Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 06:11 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 06:11
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
avatar
jd04
avatar
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Last visit: 27 Sep 2008
Posts: 38
Own Kudos:
2
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 38
Kudos: 2
Yale #2 30 Dec 2006, 15:11
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
What to use for this? So many choices.
Leadership?
Setback?
Unique personality characteristic?
Personal Development?

Do they mind if you "create" a question that closely resembles another schools' question?

For those who have completed Yale's app, how did you go about this?

Thanks in advance
User avatar
EconGirl
User avatar
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Last visit: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 365
Own Kudos:
5
Posts: 365
Kudos: 5
Yale #2 30 Dec 2006, 15:21
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I evaluated all my experiences and choose to write about the one I felt might help the most to set me appart from other applicants. I wrote about a setback and how dealt/waht learned, which is a pretty common question in other applications.

you should know that I did not hear from Yale though, which means that I probably did not get in ...
User avatar
eazyb81
User avatar
Joined: 03 Jul 2006
Last visit: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 458
Own Kudos:
149
Posts: 458
Kudos: 149
Yale #2 30 Dec 2006, 17:55
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I'm having trouble with this one as well....still not sure how I will approach it.

Side note: Yale's 500 word limit on each essay is simply ridiculous. I am finding it nearly impossible to trim the 1st one down to 500 words - very frustrating.
User avatar
darren1010
User avatar
Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Last visit: 25 Apr 2009
Posts: 219
Own Kudos:
5
Posts: 219
Kudos: 5
Yale #2 30 Dec 2006, 21:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I started with 650, and then cut it down to 450. now I have to fill it with some not-too-important details
User avatar
lhotseface
User avatar
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Last visit: 18 Jan 2025
Posts: 798
Own Kudos:
53
Posts: 798
Kudos: 53
Yale #2 30 Dec 2006, 21:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I would suggest using a truly original question (not from another school's app) to highlight a personal quality/achievement.



darren1010
I started with 650, and then cut it down to 450. now I have to fill it with some not-too-important details
Show more
User avatar
aaudetat
User avatar
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Last visit: 10 Jan 2016
Posts: 1,854
Own Kudos:
233
Given Kudos: 2
Concentration: Social Enterprise
Schools:The Duke MBA, Class of 2009
Posts: 1,854
Kudos: 233
Yale #2 30 Dec 2006, 21:40
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Met a nice gal who is a first year Yale student. She obviously got in and got some pretty decent dough to boot.

She wasn't that into Yale when she applied, so she lifted her "most gratifying career achievement" essay from another school and used it for Yale. She swears she did change the school's name, at least.

BTW - you think 500 words stinks? Yeah, try this: Cornell only allows 400. They're outta control.

Frankly, if you need to trim your essay, give it to someone who isn't attached to your achievements like you are. It's so hard to slash and burn your own writing. For my Cornell stuff, i am down to 500 and am going to give it to one of my supervisees who used to be in publishing. She even uses the offical doo-dads when she crosses your stuff out. Very professional.
avatar
zargo79
avatar
Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Last visit: 08 Mar 2007
Posts: 18
Own Kudos:
1
Posts: 18
Kudos: 1
Yale #2 01 Jan 2007, 15:27
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I'm also having the same dilemma on what kind of essay to use for this one.

Extracurr essay - Impressive but it doesn't seem to fit with my goals
Personal History - Poignant and unique but again isnt' focused on my goals.
Leadership - Of professional nature so it may not sound as unique but it is easier to fit with my goals.


any suggestions?
User avatar
aaudetat
User avatar
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Last visit: 10 Jan 2016
Posts: 1,854
Own Kudos:
233
Given Kudos: 2
Concentration: Social Enterprise
Schools:The Duke MBA, Class of 2009
Posts: 1,854
Kudos: 233
Yale #2 01 Jan 2007, 15:53
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I am sure you can make any of those experiences relate to your goals. You can show how you have gained a cross-applicable skill or lesson from any experience. Example: you grew up low-income, which you can use to show your determination, your ability to adapt yourself to new situations, your passion for making the world a better place, or your impressive array of trailer-court swear words. Your volunteer work with a local theatre might be a good way to show your diverse interests, your ability to work with a team, etc.

