Keeping everything short but sweet when writing admission essays

Every main argument/point that you raised on the essay should be supported by any of the following: facts, theories (on some instances only), experiences, or statistics. Still, be direct to the point and avoid going in circles. One thing the Committee of Admissions members really hate is an essay that has no direction, no focus and shoots off useless trivia. Don’t fall for this trap- it would be your undoing in the application process.

Being honest and original in your application essays

To be honest does not mean you have to put down each and every weakness you have. It’s actually a common question on essays (what is one of your glaring weaknesses?), and the key here is to answer it. Answer it simply, don’t apologize, and impress upon them how you are working on this particular failing. To be honest also means avoid exaggerations in reference to your accomplishments. This is an amusing question but worthy of your attention: if it was an accomplishment worth writing, then no additional honking of your own horn is needed right?

As much as possible, go for originality. In narrating experiences, go as deep (personal) as you could make it. This would assure you the Admission officers have not heard it for the hundredth time.

To put it all in a cap: brevity would keep your narration easy to read, honesty would allow the readers to know you much better, and the originality would help your document stand out from among the countless essays.

Related questions:

1. What is meant by an admission essay that is out of focus?
2. Why is honesty a must on one’s MBA application essay?
3. In the essay, should one apologize for his/her weaknesses?

Speaking directly to the reader

Your essay is your way to present a four-dimensional image of yourself. Through your essay, you can show the admissions commitee your personality. In which case, your approach truly matters. A personal approach is the best way to speak to the admissions committee. You should use “I” but you have to make sure that this first person point of view is not overused. If you use the third person, you will have the tendency of writing a wordy essay. You also have to ensure that you don’t get TOO personal that you’re missing the real purpose of the essay.

Getting straight to the point

Do not beat around the bush. When writing your business essay, get straight to the point. You have to remember that the admission officers would likely be bored if you keep talking in circles. The pages of the business essay is limited, so you really have to deliver your points directly.

Writing in clear but convincing words

Clarity is one of the elements of a good essay. You don’t have to use high falutin words to impress the readers. All you need is to write a clear, interesting essay. A well-written essay would convince the admission officers of your worth more, compared to an essay filled unfamiliar terms that cause confusion. You have to read your business essay several times and watch out for the clarity of the ideas.

If you keep these things in mind, you will surely get better chances for admission to the business school of your dream.

Related links:

Avoiding Business Jargon – Tips on how to write a business essay
Customizing Your Essay – Tips on writing an essay for MBA
MBA Program Application – Tips on getting into an MBA program
Essay Writing Tips – On how to write an effective admission essay
Clear Essays – Tips on how to write a clear and concise essay

What makes F1 GMAT different from other GMAT sites or blogs?

The blog site features not only articles that prepare you for GMAT but also features articles on the MBA culture.  These articles can be found under the “Interesting Reads” section.  There are also links to tips, tutorials, and techniques.  The blog actually shares specific techniques such as fast multiplication.  The writers of the site  take the different aspects of GMAT preparation in consideration.  The MBA culture articles get future GMAT examinees a taste of their future in MBA schools and beyond.  If the culture presented is not that appetizing, there is a chance to back down.

The blog is really very resourceful.  It includes business trends that provide insights to upcoming and current students who dream of having their own enterprise one day. F1 GMAT is actually a whole dream in a package.  The dream is made more tangible by all the technical help provided.  It has a directory of outside resources, articles, tutorials, and the like. Having all of them in one page of the F1 GMAT blog saves time for a GMAT reviewer.  It is a whole library of GMAT resources.

Are there things to improve on?

While there are tons of helpful links within the F1 GMAT, getting to those links when you are an actual reviewer is more challenging.  You can always go through everything if you want to take advantage of every bit of information.  However, if you are in a rush and need just one thing, you may have a hard time looking for that topic or resource.  The entries are all over the page.  There may be a section on popular content and interesting reads, but you have no idea if they are all that the site has when it comes to articles.  Other sections point to videos and outside links, instead of articles. Better categorizing is recommended to the site with probably, a user’s manual for serious visitors.

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

An illustrious institution that has produced the likes of Kraft, Nabisco, Gillette and Oscar Mayer top honcho James Kilts is located in the heart of good old Windy City. Founded in 1898, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business takes pride in instilling effective guidelines and innovative approaches to business in its students. These students have then went on to become the greatest professionals in the business arena, and some have even become Nobel laureates. Check out the official website of Chicago Booth and choose among the full-time and part-time schedules and executive, Ph.D and MBA course offerings.

Harvard Business School

One of the more famous and top-ranked business schools in the country has churned out approximately 42, 012 living alumni, most of whom are respected leaders in their industries. Founded in 1908, the Harvard Business School (HBS) is best known for the quality education and training that it gives to its students. Its students have gone on to become renowned businessmen and leaders of trade, while some even went back to share their knowledge in the academe such as World Bank Senior Advisor John. H. McArthur and Ford Foundation Director of Investment and Financial Policies and current HBS Dean Jay O. Light. Visit the HBS website to check out the school’s MBA programs and schedules.

Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University)

Set your sights on one of the exceptional business schools in Chicago, the Kellogg School of Management of the Northwestern University. Established in 1908, the Kellogg School of Management is famous for instilling values such as teamwork and leadership among its students. Excellent instruction regarding business and trade strategies are taught in the MBA programs of Kellogg School of Management. Check out the school’s website for requirements such as MBA application essays and other requisites per program. Students can either take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.

Leonard N. Stern School of Business (New York University)

Though NYU may be better known for its academic prowess in the arts, it is also becoming notable for its academic exploits in the business and trade side through the NYU Stern School of Business. NYU initially established Stern as the NYU undergraduate School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance in 1900. In 1916, the school eventually offered graduate studies to individuals looking to pursue higher and specialized studies. The school was renamed the Leonard N. Stern School of Business in 1988 following the philanthropist and alumnus’ generous donation to the school. Check out the school’s official website for more details on class schedules and types of programs offered.

Anderson School (University of California–Los Angeles)

Seventy years ago saw the birth of one of UCLA’s business schools, the Anderson School of Management. Aside from the usual MBA, PHD, and executive MBA programs, Anderson also offers the Master of Financial Engineering. Other notable distinctions offered in Anderson are the UCLA-NUS Global Executive MBA program, Riordan programs, and Management Communications programs among others. Pay a visit to the schools’ official website to find out the requirements such as MBA application essays and other requisites for each program.

Kelley School of Business (Indiana University)

Indiana University established its School of Commerce and Finance in 1920, where students got to focus on trade and business strategies. In 1997, the school was renamed the Kelley School of Business when E.W. Kelly donated $23 million dollars to the institution. Despite the various changes in names, the Kelly School of Business still retains the quality education taught by impressive faculty to students pursuing undergraduate, MBA, and doctoral degrees. Kelley also offers full-time, online, and specialized MBA programs to its students. Check out the school’s official website to apply online.

Why is networking important when you’re in an MBA school?

When you enroll in a brick-and-mortar university, it is very likely that you will have classmates who come from all walks of life. Some of them might even be professionals in the business industry.

If you want to expand your career opportunities, use this particular setup to your advantage. The alliance you can form with your classmates may be invaluable in the near future. Your classmates can even share you tips and pieces of advice regarding the management of businesses. Interacting with them will give you the opportunity to learn from their experiences.

Treat you classmates as peers who can be your future employee, employer or business partners. Remember that establishing ties with them while you are still MBA students will be very beneficial for you in the future.

How can you create a network while you’re in MBA school?

Creating a social and professional network while you’re still pursuing your MBA degree is a challenging task. First, you have to talk with your classmates. Just remember not to overdo it. Remember that small talks can lead to friendship. So, don’t hesitate to approach your classmates.

Joining various school organizations will also allow you to create a network. You and your co-members can enjoy doing the same activities together. Doing these things will allow you and your friends to introduce one another’s personality. Affiliations can also bring a positive review to your resumes. Membership in school organizations will also allow you to hone your leadership skills. It can also be a place where you can apply the things you’ve learned in your MBA courses.

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What is the importance of having work experience before enrolling in an MBA program?

There are a lot of schools that accept MBA applicants who do not have any work experience. However, this does not change the fact that work experiences can boost your MBA application. Working in a corporate setting will give you the chance to practically apply your skills and knowledge. As a matter of fact, you will be given at work the opportunity to put your skills to the test.

Having work experience can also help you decide on what MBA specialization you should take. It can also provide you a background of the field you want to pursue.  Having work experience can also let you evaluate if you really need an MBA degree. Also, working in an environment outside the academe can help you become more mature and responsible.

How can I let the admissions panel know about my experiences?

You can discuss in your MBA application essays why you are ready for an MBA degree. Cite your work experiences in your essay. Use your MBA application essays to share and provide more information about your work experiences. Cite how you have acquired your skills. You can also share particular work or life experiences that highlight your good talents. You can also utilize your MBA application essays to explain a couple of issues. If you had multiple jobs in the past year, justify your reasons through your MBA application essays.  You can also list down your affiliations with and experiences in college clubs and other groups such as non-profit organizations.

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* Preparing for investment banking

A deeper and broader knowledge of the industry you are working in is very important in your job as an investment banker. Aside from managing the company’s investments, you also need to understand the reasons behind each practice or strategy. You need to have a thorough understanding of everything there is to know about the industry so you can conceptualize and implement your plans more effectively.

Having an MBA degree is very beneficial to every investment banker. What you can learn from an MBA program is not limited to business theories and trends, but it also goes as far as explaining the importance of each business management technique. The advanced curriculum and intense training you will get from an MBA program will help you on your way to becoming a great investment banker.

* Applying for MBA programs

Serious preparation is needed to secure an entry to the MBA program of your choice. All aspiring MBA degree holders are working hard just to earn a slot in the MBA program of their chosen school. To get a second look from the admission evaluators, you need to be unique enough to stand out from the crowd.

Like in most post-graduate programs, you need to take standardized tests and submit supporting documents to qualify for MBA programs. To increase your chances of getting accepted, you need to get high marks in the tests and receive rave reviews in the personal essays. You also need to ask professors and MBA graduates to write recommendation letters to support your MBA program application.

Here are the points you need to discuss in your personal essay:

- why you want to apply for an MBA program
- what inspired you to get an MBA
- why you deserve a slot in the MBA program
- what plans do you have for your future
- why investment banking is appealing to you

Submit all requirements promptly and respond to call-backs immediately. Remember that committing to both personal and professional excellence is the only way to reach your goals.

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Harvard Business School

The Harvard Business School was founded in 1908 and has grown to be one of the most prestigious institutions that offer great MBA programs. One of the notable alumni who received a degree from Harvard is the 43rd president of the United States — George Bush.

Stanford Graduate School of Business

The Stanford Graduate School of Business is known to offer a wide array of courses, thus creating different experiences for its students. One notable person that went through this MBA progam is Dr. Jean Pierre Garnier, the CEO of GlaxoSmithKline.

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is known as the first business school in the world. Its alumni include the famous real estate juggernaut Donald Trump.

Haas School of Business

The University of California, Berkley has the Walter A. Haas business school to be proud of. This business school offers different types of programs such as full time MBA programs, evening or weekend MBA programs, and the Berkeley-Columbia Executive MBA program.

MIT Sloan School of Management

The MIT Sloan School of Management was ranked number 1 in various disciplines by US News and Businessweek. This business school is known for its wide range of electives and its MBA program is indeed one of the best.

Columbia Business School

The Columbia Business School is known for its excellent teaching methods that help students address real-world business issues through its MBA program. Receiving an MBA degree from this University would surely land you a great job or a better chance of getting promoted.

Ross School of Business

The Ross School of Business is previously known as the University of Michigan Business School. It has been known for its solid MBA programs and advanced electives.

Kellogg School of Management

The Kellogg School of Management has been ranked number one for its executive MBA program and number three for its full-time MBA program by Businessweek.

University of Chicago

The  University of Chicago Graduate School of Business offers excellent programs and courses in economics, finance, accounting, and others.

Darden Graduate School of Business Administration

The Darden Graduate School of Business Administration’s MBA program makes use of case-based teaching methods. Getting an MBA degree here would give you a great deal of real-world experience.

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