As an MBA consultant, I’ve worked with many students applying for top business schools. While each student brings unique experiences and ambitions, I’ve noticed several recurring mistakes in their application essays. Here are the four most common pitfalls—and how to avoid them.
1. Goals or Vision Not Backed by Experiences
Eight out of ten students who approach me for essay help say they want to use their MBA to start something new—launch a startup or disrupt an industry. The problem? Only 2–5% of MBA graduates actually pursue entrepreneurship right out of school, and admissions committees are well aware of this.
Admissions officers aren’t seeking the next Elon Musk. Instead, they’re looking for candidates with realistic, actionable post MBA goals grounded in their past experiences. If your vision is to pivot into entrepreneurship, you must demonstrate how your background has prepared you for this. What skills, knowledge, or experiences have sparked this passion or equipped you for success?
It’s also perfectly acceptable to have more traditional goals, like joining management consulting, investment banking, or a tech company after your MBA. These are some of the most common and successful career paths for MBA graduates.
A strong essay illustrates how the MBA fits into your broader career story. Be honest about where you are now, what you’ve achieved so far, and why the MBA is the logical next step. Credibility is just as important as ambition.
2. Listing All Your Achievements
Another mistake I frequently encounter is students treating the essay as a checklist of their accomplishments. For example, they write something like:
Increased revenue by 25% in my first year at XYZ Company.
Led a team of 15 across three continents.
Spearheaded a multi-million-dollar marketing campaign.
While these achievements are impressive, listing them in your essay misses the point. Your résumé already captures these milestones. The essay is your chance to go deeper, to give admissions officers a sense of who you are, not just what you’ve done.
Focus on 1–2 key experiences that have shaped your journey, values, or goals. Reflect on:
Why you made the decisions you did.
The challenges you faced and how they changed you.
The lessons you took away.
For instance, instead of saying, “I managed a team of 15,” elaborate on the context:
What was the project, and why was it significant?
What obstacles did you overcome as a leader?
How did this experience influence your decision to pursue an MBA?
By curating your examples thoughtfully and emphasizing depth over breadth, you’ll craft an essay that resonates deeply with the admissions committee.
3. Listing All the School’s Programs to Answer “Why This School”
When answering the “Why this school?” essay prompt, some students try to prove they’ve done their research by listing every major program, club, and resource the school offers—almost like a catalog. While this shows effort, it often misses the essence of the question. Admissions committees aren’t testing how much you know about the school. Instead, they want to understand who you are and what you’re passionate about.
It’s crucial to focus on a clear theme—whether tied to a professional goal or a personal passion. Highlight the resources, courses, or clubs that genuinely resonate with you and align with your aspirations. For example:
If you’re excited about social impact, discuss the school’s specific initiatives in sustainability or nonprofit management.
If you’re transitioning into technology, mention how a particular course or faculty member can enhance your knowledge.
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