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MBAGuide
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Joined: 24 Jul 2019
Last visit: 11 Nov 2025
Posts: 2,282
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Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Marketing
Schools: Insead Sept'18 (A$$) ISB '19 (A)
Schools: Insead Sept'18 (A$$) ISB '19 (A)
Posts: 2,282
Kudos: 942
MBA Essays: How to balance Facts and Feelings 04 Feb 2025, 04:49
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When admissions coaches receive the first essay draft from applicants, it’s usually just their resume in paragraph form. We sigh, wondering why we handed out creative freedom only to get back a corporate obituary. We are told, “but the limit is just 250-300 words!” What most MBA candidates fail to realize is that admissions committees are not only looking for strong analytical skills, they are also filtering for those who can communicate effectively, expressing impactful ideas in fewer words. I wont be exaggerating when I say that those who find themselves struggling even in the final iterations of their essays can benefit from strengthening their communication skills to articulate their thoughts more effectively.

The first drafts we receive generally lack a spark. Through deeper discussions, we begin to understand how each MBA candidate has a multidimensional personality, filled with unique emotions about their aspirations, successes, and failures. But candidates cannot write freely unless they let go of their overly analytical inhibitions and allow their emotions and feelings to take over.

Applicants targeting top-tier schools will naturally have strong analytical capabilities, as reflected in their GMAT/GRE scores. However, the objective of the essays goes beyond the analytical skills - to explore what the applicant has to say about what they’ve done and why they made those decisions.

Here are a few ideas to make the MBA essays more meaningful

1. Find Pivotal Events from Your Experiences that Evoke Deep Emotions
Take a diary and start preparing your notes. Think about events in your life that shaped your values, beliefs, or personal growth. These could be challenges, successes, or turning points that had a lasting impact.

  • Ask yourself: What are the moments that changed the way I think, act, or feel?
  • Consider both professional and personal experiences.
Identify Emotional Triggers
Reflect on moments that made you say, “I’ll never forget this.” Consider situations where you overcame fear, doubt, or adversity. Great stories often involve a challenge followed by a transformation. Identify experiences where you faced obstacles and found a way through:
  • What problem did you encounter?
  • How did you respond?
  • What did you learn or gain from the experience?
Seek Outside Perspectives
Sometimes, we overlook our most impactful stories. Ask friends, mentors, or colleagues what they think are your defining moments.
  • Have you ever inspired someone with your story?
  • What achievements or struggles do others remember about you?

Note them down!
Make a List and Prioritize
Write down several experiences and rank them based on emotional depth and relevance to your narrative goal.
  • Which stories best showcase your values, strengths, or resilience?
  • Which ones align with the message you want to convey in the essay?

2. Don’t Forget to Answer the 'Whys'

One of the most common mistakes Business school applicants make is getting so consumed in elaborating the 'what' and 'how' that they forget to answer the 'why.'

Thanks to evolution, we're basically hardwired to people-watch—because without it, we’d be walking into walls and making very questionable life choices. Have you ever noticed that traffic slows down near the scene of an accident? It’s not because we revel in tragedy — we instinctively depend on understanding what went wrong. Our first thought is, “How did this happen?” Did a truck skid unexpectedly? Was there a brake failure? Did the traffic signals not work? Then comes the deeper question: "Why couldn’t the driver avoid the accident?” This is where our survival instinct kicks in, and we unconsciously absorb lessons that help us avoid a similar fate.

In an MBA essay, the "why" question is crucial — it reveals the reasons behind your decisions, whether they are career moves, leadership decisions, or pursuing an MBA. Admissions committees not only want to know what you did, but also why you made those decisions. Did you make a career change to solve a problem you care about? Did you take a leadership risk because you saw an opportunity that others missed? Similarly, for "why an MBA," you should link your past experiences to your future goals to make your narrative more compelling, logical, and memorable.

3. Bring out your Unique Perspective

When we encourage applicants to share their true thoughts, we often see them veer off course with statements that touch on controversial topics — whether it's disparaging an ethnic group, criticizing a company, or casting blame on an individual. For example, an applicant might say, "The company I worked for was falling apart because of poor leadership," or "People from my background are far more hardworking than others." While these comments may stem from frustration or passion, they do nothing to elevate your MBA essay. Controversy doesn’t enhance your essay narrative.

Instead, what we’re looking for is a unique voice — a genuine, unfiltered expression of who you are, conveyed through the words that come naturally to you. Think of it this way: Instead of bashing the company, you might reflect with something like, "The challenges I faced in my organization were eye-opening; they taught me the importance of fostering collaboration in a global environment." Or, rather than generalizing about work ethic, try, "I believe that dedication is a universal quality that transcends borders and cultures — one that I’ve carried with me through every challenge I've faced." At first, your words might feel rough around the edges, but as you fine-tune your drafts, you’ll start to discover one or two memorable phrases — just enough to create a compelling opening or make a thought-provoking comment that the admissions committee will remember.

4. Striking the Right Balance in Your Essay
When writing your MBA essay, balance is key — 40% should focus on the facts, 20% on the "how," and the remaining 40% on your motivations- the 'why'.

Facts lay the foundation. What were the project deadlines? What sales targets did you aim for in the quarter? What was the team’s experience level? What were your personal challenges and weaknesses? These details provide important context and structure for your story. However, they should only account for about 40% of your essay, ideally spread throughout.

The remaining 20% should focus on the how and 40% on the why. How did you approach the challenges? What steps did you take to solve the problem? But most importantly, why — why did you make certain decisions? Why did you select one solution over another, or choose a specific individual for a role? This is where the real depth lies.
Feelings play a huge part in answering "why." Beyond your logical reasoning, it’s about what drove you emotionally — what sparked that choice and what inner convictions fueled your actions. This part of your essay brings out your true motivations and passions, showcasing your character and helping the reader understand not only what you did, but why you did it and how it shaped your journey. Don’t forget to bring your unique perspective to the table — it’s your story, after all.


Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­