Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Michigan Ross Essay Tips and Guidance 2013 - 2014

Introduce yourself to your future Ross classmates in 100 words or less.
  • This is your elevator pitch.  The best advice I can offer here is – KEEP IT SIMPLE.  Give your reader a few clear signals to remember you by – “he’s the Peace Corps guy from NC”, or “he’s the marathon runner from McKinsey” or “she’s the professional dancer from India”, or “she’s the Indonesia Govt emissary..”.  You get the message.
  • Keep your “change the world” ambitions out of this one – how would you really introduce yourself to other classmates?  Where you’re from, where you grew up, what your professional experiences have been, what your goals are, what your interests and hobbies are – that’s it!


What about your professional experiences has led you to determine that business school is the right next step? (150 words)
It is hard to answer this question without discussing your goals (which is asked in a subsequent question below), but try to avoid discussing the future in too much detail.  Focus on your past experiences and why now is the most appropriate time for you to do an MBA.

As you have researched MBA programs, what actions have you taken to learn more about Ross and what has led you to believe that Ross is the right MBA program for you? (150 words)

This essay should flow very smoothly from the previous one – i.e., your past experiences and the “why Ross” piece should not seem disjointed.  Be sure to include specifics about classroom courses, extra-curriculars such as interest and hobby clubs, as well as professional and academic clubs and ventures that apply to your goals and past experiences.

What career do you plan to pursue after business school and why? (150 words)

Most structured way to respond to this would be to address both short term (post-MBA and beyond) and long-term career goals.   The “why” part should be self-evident in your response.  Again, this essay and the previous two should flow smoothly with each other, and if read together, should give a complete picture of your candidacy.

Describe a time in your career when you were frustrated or disappointed. What advice would you give to a colleague who was dealing with a similar situation? (400 word maximum)
  • Please, try to avoid blaming someone else through this essay – a large number of candidates will write about a co-worker who let them down or a horrible boss – remember, this is an essay about you, not them!
  • A lot of candidates also think “what you learned from the experience” actually means “how did you fix the problem” – please don’t fall into this trap.  It’s okay just to describe a setback or challenge, and what you took away from it – you don’t have to describe how much better you were the next time you faced the same issue or how you resolved it.


What are you most passionate about and why? How will this passion positively impact Ross (300 word maximum)
Can be a cause, a hobby, a sport, a professional objective, a personal goal, etc.
If you don’t have a passion, it’s okay.  A lot of people don’t.  Think of a something you have a strong interest in that you can positively leverage to bring value to Ross.


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

NYU Stern Essay Tips & Guidance 2013 - 2014

Why pursue an MBA (or dual degree) at this point in your life? What actions have you taken to determine that Stern is the best fit for your MBA experience? What do you see yourself doing professionally upon graduation?

  • Like other 750 word essays, the most challenging part of this essay is the writing – keeping a tight structure, smooth transitions, and content that keeps the reader interested and engaged in your story.
  • Keep in mind that you will also be preparing the last question that is supposed to give AdCom broader perspective on who you are – as such, keep this essay limited strictly to professional situations and goals
  • When you write about the “why Stern” part, allow the reader to draw natural conclusions about your fit in the community – draw out specific things that will highlight how you will contribute to the areas most important to you
  • Keep the "professional career after graduation" piece brief - note the next question where you will be speaking to your career paths in great detail


Essay 2: Choose Option A or Option B (Note: We mostly recommend candidates pick Option B, because of how creative it can allow you to be)

Option A: Describe two different and distinct paths you could see your career taking long term. How do you see your two paths unfolding? What factors will most determine which path you will take? How do your paths tie to the mission of NYU Stern?
  • This essay is actually liberating for most candidates - so many applicants do in fact have multiple career paths in mind that they could be successful at
  • For each path that you discuss, speak to how it ties to the mission of Stern very specifically
  • The two paths can be in the same industry, but it's important to highlight clearly the difference between the two if you go down this route


Option B: Please describe yourself to your MBA classmates. You may use almost any method to convey your message (e.g. words, illustrations). Feel free to be creative.

Very similar to Booth’s presentation format – here are some tips:
  • Lots of pictures.  The whole point of being given the allowance to send in a PDF or PPT is that you can be creative and include pictures of you doing things, instead of writing about it. We strongly recommend including at least 5 - 8 pictures in the deck.
  • Creative art / cartoons:  Candidates often complain about not having enough pictures that are presentable.  Then mock it up!  Use a creative illustrator and create some art that can showcase the fun side of you.
  • Required: Fun!  This essay is supposed to be mostly addressed to your future classmates.  Please reserve your professional accomplishments for your written essays, and use this one to show your fun side.  If you don't have a fun side (ahem), at least display your personal attributes - pictures of your family, of you growing up, doing silly things, etc.  Good way to show that you can laugh at yourself!
  • Themes: If you are completely out of ideas, use a theme that defines you for each page.  E.g., "Family Man", "Adventurer", "Researcher", "Athlete", etc.
  • Tell a story!  The easiest thing to understand is a chronological story, from when you grew up to where you are now.  An easy format that has been leveraged nicely by many candidates.

Other ideas: "day in my life", flash card format, letter format, etc.

