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You are here: Home / Snarchives for writing essays

($) Don’t let the essay get in the way of the story.

December 29, 2020 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

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… ———– […]

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Filed Under: writing essays

($) How to make your essays more powerful. (With whiskey.)

December 25, 2020 by EssaySnark

  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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Filed Under: writing essays

($) For HBS especially: Essays reveal so much.

December 18, 2020 by EssaySnark - Discusses Harvard Leave a Comment

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 […]

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Filed Under: writing essays Bschools: Harvard

($) Writing essays for complex environments: When is a deep dive beneficial?

December 9, 2020 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

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 […]

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Filed Under: "achievement" essays, "show don't tell", writing essays

($) Identifying stellar stories of leadership and impact for MBA apps

December 2, 2020 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

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 […]

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Filed Under: "show don't tell", writing tips

Ermahgad! Proof for all advice EssaySnark is spewing!

November 23, 2020 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

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 […]

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Filed Under: writing essays

($) Going beyond that first tentative step: Starting in on the ideation phase

November 18, 2020 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

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 […]

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Filed Under: writing essays

Figuring out how to get started

November 17, 2020 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

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 […]

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Filed Under: writing essays Tagged With: cheerleading, procrastination

Why we don’t provide sample essays — and even a warning from Duke about it

November 16, 2020 by EssaySnark - Discusses HKS, Duke Fuqua Leave a Comment

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 […]

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Filed Under: writing essays Tagged With: plagiarism Bschools: HKS, Duke Fuqua

($) The importance of the pitch

November 10, 2020 by EssaySnark Leave a Comment

Story Pitching Mistakes from Neiman Storyboard

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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Filed Under: EssaySnark products & services, writing essays

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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
   
   

Brave Supplicants' latest reviews on The 'Snark


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

Feb 9, 2020
by KA on Waitlist Assist
Committed

You continue to blow me away with your commitment to us BSers! Thanks again for everything. It's been... Read more






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

  • 2020: ($) Deciding on a school: Qualitative factors
  • 2020: ($) Updating the admissions office on changes to your profile post-submit: GMAT/GRE/classes
  • 2019: ($) If you got into a top bschool and now you're thinking you're not going to go
  • 2019: Harvard Business School is....
  • 2018: If you really want to start a company...
  • 2016: ($) Admitted Applicant Problems! Bschool and significant others
  • 2016: Success Stories that never materialized
  • 2015: Another quiz!
  • 2015: The BSer's Quiz!
  • 2014: ($) Writing essays for MBA scholarship apps
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