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20 Must-Read MBA Essay Tips

Business school admissions committees care about more than (just) your  GMAT scores and GPA —they want to know who you are and why you belong in their program . Your MBA essays are your best chance to sell the person behind the résumé. They should tie all the pieces of your business school application together and create a comprehensive picture of who you are, what you've done, and what you bring to the table.  Here's a roundup of our best MBA essay tips to keep in mind as you begin to write.

How to Write an Unforgettable B-School Essay

1. communicate that you are a proactive, can-do sort of person..

Business schools want leaders, not applicants content with following the herd.

2. Put yourself on ego-alert.

Stress what makes you unique, not what makes you number one.

3. Communicate specific reasons why you're great fit for each school.

Simply stating "I am the ideal candidate for your program" won't convince the admission committee to push you into the admit pile.

Read More: Find Your Business School

4. Bring passion to your writing.

Admissions officers want to know what excites you. And if you'll bring a similar enthusiasm to the classroom.

5. Break the mold.

Challenge perceptions with unexpected essays that say, "There's more to me than you think."

6. If you've taken an unorthodox path to business school, play it up.

Admissions officers appreciate risk-takers.

7. Talk about your gender, ethnicity, minority status or foreign background....

But only if it has affected your outlook or experiences.

8. Fill your essays with plenty of real-life examples.

Specific anecdotes and vivid details make a much greater impact than general claims and broad summaries.

9. Demonstrate a sense of humor or vulnerability.

You're a real person, and it's okay to show it!

BONUS: Don't Make These MBA Essay Mistakes

1. write about your high school glory days. .

Admissions committees don't care if you were editor of the yearbook or captain of the varsity team. They expect their candidates to have moved onto more current, professional achievements.

2. Submit essays that don't answer the questions.

An off-topic essay, or one that merely restates your résumé, will frustrate and bore the admissions committee. More importantly, it won't lead to any new insight about you.

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3. Fill essays with industry jargon.

Construct your essays with only enough detail about your job to frame your story and make your point.

4. Reveal half-baked reasons for wanting the MBA.

Admissions officers favor applicants who have well-defined goals. However unsure you are about your future, it's critical that you demonstrate that you have a plan.

5. Exceed the recommended word limits.

This suggests you don't know how to follow directions, operate within constraints or organize your thoughts.

6. Submit an application full of typos and grammatical errors.

A sloppy application suggests a sloppy attitude.

7. Send one school an essay intended for another—or forget to change the school name when using the same essay for several applications.

Admissions committees are (understandably) insulted when they see another school's name or forms.

8. Make excuses.

If your undergraduate experience was one long party, be honest. Discuss how you've matured, both personally and professionally.

9. Be impersonal in the personal statement.

Many applicants avoid the personal like the plague. Instead of talking about how putting themselves through school lowered their GPA, they talk about the rising cost of tuition in America. Admissions officers want to know about YOU.

Read More: How to Ace Your MBA Interview

10. Make too many generalizations.

An essay full of generalizations is a giveaway that you don't have anything to say.

11. Write in a vacuum.

Make sure that each of your essays reinforce and build on the others to present a consistent and compelling representation of who you are, what you've done, and what you bring to the table.

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How to Approach the Top MBA Essays

While there are an increasing number of compelling MBA programs around the world, with impressive rankings and strong alumni networks, the M7 schools continue to be attractive choices for MBA hopefuls.

For those planning to apply to one or more of the M7 schools this winter, Personal MBA Coach is here to help you navigate the essay-writing process.

Accessible to all Personal MBA Coach newsletter subscribers, our free  M7 Essay Analysis e-book features our exclusive guidance on how to approach the 2023-2024 application essays for each of the M7 business schools.

Below, Personal MBA Coach shares the required essay questions for all of the M7 schools, as well as some quick tips for how to respond successfully to these top MBA program essays!

Stanford GSB Essays

Number of Required Essays: 2

Essay 1:  What matters most to you, and why? (650 words suggested) 

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: Take considerable time to reflect upon what you are most passionate about. In an ideal scenario, you have acted on this passion, and it is reflected in more than one aspect of your life. Think carefully about why this passion is important to you, and do not forget the WHAT here. At the end of the day, a cause or passion that you have done nothing with will not resonate strongly with the admissions committee (or be very believable).

Essay 2:  Why Stanford? (400 words suggested)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: For this second Stanford GSB essay, start by setting up why you want an MBA, including your goals and the skills needed to make these goals a reality. Then, make it clear how Stanford specifically will help you fill these skill gaps, mentioning classes, clubs, and programs that interest you. Do not forget to detail what draws you to Stanford’s culture as well!

For more Stanford GSB essay advice, check out Personal MBA Coach’s full blog here .

Wharton Essays

Personal MBA Coach suggests that you consider each Wharton essay individually while also making sure that your two responses complement one another.

Essay 1:  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. (500 words)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: The first Wharton essay gives applicants the opportunity to reflect on their high-level aspirations. As you consider your future, think about your skill gaps and how attending Wharton will enable you to close these gaps. Cover the opportunities you want to avail yourself of on campus and be sure to demonstrate a clear understanding of Wharton’s culture.

Essay 2:  Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: This second MBA essay question gives candidates a chance to showcase previous accomplishments and potential contributions to the Wharton community. Applicants can choose from impressive extracurricular accomplishments, specific talents, and/or distinct professional skills. A powerful response will highlight multiple contributions that clearly unite your personal story , career goals, and passions!

Get Personal MBA Coach’s detailed guidance on Wharton essays 1 and 2 here .

Harvard Business School Essay

Number of Required Essays: 1

Essay:  As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program? (900 words maximum)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: The HBS essay is an invitation to reveal what is truly interesting about you and let the admissions committee “meet” the person behind your MBA application.

That said, responses will vary significantly for everyone. Do not try to write what you think the admissions committee wants to read. Instead, consider the unique value that you will add to the HBS community.

Strong essays often share a detailed personal story, or at least some kind of personal anecdote, which is usually tied to a recurring theme within your HBS essay. However, be wary of trying too hard – you do not need to describe a super traumatic personal experience to impress the admissions directors.

Looking for more HBS essay advice? Visit our full blog here .

MIT Sloan Cover Letter

Rather than asking applicants to submit a standard MBA essay, MIT Sloan requests that candidates submit a cover letter.

Cover Letter:  MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity and respect passion.

Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to a standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation).

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: Here, applicants must think about their most noteworthy accomplishments, making it clear what they will bring to the Sloan community. Approach the MIT Sloan cover letter as you would approach any other professional cover letter. This means that you must tell the reader who you are and specifically ask for a place in the MIT Sloan class.

Get more of Personal MBA Coach’s MIT Sloan cover letter advice here .

Chicago Booth Essays

Essay 1:  How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 words minimum)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: This first Chicago Booth essay is a standard goals question (for more tips on how to approach this as well as other types of application essays , check out our How to Write Winning MBA Essays blog ). Think about your short- and long-term goals, highlighting how you developed these goals and identifying your higher-level aspirations. Do not forget to think about your skill gaps and how a Booth MBA will help you achieve your post-MBA goals. You will want to detail the classes, programs, or clubs that you hope to take advantage of.

