![\"great](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Where-to-Start.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The essay component is arguably the most crucial piece of your business school application. When done right, a compelling story can help counterbalance weaker aspects<\/a> of your candidacy. Unfortunately, the AdCom member reading your materials has only about 15-20 minutes to form an impression of your candidacy. Great MBA essays can move the needle in your favor. <\/span><\/p>\n Ultimately, you don’t want them to merely <\/span>like<\/span><\/em> your application when they finish reading it. <\/span>\u201cWhat you really want to be is the applicant they\u2019re thinking about as they drive home that night, as they\u2019re chatting with their spouse over spaghetti that evening,\u201d explains SBC consultant and\u00a0B-Schooled<\/em>\u00a0host Chandler Arnold.<\/p>\n B-Schooled Podcast Episode #118: Tackling Your Main MBA Essay<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Before you start working on your MBA applications in earnest:<\/span><\/p>\n Through our work with applicants, we’ve learned that it’s best to begin brainstorming by sifting through various life experiences to identify a core strength.<\/span><\/p>\n But what can you do if you’re seriously stumped on what to write about? When you feel blocked, don’t panic. Inspiration is everywhere in your daily life. Try these unconventional approaches to help spark great MBA essays.<\/span><\/p>\n Want some help drafting a killer MBA essay? We\u2019ve got you!\u00a0Request a free MBA advising session<\/a> to learn how we can help with your complete MBA applications.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Sometimes, it’s hard to see what makes us unique, so ask a coworker, mentor, or friend for inspiration. <\/span>Different people may notice different aspects of your character, skills, or experiences. Collecting feedback from a variety of sources can provide a more comprehensive understanding of what sets you apart.<\/p>\n \u00a0A refreshing conversation with a good friend can stir up new ideas and get your creative juices flowing. <\/span>To jump-start this process, gather friends and family and have them share what they think is most interesting and memorable about you. Ask what values they see you demonstrating in your life, career, or personal choices.<\/span><\/p>\n Dig deeper and ask yourself how you would\u00a0<\/span>want your future classmates to see you<\/span>. What are some of the personal stories you would share with a new friend?<\/span><\/p>\n What would your future professors want to know about you? How might you contribute while in school and after graduation?<\/span><\/p>\n Hearing others’ perspectives on what makes you unique can validate or challenge your own self-perception. This process can help you refine and articulate your understanding of your strengths and distinctive qualities.<\/p>\n What do you wake up thinking about in the middle of the night? Looking back at your life, what will you admire and regret about your choices? <\/span>These are the kinds of questions you should<\/span>\u00a0ask yourself<\/span> as you approach a variety of common MBA essay topics.<\/span><\/p>\n Keep a notebook by your bed so you can record your first thoughts or dreams upon waking up\u2014these might help you understand your passions.\u00a0<\/span>Writing can reveal genuine emotions and perspectives. It allows you to explore your thoughts in a more intimate and unfiltered way, fostering authenticity in your essays.<\/p>\n Brainstorming at a different time of day or in a new environment can help break mental blocks. A change in surroundings can stimulate new ideas and perspectives that may not have surfaced during your usual routine.<\/p>\n Here’s another unconventional strategy:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Set your alarm for an odd hour, wake up, and read an essay question. Contemplate the first things that pop into your head.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Often, the act of doing something simple in a new way or at a different time will get you out of your rut and allow you to see things from a fresh perspective. Take a new route to the office, switch up your workout schedule, skip the nightly Netflix binge, and end the day with an intriguing novel instead. See whether these simple changes boost your essay ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n In the weeks before writing your application essays, keep a journal and jot down moments that impact you, such as a great meal, an amazing sunset, or a funny video. Then, when you begin to write, look through your notes and see where inspiration strikes.<\/span><\/p>\n Engaging your auditory senses can also stimulate creativity. You can conveniently dictate your thoughts into your phone while you are out and about. <\/span>Listening to your recordings later on can trigger additional insights or perspectives you may not have considered at the moment.<\/p>\n Often, a casual speaking tone translates into a more authentic and personable version once written on paper. This can be a great launching pad for the first drafts of your essays.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Another useful technique is documenting your life as it is now on a storyboard with various categories, such as personal, professional, extracurricular, and academic. As a starting point, you may want to consider the choices that have led you to your current career path.<\/span><\/p>\n Focus on the inflection points that have inspired you\u2014whether college coursework, early exposure to running your own business, or watching a family member pursue his or her dreams\u2014to help clearly outline the reasons you have made certain life choices thus far.<\/span><\/p>\n This year, one of the Berkeley Haas MBA essays<\/a> asks applicants to describe, “What makes you feel alive while doing it, and why?” We think this question is a useful launchpad for the myriad MBA essay questions you’ll encounter. Here is their advice for brainstorming<\/a> possible answers.<\/p>\n Choose one of the below prompts that resonates with you, set your timer for two minutes, and strive to write down at least 10 responses to each. Work quickly, focusing on quantity over quality. <\/em><\/p>\n Look at your list. It may be a collection of single words or actions, such as: trail running after work, hiking by the ocean, baking my grandma\u2019s famous cherry pie, meditating every morning, skiing with my family, volunteering at my church, singing in the car, dancing in front of the mirror, building sandcastles or reading to my children. This is a great start, but let\u2019s go further. <\/em><\/p>\n Choose your favorite five responses. One at a time, go through the responses and recall a specific time when you engaged in this activity (the operative word being specific). As you reflect, strive to suspend your attention and really focus on experiencing that moment again. <\/em><\/p>\n Take down notes on the following: <\/em><\/p>\n You should now have several possible ideas for your alive essay.<\/em><\/p>\n Once you’ve tried one or more of these unconventional but effective exercises, you should start to develop a few intriguing ideas for brainstorming essays. Afterward, most of the <\/span>writing process<\/span> should seem more manageable.<\/span><\/p>\n Remember to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for rewriting\u2014truly great MBA essays aren’t crafted overnight. Author Stephen King once said, \u201cTalent is cheaper than\u00a0table salt<\/em>. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.\u201d The hardest part is starting. And after that, everything gets easier. Best of luck on your MBA adventures; we can\u2019t wait to read what you create.