Princeton University

Master in Finance (M.Fin.)

Academic Statement of Purpose

Please explain why you are applying to a graduate program at Princeton. Outline your goals for graduate study, discuss your current academic and future career plans specifically related to the program. Include any relevant academic and professional experiences that have influenced your decision to apply for graduate admission. The essay must be written in English and should not exceed 1,000 words. No specific formatting is required.

Personal Statement

Princeton is strongly committed to welcoming students with diverse experiences. Describe a personal experience that influenced your decision to pursue graduate study. Explain how the lessons from this experience would enrich Princeton’s residential scholarly community. The essay must be written in English and should not exceed 250 words. No specific formatting is required.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Master of Finance

1. The World That Shaped You:

How has the world you come from shaped who you are today? Please use this opportunity to share more about your background. Please do not include any links in your response. (250 words or less)

2. Professional Questions

Question 1: Please discuss your past academic and professional experiences and accomplishments that will help you succeed in the MFin program. Include achievements in finance, math, statistics, and computer science, as applicable. Please do not include any links in your response. (200 words or less)

Question 2: Tell us about your short-term and long-term professional goals. How will our MFin degree help you achieve these goals? Please do not include any links in your response. (200 words or less)

Question 3: What personal qualities will enable you to contribute to the advancement of our mission? Please do not include any links in your response. (200 words or less)

3. Video Question 1

Introduce yourself to your future classmates. Here's your chance to let your personality shine through, be conversational, and be yourself. We can't wait to meet you! Videos should adhere to the following guidelines: No more than 1 minute (60 seconds) in length Single take (no editing) Speaking directly to the camera Do not include background music or subtitles

4. Video Question 2

All applicants must submit a brief video statement responding to a randomized question posed by the Admissions Committee. You will need to use an internet-connected computer, with a webcam and microphone. As part of the application review, the Admissions Committee will evaluate your response to see how you express yourself and to assess fit with the MIT Sloan culture. The simple, open-ended question is designed to help us get to know you better and will not require prior preparation.

Duke University

Financial Technology Master of Engineering

1. Video

A question prompt will be shown to you once you hit the record video option. You will have 30 seconds of preparation time. You do not have to use the entire 3 minutes. We want your response to be natural (do not read from prepared notes!) and tell us more about you as a person. Treat your reply like a conversation. The video is one piece of your overall application. -Attempt limit: 3 (If you opt to re-record, you will receive new questions each time) -Preparation time: 30 seconds -Recording time: 180 seconds (3 minutes)

2. Short Answer Questions

In 1500-2500 characters or less, please respond to the following questions posed by your program.

FinTech 1 - FinTech is all about creating new and innovative solutions, in your opinion what is the most creative fintech solution of the past 20 years and why do you consider it the most creative?(1500characters)

FinTech 2 - Often successful FinTech solutions are new, but sometimes they are new applications of existing solutions. What was the most creative solution to a problem that you’ve ever designed/built, either physical or virtual? Please include details.(1500characters)

FinTech 3 - The emergence of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms in recent years could cause significant changes to traditional banking systems and financial markets. These platforms operate on a blockchain, allowing for peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries. As a prospective Fintech graduate student, you are presented with the following hypothetical scenario:

• In a country with a strong and stable banking system, a new DeFi platform emerges and quickly gains popularity among the younger population. The platform offers high-interest savings accounts, instant peer-to-peer loans, and has its native token that starts to be used as a form of payment in various local businesses. The country's central bank has not yet formulated a definitive stance on DeFi platforms.
• Discuss the potential risks and benefits this DeFi platform brings to the country's financial ecosystem, considering both macroeconomic and microeconomic perspectives. What should be the approach of the central bank to this newcomer platform?
• What would it look like if you were to design a bridge between this new DeFi platform and traditional financial institutions? The bridge should prioritize seamless integration and mutual growth for both sectors."(2500characters)

Top 10 Things About You (In 100 characters or less per statement)

