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($) Already have a Master’s degree? Why do you also need an MBA now?

June 27, 2019 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

Some schools don’t really focus on this issue but a few of them do – including Tuck in particular, who in the past wouldn’t even consider a candidate with a prior MBA or MBA-similar degree, like the PGP from India. They are (somewhat?) loosening those restrictions in the new admissions climate but even if you have some other business-y graduate degree that’s not same-same to an MBA, it always helps to take the bull by the horns and make the case for why the MBA is needed now.

After all, you already spent a bunch of time and money earning one master’s degree. What’s up with the idea to go get another one?

This information can often be included effectively in an “why MBA” or career goals essay, or sometimes it goes on the application itself, for schools that have explicit questions about it. Or, maybe you could include it in an optional essay. It really depends on what your pre-existing master’s is in and when and where you earned it, and also what you’re saying you want to do with your career now. So the placement of this info needs to be considered as part of your overall content strategy, and there’s no “put it HERE” guidance we can offer that works definitively for all situations.

When you explain this, a very important guideline is to BE BRIEF and cut to the chase. That’s true for all essay content but it’s really true for something like this. If it’s a well-known and common master’s program like a master of finance or accounting, you don’t need to explain the program itself; your adcom reader will already know what it covers. So don’t waste words on that, unless it’s more esoteric or extremely specialized, and then yeah, a quick sentence on the focus or purpose would be warranted.

The schools really want to know, why do you need the MBA now? Not, what did the Master’s degree not cover. And, writing in positive terms is important.

So at risk of violating our policy of not writing anyone’s essays, we’ll offer this templatized version of what needs to go in such an explanation:

In YEAR I was interested in pursuing CAREER and the Master in SUBJECT was ideal [optionally include a because: it gave me such and such – it focused on XYZ]. Now I am pursuing NEW CAREER and need the MBA from SCHOOL because [write in positive terms about the key reasons for the MBA based on new skills that bschool gives that the prior master’s did not – but only in positive terms, not saying that “the previous degree did not do X” but in “the MBA will do Y”]

PLEASE REWRITE THIS IN YOUR OWN WORDS! We’re just including the standard that it needs to include. If you copy this and just plug in your data then you’re essentially plagiarizing EssaySnark and that’s really not cool.

This is in the category of “why MBA” and it comes down to examining your profile from the perspective of a lawyer: You’re making an argument for why THIS education is needed based on what you bring to the table today, and all your past history incorporated and considered. Nothing is examined in a vacuum. There’s such a thing as a ‘collector of degrees’ and every now and then we run into a BSer who’s solely enamored of attaching three little letters to their name…. but there’s no rhyme or reason behind it. This type of analysis is important so you can anticipate the questions your adcom reader may have.

The MBA is wicked expensive. Why is this the right thing to do next?

Filed Under: "why MBA" essays, GPA and grades, optional essay Tagged With: prior master's

« Previous: ($) How are you ‘differentiated’ part 2
Next: Don’t click on crap. »

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Sometimes amused and often appalled by what candidates write in their MBA applications to top bschools, EssaySnark created this little blahg to share common mistakes. Learn from them and avoid making admissions directors laugh (or want to hurl) when they read your essays. If you are hoping to have your essay reviewed anonymously on the blahg for free, submit it for consideration.

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From a BSer January 2020:
"love the guide books!"


CLASS OF 2023 MBA APPLICATION STRATEGY GUIDES

     
    The 2020 Berkeley-Haas MBA Application Guide - updated for the Class of 2023 application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Berkeley Haas - refreshed and updated, with brainstorming exercises and structured maps to help you focus your stories!
   
    The 2020-2021 NYU Stern MBA Application Guide that covers the main essay, the EQ Endorsement and Pick Six!
SnarkStrategies Guide for NYU - discusses your requirements for the Class of 2023 essays!
   
    The 2020-2021 Columbia MBA Application Guide
SnarkStrategies Guide for Columbia Business School for 2020-2021 applications
   
    The 2020 Harvard MBA Application Guide - completely overhauled and updated for the coronavirus era!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Harvard Business School!
   
    The 2020-2021 Duke Essay Guide - covers the 25 Random Things essay and all the rest too!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Duke Fuqua - up to date for the current season!
   
    The 2020-2021 MIT Essay Guide covers the org chart, the contacts for two references, and additional tips for the cover letter and 'introduce yourself' video -- and everything else you need to know!
SnarkStrategies Guide for MIT Sloan MBA - totally revised for the Class of 2023!
   
    The 2020-2021 Tuck Essay Guide has been refreshed with latest insights and advice for your essays about "investing generously" and "why Tuck"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for the Dartmouth Tuck MBA - completely overhauled for 2020, to help you demonstrate how you are nice, aware, etc stuff!
   
    The Yale SOM MBA Application Guide for Class of 2023 candidates!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Yale SOM - updated for 2020-2021
   
    The 2020-2021 Chicago Booth MBA Application Guide - ready to go to support your Class of 2023 essay strategy!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Chicago Booth for this year's MBA app!
   
    The 2020 Wharton MBA Application Guide - even more advice on how to get to a win with those essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for The Wharton School - with new tips for 2020!
   
    The 2020 Kellogg Essay Guide - with a full methodology to identify your 'lasting impact' and your 'values' -- plus tips on 2020 world events and applicability to your essays!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Kellogg MBA - updated and revised for the new realities of 2020!    
      The 2020 Stanford MBA Application Guide - for "what matters most" in your MBA application!
SnarkStrategies Guide for Stanford GSB for the Class of 2023
   
    The 2020-2021 UCLA Anderson MBA Application Guide - updated for Class of 2023 on "impact"!
SnarkStrategies Guide for 
UCLA
   
   

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  • 2020: ($) The reality of applying to external scholarships for your graduate education
  • 2018: You made it! Now do this. (Reality Check Dub)
  • 2017: Military Candidate Question: "Why does Stanford have a smaller percentage of Vets?"
  • 2017: What happens to global business schools when the U.S. President is protectionist?
  • 2016: Used to be, the waitlist meant you had a real chance.
  • 2016: ($) The biggest reason why Round 3 is not worth it.
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  • 2015: Rate the Schools!
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  • 2014: Consider broadening your horizons.
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