The Notre Dame MBA : Essay Tips, Analysis, and Strategies

The Notre Dame MBA program at the University of Notre Dame offers a rigorous curriculum focused on ethical leadership, strategic thinking, and real-world application. The program spans one or two years, with the one-year MBA lasting 11 months and the two-year MBA covering four semesters. 

In this in-depth Essay Tips for The Notre Dame MBA, we cover:

• History and Culture of the School
• Vision, Mission, and Goals
• Ideal Candidate – The Notre Dame MBA
• What to Include in The Notre Dame MBA Essays
• Essay Tips
• Statement of Purpose
• Slide Deck

History and Culture of the School

The Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame was established in 1921 as the College of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. It was renamed in 2000 after a $35 million donation from Tom Mendoza, a business executive and Notre Dame alumnus. Mendoza is known for its strong ethical foundation, deeply rooted in the university’s Catholic values, emphasizing business as a force for good.

The college offers undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, and specialized master’s programs, consistently ranking among the top business schools in the U.S. It integrates ethics and leadership into its curriculum, with a notable emphasis on service and social responsibility. The Notre Dame MBA, launched in 1967, has grown into a globally recognized program, focusing on leadership and innovation.

Students can specialize in three core pathways—Finance, Strategy, and Technology—aligning their studies with their career goals. Mendoza also offers four MBA majors, two of which are STEM-designated, providing technical expertise in analytics and data-driven decision-making. Experiential learning is central to the program, with opportunities such as Business on the Frontlines, Grow Irish Week, and global immersion experiences in San Francisco and Chile. A strong alumni network and corporate partnerships enhance career prospects, particularly in consulting, finance, and technology.

Culturally, Mendoza fosters a close-knit community characterized by strong alumni engagement and a collaborative learning environment. The campus hosts the Giovanini Commons, which supports entrepreneurship, and the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership. Mendoza’s commitment to ethical leadership is reflected in programs like the Business Ethics and Society Initiative. The college maintains strong corporate partnerships and a robust recruitment network, particularly in consulting, finance, and technology.

Vision, Mission, and Goals

Mission: The Mendoza College of Business seeks to develop ethical and competent business leaders who contribute to society through strategic decision-making and responsible leadership. Guided by its Catholic morals, the school emphasizes business as a force for good, cultivating professionals who integrate analytical skills with moral responsibility.

Vision: Mendoza aims to be a globally recognized business school known for its commitment to ethical leadership, innovative research, and transformative student experiences. The college aspires to attract talented students, faculty, and professionals who share its vision of advancing society through business excellence and integrity.

Goals: Mendoza’s objectives are centered around academic excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility. The college is committed to:

•    Enhancing research that addresses both business and societal challenges.
•    Offering a transformative educational experience that prepares students to make meaningful contributions to the world.
•    Strengthening the MBA program while expanding mission-driven specialized graduate programs.
•    Developing an innovative curriculum that integrates business disciplines with ethical and strategic perspectives.
•    Fostering a diverse, engaged, and supportive academic community committed to Mendoza’s mission and values.

Ideal Candidate – The Notre Dame MBA

Mendoza seeks applicants who align with its mission and demonstrate the following qualities:

1.    Commitment to Ethical Leadership – Candidates should have a track record of making responsible and morally sound decisions in their professional or personal endeavors.

2.    Strong Leadership Potential – Experience leading teams, initiatives, or projects that have driven positive impact is highly valued.

3.    Service-Oriented Mindset – A history of community service, nonprofit involvement, or social impact work aligns well with Mendoza’s culture.

4.    Collaborative and Team-Oriented Approach – Applicants should thrive in environments that emphasize cooperation and mutual support.

5.    Strategic and Analytical Thinking – The ability to approach complex business problems with a logical and solutions-driven mindset is essential.

6.    Global and Social Awareness – Exposure to diverse perspectives, industries, or international experiences is advantageous.

What to Include in The Notre Dame MBA Essays

Mendoza’s essay prompts aim to assess candidates’ leadership, ethical decision-making, resilience under moral ambiguity, and alignment with the school’s mission. Applicants should focus on the following:

•    Commitment to Ethical Leadership – Share examples where you navigated ethical dilemmas or prioritized integrity in decision-making.

•    Resilience under moral ambiguity – The world’s capitalistic cultures operate under different moral codes. The applicant should demonstrate resilience and upheld fairness, integrity and openness while tackling obstacles.

•    Service and Social Impact – Highlight instances where you contributed to your community, an organization, or a cause beyond professional responsibilities.

