MBA admissions committees (adcoms) are like venture capitalists – they want to “invest” in the best people with the best ideas. Your goals essay then is your “personal business plan,” expressing your short- and long-term career ambitions and why they matter to you professionally and personally. You should not discount your personal reasons since those may very well distinguish your career plans from those of other applicants. After all, very few people have unique goals. Unique reasons? Yes. Unique goals? No.
The most compelling goals express an opportunity that you will be highly qualified to pursue immediately upon graduating. Your short-term goals in particular need to be both realistic (i.e., possible given your previous personal/professional experience plus an MBA) and ambitious (e.g., a significant jump in your current organization, changing your career, starting your own organization). If not, adcoms will not be persuaded of your need for an MBA and they will read the rest of your essays skeptically. The goals essay is the most important and often the most time-consuming you will write during the application process.
The above is excerpted from a 3-page PDF file I provide to my clients. If you would like a copy, please contact me.
bryan@elite-essays.com
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Resumes: The Foundation of a Strong Application
Good essays start with a good resume. That might sound strange, since the standard 1-page MBA resume doesn't provide much room. However, as a structured list of your best academic, personal and professional accomplishments your resume should be the primary source for your essay topics. And as opposed to simply describing job duties, which people in similar positions will share, a stand-out resume should detail stand-out accomplishments, which only you can claim.
There is a big difference, for example, between this:
"Responsible for helping client improve international sales in food industry."
and this:
"Developed global manufacturing strategy for leading food company, managing two international sub-project teams; playing central role in developing client as key account"
The difference is that the second example includes detail showing more context and the importance of the accomplishment. It is almost a complete story in itself, only waiting to be fleshed out. This example also shows how you can measure intangible results. While the strategy may not have borne fruit yet, the client company is pleased enough to consider an ongoing relationship. Not every accomplishment can be developed to this level and some can be refined even more. The point is to go beyond mere description and develop your resume as an overview of all the good stuff that is forthcoming in your essays and interviews.
Developing the resume is the first step I take with my clients, to give us both a common foundation and understanding of their background. Having my clients discuss their accomplishments also helps me begin identifying what I call their "core skills" - the tools they rely on consistently to be successful in diverse fields, not necessarily just work. Knowledge of these deeply personal traits is invaluable during all phases of the application process.
Consider the following line:
"One of youngest Senior Consultants, recognized as leading project manager especially for global-scope or troubled projects; excel in settling conflicting interests."
With this kind of insight on a resume, an admissions committee understands not only the nature and import of this person's accomplishments, but also "how" and "why" she was successful. Now if the client faces an essay topic (or even an interview question) such as, "Describe your most significant professional accomplishment. Elaborate on the leadership skills you displayed, the actions you took and the impact you had on your organization," (Ross, 2008-09 Application) the client has a fantastic answer:
"My leadership, centered on my ability to settle our conflicting interests, was key to my team's success."
If you were paying attention, you would have recognized in these samples the potential for integration and consistency among the resume, essays and interview. This synergy creates an incredibly powerful application "portfolio" that will be a joy for an admissions committee to read. And it all started with the resume.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Good Questions #3
Here is the last entry (for now) in a recent series of e-mail exchanges I've been having with an applicant.
If you have questions, please let me know.
bryan@elite-essays.com
3. Looking at my profile what do you think my chances are getting into top 5 colleges assuming i get 700+ in GMAT? I understand every college looks for some special characteristic in their prospective students. Do you think i can satisfy the criterias of the top notch colleges? I think you are the most appropriate person to answer this questions as you have so much experience in admission process.
This is a very common question, but unfortunately no one can answer it accurately based on so little information. At a minimum, I would need to discuss your career goals with you, review your resume in-depth, or scan essays you've already written. Even then, the best I could give you is an impression. I had clients who I thought fit a certain school's "profile" perfectly who weren't accepted and others who I thought did not fit at all who were accepted. I've also had clients who were accepted by a top-5 school but rejected by a lower-ranked school. Some years many of my clients were accepted at a particular top-5 school and the next year no one was even invited to an interview. How do you explain these things? There are simply too many variables to predict an outcome with any accuracy. In some ways, the admissions process is a black box and you should run far and fast from anyone claiming they can predict an outcome or that they know how to get you accepted at a certain school.
