Crafting the perfect MBA application essay is a tough job. Many people are aware of the benefits an MBA degree can give them in their careers and as such, you need to be able to stand out in the kind of admission essays that you pass. MBA schools have doubled their strictness when it comes to choosing prospective students, taking in applicants who impress not only with their grades but also with the achievements in their lives. Get inspiration and ideas on how to define entrepreneurship in your MBA admission essay by viewing sample MBA essays. Here’s how to make your own winning piece from the good points seen in sample MBA admission essays.
MBA Essay Sample: How to Wow Your Readers with an Engaging Writing Style and Focused Topics
April 30th, 2009
Getting a degree from a business school would give you a wide array of options for your career path. This is because the theories and the training you will get from an MBA school are also useful if you want to pursue a career in non-business fields. However, if you are planning to enter an MBA school, you have to work hard for it. Before you get the chance to be admitted to a business school, you still have to meet various qualifications. One of the factors that could make or break your admissions is your MBA essay. To help you write an essay that would ensure your entry to an MBA school, below are some things you should know.
MBA Admissions Essays: Five Points That Should Not Appear in Them
April 21st, 2009
Getting an MBA degree would open various doors of opportunities for you. Whether you want to start your own business or work in a company, a degree from a business school would equip you with skills and experience that are necessary in your career endeavors. The first step to business school admissions is to write your MBA essay. Below are some tips to help you make a notable MBA admissions essay.
What makes the MBA admissions essay different from other graduate essays?
There are various benefits of getting an MBA degree. One of these is the variety of career options that you can choose from if you have a degree from a business school. In an MBA school, you will be trained in various fields that would be beneficial if you pursue a career even outside the business world. Because of the great things a degree from a business school can give, many are attracted to enroll in one. Due to the intense competition, writing an MBA admissions essay is more difficult than writing essays for other graduate schools. The tight competition in MBA school admissions make it necessary for you to write not just a well-structured and error-free essay, but also one that would grab the attention of the readers.
What are the top five mistakes to avoid in your MBA admissions essay?
Although writing an MBA essay is not as easy as writing other types of essays, you can still have a good chance in getting accepted to a prestigious MBA school if you know the topics that you should or should not include in your essay.(1)
MBA Admission Essay no-nos: Discussing Half-hearted Interests
April 18th, 2009
Getting an MBA degree can greatly help you climb up the ranks of the corporate ladder. With an MBA degree, more opportunities will be opened to you and you can find yourself being offered with a salary that’s substantially higher than the one you currently have. Before you work your way towards getting that degree, though, you first have to make sure that you get accepted into the MBA school you wish to go to. One thing that you shouldn’t take for granted is your MBA admission essay. Writing your MBA essay will give you the chance to provide admission officers with a look into your life. Because of this, it is important for you to write about something you feel passionate about, rather than trying to impress your readers with an essay that discusses things you really don’t have much interest in.(1)
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MBA Essays: Writing about Your Entrepreneurial Endeavors
March 28th, 2009
Getting into the MBA school of your choice can be quite challenging. Not only do you have to have reasonable grades to get admitted into a good MBA school, but you are also expected to write MBA admission essays. Most schools have specific questions or topics for you to answer in your MBA essay, such as “what is your career vision?” or “how have you engaged with a community or organization?”(1) Whether or not the school you are applying to has specific essay questions or topics, it can still be difficult to go about writing your MBA admissions essays. One of the best areas to focus on in your MBA essays is your entrepreneurial endeavors. Here are some tips on how to write about and develop topics of entrepreneurship and professional experience in your MBA essays:
MBA essay questions: know what to expect
Before you get started with your MBA essays, it’s important to have a good idea of what admissions committees expect from you and your essays. First, check out the admissions requirements of the school you are applying to and make sure that you know exactly what questions or topics they expect you to write about in the essay. Some schools require multiple essays, each one answering a different question. While some essay questions will ask specifically about your career life or professional experience, others will focus on more general topics.(2)
Try to take a look at the questions independently and collectively to get an idea of what the admissions committee is expecting of you. For example, some questions may be more centered on values and virtues, while others are focused on achievements and success.(3) Knowing what to expect and knowing what is expected of you will help you set clear and precise goals for your MBA admission essays.
