How to: Prepare Essays for Your Application

Once your GMAT or GRE score is in a competitive range, the most important thing you can do is write strong, compelling essays. Essays give the admissions committee an opportunity to see if the degree is a good fit for your future goals and lets you demonstrate that you have something valuable to contribute to the MS-BA program.

The admissions team works diligently to assemble a high-caliber and well-rounded class of students from a broad range of interests. Diversity is important because the MS-BA program is team-oriented, collaborative and interdisciplinary, and gaining knowledge from others is a key ingredient to your success now and in the future.

This plays into your essay strategy. Be sure to highlight experiences – academically, on the job, and in your personal life – that will bring value to the classroom. Keep in mind not only what you can get out of the program, but what you can bring to the program for others. Rather than reiterating job responsibilities that can be found on your resume, your essays should expand upon your most unique and interesting experiences, whether that's as a student leader, as a volunteer, or as a summer intern.

The admissions team evaluates your complete application, which includes many different components that provide us with an overall understanding of your academic ability and experience to determine your potential for success in the program.

Essay Question 1: Why is now the right time for you to pursue this graduate degree program? Why is the Business Analytics program the right fit for you? (500 words or less)
Discuss your reasoning for earning a graduate degree at this stage of your life, where you see your career taking you next, and the role an MS-BA degree will play in your job search.

Essay Question 2: Identify the skills or transferable skills that will make you competitive as a business analytics professional? (500 words or less)
Your background, both academically and professionally, can reveal a lot about how you’ll fit in the MS-BA program. Because quantitative skills are a must, be able to explain your knowledge and how you’ve used these essential skills beyond citing grades and test scores.

Essay Question 3: Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. (Optional question; no length requirement)
This open-ended question is the place to highlight your most unique personal and professional accomplishments, or anything special that you did not bring up in the other essay. Share details about what you've done that you're most proud of. This is also your chance to explain any weaknesses in your overall application. Be specific about what makes you unique and how these accomplishments or challenges have made you a stronger individual.