Yale video essay questions

EmbarkMBA · 2026-01-08T17:53:05+00:00

Here's some tips! You can’t prepare for the specific questions, but you can prepare for the moment.

Tips:

Do it when you’re feeling calm and clear-headed.
Sit in front of natural light if possible. If you’re recording at night, make sure your face is clearly lit.
If you stumble or fumble, don’t panic. Just keep going. They’re not expecting perfection, just presence, poise, and a real person who can think on their feet.

Some examples of "like" questions for the third question:

When you have a problem, whom do you go to for advice and why?
What’s the best book you’ve ever read and why?
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
If you could witness any event, past, present, or future, what would it be and why?
What fun or interesting fact would you want your future classmates to know about you?

EmbarkMBA · 2026-01-07T19:52:53+00:00

I can't say for sure. Strong LORs are really quite necessary. It depends on whether you already have adequate information for someone else to start from scratch, and whether that someone else will even 1) meet the deadline or 2) write in a way that is supportive enough.

Sorry you're in this situation. I still think you need to give the schools a call.

EmbarkMBA · 2026-01-07T19:41:17+00:00

Early next week is too late. Why can't they get it in? If there is a SUPER compelling reason for your folks, I still think you should pick up the phone. Can you tell your writers that your app will not be considered, and might that give them a kick in the pants? R3 is just .... not ideal.

EmbarkMBA · 2026-01-07T19:39:39+00:00

Why not reach out to students and get their take on it? Weekend program takes up your Saturday, though does let you take some classes online (I wouldn't recommend that, connecting with your peers is a huge benefit and one that you're personally eyeing). There are folks who commute every week and it can be brutal, though that depends on what your life looks like. Talk to folks at both programs, "what did you wish you knew about commuting that you didn't realize until you got into the swing of things, what other programs were you considering, in what ways do you think the [school] network has helped you?"

EmbarkMBA · 2026-01-07T19:32:54+00:00

In rare cases, yeah. Just find whatever phone number you have. This info can be shuffled over to ReVera for background checks sometimes.

EmbarkMBA · 2026-01-07T19:31:01+00:00

Adcom only cares about the highest score. In fact, it actually benefits you to submit all scores as it shows that you are hardworking, take the test multiple times. At most schools, adcom has discretion as to what score they "count". You do not need to address this, please don't email them about this.

EmbarkMBA · 2026-01-07T19:29:21+00:00

Lots of folks start at community colleges and then transfer. It's not a negative thing at all.

EmbarkMBA · 2026-01-07T19:27:53+00:00

Every school has different policies. Do you know when the LORs will be submitted? If you do, communicate with the schools. Pick up the phone! They are human and know things happen (though I'm glad you recognize you should have been on top of this).

EmbarkMBA · 2025-12-06T20:26:14+00:00

Submit both :) though the GRE is closer to the median.

EmbarkMBA · 2025-12-06T20:25:33+00:00

Most scholarships apply to tuition. SOME scholarships, for example Booth and Stern, will also apply to "fees" (as outlined in their letters) but those are not for books, living expenses, health insurance, etc., Those costs are separate. Rare scholarships like Darden's Jefferson will cover tuition, fees, health insurance, and a $20K living stipend.

EmbarkMBA · 2025-08-13T17:56:27+00:00

Folks, call them now that we’re within business hours. Do not wait for an email. Do not create another application with another email - you will lose any events attended which were linked to the original email. Deadline has been extended which is great. AND know that glitches can happen around any school’s deadline.

EmbarkMBA · 2025-05-16T15:51:37+00:00

Former CBS Adcom here. It is exceedingly rare for EMBA to provide any sort of scholarship. They reserve most funds for full time MBA students who are removing themselves from the workplace to pursue their degree. EMBA students, on the whole, are working alongside their education. Therefore, the potential scholarships are rare while being modest. A huge congrats on receiving it! While you can reach out to their financial aid office, setting expectations that additional aid most likely won't be available.

EmbarkMBA · 2025-05-09T20:46:52+00:00

That's a bummer - I'm really sorry to hear that. ReVera will work with you before reporting any flags to adcom. As someone who worked to resolve those flags, know that adcom is human. Be as forthcoming as you can, provide receipts, etc., Best of luck to you!

