Last visit was: 18 Nov 2025, 16:45 It is currently 18 Nov 2025, 16:45
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
aerien
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 06 Feb 2012
Last visit: 21 Dec 2022
Posts: 1,593
Own Kudos:
594
Given Kudos: 347
Status:Yale SOM!
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 1,593
Kudos: 594
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 10 Oct 2012, 16:48
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
elbie
Thoughts on the setback essay: is getting rejected from other schools 2 years ago (and demonstrating learning/growth/why I am ready now) a reasonable approach? Only real setback I've had in the last 3 years.
Show more

I definitely considered writing this exact essay and then chose against it -- I figured it would be a relatively common topic and didn't want to come off as one of the masses. However, everyone's story is extremely personal and if you can make it your own, then go for it! Good luck!
User avatar
icaniwill
User avatar
Joined: 05 Oct 2011
Last visit: 29 Nov 2016
Posts: 123
Own Kudos:
92
Given Kudos: 62
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 123
Kudos: 92
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 11 Oct 2012, 11:16
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mba2014hopeful

I definitely considered writing this exact essay and then chose against it -- I figured it would be a relatively common topic and didn't want to come off as one of the masses. However, everyone's story is extremely personal and if you can make it your own, then go for it! Good luck!
Show more

Do you guys also think this essay is no different from Columbia's #2 and Tuck's #3 (see below)
Quote:
Columbia #2. Describe a personal experience and how it has influenced who you are today.
Show more
Quote:
Tuck #3. Describe a circumstance in your life in which you faced adversity, failure, or setback.
What actions did you take as a result and what did you learn from this experience?
Show more
User avatar
aerien
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 06 Feb 2012
Last visit: 21 Dec 2022
Posts: 1,593
Own Kudos:
594
Given Kudos: 347
Status:Yale SOM!
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 1,593
Kudos: 594
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 11 Oct 2012, 11:22
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
icaniwill
mba2014hopeful

I definitely considered writing this exact essay and then chose against it -- I figured it would be a relatively common topic and didn't want to come off as one of the masses. However, everyone's story is extremely personal and if you can make it your own, then go for it! Good luck!

Do you guys also think this essay is no different from Columbia's #2 and Tuck's #3 (see below)
Quote:
Columbia #2. Describe a personal experience and how it has influenced who you are today.
Quote:
Tuck #3. Describe a circumstance in your life in which you faced adversity, failure, or setback.
What actions did you take as a result and what did you learn from this experience?
Show more

I think it's similar to Tuck's but not necessarily to Columbia's: a personal experience does not have to be about a personal setback.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
icaniwill
User avatar
Joined: 05 Oct 2011
Last visit: 29 Nov 2016
Posts: 123
Own Kudos:
92
Given Kudos: 62
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 123
Kudos: 92
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 11 Oct 2012, 13:27
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mba2014hopeful
icaniwill
mba2014hopeful

I definitely considered writing this exact essay and then chose against it -- I figured it would be a relatively common topic and didn't want to come off as one of the masses. However, everyone's story is extremely personal and if you can make it your own, then go for it! Good luck!

Do you guys also think this essay is no different from Columbia's #2 and Tuck's #3 (see below)
Quote:
Columbia #2. Describe a personal experience and how it has influenced who you are today.
Quote:
Tuck #3. Describe a circumstance in your life in which you faced adversity, failure, or setback.
What actions did you take as a result and what did you learn from this experience?

I think it's similar to Tuck's but not necessarily to Columbia's: a personal experience does not have to be about a personal setback.

Posted from my mobile device
Show more

Agreed!
User avatar
icaniwill
User avatar
Joined: 05 Oct 2011
Last visit: 29 Nov 2016
Posts: 123
Own Kudos:
92
 [2]
Given Kudos: 62
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 123
Kudos: 92
 [2]
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 12 Oct 2012, 08:32
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Guys,

For essay #2(overcoming setback), I found the information in this link helpful. Not from a b-school, but has lot of relevant tips.

https://blogs.law.yale.edu/blogs/admissi ... art-i.aspx
User avatar
str1der
User avatar
Joined: 02 Feb 2009
Last visit: 27 Apr 2015
Posts: 371
Own Kudos:
168
Given Kudos: 27
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) Tuck '15 (M) Kellogg '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (D) Johnson '15 (A) Owen '15 (A$)
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V35
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V42
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) Tuck '15 (M) Kellogg '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (D) Johnson '15 (A) Owen '15 (A$)
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V42
Posts: 371
Kudos: 168
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 12 Oct 2012, 10:37
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
icaniwill
Guys,