Essay 2:  An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (250 words minimum)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: This MBA essay prompt encourages candidates to reflect upon the personal aspects of their profile. Use this as your opportunity to show what differentiates you from other applicants. Possible topics to cover include values, passions, extracurricular activities, and hobbies.

Learn more about tackling the Chicago Booth essays here .

Kellogg Essays

Essay 1: Kellogg Leaders are primed to tackle today’s pressing concerns everywhere, from the boardroom to their neighborhoods. Tell us about a time in your life where you’ve needed a combination of skills to solve a problem or overcome a challenge. Which skills did you use? What did you accomplish? (450 words)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: While most share a professional story for this first question, leadership examples in your extracurriculars could also work here. A successful response for this Kellogg essay will showcase your strengths and specific skillsets.

Essay 2: At Kellogg, our values are based on research that concludes organizations comprised of leaders with varied backgrounds and perspectives outperform homogeneous ones. How do you believe your personal and professional experiences to date will help to enrich the Kellogg community? (450 words)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: This second Kellogg MBA essay is new, replacing Kellogg’s longstanding “values” essay. When answering this prompt, ask yourself what makes you special— and tell the admissions committee how you will bring your unique traits to Kellogg.

For more information, visit Personal MBA Coach’s full Kellogg essay analysis blog here .

Columbia Business School Essays

Number of Required Essays: 3

Essay 1:  Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job?  (500 words)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: This Columbia Business School essay prompt enables you to show how you envision your career unfolding. The school asks for a short- and long-term dream job so make sure you include both. Although candidates should have lofty goals here, these goals should also align with their short-term goals and story as a whole.

Essay 2: The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a co-curricular program designed to ensure that every CBS student develops the skills to become an ethical and inclusive leader. Through PPIL, students attend programming focused on five essential diversity, equity, and inclusion skills: Creating an Inclusive Environment, Mitigating Bias and Prejudice, Managing Intercultural Dialogue, Addressing Systemic Inequity, and Understanding Identity and Perspective Taking.

Tell us about a time when you were challenged around one of these five skills. Describe the situation, the actions you took, and the outcome. (250 words)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: This question directly addresses a topic that is continually top of mind for admissions directors at most business schools: DEI. It is ok to think about DEI broadly here. As you write this essay, be direct and authentic and of course avoid being preachy or judgmental.

Essay 3: Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you academically, culturally, and professionally? (250 words)

Personal MBA Coach’s Quick Tips: CBS’s third MBA essay gives applicants a chance to share what attracts them to CBS. This is the perfect opportunity to talk about the classes, clubs, and additional programs that interest you, such as speaker series and immersion seminars. Be sure to cover classes and programs that are specifically unique to Columbia Business School!

Columbia Business School applicants can access our additional CBS essay advice here .

Ready to get started? Check out our Comprehensive Packages to see how Personal MBA Coach can help you craft your MBA application essay to any of these schools!

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How to Write a Powerful MBA Essay—With Examples

The MBA essay is critical to your business school application. Read our guide to writing the perfect MBA essay, with successful admit examples.

Posted April 4, 2024

Featuring Andy P. and Geri T.

Applying to Top MBA Programs as a Consultant

Wednesday, april 24.

11:00 PM UTC · 60 minutes

Table of Contents

What is the mba essay.

The MBA admissions essay.

Those words alone are enough to make most MBA candidates run screaming. Writing in general is hard enough. Writing about why you want an MBA? Your short-term goals and career aspirations? What matters to you most, and why? Forget it.

Of course, you still have to write these essays.

The MBA essay is perhaps  the most important part of the business school application. (It's also getting more and more important by the day, with some business schools moving away from traditional, quantitative measuring sticks, like the GMAT and the GRE.) Every other part of the application — your GPA, your test scores, your letters of recommendation — are quantified, cut and dried, or out of your control. The essay is your chance to show up as a fully realized MBA candidate, with hopes, dreams, and vulnerabilities. Admissions committees are not simply assessing your candidacy as a future leader — they're looking to admit human beings. That's where the MBA applicant essays come in.

That being the case, rather than being intimidated by it, treat the essay like the opportunity that it is — the chance for you to highlight your unique, iridescent self; the only moment in the MBA admissions process (prior to the interview) when you can speak directly to the admissions officers; the time when you'll show them who you really are. It's not easy to write something that will do that, of course, but with the tips and tricks in this guide, and some help from one of Leland's vetted, world-class admissions coaches, we know you can do it. Give the essay the time, attention, and respect it deserves, and you'll be on your way to an offer of admission at your dream school.

Without further ado, let's dive in!

Ultimate MBA Essay Guide

See the MBA essay prompts, top tips from experts, and real examples from admits with this comprehensive guide.

How Long Will My MBA Essay Take?

First thing's first: let's talk about timing.

The MBA application is a behemoth; between exams, resumes, gathering your official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and the applications themselves, there's a lot to juggle. That being the case, we suggest you give yourself ample time to draft, write, and revise your essays. The last thing you want is to be rushed to the finish line.

So, give yourself  at least three months to write your MBA essays. That should allow you ample time to draft, write, and edit. For more information on timing your entire b-school application, click here for  A Comprehensive MBA Application Timeline--With Chart .

Now, on to the critical question:

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What Makes a Great MBA Essay?

At the highest level, the answer is the one that is truest to you. The whole point of these essays is to shine through as an authentic, vibrant human being, so the best essays are the ones that cut through the clutter, and allow you do to that.

Which begs the question — how  do you cut through the clutter and shine through as a vibrant human being? Here are four critical tips to follow as you begin thinking about your essays.

1. Answer the Question

This one sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many applicants launch into their story, get carried away, and forget to answer the question. Follow the prompt, and answer the question the admissions committee has asked you. Those prompts can actually be very useful when writing your essays — it's a great deal harder to write when you have no guidance or guardrails. With the MBA essays, you have a very specific question you need to answer. So answer it!

2. Be Specific

Another mistake some MBA applicants make is to stay at a high level in their essays, keeping their writing abstract and therefore inaccessible to the admissions committee. If at any point, an admissions officer could replace your name with the name of another applicant, then your essay isn't getting deep enough. It's not enough, for instance, to say that you suffered adversity in high school, or that you really, really want a Wharton MBA. You need to explain, in detail, the adversity you faced, and give concrete and unique reasons why you think Wharton is the right program for you. The best essays offer hyper-specific examples and anecdotes, with details and anecdotes that no other candidate could bring to the table. To get those anecdotes, we recommend using the STAR template, as explained below:

• Situation : What was the situation you were facing? Where were you? How old were you? If you were in a professional role during this anecdote, what was the role, and how long had you been in it? If you were volunteering, at what organization? How long had you been volunteering there? Why did you start? Offer all the relevant information that the admissions readers will need to understand your story.
• Task : What was the task at hand? What went wrong? In your professional role, what was the challenge you faced? In that volunteering experience, what were the hurdles you had to overcome? You can't have a good story without conflict or tension, so after you set up the anecdote, explain what that conflict or tension was (and remember, be specific!).
• Action : What was the action you took to resolve the problem? What did you have to do to fix that issue at work? How did you clear that hurdle in your volunteer experience? Again, be specific about how you came through on the other side of that conflict/tension — and while you're doing it, highlight your leadership capabilities as much as possible! Remember that top MBA programs are looking for future leaders who can assess a situation and decisively take action. (We'll say a bit more about this below, in the Personal Statement section.
• Result : What was the result of your action? If you were facing a growth problem at work, were you able to increase sales? If so, by what percentage? If you were advocating for diversity and inclusion at your local charity, what new programs did you implement to help with that effort, and what was the enrollment like in those new programs? Detail what happened in your anecdote with as much specificity as possible — and quantify, quantify, quantify!

