How can you make your "Personal Statement" better!
With the Round 1 MBA deadlines around the corner, it's high time to focus on even simpler elements so that you leave no page unturned. Keeping that in mind, we bring you a short post on what should be your approach to writing strong SOPs! Yup, you heard that right! Any prospective university, be it a graduate or post-graduate program, usually requires you to submit a "personal statement" when applying to a B-school or any university abroad, in addition to the standard university application documents — test requirements, transcripts, a resume, and recommendations.
But what exactly is a personal statement? Why is it crucial? And how do you craft strong personal information for graduate school?
A personal statement accounts for your achievements, accolades, talents, interests, and often your career goals, serving as a request for the admissions committee to learn more about you. It should also be the consequence of introspection when you reflect on who you are and your aspirations for the future, both in terms of what you want to pursue and where you want yourself after graduation from an esteemed program.
The best personal statements are written professionally yet with a feeling of personal touch! Try to keep it as simple as possible while using your unique context to help your statement stand out amongst the crowd. While writing your statements, keep in mind that your account must address issues like:
What social impact do you want to have if you stick with the program?
Why is the program for which you are applying the best choice?
What about your personality and prior studies makes this program the obvious next step?
Additionally, trying to wow the admissions committee with superficial things in your essay is not always a good idea. Instead, avoid writing what you believe people want to read; make it more personalized, tell them your story, be genuine, and give them the chance to learn more about you as a person rather than simply a collection of accomplishments. Speaking of which, don't limit your statement to merely listing your application materials. Your letter shouldn't simply restate the facts; rather, it should serve as a road map that connects everything you've done and gives it a personal spin.
The secret is to capture your reader's interest right away. How?
Set the scene by introducing the degree you are interested in, then explain why you want to pursue it and how the respective B-school fits into your plan. Next, describe your interests and why you think it's a good time for you to pursue an MBA in them in the next few sentences! Now, link your experience and ECAs with that of your post-MBA goals such that they appear
"Collinear." Finally, give a general outline about why you feel you can thrive in the school culture and what School values you wish to incorporate into your life!
While interlinking all this and
framing practical post-MBA goals, ensure you capture the reader's interest immediately and provide them with all the information they want. Imagine catching one of the committee members before entering an elevator and giving them your "elevator pitch." You enter the elevator with them, and between the ground floor and the floor where they exit, you must persuade them of your suitability. It is about making yourself fit in while standing out amongst the crowd! As confusing as the process seems at first, there is no need to panic! All you need is proper research and someone who can provide direction for all your hard work! Always feel free to use any free resources, including blogs about all the
upcoming deadlines, articles about top programs, improving your GMAT scores, post-MBA goals, and absolutely anything and everything that can be found on any website or school page! Moreover, we at
MBAandBeyond are determined to help you draft a unique framework for your Sops, admission applications, interlinking Essays, experience, academic accolades, and Post-goals, ensuring that all align on the same line! Feel free to hop on a
1:1 profile evaluation call with our experts at your convenience where, we'll dive deep into your profile and help you understand your chances to top B-schools with absolutely honest feedback. "at certain points in life, we require guidance and assistance from others to grow."
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MBAandBeyondWe are a team of expert consultants who have helped hundreds of aspiring candidates get into their dream programs by following a unique process to achieve maximum efficiency, quality, and interaction, ensuring a 100% unique and authentic application! Hence, If you want an in-depth evaluation of your profile, please feel free to
schedule a call with us.Good luck!