•    Leadership and Teamwork – Demonstrate your ability to lead and collaborate effectively within teams.

•    Alignment with Mendoza’s Mission – Discuss how your career goals and values reflect Mendoza’s vision of business as a force for good.

•    Strategic Problem-Solving – Provide insights into how you analyze business challenges and develop effective solutions.

Essay Tips

Essay Prompt: “The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842, by Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C, with a mission to become “one of the most powerful means for doing good in this country”. In 1879, Father Sorin’s vision for Notre Dame seemingly came to an abrupt end when a massive fire destroyed the main building that housed the entire university. Instead of giving up, Father Sorin interpreted the fire as a sign that his dream was too small. He then decided to rebuild, bigger and better. The now iconic main building still stands today, topped by the gleaming Golden Dome, as an ongoing symbol of perseverance and vision.
Tell us about a time, in your personal or professional experience, when you persevered and overcame obstacles or you had to start over and rebuild. What did you learn most about yourself, and how has that influenced how you show up in the world?”

How To Approach

Mendoza’s essay prompt is designed to assess an applicant’s ability to reflect on challenges, demonstrate resilience, and showcase personal and professional growth. However, given the school’s mission and history, this essay should also communicate your alignment with Mendoza’s core values—ethical leadership, perseverance, and using business as a force for good.
A strong essay will not just recount an obstacle but will provide a thoughtful analysis of how you responded to adversity, what you learned about yourself, and how that experience influences your decision-making today.

1. Align Your Story with Mendoza’s Legacy of Resilience

Mendoza’s identity is deeply tied to overcoming adversity, as seen in Father Sorin’s decision to rebuild the university after a devastating fire in 1879. This historical moment is more than just an anecdote; it represents Mendoza’s belief that challenges are opportunities for transformation. The admissions committee is looking for applicants who embody this mindset.

How to Approach:
•    Choose a situation where you faced significant setbacks—either personal or professional.
•    Show how the setback initially challenged you but ultimately pushed you to think bigger and act with purpose.
•    Demonstrate how your response to adversity aligns with Mendoza’s mission of ethical leadership and responsible decision-making.

Example: Shubharika could discuss her experience leading a cloud migration initiative at S&P Global. Cloud migrations often face resistance from teams hesitant to transition away from legacy systems. If she encountered major pushback—perhaps an unexpected failure in implementation or lack of stakeholder buy-in—she could discuss how she navigated the challenge. Instead of viewing it as a barrier, she could explain how she took a strategic approach, educating stakeholders, optimizing processes, and ultimately delivering a more scalable solution. This would demonstrate resilience and strategic problem-solving, both key to Mendoza’s leadership model.

2. Showcase Personal Growth Through Challenges

Mendoza places a strong emphasis on leadership development through introspection and growth. Your essay should not merely narrate a challenge but also provide deep insight into how the experience shaped your perspective, skills, or leadership approach. The admissions team is particularly interested in applicants who demonstrate a growth mindset, those who view obstacles as learning experiences.

How to Approach:
•    Focus on a defining moment that fundamentally changed how you operate as a leader or problem-solver.
•    Highlight the specific skills, values, or mindset shifts you developed as a result of the challenge.
•    Reflect on how this change has influenced the way you approach problems today.

Example: Shubharika could discuss her experience working at ISRO, where she developed a GUI-based Proximal Analysis Tool to improve remote sensing data analysis. Given ISRO’s focus on precision and accuracy, she might have faced high expectations and intense scrutiny. If her first prototype failed to meet performance benchmarks, she could detail how she reassessed her approach, identified bottlenecks, and integrated machine learning to improve classification accuracy to 94%. This would highlight not just her technical expertise but also her ability to learn from failure and refine her problem-solving strategies.

3. Tie Your Journey to Ethical and Strategic Leadership

Mendoza’s mission strongly emphasizes ethical leadership, not just in the traditional sense but in making responsible, data-driven, and values-based decisions. The admissions committee wants to see evidence of moral reasoning and long-term thinking in your response. They are particularly interested in applicants who prioritize impact over short-term gains.

How to Approach:
•    If your challenge involved ethical dilemmas, conflict with stakeholder interests, or a trade-off between efficiency and integrity, highlight how you approached the situation.
•    Demonstrate how your decision-making process aligns with Mendoza’s focus on business as a force for good.
•    Show how this experience has shaped your perspective on ethical decision-making in the corporate world.