Looking at sample MBA essays with the theme of entrepreneurship: getting ideas from an MBA essay sample about how to develop the topic of entrepreneurship
Now that you have a basic idea of what to write about in your MBA essays, you may want to gather information and ideas on how to successfully develop the theme of entrepreneurship in your essay. Perhaps the best way to begin your research is by reading sample MBA essays of those who have been successful in getting into the business school of their choice. You can find sample essays from numerous sources, such as co-workers, friends, and relatives. Aside from asking those around you, consider using the Internet to search for sample MBA essays. In fact, some websites have listings of sample application essays submitted to particular MBA schools.(4)
When you locate some useful sample MBA essays with the entrepreneurship theme, make sure to take note of how they developed the theme. What types of endeavors does the sample mention? Did the writer use a creative or unique angle to express his or her ideas? You will probably notice that many of the successful MBA essays based on a theme of entrepreneurship are those that go beyond a simple enumeration of the writer’s achievements, endeavors, and successes. Try to get ideas of what to write about and how to express it successfully.(5)
Writing about your business or entrepreneurial endeavors in your MBA admission essays
When writing your MBA essay, make sure to keep in mind the form and substance of your essay. The form is how the MBA essay is written and organized. It is important to effectively convey your message, while keeping your essay concise and coherent. The substance of your essay, while focusing on your entrepreneurial endeavors, should also speak for some of the values and virtues that you have learned along the way.
Possible topic #1: Stating in your MBA admissions essay how an MBA degree can further help your business
You may want to start by writing about some of the business experience that you have gained throughout the years. Remember that the admission resume already serves as a list of your achievements, so try to focus on only one or two of your experiences in entrepreneurship. You may want to give a little background, but make sure to keep your focus on how an MBA degree can help you with your current entrepreneurial ventures. Try to explain why you think it’s the right time for you to get an MBA degree in the context of your business. Finally, you may want to conclude your MBA essay with a few sentences about what you plan to do once you complete your MBA education.(6)
Possible topic #2: Indicating in your MBA admissions essays how an MBA degree can equip you with skills to finally start your own business
MBA admission essays can make or break your chances of getting accepted into the MBA school of your choice, so be sure to take the time and effort to write excellent essays. Indicating in your essay how an MBA degree can help you establish your own business is another good topic. By using this as a topic, you’re actually letting the admissions officers know about your future goals as a first-time entrepreneur.
Remember that writing an essay will not only help you convince the admissions committee to accept you, but it will also be a great way of reflecting upon your success, career, and life in general. Writing an MBA admission essay may seem like a daunting task at first, but, with a little inspiration and motivation, you can write an excellent essay that can get you in the MBA school of your choice.
(1) http://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/writtenapplication.html
(2) http://www.admissionsessays.com/business_school.html
(3) http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/duke_mba/daytime/apply_daytime/
(4) http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/mbainsider/sample_essays.html
(5) http://www.sampleadmissionessay.com
(6) http://businessmajors.about.com/od/admissionessays/
How to Cope with the Stress of Going to College or Graduate School
October 9th, 2008
May you be in college, medical school, law school, or an aspiring MBA degree holder, still, you will have to deal with stress and pressure from academics and other school activities. Striving to meet deadlines may be part of your everyday life and can make you feel stressed out and frustrated. Nowadays, stress is practically inescapable. You need to know how to manage it so you can become successful. Being stressed can make you less productive; it’s important that you know the factors that cause stress so how you can cope with it. Factors causing stress Individuals get stressed because of different reasons. If you have so many things to do but don’t think you have enough time, you may find yourself getting stressed. Thinking about your expenses and trying to balance your studies with your personal life may also cause frustration that can lead to stress. Inadequate sleep and unhealthy eating habits because of dealing with academics are also some stress-causing factors. Coping with stress When you find yourself feeling stressed, the best thing to do is to give yourself some rest. You may think that you’re going to lose time when you rest, but keep in mind that you won’t work efficiently when you’re stressed. If you feel the need to rest, perhaps your mind and body are just tired and need to be refreshed. Remember that you need to have adequate time for relaxation and rest because these are important for you to function at your best while in school. You can also find a hobby, sport, or activity that interests you. Doing physical activities can rev up your body and keep you in good shape so that you can deal with the physical and mental demands of going to school. Doing other activities can also make you happy and eradicate your feelings of frustration.
When you’re stressed, you might feel inadequate and get angry at yourself for not accomplishing as much as you need to. What you have to do is believe that you can succeed in your endeavors and be able to do your tasks well. After all, your school accepted you into their program because admission officers believed that you have what it takes to succeed. It would do you a world of good to believe this, too. Photo Credit : Jacob Botter
How to use sample MBA admission essays
August 20th, 2008
Ways in which Sample MBA Essays Can Help You Get into an MBA Program
Getting into an MBA program is tough because you’ll be competing with many other candidates. However, you should know that you can increase your admissions chances by writing an MBA essay that is compelling. Your MBA essay must be able to engage the interest of the reader and leave a lasting impression. If you don’t know how to write an MBA essay, taking a look at some sample MBA essays. Use sample MBA admission essays to help you write your own application essay. Here’s how:
Sample MBA essays can give you ideas
Don’t know what an MBA essay is supposed to contain? If so, then looking at sample MBA essays can give you ideas. These sample admission essays can help you create an MBA essay that an admission officer will find unique and interesting. Because you need to have ideas before you start writing your essay browsing through various sample MBA essays can help you decide what to write.
