Nailing the MBA Application Essay
Depending on your situation, the MBA application essays can be a joy or a nightmare. Most often, MBA programs require one primary essay, followed by shorter ones. No matter how you feel about the task, you’ll have to nail this part because it’s what makes you stand out from the other applicants.
After all, almost everyone applying to the same set of schools will have basically similar test scores and undergraduate grades. And unless you’re Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, chances are that your corporate experience is mildly different from all the other applicants as well. So think of the essay as a chance to really distinguish yourself!
Here are most important elements to keep in mind:
Answer the Question
Yes, you’ll need to use the narrative framework. But you must answer the question that is being asked. Don’t get side-tracked about other topics. You won’t impress anyone if your essay answer is irrelevant.
Build a Narrative
It doesn’t really matter what kind of question you’re answering, the goal is to tell a compelling story. The narrative structure is a powerful writing framework that will engage the reader. It is composed a clear introduction, a detailed body, and a memorable conclusion. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Just remember that a story always has a problem, a hero, and a victory. Even the most mundane question must be answered this way to be effective.
Crafting an Engaging Introduction
Your introduction must fulfill three conditions.
First, it must be clear. That is, it must define the problem or challenge that you faced. Don’t confuse the reader with too many topics. Choose one and define it in simple and understandable terms. This sets the tone for the rest of the essay.
Second, the introduction needs to be concise. Don’t waste time establishing all the details and qualifying statements about how the problem you faced originated. Nobody cares why the problem arose, they only care that it exists. A short introduction helps to move the reader quickly into the action (body paragraphs) of your narrative.
Third, the introduction must be exciting. This doesn’t mean you have to be James Bond. Exciting means that it’s an issue you care about. You don’t have to prove this point here, because it will show in your body paragraphs. So really, pick a topic that matters to you genuinely, and it will fulfill this requirement naturally.
Composing Solid Body Paragraphs
This is where the meat of your story lives. The focus should be on two dimensions.
First, fully express the personal challenge you faced and really show evidence that it was serious setback. If your problem didn’t affect you in a sufficiently negative way, then it’s not a real challenge. An insignificant obstacle means you probably learned very little anyway. You don’t have to exaggerate the effect or pick something sad or depressing, but you do need to provide supporting details to illustrate the point.
Second, explain the solution or method by which you overcame this adversity. Don’t get too technical. Stick with how you demonstrated creativity or resilience. Show that you changed. Don’t tell the reader. Paint a picture for them in their minds. Use active language to highlight your involvement in the resolution process. Remember, you are the hero of your story.
Wrap Up a Tight Conclusion
Like the intro, the conclusion needs to be brief. Don’t drone on and on about all the lessons you learned. Don’t make it cheesy. Keep it objective. What did you learn? About yourself? About other people? About facing challenges? There’s a million lessons to take away after you overcome an obstacle, but you need only to express one or two. You don’t have to write about them all.
Use Simple Language
No matter what narrative you’re telling, stay away from technical jargon. Even if it’s a story about your professional experience, don’t punish the reader by throwing acronyms and abbreviations and vocabulary that only industry experts would understand. That isn’t impressive; it’s arrogant and emotionally detached (poor writing).
Get A Few Outside Opinions
When you’re done with the first few drafts, give it to people you can trust to read it, so that you can get honest and harsh feedback. If all you get is that you’ve written a perfect essay, you know something must be wrong. If all you get is feedback about a terrible essay, you know something is wrong, too. Ask the reader whether your essay answered the key question. Ask the reader if she or he finds your essay believable or implausible.
Trust Your Instinct
Even though you should get the opinions of trusted readers, you should also trust your gut. It’s your essay and your application. You must be confident. If you good advice, use it. If you really can’t understand the critique, then don’t force your essay to comply with all of the feedback. The essay is about you and only you know what you want, not other people.
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Blue Ivy Advisers specializes in application essay revisions. We guide applicants through multiple iterations of the drafting process by focusing on structure and content. We continue to provide feedback on word choice, voice, pacing, themes, and other elements that make an essay great. Our advisers are all required to have passed a rigorous written exam interview before becoming Blue Ivy Certified.