What Reviewers Look For in the MBA — Booth Short Answers

This rubric reviews whether your short answers give clear, compatible career directions, explain what personal details or an image mean to you, and work together without repetition or contradiction. It also checks that each response directly answers its own question in concise, professional language, which matters when each of the four required responses has a 300-character limit.

What We Check

Mistakes We Flag

Goals differ only by title

An immediate goal and a longer-term goal can seem thin if the only change is seniority. Show how the later role involves a different problem, responsibility, decision scope, audience, or purpose.

Vague ambition language

Words such as "impactful" or "innovative" do not explain a direction by themselves. Name a role, function, problem, responsibility, or audience.

Explaining what the image looks like, not why it matters

The written explanation needs to communicate the image's personal significance. Do not rely on the reader seeing the image or on claims that it is beautiful or original.

A fun fact that reads like a resume line

A miniature achievement or generic hobby label may not reveal much about you as an individual. Use a specific relationship, routine, interest, memory, preference, or detail that adds personal meaning.

Answers repeat or depend on one another

Each response should stand on its own and add distinct information. Avoid conflicting career plans, repeating the same identity claim, or leaving necessary context for another answer.

References

Frequently Asked Questions