Last week on Tuck 360, we shared the essay questions required from those applying to Tuck during the 2015 - 2016 application cycle. Essays are often one of the most challenging aspects of any MBA application.
Like many MBA candidates, you may find yourself with little time to spend on introspection. The MBA application process is an opportunity to reflect on your experiences, your plans for the future and what motivates you. As you begin to write your MBA essays, keep the following tips in mind:
1) Be authentic. Don’t write your essay based on what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Instead, approach your essays with your individual accomplishments, experiences and goals in mind.
2) Answer the question being asked. This may seem obvious, but you might be surprised to know that applicants sometimes get so caught up in the story they want to tell that they lose sight of question being presented.
3) Stay as close to the recommended word limit of 500 words as possible. In our experience, we see that applicants who adhere to the suggested limit stay on topic. While we don’t count the words in every essay we will notice when you meander and ramble.
4) Proofread, review, repeat. Again, this may seem obvious, but it is easy to overlook some pretty big mistakes (referring to another school for example). Have someone you trust read your essays as well. It also helps if you read your essay out loud (and may be a great stress reducer from the comic relief of talking to yourself!).
Finally, if you're considering writing your essays as a haiku, or just want some more essay insight, check out this post from Senior Associate Director of Admissions Amy Mitson: Creating Memorable Essays...and Memorable in a Good Way.