How do I write good Yale MBA essays?

Question

Mohit C · Accepted Answer

The Yale MBA essays are short, so there&rsquo;s no room for fluff. The school values clarity, purpose, and impact &mdash; especially in the main essay: &ldquo;Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made.&rdquo;
Here&rsquo;s how to write a strong one:
Pick one clear story &mdash; not multiple. Choose something that shows real effort over time (e.g., mentoring, building something, leading a long-term project).
Focus on actions and growth &mdash; explain what you did, what challenged you, and how it changed you.
Don&rsquo;t just describe the commitment &mdash; show why it mattered to you and how it shaped your values or goals.
Tie it subtly to what you want to do at Yale or in your career. Doesn&rsquo;t need to be direct, but some link helps show long-term alignment.
Also, keep your tone real. They&rsquo;re not looking for perfect heroes &mdash; just thoughtful people with strong values.
Step-by-step tips + real examples here: How to Write Yale MBA Essays

Chanchar R. · Answer

Yale wants to understand what really matters to you, and the commitment essay is their way of seeing that. The best approach is to pick one experience where you showed long-term effort &mdash; something that meant a lot personally, not just professionally.
For example, someone got in by writing about mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds over several years, even when it didn&rsquo;t lead to recognition or rewards. That kind of story shows values, resilience, and depth. Avoid picking vague topics like &ldquo;being committed to success&rdquo; &mdash; it sounds generic and doesn&rsquo;t say much about who you are.
Stick to something real, and show what drove you to keep going, what you learned, and how that experience shaped your mindset today. The word limit is short, so every sentence needs to count. Be honest, be specific, and focus more on reflection than results.