UCLA Anderson MBA Essay Prompts & Writing Guide 2025–2026

This essay is your chance to demonstrate self-awareness about where you are in your career and why the MBA is the essential next step for you right now. UCLA Anderson values clarity of purpose and introspection, so resist the urge to simply list what you want to learn. Instead, anchor your answer in a specific moment or realization that made you recognize the need for an MBA. For example, you might describe a project or challenge at work where you realized you lacked a particular skill set, or a turning point where you recognized that advancing to the next level in your career requires formal business training. Use concrete language to show the gap between where you are and where you need to be; this clarity demonstrates that you have genuinely thought through this decision and are not applying to business school simply because it is a logical next step after undergrad or because you are unsure about your career direction.

On the personal side, Anderson explicitly looks for evidence that you have considered how an MBA will develop you as a leader and as a human being, not just as a professional. Think beyond traditional skills like financial modeling or strategy. Does attending business school connect to a desire for personal growth, building a meaningful global network, or developing the confidence to take on more ambitious leadership roles? Anderson's culture emphasizes Share Success, Think Fearlessly, and Drive Change; if any of these values resonate with your personal motivations for pursuing an MBA, weave them in subtly. This shows that you have researched Anderson and understand what the school stands for, and that you see yourself as someone who can embody those values.

With only 150 words, every sentence must work hard. After a strong opening that hooks the reader with your motivation, dedicate three to four sentences to your professional reasoning and two to three sentences to your personal development goals. Avoid generic statements like "I want to be a better leader" or "I need to expand my network." Anderson's admissions team reads thousands of essays; specificity and authenticity are what make yours memorable. Close with a brief sentence that shows your readiness and enthusiasm for the journey ahead.

You are writing in the tightest of formats, so every word must count. Skip any flowery language or hedging; instead, open by directly stating your desired role and industry immediately after your MBA. Include a specific job title, function (like product management or marketing), the industry you are targeting, and ideally a few concrete company examples if they apply to your aspirations. If you are making a career transition, briefly mention the transferable skills from your background that will serve you in this new direction. This directness shows the admissions committee that you have done your self-reflection and arrived at a clear vision.

Your long-term goal should feel like a natural, ambitious evolution of your short-term plans. Think of it as where you want to position yourself 8 to 10 years from now; it could involve a senior leadership role, founding your own venture, or moving into a strategic position that leverages the skills you will have developed. Avoid vague statements like "become an executive" and instead paint a picture of the impact you want to make, whether that is scaling a company, disrupting an industry, or solving a specific business problem. This demonstrates that your ambitions align with Anderson's core values of thinking fearlessly and driving change.

Finally, show the connection between your goals and what you will gain at UCLA Anderson. You do not need to name specific courses or professors in this 150-word space, but if you can briefly reference a functional area, leadership opportunity, or entrepreneurial initiative that directly supports your trajectory, do so with precision. The admissions team will review your goals alongside the third essay prompt, which asks how you will engage with the community and develop into a transformative leader. These essays work together to form a single narrative about your ambition and fit, so ensure your short- and long-term aspirations feel grounded in your past experience and catalyzed by what Anderson uniquely offers.

The optional essay at UCLA Anderson is truly optional, and you should submit it only if you have a legitimate extenuating circumstance to address. The admissions committee explicitly states that no preference is given to those who respond to this prompt, so leaving it blank will not hurt your candidacy if there is nothing meaningful to discuss. This is a straightforward weakness-explanation essay, not an opportunity to add more personality or rehash content from your other essays.

Focus your response on a single, genuine challenge or gap in your profile that warrants context: an unexplained low GPA or poor performance in a specific subject, a gap in your work history, a personal or family situation that affected your academics or early career, a health issue, or other circumstances that might raise questions. Be direct and factual. State the issue clearly, acknowledge it without making excuses, then shift the narrative by explaining what you learned or how you have since grown from the experience. If you improved your performance afterward (through retaking courses, gaining new responsibilities at work, or developing relevant skills), highlight that growth as concrete evidence of your readiness and resilience.

Keep your tone calm and grounded. Admissions committees are not looking for a dramatic sob story; they want to understand the context behind something in your file and see how you have addressed it. If you are reapplying, this essay becomes more important as a vehicle to show meaningful improvements in your candidacy since your last application. For first-time applicants with no extenuating circumstances to address, submitting a blank response will not disadvantage you. Do not force content into this essay if there is nothing genuine to explain.

Note on Optionality: This essay is truly optional for competitive admissions. If you have no extenuating circumstances to address, you should not feel compelled to submit a response. However, reapplicants should use this space to highlight concrete improvements in your profile since your previous application (e.g., higher test scores, expanded work responsibilities, or clarified goals).