Rotman School of Management

Rotman School of Management: Your Gateway to an International Career

Located in the heart of Downtown Toronto, the One of Canada’s best business schools is the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management is Canada’s premier business school. The MBA program at Rotman is renowned for its design-oriented approach to MBA education and a strong emphasis on problem-solving. The program seeks to nurture high potential individuals into the leaders of future by focusing on critical thinking and effective decision making.

The Rotman MBA Class of 2024 profile

  • Total number student 275
  • Average age: 28 (Range: 21-36)
  • Average work experience: 4 years (Range: 0 – 13 years)
  • Average Undergrad GPA: 3.6
  • Average GMAT: 674 (Range: 600-730)

Application Essay:

Essay: Our admitted students stand out by doing interesting things with their personal and professional lives — something we describe as the ‘spike factor’; what are the things that you have done in your life that demonstrate Passion/ Grit/ Resilience/ Innovation/ Drive/ Ambition and more? This can cross all or any aspects of life outside of work – hobbies, volunteerism, awards, entrepreneurial ventures, sports and the arts. We believe that exposure to a rich diversity of viewpoints makes for a superior learning experience, and pride ourselves on building a diverse class of exceptional individuals who will go on to make the School proud as professionals and alumni.
Explain your spike factor (something unique about yourself) that you believe will contribute to the Rotman community and is aligned with Rotman values. (up to 500 words)* Optional – Please upload 1-3 of your ‘spikiest’ pictures to the supplemental items section of your application here. Note: Your photos must be uploaded as a single PDF.

This essay gives you the chance to demonstrate self-knowledge and personal insight that shows how well you fit with the program’s values and culture thanks to the engaging essay question and your capacity to come up with a thorough argument within a generous word count.

When you complete your MBA application, you must check off the Rotman MBA essay, which is its most important component. You will be asked by Rotman to discuss 1-3 of your “spike factors” (a characteristic that makes you special) that will help the Rotman community and are consistent with the school’s values of honesty, excellence, diversity, and respect. The question is what sets the Rotman MBA essay apart from others, and more significantly, what you’ll need to accomplish before even beginning to write this essay.

The Rotman School of Management MBA application takes a thorough approach to determine a candidate’s likelihood of succeeding in the B-school. The admissions staff aims to be certain that any accepted applicants can positively influence the school and are a good fit in terms of values. These are determined by looking at each candidate’s “spike factors,” which are aspects of their past, successes, and personality that suggest future qualities and worth to the B-school and its student body. This article discusses some tips to master the essay part:

  • The Rotman MBA admissions committee looks for a few things while considering an MBA application. They are curious about your background, motivations, and how you will help the incoming class. They also want to see how you will adhere to Rotman’s ideas, but you should not attempt to include this in any manner in your essay. Finding the “spike” is frequently challenging, and matching it with Rotman values is even more difficult. 
  • Consider your background and how it has influenced who you are today. Were you raised in a rural town or a big city? Are there any environments that have had an impact on you? Did your family life alter dramatically as you grew up? While you may not directly discuss these events in your essay, recognizing your values can help you establish what makes you tick and what motivates you. The majority of achievements/spikes are based on this.
  • What sets you apart? The admissions committee wants to hear why you should be chosen over all other candidates. Your GMAT and GPA are unimportant here. The events and decisions that have shaped you are important. These spikes can be personal, intellectual, or social (student leadership, success in sports, music, or the arts, or how you assisted someone in need or showed integrity under duress, for example) (significant volunteering or some other social effort). However, keep in mind that not every success qualifies as a spike. It’s OK to conceive about, but not appropriate to utilize, activities like finishing a difficult assignment at work, visiting a new place, or mentoring a co-worker.
  • It is important to keep in mind that you should demonstrate your motivation, character, and academic aptitude rather than explicitly addressing Rotman ideals. Once you’ve started writing your essay, go back and edit it frequently. We might be the worst judges of what makes us great at times. At this point, getting feedback from friends, family, and experts is crucial because they may assist you to confirm that what you think is a spike is a spike. Consider how your spikes relate to Rotman values but avoid drawing connections where none exist. Students who broadly support Rotman’s mission and values are what the university seeks. They do not seek candidates who exceed the values and then create spikes that appear to be in line with those principles.

These are the important points that one should keep in mind while approaching Rotman’s essay. If the essay is clear and constructive then the student will definitely qualify for the admission test.

Upcoming deadlines

The application deadlines for the Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 starting in September 2023 are: 

  • Early Round: September 2, 2022 (Decision no later than October 14, 2022)
  • Round 1: October 3, 2022 (Decision no later than December 16, 2022)
  • Round 2: January 13, 2023 (Decision no later than March 17, 2023)
  • Round 3: March 6, 2023* (Decision no later than May 5, 2023)
  • Round 4: April 28, 2023** (Decision no later than May 31, 2023)