When was the last time you saw a movie and felt emotionally connected to the story? I bet the movie that you were impressed breaks away from the routine that we are all used to – waking up in the morning, getting ready for work, long commute to the office, the usual team meetings, the work, the gossip, impressing the boss, and finally leaving the office hoping that sun rises a little late. If we capture the same routine in our narrative, would it look interesting? 90% of writers cannot do it. How can you then include the routine or the obvious in MBA Application essays and expect to connect emotionally with the Admission Committee?
The truth – you CAN!
How did you feel when you traveled on the first day for your job?
It was exciting. Waking up meant -advancing closer to your goals. Getting ready for work meant – finding the right attire, getting ready with the to-do list, and anticipating a positive outcome for the day. The commute was interesting. You observed how others behaved in a group environment. The courtesy of the commuter, the competitiveness to get the vacant seat, and an eagerness to get down at the destination – it demonstrated a lot about the commuters.
When did you stop observing human interaction?
Probably when you saw WORK as WORK, and not as an interesting opportunity. Somewhere down the line, you lost the motivation to put your 100%. Why? Earlier, the team meetings were an opportunity for you to express your unique ideas. Work meant implementing the latest productivity tips. Gossip involved discussing what others have achieved, and keeping the competitive spirit intact. You took extra measures to impress the boss. Leaving the office on the first day was in anticipation on what can be achieved tomorrow. But somewhere down the line, the boss gave a negative review and didn’t appreciate your productivity or contribution. Gossip became discussion about other’s personal lives, and Group meetings became time wasters. Nothing has changed. As human beings, you got used to the routine.
When MBA Aspirants translate their thoughts to words, they put words from their 400th day on the job. They might sound like learned souls, but the words don’t capture the enthusiasm or newness of the experience. When you fail to convey the emotions, the admission committee will categorize you among the typecasts – the Indian IT graduate, the American Banker, or the Chinese Luxury professional. Titles do not define you. Your unique personality is lost in the title. The experience you encountered is unique, and words should capture it. Without it, you are applicant #274 in an obscure work schedule of an MBA application essay reviewer.
When you write your first draft, recollect what it was like working on the first day. Capture the emotions and observations. It defines your authentic voice. Upload your essays here. We will help you create unique essays for MBA Applications.
About the Author
I am Atul Jose, Founding Consultant of F1GMAT, an MBA admissions consultancy that has worked with applicants since 2009.
For the past 15 years I have edited the application files of admits to the M7 programs: Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Wharton School, MIT Sloan, Chicago Booth, Kellogg School of Management, and Columbia Business School, together with admits to Berkeley Haas, Yale School of Management, NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, Duke Fuqua, Darden, Tuck, IMD, London Business School, INSEAD, SDA Bocconi, IESE Business School, HEC Paris, McCombs, and Tepper, plus other programs inside the global top 30.
My work covers the full MBA application deliverable: career planning and profile evaluation, application essay editing, recommendation letter editing, mock interviews and interview preparation, scholarship and fellowship essay editing, and cover letter editing for funding applications. Full bio with credentials and admit history is here.
I am the author of the Winning MBA Essay Guide, the best-selling essay guide covering M7 MBA programs. I have written and updated the guide annually since 2013, which makes the 2026 edition the thirteenth.
The reason I still write and edit essays every cycle: a good MBA essay carries a real applicant's voice. Writing essays for F1GMAT's Books and Editing essays weekly is how I stay calibrated to what current admissions committees respond to.
Contact me for school selection, career planning, essay strategy, narrative development, essay editing, interview preparation, scholarship essay editing, or guidance documents for recommendation letters.