• Education

MBA Essays: How to Write an Impressive MBA Essay

1123 Reads
3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Aug 11,2023 04:57 PM IST

The MBA applicant essay is crucial as it is an opportunity to present as a multifaceted candidate. Admissions committees seek to admit individuals with humanity and not just future leaders. Hence, MBA Essays play a pivotal role in the whole process. Read the blog to understand its significance and tips for compelling essays.

MBA is one of the top programs pursued by students to widen their spectrum of job opportunities as it offers specialization in various fields. The MBA Essay is the most essential part of a business school application. Admission committees assess the candidate as a future leader and look for humanity.

Applicants should consider this as an opportunity to highlight their uniqueness, as it might be the only time to speak something directly to admissions officers.

How Can An MBA Essay Be Exceptional?

Writing an essay for MBA aims to showcase oneself as a genuine human being. The following are some tips to consider while writing an essay.

1. Be Specific: One prevalent mistake MBA applicants make is to stay at a superficial level, making their writing inaccessible to admissions committees. Providing adequate information on personal experiences and reasons for choosing the program is vital to avoid this. Incorporating the STAR template (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) in the essay can allow the candidate to write about relevant context, discuss the challenges, highlight the actions and mention the outcomes of the efforts.

2. Answer the Question: The candidate must answer the admissions committee's question. One might get carried away while writing the essays, but it is important to remember to answer the question. To make the process manageable, following the provided guidance and viewing the prompts as helpful guardrails for their writing is crucial. Staying focused and addressing the prompt directly ensures your essay aligns with the provided instructions.

3. Get Vulnerable: MBA Essay prompts aim to uncover as much about the candidate as possible within the assigned word count. It also requires one to share genuine experiences. An effective strategy is to present something real. Admissions officers review several applications, and to stand out, candidates must be willing to share honest insights. Applicants should take the opportunity to captivate the reader by showcasing their actual self-bright, vibrant, and unique.

4. Don't Exaggerate: Candidates should not exaggerate or lie about something, which can lead to rejection. Stay truthful and genuine, ensuring the claims are valid. It is better to present an authentic and honest portrayal of the candidate rather than jeopardizing the admission result.

Significance of Storytelling in MBA Essays

Admissions officers look forward to understanding how the applicants approach the traits like leadership and commitment in the essay. It is essential to highlight the features that officers would want to see. Through storytelling, the piece becomes relatable and showcases the candidates' journey, life lessons, challenges, and growth. It helps humanize the application and increases the chance of successful admission.

Also read: Why study MBA from Canada?

How to Start an Essay for MBA

Framing the first sentence can be difficult. The trick is overcoming the hurdle by simply putting anything on the page. Keep writing one sentence after another, letting the thoughts flow freely. Employing the STAR technique (Situation, task, action and result) can help create a compelling essay.

1. Situation- Describing the case, when and where it took place

2. Task- Explaining the task and the goal

3. Action- Providing information about the action

4. Result: Conclude with the development of the action

Tips and Tricks to Follow

Some tips and tricks to aid during the essay writing process are mentioned below:

1. Taking Breaks: When the candidate hits a mental block, it is necessary to take a break. Engaging in different activities or taking a nap can help refresh the mind and lead to unexpected inspiration.

2. Reading out loud: Printing a draft and reading out loud can help identify the mistakes. The method helps in identifying spelling errors and awkward transitions.

3. Seek Feedback: One must be confident of feedback. Share it with others and welcome the feedback to gather as much input as possible. A third party can provide valuable insights based on their observations.

4. Try Completing it early: Students need to consider the timing as well. It is necessary to avoid last-minute mishaps. One must be proactive to ensure a smooth process.

Also read: 1 year MBA in Canada

Mistakes to Avoid While Writing MBA Essays

There are some common mistakes a candidate must avoid:

1. Do not overcomplicate: The primary objective of the Admissions committees is to understand the individual rather than just a business professional. One must focus on expressing the ideas clearly and concisely, ensuring the essay is straightforward. Candidates are advised to keep the writing simple and avoid frustrating the committee.

2. Overlooking the essay questions –Candidates should be prepared to answer MBA essay questions. Misreading the question might lead one to write a completely different essay and miss what the admission committee looks for.

