Kelley School of Business Application Essay: What You Need to Know and How to Ace It
How to Write a Winning Kelley School of Business Application Essay
If you are looking for a top-ranked MBA program that will prepare you for the challenges and opportunities of the global business world, then you should consider applying to Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Kelley is known for its innovative curriculum, collaborative culture, diverse community, and strong alumni network. It offers a variety of MBA programs, including full-time, online, executive, and dual degrees.
kelley school of business application essay
However, getting into Kelley is not easy. The acceptance rate for the full-time MBA program is around 30%, which means you will have to compete with hundreds of other qualified applicants. One of the most important parts of your application is the essay, which gives you a chance to showcase your personality, goals, achievements, and fit with Kelley.
So how do you write a winning Kelley School of Business application essay? In this article, we will guide you through the steps and tips to craft an impressive essay that will stand out from the crowd. We will also provide some examples of successful essays that have helped previous applicants get admitted to Kelley.
Showcase Your Leadership Potential
One of the key qualities that Kelley looks for in its applicants is leadership potential. They want to see that you have the ability to inspire others, influence change, solve problems, and make an impact in your chosen field.
Explain how you have demonstrated leadership skills in your professional or personal life.
The first step to showcase your leadership potential is to explain how you have demonstrated leadership skills in your professional or personal life. You can draw examples from your work experience, volunteer activities, community service, extracurricular involvement, or any other relevant context.
For instance, you can write about how you led a team project at work that resulted in increased sales, improved customer satisfaction, or reduced costs. Or you can write about how you organized a fundraising event for a social cause that you care about, and how you motivated others to join you.
Provide specific examples of your achievements and impact as a leader.
The next step is to provide specific examples of your achievements and impact as a leader. You should use the STAR method to structure your examples, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This will help you to describe the situation or challenge that you faced, the task or goal that you had, the action that you took, and the result that you achieved.
For example, you can write something like this: "As a marketing manager at XYZ company, I was assigned to lead a new product launch campaign. The situation was challenging because we had a tight budget and a short deadline. My task was to create and execute a marketing strategy that would generate awareness and demand for the product. I took the action of conducting market research, designing creative materials, coordinating with media outlets, and organizing promotional events. As a result, we successfully launched the product on time and within budget, and achieved a 25% increase in sales and a 50% increase in brand recognition."
Highlight how your leadership style aligns with Kelley's values and culture.
The final step is to highlight how your leadership style aligns with Kelley's values and culture. You should show that you are not only a leader, but also a team player, a learner, and a contributor. You should demonstrate that you share Kelley's vision of developing leaders who are ethical, innovative, collaborative, and global-minded.
For example, you can write something like this: "My leadership style is based on trust, respect, and communication. I believe in empowering my team members to take ownership of their work and to share their ideas and feedback. I also value learning from others and seeking diverse perspectives. I think these qualities are essential for being a successful leader in today's complex and dynamic business environment. I am eager to join Kelley's MBA program because I know that it will provide me with the opportunity to learn from world-class faculty and peers, to collaborate on real-world projects, and to expand my global network."
Demonstrate Your Academic Excellence
Another quality that Kelley looks for in its applicants is academic excellence. They want to see that you have the intellectual ability, curiosity, and discipline to succeed in their rigorous MBA program.
Discuss your academic background and achievements, and how they have prepared you for the MBA program.
The first step to demonstrate your academic excellence is to discuss your academic background and achievements, and how they have prepared you for the MBA program. You can mention your undergraduate degree, major, GPA, honors, awards, scholarships, or any other academic recognition that you have received. You can also mention any relevant coursework, research projects, publications, or presentations that you have completed or participated in.
For example, you can write something like this: "I graduated magna cum laude from ABC University with a bachelor's degree in economics. I was awarded the Dean's List every semester and received the Best Thesis Award for my research on the impact of trade liberalization on developing countries. I also took several courses in finance, accounting, statistics, and management that gave me a solid foundation in business concepts and skills. Additionally, I presented my research findings at several national and international conferences and published two papers in peer-reviewed journals."
Address any gaps or weaknesses in your academic record, and how you have overcome them or plan to improve them.
The next step is to address any gaps or weaknesses in your academic record, and how you have overcome them or plan to improve them. You should be honest and transparent about any low grades, low test scores, gaps in education, or other issues that might raise concerns for the admissions committee. You should also explain the reasons behind these issues, how they affected your performance or progress, and what steps you have taken or are taking to overcome them or improve them.