Sample MBA essays can help you choose your topic
If the school you’re applying for does not require you to answer specific questions for your admission essay, then you need to choose your own topic. When you look at sample MBA essays, you can see what others write and this will give you the chance to think of something that will set you apart from the rest. What you need to do is to draw from your own personality and life experiences and articulate how these influenced your career path and your want to get an MBA degree.
Sample MBA essays let you know what to avoid
Not all sample admission essays are equal. Scrutinize different sample MBA essays carefully and see what makes one interesting. Reading sample MBA essays gives you the chance to see both the weaknesses and strengths of these essays, which in turn gives you more insight as to what you have to avoid and what you should write about.
Sample MBA essays can inspire you
You can get inspiration from reading sample MBA essays. These essays can inspire you to think of different things to write or other angles to approach your piece. When you see what others have already written down, then you know what to do so that you can write something that distinguishes yourself from them. You will also be able to see what makes some sample MBA essays unappealing. Knowing this can help you craft a good essay.
Writing a good admissions essay takes a great deal of time. Don’t rush yourself into creating an essay just days before the deadline. You need to do an outline, gather your thoughts, and pen these thoughts down to form a coherent, interesting essay. Take the time to look at various sample MBA essays and learn from these. These sample MBA essays can help you learn how to improve your chances of getting accepted into an MBA program.
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Sample MBA personal statement essay: Family Business
August 18th, 2008
Question: Why is an MBA a critical next step toward your short- and long-term career goals? Why is ___ University the best MBA program for you?
One of the many reasons why an MBA is a critical next step toward my short- and long-term career goals is that I have a strong desire to improve the management system and business operations of my parents’ medium-sized company, which is a retail shop selling books and school and office supplies. Ever since I graduated from college, I have been seriously involved in my parents’ company, after all, I was a Management major and enjoy business a lot. After several years of closely assisting my parents make big and small business decisions, I have a full understanding of what our company is capable of. Now, I strongly believe that, without a better education, we will be ill-equipped to tap into the many lucrative opportunities that are present at our doorstep. It would be such a waste to miss out on such opportunities, especially now that we have established a strong reputation of our business in our city.
Another reason I believe that an MBA is a critical next step for my career goals is that, based on a personal principle, one should not rest on his or her laurels too early in life. I am young, optimistic, and have so much more to learn. I want to make the most out of my life and to experience as many eye-opening moments as possible. I studied from a very good college, but I refuse to believe that my learnings and experiences back in college represent the limit of what I can do. But more than what I can do for myself, I want to do something for the many people who need help and education.
Having an MBA from ____ University is a privilege that not many people may enjoy. Many are in poverty and do not even have the means to buy bread and decent clothing. But, women like me who come from families who can afford pleasures must take advantage and make the most of what we have. I am one of the women who been given the privilege of a better education and I will use this privilege to help improve the lives of our workers and other people eventually.
Finally, I wish to pursue an MBA because I want to provide a life that my future family will enjoy. I want my children to enjoy the best schools and to keep working for the best. I also want my children to grow up being responsible and generous toward others. So, to accomplish all of my goals, I need an MBA from ___ University, which will help me be successful financially and personally.
The MBA program offered by ____ University focuses on meeting global standards and introduces new business perspectives. These standards and perspectives will help business women like me face business challenges in a more enlightened view and to implement solutions that are more helpful and effective. Finally, an MBA from ___ University will help business leaders to participate in the global business arena with greater confidence and a more profound life perspective.
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How to Find the Right MBA Program
April 23rd, 2008
Deciding to enroll in an MBA program is an important decision, but even more significant is your decision of which program to take up. Some people choose to look at rankings to guide their decision. In truth, there is much more to consider when choosing the MBA program that is right for you.
Committing to Commitments
One thing that you have to be cautious of when choosing your MBA program is commitment. Not only do you have to mind your commitment to your program, but you must also be mindful of any prior commitments that you’ve made – such as a job or your family. Depending on your situation this factor has the potential to hold the most weight in deciding which MBA program you take. Luckily, there are many kinds of program types to choose from:
Part time vs Full time
One year vs Two years
MBA vs Executive MBA
Specialty degree vs Joint degrees
Although your commitments play a central role in this decision, there are other factors that will help you hone in on what is just right for you.
Key Elements
There are a number of key factors that will help you narrow down your choices. Most of these elements have to do with MBA schools and their accommodations.
