2 general essay questions--how informal can you be?

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jsnipes: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 27; Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:41 am; Thanked: 1 times

by jsnipes » Thu Dec 01, 2011 6:02 am

I have visited or have friends at most of the schools that I am applying to. Is it acceptable (or encouraged) to throw some vignette into your essay about meeting so and so or going to a certain class, discussing a certain professor and so on? It seems to me like it does show your interest but also is a bit informal and may be out of place. The other question I had, was for a school like Columbia specifically, is it appropriate to say that the location and the fact that my SO lives in NYC is a factor that draws me to their program? I feel like I am not sure how much information I should or should not be including.

Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process | Thu Dec 01, 2011 6:02 am

throughmba: Legendary Member; Posts: 510; Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:15 amFollowed by: 22 members; Location: London; Thanked: 122 times

by throughmba » Thu Dec 01, 2011 9:08 am

Hi

You can be candid about professional likings/goals etc.

I think you can talk about other important things and use these words to make your case better.

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by Jon@Admissionado » Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:56 am

It's absolutely okay! And even good. It shows that you care about the school, took time to visit, and it's always gonna be a bit more unique that the famous programs that are in the brochure. So discussing a specific professor, alumus, building, street.... whatever can be a great way to make your essay more unique and more concrete.

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thb_1981: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 17; Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:19 pm; Thanked: 3 times; GMAT Score:710

by thb_1981 » Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:35 am

Names are fine. Don't toss them around, make sure that they serve a purpose. The message has to trump the name. Unless, of course, you dine with names on a regular basis and they're writing your recommendations. You can be a little informal, don't go overboard.
Don't know about Columbia.

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by Kaneisha Grayson » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:33 am

I agree with all that's been said, but I would not mention the fact that your Significant Other is attending a school as a reason you want to go there. This is a REAL and valid reason for YOU wanting to go to a certain school, but not a strong one for why the AdCom should give you a spot. As for the rest, go for it!

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money9111: Legendary Member; Posts: 2109; Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:25 pmFollowed by: 79 members; Location: New Jersey; Thanked: 109 times; GMAT Score:640

by money9111 » Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:10 pm

Sidenote - If you are applying to a NYC school err on the side of NOT saying that you want to go to said school because it's in NYC.

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