Example: Shubharika could reflect on her role at S&P Global, where she worked on optimizing bond metric calculations. The financial industry often grapples with balancing speed, accuracy, and compliance with regulatory standards. If she faced pressure to deliver results faster but had to ensure data integrity, she could highlight how she resisted shortcuts and instead designed a solution that met both efficiency and transparency requirements. This would showcase her commitment to responsible leadership—a key value at Mendoza.

4. Show How This Experience Shapes Your Role in Business

Beyond resilience and ethical leadership, Mendoza values students who use their experiences to create impact. Your essay should illustrate how your past challenges have not only shaped you personally but also influenced how you lead in a business environment.

How to Approach

•    Provide a clear link between your past challenge and your current leadership approach.
•    Highlight how your experience has influenced the way you mentor others, collaborate, or drive innovation.
•    Show that you are someone who takes lessons from adversity and applies them to create meaningful change.

Example: Shubharika could discuss her leadership role in organizing a summer camp for 100+ underprivileged children in India. She might have faced logistical challenges—securing resources, managing volunteers, or ensuring program impact. If she overcame these obstacles through strategic planning and resilience, she could link this experience to how she approaches leadership in her professional life today, whether it is managing cross-functional teams or tackling complex technological problems.

5. Connect to Your Future Goals with Mendoza’s Mission

Mendoza’s mission isn’t just about producing competent business professionals; it’s about developing leaders who will use their skills to make a meaningful impact on society. Your essay should end with a strong connection between your past perseverance, your future aspirations, and how Mendoza fits into this journey.

How to Approach:
•    Clearly articulate how the lessons learned from your challenge have shaped your career goals.
•    Demonstrate how Mendoza’s curriculum, values, and network align with your vision for the future.
•    Show that you are not just seeking an MBA for career advancement but because you resonate with Mendoza’s broader mission.

Example: Shubharika could conclude with how her perseverance in cloud migration challenges has fueled her goal of leveraging AI for responsible business decision-making. She could highlight how Mendoza’s Business Analytics specialization will give her the tools to drive ethical innovation in technology, ensuring AI solutions prioritize transparency, inclusivity, and societal well-being. By connecting her resilience story to Mendoza’s mission, she would demonstrate that she is not only a strong candidate but also a value-driven leader who embodies what the school stands for.

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose is a 100-word statement detailing your short-term professional goals. Include the roles and industries you are targeting after completing your MBA and how you plan to leverage the skills and knowledge gained from the program to achieve these goals. This statement will help the Admissions Committee understand your career vision and how our MBA program fits into your professional development plan.

How To Approach

1. Clearly Define Your Short-Term Goals with Specificity

Your SOP must clearly outline the specific role and industry you are targeting post-MBA. Avoid vague statements like “I want to work in business leadership” or “I aim to leverage my skills in the tech industry.” Instead, mention a specific job title (e.g., Product Manager, Strategy Consultant, Finance Analyst) and the sector you are aiming for (e.g., fintech, SaaS, healthcare consulting). Additionally, explain why this role aligns with your experience and aspirations.

Mendoza values career clarity because it helps them assess whether their program can support your ambitions. Use your SOP to demonstrate how the curriculum, pathways (Finance, Strategy, Technology), and experiential learning opportunities will help you build the skills required for this role.

Example: Shubharika, with her background in product management and technology, could emphasize her goal of transitioning into a Product Manager in enterprise technology or fintech. She might mention how Mendoza’s STEM-designated Business Analytics major will refine her data-driven decision-making skills. Additionally, she could highlight how Mendoza’s Grow Irish Week and global immersion programs will expose her to real-world business challenges, helping her prepare for leadership in a global tech company.

2. Connect Your Goals with Mendoza’s Ethical Leadership Focus

Mendoza’s mission is deeply rooted in ethical business practices. Your SOP should reflect an understanding of how ethical leadership plays a role in your target industry. Whether you are pursuing finance, technology, or strategy, showcase how you have previously encountered ethical dilemmas or how you plan to integrate responsible decision-making in your career.

Example: Shubharika could discuss the ethical considerations in AI-driven financial analytics or responsible data usage in technology. Given her experience in cloud migration and financial systems at S&P Global, she could highlight how responsible AI governance is crucial in fintech. Mendoza’s Business Ethics and Society Initiative and the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership would provide her with frameworks to navigate ethical decision-making in product development and technology leadership.

3. Demonstrate How Mendoza’s Curriculum Supports Your Goals

Your SOP should make a direct connection between Mendoza’s academic offerings and the skills you need for your career. Mention specific courses, concentrations, or programs that will help bridge the gap between your past experience and your short-term goals.

