10 Tips for writing application essays

1. Be likable

Despite popular opinion, admissions officers do not necessarily enjoy accepting a student with a 4.0 GPA and a 770 GMAT. What they enjoy is accepting students who, based on the interview and the essay, they like. If you can portray yourself as a person who the reader can empathize with/cheer for/relate to, you have greatly helped your cause. On the other hand, arrogance and bloated language will disengage and bore the reader.

2. Don't try to over impress the reader.

Be careful to make realistic assessments of yourself and your abilities. Many essay writers feel they have to go out of their way to come across as over-confident. A student applying to Harvard may believe that stilted and unrealistic language will somehow make up for being underqualified. Try to avoid describing yourself as having a "unique ability" or "innate talents" unless it can be genuinely substantiated. As a rule, if anything you write sounds like something Napolean would say, it should be edited.

3. Avoid overuse of "I"

Many MBA candidates are self-absorbed (no way?), and you may be too, but at least don't come across that way in your essay.

"I would like to go to Kellogg Business School because I would like to study marketing and it would best suit my goals, so please accept me because I am remarkably talented."

The paradox of the admissions essays is that you have to write hundreds of words about yourself, yet you can't sound self-centered. Obviously you have to make references to yourself, but simply be conscious of not overdoing it.
In the real world, MBAs must be team players and self-absorbtion is not a trait campus corporate recruiters are seeking.

4. Typos

These are unacceptable and suggest a lack of professionalism. You should ideally have profession proofreaders review your statements.

5. Trite phrases

Most admission officers are near nausea with applicants who "want to help people” or "think outside of the box." Please describe yourself in a more original and compelling manner.

6. Jaded cynicism

Colleges want bright, active people. A positive approach to life will score points.

7. Am I done yet?

Respect the fact that essay readers must spend their days reading tiresome essays. Have mercy on them and keep your essay below the word limit. They have word limits for a reason.

8. The Dreaded B-School Lingo & Thesaurus Speak

The utilization of sophomoric language to delineate concept expression hinders rather than facilitates comprehension, moreover, such strategies generate antipathy and a soporific
effect, as opposed to engendering a cooperative reaction.

Contrary to popular opinion, the overuse of polysyllabic words does not make up for a lousy Verbal GMAT score. You can't get into business school just because you can use the bloated language of an overpriced management consultant. You do that AFTER graduation, not before.
Writing in passive is another no-no. Try to put life and energy into your essays instead of making it dull, drab and pretentiously stilted.
Don't go to the other extreme and write a really, really totally rad essay. Avoid casual language. (As a rule, avoid the use of "so", "really" and "like" or anything you hear on MTV).

9. Prepare Early

"Could you help me rewrite this??? The essay has to be mailed out in 48 hours."
Be sure to start a few weeks (months?) before the essay is due. The admissions process does not favor procrastination.

10. When in doubt, leave it out.

When you are "done" with your essays, you have yet to begin the toughest part. Here you have to slash out any unneeded phrases and paragraphs. Cut out any unnecessary material.

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