![Georgetown McDonough MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 - 2022]](https://blog.accepted.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Georgetown_McD_Tips_2021-2022_REV_copy.jpg)
Georgetown’s MBA application essay questions and video component remain the same as last year, with the following exceptions:
- There are four essay options as opposed to last year’s three.
- Essay options #3 and #4 are new.
My advice is below for each of Georgetown’s prompts.
Georgetown MBA application essays 2021–2022
We want to hear your story. When responding to our required essays, be authentic and take time to reflect on your goals and past experiences. Craft a response that explains how these experiences led you to pursue an MBA.
Our goal at Georgetown McDonough is to assemble a diverse class with people who have had varying personal and professional life experiences. As such, we want to give our applicants the opportunity to select one essay (from a list of four) that allows them tto best highlight their experiences, characteristics, and values and that showcase the value proposition they can bring to the McDonough community. Please select one of the following four essays to complete in 300-350 words (approximately one page, double spaced) and include the essay prompt and your first and last name at the top of your submission.
The first issue you need to address is which question to answer. All four prompts below ask you to use examples of either a specific challenging experience or a particular individual whom you view as a leader. The goal of your response is to allow the readers to see you as a distinctive contributor to the Georgetown McDonough community by showcasing how you have addressed one of these four experiences.
So which should you choose? Respond to the question that you can answer most enthusiastically and easily while providing insight that complements material presented elsewhere in your MBA application.
As you’re choosing, review Georgetown’s mission and the influence of Jesuit values on the school. Then think about which of your experiences shows that you identify with those values and will contribute to Georgetown’s community.
Also realize that regardless of the option you choose, Georgetown is asking for one example and your reflection on that example. It is not asking for a general, lofty treatise on a topic with no example, and it’s not asking for multiple examples without analysis. It wants one example and a thoughtful response to its question(s) about that incident or individual.
Georgetown MBA essay option #1
Essay Option One – Principled Leadership: Georgetown McDonough places a strong emphasis on principled leadership, providing both curricular and co-curricular opportunities to strengthen your leadership skills. Describe a time when you’ve led a team in a professional environment to implement a new idea or process. What leadership characteristics did you utilize? What could you have done to be more effective? And most importantly, what skills will you be able to bring to the teams you lead at McDonough?
To address the prompt, discuss when you have led in a professional setting and implemented, or created something new. What character traits and leadership skills did you use? Analyze their effectiveness, good and bad, and identify the most successful as those you will bring to Georgetown McDonough.
Georgetown MBA essay option #2
Essay Option Two – Hoyas for the Common Good: Georgetown McDonough embodies the ethos that people and organizations can and should contribute to the greater good. The admissions committee would like to better understand how you’ve demonstrated these values during uniquely challenging times. Describe a time where you’ve put the needs of others ahead of your own or ahead of the bottom line. We look forward to learning more about the challenge you faced, what unique characteristics you brought to that scenario, and what you learned from it.
This essay is asking for an anecdote. Tell the story of a time when you contributed “for the greater good,” a cause that you believed in, or a value that is important to you. Alternatively, describe how you created some societal benefit even if there was no benefit for you individually.
You can follow the structure that Georgetown McDonough provides. Start with the challenge you faced. Then describe how you addressed those challenges, and the results you achieved. Finally, what did you learn from this experience about responding to a challenge, about putting principle above principal, and about yourself?
Georgetown MBA essay option #3
Essay Option Three – Personal Brand: Think of the business leader or role model you admire or aspire to be. What are the defining characteristics of his or her personal brand that you see in yourself? Give an example of how you have been able to emulate these characteristics in your professional career and how your personal brand will enrich the McDonough community.
I think this is the hardest of the four prompts to answer, but if you know your personal brand and are comfortable responding to this one, go for it! Clearly, Georgetown values self-aware, thoughtful, purposeful individuals.
Take note that personal brand (AKA reputation) is not just ideals; it has to be reflected in your behavior. To take an extreme example, if someone espouses kindness but is cruel, their personal brand is one of cruelty. If one espouses activism and initiative, but is passive, their personal brand is one of passivity.
So if you want to present yourself with specific values, your behavior must match, or you don’t have the brand you claim. The essay readers will see the hollowness of your claims very quickly.
On the other hand, if you have a leader you admire and have lived up to their qualities and ideals, this is the leader you should write about, focusing on their most positive attributes and how they are reflected in your own personal brand. You will also need to discuss how you intend to use those attributes to benefit the Georgetown community.
Georgetown MBA essay option #4
Essay Option Four – The Georgetown Community: Georgetown McDonough is a diverse, global community. We look to understand the contribution that your personal background would make to our community. As appropriate, you may wish to address any obstacles or challenges you have overcome; any educational, familial, cultural, economic, and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals; or how your background (e.g. first-generation student, resident outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g. community service and leadership) will contribute to our community.
