee members want to hear, answer the question.

What are the most common MBA essay questions?

While there are countless different essay questions across MBA programs, the three most common types of essays questions are Goals Essays, Why an MBA? Essays, and Personal Story Essays. (Often one essay question will ask clients to discuss both their goals and why they want an MBA.)

Below, Personal MBA Coach shares our tips for answering each of these key essay types:

Goals Essay

When answering a question about your MBA goals , it is crucial that you are decisive . While no one will hold you to what you write in your MBA applications, you should have a specific post-MBA plan. For most schools, you will want a short-term and a long-term career goal. This goal should be logical for you. This means it should flow naturally from your passions and experience. If it doesn’t, it is crucial that you explain why this goal makes sense for you.

Finally, this goal should be attainable. You are not going to be the CFO of Pepsi two years after graduating from business school (sorry!). Do your research in terms of what position might be reasonable in your target industry.

Why an MBA? Essay

To answer a question about why you want an MBA or why you want to study at X school, you want to show that you have carefully thought through how an MBA (at your target program) will prepare you to achieve your career goals. To do so, Personal MBA Coach suggests being very specific in detailing the opportunities you plan to take advantage of on campus.

Discuss classes you are particularly interested in or perhaps professors you are looking to study with, etc. Do not include a laundry list. Instead, carefully think through how each offering will allow you to fill in your skill and/or experience gaps. Be sure to show an understanding of your target school’s culture and avoid writing vague statements and copying content from other MBA application essays.

Personal Story Essay

With a personal story essay, your objective is to show the reader how your story is unique and how you will add value and diversity to classroom discussions and on campus activities. This can be one of the hardest essays to write. To get started, Personal MBA Coach advises that you make a list of everything you have done in your life and take the time to write it all down. Then, think carefully about the decisions you have made, activities you enjoy and, most importantly, why you made those choices. Finally, look for a theme! What single idea connects these items? This is the hard part, so give it time.

How do you conclude an MBA essay?

Do not overthink the conclusion. In fact, with short word limits, Personal MBA Coach often advises clients to write just one concluding sentence or remove the conclusion altogether. Conclusions can be fluffy, generic or repetitive. You do not need (or want) to waste words here. If you have told your story well and you have addressed the question clearly and concisely, do not worry about the conclusion!

How far in advance should I start my MBA essays?

As soon as possible! It is never too early to start thinking about your MBA essays. In fact, Personal MBA Coach works with many clients 6 month – 3 years in advance through our Early Planning package, helping future applicants make the appropriate career and extracurricular decisions to ensure they have enough experience to write strong MBA essays.

That said, with diligence, some Personal MBA Coach clients are able to develop a compelling MBA essay within a month. (Keep in mind, this is a very compressed timeline and takes dedication to achieve!). Plus, you always want to leave time for proofreading and should avoid submitting your essays at the last minute. 

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 14 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2, currently holding the #1 ranking in the US on Poets&Quants.

We help clients with all aspects of the MBA application process including early planning, GMAT/GRE/EA tutoring, application strategy, school selection, essay editing and mock interviews. Our team includes a former M7 admissions director and former M7 admissions interviewers.

Last year, our clients earned more than $6M in scholarships!

>> Executive MBA future students

How to apply

Take the next step. The W. P. Carey Executive MBA will transform your career and your life. Find out what you’ll need and how to apply today. GMAT or GRE test scores are not required for this program.

• Recommended Experience
• Application Process
• Application Deadlines
• Class Profile

Recommended experience

To ensure you have a valuable learning experience, your EMBA classmates are experienced professionals, from diverse backgrounds and industries, who share our values of excellence and integrity and are motivated to rethink the nature of business.

Each Executive MBA student is carefully selected on the basis of their intellectual abilities and the experiential contribution they bring to the program. While we do not have specific requirements, we recommend that applicants have:

• 10+ years of work experience
• 5+ years in management
• A college degree or equivalent

Application process

Steps to complete your application, step one:   asu’s online application.

To complete the ASU online application , you will need to provide the following information:

• Personal info: contact details, birth date, citizenship, Social Security number
• Resume: Current resume must include positions held and clearly indicate dates of employment in Month/Year format.
• Admission essay: The admission committee would like to learn more about you, your background, and your goals. These short essay questions help us evaluate applicants beyond the black and white of test scores and GPA requirements. Personal statements will not be accepted and will delay the review of the application. Your essay prompts are available in the graduate application.
• Recommender(s) contact information: name, affiliation, and work email address of an individual who can answer questions about your personal qualities, professional success, career aspirations, and ability to perform in a graduate program
• Application fee: $70 domestic students; $115 international students

Applications will not be processed until the fee is received and fees are non-refundable.

Step two:   additional information

The following materials must be submitted to ASU Graduate Admissions after completing the online application.

Transcripts

If you attended ASU, you do not need to submit ASU transcripts. Otherwise, you must have one set of official transcripts from every college and university from which you earned a bachelor’s degree or higher sent to ASU Graduate College. ASU accepts official transcripts that are original academic credentials issued by the registrar of the institution attended, bearing the original raised or colored seal of the institution and the signature of your institution's registrar, academic official, or recognized international organization. We accept unofficial transcripts at the time of application. If admitted, official transcripts will be required.

