justship wrote:
rouzbie wrote:
I apologize if this has already been asked.
Do the essays have to answer the question in the same order that the question is asked or can I start with part (c) if it's the most effective way to answer part (a)?
Hey rouzbie, I was wondering the same thing. I ended up writing my essay in order (a, b, c) after reading
Stacy Blackman's post (Google "
stacy blackman nyu stern tuesday tips"). I think what she says makes chronological sense, so I began my essay with a short preview of my lifelong motivations/goals, and then talked about my past choices (academic and professionally), why an MBA and then short- and long-term goals.
Also, Columbia's essay prompt is similar, but in reverse (goals, then why an MBA at Columbia), so NYU might also be wary about students copying over their Columbia essay to apply to NYU. Doing it in the order of NYU's essay prompt might help alleviate that potential concern on NYU's part.
IMO, you should answer in the way that results in the best flow given your particular story. Another consultant has this advice:
mbaMission wrote:
We actually recommend a past, future, present sequence for this essay, because in this case, the most logical approach is to first give context and background about yourself, next describe your goals and then explain why you need the particular school’s resources to achieve those goals. Convincingly explaining why a school’s resources are required to help you achieve your goals would be quite challenging if you have not first stated what those goals are.
This is the approach I have taken.