University of Washington MBA Essays: A Simple Guide for Applicants

 

If you're applying to the University of Washington’s MBA program at the Foster School of Business, writing strong essays is a key part of your application. These essays give you a chance to show the admissions team who you are, what you’ve done, and where you want to go in your career. This guide will help you understand the University of Washington MBA essays and give you tips on how to write them.

Why Foster School of Business?

Before you start writing, it’s important to know what the Foster School of Business values. Foster is known for its focus on leadership, innovation, and community. The school is located in Seattle, which is a major center for technology and entrepreneurship. This means Foster places a lot of importance on leadership and innovative thinking. Keep these points in mind as you write your University of Washington MBA essays.

Essay 1: "Post-MBA Career Goals"

Prompt: "What are your career goals after earning your MBA from Foster, and how will the courses and activities offered at Foster help you achieve these goals?"

This essay asks you to explain what you want to do after you get your MBA and how the Foster program will help you get there.

Tips for Writing:

1. Be Clear About Your Goals: Instead of saying something general like “I want to be a leader,” be specific. For example, “I want to become a product manager at a tech company like Amazon and use data to drive product decisions.”

2. Connect Your Goals to Foster: Do some research on the Foster MBA program. Mention specific classes, clubs, or opportunities that will help you reach your goals. For example, you could talk about how Foster’s “Technology Management MBA Program” will give you the skills you need for a career in tech.

Essay 2: "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion"

Prompt: "Describe a time when you contributed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. How do you plan to continue contributing to these values during your MBA experience at Foster?"

In this essay, you’ll need to discuss your experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The Foster admissions team wants to see that you’re committed to these values and how you’ll continue to support them at Foster.

Tips for Writing:

1. Pick a Strong Example: Think of a time when you actively helped promote DEI. This could be at work, in a volunteer role, or in your personal life. Make sure the example shows how you took action to make a difference.

2. Show Your Impact: Don’t just describe what happened—focus on what you did and the results of your actions. For example, if you led a diversity initiative at work, explain how it improved the company culture.

Essay 3: "Optional Essay"

Prompt: "Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee."

This essay is optional. Use it to explain anything that might raise questions in your application, like a gap in employment, a low GPA, or an unusual career path. You can also use it to highlight anything special about your background that you haven’t mentioned yet.

Tips for Writing:

1. Address Any Weaknesses: If you’re explaining a weakness, like a low GPA, do it positively. Explain what happened, what you learned, and how you’ve improved since then.

2. Keep It Short and to the Point: Only use this essay if you have something important to add. If you don’t, it’s okay to skip this section.

General Tips for Writing Your University of Washington MBA Essays

1. Be Yourself: The admissions team wants to get to know the real you. Write in your own voice and be honest about your experiences and goals.

2. Show Self-Awareness: Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Show that you understand yourself and your career goals.

3. Proofread: Spelling and grammar mistakes can hurt your application. Make sure to proofread your essays and ask someone else to read them too.

Conclusion

The University of Washington MBA essays is a great choice for people who want to make a big impact in their careers and communities. By writing honest and thoughtful essays, you can show the admissions team that you’re a perfect fit for Foster. Remember, your essays are not just about listing your achievements—they’re about showing how you align with Foster’s values of leadership, innovation, and community.