Writing essays can be one of the most challenging aspects of the MBA application process. Yet, they are a crucial element in the admissions process, giving you a unique opportunity to introduce yourself and your achievements and providing valuable information to the admissions team on your motivations and overall fit for the programme.
Since you have downloaded our application form, we thought you may appreciate a few pointers from our admissions team on writing strong essays. They recommend the following:
Be original: We encourage you to stay away from clichés and to find original content. In other words, we want to get to know the real ‘you’, so be honest and try to focus on what unique experience you can bring to the programme. INSEAD selects a variety of profiles to complete the class; from people who have taken the more traditional business routes in their careers to others with medical, humanities or military backgrounds.
This means that there is no standard template and no perfect mold to which you need to fit. So try to avoid writing what you think the admissions committee would like to hear and follow your own instincts; for instance, you can mix in elements from your personal life that can shed light on your passions, pursuits or accomplishments. The best essays we have read always strike a balance between personal and professional details. And one more thing, original doesn’t mean intimate or inappropriate.
Grammar, sentence construction, words and terms used, clarity of expression: These things also speak about you, even if they seem like small details. We understand that you are juggling your application amidst many other responsibilities and this can be challenging at times. However, it is important to stay focused, to plan appropriately and to take sufficient time to write, review and edit your essays in order to ensure that the image you are projecting is not skewed by inaccuracies, unclear sentences or technical jargon and acronyms. Respecting the word limit and answering the question are also very important .
Detail clearly your work experience: We need to be able to understand your professional responsibilities and experience as this is one of the most important assets you will be bringing into the classroom. To say, for example: “I manage IT projects”, is not enough; instead, you need to try to describe the nature of your work using concrete and specific examples. It is important also to provide a description of your organization, the structure, market and product, especially if you work for a family business or a small medium-sized enterprise. When you talk about your experience, it’s normal to underline your strengths but make sure to focus on your areas of improvement as well. Finally, if you have been unemployed for a period of time and there’s a gap in your job history, it is advisable to give an honest explanation instead of avoiding it.
We hope you’ll find these tips useful for your application. As always, please send us an email at mba.info@insead.edu if you have any questions relating to the programme and your application.
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