Goals essay - :S

Question

I've been working on putting together a short-term & long-term goals blurb in anticipation of the Fall 2011 admission season, and I'm grappling with a decision here:

1) Should my short term goal focus one one single goal, or (eg, Consulting)
2) Should I outline a Plan A goal and a Plan B goal? (eg, a specific Industry position)

IMHO, Point 1 serves to demonstrate that I have a clear direction in the short-term and that I have done sufficient research to know exactly what I want.

Point 2 demonstrates that I have a more holistic approach, and that I understand that I may have to adapt on the go once admitted.

Any thoughts?

nink · Answer

I think these threads can probably answer some of your questions: goals-essay-84873.html the-goals-essay-how-much-personality-66541.html questions-about-goals-essay-67024.html

unplugged · Answer

I don't understand your point 2.

I have a comment on point 1:-

In my opinion, you will be better served by focussing on what you WANT to do rather than just mentioning consulting or investment banking. Ofcourse, mentionining the field/company in which you want to work post MBA displays that you've done your research but mentioning what you PLAN to do in that field/company and WHY is far more critical.

Also, keep in mind that the WHAT and WHY part in your short term goals should ideally be in sync with your long term goal

merkin · Answer

I think the #1 trait of successful essays is not just stating a goal, but stating a  plausible  goal along with a plan on how you are going to get there. For example, you might really want to do investment banking, but if you have no finance experience and have spent the last 4 years saving the Uruguayan tree frog, IB is going to be a tough sell to an adcom. They want a marketable product.

It would be a lot easier to write about how your time studying frogs has taught you that you are really passionate about environmental consulting (i assume that is a real industry) and you need an MBA from X school so that you can learn the business side of things, they have a great environmental consulting department, etc. Once you're in, it doesnt matter what you said you wanted to do on your essays.

I'm not saying lie...I'm just saying, at least in my case, I think the key factor in my successful applications was stating a goal that seemed achievable and logical, even if it might not be  exactly  what I plan on doing.

Embeayy · Answer

nink,

Kudos for recommending these links! The BW link really puts the goals essay in perspective.

BTW I thought about this some more after posting and I'm going to stick with the tried and tested formula of one specific short term career goal.

Goals essay - :S

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