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2023-2024 MBA Essays: Tips for Mays Business School

Lucky for MBA applicants, Mays Business School tends to stick to the same prompts year-on-year, which means it’s never too early to get started! Most MBA programs will highly value the personal statement in your application. So don’t slack on it! Writing a unique essay that captures your individuality while responding to the prompt is a challenging task, but here at Menlo Coaching, we have a comprehensive guide to perfect it.

Mays Business School is looking for students with a well-rounded background and lots of experience that can be translated into a succinct and compelling statement. One of the essential tips for an impactful essay is asking yourself why you chose to highlight a particular experience. Did it show significant professional development? Did it show how you overcame a personal struggle? Making sure your essay connects to the prompt, especially that it shows why you are pursuing an MBA, will make your essay stand out. No matter what the essay prompt is, these tips are broadly applicable. With that being said, the two different types of essays you will see on Mays Business School’s application are career goals and behavioral. 

The Career Goals Essay

The career goals essay is the space to emphasize your post-MBA plans. MBA programs want to accept students who have concrete, achievable career plans and a roadmap to success. MBA programs want a glowing post-grad report that proves they produce successful graduates with many job prospects (and who will donate money in the future)! Mays Business School also wants students to promote their program to friends, co-workers, and prospective applicants.

The career goals essay combines your hard statistics (ex: GMAT score) with your interpersonal skills (ex: recommendations) to formulate the case for getting an MBA. Make sure to state your achievable short-term and long-term goals explicitly. Explain why an MBA would help you achieve these goals and how Mays Business School is essential to your plan. Also, research what fields the graduates of Mays Business School enter, and emphasize your findings in the essay to show you’re genuinely interested. Their career goals prompt for last year was: What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? To the best of your ability, please specify the type(s) of position and type(s) of organization you plan to target. How do your experiences to date align with this goal? How will the Mays MBA program help you transform your future and impact your world?

• Career Goals What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? To the best of your ability, please specify the type(s) of position and type(s) of organization you plan to target. How do your previous experiences align with this goal? How will the Mays FTMBA (or MBA) program help you transform to achieve this career goal? (Maximum length – 2 pages, double-spaced)

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The Behavioral Essay

The behavioral essay asks you to reflect on your professional leadership skills. This could mean recalling a time when you’ve led a team to success or recovered after a failure and what you learned. Be honest with this essay, and don’t downplay the story; AdCom can tell if you’re disingenuous. Showing growth is essential to a constructive essay and shows development that you can easily apply to on-campus activities.

Say what mistakes you made and how you remedied them; if there is a situation where you used the lessons you learned from the failures, be sure to include that. Having the bravery to express your failures shows that you are willing to admit your mistakes. Here’s a recent prompt behavioral prompt from Texas A&M: Please provide a list of the top 12 things the admissions committee should know about you as we consider you for entry to the FTMBA program. At least two of the items on your list should connect to the Texas A&M Core Values .

• Behavioral Essay The number 12 is very important at Texas A&M University (click here to learn more about the 12th Man). Please provide a list of the top 12 qualities the admissions committee should know about you as we consider you for entry to the FTMBA (or MBA + MSA) program. At least two of the items on your list should connect to the Texas A&M Core Values. (Recommended length – 12 bullet points, double-spaced, 2-4 sentences per point).

Overall, honesty and growth are the most important parts of a successful MBA application essay. In addition, applying the lessons you learned shows improvement in your interpersonal and professional skills, making you a more attractive candidate for MBA programs. At Menlo Coaching, we are prepared to help you take the next step and perfect your essays. Visit our process page to understand how Menlo Coaching can help you!

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2024 MBA To Watch: Roya Parhizkarkalnadani, Texas A&M (Mays)

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Roya Parhizkarkalnadani

Texas a&m, mays business school.

“A driven Iranian woman, cycling enthusiast with entrepreneurial spirit who loves to make a difference.”

