Rejected from your dream business school? While rejection can be discouraging, do not give up: Personal MBA Coach successfully guides MBA reapplicants every year.
And do not worry—even though your previous application(s) may be kept on file to assess your growth, MBA reapplicants receive unbiased evaluations just like everyone else. As Harvard Business School asserts, “reapplicants do not have an advantage or disadvantage in comparison to other applicants.”
Business schools do, however, require candidates to wait until the following year to reapply, providing ample time for you to take a step back and revise your application to maximize your chances of success the second time around.
Each school handles reapplicants slightly differently. For some schools, reapplying MBA candidates fill out the same application as first-time applicants. For others, along with changing application components, you may also have to answer a reapplicant essay question.
MBA reapplicant essays help the admissions committee understand how you have evolved personally and professionally between the time of your rejection and your reapplication. Before diving into how to answer MBA reapplicant essays, below is a brief list of top MBA programs’ recent reapplicant essay questions.
Harvard Business School MBA Reapplicant Essay
Please use this space to share with the Admissions Committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 word limit)
Please be aware that you have to answer this question on top of the other HBS MBA application essays. This means you will want to show growth and highlight new accomplishments without repeating anything from your application!
Columbia Business School MBA Reapplicant Essay
Your previous application is available for our team to review. Please share with us what has changed since your original application and how you have enhanced your candidacy. In addition, if your career goals have changed and/or if you are applying to a different program than your previous application, please discuss your change in thinking. Finally, how will Columbia Business School enable you to achieve your aspirations? (maximum 500 words)
Unlike other top MBA programs, reapplicants should answer ONLY this essay question. Please note that Columbia Business School will roll over your application details only within one year, so you need to answer this question only if you were rejected in the previous application cycle. If you first applied more than one year ago, you would not be considered a reapplicant and should answer all CBS application essays instead.
Wharton MBA Reapplicant Essay
Please use this space to explain how you have reflected on the previous decision on your application and to discuss any updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). You may also use this section to address any applicable extenuating circumstances. (250 words maximum)
Wharton MBA reapplicants make up approximately 10% of their applicant pool in any given year. As with HBS, you will want to cover only crucial developments and changes in your profile and should not repeat anything already covered in your other essays.
Kellogg MBA Reapplicant Essay
How have you grown or changed personally and professionally since you previously applied and what steps have you taken to become the strongest candidate you can be? (approximately 250 words)
The Kellogg MBA reapplicant essay is similar to the HBS and Wharton reapplicant essays. This is your chance to show the Kellogg admissions team how you have grown since you previously applied and why you are now better prepared for success.
MIT Sloan MBA Reapplicant Essay
Please let us know what’s changed since you last applied. (200 words maximum)
At only 200 words, MIT Sloan has the shortest MBA reapplication essay, forcing candidates to think very carefully about the most salient improvements in their profile.
Regardless of the reapplicant essay question, your general strategy should be the same. Here are four key tips for tackling MBA reapplicant essays:
1) Answer the question – directly!
While it can be tempting to spend the whole essay professing your love for a given business school, focus on what the question asks! Showing passion and interest is important but desire to attend is only one driver of success. Instead, tell the schools about your growth or goals.
2) Be specific.
Most reapplicant essays ask candidates to demonstrate growth. Remember, past actions are the best indicator of future performance, so be sure to share very specific examples of growth and keep it brief.
3) Consider both personal and professional growth.
While of course it would be great if you were promoted since your last application, this is not essential. You can grow professionally within an existing role by taking on additional projects or changing your approach. In addition, for some candidates, personal growth can be more important than professional growth. Consider weaknesses you have addressed or extracurricular roles you have taken on and reflect on how you have grown through them.
4) Do not dwell on the previous application.
Sometimes reapplicant essays focus on what they think went wrong during the previous application. This is not the most effective strategy. Instead of apologizing, focus on the positive. Convince your readers that you are a better applicant, using the tips noted above.
Need help with the MBA reapplication essay?
MBA reapplicant essays are included in all Comprehensive Packages. Although round 1 may seem far away, Personal MBA Coach is already working with round 1 clients on their applications. Reach out today to set up a consultation!
