Blog: Archive for the “Application Tips” Category

Sometimes, incorporating a famous quote (or perhaps a lesser-known quote by a well-known person) into one of your application essays can add a little something special to the story you are trying to tell. If the quotation truly enhances your message in a significant way, it can serve as an effective tool, making your submission … Read More  

In your MBA application essays, you must ensure that the tone you use allows the admissions committee to readily recognize your certainty and self-confidence. Being clear and direct about who you are and how you envision your future is vital. Consider the following example statements: Weak: “I now have adequate work experience and hope to pursue … Read More  

If you were to read a skilled professional writer’s work, you would find articles that are characterized by “connectivity.” Simply put, an adept writer ensures that each sentence is part of a chain—each sentence depends on the previous one and necessitates the next. With this linkage in place, the central idea is constantly moving forward, … Read More  

As a general rule, “etc.” should never appear in the text of your MBA application essays. Consider the following sentences: I helped draft prospectuses, analyze key company data, value companies, etc. I look forward to courses such as “Small Business Management,” “Leading Teams,” “Multiparty Negotiations,” etc. In the first example, “etc.” replaces information that the … Read More  

In business school application essays, some candidates unintentionally describe their personal experience with a specific MBA program in a vague and general manner. Because they are writing from memory and discussing their authentic experience, they do not realize that they are not being specific enough. Consider the following example: “During my visit to Cornell Johnson, … Read More