Introducing the Application for the MBA Class of 2028

As the 2025-2026 admissions cycle gets underway, I wanted to take a few moments to share some thoughts about the Yale SOM MBA application, to help you think about and prepare your best candidacy.

I’ll start by saying that this year’s application remains largely the same as last year’s. Many of the core elements of the application haven’t changed, including the essay question, which allows you to discuss either (1) the biggest commitment you’ve ever made; (2) the community that has been most meaningful to you; or (3) the most significant challenge you have faced. In the two years since we introduced these choices, we feel that this essay prompt has accomplished exactly what was intended—to give you the freedom to write about something important to you rather than be constrained by a narrow topic, which allows us to learn more about you than we otherwise would.

In addition, we’ve been working for several years to increase access to our MBA program, which we’ve done in a number of ways. For example, we’ve expanded the background information section of the application to allow you to provide more contextual information about the individual circumstances in which you’ve lived, studied, and worked. We’ve also introduced a new fee waiver category for students and alumni of nearly 700 U.S. colleges and universities that have significant initiatives to promote economic diversity, including schools where at least 35% of students receive Pell grants.

We know that school choice can largely be driven by the circumstances and opportunities that are available to an applicant, so we continue to work to make sure we’re expanding access to individuals for whom financial considerations may loom especially large in the decision-making process. To that end, we’ve created a new scholarship program, the Aspire Fellowship, which is dedicated to students who have overcome significant socioeconomic challenges and is part of our broader efforts to increase access to MBA education at Yale. We are thrilled to welcome over 40 inaugural Aspire Fellows as part of our incoming MBA Class of 2027 this fall!

As you explore your MBA options and begin to work on your application, we invite you to learn more about Yale SOM and how to navigate the MBA application process. I would particularly point you to our first major online event—Inside the Application, Literally—hosted by my colleague Laurel Grodman ’06, assistant dean for admissions. Laurel will give a live walk-through of the MBA application and offer insider advice on how to complete it. We also have a variety of other events and resources to help you with your application, including our Application Guide. And of course, if you still have questions, you can always contact us directly.