3. Get Vulnerable

Most MBA admissions essay prompts are written with the goal of getting to know as much about you as possible in the shortest number of words. To do that, you're going to have to share real things from your life — to get personal, intimate, and vulnerable. Do not shy away from this. If you're starting to get emotional during the reflection, drafting, and writing process, good — that means you're on the right track. Keep going. Pro tip: If it’s making you cry, it will make them cry. Another good rule of thumb is to put something real and true on the table. Admissions officers have to read literally thousands of applications from thoroughly qualified individuals, some of whom might come from similar roles to yours, with letters of recommendation from equally impressive supervisors. In order to cut through that noise, you'll have to share something honest. If you're doing it right, this can feel risky. At some point, you’ll likely think to yourself: “Can I say that?” The answer is: “Yes.” Of course, there is a line, you don’t want to be crass or offensive but err on the side of being open and authentic. The very worst thing you can do is be overly cautious, and write something you think will please the admissions committee. These poor people have to read thousands of essays. If yours is just like everyone else’s, they’ll fall asleep. Don’t let that happen. Wake them up by putting yourself —your true, bright, vibrant, quirky self—on the page.

4. Don't Exaggerate

Finally, do not exaggerate, over-inflate, or lie. This goes without saying, but admissions committees are looking for honest candidates. The surest way to get rejected is to lie about something. (Business schools do a background check on you before you're properly admitted, so they will find out.) Don't be the person who over-inflates on their essays, then has their offer letter rescinded.

The Types of MBA Essays

All right — since we've covered high-level approaches to the MBA essays, it's time to dig into the various types.

There are three general categories of MBA essays you'll see across the board.

1. Personal Statement

These questions ask you to offer up something sincere about yourself. They'll often touch on such things as your values and your character. In these, you'll want to be as authentic as possible, while also highlighting attributes like leadership, intellectual vitality, and teamwork, that business schools are looking for. Here are a few examples of personal statement essays:

• As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (HBS)
• What matters most to you, and why? (Stanford GSB)

2. Why an MBA/Why This School

The next category of essays is the "Why an MBA" / "Why This School" set.

In these, schools first want to hear about how an MBA will fit into your career, both short and long term. Top MBA programs are looking for candidates who will: first of all, be gainfully employed upon graduating, second of all, have an illustrious career that will make their institution look good and encourage future generations of applicants to apply, and third, be consistent and generous donors. That being the case, they want to know about your career trajectory, and how an MBA will fit into it.

Pro tip: Here, you want to be ambitious and inspiring in laying out your future career, but not naïve. Walk the line between shooting for the stars and sounding dreamlike and uninformed.

In this set of questions, you'll also encounter questions geared at figuring out why you would want to attend a specific school. MBA programs want to know that you're serious about attending their school — yield, or the percentage of admitted candidates who accept their offers of admission, is an important metric for them — but they also want to envision how you'll contribute to their admitted class. What will you uniquely bring to the table, the things that you'll do that the other candidates wouldn’t be able to offer?

We've heard former deans of business schools say that, in choosing a class, they're curating a world-class dinner party, and that each person invited to the dinner party has to bring something different. What will you bring to the dinner party?

Pro tip: To demonstrate that you've done your research, and to help the admissions committee envision you in their program, indicate which classes you might take when earning your MBA and why, which professors you might hope to study with, and in which clubs you might participate.

Here are a few examples of "why MBA / why this school" essays:

• How is a Columbia MBA going to help you? (Columbia)
• What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (Wharton)
• Why Stanford? Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. (Stanford GSB)

3. Behavioral/Other

Finally, most other essays will either be behavioral, asking you about experiences, traits, strengths, weaknesses, and achievements. There's a wide variety of topics here, but all the guidelines from above apply, with the final note to always prioritize authenticity (as mentioned in the Personal Statement section) and leadership ability (remember, business schools are choosing future leaders). Here are a few examples of behavioral/other essays:

• Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (Yale SOM)
• Tell us about your favorite book, movie, or song and why it resonates with you. (Columbia)
• Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? (Stanford GSB)

Top MBA Program Essay Prompts (Updated 2022)

To help you get started, we've compiled the required prompts from a few top MBA programs below:

1. Harvard Business School (HBS)

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (900 words)

For more information, visit A Guide to the HBS Essay .

2. Stanford Graduate School of Business

What matters to you most, and why? (650 words)

Why Stanford? (400 words)

Read What Matters Most When Writing the GSB Essays.

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. (500 words)

Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words)

For Wharton-specific advice, visit A Guide to the Wharton Essays .

4. Columbia Business School

Essay 1: Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

Essay 2: The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a new co-curricular program designed to ensure that every CBS student develops the skills to become an ethical and inclusive leader. Through PPIL, students attend programming focused on five essential diversity, equity, and inclusion skills: Creating an Inclusive Environment, Mitigating Bias, Communicating Across Identities, Addressing Systemic Inequity, and Managing Difficult Conversations. Tell us about a time you were challenged around one of these five skills. Describe the situation, the actions you took, and the outcome. (250 words)

Essay 3: We believe Columbia Business School is a special place. CBS proudly fosters a collaborative learning environment through curricular experiences like our clusters and learning teams , an extremely active co-curricular and student life environment, and career mentorship opportunities like our Executives-in-Residence program .Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you academically, culturally, and professionally? Please be specific. (250 words)

5. Chicago Booth

How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250-word minimum)

An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of your career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (250-word minimum)

Read more at A Guide to the Booth Essays .

6. Kellogg Northwestern

Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)

Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)

Read How to Nail Your Kellogg MBA Application Essays

7. MIT Sloan

MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity, respect, and passion.

Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation)

Applicants are required to upload a 1 minute (60 seconds) video as part of their application. In your video, you should introduce yourself to your future classmates, tell us about your past experiences, and touch on why MIT Sloan is the best place for you to pursue your degree.

How to Start Your MBA Essay

So you've read about the types of essays, and seen some of the prompts from top MBA programs. Now it's time to actually start diving into the essay.

The very first thing to do, before putting pen to paper, is to look inward.

Why do  you want an MBA? What role will this degree play in your professional growth? How do you imagine it will shape your life? What do you want out of your career? What is the most important thing in the world to you?