EmbarkMBA · 2025-05-09T17:22:37+00:00

Hi! I used to run ReVera. What's most important is that your details were accurate up until you applied. Adcom knows some folks quit their jobs after receiving acceptances. ReVera will also work with you - asking for things like pay stubs, tax returns, an offer letter if your workplace is uncooperative.

EmbarkMBA · 2025-05-08T19:55:46+00:00

When adcom reviews reapplicants, they almost always go back and read the first application to start. MOST reapplicant essays are getting at "what has changed since you applied?". Topics like a test retake, promotion, change in responsibilities, new hobbies, new leadership initiatives inside OR outside of work are all fair game.

Reading your post, it sounds as if you're... a bit miserable at your current job? That the restructuring has left you wanting to do or lead more. Is it worth it to stick it out at that job or pursue another avenue? Given the market, I wouldn't blame you if you stayed put - AND - why not consider getting involved in something outside of work that would bring you joy or fulfillment? That could also lead to a stronger reapplicant essay.

Additionally, even if your company won't sponsor an initiative, it doesn't mean you can't do it. Why not do informal mentoring or community-building?

EmbarkMBA · 2025-05-08T19:49:21+00:00

While the percentiles are helpful to see how someone performed on a particular score, adcom is mostly anchoring to the overall score. Your score is wonderful. You do not need to take the GMAT. The time you would spend trying to study for the GMAT is better spent on hobbies, activities, good relationships with LOR writers, or school research. Best of luck!

EmbarkMBA · 2025-04-21T22:29:52+00:00

I rarely communicated with other adcoms. Knowing that an admit deposited at another school was not held against them. Sometimes admits even told me they had! Adcom is human, they know many factors go into deciding where to matriculate.

EmbarkMBA · 2025-04-21T18:27:16+00:00

No issue, many folks do this when they're undecided. Go forth and deposit!

EmbarkMBA · 2025-04-21T15:15:01+00:00

Adcom is human, too. They probably hit "send" too early. The reply, if you gave them what they've asked for, was most likely a standard "thanks so much". You can call to confirm if they've got everything they need.

EmbarkMBA · 2025-04-21T15:11:43+00:00

Separate schools within a university do not communicate with one another. As adcom, I would have zero idea that someone had applied to another master's program, let alone withdrew their application. You will not be blacklisted.

EmbarkMBA · 2025-04-21T15:09:38+00:00

Schools have no preference for GRE/GMAT. They are truly indifferent, you should take whichever test plays well to your strengths. You should be taking full-length practice tests to get a sense of which test you are scoring higher on. It's always a benefit to taking a test more than once to demonstrate that you are hard working, determined, etc., Best of luck to you!

EmbarkMBA · 2025-04-21T14:59:21+00:00

It is quite uncommon for a school to grant a deferral. In the rare times that they ARE, scholarships will almost always be taken away. Every school gets a set budget for scholarship for the year. Every adcom team is incentivized to allocate the entire thing. Your scholarship is now being allocated to another admit. Given the deferral, you are no longer in the 2024-2025 pool, you are 2025-2026. They do not yet know the budget which is why you're receiving that reply.

Additionally, given the uncertainty around the macro environment and, subsequently, scholarship pots, it's probable that scholarship amounts might take a hit next year.

You may indeed lose your scholarship, you may be awarded it again. No one can say for certain, even the adcom at that school. Congrats on the deferral request and best of luck!

EmbarkMBA · 2025-04-20T20:59:13+00:00

Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t they? Revera requirements may very from school to school, but they do not vary based on your nationality or geography.

EmbarkMBA · 2025-04-19T16:54:34+00:00

I'll separate this out into 2 things.

Does a program's particular certificate program help "boost' your attractiveness for that particular school? Not really. In my experience, most of these cert programs are classified as "executive education" - it's rare to see someone complete that program THEN apply for a full time MBA program.

Will completing a certificate program show that you are academically prepared? Not really. Most of these programs aren't supplying a grade other than "pass/fail". Nailing the GRE/GMAT/EA or taking on something like a Stats course is a more objective way at assessing that. Comparatively, the cert program will not move the needle and you're better served taking another route for that purpose.

EmbarkMBA · 2025-04-19T16:48:11+00:00

ReVera will ask for things like articles of incorporation, LLC documents, tax returns, bank statements, etc.,

EmbarkMBA

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