Introducing the Application for the MBA for Executives Class of 2029

I am pleased to announce that the application for the Yale SOM MBA for Executives Class of 2029 is now open. The MBA for Executives is a rigorous program designed for mid-career professionals seeking to elevate their leadership skills through an innovative curriculum delivered by world-class faculty—all without stepping away from their careers. As we look to welcome our next cohort of experienced leaders committed to driving change in their organizations and communities, I want to share some insights about this year's EMBA application to help guide and strengthen your candidacy.

This year we have two new essay questions, we have reduced the required number of reference letters to one, and we continue to offer optional video response questions.

The essay questions are:

1. Why do you want a Yale MBA, and why now?
2. Tell us a story about a defining moment in your life and how it has shaped who you are today.

We know that for our EMBA applicants, the decision to pursue an executive MBA is a major life consideration. The timing must be right, both professionally and personally, to embark on a rigorous academic program. These questions give you the opportunity to reflect on what you hope to achieve as a member of the SOM community, and how your lived experiences have brought you to this point in your life and career. For Essay 1, we are interested in your specific goals and why this moment in your life and career makes a Yale MBA the right next step for you. For Essay 2, your defining moment does not need to be dramatic or grand; rather, this is an opportunity to share something meaningful about who you are beyond your resume. It could be a professional challenge, a personal turning point, or a moment of unexpected insight that continues to influence your leadership and decision-making today.

A few years ago, we introduced optional video response questions. In every case, we found candidates’ responses beneficial to their overall application. I strongly encourage you to complete the video response section, which will allow you to tell us more about your background, your experiences, and yourself in your own voice. My colleagues and I will ask several questions that require short verbal responses. It is important to note that there are no wrong answers. Imperfectly worded but genuinely delivered responses won’t harm your candidacy, as we seek to gain a more multi-dimensional view of the individuals we hope to welcome into our community.

The EMBA program is a major investment of time, effort, energy, and money. Now is the best time to plan for how you will make this investment. I encourage you to learn more about financial resources for EMBA students. I’d particularly like to highlight our named scholarships and merit scholarships, while also encouraging you to consider all other funding opportunities, including employer sponsorship, loans, and military benefits. We also provide application-fee waivers for active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. If you have questions, I encourage you to tune in to our upcoming Financing Your EMBA webinar on September 14, where we’ll be joined by director of financial aid Valerie Cardona.

The Class of 2029 will mark the ninth year of the Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Equity Leadership. The fellowship is open to healthcare professionals and leaders who are committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes for medically underserved populations, and covers the cost of the EMBA program.

As you explore your MBA options and begin to work on your application, I invite you to get to know our MBA for Executives program: see who our students are, read our blog, or attend one of our upcoming events. We have compiled a number of frequently asked questions that you may find helpful. Finally, there is no better way to get to know us and explore your fit for our program than a direct conversation. I invite you to request a call or pre-assessment to connect with a member of our team.

If you have additional questions, please reach out to us directly at emba.admissions@yale.edu.

My team and I look forward to working with you this year and wish you the best of luck as you begin your MBA journey.

Keith Gallinelli
Director of Admissions
MBA for Executives