This is a personal background essay. How has your unique background influenced you and the development of your goals? How will it allow you to contribute to the McDonough class and its rich diversity?
You could start this essay with a story that illustrates this distinctive and influential aspect of your background and then bring it forward. How has it motivated you? How has it shaped your values? How does it guide and influence your behavior, actions, and goals? And finally, as a result of its profound impact, how are you going to add to your class at Georgetown?
Watch: Shelly Heinrich, Associate Dean of MBA Admissions at Georgetown McDonough, on the most common application mistakes
Georgetown MBA essay #5 (video essay)
Video Essay: What makes you unique? In a one-minute video, describe the most compelling aspects of yourself that you believe make you stand out from other MBA candidates. (Hint: one minute goes fast! We already have your resume and goals – share something new!) Use this video as an opportunity to bring life to your application.
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- You may use your phone, computer, or other means to record the video, but please ensure all audio and visual components are clear. We recommend a well-lit room and minimal noise distraction.
- The admissions committee would like for you to appear in person during part of your video.
- We recommend unscripted, conversational videos – help us get to know the real you!
- Upload your video to an accessible website (such as YouTube, Vimeo, Youku, or Tudou), and submit the direct video URL into your online application.
- Please note that all videos must remain active and accessible to the admissions committee online for a minimum of five years for record retention purposes.
- For your privacy: Do not include your name in the title of your video. You may submit “unlisted” videos via YouTube or password protected videos through Vimeo. If using a password, please include immediately after your link in the text box below. [Ex: www.youtube.com/123, password: Hoyas]
- You may use your phone, computer, or other means to record the video, but please ensure all audio and visual components are clear. We recommend a well-lit room and minimal noise distraction.
Remember that your audience has already seen your resume, essays, and probably the rest of your application; you certainly don’t want to bore them by rehashing what they just read.
What would you want them to know about you?
You want to provide r more than just spreadsheet skills or professional mojo here, although those might creep in. Balance personal and professional. As Georgetown says, “bring life to your application” with this video. If you used the essay to discuss a professional experience, use the video essay to reveal something that is not work-related. If you used the essay for a personal example of resilience, then I still wouldn’t focus exclusively on work, because as the instructions say, “bring life to your application.”
Take the time to sketch out what you want to say in these sixty seconds. I don’t recommend that you write it out and memorize it, but definitely have a plan. And then practice, practice, practice.
It can be strange to speak to a camera. Since by its very nature the camera gives no feedback and has no reaction, you need to either practice by yourself and view the videos of your practices so that you improve, or ask an encouraging friend to film you so that at least you have your friend’s reactions to respond to. Another idea: ask a friend to have a video call with you, but with their camera turned off so that your friend can see you, but you don’t see your friend. Then ask for feedback.
What is the Georgetown admissions committee looking for in this video? They are trying to imagine you as a member of their community. They also want to see how you present yourself without going to the trouble and expense of an interview. They want to assess your presence: how will you appear to a potential employer?
Georgetown MBA essay #6 (optional)
Please provide any information you would like to add to your application that you have not otherwise included (300-350 words, approximately one page, double spaced).
Please see Optional Essays: When and How to Write Them.
Georgetown MBA essay #7 (required for reapplicants)
How have you strengthened your candidacy since your last application? We are particularly interested in hearing about how you have grown professionally and personally (300-350 words, approximately one page, double spaced).
This is a key question (whether asked explicitly or not) for all reapplicants to any MBA program. What have you changed? How are you “new and improved” since your previous application when you were rejected? Georgetown does you the favor of providing this explicit prompt so you can address this question while retaining the ability to address the main essays.
Georgetown McDonough at a glance
Georgetown McDonough MBA average GMAT score: 691
Georgetown McDonough MBA average GPA: 3.34
Georgetown McDonough MBA acceptance rate: 56.9%
U.S. News ranked Georgetown McDonough #21 in 2022.
You’ve worked so hard to get to this point in your journey. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your Georgetown McDonough application. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today!
Georgetown MBA application deadlines 2021 – 2022
| Application Deadline | |
| Round 1 | September 27, 2021 |
| Round 2 | January 6, 2022 |
| Round 3 | March 31, 2022 |
| Round 4 | April 26, 2022 |
Source: Georgetown McDonough website
Stay on top of MBA deadlines with the MBA Admissions Calendar!
[Click here to add the calendar to your Google calendar; or here to add the calendar to another app.]
***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with individual programs to verify the essay questions, instructions and deadlines.***
Related Resources:
- All About Becoming a Georgetown McDonough MBA, a podcast episode
- From Rio to Georgetown: Trekking through the MBA Experience, a student interview
- How Should I Choose Which Essay Questions to Answer When I Have Choices?
The post Georgetown McDonough MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines [2021 – 2022] appeared first on Accepted Admissions Blog.
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