How to Get the Most Benefit from MBA Essay Samples

Earning an MBA is a feather to one’s cap, especially since getting into a business school is very competitive.  Whether you are eyeing an Ivy League or any reputable university with a top-notch MBA program, you need to have more than stellar grades and outstanding recommendations.  As the best business schools get the most MBA applicants, the challenge for you is to stand out above the rest.  Whether or not an interview is part of the selection process, your best chance at getting accepted lies on your personal statement, or admission essay.  

Preparing an MBA essay that the Admission Board will remember

Business schools place a high premium on innovativeness.  For this reason, your MBA application essay should capture the attention of the Admission Board and be able to hold it long enough to let them get to know you as a person.  Usually, admission essays are two to three pages long, but some business schools set a limit to the page and word count.  In addition, they may give you a specific question to answer, although some allow the applicants to choose their own themes.  Make sure that you stick to the guidelines and prescribed format of the business school that you are applying at.  While one of your essay objectives is to give you instant recall with the Board, you sure would not want them to remember you as the rule-breaker.

Reading several MBA essay samples

Although there are no clear-cut rules to writing an admission essay, there are certain things that the Admission Board expects their business school applicants to include in their essays.  Browse through MBA essay samples of successful applicants to get a feel of what the Admission Board prefers in terms of essay structure and composition.  You will find these in the university website or business school application websites.  As you read, make a checklist of the important elements that should never go missing when you write your own admission essay: personal goals and insights, influences, relevant accomplishments, and a plan of action.  From the samples, identify which qualities are valued by the business school.  Your essay should present you as an individual who is a good fit to the program, so it would be unwise to substitute the contents of another person’s admission essay.

Keeping your essay concise and tight

You should be clear with your personal goals, and keep your discussion focused on experiences which are consistent with your purpose.  To keep from rambling on and on, set aside a time for brainstorming before preparing an outline.  Make a list of the things that motivated you to pursue an MBA.  If the business school did not prescribe a format for your essay, choose a topic that you are most interested in and use it as a framework.  For instance, if you are into backpacking, then launch into your essay describing how you see the pursuit of an MBA as a new adventure.  Arrange the items which resulted from your brainstorming activity according to your framework and write off the things that do not fit in.  Stick to your outline and know when to end your essay.