Overview of ESADE MBA

The ESADE MBA is a globally acclaimed program renowned for its innovation, leadership development, and cultural diversity. It stands as a beacon for ambitious individuals seeking to refine their skills in a dynamic business environment

The ESADE MBA program is designed to empower individuals as catalysts for change in the business landscape. It fosters a mindset to revolutionize the future of commerce, encouraging leadership with integrity, adaptability, and collaborative teamwork. This program cultivates creative business activists who deeply contemplate global issues and aspire to make a meaningful impact.

ESADE actively seeks exceptional professionals worldwide, drawing talents from 43 countries for its yearly cohort of 184 students. Emphasizing diversity, there’s no standard ESADE student, although the typical admitted student tends to be around 30 years old with an average of 6.2 years of work experience.

However, beyond these metrics, ESADE values candidates who aspire to positively disrupt the business world through their careers.”

This revised version emphasizes the ESADE MBA program’s key aspects while aiming for SEO optimization by including relevant terms related to the program’s goals, diversity, and candidate qualifications.

Night view of ESADE Business School's modern campus building
The illuminated ESADE Business School campus embodies modern education facilities in Europe

Application Process

Requirements

Prospective applicants must fulfill specific prerequisites, including academic qualifications, professional experience, and language proficiency.

Ie;

  • A valid bachelor’s degree.
  • A minimum of 2 years of post-graduation work experience.
  • A valid GRE or GMAT score.
  • IELTS or TOEFL can be waived off under certain circumstances.
  • Two LORs

Deadlines

Timely submission of applications is critical. Understanding the deadlines is fundamental to a successful application process.

Timeline of ESADE MBA application deadlines for the 2023-2024 academic year
Key deadlines for the ESADE MBA program outlining the application timeline for prospective students

Essay Analysis

Essay Prompts

The essay prompts serve as a platform for candidates to articulate their motivations, aspirations, and unique qualities. Crafting compelling essays is integral to securing admission.

Essay 1

Which aspects have you improved on during your academic and professional career so far? Which tools or values have helped you achieve this? (3,000 characters)

Understanding the Prompt:

  1. Identifying Improvement Areas: Begin by reflecting on your academic and professional journey. What specific areas or aspects have you actively worked to enhance or develop? These could be skills, knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors.
  2. Highlighting Progress: After identifying the areas for improvement, discuss the progress you’ve made in these aspects. Focus on showcasing the steps you’ve taken to grow and develop.
  3. Tools or Values: What specific tools, methodologies, or values have played a crucial role in facilitating your improvement? These could be anything from mentorship, educational experiences, work opportunities, and personal values, to specific strategies or frameworks you’ve employed.

Structuring Your Essay:

  1. Introduction: Start with a compelling introduction that introduces the areas you’ve improved upon and the significance of this growth in your academic and professional journey.
  2. Identifying Improved Aspects: Dedicate a section to elaborate on the aspects you’ve improved upon. This could range from technical skills to leadership abilities, cultural awareness, communication, problem-solving, etc.
  3. Examples and Specifics: Provide concrete examples and instances from your experiences that demonstrate your progress in these areas. Use anecdotes or projects to illustrate your development.
  4. The Role of Tools or Values: Discuss the tools, methodologies, or values that have been instrumental in your growth. Explain how these tools or values influenced your approach to improvement and cite examples where applicable.
  5. Reflection and Future Application: Conclude by reflecting on how these improvements will contribute to your future success in the ESADE MBA program and beyond. Discuss how you plan to further leverage these improvements in your academic and professional pursuits.

Tips for Writing:

  1. Be Specific: Provide detailed examples and instances to illustrate your points effectively.
  2. Show Growth: Highlight not just the improvements but also the journey and effort you’ve invested in making those improvements.
  3. Connect with ESADE: Link your improvements to how they align with ESADE’s values, culture, and academic offerings.

Remember, this essay is an opportunity for the admissions committee to understand your self-awareness, commitment to growth, and alignment with ESADE’s values. Craft your response in a way that reflects these qualities while remaining authentic and engaging.

Close-up of hands writing an MBA application essay with a keyboard and coffee in the background
A glimpse into the essay writing process a critical step in applying to ESADEs MBA program

Essay 2

How will your background, values, and non-work-related activities enhance the experience of other ESADE MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at ESADE? (Note: The goal of this essay is to get a sense of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished) (3,000 characters)

The essay prompt for ESADE’s MBA application requires a thoughtful reflection on how your background, values, and non-work-related activities will contribute to and enrich the diverse culture at ESADE, rather than solely focusing on your achievements. Here’s a breakdown to guide your approach:

