The Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, City University of New York is well-known for its affordable tuition and reputation for launching successful business careers in New York City. Admission to the MBA program is competitive, with over 2,000 applicants vying for just 450 seats each year. The Zicklin MBA application consists of several required essays that allow applicants to share their background and motivate for admission. These essays are critically important to your candidacy and require strategic thought, planning, and drafting to maximize your chances of acceptance.
The three required personal statement essays for the Zicklin MBA program are the following:
Essay 1 (750 words): How will a Zicklin MBA enhance your career goals and ambitions?
This essay provides you the opportunity to thoughtfully connect the dots between your educational and professional experiences thus far and how obtaining a Zicklin MBA specifically would help further your career trajectory and ambitions. Admissions officers want to see a clear and compelling case for how an MBA from Zicklin fits into your bigger picture career path. Some tips for this essay include:
Research Zicklin’s network, programs, courses, industry connections and opportunities to see where specific strengths align with your goals. Don’t just say “an MBA will help me get a better job” – be concrete.
Explain in a few sentences your past education, work experience, skills and where you currently are professionally to provide context.
Outline a few career steps you aspire to take in the next 3-5 years and specifically how a Zicklin MBA will equip you with the tools, qualifications or network to achieve those next steps.
Show passion and enthusiasm for your future career industry or role. Express how Zicklin’s curriculum, location and resources are ideally suited to take you where you want to go.
Relate your career ambitions back to your past experiences to demonstrate a clear career progression and trajectory that admission officers can follow.
Essay 2 (250 words): What unique strengths or experiences will you bring to the Zicklin community?
This essay focuses on your character and how you would enrich the lives of your classmates and contribute value to Zicklin. Successful responses highlight one or two of your most defining qualities, talents, perspectives or accomplishments that differentiate you and would impact the classroom dynamic positively. Some approaches may include:
Unique work experiences in an industry few of your peers may be familiar with, exposing others to new horizons.
Bi-lingual abilities, cultural exposure from living abroad, or coming from a diverse background that advances inclusion.
Special skills, hobbies or talents outside the professional world that add fun, knowledge or activities to student life.
Challenges you’ve overcome, hardships you’ve faced, or an uncommon upbringing that instills resilience and helps others.
Perspective as a non-traditional student with children/family, military service, or an unexpected career pivot that enriches discussion.
The goal is to introduce just a taste of your unique spice and how it enriches the flavor of Zicklin’s student body. Keep it concise yet compelling
Essay 3 (500 words): Discuss an achievement of which you are most proud and explain its significance
This essay allows you to share a meaningful achievement that demonstrates your character, strengths and driver for success. It’s best to pick a specific story rather than general accomplishments. Some key elements for a standout response include:
Selecting an achievement you were deeply involved in and worked hard towards, preferably completed within the past 5 years.
Providing just enough background for context before narrating the experience, obstacles faced, lessons learned and the positive impact or outcome.
Emphasizing the specific contributions you made, responsibilities you shouldered and skills you gained through trials overcome.
Reflecting on how this experience shaped you personally and professionally in a profound way. How did you grow as a leader? Problem-solver? Team player?
Relating back to the present by tying in how this achievement still influences you or proves relevant to your future goals and ability to succeed in an MBA program.
Keeping an engaging storytelling tone rather than just listing facts. Admissions want to get to know you.
Editing meticulously for consistent grammar, effective word choices and a well-paced storyline. Proofread, then proofread again.
Following these guidelines demonstrates not just past wins but your potential to excel as a driven MBA student and high-impact alumni. Authentically sharing challenges faced along the way adds to your credibility and humanity. With care and focus, these Zicklin essays showcase why you belong among their community of leaders. Wishing you the very best in your application process!