Yes, these are life’s deep-end questions, but you’ll need to tackle them in these essays, so before you start writing, take the time to think through them. Go for a run, swim some laps, bake a cake—however you get into the flow — and start a dialogue with yourself. Put down your work, turn your phone off, and give your mind permission to go to the places it usually avoids. That’s a good place to start. That’s where the answers are.

Pro tip: The first sentence is the hardest one to write. When you're starting out if it can intimidating and anxiety-producing. The trick is to simply put  anything  down — and don't look back. Keep putting one sentence after the other. You can edit later: let whatever comes to you out onto the page. If you’re struggling with self-critique, dim your computer screen until you can’t even see the words you’re typing. Then keep going.

Additional Tips & Tricks

Once you've started your essay, it's a matter of persistence: keep writing, then keep drafting and editing until you have something you're really proud of.

To help you with that process, here are a few more tips and tricks:

• Take Breaks

When you hit the wall — you will hit the wall — stop. This is your brain telling you it needs to do something else. Walk your dog. Take a lap around your room. Eat some cheese. Your body needs sleep every night to function; your mind is the same way. That next leap of inspiration will come exactly at the moment when you’re least expecting it.

• Read it Out Loud

When you finally have a draft, print it and read it out loud to yourself. Your ear will catch things your eyes miss. Reading out loud is the best way to pick up on spelling errors, clunky transitions, and paragraphs that still need ironing out. It’s also a good way to envision how the admissions committee will experience your essay.

Don’t be precious with your essay. Send it to anyone willing to read it. Solicit as much feedback as you can. If you don’t like what people have to say, you don’t have to incorporate it, but you need an impartial third party to give notes on what they’re seeing, thinking, and feeling. (You’re too close to things to do it for yourself.) This is where a Leland coach comes very much in handy!

• Complete Everything Early

This is more of a timing consideration, but you do not want to trip at the finish line because your internet went down the night before the deadline, or your credit card was denied when paying your application fee (it's happened before). Don't let that be you!

Here is another article to get you started, written by an expert essays coach: 7 MBA Essay Tips to Make You Stand Out in 2022 .

Example MBA Essays

Finally, here are two essays to help inspire you. The first, a personal statement essay, was submitted by an admit to Berkeley Haas' Executive MBA program; the second, a career goals / why MBA essay, was submitted by an admit to Chicago Booth's deferred MBA program.

Haas Admit:

A person’s identity is shaped by many different aspects, including family, culture, personal interests, and surrounding environments. Please share a facet of your identity or story that is essential to who you are. (300 words) My upbringing in India, filled with countless myths and legends, had a profound influence on me. The most formative tale was about a sage who prays for years to the goddess of knowledge, but in vain. In the end, the goddess didn’t appear for the sage because he was turning his prayer beads the wrong way! As a child, this story upset me: the sage worked so hard and had the right intentions. As an adult, though, I’ve come to realize that the goddess of knowledge was right: you can’t succeed unless you do things the right way. Seven years ago, two friends and I started a company, XXXX: a digital health platform that would allow patients to store medical records online and consult doctors remotely. We had early success—we brought on 2,000 patients at XXXX, a gynecology clinic in XXXX—but ultimately we didn’t have the resources to properly scale, and had to shut the company down. Among the many lessons I learned, the most valuable was that ideas and hard work are common; businesses succeed or fail based on execution—on doing things the right way. Two years ago, I relearned this lesson in the most painful way possible: when my marriage ended. My wife and I loved each other, but we weren’t there for each other when it mattered most. Our feelings weren’t enough—we had to back them up with the right actions. It’s disheartening when you have good intentions but still fall short. When this happens, though, you have to keep trying—because eventually you will do things the right way. I carry the story of the sage with me always, not as a harsh lesson, but as a motivating goal: one that keeps me striving towards doing things the right way.

Booth Admit:

How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 word minimum)

I want to start a geothermal company that will help lead the energy transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy—by targeting existing oil wells as sites for geothermal plants. Oil fields are close to electric grids and have high nearby subsurface temperatures, making them ideal sites for geothermal plants. By building geothermal infrastructure nearby, my company will produce cleaner, cheaper energy, making it more profitable for operators to switch from oil to geothermal. As oil companies decommission their wells, I’ll negotiate for their land rights, so I can use their existing wells for new geothermal vents. I want my company to prove the case for economically viable, carbon neutral energy production. After getting an MBA I want to start a geothermal company which will help me lead the energy transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. I plan to target developed oil fields in Texas, where, in many places, producing wells are flowing enough hot fluid to generate clean energy. Using this geothermal heat, the carbon footprint of oil and gas extraction will decrease as fewer fossil fuels are utilized to power surrounding infrastructure. As the wells approach their economic life, I will negotiate the lease from various operators, saving them millions in plug and abandonment costs, and retrofit the wells for direct geothermal energy production via closed loop binary fluid systems, bringing emissions to zero. To accomplish this goal, I need to shore up my knowledge of energy economics and entrepreneurial finance, develop a strong sense of leadership, and build a network of like minded individuals that will help me lead the transition and I believe I can get those things at Chicago Booth. My immediate career goal is to develop my first co-production site in Shelby County, Texas at the Blanton well site, which produces abnormally heated fluid from the flanks of an active salt dome. Before investing in capital expenditures, developing a strong sense of energy economics and broader markets is necessary to verify financial feasibility. University of Chicago, through the Graduate-Student-At-Large: Business program, is already allowing me to accomplish this goal with my enrollment in “Microeconomics” with Professor Andrew McClellan. His instruction helped me understand the impact taxes and subsidies have on market equilibrium, an important aspect of renewable energy as green energy tax incentives continue to change on a yearly basis. As my company continues to grow, having a strong finance and accounting foundation is imperative to building and sustaining a healthy company. Electives such as “Accounting for Entrepreneurship: From Start-Up through IPO” will provide the skills I need to be successful by following the life-cycle of a business that originates as a start-up, and covers topics such as building an initial accounting infrastructure. I understand that execution of the business is as important as developing the idea and proof of concept, and Booth is the best place for me to develop financial fluency. Leading the energy transition will require a strong sense of leadership. Not only will I need to lead those I get to work with over my career, but to lead the energy transition, and reverse the impact fossil fuels have had thus far, I must have the emotional intelligence to inspire others to join me in my journey. The “Interpersonal Dynamics” course at Booth will allow me to develop my communication skills and better understand the emotions and perceptions of my colleagues. These skills, synthesized with leadership development acquired in “Leadership Practicum” will prepare me to act as a relational leader, who understands the needs of others. As a relational leader I hope to foster an environment which promotes happiness, and maximizes efficiency, not only to make our efforts in changing the world more successful, but to excite other people to join our cause.

To find the greatest chance of success in leading the energy transition, I will need a network of like-minded individuals who can provide a diversity of thought. Chicago Booth provides the opportunity to develop that network through different community experiences. The Energy Club’s “Energy Forward” conference, which designates time to topics in oil and gas and renewable energy will allow me to hear from industry leaders, build meaningful relationships with peers and contribute my sector experience to the public forum as I learn from those around me. Opportunities through the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Group such as “SeedCon” will help me connect with successful entrepreneurs and early-stage investors whose ideas and funding might change the course of my venture’s trajectory. Even in the GSALB program I have had the opportunity to connect with other students in various sectors, including the energy industry. I hope to continue to strengthen those connections and continue building new ones with matriculation into the full time program.