Mendoza offers specialized pathways in Finance, Strategy, and Technology—identify which one aligns with your aspirations and explain why. If you are targeting analytics-heavy roles, discuss Mendoza’s STEM-designated majors. If consulting or leadership roles interest you, reference Mendoza’s strategic problem-solving coursework and experiential projects like Business on the Frontlines.

Example: Shubharika, aiming for a career at the intersection of technology and business strategy, could mention how Mendoza’s Technology pathway will enhance her skills in digital transformation and analytics-driven strategy. She might highlight courses like Strategic Decision Making or Business Intelligence to show how they will refine her problem-solving and leadership abilities in tech product management.

4. Show How Your Past Experiences Position You for Success

Your SOP should not just state your goals—it should also briefly demonstrate why you are well-positioned to achieve them. Identify 2-3 key experiences from your past roles that highlight transferable skills, such as leadership, problem-solving, or analytics.

Mendoza seeks candidates with a strong professional foundation, so frame your experiences in a way that shows progression, impact, and relevance to your future aspirations.

Example: Shubharika could reference her experience leading cloud migration efforts at S&P Global, showcasing her ability to manage complex, high-impact projects. She could also highlight her internship at ISRO, where she applied machine learning to improve data classification accuracy, demonstrating her analytical mindset. These experiences show a strong foundation in tech-driven decision-making, which she can further develop at Mendoza.

5. Highlight Leadership and Collaborative Skills

Mendoza places a strong emphasis on collaborative leadership and community-driven impact. Use your SOP to show that you not only have technical or business expertise but also the ability to work in teams and lead initiatives.

Leadership doesn’t have to be in a managerial role—it can be demonstrated through mentoring, cross-functional teamwork, or leading process improvements. If you have experience in diverse teams, social impact projects, or club leadership, mention them to show alignment with Mendoza’s values.

Example: Shubharika could emphasize her leadership role as VP of Communications for the Asian Club at Mendoza, demonstrating her ability to foster community engagement. She might also discuss her volunteer work at Welfare Home for Children, where she would organize educational programs for underprivileged students. These experiences showcase her commitment to service-driven leadership, which aligns with Mendoza’s mission of business as a force for good.

6. Keep It Concise and Well-Structured

Since the SOP is only 100 words, every sentence must add value. Avoid general statements and ensure that:

•    The first sentence clearly states your short-term career goal.
•    The middle section briefly connects your goal to Mendoza’s curriculum and values.
•    The final sentence highlights your unique strengths and readiness for the program.

Use action-oriented language and avoid filler words. Each word should reinforce your professional vision and Mendoza’s role in achieving it.

Example: Shubharika should avoid phrases like “I hope to gain a solid foundation in business” and instead write, “I aim to leverage Mendoza’s Business Analytics major to refine my expertise in data-driven decision-making for technology product management.”

Slide Deck

In addition to your resume and transcripts, our slide deck component offers an opportunity for candidates to showcase unique qualities not captured elsewhere, including personal aspects beyond your academic and professional experiences. This slide deck is a required component of your application, and you will be asked to upload it as part of your submission.

Slide Deck Guidelines:

• Submit four (4) slides
• Create slides using any software and save/upload as a PDF
• Avoid using audio or video files
• The Admissions Committee will review the slides; no presentation is required
• Share meaningful insights about yourself for the Admissions Committee
• Use a lighthearted tone that reflects your personality to highlight your uniqueness beyond academic and work achievements

How To Approach

The Mendoza Slide Deck is a unique opportunity to go beyond the traditional resume and essays to showcase your personality, passions, and values in a visually engaging way. Given Mendoza’s strong emphasis on business as a force for good, ethical leadership, and community-driven impact, this component should align with its core mission and culture.

Historically, Mendoza has cultivated leaders who are not only skilled in business but also committed to service and ethical decision-making. The school’s vision—rooted in the University of Notre Dame’s Catholic values—emphasizes integrity, social responsibility, and leadership with impact. This means the slide deck should reflect not only professional and academic achievements but also personal values, leadership ethos, and unique aspects of one’s identity.

Structuring the Slide Deck 

Slide 1: Who Am I? (Personal Values & Identity)

Objective: Introduce yourself in a way that highlights your core values and personal story beyond the resume.
•    Content Idea: A snapshot of personal identity—origins, background, and key defining traits.
•    Visual Approach: A collage-style slide with images representing key aspects of your journey, such as cultural heritage, early influences – including family members, or mentors.
•    Shubharika’s Angle: She could highlight her multicultural background and the role of mentors/parents in building her identity. 

