MBA application tips Archives - Consultants' Corner

The Role of Authenticity In Personal Statements

MBA AdComs consider a host of factors, but authenticity always rings true

Striking a Balance Between Authenticity and Cynicism

In my eighteen years of helping people earn admission into their dream schools, two kinds of applicants are quite common. The first type sees their application as merely a means to an end. They want to know what the admissions committee wants, and they’ll then try to shoehorn their life into that mold. The second type treasures pure authenticity, and insists on featuring the most important moments of their lives in their personal statements, even if they’re not quite relevant.

Neither of these approaches are quite right; the first is too cynical and the second focuses so much on “authenticity” that it forgets its purpose. The correct path is one that splits the difference, and this is what makes crafting a perfect personal statement so perplexing and difficult. On one hand, there’s a compelling need to present oneself in a way that resonates with the Admissions Committees (AdComs). On the other, there’s the inherent desire to remain authentic to one’s true self. With that in mind, how can you blend sincerity with strategic insight to unlock the gates to top-tier business schools?

Every Kind of Writing Has a Purpose

Let’s start with a fundamental truth: every kind of writing serves a specific purpose. The personal statement is one of the strangest kinds of writing in that it’s a blend of memoir, CV, and interview. For MBA application essays, the purpose is unequivocally to earn admission—not to bare your soul as you might on a dating app. Understanding this is pivotal. Your personal statement must be meticulously tailored to reflect the qualities, accomplishments, and experiences that AdComs value in prospective students… but not do so in a way that feels obviously manufactured. It’s about highlighting aspects of your life that align with the school’s ethos and expectations.

However, this does not mean fabricating stories or presenting an exaggerated version of yourself. The art lies in selecting genuine experiences from your life that best demonstrate these values. This approach ensures that your essay remains grounded in reality while strategically showcasing your compatibility with the school’s culture and objectives.

Okay… so HOW?

The Utility of Authenticity

Let’s begin by talking about authenticity within the context of a personal statement. Why is it crucial, especially when you’re consciously tailoring your essay? In short, authentic essays are better essays. Authenticity brings a certain richness to your writing. It makes your stories believable and relatable. An authentic essay does not feel forced; it flows naturally and engages the reader by weaving narratives that are both compelling and true to who you are.

This might sound like a contradiction—being authentic while also being strategic. However, think of authenticity in this context as being purpose-driven. You’re not just recounting your experiences; you’re strategically selecting stories that authentically illustrate your values and attributes that align with the school’s profile.

Two Keys to Balancing Authenticity and Strategy

Align Your Stories with Core Values

Begin by identifying 3-5 core values or attributes that your target school holds in high esteem. These can be gleaned from the school’s website, promotional materials, and by engaging with alumni and current students. Note the words and ideas that they repeat often or that they lead with. Once you have this list of values, brainstorm real-life stories from your own experiences that reflect these qualities.

For instance, if leadership is a recurrent theme in the school’s ethos, reflect on instances where you demonstrated leadership. Perhaps you led a project at work that turned around an underperforming department, or maybe you spearheaded a volunteer initiative that made a significant impact. These stories are effective not just because they show you possess desirable traits, but because they are rooted in your real experiences, lending credibility and authenticity to your narrative.

Don’t Overestimate the AdComs

A common mistake applicants make is overestimating the AdComs. It’s easy to imagine them as omniscient judges capable of seeing through any embellishment or strategic positioning in your essay. While it’s true that AdComs are adept at evaluating applications, they are not infallible. They are looking for well-crafted essays that are honest, forward-looking (that connect your intended past in a realistic way with what you’ve done and hope to learn in their school), and reflective of the candidate’s true potential and fit with the school.

As long as your essay is grounded in real stories that illustrate your claims, you shouldn’t worry too much about AdComs seeing through your strategy. The key is to be honest and thoughtful in your writing, ensuring that it is both reflective of your genuine self and strategically aligned with the school’s values.

Embrace Your Multifaceted Self

Remember: truthfulness is non-negotiable. When I tell you to be strategic, I AM NOT encouraging you to be in any way dishonest. An excellent essay is an ethical essay, and even if you don’t believe in ethics (which… wow, shame on you!) understand that there are many negative consequences to dishonesty, not least that your essay will often feel phony.

However, recognizing that every person embodies multiple facets of themselves is crucial. In your MBA application essay, you are simply choosing to highlight those aspects of your personality and experience that resonate most powerfully with the AdComs. This doesn’t mean you are being insincere; rather, you are showcasing the parts of your identity that best align with the academic and cultural milieu of the school you aspire to join.

Crafting an MBA application essay is a balancing act of authenticity, cynicism, and strategy. By aunderstanding the purpose of your writing, staying true to your stories, and strategically aligning them with the values of your target program, you can create a compelling narrative that is both sincere and persuasive. Remember, the goal is not just to tell a story, but to tell your story in a way that aligns with the expectations and values of the AdComs, opening the door to the next big step in your career and personal development.

For more help with your personal statement, check us out at Gurufi.com. Our personal statement editors and consultants have decades of experience helping clients get into top Masters and Ph.D. programs in STEM, humanities, fine arts, and social sciences. Our specialty is helping you craft compelling personal statements that move the needle in your admissions process! For questions, shoot us an email at service@gurufi.com. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

How to Begin Your MBA Personal Statement

Cartoon illustration of two enthusiastic MBA applicants embarking on their journey, with a white male holding a laptop and giving a thumbs-up, and a South Asian woman holding a folder full of documents, both standing in front of a 'MBA Journey Starts Here!' sign with a university campus in the background — With a careful, smart plan, your MBA application process doesn’t have to be so hard!

It’s April, which means that many of you are beginning in earnest the process of applying for MBA programs. Congratulations on making this potentially life-changing decision!

In this video, we lay out five things to do to prepare yourself for the challenges ahead.

For more help with your personal statement, check us out at Gurufi.com. Our personal statement editors and consultants have decades of experience helping clients get into top MBA programs. Our specialty is helping you craft compelling personal statements that move the needle in your admissions process! For questions, shoot us an email at service@gurufi.com. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Six Important Tips for Starting Your MBA Application

MBA Applicant at a crossroads — You’re at a pivotal moment in your life and career. Be thoughtful!

March is our transition month here at Gurufi. Most of our 2023-24 cycle MBA clients have submitted their applications, and many have already gotten great news. We are beginning to think about next year’s cycle. Though most schools won’t be releasing their application formats, essays, and deadlines until much later in the year, for people looking to apply in the 2024-25 cycles, the time to begin planning is now.

This is an immense decision, and in the coming months, we’ll have a lot of updates, strategies, and insights on specific schools and general application areas. But to start with, I wanted to give some big-picture things to keep in mind on this journey. The MBA journey is a significant decision that can propel your career to new heights. The application process can feel incredibly intimidating at the start, and as you begin, here are some critical things to contemplate that can enhance your application and set you on the path to success.

Self-Reflection and Clear Career Goals

The best MBA applications convey a sense that the applicant knows themselves: their motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and, most importantly, career aspirations. Business schools are not just looking for candidates with impressive resumes; they seek individuals with a clear vision of how an MBA will catapult them toward their career goals. Start by asking yourself why you want an MBA and how it aligns with your short-term and long-term objectives. An exercise I like to do with new clients is to ask them to write, in under 50 words, why they want to earn an MBA. At the start, many people have two answers: an answer they give themselves (more money, promotion, etc.) and an answer they would give to someone on the AdCom. Think through this answer deeply and work to produce a short, direct, and compelling answer that is both personally resonant AND would be compelling to someone on the Admissions Committee.

This introspection will strengthen your application and ensure that you choose programs that align with your aspirations. Articulating your goals convincingly in your essays and interviews demonstrates purpose and direction, qualities that admissions committees value highly.

