Crafting Your Admissions Essay

Rick Weiland got his Executive MBA from Chicago Booth in 1980 as part of XP-45.  He spent most of his career at a software consultancy firm that transformed into a starter of new technology businesses, including two that ended up NYSE traded. Now retired, Rick volunteers with Chicago Booth and AARP, takes guitar classes at the Old Town School, and travels with his wife Karen, exclusively for fun.

TIPS ON CRAFTING YOUR ADMISSIONS ESSAY

Even advanced career professionals can be daunted by the sight of a blank screen when it’s time to work on the essay section of the application. This blog aims to give you some helpful hints, strategies, and friendly words of encouragement for getting your essays (a) started and (b) finished.

In this post, Rick offers quick tips on how to approach the required essay: “Why are you seeking an EMBA from Chicago Booth and what unique knowledge and experiences do you hope to contribute to the program?”

Helpful Hint #1: Relax.
The reason you’re writing the essay, as with most aspects of the admissions process, is to help you and Chicago Booth determine if you are a good fit for one another. There’s nothing sneaky or mysterious about it. So take it seriously, but don’t let it paralyze you!

Helpful Hint #2: First write an outline. No, really!
An outline makes that blank screen a lot less scary. Everybody says they’ll write an outline first, but far too few people do. Do it! Writing an outline helps you organize your sequence of thoughts. It helps you make sure that everything you want to say gets included, and the things you don’t need to say stay out. It helps you proportion the topics.

Information for your outline could include:

• A summary of your background and your short- and long-term objectives — remember that “summary” means “short”. There is no need to reiterate your whole resume.
• How the Sokolov Executive MBA Program will help you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.
• A pitch on what you bring to the program. 

Helpful Hint #3: Answer the whole question!
A lot of the draft essays I see focus almost entirely on answering the first part of the question (Why are you seeking an Executive MBA from Booth?) and don’t give enough attention to the second part (What will you contribute?). Don’t forget to explain why your fellow students (and the faculty) will find it interesting and useful to have you in the program. 

Helpful Hint #4: Minimize the applesauce.
It is a good idea to spend a few sentences discussing why you and Booth are a good fit to one another, but there is no need for you to tell the Admissions Team how wonderful Booth is: They already know, and you don’t want to sound like you’re buttering them up.

Helpful Hint #5: Keep it simple!
Short punchy sentences using short punchy words will always beat long, flowery, adjective-filled sentences. Favor active sentences. Make sure every adjective you use is earning its keep. Avoid technical terminology and buzz words. Disable the semicolon key on your keyboard. If you’ve written a sentence that runs more than two lines, consider breaking it into parts (and then see if the order of the parts might benefit from a rearrangement).

Getting this all done cleanly may take a couple of editing passes, but your essay will be clearer and more compelling by making the extra effort.

Helpful Hint #6: Conclusion first, explanation afterwards.
If you want to be persuasive, I think it's best to write paragraphs that start with the conclusion (that is, the main point). Then, provide the specifics and reasoning that led to the conclusion. People often do the opposite, providing a narrative that eventually reaches a conclusion. I think this is less persuasive. Try it both ways and see if you don’t agree with me. 

Helpful Hint #7: Refine your essay, and don’t be shy about getting some assistance.
Once you’ve written your essay, put it away for a day or two. Then come back and read it like it was written by someone else and see how it strikes you. Fix what you don’t like. Read it out loud and see how it sounds (This is a great catcher of overly complicated or unclear sentences.). Have someone else read and critique your essay. Make sure this person will be frank and up front with you. Have them read it out loud to you.

If English is not your first language, find a native speaker to review and, if necessary, help you smooth the English. 

Helpful Hint #8: Don’t leave your essay to the last minute.
It’s a challenge, but try to get your essay written as early in the process as you can. Besides helping you avoid last minute panic, having the essay done early gives you another chance to read and reconsider it before you submit. And finally, if you’re struggling with your essay, ask the Admissions Team to point you to a resource (e.g., me) who can help.