Here are several other articles that you may find helpful as you put together your MBA application:

• The Most Frequently Asked Questions on MBA Applications
• How to Answer the "Why an MBA?" Essay Question
• My Top Piece of Advice for MBA Applicants
• How I Nailed My MBA Interview and Gained Admission to Top 10 Business Schools
• 4 Expert Tips on Paying for Business School

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Top Five Tips for Writing Compelling MBA Admissions Essays

Erin Wand - Personal MBA Coach

Erin Wand is an mba.com Featured Contributor and the Vice President of Marketing and Operations for Personal MBA Coach , a boutique MBA admissions consulting and tutoring firm.

For many of the business school applicants I work with, the MBA admissions essay is the part of the application they dread the most.

Does that sound like you? It doesn’t have to be! If you’re unsure about how to start on your MBA admissions essays, don’t worry. This is your opportunity to move beyond your GMAT exam scores , GPA, or resume and reveal something deeper about yourself to the admissions committee. Read along for my best MBA admission essay tips.

Crafting winning MBA admissions essays

The question is: how to you write MBA admissions essays for top-tier programs that stand out from the stack and effectively tell your story? Here are five tips for compelling essays that will stick in the minds of the admissions committee and help you get into your top choice business school program.

1. Stay focused and answer the question asked

It’s surprising how often candidates write beautiful essays but do not answer the question. While I certainly endorse thinking outside of the box and considering the “why” behind an essay prompt, first and foremost you must answer the question.

Business school applicants like you are often highly accomplished, and it can be tempting to try to include as many of the details of your accomplishments as possible into your essays. It’s crucial that you avoid this urge and focus on the specific question at hand.

2. Less can be more: be succinct

A trend I’m seeing at many leading full-time MBA programs is shorter essay word limits. Michigan Ross , Stanford GSB , UCLA Anderson , and Duke Fuqua are just a few of the programs that have reduced their essay word counts in recent admissions cycles. This trend underscores a key piece of advice: be succinct!

Remember, your essays and short answers are just one part of your application. In addition to the details you’ll provide on the application form itself, you’ll also submit an MBA resume ( check out my resume tips here! ). This allows admissions committee members ample opportunity to read about everything you have accomplished, all the roles you have held, and the awards you have won. There is no need to fit every detail into your essays.

Instead of squeezing in as much as you can, focus on sharing a few key highlights, peppering in some interesting details, and convey your authentic voice through your writing. This is your chance to explain your choices, show your accomplishments, and share your passions. The fewer things you try to cover in your essays, the more you will be able to achieve this objective.

3. Be authentic, not what you think schools want to hear

I can’t emphasize this enough: do not write what you think admissions committee members want to read! The qualities and experiences that make you unique are your greatest selling points. Each essay should paint a clear picture of who you are, what motivates you, and what you’re passionate about.

Related to this, don’t feel compelled to show how you fit the mold that seemingly makes up the “ideal” candidate. If you have no desire to run a non-profit, that’s okay! If you’re not motivated to save the planet, don’t pretend you are! The admissions committee will see right through this, and you could end up doing more harm than good. Instead, focus your energy on simply being authentic.

4. Keep your language approachable and focus on the “so what?”

The terms you regularly use at the office may be foreign to others, including admissions committee members. When in doubt, do not assume the reader is familiar with everything about your job. Admissions directors come from all backgrounds and fields and are not assigned to candidates with similar backgrounds. They do not know the ins and outs of your industry and do not need to. In fact, details and accomplishments that are significant only to someone in your industry are less compelling than understandable results and transferable skills.

Everyone from your grandmother to a professor of microfinance should be able to understand your essays. So even if your accomplishment would be extremely impressive to another engineer or investment banker, if the reader doesn’t understand the “so what,” you’re wasting your words.

5. Limit the amount of flowery prose

Remember: You’ re not submitting your essays for a Pulitzer Prize. All you’re trying to do is tell your story. While of course you want your essays to be well-written and free of grammatical mistakes and typos, you also want them to be relatable and easy to follow. They should also convey why you are someone others would want to study with, learn from, and eventually be inspired by. That type of person is human and down to earth. Your essays should show this. 

Erin Wand is an mba.com Featured Contributor and the Vice President of Marketing and Operations for Personal MBA Coach , a boutique MBA admissions consulting and tutoring firm.

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 14 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2, currently holding the #1 ranking in the US on Poets&Quants.

We help clients with all aspects of the MBA application process including early planning, GMAT/GRE/EA tutoring, application strategy, school selection, essay editing and mock interviews. Our team includes a former M7 admissions director and former M7 admissions interviewers.

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How to Structure Your MBA Essays

A lot of people think they are not great storytellers. It’s true that some of us come by it more naturally than others. But with the proper structure and mindset, anybody can become a great storyteller. That’s why we’re diving deep into how to structure your MBA essays to tell your unique story. Remember, the AdCom member reading your materials only has about 15-20 minutes to form an impression of your candidacy. You don’t want them to merely like your application when they finish reading it.

“What you really want to be is the applicant they’re thinking about as they drive home that night, as they’re chatting with their spouse over spaghetti that evening,” explains SBC consultant and B-Schooled host Chandler Arnold. He recently sat down with fellow SBC consultant Kevin Rockmael to discuss essay writing strategy.

A few decades ago, business schools focused far more on applicants’ quantitative or technical skills when making admissions decisions. While your ability to handle the rigors of an MBA program is still a significant consideration, your emotional intelligence counts for an outsized amount these days. The so-called “soft skills” surrounding communication, the ability to motivate others, and leadership are attractive qualities to the admissions committee.

Chandler says that if you can demonstrate those soft skills in your essays, the AdCom is much more likely to take a chance on you. “Because they know that not only will you be successful… but more importantly, when you graduate, you’ll have a larger impact on companies. And that’s ultimately what these business schools are trying to accomplish.”

Your goal when drafting those essays is to make sure your stories are believable and authentic, SBC consultant Kevin explains. Does it seem real? Is your motivation clear? And perhaps most important, do you seem like someone the admissions committee is rooting for?

Stacy Blackman Consulting offers multiple services to meet your MBA application needs, from our All-In Partnership to hourly help reviewing your MBA essays. Contact us today for a free 15-minute consult to talk strategy with a Principal SBC consultant.

How to Structure Your MBA Essays to Win Over the AdCom

This is one of the topics SBC consultants get asked about the most. “I believe that structure is really the key part of the essay,” says Chandler. “So once you create that North Star, I think the second part is creating the structure, and then it’s actually filling in the sentences and then doing a lot of iteration to make sure that it all fits together.”

Some MBA applicants bristle at the idea, thinking that structure equals formulaic or that it will stunt their creativity. But we would urge you to flip that frame. Instead, think of structure as something that allows you to be more creative and compelling. When a reader senses there’s some structure to the material, it will enable them to relax and enjoy themselves as they read your essay.

