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If you’re looking for a great business school in Spain, look no further than Esade. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about how to get into Esade.
The Financial Times has ranked Esade as the third-best Business School for Executive Education worldwide. Getting accepted into Esade is competitive, but attainable for talented, driven applicants who methodically prepare their MBA applications.
Esade has undergone many changes since its original construction in 1958, when it was developed as an independent nonprofit institution. The school has had an MBA program since 1964, and it became part of Ramon Llull University in 1995.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Esade’s MBA program, from acceptance rates and test scores to application timelines, essay advice, interviews, and more. Equip yourself with information and follow these tips to strengthen your candidacy. With focus and perseverance, you can realize your dream of attending this leading institution.
Esade School of Business Acceptance Rate: 60%
The acceptance rate for Esade School of Business is 60% - indicating that the school is selective but manageable. That means that out of 100 applicants, 60 students are enrolled each year.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Esade School of Business?
With an acceptance rate of 60%, Esade can be considered a good safety school. However, competition is fierce for limited spots. Success requires standing out from the pack across academics, experience, essays, recommendations, and more.
Esade School of Business Admissions Statistics
To understand if you have a good chance of being accepted into Esade, take a look at these admissions statistics.
Esade School of Business Average GPA: 3.5
The middle 80% of students admitted to Esade's MBA program earn an undergraduate GPA of 3.5. Esade evaluates this in context but generally expects academic excellence.
Esade School of Business Average GMAT Score: 660
The middle 80% of incoming MBA students score 660 on the GMAT exam. Standardized tests are just one component of the application, but it is important to meet score thresholds for your target program.
Esade School of Business Average GRE Score: 322
On the GRE, successful applicants across most programs tend to score around 322 or higher. Meeting the GMAT or GRE cutoffs set by each program is essential.
Esade School of Business Average Work Experience: 3 years
Esade prefers MBA applicants to have at least 3 years of full-time work experience. Other programs may not require experience.
What Is Esade School of Business Looking For In Applicants?
Esade takes a holistic approach to admissions, evaluating applicants as individuals based on a range of attributes, including:
- Academic Excellence: Strong grades and standardized test scores provide evidence of the ability to handle Esade’s rigorous coursework.
- Global Outlook: International experience, language skills, cross-cultural collaboration ability, and diverse perspectives prepare students to think globally.
- Leadership Potential: Managerial experience and extracurricular leadership demonstrate the promise to lead organizations in the future.
- Innovation Mindset: Examples of creative problem-solving, resilience, and an entrepreneurial spirit showcase the potential to add value from day one.
- Strong Communication Skills: Articulate essays and interviews exhibit the poise and perspective to excel in Esade’s case-based curriculum.
- Cultural Contribution: Personal qualities like integrity, social responsibility, and emotional intelligence determine fit with Esade’s collaborative culture.
Esade School of Business Admissions Requirements
Esade School of Business sets rigorous admissions standards designed to identify candidates who exemplify both academic excellence and leadership potential.
All applicants can expect to submit proof of prior academic achievement, test scores meeting score thresholds, letters of recommendation from credible sources, and personal statements making a compelling case for admission. The MBA program at Esade requires:
- Bachelor's degree
- High GMAT or GRE scores
- 2+ years work experience
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statements
- English proficiency scores
- A professional CV or Resume
- Two written essays
The entire application process can be broken down into 5 different steps:
Step 1: Submit the Application Form
- At the end of the form, you will need to upload:
- Your CV
- A recent, passport-sized photograph with white background (e.g., CV/resume picture). Maximum file size: 50 kb. Format: JPEG
- A scan of your identity card (Spanish citizens) or your passport (EU and non-EU nationals)
Step 2: Upload the Required Documents
- Once the application form has been submitted, you’ll need to upload these documents to your account:
- Bachelor Transcripts
- Bachelor Degree
- GRE/GMAT Scores
- Esade Admission Test
- English Test Scores
Step 3: Application Documents Considered
- Admissions team will review uploaded documents
- Routinely check the Student Portal for updates on your application
Step 4: Official Interview
- An Associate Director of Admissions will contact you for a mandatory interview
Step 5: Admissions Committee
- Once the interview is complete, the Admissions Committee will make the final decision
- The results of the final decision will appear in your Student Portal
Esade School of Businesses Admissions Test
Esade requires its prospective students to complete an admissions test, which should be straightforward according to Esade School of Businesses acceptance rate. This online test can be broken down into three different sections:
In total, there are 66 questions and you have 100 minutes to complete the test. This test is an additional component of the application.
