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What makes for a good story?
[#permalink]
24 Jun 2008, 02:56
24 Jun 2008, 02:56
Hi,
As some of you on this site may know, I applied to only two schools last year and was dinged without interview. I am planning to reapp to a few more schools this year and I am trying to understand the lack of an interview at Chicago GSB (given at least 50% of applicants interviewed) and one thing I wonder about is whether I lacked a "story". Everyone talks about the necessity to have one and I am hoping current students/admits can help me understand what makes a good story. Is is just about tying prior experiences into what you want to do in the future, or is it more than that?
Thank you.
As some of you on this site may know, I applied to only two schools last year and was dinged without interview. I am planning to reapp to a few more schools this year and I am trying to understand the lack of an interview at Chicago GSB (given at least 50% of applicants interviewed) and one thing I wonder about is whether I lacked a "story". Everyone talks about the necessity to have one and I am hoping current students/admits can help me understand what makes a good story. Is is just about tying prior experiences into what you want to do in the future, or is it more than that?
Thank you.
Re: What makes for a good story?
[#permalink]
24 Jun 2008, 07:48
24 Jun 2008, 07:48
1
Kudos
A good story creates a narrative arc.
1. What have you done / where did you start.
2. Where are you now?
3. Where do you want to go (why do you need an MBA)?
The essays are, generally speaking, too short for you to cover the entire arc in one essay, but the sum of the essays creates a mosaic in which the adcom understands that arc. As you go, you need to incorporate elements of your personality and character. How have you responded to adversity? Do you have a sense of humor? Why are these goals important to you? Do all that and top it off with some style / flair and you probably have some strong essays.
I think a lot of people get themselves into trouble by approaching the application as a kind of "fill the blank" process. That approach usually results in a choppy, mechanical application, that reads like, "I did this, and this, and this, and now I want to do this." Yawwwwn. You need to tie it together so that the application is fluid, and interesting, and representative of who you are.
1. What have you done / where did you start.
2. Where are you now?
3. Where do you want to go (why do you need an MBA)?
The essays are, generally speaking, too short for you to cover the entire arc in one essay, but the sum of the essays creates a mosaic in which the adcom understands that arc. As you go, you need to incorporate elements of your personality and character. How have you responded to adversity? Do you have a sense of humor? Why are these goals important to you? Do all that and top it off with some style / flair and you probably have some strong essays.
I think a lot of people get themselves into trouble by approaching the application as a kind of "fill the blank" process. That approach usually results in a choppy, mechanical application, that reads like, "I did this, and this, and this, and now I want to do this." Yawwwwn. You need to tie it together so that the application is fluid, and interesting, and representative of who you are.
Senior Manager
Joined: 25 Jul 2007
Posts: 375
Given Kudos: 148
Location: Times Square
Schools:Baruch / Zicklin
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Re: What makes for a good story?
[#permalink]
24 Jun 2008, 10:24
24 Jun 2008, 10:24
I feel contrasts and conflict/hardships during your life really attribute to a great story. That sounds pretty mean/shallow but what I mean is that, if you have had some difficult times in your life during your MBA pursuit, mention them, mention how they affected you and then mention how you became stronger because of it.
A story like this will show progression in the sense that you came across a hard time and were able to get through it. Definitely mention how much it affected you, what you learned, and how you think differently as a result.
Overall, if you are simply talking about your work experience, again, pick a couple of instances where you learned something great, reflect on it and how it affected you, and how it made you a better person or better equipped to handle a similar situation in case it arises again.
Good for practice - type the story up and revisit it every couple of weeks/months. Build on it / reword some stuff you wrote earlier. This way, if you are interviewed and this question comes up, you will be better equipped at giving a great answer. You are basically trying to sum up your experiences and how you reacted proactively to them.
fwiw,
- tsd
A story like this will show progression in the sense that you came across a hard time and were able to get through it. Definitely mention how much it affected you, what you learned, and how you think differently as a result.
Overall, if you are simply talking about your work experience, again, pick a couple of instances where you learned something great, reflect on it and how it affected you, and how it made you a better person or better equipped to handle a similar situation in case it arises again.
Good for practice - type the story up and revisit it every couple of weeks/months. Build on it / reword some stuff you wrote earlier. This way, if you are interviewed and this question comes up, you will be better equipped at giving a great answer. You are basically trying to sum up your experiences and how you reacted proactively to them.
fwiw,
- tsd