  1. Understanding the Essay Prompt:
    • The prompt emphasizes your attributes, experiences, and values.
    • Focus on how these aspects will positively impact and contribute to the ESADE MBA community.
  2. Reflect on Your Background:
    • Discuss your unique upbringing, cultural heritage, and any significant life experiences that have shaped your perspectives.
    • Highlight key moments or challenges that have influenced your values and attitudes.
  3. Values and Beliefs:
    • Identify your core values, ethical principles, and beliefs.
    • Explain how these values align with ESADE’s culture and how they’ll contribute positively to the MBA community.
  4. Non-Work-Related Activities:
    • Highlight hobbies, interests, passions, or extracurricular activities that reveal more about your character and personality.
    • Show how these activities have impacted your personal growth and how they can contribute to the diverse fabric of ESADE’s community.
  5. Enhancing the ESADE MBA Experience:
    • Draw connections between your background, values, and non-work-related activities.
    • Explain how these aspects uniquely position you to contribute to the vibrant culture ESADE aims to foster.
    • Share specific examples of how your experiences can enrich classroom discussions, group projects, clubs, or any other aspect of the MBA program.
  6. Demonstrate Self-Awareness:
    • Be authentic and introspective. Showcase self-awareness by acknowledging your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for personal development.
    • Discuss how you plan to leverage your strengths and work on your weaknesses to contribute meaningfully to the ESADE community.
  7. Conciseness and Clarity:
    • Adhere to the specified character limit (3,000 characters) and ensure your essay is clear, concise, and focused.
    • Use concrete examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points effectively.

Remember, the goal of this essay is not to list accomplishments but to provide insight into who you are as a person and how your unique background, values, and non-work-related activities will contribute to ESADE’s diverse and collaborative MBA community. Craft your narrative in a way that showcases your individuality, perspectives, and potential to positively impact the ESADE experience for others.

Essay 3

What are your motivations for pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about Esade you think will help you reach your goals?

Let’s break it down into key components:

  1. Motivations for Pursuing an MBA:
    • Reflect on Your Current Situation: Begin by examining where you currently stand in your career and personal life. What experiences or realizations have led you to consider pursuing an MBA at this particular moment in your life?
    • Identify Motivations: Pinpoint the specific reasons driving your decision to pursue an MBA. These motivations could range from career advancement, skill enhancement, a shift in industry or function, entrepreneurial aspirations, networking opportunities, personal growth, etc.
  2. Mid-Term and Long-Term Career Visions:
    • Short-Term Goals (Post-MBA): Define your aspirations for your career immediately after completing the MBA program. What role, industry, or function do you aim to enter? Be specific about the skills and experiences you wish to gain in the short term.
    • Long-Term Goals: Discuss your broader career objectives in the longer term. How do you envision your career evolving beyond your initial post-MBA goals? What impact do you aspire to make within your industry or field?
  3. Connection between ESADE and Your Goals:
    • Research ESADE: Demonstrate a clear understanding of what ESADE offers in terms of curriculum, resources, extracurricular activities, faculty, or any unique aspects that align with your career goals.
    • Alignment with Your Goals: Explain how ESADE’s offerings directly relate to your mid-term and long-term career visions. Highlight specific programs, courses, clubs, or initiatives at ESADE that will help you acquire the skills or experiences necessary to achieve your goals.

Remember, in crafting your essay:

  • Authenticity is Key: Be genuine and sincere in your motivations and goals.
  • Specificity and Detail: Provide concrete examples, experiences, or anecdotes to illustrate your points.
  • Relevance to ESADE: Clearly articulate how ESADE is pivotal in helping you achieve your goals and why it stands out among other MBA programs.

Craft your essay with a coherent structure, ensuring each section flows logically. Use language that is professional and compelling, and make sure to proofread and edit for clarity and coherence.

Essay 4

Complete two of the following four questions or statements (3,000 characters total, maximum)

a) I am most proud of…
b) People may be surprised to learn that I…
c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?

Essay Prompt Overview:

Character Limit: 3,000 characters total (you can choose any two out of the four options).

  1. a) I am most proud of…
    • Focus: This question invites you to reflect on a significant achievement or experience in your life that you are particularly proud of.
    • Strategy: Identify an accomplishment that showcases your skills, values, or personal development. Consider the impact it had on you or others and why it’s meaningful.
  2. b) People may be surprised to learn that I…
    • Focus: This statement allows you to reveal something unexpected or lesser-known about yourself.
    • Strategy: Choose something unique, distinctive, or interesting about yourself that might not be evident from your resume or other application materials. This can be a hobby, an unconventional skill, a transformative experience, etc.
  3. c) What has your biggest challenge been and what did it help you learn about yourself?
    • Focus: This question aims to understand how you handle challenges and what insights you gain from overcoming them.
    • Strategy: Select a significant challenge or obstacle you encountered, discuss how you navigated through it, and what you discovered about your strengths, weaknesses, values, or resilience.
  4. d) Which historical figure do you most identify with and why?
    • Focus: This question delves into your values, beliefs, and influences by asking you to relate to a historical figure.
    • Strategy: Choose a historical figure whose traits, values, or experiences resonate with yours. Explain why you identify with them and how their life or achievements inspire or relate to your aspirations or principles.

Approach Tips:

  • Choose the two questions that allow you to showcase different aspects of yourself.
  • Provide specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points.
  • Connect your responses to your motivation for pursuing an MBA and how it aligns with your future goals.

