Carnegie Mellon (Tepper)


Below are the application deadlines and essay questions for Carnegie Mellon (Tepper)'s MBA Program. 


Carnegie Mellon (Tepper) - Application Deadlines for 2025-2026 / Class of 2028


Round 1

Application due: October 1, 2025

Decision released: December 12, 2025


Round 2

Application due: January 6, 2026

Decision released: March 27, 2026


Round 3

Application due: April 7, 2026

Decision released: May 15, 2026


We cannot guarantee that we will review information sent to the MBA Admissions Office after the deadline of the round in which you apply.


The following are the main essay questions on the 2025-2026 / Class of 2028 Carnegie Mellon (Tepper) MBA application:

 

Required Essay – Choose One

There is one required essay (maximum 500 words) for all Tepper MBA applicants (except college seniors). You are now able to choose which essay question resonates most with you and how you can present your best application. Please choose 1 of the following 2 questions. We do not have a preference on which question you answer.

Option 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?

Option 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. 


Optional Essay

Is there anything else that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee as we evaluate your application? If you believe your credentials and essays represent you fairly, you should not feel obligated to answer this question. This essay is intended to provide a place for you to add information that you think is important but is not covered elsewhere in the application. This could include clarification of your employment or academic record, choice of recommenders or helpful context for the admissions committee in reviewing your application.


Are you a re-applicant? Use the optional essay to explain how your candidacy has strengthened since your last application.


Video Essay: Goals

We know this is an important component of your decision to attend business school. We take it seriously as well. Please describe your post-MBA career goals.

It would be helpful to consider the following information in your response:

  • You have up to 2 minutes to respond to this question.
  • Please be as specific as possible. If you have not yet identified specific companies, that is okay. Just tell us what interests you for your next role or company. What about the industry, company, or functional role is appealing to you?
  • If you have any criteria you are using to evaluate career opportunities, please share those as well. We may have great opportunities to add to your list.
  • How does this post-MBA career goal relate to your long-term career plan?


Visit the Tepper admissions website for more application information.

Disclaimer: the information provided on this page is for reference only. Applicants are strongly advised to visit the admissions website link provided above to confirm essay prompts, deadlines, and other application information. Photo by Kazuhiza Otsubo.