For essay #2(overcoming setback), I found the information in this link helpful. Not from a b-school, but has lot of relevant tips.

https://blogs.law.yale.edu/blogs/admissi ... art-i.aspx
Show more

This is an awesome writeup. Thanks for sharing. Very, very helpful
User avatar
str1der
User avatar
Joined: 02 Feb 2009
Last visit: 27 Apr 2015
Posts: 371
Own Kudos:
168
Given Kudos: 27
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) Tuck '15 (M) Kellogg '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (D) Johnson '15 (A) Owen '15 (A$)
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V35
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V42
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) Tuck '15 (M) Kellogg '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (D) Johnson '15 (A) Owen '15 (A$)
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V42
Posts: 371
Kudos: 168
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 12 Oct 2012, 10:39
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mba2014hopeful
icaniwill
mba2014hopeful

I definitely considered writing this exact essay and then chose against it -- I figured it would be a relatively common topic and didn't want to come off as one of the masses. However, everyone's story is extremely personal and if you can make it your own, then go for it! Good luck!

Do you guys also think this essay is no different from Columbia's #2 and Tuck's #3 (see below)
Quote:
Columbia #2. Describe a personal experience and how it has influenced who you are today.
Quote:
Tuck #3. Describe a circumstance in your life in which you faced adversity, failure, or setback.
What actions did you take as a result and what did you learn from this experience?

I think it's similar to Tuck's but not necessarily to Columbia's: a personal experience does not have to be about a personal setback.

Posted from my mobile device
Show more

The tuck essay does not ask you to focus necessarily on a personal setback. Eg: a failed project that impacted our promotion or something could be a setback. The adversity part, yes, is more personal. But the essay overall is farther away from Sloan's than Columbia's is
User avatar
icaniwill
User avatar
Joined: 05 Oct 2011
Last visit: 29 Nov 2016
Posts: 123
Own Kudos:
92
Given Kudos: 62
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 123
Kudos: 92
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 12 Oct 2012, 10:53
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
str1der
icaniwill
Guys,

For essay #2(overcoming setback), I found the information in this link helpful. Not from a b-school, but has lot of relevant tips.

https://blogs.law.yale.edu/blogs/admissi ... art-i.aspx

This is an awesome writeup. Thanks for sharing. Very, very helpful
Show more

Yea. I found this one page writeup more helpful than tons of others admission consultant's books/blogs. It is clear and drives the point home very well.
avatar
fsaq
avatar
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
Last visit: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 196
Own Kudos:
22
Given Kudos: 9
Concentration: Operations
WE:Operations (Transportation)
Posts: 196
Kudos: 22
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 12 Oct 2012, 14:40
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
About the personal setback essay, I contacted the MIT office and got this reply:

Hi Your Highness:

When we said "personal" we really meant "individual" so as to mean not something that affected your team at work. It need not be a personal (non-work) story at all. Work related stories are fine.

Regards,
Harriet Barnett

Does this help a little bit more? I am in the same boat, trying to select the experience for this essay. In for R1.
User avatar
amitkpandey
User avatar
Darden School Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2012
Last visit: 16 Sep 2014
Posts: 73
Own Kudos:
7
Given Kudos: 11
Status:Researching Business Schools
Location: India
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 73
Kudos: 7
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 13 Oct 2012, 23:41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I recently attended the MBA tour in Bangalore where I met MIT Sloan Admissions Officer and an alum. I've written my experiences here for those who might find it useful.

https://amitkpandeyece.blogspot.in/2012/ ... -2012.html
User avatar
icaniwill
User avatar
Joined: 05 Oct 2011
Last visit: 29 Nov 2016
Posts: 123
Own Kudos:
92
Given Kudos: 62
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 123
Kudos: 92
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 15 Oct 2012, 11:37
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
How are you guys handling Supplemental essay? I was at MIT grads office last Friday and the ad-com member mentioned that they highly encourage applicants to take the opportunity to use the essay.
avatar
Grumppee17
avatar
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Last visit: 26 Dec 2012
Posts: 44
Own Kudos:
10
Given Kudos: 2
Location: United States (NY)
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Technology
Schools: Sloan '15 (D)
WE:General Management (Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals)
Schools: Sloan '15 (D)
Posts: 44
Kudos: 10
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 15 Oct 2012, 12:12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
icaniwill
How are you guys handling Supplemental essay? I was at MIT grads office last Friday and the ad-com member mentioned that they highly encourage applicants to take the opportunity to use the essay.
Show more

