NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 24 Apr 2024, 14:33 It is currently 24 Apr 2024, 14:33
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Essay Exchanges?

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
 1   2   
User avatar
kryzak
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Posts: 5456
Own Kudos [?]: 698 [0]
Given Kudos: 14
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
 Q51  V41
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Send PM
Essay Exchanges? [#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 00:17
hey everyone,

I just want to bring this up again and see what some of the 2007 applicants and the current ones think.

I know it's probably not a good idea to trade essays with GMATClubbers if you're applying to the same schools this year (even if it's different rounds). I also concluded that exchanging essays with someone who has no other essay questions that are related to yours would work with no problems.

Now the gray area is, what about someone who's applying to a completely different set of schools? Would trading the goals/leadership/accomplishment essays pose any problems? Do different schools check with each other to see if there's any hint of copying between the schools? Do schools even release their applicants' essays to each other?

Any insight or comments you may have on this would help greatly, since if GMATClubbers can help each other in private to review their essays, it would be very helpful for all of our chances.

Thanks!
User avatar
shmegs
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 484
Own Kudos [?]: 19 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 00:31
I agree that this poses a tricky situation. But, I think that if you know a person fairly well then it may be a good idea to swap essays. In the end, it's a judgement call...
avatar
aviroop
Director
Director
Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Posts: 985
Own Kudos [?]: 48 [0]
Given Kudos: 8
Location: Hong Kong
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Schools: HKUST MBA - Class of 2014
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44
GPA: 3.2
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 00:44
Hmm touchy subject.

I would be comfortable trading in my essays with pple who are not applying to the same school.

Goals essay would be a no no.. all goals essay have the same underlying structure..its like the magic potion..dunno if anyone would share it

rest are more personal based.. so I think it would not be a biggie
User avatar
shmegs
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 484
Own Kudos [?]: 19 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 01:01
aviroop wrote:
Hmm touchy subject.

I would be comfortable trading in my essays with pple who are not applying to the same school.

Goals essay would be a no no.. all goals essay have the same underlying structure..its like the magic potion..dunno if anyone would share it

rest are more personal based.. so I think it would not be a biggie


I agree that sharing goals essays would not be a good idea. But essays like "what unique experiences..." or "describe a failure" will vary between person to person. I'd still be a bit reticent because while examples cannot be reused, sentence structure or tenor can be borrowed. Personally, I feel better about sharing essays with people who aren't applying this year.
User avatar
adcxaway
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Posts: 404
Own Kudos [?]: 36 [0]
Given Kudos: 11
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 01:06
I'm good with sharing the essays with the regulars and those that aren't applying to the same school. But would somebody who isn't applying to Harvard, be encouraged to apply to Harvard after looking at somebody else's essays for Harvard?

I'm definitely up for sharing essays for next year's applicants though. I thought you had the idea about the essay submission thread?
avatar
helpslip
Manager
Manager
Joined: 13 Mar 2007
Posts: 81
Own Kudos [?]: 1 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 01:22
Hi,
My experience with reading other's essays is likely different than most here. Literature was my major and one of my work study posts was working in the college writing center. Helping people with their writing (beyond simply proofreading) is a difficult task. A truly valuable reader has both the technical knowledge to determine problems and the didactic skill to guide the writer to personal solutions. I would not worry about sharing a particular essay with others, only a fool would plagarize an essay that (s)he is likely to be questioned closely about in the interview process. I would worry about the qualitative value of the advice/criticism I was given. (only so many Rhyme's to go around...)
avatar
aviroop
Director
Director
Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Posts: 985
Own Kudos [?]: 48 [0]
Given Kudos: 8
Location: Hong Kong
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Schools: HKUST MBA - Class of 2014
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44
GPA: 3.2
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 01:35
helpslip wrote:
Hi,
My experience with reading other's essays is likely different than most here. Literature was my major and one of my work study posts was working in the college writing center. Helping people with their writing (beyond simply proofreading) is a difficult task. A truly valuable reader has both the technical knowledge to determine problems and the didactic skill to guide the writer to personal solutions. I would not worry about sharing a particular essay with others, only a fool would plagarize an essay that (s)he is likely to be questioned closely about in the interview process. I would worry about the qualitative value of the advice/criticism I was given. (only so many Rhyme's to go around...)


Ya but how would you guarantee that the person who you trade your essays with would end up using your essay for his application to another school?? You say he/she would be a fool to do it, but would you risk sharing your essay?
User avatar
adcxaway
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Posts: 404
Own Kudos [?]: 36 [0]
Given Kudos: 11
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 01:43
We need a GMATclub honor system :P
User avatar
shmegs
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 484
Own Kudos [?]: 19 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 02:55
An honor system would be great, I would be more than happy to share my essays with people applying next year.
avatar
aviroop
Director
Director
Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Posts: 985
Own Kudos [?]: 48 [0]
Given Kudos: 8
Location: Hong Kong
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Schools: HKUST MBA - Class of 2014
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44
GPA: 3.2
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 03:12
General consensus is that people are happy to share essays next year.. For that.. the GMAT thread where 07 ers can post their essays of 08 ers to see has already been started.
I think the logistics are still being sorted out on who can have access..
my 2 cents
User avatar
mNeo
Current Student
Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Posts: 1036
Own Kudos [?]: 30 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 10:42
A very interesting topic, kryzak! I am not sure what my opinion is in this matter. Let's continue discussing this. I want to see where this discussion goes.
User avatar
ncp
Current Student
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 1415
Own Kudos [?]: 308 [0]
Given Kudos: 1
Location: Ann Arbor
Concentration: Health Care Marketing
Schools:Ross '10
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 14:45
I think it's necessary to clarify what kryzak is saying here.

kryzak wrote:
Now the gray area is, what about someone who's applying to a completely different set of schools? Would trading the goals/leadership/accomplishment essays pose any problems?


