UCLA Anderson has shared their Executive MBA application essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle. This year, the school’s application includes two required essay questions and one optional essay.
For those interested in the UCLA Anderson EMBA Program, take a look at the latest class profile to assess whether the school may be a good fit for you. Accepted students had an average of 15 years of professional experience and an average of 9 years of management experience. The most recently reported class represents 28 different countries and consists of 36% women. The students come from 36 different industries and held jobs across 22 functions.
Below, please find the upcoming application deadlines and our analysis of the UCLA EMBA application essays.
The 2023-2024 UCLA EMBA Application Deadlines Are:
Round 1: December 1, 2023
Round 2: February 1, 2024
Round 3: May 1, 2024
2023-2024 UCLA EMBA Application Essays:
UCLA EMBA Essay 1: Legendary UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden once said that one’s leadership is derived from one’s character. Please provide an example of a time when your own leadership was at its best. (500 words maximum)
Personal MBA Coach’s Tips:
In this essay, first you want to clearly define what you think leadership means: what traits it encompasses and how it manifests one’s personality.
Then, the bulk of the essay should be about a situation/anecdote/time in which you demonstrated those traits, and your leadership was at its best. Pick a situation that is easy to set up so that you can quickly get into the details of what happened, the choices you made, and how you led the situation. Make sure your leadership comes through in the actions you took and in the results you produced.
If appropriate, you can conclude with something you may have learned or how this experience may have sharpened your leadership. Finally, end by looking forward: “I hope to build on this at UCLA.”
UCLA EMBA Essay 2: Why are you interested in pursuing an MBA at this time? Please share any goal(s) you may have that the MBA will help you achieve. (500 words maximum)
Personal MBA Coach’s Tips:
This essay is what we refer to as a “goals” essay. This essay is your chance to share your specific short-term and long-term goals. Even if your goal is to remain in your current role (as is often the case for EMBA applicants) you want to be specific in terms of what you hope to accomplish in your career.
A strong answer will also tell the reader where you are today and what skills/expertise you have already developed to prepare you for your future ambitions.
Finally, you want to include the UCLA programs, classes, clubs, and activities that will help you acquire the skills you need to achieve your future objective(s). Be specific about what you want to learn, making it clear that you researched the school and that you are focused on how to create an optimal learning experience at UCLA.
Optional Essay: Are there any additional circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (500 words maximum)
The optional UCLA EMBA essay should be addressed only by applicants with extenuating circumstances. Read more about how to answer this optional essay question.
Looking for help with your UCLA EMBA applications? Personal MBA Coach’s MJ Shores is a former UCLA Anderson admissions officer and we offer customized Executive MBA admissions consulting packages to maximize your chances of success.
