You have done all the hard work and put in the hours to get to this point – GPA, GMAT, work experience, and extracurricular activities are what they are. You have researched the schools extensively even doing campus visits and connecting with the alumni. Now, it is about putting them all together into one application package that would tip the scales towards attending your target school.
Selecting Stories
As you start sorting ideas for your essays, list the interesting anecdotes that would best present you in a nutshell, such as scenes in a movie that would best capture the essence of the lead character. These will help you stand out through your interesting experiences or serve as an attention getter that captivates your audience. These could range from your personal life, professional accomplishments, or passions.
Recommenders can also add to this by relating specific stories that help substantiate the qualities that you are highlighting. Powerful examples of your leadership and teamwork skills or ability to benefit from constructive criticism will greatly help. Thus, reminding your recommenders of these episodes in your relationship could come in handy.
Presenting Perspectives
The essays are also an avenue to allow admissions committees to understanding where you are coming from, what motivates you, and where you want to go. Sharing your unique upbringing, family values, and motivations helps present a personal profile. This is not limited to the positive events or outstanding accomplishments in your life, the challenges you have overcome or even the weaknesses you are still addressing also humanizes you, making you relatable and making people want to root for your success.
Sharing your personal story or challenging circumstances will also present the perspective that you can contribute to the classroom experiences of your peers. In addition, interesting passions and talents that showcase surprising skills helps you stand out, similar to the way football players singing and dancing to Beyonce’s music make for a memorable bit.
Tweaking the Tone
Apart from the theme and all the great materials you choose for your set, fine-tuning the tone of your presentation can go a long way in delivering a powerful message. Having the perfect mix showcasing strengths, humbly admitting weaknesses, and showing fit between target program and career goals are critical. However, be sure to show personal accountability for failures, and genuine reflection as you plan your next steps, and display clear purpose with each move.
Delivering them with a personal tone and a positive vibe shows your ability to collaborate and be in sync with a select group of star performers as you audition for a coveted slot in a top notch program.
Fitting Finale
Take some care to end the application on a positive paragraph, carefully considering the last impression you would want to make just as the last song of a musical has to be well thought-out and excellently executed to deliver a fitting finale.