What are the different types of MBA video essays?

5 Minutes

Types of MBA Video Essays: What Applicants Need to Know #

Video essays have become an increasingly important component of MBA applications, offering admissions committees a more dynamic way to assess candidates beyond traditional written materials. Understanding the different types of video essays and how to approach them can significantly impact your application success. Let’s explore the various formats schools use and how to prepare effectively for each.

Why Business Schools Use Video Essays #

MBA programs incorporate video essays for several compelling reasons. These multimedia submissions allow admissions committees to engage with applicants in a more authentic manner, functioning essentially as mini-interviews. They provide valuable insights into an applicant’s communication skills, presence, and ability to articulate thoughts clearly—qualities that are essential in business leadership.

Video essays also serve as an efficient screening tool, helping schools evaluate candidates’ language proficiency and presentation abilities before investing time in formal interviews. This streamlines the selection process and allows admissions teams to assess more candidates thoroughly. Additionally, these submissions reveal aspects of personality and thinking patterns that might not be apparent in written applications.

Contrary to what some applicants might fear, video essays aren’t designed as stress tests. Rather, they offer schools an opportunity to see candidates’ genuine reactions and thought processes. They also allow applicants to showcase their creativity, enthusiasm, and fit with the program’s culture in ways that paper applications simply cannot capture.

Predefined Video Essays #

Many MBA programs use predefined video essay questions where the prompts are known in advance. In these scenarios, the admissions committee clearly outlines all requirements, including time limits, technical specifications, and submission deadlines. Most predefined video essays range from one to two minutes in length—a relatively short window to make a meaningful impression.

Common predefined prompts often ask candidates to share something not covered in their resumes or to introduce themselves and explain their motivations for pursuing an MBA. These questions aim to uncover dimensions of applicants that complement their written materials rather than duplicate them.

Some schools incorporate behavioral interview questions in their predefined video essays. These typically follow the “tell me about a time when…” format, requiring candidates to share specific experiences that demonstrate particular skills or qualities. For example, a school might ask: “Tell us about a time when you faced significant opposition to your ideas and how you handled it” or “Describe a situation where you had to lead a team through a difficult challenge and what you learned from that experience.”

Wizako’s Admission Consulting team, comprising US Top 20 MBA and IIM Graduates, excels at helping clients prepare compelling responses to these predefined questions, ensuring they highlight the most relevant experiences and qualities sought by top programs.

Impromptu Video Essays #

Other business schools prefer impromptu video essays, which present candidates with questions they haven’t seen beforehand. This format better tests an applicant’s ability to think on their feet, engage authentically with the program, and demonstrate genuine introspection about their application and career journey.

In impromptu formats, video essays typically last about one minute, with candidates given just 20-30 seconds to organize their thoughts before recording begins. Some schools ask a single question, while others might require responses to as many as three different prompts in sequence.

These questions generally fall into three categories:

Personal interest questions: Examples include “Why did you choose your undergraduate major?” or “What is your favorite book and why?” These reveal candidates’ passions and thinking processes.
Behavioral questions: Similar to those in predefined essays but without preparation time, these assess how candidates react under pressure while sharing meaningful experiences.
MBA journey questions: These explore motivations with prompts like “Why MBA?”, “Why now?“, or “Why this school?”, testing how clearly applicants have defined their professional goals.

Rarely, schools like Yale School of Management might include a question about a general interest topic or current debate, asking candidates to present their opinions. These questions evaluate critical thinking skills and the ability to articulate balanced perspectives on complex issues.

Submission Timing and Requirements #

The submission process and timeline for video essays varies considerably across programs. Some schools require videos to be submitted by the application deadline along with other materials. Others generate a special submission link only after the rest of the application has been submitted, typically giving candidates between two and five days to complete this portion.

This varied timing means applicants need to carefully plan their preparation strategies. For predefined essays, thorough practice and refinement are possible. For impromptu formats, developing comfort with extemporaneous speaking becomes crucial.

Wizako’s Admission Consulting team assists clients throughout this process, offering specialized coaching for both predefined and impromptu video essays. Our expertise, drawn from helping our clients over two decades, proves invaluable in helping applicants navigate these challenging components of the application process.

Preparing Effectively for Video Essays #

Regardless of format, successful video essays require thoughtful preparation. For predefined questions, this means crafting concise, compelling narratives that showcase relevant qualities without sounding overly rehearsed. For impromptu questions, preparation involves practicing various potential question types and developing frameworks for organizing thoughts quickly.

Technical considerations also matter significantly. Candidates should ensure proper lighting, sound quality, appropriate attire, and a distraction-free background. Even the most compelling content can lose impact if technical issues interfere with its delivery.

Perhaps most importantly, authenticity remains paramount across all video essay formats. Admissions committees are skilled at detecting when candidates are simply reciting memorized responses rather than engaging genuinely with questions.

Conclusion #

Video essays represent an evolving dimension of MBA applications that tests candidates’ abilities to communicate effectively under various conditions. By understanding the different types—predefined versus impromptu—and preparing appropriately for each, applicants can transform this potential challenge into a valuable opportunity to distinguish themselves.

Remember that these video components complement rather than replace other application materials, offering a more complete picture of who you are as a candidate. With proper preparation and an authentic approach, your video essays can significantly strengthen your overall application package.

For personalized guidance on navigating both main essays and video essays, Wizako’s Admission Consulting team offers specialized support through every stage of the application process, including interviews and post-offer decisions. Our team brings invaluable insights to help applicants shine in these increasingly important multimedia assessments.