Slide 2: My Leadership Philosophy (Impact-Driven Leadership)

Objective: Demonstrate leadership values and how they align with Mendoza’s mission.
•    Content Idea: Show a defining leadership experience that shaped your approach to problem-solving and collaboration.
•    Visual Approach: A timeline or visual story format illustrating a leadership moment.
•    Shubharika’s Angle: She could depict a non-profit hurdle – a resource constraint where she looked lost. Another image of an affordable solution in a funny or an interesting way could highlight the ‘just in time’ innovation prevalent in the sub-continent. Incorporate your cultural identity and way of thinking into the slide.

Slide 3: What Drives Me? (Passion Beyond Work)

Objective: Show a side of yourself that goes beyond professional accomplishments—something that speaks to personal passions and character.
•    Content Idea: A passion project, hobby, or cause that defines you.
•    Visual Approach: A mix of images, brief descriptions, and impact metrics to tell a compelling story.
•    Shubharika’s Angle: She could highlight her volunteer work at the Welfare Home for Children, where she developed an AI-driven learning module to help underprivileged students. A before-and-after representation (showing the students' progress) would be a powerful way to illustrate impact visually.

Slide 4: Why Mendoza? (Tying It All Together)

Objective: Connect your values, experiences, and goals to Mendoza’s mission and culture.
•    Content Idea: Showcase how Mendoza is the ideal place for your leadership journey, aligning with the school's historical values, mission, and learning environment.
•    Visual Approach: A blend of Mendoza’s mission statements with personal aspirations and future goals.
•    Shubharika’s Angle: She could tie her data-driven mindset, leadership ethos, creativity, and commitment to ethical business practices to Mendoza’s focus on servant leadership and impact-driven business. A powerful closing image could be a vision statement or an illustration of her future self in a leadership role, applying Mendoza’s values to the real world.

Supplemental Essay (optional)

This is an opportunity to share information not covered elsewhere in your application. You can include additional context about your background, gaps in employment, unique experiences, personal challenges you have overcome, or any other insights that may not be fully represented in other sections of your application.

How To Approach

1. Addressing Career Transitions or Gaps in Employment

If there is a noticeable career transition or employment gap in your profile, use this space to explain it proactively and positively. Mendoza values resilience and adaptability, so the key is to frame the gap as a period of growth rather than a setback.

Example: If Shubharika had a brief employment gap between S&P Global and another role, she could frame it as a time spent upskilling in analytics and leadership. She might highlight how she took certifications in AI-driven analytics or volunteered in a tech-driven social impact initiative, reinforcing her commitment to continuous learning and leadership development.

2. Showcasing a Unique Personal Challenge Overcome

A compelling way to use the optional essay is to discuss a significant personal challenge that shaped your values, resilience, or leadership style. Mendoza emphasizes business as a force for good, so a story of overcoming adversity can demonstrate your ability to lead with purpose and impact.

Example: Shubharika could discuss her experience navigating a male-dominated tech industry, especially in AI and fintech, where leadership roles are often limited for women. She might share how she advocated for mentorship programs for women in data analytics at her workplace or contributed to diversity initiatives. This would demonstrate perseverance, leadership, and a commitment to inclusive business practices, aligning with Mendoza’s mission.

3. Highlighting an Unconventional Leadership or Passion Project

If there is a unique personal or professional experience that demonstrates your initiative, problem-solving ability, or leadership but doesn’t fit neatly into other application sections, this is the place to highlight it.

Example: Shubharika could mention her volunteer work at the Welfare Home for Children, where she developed an education program integrating AI-driven learning tools to help students improve their academic performance. This would illustrate her ability to apply her technology expertise for social good, showcasing initiative and problem-solving skills beyond her core professional work.

4. Explaining a Low GPA or Test Score (If Applicable)

If there is a lower-than-ideal GPA or GMAT/GRE score in your profile, this essay can be used to provide context. The key is to take ownership while demonstrating academic readiness through recent coursework, professional experience, or certifications.

Example: If Shubharika had a lower GPA in early undergraduate semesters due to family responsibilities or health issues, she could briefly mention this while emphasizing how she improved her academic performance in later years. Additionally, she could highlight relevant coursework or data-driven projects at S&P Global to reinforce her analytical capabilities.

Reference

• The Notre Dame MBA