Avoid these pitfalls in Goals Essays (With examples)

Question

Make no mistake.    Admissions committees are looking for applicants who have a clear sense of direction and purpose, and who can articulate how the MBA program fits into their career plan. A well-written goals essay can showcase an applicant's motivation, strategic thinking, and potential for success, while a poorly written or generic essay can signal a lack of focus, commitment, or effort. Without a clear and compelling reason for pursuing an MBA, even the most impressive qualifications will fall flat, leaving your application vulnerable to rejection.

Here are some common pitfalls that you should consciously avoid to present a well thought Goals essay.

1. Starting Blandly –  Avoid beginning your essay with a lackluster statement like "My career goal is to..." A captivating moment from your professional life that inspired you to chart a career path will make a meaningful impact in your essay. Inject some excitement and personality into your writing by sharing a vivid anecdote that sets the stage for your ambitious career aspirations. If you haven't yet started to think about these defining moments, now is the right time to do so.

2. Stating the obvious or vague  –  If thoughtless blabbering and empty talks could be exemplified in a goals essay, it would read along the lines of  “ My immediate short-term goal post-MBA is to join a top-tier management firm and help organizations make prudent business decisions. In the long term, I envision leading a large organization, reshaping its business, and driving competitiveness through innovation, high performance, and talent development. ” 
This is a common goals statement that I have seen countless times during ding analysis sessions with applicants. You must be specific about your career progress thus far, your goals, and your reasons for applying to this business school. If you do not want to think hard, then you are not taking the application process seriously enough.

To put things into perspective, a solid example from a real (successful) applicant (food fmcg background) is mentioned -   “In the long term, I envision taking a leadership role at an Agri company where I will utilize my expertise in the field of FMCG supply chain and prior experience in advanced analytics to create sustainable Agri-procurement channels powered by high-tech product grading and quality check tools. I want to equip Indian farmers with strategic insights on diversifying crops based on predictive analytics on demand, estimated prices, and resource expenses. For example, I want to apprise a small farmer about his ROI, based on his selection of a crop, and resources used such as water, fuel, and fertilizers to provide transparency on his cost-to-output ratio. In the short term, I will pivot my career to planning and strategy roles in Agritech start-ups such as ABC, or at a retail-tech major such as XYZ to build toward my long term vision.”

3. Stating goals that are too creative or eccentric to be considered real-  When setting your career goals for your MBA application, it's important to avoid stating goals that are too creative or unconventional, where the adcom would question the validity of your claims. 
 However, in an extreme example, if your goal is to start your own space tourism company, it's crucial to thoroughly research the industry and present to the adcom the practical steps and resources required to achieve that goal. This will demonstrate to the admissions committee that your goals are anchored and that you have a clear understanding of the career path you aspire to pursue.

4. Failing to connect your goals to the past experiences that shaped them-  It's crucial to establish a clear link or "the fit" between your future goals and the experiences that led you to pursue an MBA. For instance, if you aspire to become a product manager, you could elaborate on how working on a key project alongside product managers or learning about product management on the job has influenced your career aspirations. It's essential to provide specific examples that demonstrate your motivation and clarify your objectives.

5. Neglecting to include a section on "why this school" - While aspects such as alumni networks and collaborative community are present in all schools, it's crucial to delve deeper and identify the specific resources that set your target school apart from others for “you”.

A standout example for a pharma healthcare consultant targeting Tuck MBA is mentioned   “ I am confident that a Tuck MBA will provide me with the education and resources necessary to achieve my career goals in the healthcare industry. The opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and leadership of sister institutions at Dartmouth- the Geisel School of Medicine and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, during interdisciplinary collaboration and networking is unparalleled. Additionally, Tuck's strong emphasis on healthcare education, with a quarter of MBA students enrolled in healthcare courses every year, ensures that the MBA curriculum is tailored to meet my specific interests and needs in the pharma healthcare sector.  ”

6. Neglecting to address the "why now" question-  It is important to address the "why now" question, even when it's not explicitly asked in the goal prompt. Neglecting to do so can give admissions officers the impression that you haven't thoroughly considered your decision to pursue an MBA. You don't need to dedicate an entire paragraph to this topic, but incorporating at least one clear sentence explaining your timing can demonstrate your readiness and dedication.

7. Neglecting to incorporate how you will add value to the peer learning - Not including your personal values, unique qualities, or non-work-related experiences into your goals essay can be a missed opportunity. Even if the business school does not explicitly request this information, it is important to communicate in a one liner how you can contribute to the school's community beyond your professional goals.

Where are you in your MBA applications journey? Write to us at    mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com    if you would like to know your prospects for top B Schools.

bb · Answer

I would add a few things…. 😇 as unsolicited advice that nobody wanted 😂

1.  Set the right priorities for your essays.   - an average top 20 MBA will get 2000 applicants which means 2000 essays in just one year. An average admissions officer will read probably hundreds of essays in a year and over there 10 year, they have probably read thousands. your essay will not stand out.

2. Make sure your goals align and your message is clear. If you try to cram too much you will confuse an exhausted admissions officer and will not communicate your message correctly

3. Pick safe goals. You will not get any brownie points or reward for attempting to do something very difficult or challenging. Safe is much better

4. I’ve recently asked admissions Director a candid question about the most memorable essay they have read in their career. Not surprisingly, the most memorable essay was one with a gaff in it. The person did not get an invitation to the program. Bottom line, USA will not be memorable just like most of the emails you sent so don’t overthink it. Communicate clearly and professionally.

Posted from my mobile device

MBAGuide · Answer

Always appreciate your candid and direct viewpoints bb

Avoid these pitfalls in Goals Essays (With examples)

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