MBA programs are increasingly asking candidates to submit video essays as part of their application. Video essays allow schools to get a sense of who applicants are beyond just their resumes and essays. They provide an opportunity for applicants to stand out from the crowd in a personal and memorable way.
While the goal of a video essay is to convey your authentic self, it’s still important to approach the task deliberately. Crafting an effective video response takes practice and planning. Some schools provide sample prompts to help applicants prepare, but if yours doesn’t, here are some questions MBA programs commonly ask in their video essay requirements:
Tell us about yourself and why you want an MBA.
This open-ended question is a staple of video essay prompts. It allows applicants to share something personal about their background, experiences, personality, and goals. Consider focusing your response around two or three particularly formative life events, career experiences, interests or personal qualities that illustrate why an MBA makes sense for you right now. Show, don’t just tell, through concrete examples and anecdotes.
What unique experience, skill, perspective or value will you bring to our program?
Schools want to understand your differentiators and how you’ll contribute to your class. Highlight one or two of your defining qualities, whether it’s a global upbringing, leadership role, career accomplishment, cultural passion or other attribute that sets you apart. Explaining how you’ve demonstrated that quality before and how you’ll apply it in an MBA program shows thoughtful self-awareness and fit.
How has your career progressed to this point and what impact are you hoping to make after your MBA?
Provide a high-level overview of your professional journey so far, focusing on growth experiences, challenges overcome, and skills developed along the way. Then tie it back to your future aspirations – the type of role or industry you want to move into after graduation and the impact you plan to have. Connect the dots between your past and where an MBA will take you next.
Describe a time you failed or struggled. What did you learn?
Admitting weakness or mistakes shows humility and self-awareness. Share a specific example of a professional or personal setback, what you did wrong, and most importantly, the lessons you took away. Emphasize the growth that transpired as a result. This question assesses your capacity for critical self-reflection.
Discuss a leader who inspires you and why.
Candidates often get asked about role models. Pick someone you genuinely admire, like a mentor, and analyze what specific traits made them inspiring – their vision, work ethic, character, etc. Explain how you hope to emulate those leaderly qualities one day. Relate it back to the skills and experiences an MBA can provide to help you develop in that direction.
What question would you ask of the admissions committee?
This prompt gives you a chance to show thoughtful inquiry. Craft a question that reveals genuine interest in the unique aspects of the program, campus culture or mission. It humanizes you while signaling a direct engagement with the school. Practice asking questions confidently using good eye contact and body language.
There may be additional prompts, but hopefully these samples provide a sense of the types of insightful, engaging responses expected in a successful MBA video essay. Most of all, show your true personality and passion for your goals. Practice and take multiple takes until you feel fully yourself on camera. With preparation and authenticity, the video interview format gives applicants an excellent opportunity to leave an unforgettable impression.