Hometown: College Station, Texas

Fun fact about yourself: I was arrested at the age of 15 for riding my bicycle in my hometown in Iran, as it was against the government’s laws for women. My court appearance and facing judges at such a young age made me determined to take action for my community. After a year of negotiations with authorities and petitioning, I successfully organized an exclusive biking event for women in my hometown. Together, we cycled through the main street of the town.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

BSc: Radiation Therapy, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran

MSc: Medical Physics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school?

Medical Physicist – External Radiation Therapy and Brachytherapy – Department of Cancer Treatment – Ghaem International Hospital, Rasht, Gilan, Iran.

Radiation Therapy – External Radiation Therapy – Department of Cancer Treatment – Razi Hospital, Rasht, Gilan, Iran.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023?

Company: Johnson & Johnson

Role: Procurement Leadership Development Program Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? I recently founded the Spring Scent Cleaning Services Company.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

— Vice president of Aggie Women MBA (AWMBA) Club: My goal was to support women in our school to connect with women in high leadership positions, helping them to develop their leadership skills and find the right career paths. Together, we partnered with different organizations, mentors, and leaders. These meaningful connections created a mentorship system for our members to develop their entrepreneurship and leadership skills.

— Capstone Project Team Lead

— SEC Case Competition 2023 Participant

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Being selected as a capstone lead by my classmates was truly one of my most humbling and honorable experiences. During the final semester of my program, I had the chance to put into practice everything I learned through a real-world business consulting project.

Leading a project like this comes with significant responsibility. It involves driving progress, creating value for the client, and ensuring all team members contribute efficiently. It was an excellent accomplishment because the project outcome was a great success, and the client was satisfied with the results.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? When reflecting on my career, there are several moments I take great pride in. One of the earliest highlights was the idea of giving back to the community by co-founding a charity to support children with cancer. This charity has a special place in my heart particularly due to the fact that there are not many charities/NGOs in Iran to support these children. As a result, they and their families go through a myriad of challenges. We collaborated with various hospitals to expand their services for children with cancer and organized numerous fundraising events to provide financial support for those families during the toughest time of their lives.

Why did you choose this business school? The small class size of our MBA program was a key advantage because it ensured that every student had plenty of opportunities to contribute ideas, receive recognition, and support from professors. Moreover, it fostered a sense of camaraderie among classmates, which allowed us to create meaningful connections within the cohort.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Dr. Eli Jones for Sales Leadership. Dr. Jones, the former dean of Mays, is a highly accomplished professor of marketing and sales management. Despite holding numerous high-level positions in academia and industry, Dr. Jones is a remarkably humble individual with exceptional social and people skills. He designed the course in a way that we had the opportunity to meet so many successful leaders and entrepreneurs throughout the semester. He inspired me with this saying: “ At the end of the day, it’s all about the people. ”

What was your favorite course as an MBA? I greatly enjoyed the Leading People in Organizations class. It encouraged me to comprehend the true meaning of leadership. This course, and all the self-assessment assignments, helped me better understand the close relationship between leadership and human psychology, which requires significant self-discovery.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Aggie Muster is a respected tradition at TAMU, which represents the deep-rooted spirit of fellowship within the Aggie community. Every year on April 21st, this tradition honors Aggies who passed away in the preceding year. Across the globe, Aggies gather in various locations, with the main ceremony drawing thousands to Reed Arena on the College Station campus.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? The MBA program at Mays is an intense 18-month experience which affects one’s life and social dynamics drastically. I started learning English five years ago, and I have to admit that the pressure of learning a second language can be overwhelming. My entire background was in healthcare; thus, I was not familiar with the business terminology. These factors, along with my personal trait of giving my best to achieve my goal, led to extreme burnout. If I could go back, I would take it a bit easier on me and try to enjoy the journey more. Time solves most problems. It is okay to give yourself a little time to get familiar with a new environment.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Before starting the program, I had heard that football is a big deal for Aggies. After starting the program, I realized that it is a HUGE deal here. I love this spirit because it has created a sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie. There are former students who hasn’t missed a game for decades and some travel long distances from other cities to watch the game at Kyle Field.

