It can be a lengthy process to apply for admission to a master’s degree program in business administration. Applicants in the United States, for example, are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT®), submit an application, and attend an interview. The personal statement for the MBA program is required as part of the application. It is an essay that is intended to allow the applicant to share personal information in a meaningful way. It is a critical factor for admissions officers to consider when deciding which applicants to accept in some cases.
In their application processes, not all schools require personal statements or personal essays. These schools may make their decisions solely on the basis of GMAT scores, undergraduate grades, and other basic data provided in the application. Many schools, on the other hand, insist on a personal statement because it is a valuable way for them to learn more about the applicant, such as his or her writing abilities, interests, and thought processes. In some cases, the personal statement section may be an open invitation for the applicant to choose what he or she wants to share with the admissions committee. In other cases, the school may ask the applicant to answer a specific question.
MBA personal statements can have a wide range of content. However, they are typically fact-based essays that focus on the applicant’s education, professional experience, accomplishments, interests, and goals. For schools that do not require an interview, the MBA personal statement is the applicant’s only opportunity to present a more complete picture of himself or herself to the admissions committee. As a result, the MBA personal statement can play a critical role in determining whether or not an applicant is admitted to the program.
When choosing a topic for an MBA personal statement, candidates often think about how they can set themselves apart from their peers. Major achievements, both personal and professional, as well as common and uncommon ones, are frequently highlighted. The essay could also focus on future plans, such as how the applicant intends to use the MBA.
MBA applicants frequently consult some general do’s and don’ts to consider when writing their essays, in addition to determining a general focus for their personal statements. Many of the do’s are simple writing rules: use active voice, write in first person, start with an outline, write clearly, include an interesting introduction to keep the reader’s attention, and write concisely. Getting defensive about a lower GPA, trying to be funny, including typos, and restating what’s on the applicant’s resume are all common no-nos.