Writing MBA Essays
The term MBA essay is often used
interchangeably with MBA application essay or MBA admissions essay. This
type of essay is submitted as part of the MBA admissions process
and is usually used to provide support for other application components
like transcripts, recommendation letters, standardized test scores, and
resumes.
Why You Need to Write an Essay
Admissions committees sort through a lot of applications in each round of the admissions process.
Unfortunately, there are only so many places that
can be filled in a single MBA class so a vast majority of the
candidates who apply will be turned away. This is especially true of top
MBA programs that receive thousands of applicants each school year.
Many of the applicants who apply to business school are qualified MBA candidates
- they have the grades, the test scores, and the work experience needed
to contribute to and succeed in an MBA program. Admissions committees
need something beyond a GPA or test scores to differentiate applicants
and determine who is a good fit for the program and who is not. This is
where the MBA essay comes into play. Your MBA essay tells the admissions
committee who you are and helps to set you apart from other applicants.
Why You Don't Need to Write an Essay
Not
every business school requires an
MBA essay editing as part of the admissions
process. For some schools, the essay is optional or not required at all.
If the business school does not request an essay,
then you don’t need to write one. If the business school says the essay
is optional, then you should definitely write one. Don't let the
opportunity to differentiate yourself from other applicants pass you by.
MBA Essay Length
Some business schools put strict requirements on the length of MBA application essays.
For example, they may ask applicants to write a
one page essay, a two page essay, or a 1,000 word essay. If there is a
desired word count for your essay, it is very important to adhere to it.
If you are supposed to write a one page essay, don't turn in a two page
essay or an essay that is only a half-page long. Follow instructions.
If
there is not a stated word count or page count requirement, you have a
little more flexibility when it comes to length, but you should still
limit the length of your essay. Short essays are typically better than
long essay. Aim for a short, five-paragraph essay.
If you can't say everything you want to say in a short essay, you
should at least stay below three pages. Remember, admissions committees
read thousands of essays - they don't have time to read memoirs. A short
essay demonstrates that you can express yourself clearly and concisely.
Basic Formatting Tips
There
are some basic formatting tips that you should follow for every MBA
essay. For example, it is important to set the margins so that you have
some white space around the text. A one inch margin on each side and on
the top and bottom is typically good practice. Using a font that is easy
to read is also important.
Obviously, a silly font like Comic Sans should be
avoided. Fonts like Times New Roman or Georgia are typically easy to
read, but some of the letters so have funny tails and embellishments
that are unnecessary. A no-frills font like Arial or Calibri is usually
your best option.
Formatting a Five Paragraph Essay
Many
essays - whether they are application essays or not - utilize a
five-paragraph format. This means that the content of the essay is split
into five separate paragraphs:
- One introductory paragraph
- Three body paragraphs
- One concluding paragraph
Each
paragraph should be about three to seven sentences long. If possible
try to create a uniform size for the paragraphs. For example, you don't
want to start with a three sentence introductory paragraph and then
follow up with an eight sentence paragraph, a two sentence paragraph and
then a four sentence paragraph.
It is also important to use strong transition words
that help the reader move from sentence to sentence and paragraph to
paragraph. Cohesion is key if you want to write a strong, clear essay.
The introductory paragraph
should start with a hook - something that captures the reader's
interest. Think about the books you like to read. How do they start?
What grabbed you on the first page? Your essay isn't fiction, but the
same principle applies here. Your introductory paragraph should also
feature some sort of thesis statement, so the topic of your essay is clear.
The body paragraphs
should contain details, facts, and evidence that support the theme or
thesis statement introduced in the first paragraph. These paragraphs are
important because they make up the meat of your essay. Don't skimp on
information but be judicious - make every sentence, and even every word,
count. If you write something that doesn't support that main theme or
point of your essay, take it out.
The concluding paragraph of
your MBA essay should be just that - a conclusion. Wrap up what you are
saying and reiterate your main points. Do not present new evidence or
points in this section.