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RoboMan
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Advice on essays 29 Jan 2008, 19:24
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I am thinking of writing the essays in advance for different B-schools that I am going to apply this year. But my concern is how much does the essays questions change each year. Can one write the essay based on last year questions and expect those reponses be good enough this year? Does anybody tried this strategy before? Is it a significant rework to write the essays from scratch once the actual questions are released later this year? Please advice.

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Advice on essays 29 Jan 2008, 19:38
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I think there is really NO downside to this idea. Look at it from your perspective. No matter how many different essay topics are out there, you will be responding to them using the same few X number of experiences and accomplishments. You will probably tailor/cast these X items in whichever slant or perspective the question requires.

I believe it is a good idea to write a 250-word write up of each accomplishment/experience/failure now. These will give you a good base to start with, when fall 2008 comes around. However, if you have not taken GMAT or TOEFL or have a weak XC profile, then you are better off focusing on those elements rather than the essays. After all, you need to create experiences before you can wax poetry about them.
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Advice on essays 29 Jan 2008, 19:42
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Even if they do change the essay questions, you'll benefit immensely by going through the process and you'll likely be able to adapt your essays to the new questions. If you focus on the key questions that are always asked (why MBA, why now, describe a challenging situation, etc) you'll almost certainly be able to use the material. The Essay writing process is a grueling one and the sooner you get started, the more time you have for introspection and refinement.
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Advice on essays 29 Jan 2008, 20:42
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A lot of schools use similar essays year to year. At least the basic questions, the unusual ones usually change but those are typically the easiest to write anyways. Just make sure the essays are right, they may change them slightly and give them a totally different way to approach it. You want to make sure you answer the question asked 100% correctly not 85% or something. Close isnt good enough.
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crackfire2003
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Advice on essays 11 Jan 2010, 01:30
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I have seen a trend in career goals essays for instance schools like Chicago and Tuck ask this question and tie it with your academic and professional history while some schools like INSEAD concentrate on asking forwarding looking questions and want you to answer the Why MBA based on what you want to do post MBA.

As an applicant I feel really comfortable of answering this question based on my academic and professional history and can tie it with my future goals and what will I learn while doing a MBA. This gives the whole story a flow,however I am finding it a little difficult with essays that want you to just look forward any tips ?
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crackfire2003
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Advice on essays 11 Jan 2010, 02:36
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Another problem that I have been facing is how many why(s) should I answer for instance

1. Why did I choose my current work profile
2. Why do I want to do MBA
3. Why do I want to do MBA now
4. Why do I want to do MBA from xyz school
5. Why are my long term & short goals the ones I have mentioned
6. And one can go into more why as one starts giving out more details for e.g. I want to be a in investment banking in a S&T Role focusing on Asian markets. Three Whys there itself :shock:


So my question is how to handle these Whys while be succinct and adhere to word limits.