Location – this will have an effect on where you live, what kind of people you will deal with, and the culture that you will encounter
Students and Faculty – a program that is culturally diverse and intellectually stimulating can broaden your view of business and challenge you to higher achievements
Networking – the people you work with will determine much about your comfort level and your future network
Accreditation – which of your subjects will be accredited when you enter your program of choice?
Cost – be sure to look into tuition, scholarships, and any other costs that may come about like living quarters
Choosing Success
Choosing a program that you find interesting, achievable, and beneficial to your future plans will greatly increase your chances of success. Talk to people who have taken the programs that you’re interested and try to discern whether or not the course is right for you. Ask for opinions, insights, and suggestions as to what school to choose, which program to take, and what program types to consider. There are many ways of determining what is right for you, it is just a matter of choosing success.
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How to apply to an MBA program
March 8th, 2008
How does one apply to a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Program in the US?
Getting ahead in this world of information and technology requires not just the usual panache and street smarts. The foundation to sure-fire success is a good… no… make that an excellent, education. In most job opportunities, an undergraduate degree is enough. But if one really dreams of becoming a CEO, graduate and post graduate degrees are a necessity. What does an MBA mean and entail? How does one go about applying for an MBA?
Free sample admission essay outlines customized to YOUR biography
Free admissions essays examples
An MBA is graduate degree that can be attained at a university or college. It’s syllabus focus on the theoretical and practical training of its students. The aim of which is for the scholar to gain an even more thorough understanding of general business management functions as compared to an undergraduate degree. MBA degrees usually concentrate on the mastery of topics on accounting, finance or marketing.
Most major academic institutions offer MBA programs and the program can usually be completed within two years. Different universities have various criteria but there are standard essentials that one needs to take note of if one is interested in the acquisition of an MBA degree.
How to apply?
The application process for any program under any academic institution requires time, energy, and of course, money. Planning your course of action is important. Awareness of application schedules and deadlines in the university of your choice is a must. Plan and strategize! This will give you the much needed time to acquire the basic requirements.
The Basic Requirement
An undergraduate degree is a must. Your academic records in your undergraduate course will be your ticket in convincing MBA programs that you are worthy of admission. A four-year college or university is preferred. Your undergraduate transcripts will vouch for your abilities.
Other academic activities, such as extra classes outside of your course or academic papers that you were able to publish will also help your application.
The GMAT
More often than not, an MBA program requires an applicant to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and be accepted by the program based on its results. What exactly does the GMAT inspect in an applicant?
The GMAT basically examines the ability of the applicant to cope with the demands of a graduate program. The GMAT exam measures basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that should have been developed in the span of years spent on one’s education and work experience. The cost for the GMAT exam is $250 worldwide. This is the standard rate but taxes vary depending on the countries where the exam will take place. Most business schools recognize the GMAT as an effective tool in assessing the competency of an applicant.
Does this automatically mean that passing the GMAT ensures an entry to any graduate program? Does this also mean that all who wish to study for an MBA have to take the GMAT? Not necessarily. Sometimes, the institution only requires more years of work experience or an excellent academic record in lieu of a GMAT.
Work Experience
Other graduate programs, like Master of Arts or Sciences degrees, do not require work experience but that is not the case with MBAs. MBA programs require work experience because the workplace is an excellent arena to test the capabilities of people. The responsibilities you were able to handle, the projects you were able to head or the tasks you were assigned to- these are all excellent qualitative ways in which business schools can gauge your talents and skills.
Essays, Interviews and Recommendation Letters
Like most job opportunities or academic applications, admission essays (also known as personal statements or statements of purpose) and interviews are necessary to give the university a sense of who you are and who are they basically admitting to their halls of learning.
Your essay should not only be perfectly composed in terms of delivery, content and grammar, it should also provide a glimpse as to who you are now and what you expect to become when you enter their program. This will impress upon the administrators your intellect and foresight. More importantly, it will underscore your seriousness in scholarly pursuits.
An interview is an indication that you are one step ahead in becoming a graduate student. The privilege of an interview means that your records speak for itself and that you are being considered for a spot in their school. Now, all you need to do is cement the good impression that you have given by being honest and forthright during the interview.
A good recommendation can make or break an application. It gives particular evidence of your skills and talents. People whom you should ask to give you an evaluation are your employers, colleagues, associates and peers.
Extra, Extra
Any other interests as evidenced in your extracurricular activities, community involvement and hobbies give insight to your character and personality. These should also be included in your application. You may have a chance to mention them in your application form, submitted essays and interview. Consistency is a must but a well-rounded personality is always appreciated.
Take note of all these and you are on your way to becoming a true blue scholar.
