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Nov 2007:30 AM PST
-08:30 AM PST
Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth
Nov 2010:00 AM EST
-10:30 AM EST
If you’re applying to Columbia, NYU Stern, or Yale SOM, you need more than strong stats. Each school defines “leadership” differently, and your essays must reflect that. Join Sia Admissions founder, Susan Berishaj on November 20th
Nov 2009:00 PM IST
-10:00 PM IST
Join our free expert-led Essay Workshops to discover how to choose impactful stories, highlight your core values, and align your background with each school’s distinct culture, making every word truly count.
Nov 2108:30 AM EST
-09:15 AM EST
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
Nov 2109:30 PM IST
-10:30 PM IST
Learn how to craft powerful, authentic essays by mastering the 3 “WHYs” every top MBA program looks for: Why MBA, Why Now, and Why This School.
Nov 2408:00 PM PST
-09:00 PM PST
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
27 Jan 2021, 12:40
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So, you’ve completed your essays/personal statements, filled out your entire online application, and attached your supporting document, but not sure how to tackle the optional essay section?
Should I complete the optional essay? Will it negatively impact my application if I leave this section blank? Although no blanket statement works for everyone, you can follow a few guidelines to help you decide.
First off, the optional essay is an opportunity for you to address any inconsistencies or trouble areas in your application. It is not a place for you to reiterate your strengths and achievements!
When should you complete an optional essay?
1. When you have a gap in education or employment
Whether you took a hiatus to travel the world or encountered personal hardship that prompted you to take a break from full-time employment or school, it’s essential to address it in this section of your application. Don’t assume that you will have an opportunity to address it during the interview. A short gap between school and your first job post-graduation doesn’t need to be addressed here, but anything longer than 3 or 4 months should be. Try to extract something positive out of this experience: highlight any volunteering, additional education, entrepreneurial endeavors that you engaged in during this break.
2. When your GMAT/GRE score is low
A lower GMAT/GRE score is no longer the end-all, be-all when it comes to MBA admissions, and a lower standardized score can still be redeemed with a strong and academic and professional background. If your score is lower than the school average or if your score is not representative of your abilities, the optional essay is the right place to address this. Adcoms understand the challenge of getting into “study mode” when you are 3 to 5 years out of school and tend to be more lenient with applicants that are a little more advanced in their careers. Also, some schools may consider accepting new (and improved!) GMAT scores after the application deadline, check with your admissions office and offer to retake the test if it’s an option.
3. When your GPA is low
If your GPA is low, there are still ways to redeem your application: with a high GMAT/GRE score, for example. However, you will be expected to address your lower-than-average GPA in your application, and the additional essay is the right place for that. Whatever your reasons address them directly, make no excuses, and describe the steps you took to improve your profile (did you take additional courses to brush up on your quant skills? Did you engage in extra-curricular activities and took on leadership roles?). Also, Adcoms might be a little more lenient when you receive a lower GPA from a STEM field or top ranked institutions, for example.
4. When you don’t have a letter of recommendation from your current job
Not everyone is comfortable sharing with their current supervisors their plans to leave to complete an MBA… and not all employers support their employee’s decision to further their education. Adcoms understand that each circumstance is different, but it’s still preferable to address it directly in your optional essay, or they might just assume the worst.
Need assistance with your application? The Admission Concierge is a one-on-one approach consulting service founded by a former director of admissions with extensive experience guiding applicants through the application process, including interview prep and post-admission assistance.
Should I complete the optional essay? Will it negatively impact my application if I leave this section blank? Although no blanket statement works for everyone, you can follow a few guidelines to help you decide.
First off, the optional essay is an opportunity for you to address any inconsistencies or trouble areas in your application. It is not a place for you to reiterate your strengths and achievements!
When should you complete an optional essay?
1. When you have a gap in education or employment
Whether you took a hiatus to travel the world or encountered personal hardship that prompted you to take a break from full-time employment or school, it’s essential to address it in this section of your application. Don’t assume that you will have an opportunity to address it during the interview. A short gap between school and your first job post-graduation doesn’t need to be addressed here, but anything longer than 3 or 4 months should be. Try to extract something positive out of this experience: highlight any volunteering, additional education, entrepreneurial endeavors that you engaged in during this break.
2. When your GMAT/GRE score is low
A lower GMAT/GRE score is no longer the end-all, be-all when it comes to MBA admissions, and a lower standardized score can still be redeemed with a strong and academic and professional background. If your score is lower than the school average or if your score is not representative of your abilities, the optional essay is the right place to address this. Adcoms understand the challenge of getting into “study mode” when you are 3 to 5 years out of school and tend to be more lenient with applicants that are a little more advanced in their careers. Also, some schools may consider accepting new (and improved!) GMAT scores after the application deadline, check with your admissions office and offer to retake the test if it’s an option.
3. When your GPA is low
If your GPA is low, there are still ways to redeem your application: with a high GMAT/GRE score, for example. However, you will be expected to address your lower-than-average GPA in your application, and the additional essay is the right place for that. Whatever your reasons address them directly, make no excuses, and describe the steps you took to improve your profile (did you take additional courses to brush up on your quant skills? Did you engage in extra-curricular activities and took on leadership roles?). Also, Adcoms might be a little more lenient when you receive a lower GPA from a STEM field or top ranked institutions, for example.
4. When you don’t have a letter of recommendation from your current job
Not everyone is comfortable sharing with their current supervisors their plans to leave to complete an MBA… and not all employers support their employee’s decision to further their education. Adcoms understand that each circumstance is different, but it’s still preferable to address it directly in your optional essay, or they might just assume the worst.
Need assistance with your application? The Admission Concierge is a one-on-one approach consulting service founded by a former director of admissions with extensive experience guiding applicants through the application process, including interview prep and post-admission assistance.
