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Example MBA Essays

Top Tips for an MBA Application Essay

When you apply to business school you’ll need to impress the admissions officers with more than just your excellent academic scores. You’ll need to show them why you’re a great fit with their MBA program.

Think of your MBA admission essay as a sales tool which will demonstrate the type of person you are to the admissions officer and help them gain a greater insight into your personal qualities and strengths, complementing the information already included in your resume.

When it comes to writing your MBA admission essay, keep these important points in mind:

  • Demonstrate that you are a proactive individual. Somebody who can get things done and lead others. Often business schools are on the lookout for future leaders and not candidates who are just happy to go along with what others say or do.
  • Don’t get too big-headed. Check you ego and emphasize your uniqueness rather than trying to convince them you are the best.
  • Be specific about why you are an ideal candidate for their particular MBA program. Do your research, find out about the professors in the program and identify specific features of the school which fit with your own professional goals.
  • Be passionate. Explain what you’re passionate about and what interests you and motivates you and make sure they understand that you’ll be just as enthusiastic in the classroom.
  • Be bold. Are you prepared to deliver something out of the ordinary? Let your essay demonstrate your underlying potential.
  • Use your uniqueness. Refer to your ethnicity, gender or non-native status as long as it is directly relevant, in that it has helped shape your outlook on important and relevant issues.
  • Get personal. Use personal anecdotal evidence with plenty of detail in your essay. It’s far more convincing than simply making generic claims and speaking in broad terms. Be specific and keep it relevant.
  • Be humorous. Humor is a part of life. Just don’t overdo it in your essay, but if it's appropriate don’t be afraid to show you have a sense of humor.

Things to avoid

  • Don’t be tempted to draw on your high school experiences. Graduate school admissions officers expect you to have other more recent professional experiences to talk about. Focus on more recent achievements and key events in your life.
  • Off-topic essays. Stay on point and make sure you respond to the prompts given. Wandering off-topic and becoming irrelevant or simply restating facts contained in your resume is a surefire way to turn off the admissions officer reading your essay.
  • Vagueness for doing an MBA. Schools prefer candidates who have a strong sense of why they want to do an MBA, and why they want to choose a particular MBA program. Avoid generic or badly defined reasons for wanting to do a particular MBA. Be specific and make sure your reasons are well defined and show how the program fits into your long term professional plan.
  • Exceeding the given word limit. It comes down to following instructions and basic planning. Going over the limit simply shows you lack ability to plan and organize your thoughts in a clear manner. Not a desirable trait in a candidate.
  • Sloppiness. Don’t overlook the importance of spelling and correct grammar. If necessary get your essay professionally proofread and edited to ensure its presentation is beyond reproach.
  • Generic essays. Sure, you’ll likely submit applications to more than one MBA program, but don’t think that you can simply send the same generic essays to all the schools on your list. Each application should receive its own well researched and unique essay, specifically tailored to their particular program, faculty and offering.
  • Being too impersonal. Graduate school admissions officers want to get an insight into who you are, so if your GPA was never stellar because you had to put yourself through school, tell it like it is – and avoid using impersonal statements regarding the rising cost of tuition fees, etc. Let them know who you really are.
  • Being too general. Clearly state your opinion, your reasons and your outlook. Avoid simply deferring to generally held views or making general claims about issues. You have a mind; show you know how to use it to form your own opinion on key issues.
  • Disconnect. One of the primary purposes of your essay is to help tie together all the information about you in your application and to present an enticing insight into your personality and character. So avoid simply writing your essay in a way that it feels disconnected from the rest of the information in your application.

Example MBA Essays: Career Goals Essay

MBA candidates often have to write essays about their career goals as part of their admissions process. How can you make your career goals essay stand out from the crowd?

Your essay should be specific, demonstrating both short-term and long-term goals. Be realistic in both your expectations and ambitions—don't set yourself up for disappointment by shooting for the stars without a plan to get there. And finally, show rather than tell the reader why you are excited about your chosen career path.

Use concrete examples, such as specific companies or programs you are interested in, rather than vague statements. By articulating specific goals, you will show the reader that you have done your research and that you know what you want. The best way to show off your motivation and passion is to share concrete examples of times when you have pursued your goals with vigor.

Here are some examples of MBA essays that helped applicants stand out from the crowd:

Example MBA Essay

What are your short-term and long-term goals? How will an MBA From XYZ help you achieve these goals?

I have always been interested in working in the business world, and obtaining my MBA is a natural next step on my career path. In the short term, I hope to gain valuable experience and knowledge that I can put to use in a variety of roles within organizations. In the long term, I aspire to become a successful business leader who can create lasting value for shareholders.

I believe that an XYZ MBA will be instrumental in helping me achieve my career goals. The program’s curriculum is focused on developing well-rounded business professionals, and its emphasis on practical learning through experiential coursework will allow me to build key skill sets essential for success in today’s ever-changing business landscape. Additionally, XYZ’s prestigious reputation and global network of alumni will open doors for me as I move forward in my career path.

My short-term goal is to secure a position as a consultant at a consulting firm. To achieve this goal, I have taken steps to learn more about the consulting industry by interning at a consulting firm and participating in case competitions. In addition, an MBA will give me the skills and knowledge I need to be successful in consulting.

My long-term goal is to become a partner at a consulting firm. To achieve this goal, I plan on gaining experience in the industry and developing my skills as a consultant. An MBA will help me gain the necessary skills and knowledge to reach this goal by providing me with exposure to a variety of subjects, including accounting, finance, and marketing. In addition, an MBA will allow me to network with other business professionals who may be able to provide me with the resources and connections I need to succeed.

I am excited to begin my journey at XYZ School of Business and I believe that with hard work and dedication, I will be able to achieve my goals. I chose XYZ school because of its excellent reputation in the consulting industry and its location in New York City. I believe that XYZ is the perfect place for me to start my career in consulting.

Last month, I had the opportunity to visit XYZ School of Business and sit in on a few classes. I was impressed by the quality of the teaching and the rigor of the curriculum. I also spoke with several students and alumni, who all had great things to say about their experience at XYZ. Following a meeting with Professor ABC, I am even more certain that XYZ is the right place for me.

New York is an ideal place to launch a business, as it was recently named the second-best city in America for new businesses by Fortune magazine. The friendly business community and ample opportunity here make New York the perfect choice to position my company’s American office after I earn my MBA.