We are honored to have joined UnimyPrep’s podcast, PrepCast, to help answer pressing questions MBA aspirants have about the MBA application process. In this episode, our founder, Susan Berishaj, focused on the MBA essays.

A few highlights of the questions answered in the podcast are listed below. Listen to the full podcast for additional insights.  

The interview is between Martina Todorova of Unimy Prep and Susan Berishaj of Sia Admissions.

How does the applicant select the correct stories to include in their application? How can they ensure their essays stand out?

 The MBA application is a journey of introspection. First, the applicant must identify who they are and their values – their character strengths – and then communicate that to the admission committee. Of course, to convince the admission team of their character strength, they can’t just state it; instead, they need to illustrate through examples. As such, the second part of introspection means that the applicant identifies narratives that speak of that character and, in some cases, how it ties to the applicant’s goals.

Another element of a strong MBA essay is its ability to illustrate a candidate’s leadership potential and teamwork abilities. This gives the admission committee a glimpse of how the applicant will engage in the community while on campus and their potential to succeed as a leader in their career, being a proud representative of the institution.

Those prospective candidates looking to leverage an MBA to transition careers should keep in mind that they can use the essay to demonstrate transferable skills that will convince the admission team of their ability to succeed in securing that post-MBA offer.  

What makes a good MBA essay?

A good essay demonstrates the applicant’s character and the value they bring to the classroom. For example, take Wharton’s essay question – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? What Wharton looks for in this essay question is for the applicant to showcase their character and the strength they bring to the classroom.  Therefore, an MBA applicant should use examples to illustrate those skills.

Communication is also a vital element of a good MBA essay. The b-schools don’t just want to hear that the applicant has achieved specific accomplishments (which, of course, matter); they also want to know how the applicant has accomplished them – they want to see the applicant’s process of solving business challenges as it reflects how they will engage on campus.

A critical element of a strong MBA essay is also being jargon-free. I see this in applicants with a technical background whose everyday communication involves jargon. Those applicants should be mindful of illustrating their work and accomplishments using language that the uninitiated could understand.

What stories should the MBA applicant avoid? 

We don’t talk often enough about what stories should be avoided in the MBA application, and I appreciate the opportunity to provide some insights. Overall, an applicant should avoid personal stories that have nothing to do with the professional world. For example, Columbia Business School (CBS) asks, “what leader do you admire?” An applicant should not talk about their father, mother, siblings, cousins, or relatives (unless they are public figures). When selecting that leader, an applicant should also avoid selecting a celebrity – e.g., Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, etc. – with whom they have no direct contact. Instead, the leader should be someone the applicant has witnessed in action and whom they want to emulate.

It is also important to remember that essay questions are about the applicant and no one else. So, in the case of the CBS question, once the applicant identifies the leader and speaks about their character traits, they must talk about how the applicant has emulated that leadership style.   

Another element an applicant should avoid is being dramatic. Most people experience adversity in one way or another, and it's okay to talk about that adverse experience. However, an MBA applicant should avoid bringing drama to the page by attempting to buy admission through sympathy. While the admission team will feel sympathetic to applicants who experienced adversity, they will admit only those who demonstrate leadership and resilience.

Listen to the full episode that addresses these and additional questions in more detail and stay tuned for further insights.