By this, I dont think kryzak means people are going to "trade" essays in the literal sense. He means that people are going to read and critique each other's essays.

Overall, helping others with essays that are inapplicable to you is probably fine such as some one not applying to Stan reviewing a "What matters to you most?" essay.

Any other way will probably be uncomfortable and will depend on the individuals involved.
User avatar
Praetorian
CEO
CEO
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Posts: 2876
Own Kudos [?]: 1649 [0]
Given Kudos: 781
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 14:55
Just a few notes about the essay sharing idea: I think the 07 applicants will play a huge role in determining the success of the essay sharing idea in the future. It has always been like this. Sorry to say this so often, but the very existence of the forum is based on this idea of sharing.

About the honor system, the buck stops with me. Let all the hate about access be directed towards me and you guys focus on your essays. I am not going to sell access and the only way you get in by giving your time and sharing your knowledge with others. No need to suck up to me or say nice things about the Club. I can smell BS over the internet too. :oops:
User avatar
kryzak
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Posts: 5456
Own Kudos [?]: 698 [0]
Given Kudos: 14
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
 Q51  V41
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 15:53
Haha, Praet, have you ever been on an adcom before? ;)

Anyway, thanks to NC for the clarification. I also want to say that I'm not as worried about someone taking my essays and submitting them to a school, but more if the tone or a way of saying a certain sentence creeps into mine or the other person's essay, that would raise some red flags. These things can be unintentional and yet if the school catches it, there'll be a "he said, she said" problem.

Sounds like the consensus is that critiquing essays that do not overlap with people who are not applying to the same school as you in the same year is ok.

Praet, no worries, even if you don't get any 07-ers contributing, you already have 4-5 08-ers willing to submit their essays for GMATClub vault if we all get in!
User avatar
ncp
Current Student
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 1415
Own Kudos [?]: 308 [0]
Given Kudos: 1
Location: Ann Arbor
Concentration: Health Care Marketing
Schools:Ross '10
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   Updated on: 10 Sep 2007, 16:07
kryzak wrote:
Praet, no worries, even if you don't get any 07-ers contributing, you already have 4-5 08-ers willing to submit their essays for GMATClub vault if we all get in!


Praet, if I dont get in, I will still share mine. At least, my essays can be great examples of "How not to write" and come to think of it, they will probably be more valuable. No book on the market gives an example for a horrible essay and this can be the USP of GMAT club :-)

Originally posted by ncp on 10 Sep 2007, 15:56.
Last edited by ncp on 10 Sep 2007, 16:07, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
dahcrap
Manager
Manager
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 161
Own Kudos [?]: 26 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 15:57
kryzak wrote:
Haha, Praet, have you ever been on an adcom before? ;)

Anyway, thanks to NC for the clarification. I also want to say that I'm not as worried about someone taking my essays and submitting them to a school, but more if the tone or a way of saying a certain sentence creeps into mine or the other person's essay, that would raise some red flags. These things can be unintentional and yet if the school catches it, there'll be a "he said, she said" problem.

Sounds like the consensus is that critiquing essays that do not overlap with people who are not applying to the same school as you in the same year is ok.

Praet, no worries, even if you don't get any 07-ers contributing, you already have 4-5 08-ers willing to submit their essays for GMATClub vault if we all get in!


My essays would atleast serve to instruct people as to how not to write one
User avatar
kryzak
GMAT Club Legend
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Status:Um... what do you want to know?
Posts: 5456
Own Kudos [?]: 698 [0]
Given Kudos: 14
Location: SF, CA, USA
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media & Entertainment
Schools:UC Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA 2010
 Q51  V41
GPA: 3.9 - undergrad 3.6 - grad-EE
WE 1: Social Gaming
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 16:23
that's why everyone should save their FIRST drafts and post them for comparison! ;)
User avatar
Praetorian
CEO
CEO
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Posts: 2876
Own Kudos [?]: 1649 [0]
Given Kudos: 781
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 16:39
Nice to see the self-flagellation. This is something I saw in 07 too, so you guys are on the right track. :-)

You must kindly allow Praetorian to remain an enigma. Its nice to be a nobody. It keeps my ego safely tucked away so that we can always keep our eyes and ears open to any new ideas or concerns all of you may have.
avatar
aviroop
Director
Director
Joined: 03 Mar 2007
Posts: 985
Own Kudos [?]: 48 [0]
Given Kudos: 8
Location: Hong Kong
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Schools: HKUST MBA - Class of 2014
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V44
GPA: 3.2
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 17:56
Praetorian wrote:
Nice to see the self-flagellation. This is something I saw in 07 too, so you guys are on the right track. :-)

You must kindly allow Praetorian to remain an enigma. Its nice to be a nobody. It keeps my ego safely tucked away so that we can always keep our eyes and ears open to any new ideas or concerns all of you may have.


Praet your last sentence sounded like Big Brother is watching us.. I am just kidding..

but thanks for keeping an eye out on things and making life easy for us GMAT Clubbers.
User avatar
mNeo
Current Student
Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Posts: 1036
Own Kudos [?]: 30 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
[#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2007, 19:13
ncprasad wrote:
Praet, if I dont get in, I will still share mine. At least, my essays can be great examples of "How not to write" and come to think of it, they will probably be more valuable. No book on the market gives an example for a horrible essay and this can be the USP of GMAT club :-)


My essays will also be available to help GMATclub highlight its USP of "How not to write"
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
[#permalink]
10 Sep 2007, 19:13
 1   2   

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions