UPDATE: This article was originally posted on November 28, 2018. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
Located in one of the world’s most important business centers, London Business School offers a truly unique MBA experience. With the option to complete the course in just 15 months and a class made up of 60+ nationalities, London Business School is at the top of the list for many globally-minded professionals.
As the #2 ranked business school in Europe, demand for LBS has only increased year after year, meaning that getting a spot at this elite business school is more challenging than ever.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your LBS admissions essays to stand out. we’ve rounded up not only our best tips but have also included example LBS MBA essays to ensure you give your London Business School application your best shot.
1. Who is LBS looking for?
(Photo courtesy of @londonbschool on Instagram)
“We nurture our students to challenge the status quo, to question the norm and to develop the skills to become the world’s best business leaders. Over the years we have adopted a truly global outlook tackling challenges faced by international businesses and their leaders.” London Business School Admissions
Every year, London Business School searches the globe for outstanding professionals to join its annual class of around 500 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity and a global mindset (74 nationalities are represented in the Class of 2024), there is no “typical” LBS student, yet the average admitted student does tend to have 5 years of work experience and a 708 GMAT score.
Beyond the impressive statistics, though, LBS offers its students the chance to prepare themselves to lead in an increasingly globalized world.
So, if this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll have to think of the ways in which you align with the main characteristics of LBS’s students. This means forming your business school brand and then focusing on the aspects of that brand that align with changing the status quo, collaborative leadership, and a value for internationalism and diversity.
2. How should I answer the LBS essay questions?
2.1. Essay 1 Tips
What are your post-MBA goals and how will your prior experience and the London Business School programme contribute towards these? (500 words)
This question has been part of the LBS application for many years and is a traditional goals essay, a common type of essay required of applicants at many elite business schools.
In this essay, you have a big task. In around 500 words, you need to discuss:
- Context for your goals
- Your specific-post MBA goals
- Why you believe an MBA is necessary to reach these goals
- How an LBS MBA will help you reach these goals
Each of these elements must be included and must build off of each other.
First of all, many candidates think they do not need to specifically state their goals, or that it’s better to leave “their options open.” If you are applying to elite business schools, however, you must have and present absolutely clarity about your goals.
TOP TIP: If you’re having trouble figuring out what your post-MBA goals are, we’ve prepared this post to help you decipher this essential part of the application process!
However, goals without context can be a little confusing to decipher or understand (or they can just seem a bit lackluster). For this reason, we suggest starting your essay with context.
For example, a client last year initially started his essay by saying:
“I want to become a Business Development Director at a Brazilian company.”
While interesting, it’s better to give a little bit of context to help these goals come to life. Check out the final version of the same essay’s introduction:
“In the 1970s, the phrase “think global, act local” came into use, suggesting that to have global impact, one must be active locally. With this mindset, I focused my career on Brazilian multinational companies to start creating global change at home. While at Company 1, I led a diverse global team, which showed me that clear communication is essential. I later accepted a finance position at a real estate company where I learned how new technologies can impact traditional local industries and that leaders must adapt to these trends to maintain competitiveness. Most recently, I joined Company 2 to participate in its daring globalization plan. At Company 2, I have learned how challenging it is to formulate effective global strategies to thrive in diverse markets. I have also developed management skills since becoming Financial Coordinator, learning how important establishing a culture of collaboration is to providing stability for organizations.
I now seek to take the next step to becoming a “global” leader by becoming Business Development Director at a Brazilian company pursuing globalization, giving me the experience to assume my long-term goal of CEO of one such company.”
Second, you should clearly demonstrate why you need an MBA.
An MBA is not a catch-all degree that serves a purpose for all career paths. As such, you need to demonstrate that the goals you have set for yourself require the additional training an MBA can provide.
Be thoughtful about this particular section. If you don’t need to improve in any meaningful way, you might be presenting the argument the admissions committee needs for why you can’t actually benefit from an MBA.
Furthermore, if you show fluffy or unsupported reasons you need to hone your skills, you’ll also likely see your application tossed aside in favor of an applicant who was able to clearly demonstrate how they plan to leverage their time at business school.
Third, add how LBS can specifically help you grow in the areas you’ve identified. Mentioning that you want to go to LBS because of its ranking will not cut it here.
Instead, show that you understand the flexibility of LBS’ curriculum and have done significant, thoughtful research into how the opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom can help you grow. If you have space, it’s also highly recommended that you mention how you can contribute to the community.
End with a winning conclusion statement that reinforces your personal brand and ties the whole essay together.
Need more guidance?
Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of past successful London Business School essays that worked to get our clients admitted and a detailed brainstorm to help you plan out a winning LBS essay. Our library also includes guides for all top global MBA programs, detailed essay brainstorms, interview tips and mocks, CV templates, and recommendation letter guides. Click to join!
2.2. Optional Essay Tips
Is there any other information you believe the Admissions Committee should know about you and your application to London Business School? (Optional) (500 words)
This optional essay is unlike other schools, in that it is open enough to speak about more than just “issues” in your application. If you do have a low GMAT score, poor academic record, or other pressing weakness, please use this space to address the issue(s).
However, if you would like, you can also use this space to discuss a personal challenge you have overcome or some unique factor in your profile you were not able to address in the essays.
Do not use the essay to discuss “Why LBS.” You have ample space to address this in other parts of your application.
2.3. Short Answer Tips
Inside the application form, LBS has also “hidden” many small essays. The topics and guidelines are below.
Tell us about your responsibilities. Describe your day-to-day role, details of any clients you work with/for, the level/title of the person you report to, the size of budget for which you are directly responsible and the number of people in your team. (400 words max)
This should be a straightforward answer. Remember to highlight any leadership and/or global contact you have had in your current role.
If you are currently not working, or if you plan to leave your current employer more than three months before the programme starts, please explain your activities between leaving your last role and the start of the programme (max 300 words)
This answer, of course, depends on if there will be a gap between your employment and entry into the LBS program. Here, it will be best to highlight actions or steps you will take to enhance your potential candidacy during this gap. This can be in the form of courses, trainings, or extraprofessional activities towards your self-development. The activities you highlight should strengthen your skills and align with your post-MBA goals, where possible, to show your pre-MBA proactivity.
Is your employer willing to support you? In what way – time, tuition, or both?
If not, please write something like “My company does not currently have a sponsorship policy.” If you will be sponsored, please outline the arrangements your company offers.
Do you feel that your academic performance so far gives an accurate indication of your potential for success on the programme? If so, why? If not, why not?
If you have a low GMAT or GPA, you should use this to address why your performance was low and show “proof” that you will be able to do well at LBS.
Please outline your experience of working or studying in an English-speaking environment. Do you plan to take further English language tuition before the programme starts?
This should be a direct answer. Highlight all your previous contact working or studying in English.
You do not need to pursue additional study before the program, though, if you have a low TOEFL score, you may want to consider taking one such course and advising LBS of your plans here.
Please tell us your most significant international experiences to date: (100 words max)
LBS has asked you for your most significant experience, meaning we should limit ourselves to just one.
If possible, choose one STAR-format example you have not highlighted elsewhere in your application. Show what you did and why it was meaningful for you. If you feel you have insignificant material for a single example, you can include two.
Tell us about your main interests and activities in your free time (300 words max)
This can be your INSEAD Motivational Essay 3 (if you are applying to INSEAD), or can
be an essay OR bullet list about your activities. Make sure to show what you were involved in, what title(s) you held, where the activity took place, and why it was/is important for you.
We encourage applicants to take into consideration the impact of study on family and friends. Who have you discussed your plans with and what was the response? (300 words max)
Here, speak from the heart.
Discuss who you have spoken about the MBA with and try to show a positive view of their responses. They want to see that you have a strong community you are connected to and rely on.
If you know any London Business School Alumni or Students, please give their names, graduating class and tell us how you know them. (300 words max)
Add as many people as you know! Also add how they have shaped your view of LBS, if relevant.
Looking for London Business School MBA essay examples? Check out our real sample essays that got our clients admitted here.
3. We Make Your Story Shine
One of the most common mistakes we see in MBA essays is that candidates fail to tell compelling stories. This is important because if your stories are not compelling, they will not be persuasive. At the same time, they must be backed by strong examples that establish a track record of success and prove to the admissions committees why you belong at their school.
Striking this balance between content and creativity can be tough, however, as succeeding means not only choosing the right stories but ensuring they are told in an optimal manner.
This is why our iterative developmental feedback process here at Ellin Lolis Consulting helps you mold your message through the application of our storytelling expertise until it reflects exactly what makes your profile stand out and show fit with your target program.
Not only can you take advantage of our iterative feedback process through multiple edits – you can also benefit from it after a single review! If your budget is tight, our editors will be happy to help polish your text as much as possible and leave “bonus comments” so you can keep working on it on your own!
No matter how long we work with you, we will always ensure your essays shine. Sign up to work with our team of storytelling experts and get accepted.
4. LBS Application Deadlines
Here are the deadlines for the 2023-2024 season. You can start your online application by clicking here.
Real MBA Essays That Got People In
School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted
