How to add Storytelling when MBA Essays have word limits

While reviewing essays for the 2014-15 admission season, we noticed a common thread – applicants were trying to bring elements of storytelling by introducing informal conversation into the essays. Somehow, they mistook storytelling to casual conversation. With the ‘post-MBA goals’ and ‘Why MBA’ essay shrinking to 500 words, the opportunity to include storytelling let alone casual observation has come down, but here are a few tweaks that you can do:

1) Opening Paragraph

Unless, you have an unconventional goal – the post-MBA goal not shared by the majority of applicants, don’t straightaway state your post-MBA goals. If the essay reviewer is reading the 100th essay about an applicant planning to get into Finance or Consulting, they are less likely to pay attention, no matter how much you bring elements of storytelling in the second paragraph. They have already lost interest.

Some of the boring post-MBA goals are:

“My short-term goal is to be a consultant in McKinsey & Co. and my long-term goal is to start a strategy consulting company.”

“With the help of <MBA Name>, I would like to work in the Energy sector, leveraging the vast alumni network to my advantage. In the long-term, I am planning to start an energy trading company.”

In both the cases, the reason behind the post-MBA goals is missing. Who was responsible for injecting this idea? How confident are you about achieving these goals? What was the triggering event?

2) One Paragraph – One Story

Before the reviewer loses interest in your essays, use all the elements of storytelling in the next paragraph – surprise, the W-pattern, and interesting characters to grab the reviewer’s attention. The idea on how much you can narrate depends on the type of idea that you have planned to cover in one paragraph. Don’t cover several events in one paragraph. Focus on one event that defines you and captures your leadership,...
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