Esade School of Business Application Deadlines
Planning your application timeline is key when applying to Esade's competitive MBA program. Be sure to apply as early as possible, while allowing enough time to prepare a polished, complete application. Key deadlines across Esade's offerings include:
Esade School of Business Regular Decision Deadline
The regular decision deadline for Esade's MBA program is January 7th. Esade has rolling admissions, meaning applications are evaluated as they are received. This is one reason why the Esade School of Business acceptance rate is 60%.
Esade School of Business Early Decision Deadline
Esade offers an Early Decision option for students who view it as their top choice. The binding Early Decision deadline is November 23. Applicants must commit to attending if accepted Early Decision.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into Esade School of Business
To boost your MBA profile and increase your chances of getting into Esade School of Business, here are actionable tips for the school's admissions process:
1. Deep Dive into Esade's Core Values: Esade values innovation, social responsibility, and a global outlook. Reflect on your experiences and craft your application to demonstrate how you embody these values. Whether through entrepreneurial ventures, community service, or international exposure, make sure your application resonates with what Esade stands for.
2. Demonstrate Leadership with a Global Perspective: Esade looks for candidates who have demonstrated leadership in diverse settings. Highlight leadership roles in cross-cultural environments or international projects you've led or contributed to significantly. This shows your readiness to thrive in Esade's multicultural environment.
3. Highlight Entrepreneurial Spirit or Innovations: If you've initiated a startup, led innovative projects, or introduced new processes at work, detail these experiences. Esade values the entrepreneurial spirit, not just in business creation but also in thinking creatively and innovatively within existing organizations.
4. Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your impact. Whether it's the growth of a project you led, the revenue generated by a startup, or the efficiency improved by a process you designed, numbers speak louder than words.
5. Engage with the Esade Community: Reach out to current students, alumni, or faculty. Attend Esade events or webinars to deepen your understanding of the school. This engagement demonstrates your genuine interest in Esade and provides insights that can improve your application.
6. Reflect on Your Career Goals: Esade seeks candidates with clear, achievable career goals aligned with what the program offers. In a letter of intent, articulate how Esade's resources, network, and curriculum will help you achieve your post-MBA aspirations.
7. Exemplify Resilience and Adaptability: Share experiences that showcase your resilience in the face of challenges and your adaptability to change. Esade values candidates who can thrive in an ever-changing global business landscape.
8. Prepare for the Interview: Esade interviews are an opportunity to showcase your personality, motivation, and fit with the school. Practice articulating your experiences, why you've chosen Esade, and how you'll contribute to the community.
9. Seek Strong Recommendations: Choose recommenders who can provide detailed insights into your professional achievements, character, and potential. Brief them on your MBA goals and why you're targeting Esade to ensure their letters reinforce your application narrative.
10. Authenticity is Key: Above all, be authentic in your application. Esade values diverse perspectives and paths. Share your unique story, including the challenges you've faced and how they've shaped your aspirations and character.
By following these tips and tailoring your application to reflect Esade's values and what you can bring to its community, you'll be a part of the Esade School of Business acceptance rate.
Esade School of Business Essay Prompts
Esade's application process is notably intensive, requiring candidates to write multiple essays on a variety of topics. This approach allows applicants to present a comprehensive picture of who they are, beyond just their academic and professional achievements.
Here's a breakdown of the essay prompts along with strategic tips for each:
Short Answer 1: Applying to Other Schools
- Prompt: Are you applying to other Schools? Please provide details of Schools and Programmes. This information is for our own records; it will not affect the Admissions Committee’s decision. (Maximum 255 characters, including spaces).
- Tip: Be straightforward and honest in your response. This is purely informational and won't influence the admissions decision.
Essay 2: Background, Values, and Non-Work-Related Activities
- Prompt: How will your background, values, and non-work-related activities enhance the experience of other Esade MBA students and add to the diverse culture we strive for at Esade? (Maximum 3,000 characters, including spaces).
- Tip: Focus on your unique personal qualities, cultural insights, and extracurricular involvements. Illustrate how these aspects will contribute to the Esade community, emphasizing your eagerness to engage and contribute.
Essay 3: Motivations for Pursuing an MBA
- Prompt: What are your motivations for pursuing a full-time MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path. What is it about ESADE you think will help you reach your goals? (Maximum 3000 characters, including spaces).
- Tip: Clearly articulate your career goals and how Esade’s specific resources, network, and curriculum align with achieving these objectives. Demonstrate a deep understanding of how the program fits into your professional journey.