If you have questions, please let me know.
bryan@elite-essays.com
3. Looking at my profile what do you think my chances are getting into top 5 colleges assuming i get 700+ in GMAT? I understand every college looks for some special characteristic in their prospective students. Do you think i can satisfy the criterias of the top notch colleges? I think you are the most appropriate person to answer this questions as you have so much experience in admission process.
This is a very common question, but unfortunately no one can answer it accurately based on so little information. At a minimum, I would need to discuss your career goals with you, review your resume in-depth, or scan essays you've already written. Even then, the best I could give you is an impression. I had clients who I thought fit a certain school's "profile" perfectly who weren't accepted and others who I thought did not fit at all who were accepted. I've also had clients who were accepted by a top-5 school but rejected by a lower-ranked school. Some years many of my clients were accepted at a particular top-5 school and the next year no one was even invited to an interview. How do you explain these things? There are simply too many variables to predict an outcome with any accuracy. In some ways, the admissions process is a black box and you should run far and fast from anyone claiming they can predict an outcome or that they know how to get you accepted at a certain school.
As long as my clients are "diversifying their portfolio" of potential schools to maximize their chances, I encourage everyone to apply to their top-choice programs because I consistently help people even with low GMAT scores get interview invitations and acceptances to these programs. The only reason I would not encourage someone to apply is 1) if I honestly felt they had little chance based on several factors and 2) applying to that school would hurt their chances of applying in time to a program they had a better chance at, i.e., the opportunity cost of applying to the dream school was too high.
You are right that every school looks for "special characteristics" in their applicants. However, those special characteristics are different for every individual applicant. Your job is to make sure adcoms know your special characteristics. My job is to make sure you know your special characteristics.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Good Questions #2
The second of three good questions I recently received and my answer.
"Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck?"
bryan@elite-essays.com
2. Almost all the colleges have essays asking how can i contribute to their college culture and what all i have done to know about the program. Looking at the question, it seems like they are looking for some specific answers. Can you give me some data points on this?
It's true. Many programs want to know what unique things you can offer. For example, Kellogg this year asks:
2. Almost all the colleges have essays asking how can i contribute to their college culture and what all i have done to know about the program. Looking at the question, it seems like they are looking for some specific answers. Can you give me some data points on this?
It's true. Many programs want to know what unique things you can offer. For example, Kellogg this year asks:
"Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Kellogg students."
And Tuck asks:
"Tuck seeks candidates of various backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to our community. How will your unique personal history, values, and/or life experiences contribute to the culture at Tuck?"
In my opinion it is very difficult to distinguish yourself in this manner solely based on your career since there are really no unique jobs. There are unique accomplishments within career fields, of course, but those can be addressed in other essays like the goals essay or a leadership/accomplishment essay. In addition, it is assumed that everyone can and will contribute their work experience so that means you need to base your answer on more personal qualities and experiences. Examples can include time spent living or working abroad, a hobby or interest, volunteer work, athletic accomplishments, life experiences, etc. A lot of people think this means they have to have led a team safely up Mt. Everest and back in a terrible snowstorm. This is a great story, but even so it is not a guaranteed winner if the writer doesn't explain it well or reflect on the lessons s/he learned or how those lessons might be applicable in an MBA program.
Some of the best personal essays I've read were about simple things - how swimming served as a metaphor for someone to balance relaxation and tension, or how a book given to a client by his grandfather led to his lifetime commitment to peace and a career in government service, or how living with a mentally handicapped sibling led to incredible personal growth. To me, these kinds of answers draw out truly unique personal qualities that only the writer can contribute. There are many people with outstanding work experience, but far fewer who have thought deeply about their values and interests and who have taken action successfully to pursue them.
Regarding the second part of your question, you do need to demonstrate strong knowledge of the programs you apply to. Schools will be insulted or think you are foolish if they feel you haven't done this basic homework. Your findings can be demonstrated again in the goals essay but also in a personal essay by showing how your values and interests match up with the values and interests of the program. For instance, all programs are interested in team players, so any kind of teamwork experience (especially outside of work) can provide a strong essay topic. Similarly, volunteer experience with an NPO can also be applied to the volunteer programs that most schools offer. Connecting your personal and professional experience with the specific programs offered at various MBA programs is one sure way of demonstrating your knowledge of the program.
