Sometimes we impress ourselves. We’re critiquing along, reading some BSers draft, and a turn of phrase pops out that so perfectly captures the issue that it inspires a full post. What we mean by this warning to not let the essay get in the way of the story is this: Premium content starts here… ———– […]
Continue reading...($) How to make your essays more powerful. (With whiskey.)
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! Yes EssaySnark is around — even today! If you want feedback returned through the holiday weekend, we’ve got a Speedy Review option you can use to expedite the snark. Check out the Subscriber’s FAQ in My SnarkCenter for details on adding it to your submission in the Review...
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($) For HBS especially: Essays reveal so much.
That may seem like an exceptionally obvious thing to say but bear with us on this. This is basically a continuation of this post from the ‘snarchives: Essays are not a writing test, they’re a thinking test. Here’s something to ponder: Premium content starts here… ———– ———– Premium content ends. We can’t offer […]
Continue reading...($) Writing essays for complex environments: When is a deep dive beneficial?
Since we’re in WRITING TIPS! mode again, with the ramp-up to Round 2, let’s continue the topics we started last week with identifying stellar stories to write about in your MBA essays. We’ve been coaching you on strategies for what to include and how much detail to go into, and how to write about the […]
Continue reading...($) Identifying stellar stories of leadership and impact for MBA apps
When you’re developing content for an MBA essay, or even for your resume, you’ll need to focus on stating what you did in the specific situation. That’s the essence of the “show, don’t tell” advice that you hear over and over here on the blahg. Speaking in generalities is never going to help the reader […]
Continue reading...Ermahgad! Proof for all advice EssaySnark is spewing!
You honestly don’t have to go read this highly technical paper that discusses information design and how written communication is processed and understood by the human brain…. But you could. If you were like fully bored with your life and just waiting for Wednesday afternoon to arrive so that you can log off your computer […]
Continue reading...($) Going beyond that first tentative step: Starting in on the ideation phase
The Ideation Phase. Cool term, eh? Doesn’t it sound like you’re doing something fancy and important! Well good, we’re glad it does, because you are! To recap progress you’ve made to date on your MBA essays for your Round 2 applications: Premium content starts here… ———– ———– Premium content ends. Want more step-by-step […]
Continue reading...Figuring out how to get started
Yesterday we talked about why we don’t publish sample admissions essays — and yet, we totally get why you’d want them! You haven’t written an essay in years!! For some of you, maybe you’ve NEVER written one! If you’re an international applicant coming from an educational system where mostly they use standardized testing as the […]
Continue reading...Why we don’t provide sample essays — and even a warning from Duke about it
There are differing opinions on EssaySnark’s policy not to provide sample MBA admissions essays for you to look at as you are mustering up the courage to begin the process of actually writing some stuff to submit in your app. It can be confusing to get conflicting advice! We also totally understand the impulse to […]
Continue reading...($) The importance of the pitch
Admissions Directors are human. They respond to human things. When an Admissions Director reads your essays, they will have emotional reactions to what you write. What you say and how you say it determines their response. Their reaction will be to either resonate in some way with the content you are sharing — or what […]
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