Remember, the goal of these essay questions is to gain insights into your character, values, and experiences beyond what’s on your resume. Craft authentic, compelling narratives that highlight your uniqueness and suitability for the ESADE MBA program.

Once you’ve decided on the two questions you want to answer, focus on drafting concise yet impactful responses that effectively convey your message within the character limit. Feel free to share your ideas or drafts for further guidance or feedback.

Essay 5

Please, provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include gaps in employment, your undergraduate record, plans to retake the GMAT, or any other relevant information. (max 3,000 characters)

The “Additional Information” essay prompt for ESADE MBA is an opportunity for you to address any aspects of your application that you feel require further clarification or elaboration. Here’s a breakdown to help you approach this essay effectively:

  1. Identify the Purpose: Understand that this essay isn’t for repeating information already mentioned in your application. Instead, it’s a chance to provide context or explanations for anything that might raise questions in the minds of the admissions committee.
  2. Employment Gaps or Varied Experience: If there are gaps in your employment history or any unconventional career moves, explain them briefly. Focus on what you learned or gained during these periods rather than justifying the gaps.
  3. Undergraduate Record: If there are discrepancies or challenges in your undergraduate performance, you can briefly mention them. Be transparent but also highlight any factors that might have influenced your performance positively or negatively.
  4. GMAT Retake Plans: If you plan to retake the GMAT or have a different test strategy, explain the reasons behind it. Perhaps you faced unforeseen circumstances during your previous attempt or have taken steps to improve your preparation since then.
  5. Other Relevant Information: Any other elements not covered elsewhere in your application that you believe are crucial for the admissions committee to know can be included here. This could be extracurricular activities, personal achievements, challenges overcome, or significant life experiences that shaped your perspective or goals.

Remember, while addressing these points, it’s essential to be concise yet informative. Keep it focused and avoid providing unnecessary information. Use this essay to provide context and showcase your self-awareness, maturity, and ability to reflect on your experiences.

Craft your response in a way that demonstrates your readiness for the MBA program and how these elements have contributed to your growth, skills, and motivations for pursuing an MBA at ESADE.

Faculty Expertise

Notable Professors

Esteemed faculty members bring a wealth of expertise and industry insights, fostering an enriching learning environment.

Research Contributions

ESADE’s faculty contributions to research and innovation reinforce its academic prowess and relevance in today’s business landscape.

Campus Life

Student Activities

A vibrant campus life offers an array of extracurricular activities, clubs, and events, promoting holistic development.

Career Prospects

Job Placements

The ESADE MBA program boasts impressive placement records, connecting graduates with top-tier companies worldwide. The average salary stands at 150,000 USD.

Hand selecting a candidate profile on a digital placement interface for ESADE MBA graduates
ESADEs advanced placement system connecting MBA graduates with global career opportunities

Industry Partnerships

Partnerships with industry leaders provide unique opportunities for internships, projects, and post-MBA placements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ESADE MBA offers a transformative educational experience, propelling individuals toward a promising future. Understanding the program’s dynamics, prerequisites, and nuances is crucial for aspirants aiming to embark on this fulfilling journey.

FAQs

  1. What is ESADE’s MBA program known for? ESADE’s MBA program is renowned for its international focus, innovation, and emphasis on responsible leadership. It offers a diverse learning environment and extensive networking opportunities.
  2. What makes ESADE’s MBA program unique? ESADE’s MBA stands out for its strong focus on entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and sustainability. Its “Business as a Force for Good” approach equips students to tackle global challenges.
  3. What are the admission requirements for ESADE’s MBA program? Admission requirements typically include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, a competitive GMAT/GRE score, work experience, essays, recommendation letters, and proficiency in English.
  4. What career support does ESADE offer to MBA students? ESADE provides comprehensive career services, including career coaching, workshops, networking events, and access to a vast alumni network and corporate partners to support students in achieving their career goals.
  5. Is it possible to pursue a specialization or concentration within ESADE’s MBA program? Yes, ESADE offers various elective courses and concentrations allowing students to tailor their MBA experience according to their career aspirations, such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, etc.
  6. What is the duration and structure of the ESADE MBA program? The ESADE MBA program is usually a full-time program spanning around 12-18 months. It combines core courses, electives, practical projects, and often includes international experiences.
  7. Does ESADE offer scholarships or financial aid for MBA students? ESADE provides a range of scholarships and financial aid options based on merit, need, diversity, and specific criteria. Prospective students are encouraged to explore these opportunities during the application process.
  8. Can students participate in international exchange programs during the ESADE MBA? Yes, ESADE has partnerships with various business schools globally, offering MBA students opportunities to participate in exchange programs, allowing them to gain international exposure and diverse perspectives.
  9. What is the alumni network like at ESADE? ESADE boasts a strong global alumni network, connecting MBA graduates with a wide range of professionals across industries, offering valuable connections and ongoing support.
  10. What post-MBA opportunities are available for ESADE graduates? ESADE MBA graduates have opportunities in various sectors including consulting, finance, technology, entrepreneurship, and more. Many alumni secure roles in multinational corporations, start-ups, or create their ventures.

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