The UCLA Anderson MBA essays for 2025-26 are concise but cover a wide range: why an MBA is the right next step for you, your short- and long-term career goals, how you’ll engage with and contribute to Anderson’s community, and an optional space to explain any extenuating circumstances. Together, they give the Admissions Committee a snapshot of your motivations, direction, and fit with Anderson’s collaborative, forward-thinking culture. The school explains “we want to learn more about who you are and why an MBA from UCLA Anderson is the right next step in your life”.

To succeed, you’ll need to be both strategic and self-aware. With very tight word limits, every sentence must earn its place, and each essay should have a distinct place in your overarching narrative. Show clarity of goals, readiness for the challenge of business school, and an authentic connection to Anderson’s values: Share Success, Think Fearlessly, and Drive Change. 

How to Answer Anderson’s ‘Why an MBA’ Essay?

Essay 1 Prompt: Why is the MBA the right degree for you to pursue both personally and professionally? (150 words)

Your UCLA Anderson ‘Why an MBA’ essay response should explain why now is the right time for you to earn an MBA, the skills and experiences you need to gain, and how the program will help you achieve personal and professional growth. Avoid detailing your full career goals here – that belongs in Essay 2. 

How to approach it:

• Pinpoint the catalyst. Identify the moment, realization, or change that makes this the right time for an MBA.
• Highlight the gaps. Explain the skills, knowledge, or experiences you need that only an MBA can deliver.
• Address personal as well as professional gains. Anderson values authenticity, so touch on networks, perspectives, and qualities you hope to develop.
• Explain the timing. Demonstrate why stepping away from work now will accelerate your impact.
• Keep goals high-level. Save detailed short- and long-term goals for Essay 2.

A tight, purposeful response will demonstrate clarity, readiness, and self-awareness.

How to Answer Anderson’s Career Goals Essay?

Essay 2 Prompt: Describe your short-term and long-term post-MBA career goals. (150 words)

In your UCLA Anderson career goals essay response, clearly state your short-term role, industry, and function after the MBA, explain why these goals matter to you, and connect them to an aspirational but realistic long-term vision.

How to approach it:

• Lead with clarity. State your intended short-term role, industry, and function immediately post-MBA.
• Explain your motivation. In one or two sentences, share why this path is important to you – whether rooted in past experiences, a personal passion, or a problem you’re driven to solve. Your motivation is what makes your plan feel authentic, purposeful, and connected to your broader story.
• Show the progression. Connect your short-term role to your long-term vision, explaining how one builds toward the other.
• Define your long-term ambition. Make it concrete enough to convey direction, but aspirational enough to inspire.
• Keep it realistic. Ensure your plan aligns with your background and with post-Anderson career paths.

A strong response combines specificity with purpose, giving the AdCom a clear sense of not just what you want to do, but why it matters – and why you’ll be driven to make it happen.

How to Answer the ‘Why Anderson and How Will You Contribute’ Essay?

Essay 3 Prompt: What makes UCLA Anderson a top choice for you, and how will you engage with and contribute to the community? (250 words)

This is your chance to show the Admissions Committee two things:

1. You’ve done your homework and truly understand what makes Anderson distinctive.
2. You’ll be an active, values-aligned contributor to its collaborative culture.

How to approach it:

• Lead with the connection. In one or two sentences, explain why Anderson stands out for you – ideally tying it to its defining character: Share Success, Think Fearlessly, Drive Change.
• Highlight Anderson-specific resources. Reference particular courses, specializations, clubs, centers, competitions, or initiatives that are directly relevant to your personal and professional development. Show you’ve gone beyond the website by drawing on insights from conversations with students, alumni, or faculty.
• Make it personal. Rather than just listing resources, briefly explain how you’ll engage with them. Show the AdCom you already envision yourself as part of the community.
• Show your contribution. Describe how your background, skills, and perspective will add value – in the classroom, in clubs, and in peer-to-peer learning. Contributions can be professional (e.g. industry knowledge, functional expertise), personal (e.g. life experiences, global outlook), or service-oriented (e.g. mentoring, volunteering).
• Balance goals with engagement. While your career goals may be part of this narrative, the emphasis should be on community fit and mutual benefit.

A strong response will convince Anderson you’ll not only thrive in its MBA program but also leave the school stronger for having had you there.

How to Answer Anderson’s Optional Essay?

Optional Essay Prompt: Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions Committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)

Anderson means it when they say this essay is optional. There’s no advantage in answering unless you have a genuine issue that needs context – such as:

• A gap in employment
• A semester or year of poor academic performance
• A low test score that doesn’t reflect your true ability
• An unusual choice of recommender

How to approach it:

• Be selective. Only write this essay if leaving the matter unexplained could raise questions in the reader’s mind.
• State the facts clearly. Describe the situation in straightforward terms without unnecessary detail.
• Provide context, not excuses. Focus on the circumstances and any relevant factors outside your control.
• Show resolution and improvement. If the issue is in the past, demonstrate how you’ve addressed it and why it won’t affect your success at Anderson.
• Keep it concise. This isn’t a place for additional achievements, anecdotes, or a “bonus” story you couldn’t fit elsewhere.

Handled well, this essay can reassure the AdCom and remove doubt – but only if there’s truly something to explain. If you don’t have such circumstances, it’s best to leave it blank.

Let’s Get You Into Anderson

Fortuna Admissions is a dream team of former MBA admissions decision-makers from top schools. We know what it takes to stand out because we’ve made the admit decisions ourselves. Whether you need help refining your story, strengthening your essays, or navigating interviews, we’ve got you covered.

Our free consultations are consistently rated the best in the industry – and they’re a great way to get personalized advice and honest feedback on your profile. Book your free session with us today.