We are deeply influenced by our identities, and they are not stagnant. The biggest predictor of a person’s likelihood that they would volunteer for a cause is the identity they strongly believe they belong to.
When you mention your plan in your MBA Goals Essay or how you will contribute to the school community through school clubs and consulting engagements, deeply think about which identity resonates most with you. The authenticity in your writing will show if you care about your identity.
Before drafting MBA application goals essay, understand these 3 Strategies to bring authenticity your post-MBA goals.
Post-MBA Goal (Short-term): Enterprise to Consumer Marketing
Post-MBA Goal (Long-term): Marketing leadership role (CMO/VP) in the non-profit sector
Most top Business Schools have picked Finance or Consulting as a popular specialization based on their close network with recruiters. At Berkeley Haas School of Business also, Consulting was the clear winner (28.1%).
Pre-MBA Employer: Wells Fargo Securities
Pre-MBA Title: Associate
Berkeley Haas MBA Goals Essay Question: What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from Haas help you achieve those goals?
Advice from the Berkeley Haas MBA Admissions team: Short-term career goals should be achievable within 3-5 years post-MBA, whereas long-term goals may span a decade or more and encompass broader professional aspirations.
How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (Professional Gain)(500 words)
The technology applicant demographic that have fast-tracked into a career in technology has gained the insight that an ML career and super specializing in technology has its limitations.
Despite the 3-year ROI, an MBA is a path to mitigate any future risks for master’s degree holders in Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and those with a super specialization in Technology.
Unusual career paths to Investment Banking, Portfolio Management, or PE are some of the best narratives I have read in open-ended essays.
You should incorporate the narrative even for the goals essay for these 3 scenarios:
Those who have applied to master’s or undergraduate degrees in the US are aware of the Statement of Purpose or Purpose statement. It is a 250-500 word essay citing why a program and the degree is right for an applicant.
In MBA programs, the purpose statement is known as the Goals Essay.
Breaking stereotypes can go in surprising directions in an MBA application essay.
Indian-origin applicants in Rugby, American White Applicant with interest in Chinese Art, Chinese Applicants with virtuoso skills in Guitar are some that made me pause and think.
Writing about long-term career goals is an essential part of any MBA application goals essay. Having read hundreds of essays, I have seen a few common mistakes.
Here are 3 strategies to improve long-term career goals narrative:
I have read essays of applicants who were on the periphery of a startup’s growth, but the goals that they cite are ambitious and often mismatched with their skills and exposure. Here are 2 tips to improve the feasibility of your post-MBA goals.
1) Humbleness Myth
In this MBA Application Essay Tips, I will share three qualities to ensure that your post-MBA goals Essay meet the expectations of the admissions team.
1. The Cliché
Many times, applicants trying to be contrarian share their post-MBA goal where the industry or the function is unique. They think that by doing so, the Business School will pay attention. I have noticed this pattern among applicants from competitive demographic like American Investment bankers or Indian IT professionals, or VC analysts.
Don’t use this strategy.