Good luck!



Chicago Booth Presentation Tips and Guidance - 2013 - 2014

For some reason, this essay question is a PITA (pain-in-the-a) for all candidates.  Most don't have powerpoint skills, and the ones who do (consultants?) are never happy with what they end up with.  So, here are some tips to help you out:

  • Lots of pictures.  The whole point of being given the allowance to send in a PDF or PPT is that you can be creative and include pictures of you doing things, instead of writing about it. We strongly recommend including at least 5 - 8 pictures in the deck.
  • Creative art / cartoons:  Candidates often complain about not having enough pictures that are presentable.  Then mock it up!  Use a creative illustrator and create some art that can showcase the fun side of you.
  • Required: Fun!  This essay is supposed to be mostly addressed to your future classmates.  Please reserve your professional accomplishments for your written essays, and use this one to show your fun side.  If you don't have a fun side (ahem), at least display your personal attributes - pictures of your family, of you growing up, doing silly things, etc.  Good way to show that you can laugh at yourself!
  • Themes: If you are completely out of ideas, use a theme that defines you for each page.  E.g., "Family Man", "Adventurer", "Researcher", "Athlete", etc.
  • Tell a story!  The easiest thing to understand is a chronological story, from when you grew up to where you are now.  An easy format that has been leveraged nicely by many candidates.

Other ideas: "day in my life", flash card format, letter format, etc.

Good luck!


Berkeley Haas Essay Tips and Guidance 2013 - 2014

If you could choose one song that expresses who you are, what is it and why? (250 word maximum)
  • What can we say, don't pick "I'm sexy and I know it!" :-)
  • Great question - but also tough - remember to explain why the song is important to you - not just because it was played at a certain event etc. - it should express who you are.


What is your most significant accomplishment? (250 word maximum)
  • Pick only one accomplishment - can be personal or professional - describe why you think it is your most significant accomplishment
  • To the extent possible, try and qualify and/or quantify the impact of what you did so that a reader can relate to it more easily -- this is especially true if you are picking a professional situation


Describe a time in the last three years when you overcame a failure. What specific insight from this experience has shaped your development? (250 word maximum)
  • Please people – a failure is a failure.  It’s not supposed to make you look good – i.e., don’t use examples where you fixed something that you broke
  • Take only 2 – 3 sentences to describe the failure itself – and spend the majority of this essay explaining how you overcame it, why it was important and what you learned from it
  • Note:  For some reason, candidates are very tempted to include a second story about when they were in the exact same situation and then reacted differently to it.  You do NOT need to reiterate what you learned by saying this way.


What are your post-MBA short-term and long-term career goals? How have your professional experiences prepared you to achieve these goals?
b. How will an MBA from Haas help you achieve these goals? (750 word maximum for 4a. and 4b.)

The most challenging part of this essay is the writing – that is, writing a 750 word essay that has a tight structure, smooth transitions, and content that keeps the reader interested and engaged in your story.

To keep it as structured as possible, avoid going back and forth chronologically – keep the timeline as easy as possible on the reader.  A simple approach to this that usually works:
  • Prior professional experiences and background
  • Short-term goals
  • Long-term goals
  • How the MBA is a bridge between your past and your goals
  • Why Haas?  (should be completely tied in with all the previous pieces).



Ideally, all of these fragments should have one theme – one consistent story about your professional life and future goals that give AdCom a real detailed picture of what you are bringing to Haas.

Duke Fuqua Essay Tips and Guidance 2013 - 2014

Share with us your list of "25 Random Things" about YOU.  Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be only a few words, while others may be longer. Your complete list should not exceed 2 pages.


  • Wow - this one has a lot of people sweating, doesn't it?  It shouldn't - it honestly is the easiest essay question out there - what a great opportunity to put yourself out and show AdCom that you are more than what's on your resume
  • So, what is good to include on the list and what isn't?   You can include your hobbies, what you like, what you do outside of work, crazy things that you have done, things about your family / friends, etc.   What you shouldn't include is too many of the same types of bullets - e.g., too many food-related bullets or too many travel related bullets etc.
  • Keep a good balance and try and include 25 different attributes about yourself that will flesh out your personality for the reader.  If you're not sure what to include ask your BFFs, your better halves or others for the few things that they remember you by. 
  • Suggestion: If you are really unsure of what to include, send an email to your dearest friends and colleagues and ask them to write up the first few fun things about you that occur to them - then you can adapt that to answer this question.


When asked by your family, friends, and colleagues why you want to go to Duke, what do you tell them? Share the reasons that are most meaningful to you.  Your response to this essay question should be no more than 2 pages in length. Please respond fully and concisely using 1.5 line spacing

Two parts to this:  First, why Duke is right for you.  It’s really important in this part of the essay to tie their offerings to your background and goals described in the first essay – the two should not seem disjointed.   Discuss the classes, interests and clubs you will take advantage of to further your own learning and goals when you are at Duke.

Second, why you are right for Duke.  The best responses to this essay will discuss how the applicant will leverage their knowledge, experiences and skill sets to add value to the Duke community in a few different ways:
  • Academically, in the classroom and in groups
  • Curricular activities, such as professional clubs
  • Extra-curricular activities, such as interest groups