How Your Personal Narrative Shines a Light on Your MBA Application

The personal narrative, simply put, is a window to your life’s story. It gives the admissions committee a glimpse into the applicant's life story and allows them to get to know the person behind the transcripts, test scores, and resumes. It helps the admissions committee to become familiar with who you are and what factors from your life shaped your motivations and interests, rendering you the person you are today.

The personal narrative also helps the admissions committee to look at your achievements in light of the circumstances you faced. More than just knowing your background story, the B Schools are interested in determining whether you are a person with a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.

A fixed-mindset individual is someone who accepts one’s shortcomings and circumstances and is least motivated to change the status quo. An individual having a growth mindset will show infectious enthusiasm for challenging the status quo and trying to do better.
Through the personal narrative, the admissions officers want to get anecdotal proof from you to establish that you possess the traits that are most desirable in a leader - motivating others and leading by example.

Consider the two personal stories

Applicant A: “I grew up in a family that faced huge financial constraints. I put all my focus on studying hard so that I could get into a prestigious college, get a job, and support my parents. Getting a seat at a prestigious college and landing a great job was a watershed moment for me..”

Applicant B:"When I was a teenager, I supported my parents during a financial crisis by taking up odd gigs such as organizing coaching/tuition classes for neighborhood kids and starting a homemade snacks business with my mother that I marketed through social media. I also set up a home-operated women’s dress boutique where I worked with artisans and seamstresses on a profit-sharing basis. This not only boosted our workforce's morale but also solved the problem of attrition thus keeping our operations steady. Helping out during my family's setback while juggling studies turned me into a go-getter. Getting a seat at a prestigious college and landing a great job was a watershed moment for me… “

As you can see, in her personal narrative, Applicant B incorporated several examples from her formative years when she did not just sit back and wait for things to change for her family. At that very time, she re-oriented her strategy, took initiative, and tried to open doors for new opportunities. Do we expect any less from good leaders? On the contrary, Applicant A's narrative does not ignite a similar engagement.

There may be a plethora of examples from your own life that you can leverage to show a growth mindset.
Even a choice of hopping multiple jobs or a drastic change in career paths can be interpreted as a feature of one’s growth mindset. We recently helped an applicant get into INSEAD and HEC Paris despite frequent job hopping and a year of a professional gap on his resume. Starting as a junior sales executive, this applicant saw upskilling and job changes as a suitable strategy for moving into management and leadership roles, setting himself up for an international career before his MBA. When monetary prospects and growth opportunities are both restricted, how does one better optimize time and capabilities? What this person made of every opportunity to deserving better, exhibits the difference between an exceptional self-starter VS an average MBA applicant.

Every individual’s story is unique, and schools want to know what you have to say about your own experiences. The personal narrative essay is an opportunity to breathe life into a one-dimensional file and offer the B Schools a more personal and vivid picture.

Are you confused about your approach for B School application? Reach out to us for a free consultation.

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