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Applying for graduate school is a complicated ordeal. You’ve taken an admissions test such as the GMAT or the GRE. You are now completing the application itself for one or more graduate program, including an essay – likely a different essay for each program for which you are applying. After taking admissions tests, obtaining transcripts from your undergraduate degree, and completing what may have appeared to be an endless application, you may be wondering how important an essay could possibly be. Very important, it turns out, for a variety of reasons.

You are more than just numbers, grades and scores.

Your prospective school can only do so much with objective data. It is very likely that you are one of several students applying for their MBA program. It’s also likely that many other applicants have similar grades and scores. So, the college is faced with a question; why should they let you in? What makes you stand out among the other several students with similar academic profiles? Your essay is a chance to answer that question. It gives you a chance to give the numbers associated with you some kind of humanity. The essay provides the opportunity to explain why you are better, why you are the best candidate for the program.

Tell your story. How do you apply what you have learned?

Most of the time, your personal essay is going to give you the opportunity to show the school who you are and what your goals are. It can also be a way for them to determine how you plan to apply what you know. Knowledge is only good when it is applied. From your grades and test scores, your prospective school knows what you have learned. What they don’t know is how well you can use that knowledge. Your essay is a great place to demonstrate your ability to apply your knowledge in the real world.

Now that we have established the importance of your MBA essay, it’s time to examine some tips on how to write a great one. It’s clear that you’ll want an essay that stands out; that will cause a school to choose you over some other person with similar academics. Here are some quick thoughts.

Remember that this is your opportunity to show your prospective school who you are.

Your essay should say a lot about you. Particularly it should show your strengths, and explain why you are the best candidate for the program. In an essay, you often do this by telling a story and showing in some way how the essay topic affects you personally – while at the same time making sure you stay on topic and avoid digression.

Have a friend, professor, or fellow student (or all three) read and critique your essay.

Typically, the more eyes you have in front of your essay the better. Ask people you know well to read and critique your essay. Have them help you check your grammar and spelling.

We recommend using EssayEdge.

Your MBA Essay is important, so as a last step before submitting it to your school with your application packet, we recommend having a professional look at it. With the standard option, a professional editor will proofread your essay. In addition, they will review the content and provide feedback and suggestions to help you improve it. Once you submit the essay, the review process will be completed within 48 hours. For a very reasonable price, you’ll be able to submit your essay, confident that it is at its best.

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