This post is marked as OLD. The strategies outlined here are still sound, since Kellogg still wants to get the same type of solid pitch from its MBA candidates. Go here for the latest-greatest in Kellogg MBA essays.
People may be surprised to learn that during my downtime I collect and test new recipes to add to the cookbook that I have started. In my family, as in many Italian families, food plays a major role. Meals are not just about eating, they are a chance for all of us to enjoy one…
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cheetarah1980 says
ES, I was having a conversation about this essay with another applicant just the other day. He wrote this essay and wanted me to review it. I made the same exact point that you just did: tell me WHY it's surprising. I think that a lot of us assume that what we do is really unique so much so that doing it is surprising in and of itself. Nice to see you explain why anyone who writes this essay needs to state why their “thing” is surprising.
essaysnark says
Exactly, cheetarah1980. The Kellogg adcom is giving you an open invitation here to present something UNIQUE about your profile – but if it's something standard like cooking (or apparently what you friend wrote) then more positioning usually needs to be done so it will work for the question. It's exactly what you are pointing to: People forget that a complete stranger will be reading it.
Some answers don't need the “why” explanation (“People are surprised to learn that I climbed Mt Everest!” or “People are surprised to learn that I was a candidate for President of the USA!”) – the improbables are self-evident. Other answers may need more context.
ccatcher says
I thought of writing that essay . But none of my stories were surprise material.
Now, they are running jokes among my friends who read those stories.