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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($) 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...

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 […]

($) 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 […]

($) “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...

($) 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...

($) 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...

“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 […]

($) 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...

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 […]