Common essay mistakes
Writing a good MBA application essay is not a difficult feat to accomplish. Good ideas are abundant, impressive personal and professional experiences are not hard to come by. However, several common mistakes repetitively tarnish essay quality and diminish the application chances of qualified applicants.
Have you answered the question?
Most applicants are absolutely sure their essays will not receive this comment. Our consultants often reach the end of a perfectly constructed and interesting essay, yet the essay question remains largely unanswered. By not answering the question, the obvious damage is that you withhold necessary information from the admissions committee. The worse side effect is that failing to answer the question may represent poor managerial skills. This faux pas is the most rudimentary mistake, which may ultimately lead to your rejection.
Compose your essays to be clear and concise
Keep your writing simple, neat, and short. Write your essay in the simplest possible words, phrasing it so it remains easily understandable and enjoyable to read. In clarifying your essays, clearly stating your background, experience, and goals, you save the essay evaluator precious time and effort. Most people prefer having conclusions handed to them, instead of being required to deduce them by themselves. Please review our essay writing guide for additional tips and recommendations on essay writing.
Write about yourself
Admissions personnel know all about the business school and MBA program for which they work. What they do not know about, is you. Obviously, displaying familiarity with the MBA program you intend to join is mandatory. Yet in doing so, moderation is vital. A few strategically placed sentences in each essay, portraying the different aspects that made you select the business school to which you are applying, are superior to a single paragraph in each essay elaborating why you want this particular MBA program.
Applicants should refrain from several other common mistakes. The majority of mistakes involves poor application structure, inappropriate content selection, and misguided
recommender selection. If you require further assistance with your application, please contact us or visit our online store.