($) In your career goals / why MBA essay, everything needs to line up just so.

When you’re putting together your pitch for admission to the business school of your dreams, the task really is about assembling chunks of content that fit together into an argument. (See: Good first drafts aren’t written. They’re assembled.)

That’s what a pitch is, right? You’re making the case that you belong at that school.

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Let’s talk about what the purpose of an essay is, and how you can identify the pieces that need to go into it.
 
 

 
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All of that is to say: Be selective in what you include, and double-check that the reasons you’re giving in answer to the essay prompt are logical and sound. Not everything that excites you about this school needs to be jammed into an essay! You’ll want to include those things that truly do excite you, but it’s OK to leave some ideas on the cutting room floor. Or keep them in your back pocket for the interview.

Or, if you’re so excited by them that you really truly feel they need to go into the essay, then that can be OK too! These are your essays so you’re the only one who needs to be happy with them!

And the adcom, of course!!! fingers crossed, right?!!

 
 

 
 
You may also be interested in:

• Positioning your background in support of your goals
• “Why MBA” and “why now” in your career goals essay