Вопрос: What are two attributes of your character that make you unique? How do you expect these traits to make an impact on Chicago GSB and your classmates? (300 words maximum)

Incident number one: it was a sultry August morning in Manhattan. From the 27th floor of the Travelers building, the downtown skyline sprawled before us. It was the [Company Al analyst training program, and I was surrounded by a group of highly talented, driven peers from some of the best colleges in the world. We were listening to managing directors tell us wild tales about multi-billion dollar deals they had worked on.

Suddenly the words echoed in my ears. "Have any of you ever been to the god-forsaken state of Iowa?" The room of 250 was silent. My retort practically fell out of my mouth. "Yes, Vmfrom lowal" A huge explosion of laughter and applause. The speaker, a famed "deal maker" from our Mergers & Acquisitions group, turned red. "I am now removing my foot from my mouth," were his exact words.

Incident number two: I was in my senior year at [University B]. It was mid-December, and Wall Street recruiting season was in full swing. 1 trudged through the snow along 56th Street to interview with a major securities brokerage firm. To this day, I can still hear my interviewer as he took a final glance over my resume. "[Jenna], you're very qualified for this job. But one question remains in my mind: what's a nice girl like you who plays the cello wanna do on a trading floor?"

I have lived as a transplanted lowan in New York and London for over six years, and I do play the cello. Through all the jokes and befuddled reactions I've received, I've learned that the most stimulating traits I can bring to a community are a well-rounded background and an open mind. This includes an appreciation and understanding of the rural and the urban, the domestic and the international, the artistic and the mundane. In gaining this appreciation, I've realized the overlap between these seemingly antithetic worlds and have come to understand the value of interactive diversity.

Критика

То, что данное эссе написано в форме повествования, делает его более привлекательным для членов приемной комиссии. Большинство ответов на подобный вопрос обычно выглядят как перечень услуг: "My years of consulting experience have provided me with the tools to be an effective team player"; "My years in public relations have really strengthened my communication skills", и так далее. Не стоит тратить время на демонстрацию ваших качеств, которые и так отражены в вашем резюме. Автор этого эссе показала свою оригинальность тем, что совместила описание двух качеств – игр на виолончели и то, что она родом из Айовы. В нашем сознании эти два понятия не являются характеристиками открытости взглядов, но она прекрасно соединила эти понятия, и используя литературные приемы доказала, что она станет отличным членом команды студентов МВА.

Эссе в бизнес-школу Chicago GSB 2

Question: Why are you seeking an MBA or 1MB A at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business? What do you hope to expe­rience and contribute? What are your plans and goals after you receive your degree?

"[Jenna], you must go to the U of C. The faculty, the campus, the whole environment...," raved F.H., one of my senior associates who happened to attend the GSB at the University of Chicago.

"I know," I replied. "I've been thinking about it for a long time."

You have some very convincing alumni. However, I do not need much convincing. I have known for quite a while exactly why I want to attend the University of Chicago. Let me begin by providing you with a bit of historical context in which to better understand my motivations.

For the last several years, I have worked as a financial analyst at [Company AJ in New York and London. By all accounts, I have excelled in my job. I have been consistently ranked and compensated in the "star" category, was one of only a handful of second year analysts globally to be promoted to a third year position in our London office (most were laid off), and the only analyst in the global investment bank this year to be granted a third year position in our fabled fixed income division. I have also been advised that I am a "shoe-in" for promotion to the associate position. However, I am opting to seek a place at the University of Chicago GSB rather than pursue further promotion within my firm. Why?

As an undergraduate at [University B], I majored in mathematics and reveled in the theory I learned. I subsequently became interested in finance, however it was not part of [University BJ's undergraduate curriculum. I then went to work on Wall Street, but always felt there was a gap in my education. That gap has grown in my mind to the point that I do not want to continue my career without firmly grounding myself in theoretical finance and the other business disciplines.

Given my math background, I want—and indeed need—the analytical rigor of Chicago's curriculum and the practical and theoretical understanding of finance that it can provide me. While there are many other MB A programs out there, none can match Chicago's combination of prominence in economics and finance, its legendary faculty (past and present), the flexibility of its curriculum, and its location in a city that is an international business center that has as much to offer culturally as any other in the world.

I am eager to gain exposure to a very diverse and international group of classmates at the University of Chicago, as well as their insight on the industries in which they have worked. I look forward to sharing a dynamic and thought provoking classroom environment with them.
I can offer my classmates a culmination of my solid investment banking background, well-trained and analytical mind, and genuine desire to learn by working with them and forming lasting friendships.

I owe it to myself to continue to seek rewarding challenges in thoughtful and intense environments. I hope to use the knowledge I will have gained at the University of Chicago to go into corporate bond research. That is my future ambition—and an MBA education from the University of Chicago will provide me with the foundation that I need to get there.

Please accept my thanks for your time and consideration. I hope that you will enjoy reading my application as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Критика

Это идеальный ответ на вопрос – «Зачем вам МВА?». Иногда студенты забывает при ответе на этот вопрос написать, а почему же они выбрали ту или иную школу, от чего сразу проигрывают. Вы должны помнить, что члены приемных комиссий должны поверить, что вы интересуетесь только этой программой, а не еще пятью.

Самая распространенная ошибка, это ответ следующего содержания: "An MBA is the next logical step in my career." Браво! Говорите о своих конкретных целях, а не о чем то общем и очень идеалистичном.

1. Чем проще вы напишите, тем лучше
2. Проявите креативность.
3. Пишите о чем то конкретном

Пишите о себе, не старайтесь подстроиться по чей то стиль.

Продолжение следует!