How to Answer London Business School (LBS) MBA Essay Prompts?
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London Business School’s (LBS) MBA program is globally-regarded as one of the best business administration courses for numerous reasons. Ranked eighth amongst all globally-recognized programs, by the Financial Times, the LBS MBA has over 100 electives to choose from, and 15 tailored core courses, along with flexible exit points. This makes the program highly flexible and customisable, enabling applicants to choose specialisations as per their personal goals and objectives.
MBA essays for London Business School (LBS) require you to craft compelling and well-articulated answers that showcase your personality, aspirations, and experiences. Writing such essays may be challenging, especially if you haven’t written MBA applications before. However, with an in-depth understanding of the prompts and the admissions committee’s expectations, you can write comprehensive and effective essays.
Having a global community of 53,000 professionals, spanning 150+ countries, and all major industries, the London Business School (LBS) enables students to expand their professional network, gain new business insights from industry experts, and hone their aptitude for leadership and management. Additionally, students can choose to complete the LBS MBA program in 15, 18, or 21 months, depending upon their learning pace and convenience.
Along with a dynamic global environment that allows you to expand your cultural boundaries, the LBS MBA also allows students to learn from world-class faculty, who are in touch with financial institutions, government agencies, and corporations, worldwide. This allows LBS students to stay cognizant of the latest research advancements and best-practices in the commercial, financial, and business spheres.
London Business School offers global experiential courses, which allow students to apply their learning in novel contexts and environments; through the London Core Application Practicum (LondonCAP), students can work with London-based businesses and startups, creating value while cementing their learning. Hence, it is no wonder that the LBS MBA program attracts students from around the globe.
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To apply for the LBS MBA program, applicants have to answer several LBS MBA essay prompts, in addition to their transcript documents. Also, as the competition for LBS seats is pretty stiff, it often comes down to how an applicant has answered his/her LBS MBA essay prompt that determines their selection.
Through this article, we will discuss how to answer the LBS MBA essay questions, and know about what universities are expecting from applicants in their answers. We will also share how applicants can create the best impression for themselves, while answering the mandatory as well as the optional LBS MBA essay prompts.
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LBS MBA Essay Questions and Answers
Here are the LBS MBA essay prompts and an explanation to how to write answers for MBA essays for London Business School where you need to answer one mandatory question and an optional question, answering which would add value to your profile:
Essay 1: What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (Limit: 500 words)
Outline:
To answer this LBS MBA essay prompt, applicants need to talk about all their relevant past experiences that would help them inch closer to their goals. They need to mention, in detail, about the kind of job/role or designation that they want to see themselves in, post the LBS MBA program. Hence, one must mention the kind of organization, and the position(s) that they wish to work at, in the future, along with the kind of work they want to do, and the contributions that they wish to make to the organization(s) that they join.
Considering the goals mentioned, applicants should try to relate how their past experiences (including past education, industry exposure and management/leadership experiences), combined with the knowledge and exposure gained through the MBA program, can help them attain their goals. This LBS MBA essay prompt also tests whether an applicant has researched/read enough about the LBS MBA program, its course curriculum, facilities, and features. With ample research, applicants can mention how their previous experiences, coupled with the skills and knowledge acquired through the program, can help them attain the goals that they have in mind.
Read: Sample Essays for Study Abroad: Steps for Essay Writing Tips
Essay 2: What makes you unique? (Limit: 200 words)
Outline:
Applicants can either dive straight to their strengths, while answering this LBS MBA essay prompt, or choose to describe how their unique experiences, background, and business exposure, position them to contribute to the classroom. All applicants are to try to stand out while answering this prompt. However, what you mention must align with the theme of the program, and should highlight talents, experiences or qualities that can help you do well in the MBA program and beyond. You can also mention specific instances that highlight your management or leadership attributes.
Read: Types of Admission Essays - UG, MBA, Scholarship & Gap-year Essays
Essay 3: Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (Limit: 500 words) (Optional)
Outline:
This optional LBS MBA essay prompt enables you to discuss experiences, instances, or influences that were not discussed well in your SOP and Resume. Applicants having gaps in their education or employment can also use this essay to discuss the reasons and circumstances that led to the gaps in education/employment. In addition, if there are any experiences (especially related to management, leadership, or mentorship) that you believe can turn the decision of the LBS admissions committee (Ad Com) in your favour, or highlight your prowess as a manager, you may mention them as well. You can also discuss your motivations for specifically choosing the LBS MBA, and how studying at LBS would benefit you.
Also Read:
The above LBS MBA essay prompts should be answered very carefully, as they help the Ad Com make the final decision about your candidature. However, it is also important be genuine while answering these questions and explain your points well. Remember that communication and interpersonal skills are essential skills for a good manager; how you present the facts can also determine the impression you create.
LBS MBA Essay Prompts FAQs
Q. How challenging is it to get into an LBS MBA course?
A. Though is quite difficult to get into LBS programs, it is not impossible to do so. The average acceptance rate for LBS MBA program is about 20%. Applicants have to impress the Ad Com through their business acumen, theoretical knowledge, and educational and professional experiences to gain admission.
Q. What is unique about an LBS MBA degree?
A. The LBS MBA degree is both exclusive and expensive (for most), at the same time, and there are many reasons for the same. Housed in London, and possessing a strong alumni network, LBS has world-class faculty and small class sizes, making it a great learning environment. Additionally, its location allows access to top-tier job opportunities for its B-school graduates.
Q. How much salary do LBS graduates get on an average?
A. Though salaries may depend greatly on the business sector, job role, and the country of operation, LBS graduates are paid handsomely, especially in the consulting sector. The salary for LBS MBA graduates ranges from INR 20.34 lakhs to INR 2.1 Cr per annum. In the previous year, the highest package received was INR 2.25,02,056 Cr, per annum, in the consulting industry.
Q. What are the eligibility criteria for applying to the LBS MBA programs?
A. For Indian applicants who are applying to LBS, the minimum number of years of professional experience required is two years, although the majority of applicants have more. LBS emphasizes on management/ leadership experiences, business knowledge, career progression, and individual growth of its applicants. The applicants are also expected to have an undergraduate degree from top-tier institutions, decent marks, and some exposure to business operations.
The overall LBS acceptance rate is around 20%, the MBA course has an acceptance rate of around 9%. This makes this school's MBA course highly selective. However, according to the tips and tricks provided over the blog, these points can be followed by students who want to take admission to an MBA program:
- The GMAT is one factor so, ensure to focus on other application factors too
- The essays are important but so are the short answer questions
- Be strategic in recommender choices
- Try to consider the application as a course application and less of a job application. Do not focus too much on the post-MBA life
- Make sure to answer these 3 Whys in your application – Why LBS? Why MBA? Why now?
- While making the application, truly think about what you want to get out of the MBA and LBS experience, be introspective in the answers and by doing so, truly articulate your natural personality
- Talk to students and alumni and find out what truly excites you for the LBS MBA
- Answer the question in each essay and be careful about the optional essay
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