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Essays...

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Source: — The Application Process |

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by Alexbr@ClearAdmit » Sat Aug 27, 2016 11:43 pm
many programs have a vibrant community of partners and kids, so I don't think it needs to be a secret. cheers, alex
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by Michelle@ARINGO » Mon Sep 12, 2016 1:56 am
No need to keep it a secret, you will most likely not be the only person at the school with a wife and child but not sure I would bring it up in my essay either, unless there is a very specific reason for it.

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by MBA23 » Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:19 pm
Thanks for your replies!
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by money9111 » Mon Sep 12, 2016 11:23 pm
MENTION IT!!!!! Whichever schools you're applying too want to KNOW YOU! As cliche as that sounds, it's the truth. Trust me! I've been on both ends of the spectrum - an applicant - and an interviewer. *Disclaimer* I graduated from Johnson at Cornell University in 2013. I can tell you that the wives & kids of my classmates were an integral part of my experience at business school. Please disclose that information - if you can!
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by MBA23 » Sun Sep 18, 2016 3:31 pm
Yes, money9111, I think I will mention it if it fits well with the story of my essay. In several instances it seems to flow well with my story, or with the topic of the essay. Thanks
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by Edison@VeritasPrep » Sun Sep 18, 2016 6:39 pm
Thanks for sharing,

Mentioning it may help the schools to get to know you better, what motivates you and how you are. As you mentioned, if it flows well, you may use a sentence or two to refer to your family.

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by MargaretStrother » Sat Sep 24, 2016 3:25 am
Hi MBA23,
Your family may or may not be relevant in an essay, depending on the question you are answering. As others have mentioned, it will not be a turn-off for top business schools, but you do want to show that you will play an active role in the school community despite bringing a family with you to your MBA studies. Most b-schools have family/partners clubs, so stating that you will be an active member (and that you have reached out to the club and spoken to current members) is a good way to bring up the topic while adding research specificity to your essays.

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by MBA23 » Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:30 am
Hi Margaret,

That is exactly why I brought up the topic. Fear that schools will assume someone with a family will be less active within the community as a whole.

Thanks for the tips.

Thanks everyone else as well.
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by Donna@Stratus » Tue Jan 31, 2017 2:06 pm
MBA23 wrote:To mention, or not to mention wife and kid(s) in essays...

Is it possible that being married with a child may be a turnoff at some schools?

Should this be my little secret initially?

What do you all think?
I don't think it should be a secret- but I am not sure in the limited space you have in the essays that it is worth mentioning. It will not impact your admissions decision- but in the interview or when meeting students you may want to ask about the partners or family clubs that the school has so that you can decide where you would most like to attend- or places where your family will enjoy too. But I don't see the need to lead with this in the essays as whether or not you have kids or a partner is not a driver in the admissions selection process.
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