| WRITING A WINNING MBA ESSAY |
Writing a winning essay can be the decisive factor in gaining admission to the MBA program you want. MBA programs in the US are extremely competitive, and setting yourself apart requires more than just impressive transcripts and GMAT scores. You will be in direct competition with hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants with comparable academic qualifications and work experience. The application essay is a place where you can really demonstrate your individual character through your ability to write, reason and reflect.
There are two main aspects to any successful essay: style and content. Successful style includes correct grammar, clarity, concision and organizational structure.
Any reader of your MBA essay will not be impressed if your writing is full of grammatical or spelling errors. Business leaders need to be effective communicators, so don't assume that these details aren't important or that they don't matter in the evaluation of your essay. As well, an MBA essay is not simply a random selection of thoughts or ideas: it must be controlled, composed thoughtfully and arranged logically. You do not want your reader to have to stop and say, "what is the point? Why is he/she telling me this? Where is this going?" Likewise, you don't want to use overly verbose or inflated language that will obscure your meaning, leaving your reader to ask, "what is this applicant trying to say?" Be clear, be concise, be organized. And try not to be dull: some writing flair can help you stand out, as long as you remain professional. You will have a limited number of words, so don't allow yourself to ramble.
In terms of content, the MBA essay or personal statement is often intended to be a self-evaluation. The business school itself may specify certain questions and areas to be discussed in the essay, but in general it is where you present your background, experience, goals, leadership abilities, areas of growth, and character. Tone is key: you do not want to come across sounding like you are too full of yourself. Humility and confidence are both valuable character traits, and demonstrating an ability to both lead and learn will impress your reader. Know your audience. Include aspects of your experience and goals that will appeal to the strength of the particular school or program you are applying to.
The key to writing a winning MBA essay, therefore is balance: between the personal and the professional; between humility and self-promotion; between creativity and clarity. Try to imagine what you would think if you were reading the essay.
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