3-topic Goals/Why Our School prompt sample

Short prompt 1: Why are you pursuing an MBA? (150 words)

I am pursuing an MBA to transition from INDUSTRY X to the consulting industry. An MBA is necessary for my target roles, but I also need to develop broad business skills in order to contribute to the needs of client companies. From my various positions in marketing at companies X and Y, I gained marketing, project management, and remote leadership skills; I look to the MBA to build skills that I haven’t yet been exposed to, such as finance, operations management, and leading through change.

In the long term, an MBA will help with my entrepreneurial aspirations to launch a NICHE INDUSTRY Y firm. UCLA’s alumni network will provide valuable support and advice, and even potential future clients; through the UCLA Entrepreneur Association, I will continue to learn from Anderson entrepreneurs who have launched successful businesses. For my short-term career transition and my long-term entrepreneurial aspirations, MBA studies are the critical next step

Short prompt 2: Describe your short-term and long-term post-MBA career goals. (150 words)

My short-term career goal post-MBA is to join a consulting giant such as NAME, NAME or NAME. Starting as a generalist, I will collaborate on small teams across a variety of industries, conducting market research, strategic problem solving, and go-to-market strategies. After two to three years as a generalist, I will seek the role of senior consultant in a firm’s INDUSTRY X group, such as EY’s INDUSTRY X arm, where I will focus on change management projects like restructuring and digital transformation for retail businesses.

My long-term career goal is to launch a specialized NICHE INDUSTRY firm that provides affordable targeted [list of things this company will provide in its target sector]. [Some pain points and projections for the future of this sector] I am committed to seeing this sector thrive by providing business planning, market research, and digital transformation services these businesses need to succeed.

Short prompt 3: How do you plan to achieve your goals and develop into a transformative leader during your time at UCLA Anderson? (250 words)

At UCLA Anderson, I plan to build my business acumen, industry ties and leadership skills to achieve both my short-term and long-term goals. Anderson’s customizable curriculum, with essential core courses starting in the summer, will allow me to take consulting specialization electives in my first year. Anderson’s [INDUSTRY X] Association will also support my consulting recruitment through [Three assets that you will take advantage of through this association], which helps prepare for the case interviews, the [INDUSTRY X] Career Night networking event, and Anderson Career Teams, which provide recruiting assistance. I will also join the Anderson [OTHER INDUSTRY HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITY] to build [industry-specific] skills by working on a real-world company’s business problem. For my long-term goal to launch a specialized NICHE INDUSTRY firm, I will join the Entrepreneur Association, to engage with successful Anderson entrepreneurs through dinner and roundtable events.

To develop into a transformative leader at UCLA Anderson, I will focus on improving my innovation, collaborative and inclusiveness skills. Through Anderson’s Transformative Leadership curriculum including “[Course A from the Transformative Leadership Curriculum] and “[Course B from the Transformative Leadership Curriculum],” I will build my foundation as a change-driving organizational leader. I will also participate in the [INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC] Consulting Challenge, working on small teams to help non-profit organizations with a business challenge, and I hope to join the [SPECIAL NAME] Leadership Development Program, which provides mentorship with entrepreneurs in a variety of industries. These opportunities will hone my leadership style and prepare me for transformative leadership in my post-MBA roles.