You may either have the original institution send your transcripts, or you may wish to collect all of them and send them together. In either case, use the following mailing information:

U.S. Mail Admission Services Applicant Processing Arizona State University PO Box 871004 Tempe, AZ 85287-1004

FedEx, DHL or UPS Arizona State University Admission Services Applicant Processing 1150 East University Drive Building C, Room 226 Tempe, AZ 85281

Applying as an international student

The application process for international students is the same as for domestic students, with the exception of submitting proof of English proficiency (for students whose native language is not English). W. P. Carey graduate minimum score requirements may be higher than ASU requirements. Please note ASU does not accept TOEFL iBT® Home Edition, TOEFL iBT® Paper Edition, or TOEFL Essentials Exams as proof of this requirement. After admission, you will also be required to obtain a U.S. visa, which includes submitting a graduate financial guarantee.

All international transcripts must be submitted in their original language accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by a university, government official or official translation service. You may not complete your own translation. Photocopies and notarized transcripts are not acceptable. Individuals who have completed a three-year undergraduate degree with no additional coursework may qualify, please submit your application and transcripts or contact [email protected] for further questions.

Additional resources

Military and citizen service application fee waiver.

As a token of our appreciation, W. P. Carey will waive the application fee for all U.S. Military, Teach for America, Peace Corps or AmeriCorps members. Please email [email protected] prior to submitting your application to request a waiver.

• Military-MVP application fee waiver
• Supplemental document cover sheet
• Citizen service application fee waiver

Fall 2025 application deadlines

Dec. 1, 2024

Round II (Int'l. priority)

Feb. 1, 2025

Round III (Int'l. final)

April 1, 2025

Round IV (Final)

July 1, 2025

All required application documents must be on file by the date of each deadline, or your application may be moved to the next round. Applications for Fall 2025 admission will be accepted on a rolling basis until July 15, 2025. Decision notifications will be made within three weeks of a completed application, and an enrollment deposit will be due following program admission.

Executive MBA class profile

Incoming class of fall 2023, class averages.

Work experience

International

W. P. Carey MBA - Evening Program

• Program description
• At a glance
• Concurrent program options
• Degree requirements
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Application deadlines
• Global opportunities
• Career opportunities
• Contact information

Business, Entrepreneurship, Management, approved for STEM-OPT extension

W. P. Carey is committed to building a tight-knit community. Through small classes, team-based learning and individualized attention every step of the way, your evening MBA experience is distinctly your own. Arizona's highest-ranked part-time MBA is designed to build your leadership skills, deepen your expertise and fit your schedule.

The W. P. Carey School of Business MBA program provides a solid foundation in the core business disciplines; students develop analytic, decision-making and leadership skill sets essential to making sound business decisions. Through a comprehensive business curriculum taught by world-renowned faculty, the W. P. Carey evening Master of Business Administration program enhances students' current strengths and helps them immediately impact their organizations.

Students can personalize their Master of Business Administration through evening and online classes while earning their degree in two to four years. The curriculum is delivered in a case-based, team-oriented and discussion-style learning environment. Elective courses provide additional depth and breadth to enhance an area of emphasis, students' knowledge base and career goals.

The evening Master of Business Administration program is designed for working professionals seeking to continue working full time while attending school. The program starts in August and can be completed in 21 months, depending on course formats.

A W. P. Carey Master of Business Administration stands apart from many part-time MBA programs that offer a core business curriculum with very little specialization. With more than 40 electives and options to add concurrent degrees and technical certificates, students can fit their Master of Business Administration with their passions and pursue a degree at the same time. The Master of Business Administration program is supported by each of the eight academic units within the W. P. Carey School of Business.

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.

The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.

• College/school: W. P. Carey School of Business
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Students can choose to create their own concurrent degree combination to match their interests by working with their academic advisor during or after their first semester of study. Some concurrent combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum; students should speak with their academic advisor for more details.

This degree is also offered as a concurrent program with the following:

49 credit hours including the required capstone course (MGT 589)

Required Core (3 credit hours) LES 582 Ethical Issues for Managers (3)

Electives (43 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) MGT 589 Strategic Management (3)

Additional Curriculum Information While there are no business course prerequisites, potential students must demonstrate strong quantitative ability and effective written and oral communication skills.

The business school does not accept graduate credits earned while students are in nondegree status or courses taken prior to admission to the Master of Business Administration program or taken while enrolled in another Master of Business Administration program outside the W. P. Carey School of Business. Registration in School of Business courses numbered 501 and above is limited to students who have been admitted to a graduate degree program and have the approval of the MBA program office.

The core courses are designed to provide a foundation in business knowledge and skills and must be taken in the prescribed sequence. Elective courses build upon the business core and center on the further development of an area of emphasis. There may be additional requirements that vary by area of emphasis. The program is completed in 21 months.

All students must successfully complete the comprehensive requirement established for the Master of Business Administration by the W. P. Carey School of Business and the Graduate College. The comprehensive culminating experience is integrated with MGT 589 Strategic Management. Students passing this course with a grade of "B" (scale is 4.00 = "A") or higher satisfy the comprehensive examination requirement.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the W. P. Carey School of Business.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• two letters of recommendation
• current resume
• short answer question responses
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Letters of recommendation should comment on the student's motivation, commitment, achievements, work experience and opportunity for success in the program.

Applicants should see the department's website for more information.

Studying abroad is possible for graduate students. There are more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.

Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.

More information on available programs can be found on the Global Education Office website .

The Master of Business Administration program includes the essential academic preparation for students who are interested in pursuing professional careers as leaders within organizations of diverse functions, such as human resources, finance or marketing.

Career examples include:

• finance manager
• marketing manager
• supply chain manager

WPC Graduate Programs | MCRD 350 [email protected] 480-965-3332 Admission deadlines