Essay Tone

Question

How important is tone in the MBA essays? Is it okay to be colloquial? Is it important to be formal?

Thanks!

asimov · Answer

IMO, you should write in a style that will convey your story that best. Personally, I find essays that are too formal a bit of a bore to read. With that said, you need to use some prudence in too much colloquial. And definitely use correct grammar. Like all things, you need to use your judgement to balance out the two.

erich · Answer

Complex and good question. I recommend that you vary your tone within reason across the different essays. For the core essays (your "career progress, why MBA" essay), you should probably try to maintain a more serious and professional tone - with some measure of passion towards the conclusion.

For the more "interesting" essay questions, you can use more emotional, personal tone and syntax - and experiment with the actual structure of the essay itself.

For the more "interesting" essay questions, you can use more emotional, personal tone and syntax - and experiment with the actual structure of the essay itself.

Michmax3 · Answer

Is it considered too informal when writing about your experiences with your current employer to use the word "our" when refering to your company if you had a direct role? As in we opened our 5th location last year... or should it strictly be in the 3rd person?

ko · Answer

I think "our" is ok, and am using it myself. But I'm just another applicant, so take my opinion for what it's worth (nothing!).

brainhurt · Answer

I second this, but I'm biased as this is exactly the approach I'm taking. To me this approach shows that you are well-rounded.

I also agree that "our" is ok -- it shows a sense of ownership and pride in what you did.

whiplash2411 · Answer

I think the tone matters to a certain extent, but what you convey matters much more. Like a funny and slightly informal essay that engages the adcom is way better than a formal repertoire of what you did and didn't. But that's just my 2 cents. Take it with a grain of salt

Praetorian · Answer

Also see this excellent post for tips : storytelling-82064.html

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

As a general rule of thumb, the tone should never be too colloquial or too formal. It should lie somewhere in between and correctly mirror your personality and passions. An English literature major with experience overseas in the Peace Corps is likely to write in a different tone than a finance major who worked in banking for 3 years. When you try and write like someone else, or say things you THINK admissions wants to hear, you only clout your own unique story and make it difficult for admissions to get to know you.

Have friends and family review your essays to make sure they "sound" like you, or seek professional guidance from a consulting firm (who have seen hundreds of different essays and understand what tones are effective for different individuals). I've had clients who wrote long, colloquial essays that needed tightening up and those who were far too rigid and needed their personality to shine through a bit more. Every situation is different!

Regards,

Essay Tone

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