Contrary to what most people think, admission to a good MBA program at a good business school is still possible despite a less than flawless resume and professional record. While it’s true that a 4.0 GPA, perfect GMAT and TOEFL scores, and demonstrated business prowess are impressive, there is still hope for MBA applicants who have less than stellar transcripts and business track records. Most business schools try not to place too much weight on just one application requirement, so those with average business records can still be worthy contenders in the race for a good MBA program.
This is why MBA application essays are an important requirement when applying for a business school. MBA application essays allow applicants to redeem themselves and explain in detail what led to their business failures. Most business schools provide the option to applicants to submit separate MBA application essays for the sole reason of clarifying the inconsistencies reflected in their records. The sad part is, a lot of applicants make the mistake of using these optional MBA application essays to blame their business failures on other people and on other external factors. Your MBA application essays should focus on you as an actor, and not a passive receptor, in charge of how you live your life. Use the MBA application essays to show the Committee that you can own up to your mistakes and more importantly, learn from them.
MBA application essays can do a lot to cushion the blow that an unimpressive business track record can cause to the status of your application to a business school. If you’re able to thoroughly explain in your MBA application essays what led to the failure of your business, you can get them to focus more on your resiliency and the qualities you have to show that you’re not one to quit easily. You can explain in your MBA application essays that despite the knowledge of your venture’s instability, you pushed through with it because you believed that the risk was worth taking. This shows fearlessness to take that leap when all the others would retreat into safety.
After providing a detailed explanation in your MBA application essays of what went wrong and what you did wrong, it’s important that you also own up to whatever decision-making flaws you had. Such MBA application essays will show the Admissions Committee that you are open to constructive criticism and are open to different business perspectives – a quality that is highly desirable among would-be MBA students. The important thing to remember is to focus on how you recovered from the failure. Your MBA application essays should reflect how you dealt with the failure emotionally, mentally, and professionally. It is only by showing a more personal side of you that your MBA application essays will show the Admissions Committee the kind of businessperson you will become, and why you deserve quality education from their institution.
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