3. Initiating the process too close to the deadline -Starting the essay-writing process too late can lead to rushing. More time can lead to simple mistakes. To avoid this, starting early and having ample brainstorming, revising, and editing time is necessary.

How To Frame An Answer To 'Why MBA' Question?

One of the most common questions the admissions committee asks is why the students want to pursue MBA. The committees seek applicants who genuinely desire to pursue the degree and contribute. Reflecting on the question of 'Why an MBA?' provides a context to the candidates' previous decisions, such as job and career choices.

Conclusion

Storytelling in the essay highlights leadership traits and commitment, connecting readers with the candidate's journey, challenges, and growth. It becomes important to showcase oneself as a genuine human being while crafting an MBA Essay. Hence, the success in the MBA application process lies in preparation and sincere self-reflection.

Also read: MBA in Canada for International students

FAQ

What is the word limit for MBA Essay?

The length of an MBA essay depends on the school. Some schools allow a candidate to write up to 500 words, and others want short and crisp essays of 150 words.

How to improve the essay for MBA?

One can improve the MBA essay by reviewing grammar and spelling errors, as it acts as the foundation of good writing.

How to write an optional essay for MBA?

A candidate completing an optional MBA essay should keep it as short and to the point as humanly possible.

Are essays important for MBA admissions?

The admissions committee uses essays to gain insights into the personality, interests, career goals, etc., academically and professionally.

Can we use bullet points in MBA Essay?

Yes, candidates can use bullet points in MBA Essay. Bullet points help writers organize and emphasize information quickly and effectively.

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

World class education waiting for you.

Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC)

British Columbia, Canada • 4 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 16500-19000 / year

University of Aberdeen - Foresterhill Campus

Scotland, UK • 517 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 17000-23000 / year

Otago Polytechnic - Auckland Campus

Auckland, New Zealand • 21 Programmes

Tuition Fee : NZD 0-0 / year

Navitas Group - International College Wales Swansea (ICWS) at Swansea University

Wales, UK • 200 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 10000-19000 / year

Global University Systems (GUS) - University of Europe for Applied Sciences - Iserlohn Campus

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany • 19 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 12700-12700 / year

Devry University - Iselin Campus

New Jersey, USA • 30 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 15000-16000 / year

SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences - Dresden Campus

Saxony, Germany • 7 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 9450-9450 / year

Queens University Belfast

Northern Ireland, UK • 315 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 17000-22000 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

University Visit - SRH Hochschule Berlin , Germany

Study in Germany • University Visit

Hyderabad-Kukatpally • 03:00PM

In-Person Event

University Visit - ICN Business School, France

Study in France • University Visit

kochi2 • 04:00PM

In-Person Event

University Visit -SP Jain School of Global Management

Study in Australia, Dubai, Singapore • University Visit

Bangalore • 03:00PM

In-Person Event

Top countries destinations

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland
Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland
Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales
Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria
Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia
Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland
La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria
LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland
Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland
Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland
Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay
Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland
Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland
New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland
The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

Kent state university Ohio
San Jose State University California
Wright State University Ohio
Clark University Massachusetts
Rowan University New Jersey
Arkansas State University Arkansas
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois
University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

Blogs and Articles

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

Education System in Singapore

Singapore, also known as the "Lion City," has one of the most holistic and innovative education systems in the world. The Organization for Economic Co...

Updated on • Dec 12,2024 05:03 PM IST • Singapore

Medical Courses in UK

Medical courses in the UK are recognised globally for their academic challenge, updated facilities, and comprehensive practical experience. UK Univers...

Updated on • Dec 10,2024 05:36 PM IST • study in the UK

MBBS in Germany

Studying an MBBS in Germany offers a pathway to a world-class education in medicine, attracting thousands of aspiring doctors from around the globe ev...

Updated on • Dec 09,2024 05:49 PM IST • Study in Germany

Letter of Motivation for Germany

If you are planning to study abroad, you must know that the SOP is the most essential document for the application process. In Germany, the same SOP i...

Updated on • Dec 07,2024 05:11 PM IST • Germany

Part-Time Jobs in Germany for International Students

Studying abroad is an experience of a lifetime, incorporating distinct incidents and events. Students are advised to work part-time to make this adven...

