Applying to business school is an extremely competitive process. Top schools such as Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Wharton hold...
If you’re in the process of applying to business schools, you already know that there’s so much that goes into a successful MBA application. You need strong GMAT or GRE scores, good work experience, great references and a compelling, effective MBA personal statement.
Your MBA personal statement tells the admissions committee who you are as a person, why you should be admitted into an MBA program and how the degree will shape your career plans. It’s one of the most important pieces of your application, as it gives you the chance to address weaknesses in your materials and present yourself as a well-rounded person. A well-crafted MBA personal statement allows a school’s admissions committee to see the person behind the resume, but how can you use a brief written statement to show admissions committees who you are as a person and professional?
Tell a Story
Your MBA personal statement shouldn’t be a dry recitation of your career progress to date. It should tell a story about who you are, what you’ve been working toward in your career and how you think an MBA from the specific school to which you’re applying will help you reach that goal.
Remember that admissions committees at some schools read hundreds, if not thousands, of these essays, so you want yours to be memorable and stand out. Think about what makes you unique, and seek to craft an essay that reflects your personality and voice. The story you tell should be about what you’ve already done in your career, but it should also go on to show admissions committees what you hope to achieve in the future and why their program can help you achieve it.
Show How the Program and School Are Right for You
Whether you’re applying to traditional or online MBA programs in California or across the nation, admissions committee members are going to want to know why you chose their school. Does the program offer a concentration that suits your career goals and the interests you’ve already developed through prior experience? Does the school offer resources that appeal to you? Is it located in the region where you hope to work? Do you have personal connections to alumnae, faculty or current students? Did you form a good impression of the school and program during a campus visit? Answering some or all of these questions can help admissions committees determine whether you would be a good fit for the program, and vice versa.
Express Confidence
You don’t need to waste precious space in your personal statement pointing out that no one can predict the future or know whether you will achieve your goals. This is obvious; admissions committees know that not some graduates will come up against obstacles they can’t surmount. While it’s a good idea not to seem too proud of your current achievements, you should express confidence in your ability to reach your stated goals. Show that you have a realistic, solid plan for your career, and give the committee confidence by showing what you’ve already accomplished.
Address Shortcomings
Do you have weaknesses in your application, like a low undergraduate GPA, less-than-ideal GMAT scores or fewer years of work experience than the admissions committee requires? That doesn’t mean you can’t apply, but you can use your personal statement as a place to address those shortcomings and show the admissions committee that you’ve moved beyond them. Address your shortcomings head on, and explain how you’ve worked to overcome the obstacle. Reassure the committee that you’re capable of recognizing your personal weaknesses and taking action to overcome them.
Writing a successful MBA personal statement can mean the difference between getting into the school of your choice and having your application tossed into the garbage with the dozens of others who didn’t make the cut. You should focus on making your personal statement as well-written and compelling as possible. Let your personality shine, so admissions committees can get a sense of who you are and what you’ll bring to the program as a person, professional and student. Admissions committees want to make sure that each member of a given cohort is a good fit for the program and the school, and your personal statement is your chance to show them that you’d be an excellent candidate for their degree.