For example, you can write something like this: "One of the challenges that I faced during my undergraduate studies was balancing my academic workload with my part-time job. I had to work 20 hours per week to support myself financially while studying full-time. This sometimes affected my ability to attend classes regularly or complete assignments on time. As a result, my GPA dropped slightly in my sophomore year. However, I learned how to manage my time more effectively and prioritize my tasks more efficiently. I also sought help from my professors and classmates whenever I needed it. By doing so, I was able to improve my grades significantly in my junior and senior years."
Emphasize your intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn from Kelley's faculty and peers.
Highlight Your Professional Experience and Goals
Another quality that Kelley looks for in its applicants is professional experience and goals. They want to see that you have a clear vision of your career path, and that you have the relevant skills and achievements to pursue it.
Describe your current or previous work experience, and how it has shaped your career aspirations and skills.
The first step to highlight your professional experience and goals is to describe your current or previous work experience, and how it has shaped your career aspirations and skills. You can mention your job title, company name, industry, duration, responsibilities, and accomplishments. You can also mention any promotions, awards, recognitions, or feedback that you have received.
For example, you can write something like this: "I have been working as a financial analyst at XYZ company for the past three years. XYZ is a leading consulting firm that provides financial advisory services to clients across various sectors and regions. My main responsibilities include conducting financial modeling, valuation, due diligence, and market research for various projects. I have also been involved in preparing pitch decks, proposals, and reports for senior management and clients. Some of my notable accomplishments include helping a client secure a $100 million funding deal, increasing the revenue of a project by 15%, and receiving the Employee of the Year Award for my outstanding performance."
Explain your short-term and long-term career goals, and how they are aligned with Kelley's mission and vision.
The next step is to explain your short-term and long-term career goals, and how they are aligned with Kelley's mission and vision. You should be specific and realistic about what you want to achieve in your career, and how you plan to get there. You should also show how Kelley's MBA program will help you reach your goals and support your vision.
For example, you can write something like this: "My short-term goal is to advance to a senior financial analyst position at XYZ company or a similar firm. I want to take on more challenging projects and responsibilities, and expand my network and exposure in the industry. My long-term goal is to become a partner or a director at a reputable consulting firm or a financial institution. I want to lead teams and projects that have a positive impact on society and the environment. I believe that these goals are aligned with Kelley's mission of developing leaders who create value for stakeholders and society. I also share Kelley's vision of fostering innovation, collaboration, and global awareness in business."
Show how Kelley's MBA program will help you achieve your goals and advance your career.
The final step is to show how Kelley's MBA program will help you achieve your goals and advance your career. You should demonstrate that you have done your research on Kelley's MBA program, and that you know what it offers and what it expects from its students. You should mention specific aspects of the program that appeal to you, such as the curriculum, faculty, concentrations, electives, experiential learning opportunities, clubs, events, or career services. You should also explain how these aspects will benefit you personally and professionally.
Express Your Passion and Personality
The last quality that Kelley looks for in its applicants is passion and personality. They want to see that you are more than just a resume or a test score, and that you have a unique story, perspective, and voice to share.
Share your personal interests, hobbies, values, and motivations, and how they reflect who you are as a person.
The first step to express your passion and personality is to share your personal interests, hobbies, values, and motivations, and how they reflect who you are as a person. You can write about anything that makes you happy, excited, or inspired, such as your family, friends, culture, hobbies, travels, sports, arts, or causes. You can also write about what drives you to pursue your goals, what challenges you to grow, or what makes you unique.
For example, you can write something like this: "One of my passions is photography. I love capturing the beauty and diversity of life through my lens. I started taking photos when I was a teenager, and since then I have traveled to over 20 countries and taken thousands of photos. Photography has taught me to appreciate different cultures, perspectives, and stories. It has also helped me to express myself creatively and emotionally. Another passion of mine is volunteering. I have been involved in various social and environmental projects in my community and abroad. I have helped to build houses for low-income families, plant trees for reforestation, teach English to children, and raise funds for animal shelters. Volunteering has taught me to be compassionate, responsible, and grateful. It has also given me a sense of purpose and fulfillment."
Demonstrate your fit with Kelley's community and culture, and how you will contribute to it.
The next step is to demonstrate your fit with Kelley's community and culture, and how you will contribute to it. You should show that you are aware of and respect Kelley's values and norms, such as collaboration, diversity, integrity, excellence, and leadership. You should also show that you are eager to be an active and engaged member of Kelley's community, both inside and outside the classroom.
integrity, excellence, and leadership. I value working with others who have different backgrounds, experiences, and opinions, and learning from them. I also strive to uphold high standards of quality and ethics in everything I do. I am eager to be an active and engaged member of Kelley's community, both inside and outside the classroom. I look forward to participating in class discussions, group projects, case competitions, and networking events. I also look forward to joining some of the clubs and organizations that interest me, such as the Finance Club, the Photography Club, the Net Impact Club, and the Kelley Student Government. I believe that I can contribute to Kelley's community and culture by sharing my knowledge, skills, perspectives, and passions with others. I also believe that I can learn a lot from Kelley's community and culture, and grow as a person and a professional."
