mba essay samples

Oftentimes, it is so easy to get overstressed and worried about writing an MBA application essay that you overlook the brainstorming and preparation process and, instead, go straight to writing your essay. While this may work for some people, the truth is that you will probably get much better results by taking your time to think through the task at hand and approach your essay one step at a time. Brainstorming is one of the most important steps in any endeavor, and this is could not be more true than when it comes to writing your MBA application essay. This article will give you some tips on how to brainstorm and find some inspiration for writing an excellent MBA admissions application essay.

Possible sources of inspiration for your application essays

One of the principle purposes of brainstorming is to find inspiration and direction for the task at hand. In this case, you must find the inspiration to write an essay that will interest the admissions committee and persuade them to approve your application to MBA school. You can find inspiration in many shapes and forms, be it from a favorite song, movie or book, a life-changing experience, or some of the simpler things in life, like the beauty of nature. The inspiration that you find does not necessarily need to be the topic that you write about in your application essay, but the point is to get your creativity, your thoughts, and your emotions flowing to make it easier to write your essay in a more personal manner.

Other tips for a winning application essay

Once you have found your inspiration, the best step to take is to continue the brainstorming process by directing your energy and focus toward what you will actually be writing about. Start by taking down notes and coming up with an outline that will guide you when you actually start writing. Oftentimes, the best topics for your MBA application essays are those that speak about who you are and the experiences that have contributed to the formation of your personality and character. While your main objective is to persuade the admissions committee that you make a good fit in their school, it also helps to allude to why you want to go to MBA school, why you think their MBA school is the best choice for you, and what you plan on doing with your MBA degree. Finally, do your best to make a lasting impression on your readers so that they may remember you and your essay for long after they go through your application package.

Related questions:

1. Is brainstorming really important when writing an MBA application essay?

2. What types of topics should I choose to write about in my MBA application essay?

3. Are other example admission essays a good source of inspiration?

MBA personal statement writing tips can be found all over the Internet. In fact, with all of the websites offering essay writing tips, you can easily get confused just reading about these tips and tricks. While you may hear tips on how to choose a topic or how to proofread your essay, some of the most essential tips are those that have to do with improving and polishing your essay. In this article, you will read about how to keep your MBA personal statement short and concise, while still being able to effectively introduce yourself and impress the admissions committee.

Keeping your application essay short

One mistake that some MBA applicants make is that they end up writing lengthy essays in an attempt at impressing the admissions officers. The truth is, you are likely to get better results with a short and concise essay rather than one that is lengthy and more difficult to read. You have to keep in mind that admissions officers spend days reading hundreds or even thousands of admission essays. The last thing you’d want is to bore them with a long essay. As much as possible, try to cut out any information that is not directly related to the questions or guidelines given in the personal statement instructions. At the same time, you want to make sure that you are within the given word or page limits by the admissions office. The trick to keeping your essay short is good judgment, so you can decide what needs to be in the essay and what can be taken out. One great tip is to have other people read it so you can get their opinion on whether it is fine the way it is or if it should be shortened.

Spicing up your MBA admission application essay the right way

Keeping your essay short is a great way to keep the admissions committee’s attention, but there are a number of others strategies you can use to spice up your admission essay. Some people result to creative strategies, such as writing a poem, using cliches, or employing humor, but it is often best to stay away from such risky tactics and keep it simple instead. To spice up your MBA admission essay the right way, you should try to find a unique perspective that truly represents your personality and who you are. You don’t have to be verbose or highfalutin, but instead try to be simple and clear. Let the voice do the talking.

Related questions:

1. How can I employ creativity in my MBA personal statement?

2. Is it better to impress the committee with a long admission essay instead of a short one that is easy to read?

3. How can I improve my essay to impress the admissions officers?

When you apply to MBA school, you will probably be asked to submit a personal statement along with your application package. The personal statement is an essay that gives you the chance to introduce yourself to the admissions panelists and hopefully win them over. To impress the admissions committee, though, you will need to have a great essay with a unique twist. This is not as easy as it sounds. In fact, some MBA applicants get stumped when writing their personal statements. If you are finding it difficult to write your personal statement, then you may want to make use of a personal statement example to get an idea of what other people write about, what their writing styles are, and how to impress the committee.

