Yale is currently on an upswing – their ranking has been climbing up and they are getting more and more selective. Their average GMAT score has seen an increase of 6 points in 2 years and they have definitely become more selective in the past couple of years. Yale has retained its single essay question from last year, so you have very limited space to make an impact. Or let’s say, you should apply to Yale only if you think you have enough substance to demonstrate strong passion and commitment to your life and your career.
This is one of the more thought-provoking essay prompts compared to the typical achievement and failure essays. In the admissions blog, assistant Dean Bruce DelMonico says that this question tries to delve deep into what the applicants care about in the world. While a lot of schools ask about your future plans, Yale is of the opinion that past actions speak louder and are a good indication of the applicant’s ability to follow through on their plans and demonstrate passion.
The theme for this essay can be either personal or professional. Think carefully about what you would quantify as your biggest commitment. It could be to a cause, to a person, to development of a skill or towards living according to certain values. All of these options are legitimate answers to this question and the key differentiating factor would lie in how you express it. Talk about why you made this commitment, what obstacles you have faced which have tested your commitment, what was your reaction in the face of those obstacles and why you plan on keeping this commitment in the future.
Don’t forget that end of the day, this is a business school application. Your commitment to your parents and how you have been taking care of them, or your commitment to ensuring good education for a certain set of underprivileged children are all valid areas of contribution, but not very contextual to a business school. You may therefore choose a larger commitment in life, which you may establish and reinforce by presenting a mix of 2-3 professional and personal instances. You may also want to present your career plans and connect your aspirations to the larger commitment you have already demonstrated in life.
Yale prides itself in being a school with values and this essay is a great opportunity to demonstrate your fit with the school’s culture. Truly making a commitment means that you follow through your commitments in the face of adversity and that is the kind of person that Yale SOM is looking for.
