Essay Advice from the Texas MBA Program

by Stacy Blackman Consulting, Jul 22, 2015

The Texas MBA Insider blog at UT McCombs School of Business recently posted tips for applicants wondering what is the best way to approach this year's updated MBA essay prompts. Although the advice is specific to the questions asked at McCombs, we feel that these suggestions will work for you no matter where you're applying.

With that in mind, here's a rundown of things the Texas MBA program suggests you think about before starting on your application essays:

• First impressions are important in person and are equally important in an admissions application.
• What makes you interesting and unique are both your personal and professional interests and attributes.Give a rounded mix, so that AdCom better understands who you are in a more complete sense.
• Convey your passion, excitement, personality, and experience, while also addressing how that experience relates to your MBA and career goals.
• Meditate on how do I love McCombs, let me count the ways, and write a list of your top reasons why McCombs is total MBA perfection.
• Clearly connect how McCombs will help you achieve your career objectives and personal goals. Create a 5 and 10 year plan for yourself, then see what classes, organizations, and experiential opportunities specifically relate to this career plan.
• In what ways will you contribute? How will you give back while you are there? How can you leverage the program offerings and combine it with your skill set to propel the entire program forward.
• In any submission, just be yourself have fun with it.
• And last but not least, don't reuse essays from other schools (the McCombs's admission team says they can totally tell)!

Remember, avoid any attempt to manufacture a memorable impression. Simply by allowing your individual personality to shine through, youll be able to differentiate yourself from the rest of the applicant pool. Good luck!

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If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more.