Essay Writing Strategies:

GMAT scores, GPAs, college transcripts and career history are all part of your application package. The
other more real, more personal part lies with you. Schools are constantly striving to understand what
inspires you, what dreams and ambitions move you, what sets you apart from the rest of your
competition and why are you applying to the school. Essays are your best chance to share with them a
great story about you. The admissions committees at the top schools are looking for an impressive multi-
dimensional applicant who will be able to maximize what he/she gains from and contributes to the
school.

The main idea to convey through your essays is the reason why you are a perfect fit for the school.

Top 10 tips for a strong and successful essay:

1. Present a well-rounded application - The admissions committee is looking for a candidate that has
collected a wide range of experiences, which reflect his/her passion and form the basis for his/her
heightened sense of self-awareness.

2. Keep it simple - You need to portray that you can competently organize your thought processes, and
that you can persuasively articulate about yourself.

3. Project a high degree of maturity - The admissions committees are looking for students that display
an outstanding level of maturity this needs to permeate through content.

4. Show that you are a strong fit through your application - You may be a candidate that is well
rounded and has excelled personally and professionally, but your core experience and philosophy has to
fit with that of the school.

5. Adhere to the word limit - There is no room for maneuvering the word limits in essays.

6. Write naturally but succinctly - Use simple sentence structure and normal everyday vocabulary. If
large words are used incorrectly, you end up sounding pretentious.

7. Use excellent grammar and punctuation - Use logical paragraph breaks to separate your thoughts
and to make the essay easier to read. Proofread your work carefully before sending it in. Don't let simple
carelessness ruin your chances.

8. Use the active voice - Be direct, crisp and thorough. Passive voice is highly impersonal and makes the
essay almost unreadable. It is too technical and verbose.
9. Avoid plagiarism at all costs - Use your own language and do not lift content from published
materials, both online and ofline.

10. Use humor carefully - Be careful about how you use humor, and do not take yourself too seriously
this goes back to your ability to honestly relect individuality.
Make a sharp statement!
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