For MBA aspirants filling up the admission application form, the essay may appear to be a particularly demanding and difficult exercise. You are expected to present “human” qualities that make you the ‘best fit’ for the business school.
However, it becomes a simple enough task once you clearly understand the nature of the information the admission committee is seeking from the essay.
The school basically wants to know more about you at a personal level. Apart from your GMAT scores and other academic achievements, what are the qualities that set you apart from the other applicants.
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Thus, you should first ask yourself some questions on the lines of your career goals and personality and if a combination of the two make you an ideal candidate.
Instead of listing out your achievements and awards at the very outset, it would be more effective to focus on future career goals and how you intend to achieve them. How would an MBA help in this quest and why you think this business school fits in with your plans.
Remember that each school has its own distinct culture and priorities. Do not use the same essay for multiple schools.
At this point you could refer to some professional or even personal experiences to add depth and context to the essay. However, refrain from listing out every award you have ever won.
You don’t have to restrict yourself to academic and professional experiences. Use anecdotes to illustrate some of your qualities and evolution as a person.
Make a ‘brag list’ with bullet points to list your achievements. Eliminate all the irrelevant information and compose the relevant information in easy to read format. The instances that you mention should be able to bring out your unique personality rather than having emerged as the best.
Your ‘story’ should have a clear beginning, middle and end. It should bring out how your past accomplishments helped you reach where you are today.
Along with strong academic credentials, schools are also looking for well-rounded, likable applicants. The best kind of student is someone who is vibrant, talented and spirited. Describe how you will be a unique asset to the academic community.
Apart from sports, cultural activities and passions, you could also list activities in which you have tried to give something back to the community without expecting anything in return. Such instances of work with charitable organizations, socially relevant campaigns and volunteering carry weight.
Bring out concrete instances where your leadership qualities helped resolve a crisis or your role as a team player resulted in achieving a difficult target.
Avoid verbal extravagance. Keep the writing crisp and concise. Be mindful of the word limit.
Revise the draft carefully and ensure there are no grammar, spelling or punctuation errors.
You should consult friends, colleagues or professors with good writing skills and awareness about business education for constructive feedback on your essay prior to submitting it. Take their advice on any modifications that need to be carried out.