Essay writing tips for an effective intro

The best way to impress the admissions committee is to grab their attention from the beginning of your essay: the introduction. You can do this in a number of ways, including making use of quotes, anecdotes, stories, or personal background. No matter how you decide to start your personal statement, though, one good approach is to think of it as an introduction to who you are. You don’t want to start introducing yourself by boring the reader. Instead, you should put your best foot forward, so to speak, and woo the readers off their feet. Here are a few quick tips you can use to spice up your essay introduction:

- Make sure to have a concise, but complete thesis statement that will serve as the backbone for your entire personal statement.

- Set the tone for the rest of the essay by alluding to what you will be writing about, but keep the readers’ interest by not giving away the whole story.

Other tips for effective admission essays

- Avoid writing about all of the accomplishments and accolades that are already specified on other application forms.

- Try your best to make the essay flow from the very first line to the very last. You can do this by using transitional phrases and sentences, making connections from one paragraph to the next, and not having any abrupt breaks in the flow of ideas or thoughts being expressed.

- Always keep your main objective in mind. Your objective is to introduce who you are and to persuade the committee that you make a good fit in their school.

Related questions:

1. How important is the introduction of my MBA personal statement?

2. Where can I find ideas on how to start my personal statement?

3. Is it still possible to win over the admissions committee if my introduction isn’t strong?

This blog critique shines the spotlight on Top MBA, a small but multinational company which specializes in creating solutions and aiding post-graduate students from around the world in their search for the best graduate study programs as well as prospective employers. Created for the purpose of linking students to post-graduate universities and MBA programs from all over the world, the blog aims to provide a one-stop online database of prospective employee and employer profiles.

The site is a repository of graduate school and job information. Major sections on the site include:
- MBA admissions
- MBA rankings
- MBA programs
- MBA careers
- Links to global business schools
- Online career guide

What makes Top MBA unique

The blog also has applications that lets users view their rankings and share information with contacts on Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as a forum where users can participate and share information. The site also features a section called the TopMBA Fair, where one can browse through schedules of business school seminars and panels held all over the world.

What separates TopMBA.com from other job pooling sites is that it does not focus its efforts on the recruiters or job seekers alone. It also works actively with schools in order to prepare future graduates for life after graduation. This comes in handy for schools with a large segment of foreign students who will need job opportunities back home. One of the site?s most visited pages is the careers page which features international jobs offered by top MBA recruiters. The site?s FAQs section also offers a helpful resource on panels, GMAT, masterclasses, and options for those looking for part-time MBA programs.

Areas for improvement

Like any other blog, this one can make do with some minor improvements. For one, a better layout is in order. The website?s layout, although it fits with the whole corporate feel that the company is trying to achieve, borders on the bland and safe. The fonts could also use more saturation to make them pop out better.

The Study Link blog is part of a website aimed at helping students find and get into the universities that carries the programs they are looking for. The site offers its service to an international clientele of students with its extensive database of schools and application information. Students who want to study in the university that meets their educational goals can look to the site?s team of educational counselors and make use of application software that will make processing applications for universities and graduate programs easier to do. The blog offers conventional tips and advice ranging from essay writing to choosing the right courses and graduate programs.

What makes the site unique

What makes the entries in this blog unique from other blogs is the fact that it is an admissions blog in which the entries are surprisingly casual, something that will appeal more to the reading styles and preferences of students. The site is conveniently laid out with the main categories placed on the top of the main page for easy navigation. It follows a conventional blog layout, with the most popular posts on the right hand side, giving readers a feel of familiarity with the blog even if it’s their first time to visit.

Areas for improvement

The columns on the left and right side can use a little improvement in the font size. They are currently too small, which is bad for readers who may have eye problems or those in a hurry. The fonts could also use a little bit more saturation in the colors to make them pop out more. The Sign In and Register buttons could also use a makeover. They are less visible with the drab gray color. Making them bigger will make them more noticeable especially since they are tucked away on the upper right corner. In order to make the blog more personal, revising the blog?s tagline is in order. Personalizing the tagline to make it sound like you are talking to the reader instead of making it a descriptive header might be a more effective way to draw readers.

This blog critique focuses on MBA Mission, a site that specializes on MBA admissions and how to help clients do this the best way they can. The site was created by Ambassadorial speechwriter Jeremy Shinewald and today employs a number of MBA experts from prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School and Yale, most of whom are published authors on the subject.

The main goal of MBA Mission is to provide the best resources to help applicants get into their chosen MBA programs. This includes helping applicants with their MBA application essay, helping the applicant prepare a resume and cover letter, and championing their applications in front of the admissions department of their programs of choice. The company also offers a free consultation which only requires basic information from the applicant such as preferred graduate courses and one?s GPA, to name a few. The website is easy to navigate and loads easily, with none of those fancy graphics that do nothing more than slow down your browser.

What makes this site unique

The site stands out from the rest for a variety of reasons. For one, it offers a flat fee to all clients and offers personalized services by catering to a select number of clients per year. The site also distinguishes itself from run-of-the-mill admissions assistance resources with its impressive roster of admissions experts and its collection of essays made by the world?s most successful men and women. The company blog is a repository of various topics ranging from GMAT questions, application essays, and answers to the progress of some cities like Chicago in the area of marketing.

Suggestions for improvement

Given the relative success of MBA Mission in their field and with its rich resources as can be seen in the number of admissions experts working for the company, it might also gain from targeting the high school market. A lot of high school seniors also face the daunting task of trying to get into the college or university of their choice and they need professional help to do so.

This critique focuses on a blog created and maintained by a group of tech?savvy deans from the largest business schools in the US. The site was created to provide information about the management education, the current economic state of the world, and how it affects post-graduate business programs and academies. The blog is easy to navigate, with the major categories set on a straight line on the top of the homepage. A list of the site?s main contributors are located on the right hand side. There is an interesting section on entrepreneurs who are leading in their respective fields. The section also contains a detailed list of the top entrepreneurial colleges in the US.

What makes this blog standout

The whole concept of blogging deans is the thing that sets this blog bog apart from other blogs that talk about business schools. The deans give an unique insider?s perspective to the blog, and a perspective that comes higher up the chain, compared to other blogs that are written and maintained by business students or commentators from the outside.

In fact, two of the most popular and influential bigwigs in the business school arena, Santia-go I?iguez de Ozo?o and Paul Danos, are regular contributors to the blog and talk on topics that range from investment tips to the condition of business-focused graduate programs.

Areas for improvement

Unlike most business blogs, this one has enough color and enough humor to make it a little bit interesting to read. Traffic is the main issue with the blog, especially the one that is most visible– reader comments. Reader comments are nil to nonexistent, which gives the blog a ghost-town vibe. Perhaps no one is around to moderate comments, or perhaps no one has cared to give some. Still, comments will go a long way in creating lively discussions around the posts.

One mistake on your MBA essay, and you can create a lasting wrong impression. This is why when you are writing your application essay for business school, you have to be wary of the mistakes often committed by applicants. Below are some of the mistakes to avoid:

Trying so hard to sound like one of the experts

Do you want to impress your readers? Some applicants think that in order to impress the readers, they have to use jargon and high falutin words. But this is a mistake! This could result in the selection panel having a wrong impression about you. If you try to sound like you know-it-all, you will risk sounding like a braggart. You don’t have to use technical terms or you don’t have to talk like you know every thing about the school and the program. Instead, why not make them see you as a person who is eager to learn new things?

Making it seem like you don’t know what you want and how to get it

If you don’t want to sound like a know-it-all, still be careful not to fall under the category of those who don’t know anything at all. Be eager to learn more, but make sure that you don’t give the impression that you haven’t learned anything. You can do a little research about the school and the program, just don’t overdo it. Limit the discussion to your application and how the program can be beneficial to your career goals and life plans.

Citing goals and expectations that are just too vague

Some applicants think that citing goals is enough. In discussing about your goals in your personal statement, you have to make sure that the goals are specific. Don’t cite vague ones, or risk creating an impression of immaturity on your essay.

Avoiding these no-nos in writing your personal statement for business school can ensure that you get better chances of passing the admissions process.

Related links:

MBA School Profiles – All about top MBA schools in the US
Career Switch – How an MBA degree can help you switch careers
International MBA Programs – All about writing a winning MBA essay for the chosen program
Essay Writing Guide – All about essay writing advice
Beating the GMAT – All about MBA application and admissionm tips

Grabbing the attention of the admissions committee should be your goal when writing a personal statement for MBA. You can grab the attention of the admissions officers by rendering creativity to your personal statement. One of the best ways to make your essay creative is by using analogies and rhetorical questions. However, you should be careful not to overdo it. Below is a guide on how to regulate creativity on your essay:

Use rhetorical questions sparingly

Rhetorical questions can be a great element or approach to your MBA essay. This question could provoke the thoughts of the readers, which in effect, could get them interested in your MBA essay. However, you have to use rhetorical questions sparingly, or risk confusing and overwhelming your readers.

Know when is the best time to use analogies

Analogies are great when you want to explain your point or ideas clearly. But you also have to use it sparingly. Aside from this, you should know the best time to use it. You can use them when you need to simplify complex ideas. You can also use them if you want your point to be remembered.

Be clear with your message

Clarity is the ever-present element in all types of excellent writing. To achieve clarity, you can just use simple words instead of jargon. You can also achieve clarity by using transitional devices. Clarity is an important factor in urging the admissions officers to continue reading your essay.

A good MBA personal statement is your ticket to MBA admission. his is why you have to make your essay as notable as possible. You can use well-written personal statement samples as models when you write your own. You have to observe how these essays use analogies and rhetorical questions as well as adopt different writing styles to make the essay interesting and effective.

Related links:

Career Switch – How an MBA degree can help you switch careers
International MBA Programs – Guide to international MBA programs
MBA Essay Samples – All about MBA essay samples essays
Beating the GMAT – All about MBA application and admissionm tips
Formal Writing Tips – Guide to different types of writing

Like all other types of essays, your MBA essay should also have an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction is very important because this is the part where you should hook your readers and make great first impression. The body is important as well, because this holds the admissions officers’ attention. The body also contains the substantial info about you. But how about the conclusion? The efforts you spend in the intro and the body would be put to waste if your readers will be disappointed with your conclusion. Below are some common mistakes in writing conclusions:

Leaving your readers hanging midway through

An insufficient conclusion would leave your readers hanging and asking for more. Without proper closure on your personal statement, your readers would feel dissatisfied. This is often the result of putting too much effort on the intro and the body, but neglecting to end with the same enthusiasm.

Failing to sum up what the essay is all about

Failing to sum up the essay is also one of the common mistakes in many conclusions. You have to remember that a conclusion is about the essay as a whole, and not just about some parts of it. In order not to leave your readers hanging, you have to sum up the whole point of your essay.

Not making any impact at all

Not making impact on the conclusion is also one of the common mistakes when writing your personal statement for MBA school. The intro is not the only part that needs to be eye-catching. The ending should also create an impact on the minds of the readers. This is to make the readers remember your personal statement even after reading several others. Keep in mind that a good conclusion would surely linger in the minds of those who read it. This can boost your chances.

Related links:

Top Business Schools – Top US business school profiles
MBA essay topic – Discussing cultural challenges in your MBA admission essay
MBA Essay Samples – All about MBA essay samples essays
Writing Personal Statements – All about writing personal statement tips
Personal Statement Writing – All about tips on writing a personal statement