What did you love most about your business school’s town?  My husband and I moved to College Station from Iran around five years ago. One of the aspects I love most about College Station is its people. Ever since we’ve been here, people have been incredibly kind and welcoming to us. Additionally, there are numerous communities that provide support to newcomers. They open their doors to those who may not be familiar with the city, which creates a sense of belonging.

Furthermore, the College Station’s closeness to three major cities in Texas—Houston, Austin, and Dallas—makes it incredibly convenient. College Station is a safe place and an ideal environment for raising a family.

What surprised you the most about business school? When I started the program, I expected to meet exceptional individuals, but I’ve been genuinely amazed by the number of profound connections I have made. These connections have evolved into lifelong friendships, and together, we’ve overcome the most challenging moments of our academic journey.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Amey Shroff was my teammate during the second semester of the program. He is one of the humblest people I have ever met, who can easily connect with those around him. One of his qualities that stood out to me was his dedication as a team member; he always took on more responsibilities and worked to achieve excellent results without seeking any credit. He is a positive person who actively listens to others’ ideas and creates a safe space for team members to express their concerns. I believe he has all the qualities that one would look for in a selfless leader.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? Expanding my own business: My MBA equipped me with the necessary skills, acumen, and network to take the first step in this journey and have the courage to decline a LDP job offer from a leading corporate to follow my dream.

Building an animal shelter: Seeing all the animal cruelty breaks my heart. I want to do all I can to help save animals, and educate people on this matter.

What made Raya such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Roya was an incredible student in our MBA Program, and she set an example for her peers of exceptional performance, maturity, and living out the Aggie Values. Roya was confident yet approachable, direct yet caring, and opinionated yet open to new ideas. She worked incredibly well with her peers, faculty, and program staff, and adeptly navigated the differences between each group. Her personal brand was well-respected, and that brand, coupled with her level of professionalism, often meant we called on her to represent the program as a brand ambassador in various meetings or events.

During her time in the program, Roya was able to not only do well in an academically rigorous and fast-paced program, but she took on additional learning opportunities by participating on the SEC MBA Case Competition team and serving as the Vice President of the Aggie Women MBAs student organization. She successfully managed multiple high-stakes priorities with finesse and focus, which is extremely difficult given the demands of the program.

I am confident that Roya will be one of the top women CEOs in the future because of the qualities described above. She has both the business acumen and emotional intelligence to guide an organization and its people to achieve its goals. Roya has already made a substantial impact on her peers and those she interacted with during her time in the MBA program, and I am excited to see her continue that impact on a larger scale as she continues her career in business.”

Dr. Sarah Jaks Director, Full-Time MBA Program

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Study In Usa > Colleges In Usa > Mays Business School > Admission

Mays Business School Admission: Deadlines, Eligibility Requirements, Decisions, Selection Criteria and Acceptance Rate

Syed Yusuf Ashraf

Content Curator

Mays Business School admissions are fairly selective but just mildly challenging. Due to a moderately selective admissions policy, around 42% students could secure a place at Mays Business School during admissions. As a part of eligibility criteria, one must submit all required documents including SOPs, LORs, portfolios, IELTS scores, etc. The school is currently home to more than 8,921 undergraduate and 1,282 graduate students.

Mays Business School admissions are offered to 9 BBA programs, 4 MBA programs, joint MS/MBA and 12 MSc programs in different management and business domains. UG applicants are required to apply before December 1 each year to the Mays Business School. Being the business school of the reputed Texas A&M University , admissions to May is not a cakewalk for the applicants, thus, they must maintain a competitive GPA and test scores. Both the undergraduate candidates and Graduate applicants must apply directly to the business school.

