Facing a bit of a challenge in finalizing my application..

Question

Hello people,

I am facing a bit of a challenge in finalizing my application essays for ROUND 1.
I haven't hired any consultant for doing the application and neither have I read any application essays before.

And, after having written Essays for 2 schools now, I am facing a problem in benchmarking them as I don't know what other applicants write generally. I haven't read any other applicant's essays so far because I didn't want to get influenced by some one else's writing styles.

But since its so important to differentiate its good to have an idea of what people generally write.
SO, do we have a collection of application essays from previous years or something which I can refer to for structure and style.

Can some one help me with this? If someone can share some essays?

My Schools for Round 1: 
 --> McCombs
 --> TAMU

Regards

vincev84 · Answer

There are numerous books available with essay examples such as "How To Get Into The Top MBA Programs" by Richard Montauk. This book alone has dozens of examples. Search this website for best MBA books as well and you should find others.

papillon86 · Answer

Thanks Vince,

I have already considered this option. But buying these books would be the last option for me.
I am looking for real essays from real poeple and not last decades essays. And somehow I am not very confident about
these books so don't want to rely on them.

Richard Montauk's book has good reviews. I'll see if I should buy the latest edition. But not right away.

Anyways thanks for the reminder. Perhaps I can find some essays here on gmc.

Regards

jordanhendrix · Answer

I don't think most people will share essays with you. More importantly "benchmarking" something as subjective as an essay is probably not a good idea. 
What are you looking for?

I also agree with you that the essay books are not a great measuring stick for the most part. Paul bodines book is very good and considered the best by many on this club.

If you want to get the ball rolling post up your essays here and people will tell you what they think (if you're reluctant to share you know how everyone else feels)

Jeanette · Answer

sample essays are only good insofar as you get ideas how to more effectively write your own essays. Using them as a "measuring stick" is foolhardy. First, it's pretty difficult to honestly evaluate whether an adcomm will see yours as "better" or "worse." Second, I don't think adcomms typically view essays as better or worse. One thing it's important to remember is that admissions people aren't trying to find the best essay writers.

Finally, what good does it do you to know whether your essays are "better" or "worse" than someone else? Maybe it'd give you an extra boost to do more editing, but even that's questionable. Mostly, it's just the need people have to be reassured -- much like people who take a dozen or more practice GMATs before doing it.

Embrace the uncertainty. You cannot tell whether or not you're going to be admitted. Period.

staind · Answer

I would suggest trying to find current or past students from your target schools and request them to take a look a them for you. You shouldn't compare them to other students - just be yourself!

Av · Answer

Please do not post any essays into a public forum post, as it's an unnecessary risk that you shouldn't be taking. If you've found someone that you'd like to have review your essays, protect your privacy (and your writing) by sharing those essays via email.

As jordanhendrix noted, essays contain a lot of private information, so books are the best way to get sample essays to reference.

Facing a bit of a challenge in finalizing my application..

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