A successful MBA personal statement is both engaging and persuasive. The essay carries the reader along effortlessly while convincing them that you are qualified and worthy.
Armed with a great personal statement, you have an improved chance of entering the MBA school of your choice. But what does it take to write a personal statement that could give you better prospects in the application process? Would you like some free samples?
Here has some ideas and a strategy for writing an excellent admissions essay, along with plenty of examples for you to use.
Build Your Personal Statement Around a Core Idea
The core idea — the essence, theme or central point — becomes the driver of content for your essay. Everything else in the document should support that concept.
- When responding to a specific question, your core idea should directly and elegantly answer the question.
- When writing a less-directed essay, you still need a driving concept; you just have more choice as to what the concept can be.
This core idea is your thesis. The thesis statement gives your admissions essay a clear direction.
The central theme is also what weaves your essay to make it a unified whole. It is the driving force that makes your essay strong and engaging. Here is a good example of thematic writing, with the topic in this case being how MBA studies help cultivate leadership qualities.
Without a core idea, readers may become lost as to what you’re meaning to say. There will be no binding theme and various details may seem irrelevant or out of place. The admissions panel should be able to quickly grasp what you’re attempting to convey.
Include Only Relevant Details in Your MBA Essay
Essays that are essentially resumes in prose — or which attempt to tell your entire life story — descend into the unwanted mishmash category. MBA essays that are replete with irrelevant details have strayed from their central mission. They are neither engaging nor persuasive and, indeed, bore readers.
Your MBA personal statement is a means to reveal who you are and what contributed to your character formation. But you want to avoid writing details about yourself that are not especially relevant to the application. These details can be tedious to read.
Remember that an essay has limits, including in terms of word count. Telling a story using key facts is better than making a bunch of loosely connected points that are full of details. Choose what you really want to write about. Here are some ideas you might find useful.
Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid
As a quality control device, you may want to be mindful about what to avoid in your essay. Here are some ideas on the common mistakes applicants make when writing an MBA personal statement.
1. Repeating or expanding on your resume
Perhaps the most common personal statement writing blunder is including an expository resume of your background and experience. This is not to say that business schools are not interested in your accomplishments.
However, other portions of your application will provide this information. Strive for depth, not breadth.
Aside from telling irrelevant details, listing down your accomplishments like you do in a resume is a no-no in writing your admission essay. You should not waste limited space by stating what can be easily found on your resume. You have to strive more for self-reflection because that is what the admissions panel wants to hear from you.
Focus on your purpose for writing the essay. This will help you put together ideas that can help back up your application and support your claim for a coveted spot.
2. Choosing a topic that could provoke negative reactions
Succeeding with your personal statement is not limited to the specifics of writing, such as grammar, style and details. Choosing a topic that won’t offend readers is equally as important.
Be sensitive to your readers and their potentially different and varying perspectives. The topic may have serious repercussions on how they perceive you as an individual or candidate for admission. Mistakes include looking unprofessional, revealing too much personal information or identifying yourself in terms of political or cultural leanings.
3. Including content that doesn’t help tell the story
An unfocused writer can rely too heavily on generalizations while also providing too many irrelevant details. The problem is that writers often don’t consider what is genuinely necessary to include or they repeat points.
Your MBA personal statement should be almost flawless. It should have a central idea to make it a unified whole. And the essay should only contain details that are important and relevant. After each draft is done, check that these goals are being achieved.
What Admissions Committees Look For
When evaluating MBA personal statements, admissions committees for MBA programs look for several key things, including:
- Professional experience: They want to see that you have relevant work experience, as well as a clear understanding of the role that an MBA will play in your career.
- Academic background: Admissions committees want to see that you have a strong academic foundation in business, as well as the quantitative and decision-making skills that are necessary for success in an MBA course.
- Goals and motivations: Admissions committees want to understand your motivations for pursuing an MBA and your long-term career goals. They want to see that you have a clear vision for how an MBA will help you achieve your goals and make a positive impact.
- Fit with the program: Committees want to see that you are a good fit for their particular program. They will look for evidence that you have done your research on the program and understand how it will help you achieve your goals.
- Writing ability: The panel will also evaluate your writing ability and communication skills. Your personal statement should be well-written, well-organized, and free of errors. It should also clearly articulate your ideas and convey your passion for business management.
Example 1: Family Business Part Owner
The reason why I am keen to earn an MBA from a top business school is to grow a family business. The training will strengthen my knowledge in finance, strategy, and leadership, while learning from seasoned professionals. This will help me elevate our business and make a meaningful impact in the industry. My goal is to expand our legacy and drive new growth opportunities.
As a third-generation member of the business, continuing what my grandparents and parents built is close to my heart. Yet, I recognise that taking our business further requires more than tradition—it demands new skills and insights. An MBA will bridge that gap, giving me the tools to manage challenges effectively and lead with confidence.
In addition to my professional experience, I hold a degree in Business Administration from XYZ University. This education equipped me with essential business principles and sharpened my analytical and problem-solving skills. These abilities have been invaluable in my work, but advancing my knowledge through an MBA will push me to the next level.
