The global MBA education market size is predicted to record a 15.6% CAGR from 2023 to 2032. Again, according to the latest numbers from the AACSB, the primary accreditor of business schools, finds that 250,389 students were pursuing MBA worldwide during the 2020-2021 academic year.
If you’re too gearing up for business school applications, you are already aware of the fact that your admission essays can make or break your chances of getting into your dream MBA programs. These essays can account for up to 15% of your MBA application. It offers the opportunity to demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit for their program – mainly, why they should choose you over someone else.
So, regardless of whether you graduated top of your class this semester, aced the GMAT, or have a crystal clear 10-year career plan ready, it’s worth investing some extra minutes to read this post on common essay pitfalls and strategies. Going through this can increase your chances for success by notches at entering your dream business school.
Mistake 1 – Writing What You Feel the Adcom Wants to Hear
If you craft your MBA essays in an attempt to make yourself the perfect MBA applicant, you’re completely missing the point of writing them in the first place. According to top stalwarts of reputed MBA essay writing help websites, the key objective of writing the essay is to demonstrate what an introspective and intriguing applicant you are.
While numerous other applicants will have the same credentials as you, the beauty of the application process lies in the fact that it allows applicants a chance for self-reflection and to explore that they are more distinct than they even know. Thus, ensure to be yourself and craft the paper in a way that enables the admissions team to get to know you truly.
Mistake 2 – Not Paying Attention to the Essay Prompts
One of the most common mistakes MBA aspirants make while writing an essay is failing to pay close attention to the prompts offered by B-schools. Undeniably, you may have an excellent story about climbing Mount Everest, but if the prompt asks you to describe your leadership abilities, you will be missing the mark.
Hence, go through the prompts diligently and ensure you have selected topics that directly address what your dream school is asking for. If you’re struggling and typing frantically over the search engine ‘Help with my essay’, you can fall back on reputed academic websites like MyAssignmentHelp.com.
Mistake 3 – Recycling Other MBA Essays, aka Copy-Pasting
This is a rookie error, and unfortunately, this happens more often than you can even imagine. Copy-pasting one essay to multiple other business school applications puts you at the below-enlisted risks –
- This leaves an opportunity for misreading the topic and, in turn, not answering the exact question.
- Leaving another school’s name in the essay accidentally and getting rejected automatically.
Remember, one size fits all doesn’t work every time and everywhere. While you might be tempted to use the same essay that perhaps has worked for someone else, do note the essay is only one component of the application. There are other tangible and intangible aspects of the application that need to be in sync and convey a similar message.
Mistake 4 – Overloading with Accomplishments
While it’s crucial to highlight your achievements and strengths, certain aspirants commit the error of turning their papers into a whole laundry list of accomplishments. They emphasise solely on what they’ve done without delving deep into the ‘why’ or the results of such achievements.
Try to dig deep instead of just listing your accomplishments. Share the stories behind those achievements. Explain the difficulties you overcame, the lessons you acquired from those experiences, or the ways they shaped your values and aspirations. By offering reflections and context, you can make your admissions essay more meaningful and engaging.
Mistake 5 – Enlisting Non-Persuasive Career Objectives
A significant aspect of your admission essays is sharing that you have concrete career objectives that you aim to pursue post-graduation. The objectives that you state in the paper must be well thought out and compelling. Do not suggest career objectives that may appear generic or wishy-washy. However, while your career milestones must be specific, they should never be excessively narrow. Your papers must convey that you have concrete career objectives in mind which are practical, precise, yet flexible, and in sync with the program’s strengths.
Mistake 6 – Approaching MBA Essays in Vacuum
Know essays are only one part of your whole MBA application. The B-schools will have your short answers and also your resume. Your essays should always supplement these other pieces, so try not to tell the same story in multiple places in your application. For applications that require countless essays, you may want to consider sharing certain professional and personal examples to offer a well-rounded perspective of yourself.
Mistake 7 – Forgetting to Use Social Media
In the present day, more and more admission officers admit to researching an applicant’s social media profile before making the final decision. Savvy candidates can use their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn to boost their credibility and strengthen the excellent impressions made through application materials.
For instance, you want to switch careers after post-graduation. In your essay, you convey your wish to work for a company that creates clean-energy choices for third-world countries. So, you could post about a local conference that you attended or give your take on the promising advancements in the field. Success lies in keeping things professional and on point. It’s absolutely fine to let your personality shine through – just like it should in your essays.
Parting Thoughts,
The MBA admission essays are your platform to demonstrate what makes you a multidimensional and dynamic individual that any program would want to have. As you pull all of your resources, capabilities, and energy together, ensure to scrutinise every aspect to understand if there’s anything that can weaken your message.
Write precisely and demonstrate it to the admissions team that you have completed your research and know exactly what can help you. If you consciously and religiously avoid all the common mistakes enlisted above, the brilliant odds of creating a remarkably positive impression on the admission committee will strongly be in your favour. Here’s wishing you good luck!