One way to help you decide - is there anything you would love to tell the adcom, but you didn't get a chance to express in your application? Do you have any weaknesses that a well-written story would mitigate?
avatar
zargo79
avatar
Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Last visit: 08 Mar 2007
Posts: 18
Own Kudos:
1
Posts: 18
Kudos: 1
Yale #2 01 Jan 2007, 16:09
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Do you think its better to explicitly state these cross functional skills or just let the essay/accomplishment speak for itself without saying "the lessons I learned doing XYZ can be applicable for AAA and BBB"

I always found these statements a bit cliche and kinda detracts from the flow of the essay but i guess it ensures that the adcom knows what you are bringing to the table.
User avatar
aaudetat
User avatar
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Last visit: 10 Jan 2016
Posts: 1,854
Own Kudos:
233
Given Kudos: 2
Concentration: Social Enterprise
Schools:The Duke MBA, Class of 2009
Posts: 1,854
Kudos: 233
Yale #2 01 Jan 2007, 16:20
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I think the rule of thumb is to treat your reader like a bit of a moron and spell out what you want them to know.

After all, this is a business school application; you should show that your experiences make sense in a business setting. I don't know if you have to be super-super-obvious ("I balanced the group's budget and untangled the finances after the previous treasurer was canned because he completely screwed it all up. These accounting skills will clearly help me in my accounting classes."). But I do think you want to tie it in by using the right words. In the previous example, you might talk about fixing up the accounting and then say something like, "I learned a lot about accounting and applying those skills in a non-profit situation." You've used the right buzz words - accounting, applying, skills, non-profit. They'll get it.

Maybe a way to judge how specific to be by considering how obviously the skill relates to b-school. A story that shows your leadership accumen will be obvious. Something about booking artists for a community music festival will be less clear and require clearer linkages.
User avatar
eazyb81
User avatar
Joined: 03 Jul 2006
Last visit: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 458
Own Kudos:
149
Posts: 458
Kudos: 149
Yale #2 01 Jan 2007, 16:44
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I've decided to use a leadership-based essay that I will modify from another school's essay. However, it starts off on a somber note, and I hope that doesn't detract from what i'm trying to convey.
User avatar
aaudetat
User avatar
Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Last visit: 10 Jan 2016
Posts: 1,854
Own Kudos:
233
Given Kudos: 2
Concentration: Social Enterprise
Schools:The Duke MBA, Class of 2009
Posts: 1,854
Kudos: 233
Yale #2 01 Jan 2007, 18:58
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
As long as you don't cast yourself in a negative light, and the essay ends with a nice, uplifting go-to-it note, it's probably ok.

Keep in mind that we want to show that we've overcome challenges and have learned about ourselves, but we don't want to look like we're damaged goods or just plain jerks.
User avatar
EconGirl
User avatar
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Last visit: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 365
Own Kudos:
5
Posts: 365
Kudos: 5
Yale #2 02 Jan 2007, 07:13
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
This is useful. I am deciding on the concluding paragraph of my essay where a change I made helped out my team. I feel like an idiot saying this experience of XYZ enhanced my leadership skills ABC. On the other hand, I worry that by not spelling it out, I weaken the impact a bit.....





aaudetat
I think the rule of thumb is to treat your reader like a bit of a moron and spell out what you want them to know.

After all, this is a business school application; you should show that your experiences make sense in a business setting. I don't know if you have to be super-super-obvious ("I balanced the group's budget and untangled the finances after the previous treasurer was canned because he completely screwed it all up. These accounting skills will clearly help me in my accounting classes."). But I do think you want to tie it in by using the right words. In the previous example, you might talk about fixing up the accounting and then say something like, "I learned a lot about accounting and applying those skills in a non-profit situation." You've used the right buzz words - accounting, applying, skills, non-profit. They'll get it.

Maybe a way to judge how specific to be by considering how obviously the skill relates to b-school. A story that shows your leadership accumen will be obvious. Something about booking artists for a community music festival will be less clear and require clearer linkages.
Show more
User avatar
eazyb81
User avatar
Joined: 03 Jul 2006
Last visit: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 458
Own Kudos:
149
Posts: 458
Kudos: 149
Yale #2 02 Jan 2007, 07:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
aaudetat
As long as you don't cast yourself in a negative light, and the essay ends with a nice, uplifting go-to-it note, it's probably ok.

Keep in mind that we want to show that we've overcome challenges and have learned about ourselves, but we don't want to look like we're damaged goods or just plain jerks.
Show more


I think I have done a good job illustrating how I rose to the occassion during a trying situation, and it's certainly not a "pity me" essay, so I feel good about it.....let's hope the adcoms do too.