 The best essays are a balanced combination of a lot of different things. You’ll see personal stories. You’ll see specific accomplishments and experiences. You’ll get insights into what people have learned and how they’ve grown.

Here are the four main components SBC consultant Kevin advises you to consider as you structure your MBA essays.

Your Opening. What big problem have you seen or experienced that you want to solve?

Your Background. Talk about your background and the obstacles you have faced and learned from. 

Your Goal + Your Experience. What is missing from your background and experience? How will business school help you reach your long-term goals? Here is where you connect your dreams to the MBA program you’re interested in attending.

Conclusion . The last part of the essay is a wrap-up of the problem you discussed at the beginning and how you addressed it. Finally, explain how you will create a better world to solve that problem. 

B-Schooled co-host/Harvard MBA Erika Olson wants you to remember those three magic words of good storytelling: show, don’t tell. 

@stacyblackmanconsulting #sbcyourfuture #mba #bschool #bschooladmissions #businessschool #essays #writing #writingtips ? Sexy Chill Vibes (Background Trap Hip Hop Beat) – rehegoosync

The Power of the Circle

Another way to think about how to structure your MBA essays is to harken back to your favorite high school English teacher. Remember those standard five-paragraph essays? It may seem overly simplistic, but sometimes those simple things are the most powerful, Chandler notes.

• Paragraph 1: Start with an attention-grabbing first sentence or a personal anecdote. This surprises your reader and sets them up for the rest of your story.
• Paragraphs 2-4: Each could share one specific point supporting your argument. Maybe it’s a lesson you learn from college, your first job, etc. Use the STAR format to highlight your results and what you learned.
• Paragraph 5: Your conclusion harkens back to how you opened your essay. “I think there is a real power in kind of bringing things full circle,” Chandler says.

We often advise applicants to make a checklist of the key elements they want to cover in their entire application package.

• Are there personal stories?
• What about accomplishments?
• Have you done significant self-reflection?
• Did you highlight your leadership experience?
• Is there enough about grit and perseverance?

Find a trusted friend, colleague, or family member to read through your materials. Ask them to identify the major themes or takeaways they get from your entire package. You’ll learn a few things. Have you covered everything? Does it seem balanced? Or are you heavy in one particular direction? And if you are, then it’s time to fix it. You want to ensure that you’re building a package that tells your unique story. It should showcase you as a complete human and differentiate you from others within the application pool.

Get ready to put in the work.

Author Stephen King once said, “Talent is cheaper than table salt . What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” The hardest part is starting. And after that, everything gets easier. Best of luck on your MBA adventures; we can’t wait to read what you create.

Want some help drafting a killer MBA essay? We’ve got you! Request a free MBA advising session  with  Stacy Blackman Consulting to learn how we can help with your complete MBA applications. Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.

Let us help you achieve your MBA dreams . Contact us for a free consultation to request time with an SBC Principal.

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(323) 934-3936 info@StacyBlackman.com

Latest Blog Post

Columbia mba acceptance rate, deconstructed.

How hard is it to get into Columbia Business School? Let’s take a look. The Columbia MBA acceptance rate of 22% last season was slightly higher than its historical precedents. CBS’s class size is ... →

Stay on top of the latest insights.

Advice, tips and insights from the admissions dream team., table of contents, carnegie mellon tepper mba essays and video: tips & strategy.

• By Catherine Tuttle

One of the smallest among the top 20 business schools, Carnegie Mellon Tepper boasts a close-knit culture.

With a small class size of 200, Tepper places a high value on creating an inclusive and tight-knit community – one that is committed to making a positive impact on each other, business, and the world. As such, the admissions team is looking for evidence of self-reflection and your ability to appreciate differences as a profound asset to a culture of innovation. These values are woven into Tepper’s single MBA essay question.

As mentioned in my related blog, Applying to Carnegie Mellon Tepper: 3 Essential MBA Tips , the admissions committee seeks students who define community in the broadest sense of the word and have a desire to effect positive change. Tepper’s essay previously asked you to describe how you’ve overcome adversity, what you learned, and how it shaped you. Instead, Tepper now asks for an example of when you experienced or created an inclusive environment and how you will use that experience to help members of the Tepper community reach their full potential.

How to Tackle Tepper’s New Essay Question

Required Tepper Essay: The Tepper community is dynamic and unique with students who strive to be collaborative, supportive and inclusive. Please provide an example of when you experienced or created an inclusive environment and how you will use that experience to help members of the community reach their full potential.  (Maximum 500 words.)

This essay question parallel’s Tepper’s  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan, Tepper Together, which was created by a task force of students, staff, and faculty. Tepper Together outlines four core value themes: Climate, Culture, and Community; Access and Equity; Recruitment and Retention; and Education and Scholarship (CARE). Ultimately, these themes come together with the goal of creating a supportive and inclusive culture where community members feel safe and supported and in doing so, creating an environment where innovation and creativity thrive.

To create Tepper Together, the DEI task force analyzed the data, applied Tepper’s values, and defined their approach. This formula could also be applied to your essay response.

To get started, consider the following questions:

• What life events thus far have shaped your values?
• Was there a time these values were challenged and how did you react?
• How has working within diverse teams or surrounding yourself with diverse perspectives created a better outcome, spurred creativity, or led to an innovative solution?
• Taking it one step further, how will this experience overcoming adversity make you a better teammate, student, and/or Tepper alumnus?

You only have 500 words to deliver a response that’s memorable, meaningful, and articulate. A compelling tactic is to elaborate on one, specific experience that reveals an important part or dimension of who you are. Share specifics with your reader that go deeper into what makes you unique and what you stand to offer. The admissions committee wants both substance and specificity.

Want more advice?

View my related blog: Applying to Carnegie Mellon Tepper: 3 Essential MBA Tips

Let’s Get You In.

Fortuna Admissions is a dream team of former MBA Admissions Directors and Officers from 18 of the top 20 business schools. With our unparalleled collective expertise, we are able to coach you to develop a clear vision of your goals for business school and beyond. We work closely with you throughout the application process and provide expert guidance at every stage to maximize your chances of admission to a top school.

Our free consultations are consistently rated as the best in the industry. To learn more about Fortuna and assess your chances of admission to Wharton and other top programs, request a  free consultation .

Updated September 2023

• Posted on September 27, 2023

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Mastering the HEC Paris MBA Essays: A Strategic Guide for Applicants

Are you ready to embark on an academic journey that will not only transform your career but also your life? The HEC Paris MBA program is renowned for its excellence in management education and its ability to nurture future business leaders. But before you can join this prestigious institution, you’ll need to conquer one crucial hurdle: the MBA application essays.

Crafting a compelling MBA application can be a daunting task, especially when you’re vying for a spot at one of the world’s top business schools. However, fear not, as we’re here to guide you through the intricacies of the HEC Paris MBA essays. In this blog, we’ll conduct a thorough analysis of the essay prompts, provide you with invaluable tips, and share insights on what the admissions committee is looking for. So, let’s dive in and explore how to make your HEC Paris MBA application truly shine!