Mention any extracurricular activities, clubs, or organizations that you are involved in or plan to join at Kelley.
The final step is to mention any extracurricular activities, clubs, or organizations that you are involved in or plan to join at Kelley. You should show that you have a balanced and well-rounded profile, and that you have interests and passions outside of academics and work. You should also show that you have done your research on Kelley's offerings and opportunities, and that you have specific plans to get involved and make an impact.
For example, you can write something like this: "Outside of academics and work, I enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities. Some of them include playing soccer, reading novels, cooking new dishes, and watching movies. These activities help me to relax, have fun, and stay healthy. At Kelley, I plan to join some of the extracurricular activities that match my interests and passions. For instance, I would love to join the Kelley Soccer Club, where I can play with other soccer enthusiasts and compete in tournaments. I would also love to join the Kelley Book Club, where I can discuss books with other avid readers and discover new genres and authors. Additionally, I would love to join the Kelley Culinary Club, where I can learn new recipes and cuisines from other cultures. Finally, I would love to join the Kelley Film Club, where I can watch and analyze movies with other film buffs."
Conclusion
highlight your professional experience and goals, and express your passion and personality. You also need to provide specific examples, address any gaps or weaknesses, and explain your fit and contribution to Kelley's community and culture. By doing so, you will be able to craft an impressive essay that will stand out from the crowd and convince the admissions committee that you are a strong candidate for Kelley School of Business and that you are excited to join it. We hope that this article has helped you to understand how to write a winning Kelley School of Business application essay. We wish you all the best in your application process and your MBA journey.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Kelley School of Business application essay:
What is the word limit for the Kelley School of Business application essay?
The word limit for the Kelley School of Business application essay is 500 words. You should try to stay within this limit and avoid writing too much or too little. You should also proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity before submitting it.
What are some of the common mistakes to avoid when writing the Kelley School of Business application essay?
Some of the common mistakes to avoid when writing the Kelley School of Business application essay are: - Writing a generic or vague essay that does not answer the prompt or show your fit with Kelley. - Writing an essay that is too focused on yourself or too focused on Kelley, without showing a balance between the two. - Writing an essay that is too boastful or too humble, without showing confidence and authenticity. - Writing an essay that is too long or too short, without covering all the important points or leaving out any relevant details. - Writing an essay that is plagiarized or copied from other sources, without using your own words and voice.
How can I make my Kelley School of Business application essay stand out from the crowd?
Some of the ways to make your Kelley School of Business application essay stand out from the crowd are: - Writing an essay that showcases your unique story, perspective, and voice, and how they reflect who you are as a person and a professional. - Writing an essay that provides specific examples, evidence, and results to support your claims and arguments, and how they demonstrate your skills and achievements. - Writing an essay that addresses any gaps or weaknesses in your profile, and how you have overcome them or plan to improve them. - Writing an essay that explains your fit and contribution to Kelley's community and culture, and how you will benefit from and add value to it.
What are some of the resources that can help me write a better Kelley School of Business application essay?
Some of the resources that can help you write a better Kelley School of Business application essay are: - The official website of Kelley School of Business, where you can find information about its MBA programs, admissions requirements, deadlines, events, and more. - The official blog of Kelley School of Business, where you can find tips, insights, stories, and advice from current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and admissions officers. highlights, and testimonials from its community. - The online forums and platforms where you can connect with other MBA applicants, current students, alumni, and experts, and get feedback, guidance, and support for your application process. - The online tools and services that can help you with your essay writing, such as grammar checkers, plagiarism checkers, word counters, and editing services.
Where can I find some examples of successful Kelley School of Business application essays?
Some of the places where you can find some examples of successful Kelley School of Business application essays are: - The official website of Kelley School of Business, where you can find some sample essays from previous applicants who got admitted to Kelley. - The online forums and platforms where you can find some real essays from current students or alumni who shared their application experiences and tips. - The online books and guides that provide some examples and analysis of successful MBA application essays, such as 65 Successful Harvard Business School Application Essays, 50 MBA Essays That Worked, or How to Write a Winning MBA Essay. 71b2f0854b