Mays Business School Admission Deadlines

The deadlines for undergraduate admission to Mays Business School are now closed. Below are the course-specific deadlines for Mays graduate programs:

Mays Business School Postgraduate Admissions

Mays Business School offers 12 MSc programs in different management and business domains.

How to Apply for Mays Business School Postgraduate admissions?

Application Portal: T&M Application Portal Application Fees: 90 USD (7,366 INR) Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• Official academic transcripts
• Official certificates of previously attended institutions
• GPA or aggregate: 3.5 (90%)
• TOEFL score of 100
• One page personal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Copy of the passport

Admission Requirements specific to top graduate programs at Mays Business School:

Mays Business School MBA Admissions

Mays Business School MBA is ranked #9 U.S. Public MBA Program across the globe. The Mays MBA is a 18 months long program. Mays Business School accepts MBA applications from students across the world in four different application rounds throughout the year.

Application Portal: T&M Application Portal Application Fees: 200 USD (16,369 INR) Admissions Requirements:

• 2:1 Hons Bachelor degree
• GPA or Aggregate: 3.14 GPA (85%) in bachelor's degree
• IELTS score of 6.5 (6.0 in each section)
• Minimum 2 years of work experience
• Two professional references

Class Profile

Mays Business School Undergraduate Admissions

Mays Business School offers 9 BBA programs at undergraduate level in Finance, business, management, marketing and much more.

Application Portal: Apply Texas or Coalition Application Application Fees: 90 USD (7,366 INR) Admission Requirements :

• Official academic transcripts of class XII
• Academic requirements: 2.0 GPA
• One letters of recommendation
• IELTS - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT - 80

Mays Business School Application Decisions

Mays Business School offers decisions throughout the year for its UG program. By late March for the fall, all decisions will be posted at HOWDY under the Applicant page. The admissions committee conducts monthly evaluations of applicants and employs a rolling admission procedure (November – May). The committee conducts a batch evaluation of all applications submitted by the first of the month. Up to the last day to submit applications or until all available spots in the programme have been filled, the committee reviews applications.

Mays Business School Selection Process

The acceptance rate of Mays Business School is 42, which demonstrates moderately selective admissions. Although student profiles may vary, they must include the following traits:

• Having an analytical viewpoint and being able to convert complicated knowledge into workable solutions
• Excellent communication, leadership, and time-management abilities
• Ability to develop innovative and smart financial solutions

Mays Business School admissions are somewhat selective but not overly difficult, with a 42% acceptance rate. Applicants must plan on getting excellent academic scores and other test scores like GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, etc. according to the minimum criteria by the university.

Ques. Is Mays Business School hard to get into?

Ans. With a 42% acceptance rate, Mays Business School admissions are fairly selective but just mildly challenging. According to a moderate admissions policy, applicants can be admitted to Mays Business School only after completing all required documentation, including SOP , letters of recommendation, portfolios, IELTS scores, and other supporting materials.

Ques. How can I get admission in Mays Business School ?

Ans. Prospective students wishing to study UG courses at Mays Business School can make an application either via Texas or Coalition application portal.

Ques. What GPA is needed to attend Mays Business School ?

Ans . In order to have a high chance of being admitted to Mays Business School, applicants must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA

Ques. Are English proficiency test scores required for admissions at Mays Business School ?

Ans. Prospective students need a TOEFL score of 100 or equivalent English proficiency test scores to get admission at Mays Business School. An IELTS score of 6.5 is required for most graduate courses including MBA programs and an IELTS band score of 6.0 is required for undergraduate courses.

Ques. How long does Mays Business School take to reach an admission decision?

Ans. The admissions committee conducts monthly evaluations of applicants and employs a rolling admission procedure (November – May).

Ques. Is work experience required for a Mays Business School ?

Ans. Yes, a two year managerial level work experience is required to pursue an MBA program at Mays Business School.

