The Pre-Essay Power Moves: How to Plan for Round 1 Before the Application Questions Drop
Round 1 MBA essay prompts may not be out yet, but some applicants are already working to craft a compelling personal narrative. This is a critical element of their winning strategy as it creates room for better preparation and helps cushion early setbacks.
If you too wish to bring your A-game to the application to M7 or T15 Universities, then these strategies are a ‘must-read’ to sharpen your planning for you MBA applications.
1. Get Real with Yourself (Yes, Now!)
The strongest MBA essays aren’t manufactured, in fact, they’re mined from moments of growth, failure, change, and ambition. Before prompts go live, take some time to introspect your life.
Ask yourself:
- What life experience changed the way I see the world and how has it shaped my decisions since?
- When did I take a risk personally or professionally, and what did it reveal about my character?
- What’s the deeper purpose driving my ambition, and is it visible in my actions?
Introspection is one of the keys to craft compelling narratives. Authenticity and purpose aren’t optional—Harvard Business School and other top programs say it loud and clear!
2. Lock Down Your “Why MBA, Why Now?
Simply saying “I want to join McKinsey” won’t make the cut unless you have a deeper objective. Be sure to contemplate the following:
- What’s the impact you wish to make on the organization? What’s the change you want to lead?
- What problem are you obsessed with solving and why now?
- How does your existing profile support your future objectives and how does the MBA act as the connecting link between the two?
In a 2024 GMAC survey, nearly 70% of MBA candidates cited “accelerating career growth with purpose” as their core motivation, not just salary hikes.
Define your vision. Know what drives you. Then explore how each program uniquely helps you fulfil it.
3. Your Network Is Your Net Worth – A Phrase Often Heard But Rarely Leveraged Right
Strong recommendations come from real relationships and not by sending out last-minute emails.
Now’s the time to reconnect with mentors, managers, or professors. Share your goals and story. Make it easy for them to advocate for you by helping them remember your impact. The recommendation is one aspect of the application that is outside your control, so act early to avoid last minute delays.
Bonus tip: M7 MBA programs like Wharton and Kellogg highly uphold the value of teamwork. Make sure your recommenders can vouch for your leadership and team-building skills.
4. Resume Restructuring: Expanding Beyond The Job Description
Your MBA CV is not the same as the one you use for job-hunting. It’s a leadership resume that both qualitatively and quantitatively defines you.
Admissions officers want to see:
- Initiative you took without being asked
- Results you drove, figurative and strategic outcomes you were able to achieve
- Evidence of upward momentum, and growth
A resume is a critical element of your application; it’s a teaser to your story. So, make sure to invest ample time to craft a crisp yet impactful resume.
Pro tip: Your resume will also play an important role during your MBA journey and will form the basis of every interview in the future. It’s a long-term investment.
5. Research with Intention
Don’t merely skim school websites, understand who thrives there and ask yourself: ‘Could that be me?’ Read about the faculty, the research facilities and experiential learning methodologies the schools host, and the alumni network and career support they have to offer so that you can draft essays that are best personalized to you.
Connecting with current students, alumni or members of schools community can go a long way in understanding the inherent culture of the program.
Whether it’s Booth’s data-first culture or Yale SOM’s Consulting Club or INSEAD’s Entrepreneurship Club, you need to know how you’ll fit in and stand out.
Our Final Thoughts
Early prep = elevated confidence. Use this grace period to build clarity, strategy, and alignment – so when essays go live, you’ll write with purpose, not panic.
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Best Regards,
The MBA Edge Team
Email: gwyneth@lightcoral-sandpiper-431653.hostingersite.com
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