Now that you know that the essays are used to check applicants for a range of qualities, it makes sense that each question on the application has a reason for being there. Even seemingly straightforward essay questions such as those in the vein of, “Why do you want the MBA? Why do you want the degree at this juncture in your life? And why here?” have an agenda.
As essay questions go, this one is fairly clear-cut. Although you’d rather do anything (including clean the bathroom) than sit down to suss out an honest and intelligible response, it seems doable. So why do so many applicants fail to answer the question successfully? Because even a straightforward question needs to be thought through.
Here’s the inside line: Schools consider this essay the ballast to your candidacy. They want to see well-crafted goals for your education and career outlined here. When I explain this to applicants, it surprises them. After all, they argue, b-school is a journey, and part of the journey is not knowing what lies ahead. Would-be MBAs treat this essay as an opportunity to share their excitement about the discovery. But if you’re not sure where you’re headed or why, it’s nearly impossible to answer such questions convincingly.
It is critical that you present well-defined goals and expectations in your essays. At the best schools, admissions committees want you to lay down a compelling rationale for why you need the MBA and why their program specifically meets your needs. If you can’t do that, why should they award you one of their coveted spots? They want students who will value the resources at their program, not those in need of a two-year pit stop.
Half the battle in writing a winning essay is in knowing what the essay question is attempting to draw out, and we aim to offer some guidance in that respect. We don’t want you to spend hours working on one question and completely miss the mark. Later on we’ll identify and translate commonly asked essay questions. But let there be no mistake about it, equally important to the content, or the “what” of the essay, is the “how.”
Think of your essay-writing this way: All written communication lives or dies on the “how” in its message. The way you present yourself in your essays and frame your subject is crucial to the impression you create. Ever receive an apology letter that felt warm and real (as opposed to perfunctory)? Did it have a positive impact on how you felt about the person after you read it? If it did, you saw an example of a good use of “how.”
Still not sure what the “how” is? It’s
Tone and mood can communicate that you are candid, warm, friendly, and a true leader by example. It can also betray negativity, inappropriateness, or a lack of maturity.
There are many variables to the “how” of anyone’s writing. There is no one formula we can hand off to you. What might work for one essay or person won’t necessarily work for another. The trick is to be self-aware.
It is said that Mozart’s patron, the Emperor of Austria, once uttered to Mozart, “You have too many notes in this piece.” Mozart, who knew that his piece was balanced and perfect, replied, “Your Highness, which note would you like me to take out?”
Think of each essay as one note in your carefully orchestrated song. That song should sing of your capabilities, strengths, and accomplishments. As we said, it should reflect self-awareness and concern for the welfare of others and the world at large. Some of the high notes to hit are dignity, humility, perspective, morality, and wisdom. But your song should also address weak points and anticipate what details in your record might be of concern to the admissions committee.
As you compose your essays, you must determine which notes to hit, which to amplify, and which to play softly. You must orchestrate well. Every note must have a critical reason for being, complementing those that come before and those that follow.
Applicants tend to place great emphasis on their accomplishments and strengths. But as we said before, there is more to writing an essay than this. You’ll need to carefully weave evidence of these favorable qualities into your essay so you can appear in the best possible light without boasting, lying, or being mushy or corny. In other words, the trick is to navigate between maintaining a modest position and showcasing your accomplishments.
As you compose your essays, remember to remain aware of what the details of your stories actually reveal about you.
Your essays should suggest that you are:
A leader
Humble
Mature
Goal-oriented
Creative
Dignified
Intelligent
Hard-working
Concerned for others
Team-oriented
Positive, with a can-do attitude
Introspective
Moral and ethical
Accountable
Able to recognize and learn from mistakes and failure
Wise
Self-aware
Unique
Of sound mind and perspective
Your essays should avoid communicating that you are:
Arrogant
Vain
Entitled
Egotistical
Competitive
A perfectionist
Blindly ambitious
Angry or quick to blame
Immature
Overly bookish
Mediocre
Prejudiced regarding race and/or gender
A poor or boring writer
One who exercises poor judgment
One who sets unrealistic goals
Take the favorable qualities from the first list that best describe you, and jot those down. It’s time for you to find a vehicle through which to convey your finest features.
Consider what compelling stories you have to tell and sketch them out. Reflect on what each story says about you and what kind of picture each paints. Then when you sit down with your application, you’ll start to draw connections between your stories and the questions that are asked of you.