Updated on • Dec 06,2024 04:38 PM IST • Study in Germany

Health Insurance in Germany for International Students

Do you know that Germany has one of the world's oldest national health insurance systems? That's right, and the health insurance system of Germany dat...

Updated on • Dec 06,2024 04:05 PM IST • Study in Germany

Scholarships in Germany for International Students

For international students looking to pursue their higher education abroad, Germany is known as one of the most affordable study destinations. Its cre...

Updated on • Dec 06,2024 03:59 PM IST • Study in Germany

Study Permit for Canada

Planning to study in Canada? But in order to heading off to the land of the maple leaf, it's important to understand how to apply for a Canadian study...

Updated on • Dec 05,2024 05:04 PM IST • Study in Canada

Student Life in UK

The United Kingdom is home to some of the most renowned universities that provide learning opportunities to students nationwide. The country is known ...

Updated on • Dec 04,2024 04:46 PM IST • study in the UK

Master of Information Systems (MIS) in USA

In today's fast-paced and digitally-driven world, organizations increasingly depend on information systems to streamline operations, enhance decision-...

Updated on • Dec 02,2024 05:28 PM IST • USA

Bachelor of Nursing Courses in Australia

Are you passionate about helping others and drawn to the dynamic world of healthcare? A Bachelor of Nursing in Australia could be the perfect la...

Updated on • Nov 30,2024 03:16 PM IST • Australia

Study Medicine in Germany

Are you an international student planning to study medicine in Germany? We want to tell you are going in the right direction, as Germany hosts world-c...

Updated on • Nov 27,2024 05:34 PM IST • Study in Germany

Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany

Germany is gaining popularity for its top-notch universities of applied science, known as Fachhochschule. These esteemed institutes offer top-quality ...

Updated on • Nov 27,2024 05:22 PM IST • Germany

Student Life in Germany

Germany is known for its affordable education and top-class universities in Europe, but what is it like to become a student at a German univ...

Updated on • Nov 27,2024 04:18 PM IST • Study in Germany

Complete Undergraduate Admissions Guide to Study in Germany

Ever dreamt of studying in a land steeped in history and innovation? Germany, a powerhouse of education and engineering, beckons you with it...

Updated on • Nov 27,2024 03:54 PM IST • Study in Germany

PTE Score Chart 2025: PTE Exam Scoring System & Calculation

Most international institutions demand proof of strong English skills, making language proficiency tests a necessity to pursue higher education. While...

Updated on • Nov 26,2024 01:55 PM IST • PTE

Masters in Project Management in USA

Students with ISTJ Personality may have a successful future in project management as their sole personality aligns with the needs of an exceptional pr...

Updated on • Nov 26,2024 01:15 PM IST • USA

IELTS Speaking Questions

The IELTS exam is a popular way for people who want to study overseas, but don't speak English as their first language or where it's not spoken often....

Updated on • Nov 25,2024 03:45 PM IST • IELTS

Accounting Courses in USA

The United States has always been a land of opportunities, especially in education. The allure of studying accounting in the US remains strong, thanks...

Updated on • Nov 25,2024 03:33 PM IST • USA

IELTS Writing Task

IELTS Writing Task One of the most crucial aspects to scoring well on an exam is writing. The IELTS assesses both Academic and General Training in ...

Updated on • Nov 21,2024 05:46 PM IST • IELTS

MBA Essays: How to Write an Impressive MBA Essay

Table of Contents

How Can An MBA Essay Be Exceptional?

Significance of Storytelling in MBA Essays

How to Start an Essay for MBA

Tips and Tricks to Follow

Mistakes to Avoid While Writing MBA Essays

How To Frame An Answer To 'Why MBA' Question?

Conclusion

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland

Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland

The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

University of Warwick England

De Montfort University England

University of West London England

University of Strathclyde Scotland

Aston University England

University of Bath England

University of Liverpool England

Durham University England

Newcastle University England

Kent state university Ohio

San Jose State University California

Wright State University Ohio

Clark University Massachusetts

Rowan University New Jersey

Arkansas State University Arkansas

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois

University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams