Dear Future Business Leader,

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MBA Admissions Tips II – Four Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Essays

In our August 31 InFocus newsletter, we discussed how to decide on the schools that will potentially be a good fit for you. Today, we would like to delve into the innerworkings of writing a successful essay.

Just like a marketing manager launching a product or an attorney preparing a case, you, as your own representative, need to build a coherent, compelling and unique profile which is substantiated by real-life examples and supported by your actual experiences. Here is some of our advice on what you should do to avoid common mistakes.

1. Do not make repeated broad statements about how qualified a candidate you are. Remember your inner qualities should shine through your past successes and/or the way you have dealt with challenges in your life. Take a hard look at your own resume and think through both professional and personal anecdotes you may have to add more color to your essays.

2. Do not describe your experience without accentuating your strengths that could be of main interest to the school you are applying for. Your essays are to focus on your key strengths which make you stand out from the crowd applying to the very same school. If you are particularly good at dealing with people, demonstrate those soft skills through describing the situations in which you have successfully resolved conflicts and/or promoted cooperation. The level of a person’s analytical skills is usually self-evident in a person’s resume and GMAT scores. However, maybe you also pride yourself on your thoroughness and great judgment. Then build a case that a combination of your analytical skills, thoroughness and great judgment has made you a consistent out-performer. Examples of your maturity level, adaptability, intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness to constructive criticism and a strong sense of self-improvement should be emphasized throughout your write-up.

3. Do not use direct quotes from famous people or school literature. Schools are interested in getting to know you as a person and your perspectives on leadership, teamwork, innovation and global issues, not what others think. So unless there is a direct relationship between the quotes and the points you would like to make in your essays, avoid using them. However, if the quote serves a good introduction or transition in your write-up and makes your essays more interesting, then keep it in.

4. Do not make simple mistakes in grammar, formatting, and the cutting and pasting of school/program names. Proof read them at least 3 times over a period. Alert yourself of the consequences of those mindless mistakes – a waste of your application fee and all the preparation effort, a bad image, and a rejection.

If you need insightful advice on how to choose a business school and another pair of eyes on your applications, our Admissions Consulting staff members are glad to help you and share their years of experience. Just visit us online at the website indicated in the email signature and sign up for any services of your interest.

Recent Student GMAT Score

Date: October 11, 2006

I took the GMAT on 30th Sep and scored 750 (Q50 V41). I found the Manhattan Review Crash course extremely useful in brushing up concepts and common mistakes, the small class size ensured private attention and the timing suited my hectic schedule. It's a quick fix to cracking the GMAT. Thanks Manhattan Review!

Nitin

(Note: This student took our weekend crash course in New York.)

Date: October 3, 2006

Yesterday - exactly one month after the weekend crash course - I took the GMAT and got an unofficial score of 710! That's really great!

Thank you for all your support and help.

Best regards
Thomas

(Note: This student took our weekend crash course in Frankfurt.)