The Admission Committee’s Best Tips for Round 1 MBA Applicants

August is an exciting time here in Admissions. We just welcomed the Class of 2027 to campus for orientation and are now shifting fully to the 2025-2026 application cycle. With about three weeks until our September 10 Round 1 deadline, we know many of you are in the thick of the application process yourselves.

To keep my advice timely, I want to focus on three parts of the application about which we often receive questions, and where our insights might be most helpful: the essay, video questions, and the behavioral assessment.

Below are some key tips, whether you're finalizing your application or just getting started. (If you’re in the latter category, you’re in good company; most applicants will start their application right about now!)

Essay

I think most candidates tend to approach the essay with the belief that it will make or break their application, and that they need to do something to differentiate themselves in the essay. I’d encourage you to think about it differently. In fact, our leading advice on the entire application process is to not try to stand out. Instead, you should focus on telling us something genuine and meaningful about yourself.

Our approach to the essay is perhaps somewhat unique. We only have one required essay, but we offer you a choice of three different topics to write about. Specifically, we ask you to tell us about a commitment, community, or challenge that has been of great significance in your life.

Here are a few important tips:

• Focus on the approach. No matter which topic you choose, we want you to focus on how you approach that topic; that is, the behaviors and actions that underpin your commitment, community, or challenge.
• The Admissions Committee is not judging the topic. You can write about something professional or personal; the Admissions Committee does not have a preference which you choose. Even though this is a business school application, experiences outside your professional life may be more relevant to your story, so don’t shy away from these important subjects.
• There is no need to mention “why Yale” or explain your career goals. We purposely ask these questions in other areas of the application. Our expectation is that you will use these 500 words (or fewer) to address the essay prompt exclusively.
• Always remember to proofread. Your essay reflects your thought process and attention to detail. Do your best to ensure it’s typo-free.

Lastly, remember that your essay will not be the sole reason you’re admitted (or not). It’s one piece of a holistic review process; we look forward to learning more about you through your entire application.

Video Questions

The video questions become available to you after you submit your application. Because of that timing, they naturally tend to generate some uncertainty from applicants. Know that they are not designed to cause stress; rather, they are meant to give the Admissions Committee a more dynamic view of you as an applicant.

The video questions were originally developed as a replacement for the TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency tests, and English language skill is certainly one thing we’re evaluating through them. (Now’s a good time to remind you that international students do not need to submit an English language proficiency test as part of their Yale SOM application.)

Here is what you can expect during the video questions:

• You will answer two questions, recorded by members of the Admissions Committee. You’ll access the video questions on your application status page after you submit your application.
• Once the question is asked, you have 60 seconds to answer the question. Your responses will be recorded and you must complete both video questions in one sitting.
• You can answer optional practice questions before you officially begin. We recommend completing at least one practice question. It’s helpful to see the platform and know what to expect before you begin.
• Ensure that you have a strong internet connection and you’re in a quiet space. You want to make sure you eliminate any distractions that could interrupt you. Each year, we get a few surprise pet appearances—adorable, but ideally avoided.

Please know the questions we ask are not meant to trick or stump you. Our hope is that you enter this process feeling confident that they will go well (as they almost invariably do).

Behavioral Assessment

The behavioral assessment is perhaps the most unique feature of the SOM application. As a result it often generates many applicant questions. As with the video questions, you’ll have access to the behavioral assessment after you submit your application.

The good news is that there is nothing you need to do to prepare in advance—the questions are about you, so you already know everything you’ll need to know! The only things you need are your computer and 20 minutes.

Before I get into tips, I think it’s helpful to know that the behavioral assessment measures a set of personal competencies that are meant to provide a non-cognitive complement to the information we have about your academic performance through your transcripts and test scores. That is, it informs our evaluation of your academic preparation for the Yale SOM classroom; it’s not an EQ or “soft skills” assessment.

Here is what to know before you go:

• The behavioral assessment consists of 130 paired statements. You’ll choose the statement that best describes you. Sometimes neither statement may feel like a perfect fit. That’s OK; just choose the one that’s closest.
• It’s adaptive. You may see some statements more than once. Don’t overthink your answers or try to game the system. There’s no single “right” response.
• We use it with a “light touch” in our review process. If we already have strong evidence of success from your academic performance and test scores, the assessment may not add much to our review. The tool is intended for situations where an application file is generally strong but additional data is useful to gauge potential for classroom success.

As always, I hope these insights are helpful as you finish up (or start!) your Round 1 application. Our team has enjoyed getting to know candidates at events virtually and in-person over the last several months and we look forward to continuing to get to know you through your application!

Best regards,

W. Bruce DelMonico
Assistant Dean for Admissions