Involve Your Loved Ones

If done right, an MBA will transform your career and your life. It’s a big deal. So, talk to your family and close friends about it. Ask for their support beforehand, tell them the dates when you’ll be in the thick of GMAT studying or will be overwhelmed with the combinations of work and applications. This will let them know when you need extra help and encouragement. When it comes to your personal statements, ask them, “How would you describe me to somebody who’s never met me?” Have conversations about your strengths and weaknesses with people you trust. This outside perspective is invaluable, especially as you prepare your personal statement. The more you can build a support system for this process, the better it will go for you.

Research and School Selection

Too many applicants look at the rankings and nothing else. Instead of just trying to contort your application into only the M7 schools, do real research to find programs that are a good fit. Yes, with so many MBA programs out there, selecting the right ones to apply to can be overwhelming. But we’re talking about two years of your life, a massive chunk of money, and a decision that will alter the trajectory of your career. Taking three weekends to do extensive research on many programs is time well-spent and intelligently invested. Thorough research into each program’s culture, curriculum, specializations, and networking opportunities is crucial. Look beyond rankings; consider how each program aligns with your career goals, learning style, and personal preferences. Engage with current students and alumni, attend information sessions, and, if possible, visit campuses to get a sense of the community and resources available. Tailoring your application to reflect how you fit with each program’s unique offerings shows the admissions committee that you have done your homework and are genuinely interested in what they offer.

Academic and Professional Preparedness

Business schools assess your academic readiness through your undergraduate GPA, GMAT or GRE scores, and other relevant coursework or certifications. While these metrics are important, your professional experience carries substantial weight. Highlight your leadership experiences, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and any impact you’ve made in your roles. Remember, it’s not about the quantity of your experiences but the quality and relevance. Showcasing a growth trajectory and the ability to overcome challenges can significantly strengthen your application. As you put together a list of schools, the place to begin is by asking yourself whether it’s vital that you attend any business school (or the best one you can get into) or whether you’re only interested in attending a top school. If it’s the former, then be sure to apply schools from across the range of selectiveness. The old college application rule of “three safe schools, three solid schools, three reaches” isn’t a bad one to follow.

Recommendations and Networking

Letters of recommendation are a critical component of your MBA application. A few years back, we made this detailed breakdown of how to get a great letter of recommendation. In fact, we’ve done a lot of content on this! Check this, this, and this out! (and see how my hair has changed over the years!  ) Letters are so important because they provide insight into your professional accomplishments and potential for future success. Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths, leadership abilities, and how you’ve contributed to your workplace. It’s essential to brief your recommenders about your MBA aspirations and discuss specific instances they might highlight to support your application.

Networking with alumni and current students can provide invaluable insights into the program and can also enhance your application. These interactions can offer you perspectives that you can incorporate into your essays, making your application more robust and personal.

Authenticity and Personal Branding

In a sea of applicants, standing out is paramount. Your essays, resume, and interview are opportunities to showcase your unique story, values, and what you bring to the table. Authenticity is key; admissions committees can discern between genuine narratives and those crafted merely to impress. Reflect on your experiences, passions, and the challenges you’ve overcome. How have these shaped you and your career aspirations? Building a cohesive narrative that ties your past experiences with your future goals while highlighting how an MBA fits into this journey is crucial.

Your personal brand is the amalgamation of your professional experiences, personal values, and the unique perspective you bring. Consistency across all elements of your application in presenting this brand can make a significant impact. Whether through your essays, your recommenders’ anecdotes, or your interview responses, ensuring a coherent and authentic representation of yourself is vital.

As you’ll learn, your MBA application isn’t just you writing about strengths and stories that you already know. There’s a sense of self-discovery that this process entails. As you think about your life, aspirations, strengths, and weaknesses, keep an open mind, and remember that this is a two-way process. Just as the AdCom will be exacting in their assessments of you, you should think carefully about whether, how, and why various schools would fit your vision for your future.

By reflecting on your career goals, conducting thorough research on programs, demonstrating academic and professional preparedness, leveraging recommendations, and maintaining authenticity, you can craft a compelling application. Remember, the goal is not just to gain admission but to ensure that the program you choose is a stepping stone toward your envisioned future. Embrace this process as an opportunity to introspect and articulate your aspirations, and you’ll find that your MBA application is not just a formality but a pivotal chapter in your career narrative.