How Will You Contribute to Our MBA Program and Community?
The question “how will you contribute to our MBA program and community?” is one of the most common questions asked in MBA application essays. Business schools are looking for applicants who will add value and make meaningful contributions during their time in the program and afterwards through leadership, unique experiences, and commitment to serving others. This is your opportunity to thoughtfully articulate why you are a great fit and how you plan to make the most of your MBA experience.
In your response, admissions committees want to see self-awareness, specific examples of how you have contributed in the past, and tangible ways you envision giving back to the program and community moving forward. Rather than vague or generic statements, focus on addressing the “how” and “what” aspects of contribution through leadership, involvement, and empowering others. Remember that business schools accept a relatively small percentage of applicants each year, so stand out by highlighting your passion, character strengths, and strategic vision for positively impacting your peers and beyond.
Reflecting on Past Leadership and Contributions
One way to establish your potential for future contributions is by reflecting on meaningful ways you have already demonstrated leadership and added value to organizations and communities in your past. Some examples you may discuss include:
Academically – Serving as a tutor, mentor, or leader in student groups to help others excel. Teaching assistance or developing innovative curriculum.
Professionally – Initiatives or projects you spearheaded that created new efficiencies, improved processes, or directly benefited customers/colleagues. Awards or recognition received.
Volunteering – Long-term commitments and roles with non-profits, churches, political campaigns, professional associations, etc. Quantify your impact – funds raised, people served, hours donated.
Extracurriculars – Captaining sports teams, holding major roles in clubs/performing arts, organizing fundraising galas, planning conferences. Highlight tangible outcomes.
Challenges Overcome – Responsibilities or obstacles you have successfully shouldered such as caring for family, overcoming adversity, serving in the military, starting your own business.
Provide specific examples that showcase your leadership qualities, initiative, work ethic, collaboration skills, and ability to execute and achieve goals. Quantify results when possible to demonstrate your proven capacity for meaningful contributions.
Unique Perspectives and Skillsets
Beyond past leadership roles, MBA programs seek a diverse mix of individuals who will contribute in varied ways based on their unique perspectives, cultures, ambitions, and backgrounds. Highlight any professional, personal, or cultural experiences that give you a differentiated outlook and ability to connect with a wide range of people, such as:
Industries or functions worked in (e.g. technology, healthcare, marketing, operations)
International upbringing, language skills, global internships or work experience
Underrepresented demographic (e.g. first-gen student, person of color, military veteran)
Entrepreneurial mindset and startup experience from founding your own company
Developed skills such as public speaking, creative problem-solving, data analytics
Passion areas like sustainability, social impact, innovation, leadership development
Demonstrate how these distinctive qualities have shaped you into someone who can bring fresh perspectives and relatability to classroom discussions, group projects, mentorship opportunities, and student organizations. Explain how you plan to leverage your unique strengths and backgrounds.
Contributing Through Involvement and Service
The next key aspect is to map out concrete ways you foresee actively contributing to and engaging within your future MBA community through leadership, involvement and service. Some specific contribution opportunities to consider addressing include:
Student government roles (President, VP, Treasurer of clubs)
Planning campus events, conferences, competitions
Mentoring or tutoring fellow students
Enriching curriculum through new electives, labs, case competitions developed
Organizing outreach initiatives for the local community
Volunteering for career services and alumni networking programs
Recruiting future students and serving as an ambassador
Fostering collaborations between departments and organizations
Sharing your international or professional experiences through panels, lectures
Publishing articles, research or case studies showcasing your work
Detail the specific student roles, committees, projects or initiatives you are passionate about and well-suited for. School involvement shows your commitment while allowing you to develop new skills and create positive change.
Development Plans and Measurable Goals
Beyond involvement, outline short and long-term professional development goals you have that will allow you to grow and give back even more through your MBA experience and beyond. Some possibilities include plans to:
Obtain certain certifications to augment your studies (CFA, Lean Six Sigma, Project Management, etc.)
Complete internships in new industries or functions to build your network and skillset
Pursue joint degree programs or concentrations expanding your qualifications
Conduct innovative research with faculty addressing today’s business challenges
Present case studies and your work at professional conferences nationwide
Create an alumni mentorship program or lead recruitment events in your city
Pursue leadership roles at major corporations to institutionalize sustainable practices
Launch your own social impact company upon graduation tackling societal problems
Become actively involved with your industry’s professional associations afterwards
Quantify ideal outcomes when possible such as certain roles, publications, or the number of people impacted through your efforts over 5-10 years post-MBA. The more detailed and strategic your vision, the stronger it demonstrates serious goals of paying it forward.
Overcoming Challenges and Giving Back
Finally, touch upon any unique challenges or responsibilities you have already taken on in your background that further exemplify your perseverance, leadership qualities and future aspirations to empower others. For example:
Overcoming financial hardship to rise from humble beginnings to academic success
Playing the primary caregiver role while completing your undergraduate degree
Rising through the ranks after a career change or switch to reinvent yourself professionally
Starting a successful business while battling health issues or adversity in your personal life
Serving in the military to give back or launching community initiatives back home
Discuss how these resilient qualities and commitment to service have shaped your purpose and drive to uplift others through example. Reveal plans to someday start non-profits continuing your efforts or establish scholarship funds easing the burden for future generations.
Leave the Admissions Committee Inspired
In closing, reiterate your highest values and enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead to work collaboratively, elevate diverse perspectives, demonstrate servant leadership and energize positive change. Thank the committee for their consideration and for the privilege to one day proudly represent their school as an alumnus driving progress from within corporate boardrooms or the non-profit sector. Remind them that you are eager to contribute right from the start and make the most of this invaluable experience. With strong self-awareness, specific examples and a inspiring vision, you will leave the committee energized about your potential as a future leader within their community.
Andrew Stroud