<\/span><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our\u00a0All-In Partnership<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Interview Prep<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0hourly help<\/a>\u00a0with essay editing, resume review, and much more! Contact us today for a\u00a0free 15-minute advising session<\/a>\u00a0to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant.<\/em><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team<\/a>.<\/p>\n HBS Admissions Board \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n HBS Admissions Board \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Director HBS Admissions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n HBS Admissions Board \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n HBS Admissions Board \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Director HBS Admissions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Asst Director MBA Admissions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Associate Director MBA Admissions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketing \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Director, the Wharton School \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Assistant Director MBA Admissions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Assistant Director MBA Admissions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n Associate Director MBA Admissions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Ashley<\/span> is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure.\u00a0Ashley<\/span>\u00a0holds an MBA from HBS.<\/p>\n During her HBS years,\u00a0Ashley<\/span>\u00a0was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...<\/p>\n Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t×<\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS).<\/p>\n During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions.<\/p>\n Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and\u00a0 ...<\/p>\n Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t×<\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM.\u00a0 For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...<\/p>\n Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t×<\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds.\u00a0 Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students.\u00a0 In additio ...<\/p>\n Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t×<\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...<\/p>\n Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t×<\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.\u00a0 In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee.<\/p>\n In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School \u2013 a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School.\u00a0 Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...<\/p>\n Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t×<\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.<\/span><\/p>\n Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...<\/p>\n Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t×<\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB).<\/p>\n Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...<\/p>\n Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t×<\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students\u2019 applications.\u00a0 She holds an MBA from Stanford\u2019s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics.<\/p>\n Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation\u2019s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...<\/p>\n Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t×<\/a>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...<\/p>\n\n
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Ask people around you for their insights<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-helena-lopes-745045-1500x1000.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRecord your first thoughts<\/h3>\n
![\"great](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/notebook-bed-dream-journal-pexels-andrea-piacquadio-1024611-1536x1070-1-1500x1000.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
Keep a journal<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/journal-writing-2-734x489.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"Haas](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Berkeley-Haas-courtyard_closeup-734x489.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBerkeley Haas Tips for Great MBA Essays<\/h3>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-suzy-hazelwood-3631711-1-1500x1000.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGreat MBA Essays Don’t Happen Overnight<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-10.02.38-AM.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nAshley<\/h2>\n
\nat Harvard Business School
\nHBS MBA<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-04-at-7.30.19-AM.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nKerry<\/h2>\n
\nat Harvard Business School
\nKellogg MBA<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-12-at-7.14.19-AM.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nPauline<\/h2>\n
\nat Harvard Business School
\nMBA, the Wharton School<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Geri-pic.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nGeri<\/h2>\n
\nat Harvard Business School<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/laura.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nLaura<\/h2>\n
\nat Harvard Business School
\nHBS MBA<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/andrea_k.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nAndrea<\/h2>\n
\nat Harvard Business School
\nHBS MBA<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jennifer-Foster.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nJennifer<\/h2>\n
\nMBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/erin-k.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nErin K.<\/h2>\n
\nat Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)
\nDirector MBA Admissions
\nat Berkeley\u2019s Haas School of Business <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Susie-Burrus-photo.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nSusie<\/h2>\n
\nMBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-02-08-at-9.08.05-AM.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nDione<\/h2>\n
\nMinority Admissions, the GSB
\nDiversity Programs, the GSB <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/anthony.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nAnthony<\/h2>\n
\nat the Wharton School
\nat the University of Pennsylvania<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/meghan_e.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nMeghan<\/h2>\n
\nat the Wharton MBA\u2019s Lauder Institute<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Amy-Hazen.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nAmy<\/h2>\n
\nat the University of Pennsylvania
\nProfessional Writer<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2021-03-09-at-1.53.23-PM.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nAlly<\/h2>\n
\nat Columbia Business School (CBS)
\nNYU Admissions<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/erin_B-v2.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nErin B.<\/h2>\n
\nat Columbia Business School (CBS)
\nM.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania\n<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-12.38.38-PM.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nEmma<\/h2>\n
\nat Columbia Business School (CBS)\n<\/p>\n\n\nAshley<\/h2>\n
\n\nKerry<\/h2>\n
\n\nPauline<\/h2>\n
\n\nGeri<\/h2>\n
\n\nLaura<\/h2>\n
\n\nAndrea<\/h2>\n
\n\nJennifer<\/h2>\n
\n\nErin K.<\/h2>\n
\n\nSusie<\/h2>\n
\n\nDione<\/h2>\n