Blog: Archive for the “Application Tips” Category

Writing can be challenging for many business school applicants, and some have particular difficulty changing their essay structure from one essay to the next. For example, a candidate might choose to use a quote at the beginning of an essay to create a sense of urgency: “This cannot be fixed. This cannot be fixed!” I … Read More  

Last week, we talked about how important thoroughly exploring and accessing your personal stories is when writing your application essays. Of course, having “too much of a good thing” is always a risk as well—admissions committees can be put off by candidates who go too far and become too personal. Some stories are particularly challenging … Read More  

Candidates often fixate on using professional and community-based stories in their application essays. As a result, many forget (or neglect) to even consider personal stories as possible differentiators. Because so many candidates have similarities in their professional experiences, personal dimensions should be highlighted whenever possible (considering that few examined lives can truly be said to … Read More  

At mbaMission, we always encourage candidates to show their experiences rather than tell the reader conclusions. For example, a candidate may mistakenly choose to tell the reader: “I performed exceptionally well in my job and was promoted.” In this case, the reader is left wondering: “What did he/she do so well to earn that promotion?” The reader needs to understand the … Read More  

Although many MBA programs are interested in hearing about your international experiences, they are fundamentally uninterested in your personal views on “hot” global political issues. Even when an admissions committee directly challenges you to discuss current events or global politics, you must take care to offer a point of view—not a scathing manifesto. No clear rules exist … Read More