Northwestern University

Master in Management

Essay 1： Intentionality is a key aspect of what makes our graduates successful Kellogg leaders. Help us understand your journey by articulating your motivations for pursuing a Master in Management, the specific goals you aim to achieve, and why now is the best time to apply. Moreover, share why you feel Kellogg is best suited to serve as a catalyst for your career aspirations and what you will contribute to our community of lifelong learners during your time here.(450 words)

Essay 2： Kellogg leaders are primed to tackle challenges everywhere, from the boardroom to their neighborhoods. Describe a specific professional or extracurricular experience where you had to make a difficult decision. Reflecting on this experience, identify the values that guided your decision-making process and how it impacted your leadership style. (450 words)

Video essays： The video will be comprised of three questions, each designed to help you showcase your personality and share some of the experiences that brought you here today.

Some things to keep in mind as you prepare to complete this section:

-Video essays are due 96 hours after the application deadline

-A video essay link will appear on your Application Status page after you submit your application and payment

-You will need an internet-connected computer with a webcam and microphone

-The video should take about 20-25 minutes to complete, which includes time for setup After submitting your application and payment, you will be able to access the video essay through your Application Status page.

Integrated Marketing Communications

Professional Statement

Please upload a professional statement using a narrative format describing your interest in Medill’s graduate IMC program in 750 words or fewer. Be sure to address the following questions:

1. Why are you pursuing Medill’s IMC Program? (250 words or fewer)

2. Tell us how you will spend your time in the IMC Program to develop new skills and knowledge that align with your career goals? (250 words or fewer)

3. As a leader, how have you facilitated community building to encourage teamwork? (250 words or fewer)

Additional Information (optional): If there is anything in your application that you would like to address (e.g., GRE or GMAT scores, GPA, lack of marketing or other work experience) or any additional information you would like to include (e.g. information an award or scholarship, gap year, etc.), please submit an essay of 300 words or less to upload in the “Additional Information” section.

Cornell University

MPS Applied Economics and Management

Statement of Purpose:

Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe, within 500 words:

(1) your academic interests,

(2) your academic background, preparation, and training, including any relevant professional experiences,

(3) your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in this specific program, and

(4) your professional goals.

Personal Statement:

Please describe (within 300-500 words) how your background and experiences influenced your decision and ability to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, provide insights into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and work productively and positively together.

University of Chicago

Master in Finance

Post-Graduation

What is your immediate career goal following the completion of your Master in Finance degree?(250 characters)

Essay1: How will the Booth Master in Finance help you achieve your immediate and long-term career goals? (Maximum 300 words.)

Essay2: Graduate finance education is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. We’d like to learn more about you outside of the classroom and work environments. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are. (Maximum 400 words.)

Video Essay:

Please provide a video response to the following prompt: Please introduce yourself to your future classmates. Please note the following:

-The length of the video submission should be no more than 60 seconds.

-You will only be evaluated on the content of your submission. Editing and styling of the video will not be considered.

-You may record your submission on any video recording device, including cell phones and computers.

-When you are done uploading your portfolio, click the "Your Portfolio" tab to continue with the application.

Columbia University

Master of Science in Financial Economics

Short Answer:

What is your immediate post-MS professional goal? (Maximum 50 characters)

Essay1: Please describe your educational goals and those academic and/or professional achievements which have contributed most to your development. (Maximum 500 words)

Essay2: Please indicate your expected career track and describe how the MS in Financial Economics program will help you attain your career goals. Please be specific. (Maximum 500 words)

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Quantitative Finance & Risk Management

Academic Statement of Purpose

The Academic Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written essay detailing your journey, passion, and vision for quantitative analysis and finance. Share your experiences overcoming challenges and utilizing programming skills, while also emphasizing your mathematical background and career aspirations. Additionally, explain how you believe Michigan's graduate program will play a pivotal role in advancing your goals for ethical progress and innovation within the field.

The following information is required on the header of your statement.

• Write "Academic Statement of Purpose" at the top of your document

• Your name

• The name of the graduate program

Personal Statement (500 word limit)

How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan?

For example, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.

Do not repeat your Academic Statement of Purpose.

