MBA Admissions Tip: Your story ties everything together

The MBA application process is designed to be the beginning of a life changing experience. I would encourage you to talk to friends and family and to reflect upon your life and aspirations, beyond your family… beyond your experiences… beyond hometown, state or country… and try to envision what really and truly makes you who you are, and what an MBA will do for the spirit inside you. This and this alone will guide you through the application process, admission interviews, two years of business school and the career search process. Let me say it again, this and this alone will determine your success and true happiness… not your exemplary academic accomplishments, professional experiences or personal strengths.

GMAT scores, undergrad academic records, and recommendation letters are marginal at best (in the qualitative way) without your ability to tell your story and tie it all together in your essays and interviews. You might have all your bases covered with regard to being in the “definitely interview” applicant pile with your GMAT score and years of meaningful work experience… but these are not going to get you anywhere unless you can tell your story. Your story has to be unique… because you are unique. Your story has to grab the reader and transport them into your world. Your story has to make the reader want to be you. Your story brings your application to life… please spend time crafting this.

We are a story-telling race, keep that in mind. Everyone likes a good story.

Technorati Tags: mba – vanderbilt – owen – vandy – sharran – essays – gmat