Blog: Archive for the “Essays” Category

As you are working on your MBA applications, you will inevitably come across an opportunity to write an optional essay. Virtually every application has one. But do you need to write an optional essay? What exactly is it for? And who should use it?

MBA applicants invest significant time and effort into crafting strong applications, yet many still find themselves rejected from their target programs. The admissions process can be unpredictable, but business schools often have clear reasons for dinging otherwise qualified candidates does, and understanding those reasons is key to improving one’s chances the next time around.

In your personal statement, you need to show the admissions committee that you really fit with their program.

Harvard Business School (HBS) offers applicants to its 2+2 program almost 1,000 words with which to take control of their narrative and share their character and values. Yes, you can find ways to present those aspects of yourself in your resume or short answers, but those avenues are inherently limiting. In your essays, you have … Read More  

When business school candidates read an essay prompt, they often interpret it quite literally. For example, when a school asks applicants a multipart question such as “What will you contribute to our school’s community, and how will being part of it help you extend your professional vision?,” many applicants assume they must answer the subquestions … Read More