Blog: Archive for the “Application Tips” Category

Many candidates choose to take a straightforward, historical approach to their personal statements. This can be an easy way to organize an essay, but this approach may also lead candidates to ignore possibilities for a more focused and gripping introduction. Although nothing is fundamentally wrong with taking a historical approach, under certain circumstances, an anecdotal … Read More  

One way to save words in your application essays and short-answer responses is to pluralize nouns whenever possible. Singular words often require an article such as “a,” “an” or “the.” These words add unnecessarily to your word count, and they can clutter your page without contributing to your argument or style. Consider the following example: … Read More  

Several business schools pose questions about the unique contributions you can make to their particular programs. Many candidates unwittingly make the mistake of thinking that they have expressed their contribution by offering a bland, summary statement: “and I will bring my leadership skills to Fuqua.” One of the reasons we prefer to work with candidates “from start … Read More  

Beginning an essay with a famous or eloquent quotation is a common practice and one that business school candidates can use to capture a reader’s attention. For example, an applicant might use a quotation as the very first line of his or her essay: “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to … Read More  

With regard to the tone of your essays, you must ensure that the admissions committees 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 basic examples: Weak: “I now have adequate work experience and hope to pursue an MBA.” … Read More