The McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University is one of the most prestigious business schools in the nation. With a history dating back to 1957, McDonough has produced countless influential business leaders and worked to develop ethical, principled leaders for over 60 years.
A key component of the McDonough application process is the video essay. In this mandatory submission, applicants are asked to record a 3-5 minute video responding to a given prompt. The video essay allows admissions committees to truly get to know applicants as individuals beyond just their resumes and standardized test scores. It provides a dynamic, personal introduction that captures an applicant’s communication skills, passion for their goals, and fit with McDonough’s culture.
Through the video essay, McDonough aims to assess an applicant’s self-awareness, ability to convey complex ideas succinctly on camera, and overall presence. Applicants should feel confident yet natural on camera while directly addressing the prompt. The goal is for reviewers to feel they are having an engaging conversation with the applicant rather than watching a stiff, overly-rehearsed monologue. Authenticity and comfort in one’s own skin are valued far more here than eloquence or polished delivery.
Some key tips for crafting a strong McDonough video essay include:
Carefully read and truly internalize the prompt so your response feels organic rather than memorized. The prompt is intended to inspire substantive reflection on goals, experiences, leadership approach, and vision for creating positive impact.
Share a story from your background that illustrates who you are and what motivates you. Dig deeper than just facts – convey the emotions, challenges, and lessons learned. Stories have more impact than vague descriptions.
Maintain eye contact with the camera as if speaking with an interviewer. Practice your response until maintaining natural eye contact feels comfortable. Filming multiple takes helps reduce nerves.
Limit distractions – film in a quiet space free from interruptions that could break your focus. Look directly at the lens rather than a monitor to maintain connection.
Edit your response down to the allotted 3-5 minutes. Anything longer risks losing reviewers’ attention. Practice your timing.
Review your video critically before submitting, checking audio/video quality and refining your message. Ask trusted advisors for candid feedback on your presence and whether your authentic self shined through.
Some popular prompt types seen in recent years include:
Discuss a challenge or failure you’ve faced and what you learned. How will you apply this lesson going forward?
Describe your leadership philosophy and give an example of how you’ve led others successfully. What qualities do you possess that make you an effective leader?
How have your diverse experiences and cultural backgrounds shaped your perspective and what you hope to contribute to our community?
Reflect on a domain you’re passionate about improving and how an McDonough MBA might help further your vision and make an impact.
Common narrative themes seen in effective video responses dive into stories around overcoming adversity, fostering inclusion, leaving a lasting legacy, or enacting meaningful change. Reviewers want to understand an applicant’s “why” – their core motivations and goals beyond just career progression.
For example, one applicant discussed growing up in poverty and using their experience to launch a nonprofit empowering underserved youth. Another reflected on leading diverse teams and how an MBA could expand their ability to cultivate cross-cultural understanding. Compelling narratives show self-awareness, align well with McDonough’s mission, and leave reviewers wanting to learn more about the applicant as a person.
The McDonough video essay differs notably from traditional written applications. Reviewers assess presence, poise under pressure, and ability to synthesize ideas succinctly on the fly rather than via heavily edited essays. For this reason, applicants aiming for an interview invite should focus on crafting a sincere, memorable response that highlights their authentic selves through a compelling personal anecdote. With practice and reflection, applicants can craft video essays showcasing who they are and why McDonough is the right choice to help them achieve their ambitions of creating lasting impact.