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MBA Essays: Everything You Need to Know

Scott Edinburgh - Personal MBA Coach

Scott Edinburgh is an mba.com Featured Contributor and the founder of Personal MBA Coach , a boutique MBA admissions consulting and tutoring firm.

Nearly all MBA hopefuls are familiar with the term “MBA essay”, but what exactly does this mean and why is the MBA essay so important? To help guide MBA hopefuls, Personal MBA Coach would like to answer some common questions about the MBA essays and share details on the most common MBA essay types.

Why do I need an MBA essay?

Beyond the obvious answer that nearly all schools require you to write one in order to be admitted, the MBA essay is your chance to show MBA admissions committee members who you are BEYOND the facts and figures. These essays are your opportunities to show what makes you unique, share your goals and discuss how you will add to the dynamic community at your target business school. 

Do I need different MBA essays for each program I apply to?

Unfortunately, YES! While there are some overlapping themes across the most common MBA essay types (more on this below), each business school has its own unique essays. Unless you are applying through an organization such as The Consortium (which has some specific requirements), you must complete a separate application for each MBA program and answer each school’s specific essay questions.

To make this daunting task more manageable, Personal MBA Coach helps clients identify common elements across essay types. Ultimately, however, you should develop a separate essay for each school you are applying to.

What should I write about in my MBA essay?

First and foremost, you should answer the question. It is surprising how often candidates write beautiful essays that do not actually answer the question. Instead of writing what you think admissions committee members want to hear, answer the question.

What are the most common MBA essay questions?

While there are countless different essay questions across MBA programs, the three most common types of essays questions are Goals Essays, Why an MBA? Essays, and Personal Story Essays. (Often one essay question will ask clients to discuss both their goals and why they want an MBA.)

Below, Personal MBA Coach shares our tips for answering each of these key essay types:

Goals Essay

When answering a question about your MBA goals , it is crucial that you are decisive . While no one will hold you to what you write in your MBA applications, you should have a specific post-MBA plan. For most schools, you will want a short-term and a long-term career goal. This goal should be logical for you. This means it should flow naturally from your passions and experience. If it doesn’t, it is crucial that you explain why this goal makes sense for you.

Finally, this goal should be attainable. You are not going to be the CFO of Pepsi two years after graduating from business school (sorry!). Do your research in terms of what position might be reasonable in your target industry.

Why an MBA? Essay

To answer a question about why you want an MBA or why you want to study at X school, you want to show that you have carefully thought through how an MBA (at your target program) will prepare you to achieve your career goals. To do so, Personal MBA Coach suggests being very specific in detailing the opportunities you plan to take advantage of on campus.

Discuss classes you are particularly interested in or perhaps professors you are looking to study with, etc. Do not include a laundry list. Instead, carefully think through how each offering will allow you to fill in your skill and/or experience gaps. Be sure to show an understanding of your target school’s culture and avoid writing vague statements and copying content from other MBA application essays.

Personal Story Essay

With a personal story essay, your objective is to show the reader how your story is unique and how you will add value and diversity to classroom discussions and on campus activities. This can be one of the hardest essays to write. To get started, Personal MBA Coach advises that you make a list of everything you have done in your life and take the time to write it all down. Then, think carefully about the decisions you have made, activities you enjoy and, most importantly, why you made those choices. Finally, look for a theme! What single idea connects these items? This is the hard part, so give it time.

How do you conclude an MBA essay?

Do not overthink the conclusion. In fact, with short word limits, Personal MBA Coach often advises clients to write just one concluding sentence or remove the conclusion altogether. Conclusions can be fluffy, generic or repetitive. You do not need (or want) to waste words here. If you have told your story well and you have addressed the question clearly and concisely, do not worry about the conclusion!

How far in advance should I start my MBA essays?