Created a 1 min video and pasted the link.
avatar
BrazilianMBA
avatar
Joined: 25 Sep 2012
Last visit: 10 Feb 2013
Posts: 21
Own Kudos:
7
Given Kudos: 1
Location: Brazil
Concentration: General Management
Schools: HBS '15 (A) Wharton '15 (D) Kellogg '15 (D) Tuck '15 (A) Ross '15 (A$) Sloan '15 (D)
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
GPA: 3.47
WE:Operations (Consumer Packaged Goods)
Schools: HBS '15 (A) Wharton '15 (D) Kellogg '15 (D) Tuck '15 (A) Ross '15 (A$) Sloan '15 (D)
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
Posts: 21
Kudos: 7
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 15 Oct 2012, 17:07
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Grumppee17
icaniwill
How are you guys handling Supplemental essay? I was at MIT grads office last Friday and the ad-com member mentioned that they highly encourage applicants to take the opportunity to use the essay.

Created a 1 min video and pasted the link.
Show more

Did you upload it in YouTube, or somewhere else? Not sure where is the best place to do that

Posted from my mobile device
avatar
Grumppee17
avatar
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Last visit: 26 Dec 2012
Posts: 44
Own Kudos:
10
Given Kudos: 2
Location: United States (NY)
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Technology
Schools: Sloan '15 (D)
WE:General Management (Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals)
Schools: Sloan '15 (D)
Posts: 44
Kudos: 10
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 15 Oct 2012, 19:02
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
BrazilianMBA
Grumppee17
icaniwill
How are you guys handling Supplemental essay? I was at MIT grads office last Friday and the ad-com member mentioned that they highly encourage applicants to take the opportunity to use the essay.

Created a 1 min video and pasted the link.

Did you upload it in YouTube, or somewhere else? Not sure where is the best place to do that

Posted from my mobile device
Show more

I did youtube and then shortened the link on bit.ly. The links there last a long time and won't expire. You could get fancier but honestly, it doesn't matter as long as the content is good. :)
User avatar
str1der
User avatar
Joined: 02 Feb 2009
Last visit: 27 Apr 2015
Posts: 371
Own Kudos:
168
Given Kudos: 27
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) Tuck '15 (M) Kellogg '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (D) Johnson '15 (A) Owen '15 (A$)
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V35
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V42
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) Tuck '15 (M) Kellogg '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (D) Johnson '15 (A) Owen '15 (A$)
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V42
Posts: 371
Kudos: 168
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 16 Oct 2012, 11:06
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I felt I was ready with my ideas for this App and suddenly today, I have two essay themes, one for each essay, that I think are much better than what I wrote in the first place. Now, hence, I have two versions of each essay and a confused mind on which one to go with.

- For the personal essay, one is a theme that deals with a family issue and how I worked to support my family while the other is on how I dealt with not getting a promotion at work despite being a top performer with a perfect score on my annual evaluation, and how after moving on, I have achieved much more recognition in my current role.
Cons for the first: I guess a lot of ppl will write this, so I feel I may not be able to differentiate myself enough. However, this affects people in addition to me and hence is more 'meaningful'
Cons for the second: Again, a sizeable number would have this setback, and differentiation will be tough. However, this is more inward looking and affects only me

- For the convincing essay, both themes are professional, but in one I persuaded multiple stakeholders to go along with a proposed idea that fundamentally changed the company's staffing model. The second is not really an idea of mine, but definitely involved more direct persuasion

Thoughts? (I know you dont have adequate info on the essays or my background, but I would appreciate comments based only on the above for now)
User avatar
OptimisticApplicant
User avatar
Joined: 18 Jun 2012
Last visit: 22 Jun 2014
Posts: 81
Own Kudos:
42
Given Kudos: 11
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, General Management
Schools: Babson '14 (M$)
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
GMAT 2: 730 Q48 V42
GPA: 3
WE:Marketing (Computer Software)
Schools: Babson '14 (M$)
GMAT 2: 730 Q48 V42
Posts: 81
Kudos: 42
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants Updated on: 23 Oct 2012, 08:06
Originally posted by OptimisticApplicant on 16 Oct 2012, 12:04.
Last edited by OptimisticApplicant on 23 Oct 2012, 08:06, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
[EDIT - Best of luck everyone!]
avatar
isharmaur
avatar
Joined: 30 Dec 2010
Last visit: 21 Mar 2013
Posts: 23
Own Kudos:
5
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: Strategy, General Management
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Tuck '15 (D) Kellogg '15 (D) Ross '15 (A$) Duke '15 (A) Darden '15
GMAT 1: 710 Q42 V46
GMAT 2: 770 Q49 V48
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Tuck '15 (D) Kellogg '15 (D) Ross '15 (A$) Duke '15 (A) Darden '15
GMAT 2: 770 Q49 V48
Posts: 23
Kudos: 5
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 16 Oct 2012, 14:00
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I know a couple of people have asked this, but does anyone know where we put information like: 1) explanation of why we are not using a current supervisor, 2) fact that our spouse is also applying, 3) addressing undergrad GPA, etc? I know I am probably missing something obvious, but I have not been able to figure it out.
User avatar
aerien
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 06 Feb 2012
Last visit: 21 Dec 2022
Posts: 1,593
Own Kudos:
594
Given Kudos: 347
Status:Yale SOM!
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 1,593
Kudos: 594
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 16 Oct 2012, 14:16
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
isharmaur
I know a couple of people have asked this, but does anyone know where we put information like: 1) explanation of why we are not using a current supervisor, 2) fact that our spouse is also applying, 3) addressing undergrad GPA, etc? I know I am probably missing something obvious, but I have not been able to figure it out.
Show more

