A Detailed Guide on How to Write an Essay for MBA Admission
Writing a successful MBA essay is one of the most crucial elements of the application process. It is a potent way to demonstrate your value and get into your selected business school for various MBA programmes.
According to the Director of Admissions at Booth School of Business, Lisa Koengeter, ”Your essay provides the admission committee with a better understanding of your aspirations and self-assessment.”
However, if you are confused about what the MBA admissions committee will look for in your MBA entrance essay and how to write one, we’re here to help.
How To Write Essay For MBA Admission
This article will outline and show you:
- How to master essay writing for your MBA admissions
- Types of MBA personal statements
- Why choosing good essay topics is important
- What mistakes to avoid while writing a winning essay for your MBA admission
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Types of MBA Essays
There are four major types of MBA essay questions that are typically asked in every business school application, namely:
- MBA Essay 1 – Self-reflection
- MBA Essay 2 – Goals
- MBA Essay 3 – Leadership
- MBA Essay 4 – Contribution
Let’s discuss each of these essay types and admission essay examples below that will help you draft a sample MBA essay instantly.
1. Self-Reflection
A business school may ask you to introduce yourself to other peers (a question that requires introspect) or shed light on what matters most to you and why.
These essays help you get to the core of your influences and personality. Some of these essays may also ask you to discuss an ethical dilemma that you may have faced in your life.
Example:
Yale: Describe your biggest commitment ever (500 words).
2. Goals
It is the most commonly seen essay in MBA applications. It aims to understand your motivation for pursuing business school and your plans. This type of essay question comprises all kinds of variants and word limits.
Example:
Darden: What is your post-MBA short-term goal and why? (200 words)
3. Leadership
It is another interesting type of MBA essay, also known as an impact or achievement essay. You usually get the opportunity to share and discuss a positive anecdote from the past to communicate or reflect on your future potential to the admissions committee.
Example:
INSEAD: Discuss the achievement you are most proud of and why?
4. Contribution
A contribution essay is an excellent way for business schools to evaluate what you can bring to the table. For example, student-led activities & happenings are at the forefront of every school’s culture.
Example:
ISB: Out of 800 students in the class of 2021, why should you be the one? (300 words)
How To Write An Essay For MBA Admission: Top MBA Admission Essay Tips
Looking for business school essay tips? You’ve come to the right place. Writing essays for business schools is as tricky as searching for ‘write my essay for me’ over the internet.
However, the essay help or the top MBA admission essay tips provided below will surely assist you in outlining an MBA application essay that stands out from the crowd without employing MBA admissions consulting.
Let’s take a look at our top MBA Admission Essay Tips:
- Pay close attention to your essay structure. The turning point is to discuss what you like to learn and how will it help you succeed.
- Be genuine in your essay and use the right tone while writing it. Authenticity is the key that helps you integrate aspects of your overall personality into the essay.
- Write institution-specific essays to show off your research and describe why you specifically want to attend this establishment.
- Choose a circumstance or event that is important to you. Select the topic that resonates with your personality and significantly impacts your life.
- Dictate personal experiences and anecdotes outlining your traits business schools want to see.
Mistakes To Avoid While Writing An MBA Essay
Since you are now familiar with the best tips to write your essay, let us now look at the five most common mistakes applicants make while writing an MBA application essay.
- Filling MBA essays with industry jargon and failing to make your point.
- Submitting off-topic essays without answering the questions or something that would give new insight about you.
- Writing about high school glory days rather than discussing more professional and current achievements.
- Submitting a sloppy application full of grammatical errors and typos.
- Revealing half-baked reasons to pursue MBA than well-defined goals or a plan in case you are unsure about the future.
Frequent Asked Questions
How long should an MBA admission essay be?
The length of any MBA admission essay depends on that particular school. While some schools require 500 words, others may need a “to-the-point” and short response in 150 words.
How do you end an MBA essay?
Don’t just repeat everything you’ve already mentioned in your essay. Instead, use the conclusion to give out examples that further elaborate your main argument. For instance, if your essay is about learning from mistakes, an anecdote describing how you applied the lessons can work wonders.
How can I write MBA?
Use initials (MBA) or spell out the degree (Master of Business Administration). You may also write ‘Masters in Business Administration’ or put a period after every letter (M.B.A.).
How do you format an MBA essay?
Follow these tips to format an MBA essay:
- Section the essay in five paragraphs (one each for introduction and conclusion, and three for body text)
- Use a professional font (sans serif fonts like Calibri are a good choice)
- Leave space for margins
Conclusion
Remember, your essay is not up for a Pulitzer Prize. Thus, all you need to do is tell your story and avoid common errors (as discussed above).
Create a well-written manuscript that is easy to follow and is relatable. Use this guide as a starting point to draft an essay that grabs the admission committee’s attention and outshines other applicants. Good luck!
