Blog: Archive for the “Essays” Category

The University of Southern California (USC) Marshall School of Business takes a somewhat traditional approach to its application essays. For the school’s required essay, applicants must detail their short-term and long-term career goals and explain Marshall’s role in achieving them—though without much elaboration, given the submission’s mere 400-word limit. Applicants who feel they have an … Read More  

In the past, we have discussed how challenging competing against a faceless mass of fellow applicants can be and how disadvantaged people can feel if they do not seize every opportunity to do so. Although we want you to make the most of every possible chance to set yourself apart, you also need to be … Read More  

The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin requires two brief yet revelatory written essays from its applicants. Combined, the essay prompts cover the core topics of why you need an MBA, why you want to attend McCombs, what you value, and how you will contribute. For the program’s first essay, … Read More  

Many business school candidates take a straightforward, historical approach in their personal statement essays. Although this can be an easy way to organize your essay, it could deprive you of an opportunity to capture your reader’s interest with a more focused and gripping introduction. Nothing is fundamentally wrong with taking a historical approach, of course, … Read More  

Applicants to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School must first provide their rationale for pursuing an MBA and have 250 words with which to do so. The school’s second required essay also has a 250-word limit, where candidates must discuss which of the school’s core values align most closely with … Read More