Essays are a key piece of your MBA application. Some business schools give you very few words to tell your story, while others have no word limit. Some have one essay, and some have many. But regardless of a school’s approach to essays, there are some essay mistakes that could help derail your entire MBA application. The following are common mistakes you should avoid when crafting essays for MBA applications.
Waiting
Get started NOW on self-reflection. Introspection is one of the most critical aspects of MBA applications because it gives applicants the time and space to really think about what they want out of their career and why they need an MBA to reach their goals. You should know what experiences have shaped you and why, what drives you, and what you see as your ultimate contribution to society. You can’t generate these complex thoughts and conclusions when you rush the process and try to just jump into writing essays. Slow down and take the time you need.
Disregarding Instructions
All MBA applications will include certain essay parameters. Some business schools have page limits instead of word limits, and some include instructions on font size and margin size. Be sure to pay very close attention to what each school is asking and tailor your essays accordingly—because the admissions committee will notice! If you can’t follow directions, they could determine you’re not going to be a very effective student or business leader.
Approaching Essays in a Vacuum
Essays are only one piece of your entire MBA application. Schools will have your short answers and also your resume. Essays should supplement these other pieces, so don’t tell the same story in multiple places in your application. For applications that have several essays, you might want to consider sharing some professional examples and some personal examples to present a well-rounded view of yourself.
Reusing Content
Sometimes an essay clearly was written for another prompt, perhaps for another school’s essay, and just has a new intro or conclusion. This doesn’t work! Schools definitely notice these things—and they know what their peer schools’ essays are—so reusing content can be a fast pass to the ding pile.
Rehashing Your Resume
Give them something new. Share pieces of you along the edges of your resume. For example, if you include a bullet on your resume about creating 40% growth for your business or unit, your essay could include the “how” or the “why” behind that number. How did you achieve that result? Who did you work with and how? What did you learn from the experience? What enables you to bring a unique perspective to the classroom?
Using Lots of Thesaurus Words
You’re not applying for a PhD in writing, so use words that naturally fit in your essays. Admissions committees shouldn’t have to look up your words! You just need to write clearly so the people reading your essays get you and get what you’re trying to convey about yourself. They won’t be impressed and will likely be annoyed by lots of fancy language and big words.
Trying to Be Someone You’re Not
Don’t try to be someone you are not. There’s only one you! You’re unique, so don’t tell someone else’s story. There’s so much diversity in MBA programs, and admissions committees want to hear what is unique about YOU.
Submitting an Unnecessary Optional Essay
Many MBA applicants think the optional essay is not really optional. However, there are only a handful of reasons you need to submit an optional essay, including your choice of recommender, a gap in your resume, and poor undergrad performance. Sometimes there’s also a reapplicant essay, so be sure to do your research ahead of time. No admissions committee wants to read a great essay you wrote for another school or to read more essays than necessary.
Applying to an MBA program and have questions about your essays? Schedule a free consultation with Stratus, and we will help you increase your chances of being accepted!