How to Write UBC MBA Essays in 2024?

UBC MBA essays require a strategic approach to showcase personal motivations and experiences effectively. Applicants can choose between a Narrative or Deductive format for their UBC MBA essays. The Narrative is ideal for storytelling, while the Deductive suits logical arguments, particularly in STEM contexts.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder's Robert H. Lee Graduate School provides an opportunity for ambitious professionals to take their careers to the next level. The students gain advanced business knowledge and skills in the areas of Finance, Custom, Product and Service Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The UBC MBA essays in 2024 requires an approach that highlights personal experiences and aligns with the program's values. The admissions committee looks for authentic narratives that reveal your unique qualities and motivations for pursuing an MBA. One needs to avoid using vague words while writing the MBA essays for admission in University of British Columbia (UBC). 

Start by understanding the essay prompts, which often focus on your leadership experiences, career aspirations, and contributions to the UBC community. Choose a clear theme that ties your stories together, ensuring each narrative reinforces your main message. Utilize the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your anecdotes effectively, making them engaging and impactful.

Additionally, focus on specificity; avoid clichés and general statements. Instead, provide detailed examples that showcase your problem-solving skills and personal growth. Remember to maintain a genuine tone throughout your essays, allowing your personality to shine through.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) MBA Admission Deadlines

source: UBC Sauder School of Business | The University of British Columbia

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Essay 1: What motivates your decision to pursue an MBA? (200 Words)

This University of British Columbia (UBC) essay prompt is straightforward and is often asked by MBA schools. The student must have clarity in terms of post-MBA goals. The aim is to show your keenness to pursue this degree. This question entails: Why MBA? Why now? What are your short-term goals?

The student can structure the essay keeping in mind the above aspects. The Admissions Committee (Ad Com) wants to understand the motivations of the aspirant in pursuing an MBA at this juncture in his career. Do not waste your specified word limit in explaining ‘why this school’ because the next question addresses this topic. You must research the skills needed to attain your post-MBA career goals and find out gaps in your profile.

Essay 2: What excites you about the UBC MBA Program? Also, how do you plan to get the most out of this journey? (200 Words)

The Admissions Committee (Ad Com) here wants to know if you are fit for the program. You must research the school’s MBA program and discuss the features that appeal to you. You can talk about the electives offered, faculty members and their work, industry ties, clubs and societies that attract you, and other opportunities being offered.

The second part of this question is about how you can be involved in the Sauder community. How will you contribute to Sauder and what steps would you take to achieve your goals? Therefore, this essay as a whole requires you to talk about what the program offers you and how you would take advantage of it to reach your goals.

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Essay 3: Given the opportunity to provide 1 piece of advice; to the most important person in your life, personally or professionally what would that be? Why? (500 Words)

For this UBC essay prompt, you need to first identify the ‘most important person’ in your life (personally or professionally). You must discuss what advice you would give that person, and why. This will also showcase your leadership and communication skills and how you understand the strengths and weaknesses of people around you, and if you can help them. A good leader is also a people person and can work closely with others, giving them the correct advice to become better versions of themselves, in an empathetic manner.

Essay 4: The UBC MBA program prepares innovative and ethical leaders who understand the impact of business on society; and who seek to create value for the world. Please describe a situation in which you created value for an organization or group. What was the outcome we encourage you to consider your contributions in both professional and community settings. (500 Words)

The above UBC essay prompt is a Leadership essay. You need to give an instance/ example of your leadership and contribution in a team setting be it in an organization or a group. How did your leadership impact your organization/ group/ community? What did you contribute as a leader?

The UBC essay has ample scope for writing about a leadership situation. For example, one may have carried out a COVID-19 awareness campaign in his community. What were the challenges faced, what steps were taken to fight those challenges, and what was the outcome? The aspirant must try to give quantifiable details and learn from the experience.

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Video Essay:

Please respond to the following question in a video format (60-90 seconds). And upload it to either YouTube or Vimeo and provide the video’s URL. UBC Sauder business school students and alumni often describe their MBA experience as a transformational discovery of themselves. What do you foresee as the biggest challenge with regard to the MBA journey you are about to embark on? How do you plan to overcome this challenge?

The Ad Com wishes to know how prepared are you to undergo this rigorous UBC MBA program. You must showcase your understanding of what it would take to take up this program, the challenges involved and your preparedness to handle the same.

Moreover, keeping in mind the length of the video, you must practice your response beforehand to ensure that it will not exceed the specified time limit. Although you must rehearse before the actual recording, try to make it sound natural and not rehearsed. Most importantly, pay attention to dressing up in professional attire. The background should be clean and steady so that the focus remains on you. Avoid distracting props.

Things to remember:

While answering these UBC essay prompts you must:

1. Adhere to the word limit
2. Answer the questions directly
3. Answer each part of the question adequately
4. Avoid grammatical errors and typos
5. Ensure that you are politically correct and not offensive or aggressive

Candidates looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Topper Counselling services on our website. For other queries feel free to get in touch with us in the comments below. To read more about MBA Essays from top universities, visit our website. 

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