2022-2023 MBA Essays: Tips for UT Austin McCombs

University of Texas, Austin McCombs

This year’s MBA application prompts aren’t out just yet, but it’s a good idea to start brainstorming what your topics will be. 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 McCombs School of Business.  

At the McCombs school, there is a careful balance between academia and experiential learning, a prominent feature of the educational environment there. Through the story you relate in your essay, the admissions council is looking to see if you reflect these same passions that the school does. AdCom is looking for students who are aiming to lead through change. The best way to represent that you possess those qualities is through the type of essay you choose to write. 

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 McCombs MBA essay. 

The Personal Statement Essay

Like we touched on earlier, schools are looking for the right fit for their campus community, just as you are searching for the school that aligns best with your goals. In the personal essay, this is your chance to show the McCombs admission team the values that drive you both as a person and as a student. These values tell them what you prioritize, the moral code you live by, and, most importantly, who you are as a person.  

McCombs School of Business has created an environment dedicated to “thinking independently together.” The school is looking for applicants who are seeking to be challenged and are going to pursue their curiosities. One way these work in tandem is through the cohort group you are placed in upon entering the program; you will work with these students throughout the first year’s core curriculum, carefully designed to provide you with the most enriching experience possible.

In these essays, you can talk about almost anything; typically, applicants will write about relationships in their lives, or times when there was a hardship they had to overcome. Be warned, though: there are some topics to avoid, and we have outlined a few things to watch out for in this article

The Career Goals Essay

You’re not the only one hoping you’ll have a job after you’ve graduated with your 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: 

Your aspirations need to be convincing, ambitious, and realistic. The school 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. 

Conclusion

Writing strong, coherent, genuine stories is an essential part of your 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 MBA essays for McCombs School of Business.