While MBA program admissions directors consider an applicant鈥檚 GMAT scores and academic track record, their goal is to听get to know a potential student beyond the numbers.听That鈥檚 why the essay component is an important鈥攁nd enjoyable鈥攐pportunity for you to practice some self-reflection and听state why you鈥檙e a听耻苍颈辩耻别ly听strong candidate.听
With the goal of clarifying the essay writing process and easing some of the stress associated with it, here are some听tips to keep in mind as you听start听writing.听听
Be a storyteller听in your application essay听
The application essays are your story to tell. This is your shot to explain motivations and display your commitment and enthusiasm. Make sure you are presenting a听consistent picture of who you are, what you have done and what you want to achieve.听听
Be concise on why you want to go to business school and how you think听the program听specifically will help you in achieving your goals. Some people may feel that they are not able to fully express themselves given the essay word limit, but take it as an opportunity to focus on what is truly important and relevant to the question asked of you.听
While essay questions will vary by school and by year, they will often share some core objectives.听
Common questions听of MBA essays听
Essay questions frequently fall along the lines of:听听
Video essay
You will need to complete video essays as part of the application, which will replace the personal essay. The purpose of the personal essay has always been for the Admissions Committee to get a deeper understanding of who you are and what drives you. By changing it to a video format, we hope to get more authentic and direct answers from applicants that will give us more insights into your thought process and communication style.
Once you submit the written application and pay the application fees, you will receive a Kira Video Essay link (within 24-hours) to be completed by the Application Round Deadline. The link will expire in 48-hours after receipt. All instructions will be provided to you together with the link. Please click on the link, create a Kira account and you will be given a chance to practice before submitting your video essay. There will be three video essay questions that you will be required to complete. For each question, you will be given some time to prepare before your answer is recorded.
Be concise, you only have 1.5 minutes to provide an answer and be genuine in your answers. Again, the Admissions Committee wants to know who you are so don鈥檛 worry so much about what you think we would like to hear. Remember that we will consider your application as complete and ready to be reviewed only after we have received all components of your application including your video essays.
What are your post-MBA goals? 听
Here鈥檚 the chance for applicants to express their personal objectives and illustrate how an MBA help them get there.听
There are two key things to remember when writing this type of essay:听听
- Be听concise听听
- Be听specific听听
Your goal here is to express concrete career goals. You also shouldn鈥檛 hesitate to mention and describe target roles and companies. Going further,听how do these goals fit with your values? And what impact do you hope to bring to potential organizations or sectors?听
Applicants pursuing a career change should detail the skills they already possess and how an MBA program will bridge the gaps in the way of a successful professional pivot. Here, you鈥檙e encouraged听to identify relevant program offerings as well as clubs, classes and career treks that reaffirm why you are applying.听听
Scholarship essay advice听
How do you plan to finance your MBA?听Why do听you think you deserve a scholarship?听
Pursuing your MBA is a big investment and it is essential to have a solid financial plan with contingencies.听Applicants often听combine various financing options including personal or family savings, public or private loans and scholarships.鈥�It is important to consider the feasibility of your financial plan and provide听a听good reasoning to support your scholarship application.听听
The听听program听offers听an array of scholarships.听But听highlighting your motivation and commitment听to听joining the school and emphasizing听how you can further contribute to the听school听community听is always advisable.听听
Read听the article听What is an MBA?听All听you听need听to听know
