Yale EMBA candidates can now begin working on their essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle. This year, the Yale EMBA application includes three required essays and one optional essay.
To better assess whether the Yale EMBA program could be a good match for you, visit the school’s latest class profile for the class of 2025. On average, the Yale EMBA class of 2025 had 14 years of professional experience and 46% had an advanced degree.
The class is made up of 44% women, 28% students born outside the US, and 47% US underrepresented students of color.
Below, Personal MBA Coach has noted the 2023-2024 Yale EMBA application deadlines along with our tips for writing this year’s Yale EMBA essays.
The 2023-2024 Yale EMBA Application Deadlines Are:
Round 1: October 1, 2023
Round 2: January 29, 2024
Round 3: March 20, 2024
2023-2024 Yale EMBA Essays:
Yale EMBA Essay 1: At this point in your life and career, why do you wish to pursue an Executive MBA? (250 words maximum)
We recommend that you think of essay 1 and essay 2 as two parts of the same essay (in fact, last year there was one essay which combined essays 1 and 2). Essay 1 is a somewhat traditional “goals/why MBA” essay: You want to link where you are today with where you want to go in your future.
Start by briefly telling the admissions committee where you are in your career, what you do, and what skills and abilities you have mastered. Then share your goals, both short-term and long-term, as specifically as you can. To find out more about how to effectively articulate your post-MBA goals, check out this blog.
With only 250 words, there is no room to talk about “why Yale” in this first essay.
Yale EMBA Essay 2: In what ways is the Yale School of Management uniquely positioned to help you achieve your goals? (250 words maximum)
In essay 2, you will want to show HOW a Yale EMBA will help you to achieve the goals you just discussed by stating the skills you want to develop and the new knowledge you are hoping to master through the Yale EMBA program.
Then, you want to spend the bulk of the essay telling the Yale Admissions Committee how you will spend your time at Yale SOM. Be sure to share specifics about each class or program to show not only that you have researched the school in detail but also to show what you are interested in and how these experiences will prepare you for your future goals. Yale SOM knows what it offers, so you do not need to tell them: tell them why it matters to you.
Your area of focus, classes, initiatives—singularly and together they should show that you have thoughtfully traced a path for yourself at Yale and that awarding you a spot in the EMBA program is justified by your intent, plan, and promise.
Yale EMBA Essay 3: The mission of the Yale School of Management is to educate leaders for business and society. What is an issue that you are passionate about, and how would the MBA for Executives program help drive your impact? (350 words maximum)
In prior years, Yale asked applicants to cite a shocking statistic. This year, Yale has broadened this essay (while shortening its length), instructing applicants to state an issue they are passionate about. With this essay, you want to show the Yale admissions committee what actually matters to you and HOW you will drive change.
The issue selected should fit your story in some way. This can be an issue you are personally passionate about or something in your professional field. As you discuss the issue, the why will matter just as much as the what. So if you are going to state you are passionate about the environment, tell the reader what sparked this passion.
Then, the bulk of this essay should focus on what you will DO to drive change. So perhaps you work in the consumer packaged goods industry, and you have a vision to leverage technology to drive packaging sustainability. You would want to detail that here. Give the reader a reason to believe you will be successful by laying out a plan of action. Ideally, it will be clear where a Yale EMBA fits in and how you will use your education to drive your success in this venture.
Optional Information: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation (unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, promotions or recognitions, etc.), please provide a brief description here. (200 words maximum)
Yale EMBA candidates should choose to respond to the optional essay question only if they have specific extenuating circumstances. Find out more about how and when to answer optional essay prompts here.
For those seeking guidance throughout the EMBA application process, Personal MBA Coach is here to help maximize your chances of admission via our Executive MBA admissions consulting packages.
