Writing essays is hard, there’s just no two ways about it. Obviously you are writing about true things in your apps, but the “show, don’t tell” advice implies that simply saying what’s true isn’t enough, you have to provide some form of proof. Is this element of proof — or backup, or justification, or rationale […]
Continue reading...($) Seeing “sample” essays will not help you be authentic.
We’re reblahgging this from sooooo long ago because hey, this stuff is useful! And important!! Today we’ll reiterate our policy on posting sample essays. Premium content starts here… ———– ———– Premium content ends.
Continue reading...($) Targeting MBA programs based on your personal values.
This post actually is probably only written for a small handful of you. And that’s OK. Don’t feel bad if you read this and don’t experience much of it resonating. You can still get into an incredible MBA program if none of these ideas are part of your experience of researching and selecting schools and […]
Continue reading...Another quick authenticity post
This was probably funnier pre-pandemic but whatever. As a follow-up to the discussion we offered last week, that you as an applicant is not the same as you as a person, today we’ll provide this: The connections may not be obvious to everyone… Admittedly, this could be a stretch, and not immediately make sense as […]
Continue reading...($) Authenticity: What it means, why it matters
Since we could be accused of sending mixed messages based on last week’s post that made the claim that you’re not the same person in your apps as you are IRL… Today we’re going to set the record straight and talk about probably the most important concept of all in the world of MBA apps: […]
Continue reading...($) The importance of volunteering in an MBA application (coronavirus edition)
Those of you actively and consistently volunteering pre-pandemic probably aren’t doing so now. Or maybe you are, but the nature of the volunteer work is different. The most common type of volunteering we see among MBA applicants is mentoring, and most types of mentoring, that can be conducted via Zoom. If your mentoring was of […]
Continue reading...($) “When I was faced with this challenge, I thought back to a time when…”
We’ll say it again: Writing essays is hard! You hear all this advice about how you have to tell stories, and use details, and it’s human nature to want to try and impress your reader. And there are so many ways you can step in it. Writing essays is a creative process to an extent, […]
Continue reading...Too much spin is a turnoff and becomes the opposite of an authentic presentation of yourself.
This is kind of general life advice which you already know, but we’ll issue this warning as you gear up for the months-long process of figuring out what to say in your essays to get into business school. Yes, you need to impress your reader. But there’s a fine line between writing about your achievements, […]
Continue reading...($) AUTHENTICITY
We’re for realz doing this, peeps. It’s time to be thinking about MBA applications for the Fall. We’re going to kick off our MBA admissions season here in Snarkville with a perennial topic: AUTHENTICITY IN MBA APPS Premium content starts here… ———– Premium content ends. Not yet a blahg member? Buy access to all […]
Continue reading...($) How to mention a personal or “convenience factor” reason for choosing a school
There are gobs of reasons why you might have fallen in love with School X. Unfortunately, School X has heard all of them before. Some admissions consultants even spoonfeed their clients on what to say as a reason. That means that there are gobs of applicants citing the same things all the time. Some schools […]
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