Multiple Stories in Optional Essay

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jimbo5: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:14 am

by jimbo5 » Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:33 am

Hello -

So in my optional essay I have to write about an unfortunate circumstance that caused lower grades in one semester, but I also want to share an unrelated story of my social contributions to the communities around the world that will be very relevant to my profile.

And I have found no way of mentioning either one of these in any other essay.

So, do you guys think it is ok to talk about two unrelated stories in the optional essay as long as it is within the word limits (where the word limit is the minimum word limit for all other essays).

Thank you!
Jimbo

Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process | Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:33 am

Bryant@VeritasPrep: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 1090; Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 4:06 amFollowed by: 68 members; Thanked: 175 times; GMAT Score:750

by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Tue Nov 24, 2009 9:29 am

There are no real rules for optional essays, so anything goes. If you stay within the word limit, you will be fine. I would use headers above each section labelling it as well as a short explanatory introduction describling how you are writing about two things.

Bryant Michaels
MBA Admissions Consultant

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gvgseg: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 10; Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:51 pm; Location: Los Angeles, CA; GMAT Score:700

by gvgseg » Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:29 pm

Jimbo,

I had to do the same sort of thing with my optional essay. I split it into 2 smaller essays and spent 1/2 the word limit on being unemployed and the remaining 1/2 of the words explaining my poor first year grades. I just gave each mini-essay it's own title.

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