How to Capture Who You Are in Your MBA Essays

by , Mar 29, 2010

That is your challenge when composing your MBA application essays, and I'll admit, it's quite a difficult challenge. You are a unique individual with 20, 30, 40, or more years of life experience to show for it. How on earth are you going to capture your essence, your passion, your experiencesin short, YOUin a 1-2 page essay?

Here are three simple tips that should help you get started on that process of capturing who you are in just a few short pages:

1. Focus on a few key qualities, rather than on your entire being. You can't discuss all facets of your personality and you certainly can't elaborate on every life or even work experience. Those elements are infinite in number and if you try and capture too many, you'll end up with a 10-volume autobiographical saga. Choose between one and three qualities and thenFOCUS.
2. Show, don't tell. Here's age-old advice that can transform your essay from a drab resume-like report to an intriguing and compelling work of art. Illustrate the points you want to make with brief anecdotes or examples. By showing your reader your experiences, you'll also portray your personality and key attributes. You'll make yourself come alive on that sheet of paper.
3. Provide a snapshot, not a history. Like I said before, there's simply no way to capture it all; so rather than trying to cram your resume or life chronology into you essay, try to present a single picture, or perhaps a 3- or 4-frame collage.

Accepted.com Related Resources

• Five Fatal Flaws, a free, 5-day e-course.
• Sample MBA Application Essays
• Best Practices for MBA Admissions, an ebook.