The essay section of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) application is a vital component that can be the deciding factor between admission or rejection. Writing an MBA application essay is a process that should be undertaken over a period of time rather than dashed off as an afterthought. Constant editing and reworking is needed to produce the best essay. An MBA application essay must be well-reasoned, thoughtful, and fully answer the question asked. At the same time, applicants must convey within a strict word limit how they stand apart from other MBA hopefuls and why they are more worthy of admission.
A successful MBA application essay takes practice and is not something that should be left until the last minute. Applicants should review the questions carefully and learn whether they have a choice between essay topics. Choosing a variety of topics — for example, one on career goals, one on personal life lessons, and one on why a particular school is a good fit — helps business school admission officers get a fuller picture of the applicant. MBA hopefuls should then mull over the questions before writing and jot down notes whenever a good idea or strong sentence comes to mind.
MBA applicants should begin writing only after this reflection period, during which trite ideas and phrasing hopefully have been discarded. Applicants should then outline the essay to ensure that the ideas flow in a well-reasoned manner. Only then should applicants begin writing the essay. Constant editing, tightening of prose, and rephrasing may be necessary; MBA hopefuls should embrace these editing opportunities to craft a better essay. Those who are not strong writers might consider either a professional editing service or seek advice from friends or relatives.
Veering from the question being asked is a common mistake on an MBA application essay. Business school admission committees want to see that applicants can follow instructions, so be careful to tailor essay answers to the question at hand. For example, a question about career goals should not turn into an essay about one’s personal hero, even if the applicant believes the information is related. This shows poor organizational skills and an inability to tackle the task at hand — indicators that an applicant may not be suited for business school.
An MBA application essay also must not be rote, however. Applicants should find a way to inject creativity and spark into their answers because this approach can help them stand apart from the competition. Avoid using cliches, such as “thinking outside the box,” which signal a lack of creativity.