For each essay, it's important to reflect on how your personal and professional experiences align with the school's values and offerings. Tailor your essays to show not just what you've accomplished, but also how you envision contributing to and benefiting from the Esade community.
Esade School of Business Interview
As the last step of the application process, the interview is conducted by the Associate Director of Admissions. The interview can be attended either in person in Barcelona or at an international off-campus admissions event. If you aren’t able to attend either of these, the interview can be conducted online.
How to Prepare for the Esade School of Business Interview
For the Esade School of Business interview, here are specific tips that can help you stand out and make a strong impression:
1. Be Authentic: Above all, be yourself during the interview. Esade values authenticity and wants to understand who you are, your motivations, and how you align with their values. Trying to fit a perceived mold can detract from your qualities.
2. Understand Esade's Culture: Familiarize yourself with Esade's culture, which is known for creativity, collaboration, and diversity. Reflect on how your background and experiences contribute to these aspects. Sharing specific examples can help illustrate your fit with the school's culture.
3. Prepare for a Case Interview: Some candidates may face a case interview as part of the process. You'll have a set time to analyze a business scenario and present your findings. Practice case studies to sharpen your analytical and presentation skills.
4. Discuss Your Contributions: Think about how you can contribute to the Esade community. Whether through leadership in student clubs, sharing professional expertise, or engaging in collaborative projects, be ready to discuss specific ways you can add value.
5. Highlight Teamwork Experiences: Given the emphasis on teamwork at Esade, prepare examples of how you've successfully worked in teams, especially in diverse or challenging situations. Be ready to discuss any leadership roles and the outcomes of these team projects.
6. Reflect on Your Career Goals: Be clear about your post-MBA career goals and why Esade is the right fit for achieving them. Understanding and articulating how specific aspects of Esade's MBA program will help you reach your objectives is crucial.
7. Prepare Questions: Show your genuine interest in Esade by preparing thoughtful questions about the program, culture, or career opportunities. This demonstrates your engagement and eagerness to learn more about the school.
8. Practice for a Conversational Interview: Esade interviews are known to be conversational. Practice speaking about your experiences, goals, and motivations in a way that's engaging and reflects your personality. This can make the interview feel more like a dialogue than a formal Q&A.
9. Know Your Application Inside Out: Be prepared to discuss any aspect of your application in detail, including your essays, work experience, and extracurricular activities. This shows preparedness and reinforces your commitment to attending Esade.
10. Demonstrate Global Awareness: Given Esade's international focus, highlighting your global experiences, language skills, or cross-cultural competencies can be advantageous. Share specific instances where you've navigated or contributed to international projects or environments.
After the interview stage, the full application is reviewed by the committee once again so that a final decision can be made regarding an offer for admission to the program. This entire process, from the point when a candidate submits their application, to the point of a decision of acceptance being made, usually takes between four and six weeks.
FAQs
If you’re still wondering about how to apply for Esade School of Business, we’ve outlined the most frequently asked questions in the section below.
1. What Is The Difference Between Esade’s 12-Month, 15-Month, And 18-Month MBA Programs?
Esade’s 12-month course program only consists of core classes and electives, whereas the 15-month program and the 18-month program offer these classes, as well as a choice between an internship and an exchange.
2. Does Esade Offer Scholarships For Their MBA Program?
Yes, Esade awards several scholarships during each admissions cycle to outstanding candidates who apply.
3. Is A Background In Spanish Required To Apply To Esade’s MBA Program?
No knowledge of Spanish is required to enter the program. However, students will have the choice to study in English or Spanish during the first two terms and are expected to possibly take electives in either language by the third term.
4. Is The Admissions Process The Same For Applying To The Bilingual Track For Esade’s MBA Program?
Candidates who apply to the bilingual track can take a separate admissions exam, offered by Esade, rather than the GMAT.
5. What Is The Cost Of Tuition For The MBA Program At Esade?
The average cost of tuition for the MBA program at Esade is €77,500. Students may apply for scholarships to help with the cost of tuition.
6. What Is The Average Starting Salary For Graduates Of Esade’s MBA Program?
Depending on the industry that an Esade MBA graduate chooses, starting salaries have typically ranged from €67,704 to €74,978, although some Esade alumni have reported starting salaries as high as €211,082.
Final Thoughts
While the Esade School of Business's acceptance rate is 60%, that doesn’t mean they accept everyone. Gaining admission to Esade is challenging but attainable through academic excellence, strategic preparation, and showcasing alignment between your aspirations and Esade's offerings. With dedication and authenticity, you can get into this top European business school.
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