Washington University in St. Louis

MS in Finance，Corporate Finance Concentration

Required personal statement

At WashU Olin, we recognize that our community is comprised of individuals who come to us from different pathways and perspectives. Similarly, each student’s journey during and after the program is unique. Please provide a personal statement that describes how your life experiences have shaped your decision to apply to graduate school and how you believe WashU Olin will help you achieve your long-term professional and personal goals. (500-word maximum)

This statement should be uploaded as a file within your application.

Required career essay

Please describe what your ideal career will be immediately following graduation from business school. (100-word maximum) This essay can be completed within your application.

Optional essay

Is there anything else you would like to share? If so, please provide additional information not previously addressed in the application that would help the admissions committee assess your candidacy. (250-word maximum)

Carnegie Mellon University

Master of Science in Management

Essay Questions: All applicants are required to submit one essay (maximum 500 words). You may choose the question that best allows you to share your story. Please select one of the two prompts below to answer. There is no preference for which question you choose.

1. At Tepper, we value leaders who can make confident decisions when facing complexity and uncertainty. Tell us about a time when you had to take action without having all of the answers. How did you navigate the situation and what was the outcome?

2. The Tepper School of Business is committed to helping students reach their full potential by supporting their professional and personal transformation. How do you hope to transform, both professionally and personally, during your time in the program? Please describe your development goals and steps you plan to achieve them

Video Essay - Goals:

Video Prompt: Post-MSM Career Goals We want to hear from you, directly and authentically. Your career goals are an important part of your MSM journey, and we’re excited to learn more. In this video, you’ll share your post-MSM career goals.

Please consider the following as you prepare your response:

-Be as specific as possible. Even if you haven’t identified exact companies, share what kind of role, industry, or organization interests you—and why.

-If you have specific criteria for evaluating future opportunities, let us know. We may be able to suggest relevant options.

-Explain how your post-MSM goal connects to your long-term career vision.

Master of Science in Computational Finance

Written Essays:

• What is your top-choice industry to work in immediately after completing the MSCF degree? In other words, what is your short-term goal?
• Asset Management, Consulting, FinTech, Hedge Fund, Investment Bank, Proprietary Trading, or Other
• What is your top-choice functional area to work in immediately after completing the MSCF degree?
• Data Scientist, Portfolio Management, Quant Research, Risk Management, Sales & Trading/Algorithmic & High-Frequency Trading, Strats & Modeling, or Other

Short Answer Essays:

• Provide examples from your past professional or academic experience that highlight skills you have developed that will be directly applicable in your above-selected functional area. (350 word max)
• Tell us about a time you had to overcome a challenge in order to succeed. (350 word max)

MSCF Video Essay:

The video essay is an opportunity for us to learn a little more about your background and motivation. For your 90-second video essay, you are required to respond to the following prompt:

Describe the specific steps you took and resources you utilized to secure a previous academic or professional opportunity. Explain how this experience will benefit you in your future career path.

University of Virginia

MSc in Commerce(Finance Track)

Goals Essay (Required):

What is your motivation for pursuing the M.S. in Commerce Program, and how does the program fit into your short- and long-term goals? (500 words maximum)

Impact Essay (Required): Please tell us about a personal, academic, or professional experience that has influenced your decision to pursue graduate study at the McIntire School of Commerce and how it has influenced what you hope to achieve through your M.S. in Commerce education. (500 words maximum)

Optional Essay:

This essay may be used to call attention to areas of your background or application needing clarification and to provide additional details to any aspects of your candidacy. (350 words maximum)

New York University

MS in Marketing and Retail Science

Essay 1: Personal Expression Describe yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements:

• A brief introduction or overview of your personal expression (maximum 100 words).
• Six images that help illustrate who you are.
• Maximum 50 words caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.

Note: Your visuals may include photos, infographics, drawings, or any other images that best describe you. Your document must be uploaded as a single PDF. The essay cannot be sent in physical form or be linked to a website.

Essay 2: Additional Information (optional)(maximum 200 words)

Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. This may include a further explanation of your financial aid needs, current or past gaps in employment, recommender choice (for working professionals without direct supervisor recommendation), further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript(s), plans to retake the GMAT, GRE, IELTS, or TOEFL, or any other relevant information.