Many of the business schools have started releasing their 2017 - 2018 applications, including the much anticipated essay questions. For many, this is the fun part; and for just as many, this is the part they dread. Boiling down your accomplishments, passions, and goals to 500 - 750 words is no easy task. But step one is having something to write about in the first place. As such, below are a few tips to get you started as you think through the best topics for your upcoming MBA essay masterpieces!

1. Don't be generic (aka. boring). If you were considering writing a beautiful essay about how you are awesome at building financial models and can't wait to do that as a consultant after gaining stronger management skills in b-school...then forget about it. If that is in fact your storyline, that's ok. However, it needs to be way, way, way more interesting and specific. And if that's your storyline just because you don't know what else to say, then it's well worth your time to do some soul-searching and research to determine what it is that you are REALLY good at and want to do in the future. A good story and vision can outweigh weaker aspects of your application. And if you're gunning for the top MBA programs, then you need an inspiring story or pitch just to be competitive.

2. Don't forget the "why"...

Continue Reading