As an MBA applicant, you know that your essay is one of the most critical components of your application. And while you may be tempted to simply write what comes to mind, taking the time to craft a well-thought-out and compelling essay can make all the difference.
At Mr. MBA, we want to get to know our applicants as people – beyond their academic and professional accomplishments. Your essay provides us with an opportunity to do just that. So how can you ensure that your piece stands out?
Here are five tips to help you write an essay that will get you accepted to HBS:
Tip#1 Start Early
The most important tip for writing a successful MBA application essay is to start early. This may seem like obvious advice, but giving yourself enough time to reflect and introspect is essential. The admissions committee wants to get to know you personally, and the best way to do that is to give yourself ample time to write an honest and authentic essay.
As any writer knows, the first draft is seldom perfect. By starting early, you'll have time to revise and edit your essays until they're truly polished. That way, you can be sure that you're putting your best self forward - and not rushing through the process at the last minute.
A great way to start is with us here at Mr. MBA. We know how important these essays really are; We'll make sure every word counts to catch the attention of admissions committee members like me. So if you're serious about getting into Harvard Business School, this extra effort can make a big difference in the eyes of the admissions committee.
Tip#2 Be Authentic and Tell Your Own Story
As you sit down to start writing your essay, you may feel a little overwhelmed. After all, this is your chance to show the admissions committee who you are and why you deserve a spot in their program.
One of the best ways to approach this essay is to be authentic and tell your own story– after all, they want to know who you are as a person and what makes you tick. Don't try to pretend to be someone you're not – instead, let your personality shine through. This will help the admissions committee better understand who you are and what you would bring to their program.
So how do you go about telling your story? Well, there are a few key things you should keep in mind:
Start by brainstorming all of the things that make you unique and interesting
Think about why you want an MBA and what you hope to gain from it
Be specific in describing your experiences and accomplishments
Show off your writing skills by making your essay clear, concise, and error-free
But remember, this isn't a test or an interview - it's simply an opportunity for admissions officers to get to know you better. They want to get to know YOU, not some made-up version of who you think they want you to be. So relax and take your time – it's vital to get this essay right!
Tip#3 Be Specific
Vague statements won't impress anyone, so ensure you provide concrete examples of your accomplishments and detail how they'll help you succeed in business school. To stand out from the rest of the applicants, you need to show that you have a clear idea of what you want and how HBS can help you get there.
Just as we do it here at Mr. MBA, we will give you ideas and examples of how you will present the things you have done or achieved, the challenges you have faced, and how you overcame them.
And most importantly, we will help you express yourself and explain why you want to pursue an MBA at Harvard. If you can make the Admissions Committee and see how HBS will help you, you're on your way to acceptance!
Tip#4 Use Good Grammar and Punctuation
Grammar and punctuation can be a make-or-break factor in your application. As admissions officers will tell you, exemplary grammar and punctuation are essential for a successful application essay. Poor grammar or incorrect punctuation can make your writing seem unprofessional. This tip may seem common sense, but many applicants submit essays with careless mistakes.
And don’t worry! Together with Mr. MBA, we will make sure to proofread your essay carefully. We will catch typos, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing and suggest improvements. We will help you with everything before allowing you to click "submit."
By taking the time to polish your essay, you'll send a strong signal that you're serious about attending Harvard Business School.
Tip#5 Get Feedback
So you've written your application essay but are unsure how it sounds. Getting feedback is one of the most important steps in the process. This can be challenging, but fortunately, plenty of people are more than happy to offer their opinion.
One of the best ways to get feedback on your essays is to ask people who know you well and will give you honest feedback. Friends, family, and even strangers can be excellent sources of feedback, or you can hire a professional editor. And hey! We are here. You don’t need to worry about finding the most reliable feedback; you can get that from MR. MBA's Super Board & Advisory Team consists of outstanding experience and service rockstars. So, once you have a draft of your essay, ask our board for their thoughts.
Most importantly, you must be open to constructive criticism - if our Advisory Team points out a flaw in your essay, don't get defensive; instead, use it as an opportunity to improve your work. Also, bear in mind that not everyone will have the same opinion. After taking their feedback into account, make sure to make the necessary revisions.
Remember, the goal is to create an essay that is uniquely yours, so don't be afraid to be creative and take some risks.
Wrapping It Up
The Harvard MBA application essay is arguably the most important part of your application. After all, it's your chance to show the admissions committee who you are and why you deserve to be admitted to their program. And let's be honest, the HBS program is one of the most competitive in the world—but that doesn't mean it's impossible to get in.
Here at Mr. MBA, we understand that applying to business school can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be! We will guide you through the process and ensure your application essay shines.
Contact us today, and let us help you take your application to the next level! With hard work, dedication, and these five tips in hand, you'll be well on your way to crafting standout essays that will help you earn a spot in this prestigious program.