The MBADiversity Organization::Blog

The Approach

So, you have aced the GMAT, have your recs managed, transcripts stored away, and your resume done. Now, it is time to tackle the essays. The good thing is that you have narrowed done the scope of schools that you are applying to because you have determined personal fit and career goals. Now, for some of us (deemed “poets” in B-school lingo) who scroll with the depth of Shakespeare, the intensity of Stephen King, and the soul of Maya Angelou, essays are pretty much a cinch. For others, essays can seem frustrating and overwhelming. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:

*Diplomacy/Generic Essays: Will not differentiate you from the huge stack of essays Adcomm has to read. Do not write what you think Adcomm wants to hear. Share your professional and personal stories in a down to earth manner. Avoid cliches, quotes, and over-used phrases.

*The Failure/Obstacle Essay: Don’t be afraid to show that you’ve failed at something, it’s a perfect opportunity to highlight what you’ve learned. Growth and introspection are signs of maturity.

*Why MBA, Why Now, Why School X essay: Have it down pat, and make sure you insert the correct school name before submitting. Also, have a good sense of what you would like to do after obtaining your MBA and be sure to address this. It’s a perfect segue to why the school is a good fit for you.

*Know the Limit to Avoid a Ticket: Essay word limits can be over/under around ten percent. For example, if the word limit is 500, keep your essay word length at a minimum of 450 and maximum of 550.

*Eh-hem! Is this thing on??: Make sure the Spell Check is on and working appropriately. Turning in essays full of grammar and spelling errors makes Adcomm wonder if you are seriously considering graduate level education.

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This information was provided by The MBADiversity Organization (MBADiversity.org). Please visit our website to learn more about our innovative Pre-MBA Prep program and professional development services.