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You are here: Home / Snarchives for planning your strategy / branding and theme

($) Figuring out what the schools want.

August 6, 2019 by EssaySnark

One of the best ways to make a crappy set of essays is to write what you think the schools want to hear. This post is not about that. Instead, this is a follow-on to our previous post about theme. If you want to figure out how to position yourself in the best light possible...


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Filed Under: branding and theme

($) Developing your application theme

July 18, 2019 by EssaySnark

The whole notion of ‘theme’ in MBA applications is a slippery one – and frankly, it’s not something you need to actively worry about too much. Not that active worrying ever accomplished anything, anyway. Getting a handle on what theme is can help you know what you’re aiming for, but we don’t propose that you...


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Filed Under: branding and theme

The problem with the idea of “branding” in your MBA application

September 7, 2017 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

A recent talk by Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg at Stanford reminded us of why the concept of branding is not a great one when it comes to putting yourself out there in your MBA apps, or whatever professional context the term is bandied about. See what she says: Want to see more of our thoughts on […]

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Filed Under: branding and theme

($) How to show your authenticity: Storytelling

May 5, 2017 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

We’ve been talking about authenticity as part of the MBA application process this week – in case you missed it, here’s the first post, and then one specific to Stanford but which offers an exercise that may prove interesting in general. Then we had another on sharing who you are with the adcoms, and finally […]

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Filed Under: branding and theme, writing essays Tagged With: authenticity, storytelling

($) “I have so much stuff, I can’t fit it on a one-page resume.”

December 30, 2016 by EssaySnark

We understand. But we hate to break it to you, Brave Supplicant: You can always fit it. There are very very few situations where a two-page resume is warranted in an MBA app. Yours is probably not one of them. There’s two main issues with “I can’t make it fit!” (poutyface) complaints, as far as...


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Filed Under: branding and theme, resumes Tagged With: theme

($) All those “humble” BSers.

December 7, 2016 by EssaySnark

There seemed to be a trend hitting Snarkville last season, particularly in Round 2, where we had all these BSers writing in their essays to the top business schools about how “humble” they are. While we certainly appreciate that quality in a person – no really, despite the snark often coming from our direction, we...


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Filed Under: "show don't tell", branding and theme Tagged With: EQ or lack thereof

($) Strong first sentence

August 11, 2016 by EssaySnark

Some time back* we got this inquiry from a Brave Supplicant: I have begun the essay writing process and based on what the blahg posts I have read, you always recommend starting with a “strong” first sentence for the essays. Are there guidelines on creating these statements – say if I don’t have anything of...


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Filed Under: branding and theme, writing essays

“Will your services help me in identifying my themes?”

June 16, 2016 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

We got a question from a Brave Supplicant awhile back and thought we’d share the exchange with all of you. Here’s what was asked: “I really liked the “4-school set”. It seem to have everything I want (or need/must at this point) to submit the best possible applications. “But I have one question. The menu […]

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Filed Under: branding and theme, EssaySnark products & services

($) Star Wars and how to figure out your stories

December 25, 2015 by EssaySnark

Yes, it’s Christmas, and yes, EssaySnark is trying to spend time away from essays today, at least a little. But we are definitely around in Snarkville and we wanted to share this since OMG the new Star Wars movie is awesome!!! We got a great question from a BSer who was going through the feedback...


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Filed Under: branding and theme

Beware the kitchen-sink strategy.

August 27, 2014 by EssaySnark 3 Comments

A better way to put it: A kitchen-sink strategy is not a strategy. Your goal in applying to business school should not be to dig up every little detail and aspect of your life, academic and professional and extracurricular, over the past ten years and cram it in somewhere in the application – or cover […]

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Filed Under: branding and theme

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UPCOMING MBA APP DEADLINES

  • INSEAD Jan '22 Intake Rd 2
    in 1 month, 2 weeks, 0 days, 18 hours
  • (expected) HBS Class of 2024 app requirements released
    in 1 month, 4 weeks, 0 days, 19 hours
  • (expected) Columbia J-Term/ED app to open
    in 2 months, 3 weeks, 5 days, 19 hours
  • INSEAD Jan '22 Intake Rd 3
    in 3 months, 1 week, 2 days, 18 hours
   
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
   
   

Brave Supplicants' latest reviews on The 'Snark


Feb 11, 2021
by hopeful on MBA Interview Prep: Custom Practice Questions
Helpful

Just wanted to say thank you for these questions! A lot of them were really tailored to my profile, ... Read more

Apr 10, 2020
by George on EssaySnark
Great Starting Point

I thought getting over the GRE/GMAT hurdle was fairly straightforward--disciplined study then test execution... Read more

Apr 10, 2020
by George on Single Shot Express MBA Essay Review
Worth Every Penny

I used the Single Shot Express to decimate essay #1 at my first-choice school. Paired with the school... Read more






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What were we snarking about at this time in past years?

  • 2020: "What should I do with my summer?"
  • 2019: ($) Got a glitch with your grades? TAKE ACTION NOW!
  • 2018: Should you care who the dean is?
  • 2018: Does it matter who the dean is? 2018 edition
  • 2017: If you really want to go to Harvard...
  • 2016: Another little quiz
  • 2016: ($) When your safety school is actually a stretch school.
  • 2015: ($) Deciding on a school: Does location matter?
  • 2013: Success Story! "It's complicated..."
  • 2012: "School X, or School Y with $$$?" (Part who knows)
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