Essay Question

awolfinwater · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 4:59 pm Post subject: Essay Question

Hello,

I am only applying to the Ross evening program due to work constraints. I am a Nuclear Submarine Officer and currently doing a tour as a recruiter in the Ann Arbor area.

STATS:
GPA: 3.63 Computer Engineering. University of Michigan
GMAT: 760

My question is if you have seen success on using a dialogue in the essay. I have two options to try to portray the life out to sea and the most entertaining option would be to use a dialogue. The other option doesn't use a dialogue and I feel takes away from the command & control theme of the essay. Should I take a risk with a dialogue or play it safe?

Thanks for any specific insight you can give to my general question.

VP_MBA_Guru · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 11:08 am Post subject:

Hi AW,
Thanks for your post - dialogue is an interesting tactic (can add personality to your essay, which from Adcom's perspective its always refreshing to read essays which are different from the standard cookie-cutter MBA essays).

However, I find that the word-limits for MBA essays are quite restrictive and don't allow much room for candidates to best sell themselves. If you were to use dialogue, you lose valuable words/space to pitch you candidacy. It will be tough to do both.

One strategy you might want to consider (that I find helpful with many clients) is to get all your thoughts on paper (including dialouge) and then go back and summarize/condense ideas to best present your candidacy.

Good luck,

NP