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Apr 2310:00 AM EDT
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Admissions committees evaluate the GMAT/GRE in context — your background, your representation in the applicant pool, the strength of everything else in your file. The same score works for one candidate and falls short for another with identical numbers.
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05 Nov 2024, 05:35
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In your MBA application essays, particularly those focused on leadership or self-reflection, it's easy to fall into the trap of proving your strengths by criticizing others. Consider these REAL examples from applicant essays:
Example 1: My father's career choices and their consequences on the family have to a significant extent shaped my decision-making process. Though academically successful, he made choices I believe caused financial strain for our family. I've always been determined not to repeat his mistakes."
Example 2: I once worked under a manager who fostered a toxic work environment, making us stay late, offering no guidance on projects, and frequently blaming the team for any issues.
Example 3: My parents, owing to our financial challenges, often imposed their ambitions on me.
Leadership and self-awareness essays are meant to be self-reflective and it’s a great idea to show your vulnerabilities and authenticity. However, why do this at the cost of putting other people down? What are the risks in doing so?
By focussing on other people’s flaws, you reveal more about your perceptions and judgments about people, which may not always be objective or unbiased. Making a negative statement about another person reflects poorly upon your ability to process information, understand other people’s circumstances and build relationship with them. Negative commentary can give the impression that you lack empathy or the ability to manage difficult relationships. Business schools look for candidates who can contribute positively to a collaborative environment, and focusing on others’ shortcomings may raise concerns about your ability to do so.
Even if negative experiences have impacted you, it’s unnecessary to dwell on others’ faults. Instead, shift your focus to how you handled difficult circumstances and what you learned from them, which helped in your own growth. For instance, rather than blaming your father, you could explain how you proactively helped mitigate financial challenges, perhaps by supporting yourself early on. Similarly, instead of criticizing your manager, you could describe how you addressed the situation tactfully, suggesting ways to improve team performance and fostering a better work environment. This approach highlights your maturity, resilience, and interpersonal skills, such as empathy and collaboration.
Moreover, its up to you to select the right essay stories from your life. You don’t have to narrate stories that bring others down just to elevate yourself. Instead, focus on how you overcame challenges with a positive, growth-oriented mindset, which will resonate far more with admissions committees.
Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
Example 1: My father's career choices and their consequences on the family have to a significant extent shaped my decision-making process. Though academically successful, he made choices I believe caused financial strain for our family. I've always been determined not to repeat his mistakes."
Example 2: I once worked under a manager who fostered a toxic work environment, making us stay late, offering no guidance on projects, and frequently blaming the team for any issues.
Example 3: My parents, owing to our financial challenges, often imposed their ambitions on me.
Leadership and self-awareness essays are meant to be self-reflective and it’s a great idea to show your vulnerabilities and authenticity. However, why do this at the cost of putting other people down? What are the risks in doing so?
By focussing on other people’s flaws, you reveal more about your perceptions and judgments about people, which may not always be objective or unbiased. Making a negative statement about another person reflects poorly upon your ability to process information, understand other people’s circumstances and build relationship with them. Negative commentary can give the impression that you lack empathy or the ability to manage difficult relationships. Business schools look for candidates who can contribute positively to a collaborative environment, and focusing on others’ shortcomings may raise concerns about your ability to do so.
Even if negative experiences have impacted you, it’s unnecessary to dwell on others’ faults. Instead, shift your focus to how you handled difficult circumstances and what you learned from them, which helped in your own growth. For instance, rather than blaming your father, you could explain how you proactively helped mitigate financial challenges, perhaps by supporting yourself early on. Similarly, instead of criticizing your manager, you could describe how you addressed the situation tactfully, suggesting ways to improve team performance and fostering a better work environment. This approach highlights your maturity, resilience, and interpersonal skills, such as empathy and collaboration.
Moreover, its up to you to select the right essay stories from your life. You don’t have to narrate stories that bring others down just to elevate yourself. Instead, focus on how you overcame challenges with a positive, growth-oriented mindset, which will resonate far more with admissions committees.
Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
06 Nov 2024, 07:10
Kudos
Bookmarks
These are really good points Namita!
Fully agreed!
Fully agreed!
06 Nov 2024, 11:54
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thanks.
I addressed this because I have seen 3-4 applicants make these mistakes just this year.
It was important to put it out there and make applicants aware so they don't diminish their chances by making this mistake.
Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
I addressed this because I have seen 3-4 applicants make these mistakes just this year.
It was important to put it out there and make applicants aware so they don't diminish their chances by making this mistake.
Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
