As the 2024-2025 admissions cycle begins, I would like to share updates on the Yale SOM MBA application to help you prepare your application.

This year's application remains largely the same as last year's. The core elements, including the essay prompts, haven't changed. You can choose to write about:

-The biggest commitment you've ever made.

-The most meaningful community to you.

-The most significant challenge you've faced.

These prompts allow you to write about what's truly important to you, and the feedback has been very positive.

Career Interests: Briefly describe your career interests and how you arrived at them. What have you already done to pursue these interests? What do you need to do going forward? (150 words maximum)

Main Essay Options: Applicants are requested to answer one of three essay options in under 500 words for the main essays this year.

Essay Option 1: Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. Why is this commitment meaningful to you and what actions have you taken to support it? (500 words)

Consider the main categories of what one can be committed to: an idea, an organization, or a person.

An Idea: Commitment to an idea allows for a broad approach, encompassing professional and personal lives. Examples include raising awareness of social injustice or lessening environmental impact.

An Organization: This could be professional or community-based, showcasing leadership and teamwork skills. Reflect on efforts within a group or community initiatives.

A Person: Be cautious when choosing a spouse or child, as many applicants might do the same. Instead, consider mentoring relationships or professional bonds highlighting interpersonal challenges and achievements.

Things to Avoid:  To stand out, limit the essay to one commitment and avoid broad themes like 'applying to business school' or 'pursuing an MBA. '

Final Thoughts & Structure: Reflect on what makes achieving your goal difficult and how you overcame these challenges. Start with a concise explanation of your commitment, include examples, and suggest how you would continue this commitment at Yale SOM.

Essay Option 2: Describe the community most meaningful to you. What is the most valuable thing you have gained from being a part of this community, and what is the most important thing you have contributed to this community? (500 words)

Reflect on how you have enacted your values and the impact of the community on you. Provide insight into your maturity and collaborative nature. Describe the community, your contributions, and how it has shaped you. Conclude with connections to Yale's offerings, such as specific classes, programs, or clubs that align with your experiences.

Essay Option 3: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced. How have you confronted this challenge and how has it shaped you as a person? (500 words)

Choose personal or professional experiences that highlight a significant challenge. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Begin by describing the situation and your task. Outline the challenges you faced and the actions you took. Conclude with the results and reflect on the lessons learned and how they position you to contribute to Yale SOM.

Optional – Additional Information: If any aspect of your application requires additional explanation, you can address it in the Optional Information section below. Please note, you should use the specific prompts provided in the Work Experience section to address gaps in work experience or choice of recommender. The Optional Information section is truly optional – if no aspect of your application requires further explanation, you should leave this section blank. (200 words)

Use this section to address extenuating circumstances that have influenced your academic or professional history or to discuss an element of your background not reflected elsewhere. Be concise and ensure the content makes a material difference to your application.

Background Information Section: This section expands, allowing you to provide more context about your circumstances, education, and work experiences. We aim to broaden access to graduate management education by understanding each candidate's unique context.

Application Fee Waiver: This year's most significant change is the new application fee waiver category. In addition to our existing waivers for certain groups, we now offer fee waivers to students and alums of nearly 700 U.S. colleges and universities with significant economic diversity initiatives, where at least 35% of students receive Pell Grants. This aims to alleviate financial barriers for those whose school choice was influenced by economic circumstances.

Resources and Support: To help you navigate the application process, we invite you to Yale SOM’s  online event, "Inside the Application, Literally," hosted by Laurel Grodman. She will give a live walkthrough of the application and offer insider advice. Additionally, Yale SOM’s Application Guide and other resources are available, and you can always contact us directly with questions.