Somehow it's supposed to go in the cover letter. Not quite sure yet how to do that eloquently.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
kingfalcon
User avatar
Joined: 26 May 2010
Last visit: 27 Oct 2017
Posts: 719
Own Kudos:
215
Given Kudos: 642
Location: United States (MA)
Concentration: Strategy
Schools: MIT Sloan - Class of 2015
WE:Consulting (Mutual Funds and Brokerage)
Schools: MIT Sloan - Class of 2015
Posts: 719
Kudos: 215
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 16 Oct 2012, 15:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
str1der
I felt I was ready with my ideas for this App and suddenly today, I have two essay themes, one for each essay, that I think are much better than what I wrote in the first place. Now, hence, I have two versions of each essay and a confused mind on which one to go with.

- For the personal essay, one is a theme that deals with a family issue and how I worked to support my family while the other is on how I dealt with not getting a promotion at work despite being a top performer with a perfect score on my annual evaluation, and how after moving on, I have achieved much more recognition in my current role.
Cons for the first: I guess a lot of ppl will write this, so I feel I may not be able to differentiate myself enough. However, this affects people in addition to me and hence is more 'meaningful'
Cons for the second: Again, a sizeable number would have this setback, and differentiation will be tough. However, this is more inward looking and affects only me

- For the convincing essay, both themes are professional, but in one I persuaded multiple stakeholders to go along with a proposed idea that fundamentally changed the company's staffing model. The second is not really an idea of mine, but definitely involved more direct persuasion

Thoughts? (I know you dont have adequate info on the essays or my background, but I would appreciate comments based only on the above for now)
Show more
Did these both take place within the last three years?
User avatar
str1der
User avatar
Joined: 02 Feb 2009
Last visit: 27 Apr 2015
Posts: 371
Own Kudos:
168
Given Kudos: 27
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) Tuck '15 (M) Kellogg '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (D) Johnson '15 (A) Owen '15 (A$)
GMAT 1: 690 Q48 V35
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V42
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) Tuck '15 (M) Kellogg '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (D) Johnson '15 (A) Owen '15 (A$)
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V42
Posts: 371
Kudos: 168
Sloan 2013 (MIT) - Calling All Applicants 16 Oct 2012, 19:45
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thanks - helpful

OptimisticApplicant
Not a whole lot of info to go off of, but here's my $0.02...

Go with the family issue. The other components of Sloan's app are geared towards revealing professional stories - seems like a good opportunity to write about something personal.

Use the example with your own idea - it likely better show cases your creative problem solving skills.

Good luck!

str1der
I felt I was ready with my ideas for this App and suddenly today, I have two essay themes, one for each essay, that I think are much better than what I wrote in the first place. Now, hence, I have two versions of each essay and a confused mind on which one to go with.

- For the personal essay, one is a theme that deals with a family issue and how I worked to support my family while the other is on how I dealt with not getting a promotion at work despite being a top performer with a perfect score on my annual evaluation, and how after moving on, I have achieved much more recognition in my current role.
Cons for the first: I guess a lot of ppl will write this, so I feel I may not be able to differentiate myself enough. However, this affects people in addition to me and hence is more 'meaningful'
Cons for the second: Again, a sizeable number would have this setback, and differentiation will be tough. However, this is more inward looking and affects only me

- For the convincing essay, both themes are professional, but in one I persuaded multiple stakeholders to go along with a proposed idea that fundamentally changed the company's staffing model. The second is not really an idea of mine, but definitely involved more direct persuasion

Thoughts? (I know you dont have adequate info on the essays or my background, but I would appreciate comments based only on the above for now)
Show more
   1   2   3   4   5   6  ...  57   
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7445 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
234 posts