Some of the best personal essays I've read were about simple things - how swimming served as a metaphor for someone to balance relaxation and tension, or how a book given to a client by his grandfather led to his lifetime commitment to peace and a career in government service, or how living with a mentally handicapped sibling led to incredible personal growth. To me, these kinds of answers draw out truly unique personal qualities that only the writer can contribute. There are many people with outstanding work experience, but far fewer who have thought deeply about their values and interests and who have taken action successfully to pursue them.
Regarding the second part of your question, you do need to demonstrate strong knowledge of the programs you apply to. Schools will be insulted or think you are foolish if they feel you haven't done this basic homework. Your findings can be demonstrated again in the goals essay but also in a personal essay by showing how your values and interests match up with the values and interests of the program. For instance, all programs are interested in team players, so any kind of teamwork experience (especially outside of work) can provide a strong essay topic. Similarly, volunteer experience with an NPO can also be applied to the volunteer programs that most schools offer. Connecting your personal and professional experience with the specific programs offered at various MBA programs is one sure way of demonstrating your knowledge of the program.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Good questions #1
I've been exchanging e-mails with an applicant and I thought his questions were good in that a lot of people ask them. Over the next few days I'll be posting his e-mail questions and my answers. If you have questions, do shoot me an e-mail.
bryan@elite-essays.com
1. How much difference it makes when an international student applies in the second round? Is it absolutely imperative to apply in the 1st round? I don't want to reduce my chances. But in case i am not able to complete the essays properly in time, how much it will hurt if i apply in the second round? Also i will be promoted later this year. Does it makes sense to wait for the promotion and apply in round 2?
It is not absolutely imperative to apply in the first round as an international student. It is certainly helpful to apply early because schools want to fill their rosters with the best people as early as possible. However, your highest priority should be applying with the strongest application package possible, including both test scores and essays. In other words, you should not apply in the first round if you feel that you can apply later with significantly stronger materials. Every school will tell you the same thing. Another way to think about it is that applying early does not provide enough of an advantage to offset weak essays.
bryan@elite-essays.com
1. How much difference it makes when an international student applies in the second round? Is it absolutely imperative to apply in the 1st round? I don't want to reduce my chances. But in case i am not able to complete the essays properly in time, how much it will hurt if i apply in the second round? Also i will be promoted later this year. Does it makes sense to wait for the promotion and apply in round 2?
It is not absolutely imperative to apply in the first round as an international student. It is certainly helpful to apply early because schools want to fill their rosters with the best people as early as possible. However, your highest priority should be applying with the strongest application package possible, including both test scores and essays. In other words, you should not apply in the first round if you feel that you can apply later with significantly stronger materials. Every school will tell you the same thing. Another way to think about it is that applying early does not provide enough of an advantage to offset weak essays.
It is sometimes difficult to judge by yourself if your materials can be significantly improved or not, but that is something you should be able to ask your counselor about. In the case of my clients last year, most applied to the majority of their schools in the second round and their results were very good, which you can see by visiting my testimonials page. (Please note that I only worked with a handful of clients last year as I was finishing up a masters program at UC Berkeley.) Lastly, you should remember that just because you don't apply in the first round, you don't have to wait until the second round deadline to submit your applications. For example, if you cannot apply by the October 9th deadline for Wharton, you can still apply in November and have an advantage over the people that apply at the last minute for round two in January. Schools are reviewing essays constantly, especially with so many people applying last year and this year. Consider the possible outcomes also: if you have bad materials in the first round you will most certainly be denied. However, with outstanding materials in a later round, you at least have given yourself the chance at an interview and hopefully an admit letter or a spot on the waiting list.
I think you may also be asking, "How long does it take to develop an essay set?" As you might expect, the answer to that is, "It depends." And it largely depends on how well you know yourself and your reasons for wanting an MBA. As a general rule, though, I would say it takes between 1 to 2 months to produce the first application, but if that application is strong, it should provide an excellent foundation to apply to your other schools. Your second school might only require 1 to 2 weeks depending on how similar the questions are to your first school. These numbers are broad guidelines though. Every individual is different.
As for the promotion, that is not enough of a reason to wait. If you know you are going to be promoted, then you can explain that in your essays - either in the career review section of a standard goals essay or by connecting that great result to a concrete accomplishment. You could even include it in an optional essay. If one of your recommenders is involved in your promotion then s/he can and should mention that in a letter. One thing to be cautious of, though, if your promotion puts you closer to your career goals an admissions committee might question the timing of or your need for an MBA. In that case, you should explain why, despite your promotion, attending an MBA is still the best choice for your career goals.