The HEC Paris MBA application process requires prospective candidates to thoroughly reflect on their motivations, experiences, values, and aspirations. Through a series of well-crafted essays, applicants are given an opportunity to present their unique profile to the admissions committee. This blog delves into a detailed analysis of each essay prompt, providing insights and tips on how to craft compelling essays to stand out in the application process.

THESE ARE THE ESSAY TOPICS FOR HEC PARIS MBA 2023-2024

Essay 1 –  Why are you applying to the HEC MBA Program now? What is the professional objective that will guide your career choice after your MBA, and how will the HEC MBA contribute to the achievement of this objective? (500 words max.)

Essay 2  – What do you consider your most significant life achievement? (250 words max.)

Essay 3 –   Leadership and ethics are inevitably intertwined in the business world. Describe a situation in which you have dealt with these issues and how they have influenced you. (250 words max.)

Essay 4 –   Imagine a life entirely different from the one you now lead, what would it be? (250 words max.)

Essay 5 –  Please choose from one of the following essays, 250 words max:

a) What monument or site would you advise a first-time visitor to your country or city to discover, and why?

b) Certain books, movies or plays have had an international success that you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyse it .

c) What figure do you most admire and why? You may choose from any field (arts, literature, politics, business, etc)

Essay 6 –   Optional: Is there any additional information you would like to share with us? (900 words max.)

ESSAY ANALYSIS

Let us embark on a comprehensive analysis of HEC Paris MBA’s essay prompts, unraveling their intricacies, and offering valuable insights into crafting captivating narratives. As we explore each essay, we unveil strategies to stand out in a competitive field and present a compelling case for admission into this prestigious program.

Essay 1 – Why are you applying to the HEC MBA Program now? What is the professional objective that will guide your career choice after your MBA, and how will the HEC MBA contribute to the achievement of this objective? (500 words max.)

The first essay prompt for the HEC Paris MBA application demands a reflective and articulate response. It delves into the applicant’s motivations for choosing the HEC MBA program, their career objectives post-MBA, and how HEC MBA aligns with and aids in achieving these objectives. Let’s break down this essay prompt and discuss how one can craft a compelling response.

• Career Objectives Post-MBA: The essay asks candidates to clearly outline their professional objectives following completion of the MBA program.
• Alignment with HEC MBA: Lastly, the prompt calls for an explanation of how the HEC MBA program precisely fits into and supports the applicant’s career goals.
• Introduction: Begin with a brief introduction highlighting your enthusiasm for pursuing an MBA at HEC Paris. Mention what draws you to this program.
• Motivations for Applying to HEC Paris MBA: In this section, delve into the reasons for choosing HEC Paris at this point in your career. This could encompass the reputation of the program, its global network, specific faculty, or unique features.
• Professional Objectives Post-MBA: Clearly articulate your professional goals after completing the MBA program. Be specific about the industry, role, and impact you aspire to make.
• Linking HEC MBA to Career Objectives: Showcase how the HEC MBA program uniquely aligns with your goals. Discuss specific offerings, resources, or experiences at HEC that would contribute to your success in achieving the stated objectives.
• Conclusion: Summarize your motivation for applying, your career goals, and how HEC Paris will be instrumental in realizing those goals.

Essay 2 – What do you consider your most significant life achievement? (250 words max.)

Essay 2 of the HEC Paris MBA application invites candidates to delve into their personal histories and reflect on what they perceive as their most significant life achievement. By doing so, this essay prompt offers a unique opportunity for candidates to reveal aspects of their character, values, and experiences that have played a crucial role in shaping their lives. Let’s break down this essay prompt and analyze the key elements that candidates should consider while responding.

• Choosing the Achievement:

The very first step in responding to this essay is selecting an achievement that holds personal and substantial significance. It could range from personal accomplishments like overcoming a fear or a major life event, to professional achievements such as successfully leading a team through a challenging project. The key here is to choose an accomplishment that offers a glimpse into the candidate’s character and showcases their resilience, determination, and adaptability.

• Depth and Detail:

Once the achievement is chosen, the candidate should provide a detailed account of the situation, the obstacles encountered, and the actions taken to overcome them. Providing context is crucial to help the admissions committee understand the magnitude and complexity of the achievement. A deep, introspective analysis should be interwoven into the narrative, explaining how this achievement has significantly impacted the candidate’s life.

• Reflecting on Impact:

The candidate should reflect on how this achievement has influenced their personal growth, skills development, and overall outlook on life. Whether it shifted their perspective, enhanced their leadership abilities, or reinforced their values, detailing the impact of the achievement is essential. Moreover, discussing how it has influenced their subsequent decisions and actions further enriches the narrative.

• Relating to HEC Paris MBA:

Ideally, the candidate should connect this achievement to their motivation for pursuing an MBA at HEC Paris. How has this significant achievement propelled them towards pursuing higher education, specifically an MBA? Articulating how this accomplishment aligns with their future goals and how the HEC MBA would further build on this achievement is vital to demonstrate a strong rationale for their application to the program.

• Writing Style and Tone:

The essay should be written in a clear, concise, and engaging manner. The candidate should strive for authenticity and sincerity, allowing their genuine voice to come through in the narrative. A well-structured essay with a compelling introduction, a detailed account of the achievement, a reflective analysis, and a meaningful conclusion is essential for a cohesive and impactful response.

• Word Limit Adherence:

Given the 250-word maximum limit for this essay, candidates must craft a succinct yet comprehensive response. Every word should contribute to the narrative, ensuring that the essay is concise while still providing ample detail and depth.

Essay 3 –  Leadership and ethics are inevitably intertwined in the business world. Describe a situation in which you have dealt with these issues and how they have influenced you. (250 words max.)

The third essay prompt for the HEC Paris MBA application asks applicants to recount a specific situation in which they encountered the intersection of leadership and ethics within the realm of business. In a concise 250 words, candidates are expected to provide a vivid and insightful narrative that not only describes the scenario but also delves into the influence of this experience on their personal and professional growth.

• Understanding the Prompt:

       The essay is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to grapple with the ethical challenges inherent in leadership roles. It aims to uncover their decision-making process in situations where ethical considerations are paramount and how these situations have shaped their understanding of leadership and ethics.

• Choosing the Right Experience:

       Candidates should select an experience that effectively highlights their leadership qualities and ethical decision-making abilities. This could be a workplace scenario, a team project, or a volunteer activity. The chosen situation should be impactful, allowing for a robust narrative within the given word limit.

• Crafting the Narrative:

       The essay should follow a clear structure:

a. Introduction to the Situation: Briefly introduce the context, setting, and the ethical dilemma encountered.

b. Description of Actions: Describe the actions taken and decisions made, emphasizing the ethical considerations and the leadership approach employed.

c. Outcome and Reflection: Detail the outcomes of the decisions made and reflect on the influence of this experience on personal growth, values, and understanding of the relationship between leadership and ethics.

