I'm applying to a very specialized program (Japan-Focused MBA), so obviously my essay and the questions they ask will focus heavily on why I'm interested in this specific program and Japan in general. My plan is to start with a quote that conveys my love for Japan and Japanese culture. Something with very visual language that I think will be a good introduction to my essay and make the reader intrigued. This is my structure of the essay (this takes into account the actual questions asked)
Quote
PP1: Introduction which will be a general paragraph relating the quote to my feelings for Japan, basically setting the foundation of why I'm applying to this program.
PP2: This will lead into why I'm applying to the program. I will be more specific here, touching on aspects of the program itself (courses, internship opportunities, etc.)
PP3: Why I'm applying for an MBA now. I'm doing a career change, so I will show how I need an MBA to achieve this and how my skill set now combined with the program will help me achieve it.
PP4: Career goals. I'm wondering how much is expected by me to know about my career goals. I feel I have a pretty well thought out, focused short-term and long-term plan. Obviously since this is something new, its hard for me to know too much. I plan on stating my reasons for wanting to pursue this and how I can use my current skills and past experience to excel in it.
PP5: Conclusion wrapping everything up. Is it bad to state here how much I feel the program fits what I'm looking for and that I really don't see myself anywhere else? Its honestly how I feel, I'm not applying to any other programs because there is nothing else like this one.
Finally, is it ok that I'm using the standard 5 paragraph format? Is it too "average" even if I write a well thought out essay? Its only supposed to be 2-3 pages, so I don't know how else to structure it.
Quote
PP1: Introduction which will be a general paragraph relating the quote to my feelings for Japan, basically setting the foundation of why I'm applying to this program.
PP2: This will lead into why I'm applying to the program. I will be more specific here, touching on aspects of the program itself (courses, internship opportunities, etc.)
PP3: Why I'm applying for an MBA now. I'm doing a career change, so I will show how I need an MBA to achieve this and how my skill set now combined with the program will help me achieve it.
PP4: Career goals. I'm wondering how much is expected by me to know about my career goals. I feel I have a pretty well thought out, focused short-term and long-term plan. Obviously since this is something new, its hard for me to know too much. I plan on stating my reasons for wanting to pursue this and how I can use my current skills and past experience to excel in it.
PP5: Conclusion wrapping everything up. Is it bad to state here how much I feel the program fits what I'm looking for and that I really don't see myself anywhere else? Its honestly how I feel, I'm not applying to any other programs because there is nothing else like this one.
Finally, is it ok that I'm using the standard 5 paragraph format? Is it too "average" even if I write a well thought out essay? Its only supposed to be 2-3 pages, so I don't know how else to structure it.












