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Outside LBS’ Sussex Place Building. Copyright Richard Moran

 London Business School MBA Essays: Experts Tips

London Business School (LBS) prides itself as having one of the world’s most flexible MBA programs. The B-school values independence and its students have gone on to become leaders in a variety of industries—from finance to tech.

Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, recently discussed LBS’ 2022-2023 MBA essay prompts and offered insight into how students can best approach each essay.

REQUIRED ESSAY

The LBS required essay prompt asks applicants:

What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)

To approach writing this essay, Blackman suggests practicing self-awareness in thinking about your strengths and interests and how they tie into your goals and dreams.

“It could be helpful to talk to colleagues and alumni who have MBAs in your field to identify various career paths,” Blackman says. “Make sure that your career goals are both realistic and aspirational. Think about the short-term roles post-MBA that may lead to your most ambitious longer-term goals.”

It can also be helpful to examine your past experiences and determine how they have formed a foundation for your post-MBA goals. However, Blackman warns, your essay shouldn’t simply reiterate information from your resume.

“Think about explaining the rationale for your decisions throughout the essay,” Blackman says. “Why did you pursue your past experience, and what has been the impetus behind subsequent career choices? At this point, why are you choosing LBS?”

OPTIONAL ESSAY

The LBS optional essay prompt asks applicants:

Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (500 words)

With this essay, admissions officers want to know how you’ll bring a unique perspective to the diverse LBS community. Blackman suggests approaching the optional essay by opening up about your personal story and highlighting the values that make you uniquely you.

“This could be the ideal place to describe a unique background, experience, or attribute that did not fit elsewhere in the application,” Blackman says. “Diversity can mean many things. For example, it can be where you are from, the culture you identify with, or your approach to life. If diversity of experience or attitude doesn’t resonate for you, have you been challenged and innovated? When have you taken a new view or challenged conventional wisdom?”

Sources: Stacy Blackman Consulting, P&Q

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