As soon as possible! It is never too early to start thinking about your MBA essays. In fact, Personal MBA Coach works with many clients 6 month – 3 years in advance through our Early Planning package, helping future applicants make the appropriate career and extracurricular decisions to ensure they have enough experience to write strong MBA essays.

That said, with diligence, some Personal MBA Coach clients are able to develop a compelling MBA essay within a month. (Keep in mind, this is a very compressed timeline and takes dedication to achieve!). Plus, you always want to leave time for proofreading and should avoid submitting your essays at the last minute. 

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 14 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2, currently holding the #1 ranking in the US on Poets&Quants.

We help clients with all aspects of the MBA application process including early planning, GMAT/GRE/EA tutoring, application strategy, school selection, essay editing and mock interviews. Our team includes a former M7 admissions director and former M7 admissions interviewers.

Last year, our clients earned more than $6M in scholarships!

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20 Must-Read MBA Essay Tips

Business school admissions committees care about more than (just) your  GMAT scores and GPA —they want to know who you are and why you belong in their program . Your MBA essays are your best chance to sell the person behind the résumé. They should tie all the pieces of your business school application together and create a comprehensive picture of who you are, what you've done, and what you bring to the table.  Here's a roundup of our best MBA essay tips to keep in mind as you begin to write.

How to Write an Unforgettable B-School Essay

1. communicate that you are a proactive, can-do sort of person..

Business schools want leaders, not applicants content with following the herd.

2. Put yourself on ego-alert.

Stress what makes you unique, not what makes you number one.

3. Communicate specific reasons why you're great fit for each school.

Simply stating "I am the ideal candidate for your program" won't convince the admission committee to push you into the admit pile.

Read More: Find Your Business School

4. Bring passion to your writing.

Admissions officers want to know what excites you. And if you'll bring a similar enthusiasm to the classroom.

5. Break the mold.

Challenge perceptions with unexpected essays that say, "There's more to me than you think."

6. If you've taken an unorthodox path to business school, play it up.

Admissions officers appreciate risk-takers.

7. Talk about your gender, ethnicity, minority status or foreign background....

But only if it has affected your outlook or experiences.

8. Fill your essays with plenty of real-life examples.

Specific anecdotes and vivid details make a much greater impact than general claims and broad summaries.

9. Demonstrate a sense of humor or vulnerability.

You're a real person, and it's okay to show it!

BONUS: Don't Make These MBA Essay Mistakes

1. write about your high school glory days. .

Admissions committees don't care if you were editor of the yearbook or captain of the varsity team. They expect their candidates to have moved onto more current, professional achievements.

2. Submit essays that don't answer the questions.

An off-topic essay, or one that merely restates your résumé, will frustrate and bore the admissions committee. More importantly, it won't lead to any new insight about you.

Attend UNC's top-ranked online MBA program without putting your career on hold. See how.

3. Fill essays with industry jargon.

Construct your essays with only enough detail about your job to frame your story and make your point.

4. Reveal half-baked reasons for wanting the MBA.

Admissions officers favor applicants who have well-defined goals. However unsure you are about your future, it's critical that you demonstrate that you have a plan.

5. Exceed the recommended word limits.

This suggests you don't know how to follow directions, operate within constraints or organize your thoughts.

6. Submit an application full of typos and grammatical errors.

A sloppy application suggests a sloppy attitude.

7. Send one school an essay intended for another—or forget to change the school name when using the same essay for several applications.

Admissions committees are (understandably) insulted when they see another school's name or forms.

8. Make excuses.

If your undergraduate experience was one long party, be honest. Discuss how you've matured, both personally and professionally.

9. Be impersonal in the personal statement.

Many applicants avoid the personal like the plague. Instead of talking about how putting themselves through school lowered their GPA, they talk about the rising cost of tuition in America. Admissions officers want to know about YOU.

Read More: How to Ace Your MBA Interview

10. Make too many generalizations.

An essay full of generalizations is a giveaway that you don't have anything to say.

11. Write in a vacuum.

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