I think you may also be asking, "How long does it take to develop an essay set?" As you might expect, the answer to that is, "It depends." And it largely depends on how well you know yourself and your reasons for wanting an MBA. As a general rule, though, I would say it takes between 1 to 2 months to produce the first application, but if that application is strong, it should provide an excellent foundation to apply to your other schools. Your second school might only require 1 to 2 weeks depending on how similar the questions are to your first school. These numbers are broad guidelines though. Every individual is different.
As for the promotion, that is not enough of a reason to wait. If you know you are going to be promoted, then you can explain that in your essays - either in the career review section of a standard goals essay or by connecting that great result to a concrete accomplishment. You could even include it in an optional essay. If one of your recommenders is involved in your promotion then s/he can and should mention that in a letter. One thing to be cautious of, though, if your promotion puts you closer to your career goals an admissions committee might question the timing of or your need for an MBA. In that case, you should explain why, despite your promotion, attending an MBA is still the best choice for your career goals.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Latest Questions
We've been steadily adding to our list of available essay questions as well. Whenever possible, we've included links back to the original sources. Latest addition: UCLA.
All the questions are here.
All the questions are here.
Deadlines
We've been compiling application deadlines in a PDF format with links back to the original sources. I've always found it helpful to have these all in one place. The latest list will be available tomorrow. If you'd like a copy, please send me an e-mail. (For my clients, I'll send you the latest version periodically.)
We're also adding them as they are announced to our online deadline calendar here. Latest entries: UCLA and Cornell. The months are starting to fill up!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Gangsters, Drag Queens & Hookers
A story: a few years ago I had a client. He was a good client, as almost all of my clients are. Nice guy. Strong test scores. Not an outstanding career history, but he showed solid advancement at his company and, more importantly, he showed a willingness to go beyond his basic job duties and the necessary skills to succeed in those endeavors.
The only problem was that he didn't have much of a personal life. He had few hobbies, but that didn't matter anyways since he had no free time. His career was his life. In fact, he was so focused on his career that when it came time to write a "personal essay" (e.g., Describe how your background, values, academics, activities and/or leadership skills will enhance the experience of other Kellogg students.) he insisted on describing how he had worked nine different part-time jobs in college to prepare himself for his job. For my client, the most important thing for the adcom to know was the number of jobs he worked. From an admissions perspective, such career focus is clearly admirable, but not if it requires sacrificing a well-balanced life. I told him to try it his way first and see what happened.
We went back and forth over a few drafts that he wrote, each one quite boring in my opinion because he was in essence discussing his career, which had been covered already in several other essays. Finally I asked him, "Which of those nine jobs was the most interesting?" He paused. Looked down. Thought quietly for a moment. Then he said brightly, "There was the time I worked at a gay bar."
Well. After that, he proceeded to tell me one of the best MBA stories I've ever heard. He worked as a bar back at a pub in a seedy part of town. The clientele consisted of off-duty prostitutes, gangsters, and gamblers. The owner was a drag queen. He became friends with them all and had a great experience. Now, my client went to a very conservative college and worked at a very conservative company, and on the surface, was quite conservative himself. He said his friends and parents thought he was crazy for working there, but the experience opened his eyes to a new world and introduced him to people he would have never met otherwise. He said he had been enriched by the experience.
This was the story he needed for many reasons. It provided balance to his essay set and showed a surprising and positive side to his personality. It showed a willingness to take a risk and do something unexpected that the people around him didn't approve of. It showed he was open to serving and working with people that were very different from him. In some ways it was a small story, but it had big messages. (Most applicants have these stories if you know where to look.)
I used these reasons to convince my client to write about his experience. He agreed to try, and his next draft was almost perfect. This essay became his favorite and he insisted on sending it to every school, either as a main or an optional essay. In the end, he received invitations from almost every school he applied to, and while I cannot say with 100% certainty that his personal essay was the main reason for this success, I can say with great confidence that the essay made a positive and lasting impression on the adcom and that it played an important factor in receiving so many invitations. I worked with this client several years ago, and I can still remember the details of his story. These are the kinds of stories you want to include in your application packages.
This story for me also illustrates several important things that I often tell my clients:
1) Balance among your essays is crucial.
2) You can write about almost anything in your essays if you handle it properly. Indeed, some of the most memorable essays I've read came from "small" stories.
3) Taking a chance in your essays by telling an unusual story can pay big dividends, especially if you have nothing to lose.
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