My experience, academic background, and commitment to growth make me an ideal candidate for a top MBA program. I look forward to using this knowledge to drive success for our business and contribute to the industry as a whole.
Example 2: Financial Analyst
As a financial analyst at a leading consulting firm, I have gained valuable insights into the inner workings of the corporate world. However, I have always felt that there was more I could learn to help me better understand the big picture and make more informed decisions.
That is why I am pursuing an MBA. I am excited to delve deeper into topics such as finance, strategy, and leadership, and to learn from experienced professionals in the field. I believe that this education will not only help me to advance my career, but also to make a positive impact on the organizations I work with.
In addition to experience in finance, I have a strong academic background in business. I received my undergraduate degree in Economics from XYZ University, where I developed quantitative and other technical skills and learned management principles.
I am confident that my professional experience, academic background, and passion for business make me an ideal candidate for an MBA program. I am excited to take the next step in my career and to contribute to the growth and success of businesses through my knowledge and expertise.
Example 3: Healthcare Administrator
I am committed to earning an MBA to better understand the business side of healthcare and make a greater impact in the industry.
As a registered nurse and healthcare administrator, my career has been dedicated to improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare. However, I know that to drive meaningful change, deeper expertise in areas like healthcare strategy, finance, and leadership is essential. This MBA will provide the tools needed to elevate my contributions and support positive transformations in the organisations I work with.
My experience includes both frontline nursing and healthcare administration, providing me with a comprehensive view of the field. Yet, I recognise that effective leadership in today’s healthcare landscape requires more. Learning from experts and peers in an MBA program will help bridge this gap and prepare me for greater responsibilities.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from XYZ University and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from ABC University. These degrees have equipped me with solid analytical and strategic skills that have supported my work. But to lead change, advancing my knowledge with an MBA is the next logical step.
My combination of professional experience, academic background, and passion for healthcare makes me a strong MBA candidate. I am eager to apply what I learn to enhance the organisations I serve and contribute to advancements in the industry.
Example 4: Marketing and Sales Manager
As a business development manager at XYZ Company, I have gained valuable experience in the field of marketing and sales. However, I have always felt that there was more I could learn to further advance my career and make a greater impact in the industry.
That is why I am pursuing an MBA degree. I am eager to delve deeper into the complexities of business strategy and management, and to learn from experienced professionals in the field. I believe that this education will not only help me to become a more effective leader, but also to make a positive contribution to my organization.
In addition to significant real-world experience, I have a strong academic background. I received my undergraduate degree in Marketing from ABC University, where I learned the fundamental principles of business and developed technical and organizational skills.
I am confident that my experience, academic achievements, and passion for business make me an ideal candidate for an MBA. I am excited to take the next step in my career and to contribute to the growth and success of a business through my knowledge and expertise.
Example 5: Project Manager
An MBA education will help me lead impactful change and contribute more meaningfully to the tech industry. As a project manager at a global technology company, I have successfully driven cross-functional teams to meet business goals. Still, to advance further and make a broader impact, I need to expand my knowledge in strategy, leadership, and innovation. This education will strengthen my ability to guide organisations towards growth and long-term success.
My work has centred on managing complex projects and aligning teams to deliver results. However, to stay competitive and push my career forward, deeper expertise is essential. An MBA will provide the advanced knowledge and practical insights needed to excel in higher-level strategic roles.
I hold a Business Administration degree from ABC University, which gave me solid analytical and problem-solving skills. These skills have been valuable, but further education will build on this foundation and prepare me to tackle greater challenges.
With extensive project management experience, a strong academic background, and a passion for driving business success, I am confident that I am well-suited for an MBA program. I look forward to using this opportunity to deliver impactful results and help organisations thrive.
Example 6: Startup Founder
As the founder and CEO of a successful start-up, I have gained valuable experience in the world of entrepreneurship and business. However, I have always felt that there was more I could learn to take my skills to the next level and make a greater impact in the industry.
That is why I am pursuing an MBA at a top business school. I am eager to delve deeper into topics such as finance, strategy, and leadership, and to learn from experienced professionals in the field. I believe that this education will not only help me to advance my career, but also to drive growth and success for my own business and for the organizations I work with.
In addition to my valuable business experiences, I have a strong education foundation. I received a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Michigan, where I learned the fundamental principles of business and developed analytical and communication skills.
My business experience, academic background, and passion for business development make me a strong candidate for a top business school’s MBA program. I’m excited to take the next step in my career and to contribute to commercial growth and success through my knowledge and expertise.
Allan Duncan
A business school will typically give some weight to the MBA personal statement when assessing applications, but it is generally not the most important factor. Admissions committees also consider professional experience, academic background, GMAT or GRE scores, and letters of recommendation.
That being said, the personal statement is an important opportunity for applicants to showcase their strengths and explain why they are a good fit. A well-written MBA personal statement can help to differentiate an applicant from other candidates and provide insights into motivations, goals, and personality.
Overall, MBA personal statements represent just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to business school admissions. It is important to put effort into crafting a strong essay, but it is also important to focus on other aspects of the application.