• Demonstrating Personal Growth and Insights:

       The essay should go beyond mere description and reflection, providing insights into how the experience has influenced the applicant. Did it reinforce the importance of ethical decision-making? Did it change their perception of effective leadership? Did it shape their future approach to similar situations?

• Link to HEC Paris MBA:

       Ideally, the essay should culminate by linking the applicant’s experience and growth to how it prepares them for the HEC Paris MBA. This can be achieved by expressing how the HEC MBA will further enhance their ability to navigate such ethical challenges in leadership roles.

Essay 4 –  Imagine a life entirely different from the one you now lead, what would it be? (250 words max.)

The fourth essay prompt for the HEC Paris MBA application invites candidates to engage in an exercise of creative imagination, encouraging them to envision an alternative life vastly different from their current reality. This intriguing task offers a glimpse into the candidate’s creativity, aspirations, and capacity to think beyond their present circumstances.

The objective of this prompt is multifold. Firstly, it allows the admissions committee to understand the candidate’s ambitions and long-term goals. Secondly, it provides insight into how well the applicant can articulate these aspirations and connect them to the broader context of their life and career. To effectively address this essay prompt, the candidate needs to employ a structured and insightful approach. Here’s a breakdown of how a compelling response could be crafted:

• Selecting the Alternate Life:

The first step is to carefully choose an alternative life that contrasts with the candidate’s current path. This could involve a different profession, lifestyle, geographic location, or any aspect that significantly diverges from their present reality. It’s essential to choose something that genuinely resonates with the candidate and aligns with their aspirations.

• Providing a Vivid Description:

       Once the alternate life is selected, the candidate should describe it vividly, creating a clear image for the reader. This description should encompass various aspects, including the nature of work, daily routines, environment, interactions, and any other significant elements that define this imagined life.

• Elaborating on Motivations:

       After presenting the envisioned life, it’s important to explain the motivations driving this choice. What aspects of this alternate life are appealing? Why is it attractive or fulfilling for the candidate? This is an opportunity to reveal the candidate’s values, aspirations, and what they prioritize in their professional and personal life.

• Linking to Career Goals and HEC MBA:

       To make the essay relevant to the MBA application, the candidate should articulate how this alternate life connects to their long-term career objectives. How does this imaginative exercise align with their goals, and what skills or experiences from the HEC MBA program would contribute to achieving this alternate life?

• Reflecting on Personal Growth:

       The essay should conclude with a reflection on how this imaginative exercise impacts the candidate’s perception of their current path and growth potential. It’s an opportunity to showcase self-awareness and an understanding of one’s desires and motivations.

In summary, Essay 4 pushes candidates to think beyond the confines of their current reality and envision a life that aligns with their deepest aspirations. This essay offers a glimpse into the candidate’s vision and the alignment between their dreams and the opportunities the HEC MBA program can offer.

Essay 5 – Please choose from one of the following essays, 250 words max:

b) Certain books, movies or plays have had an international success that you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyse it.

The fifth essay prompt of the HEC Paris MBA application provides candidates with three intriguing options, each revealing different aspects of their personality, values, and critical thinking abilities. Let’s delve into the analysis of each option:

This prompt serves a dual purpose: evaluating the candidate’s pride in their cultural heritage and their ability to advocate for it effectively. The candidate needs to choose a monument or site and elucidate its cultural, historical, or personal significance. The analysis should emphasize not only why the chosen place is a must-visit but also how it reflects the richness and uniqueness of the candidate’s country or city.

b) Certain books, movies or plays have had international success that you believe to be undeserved. Choose an example and analyze it.

This option gauges the candidate’s critical thinking, cultural awareness, and analytical skills. Candidates are encouraged to select a piece of art that gained global acclaim but which they perceive as overrated. The analysis should delve into the reasons behind the international success, offering a well-structured argument to support the candidate’s opinion. It’s a chance to showcase their ability to critique and think independently.

This option enables the candidate to showcase their values, principles, and the qualities they appreciate in a person. The chosen figure could be from any field, and the analysis should explain why this figure is admired and how their qualities resonate with the candidate. It’s an opportunity to provide insights into the candidate’s character and the kind of leadership or impact they find inspiring.

In conclusion, Essay 5 offers flexibility to candidates, allowing them to choose an option that aligns with their interests and enables them to present a unique perspective. The responses should be well-structured, engaging, and offer meaningful insights into the candidate’s cultural appreciation, critical thinking, or values, depending on the chosen option. Each option provides a glimpse into different aspects of the candidate’s personality, contributing to a holistic understanding of their motivations and aspirations.

Essay 6 –  Optional: Is there any additional information you would like to share with us? (900 words max.)

The optional essay in the HEC Paris MBA application, titled “Is there any additional information you would like to share with us?” offers candidates an open-ended opportunity to present additional insights or information that might not have been covered in the preceding essays. While the prompt is optional, applicants should seriously consider utilizing this space to enhance their application and provide a more comprehensive view of their candidacy to the admissions committee.

• Demonstrating Self-Awareness and Reflection:

The optional essay provides a platform for candidates to exhibit self-awareness and introspection. Applicants can utilize this space to reflect on their own experiences, career trajectory, personal growth, and academic journey. It allows them to explain any unusual circumstances, interruptions in education or employment, or changes in career path, helping the admissions committee understand the context and motivations behind these situations.

• Addressing Weaknesses or Gaps in the Application:

If there are aspects of the application that may be perceived as weaknesses, gaps, or areas of improvement, this essay presents an opportunity to address them proactively. Whether it’s a low GPA, gaps in employment, or a less-than-ideal GMAT score, candidates can offer explanations, provide context, and highlight subsequent efforts to overcome these challenges.

• Sharing Achievements and Extracurricular Activities:

Candidates can utilize this essay to share additional accomplishments, awards, or extracurricular activities that showcase their leadership, teamwork, and dedication. This can include community service, entrepreneurial ventures, publications, or any other notable achievements that align with their application and demonstrate their well-rounded personality.

• Aligning with HEC Paris Values and Culture:

Applicants should also consider using this space to reiterate their enthusiasm and alignment with HEC Paris’s values, culture, and academic offerings. Sharing why HEC Paris is the ideal fit for their aspirations, and how they intend to contribute to the HEC community, further reinforces their genuine interest in the program.

• Providing Contextual Information:

Sometimes, the standard application doesn’t allow for a complete picture of a candidate’s background, especially for those with unique circumstances. The optional essay can be used to provide a more detailed context, allowing the admissions committee to better understand the applicant’s story, experiences, and motivations.

• Demonstrating Clarity and Brevity:

While it’s essential to use this space effectively, candidates should be mindful of being concise and clear in their communication. Admissions committees often appreciate clarity and relevance. Every piece of information shared should add value to the application and help present a stronger case for the candidate.

Crafting compelling essays for the HEC Paris MBA application demands strategic thinking, introspection, and effective communication. Each essay prompt offers a unique opportunity to reveal facets of your personality, experiences, and aspirations to the admissions committee. Through meticulous analysis and insightful responses, applicants can significantly enhance their chances of securing a spot in this esteemed program.

In essence, every essay contributes to constructing a well-rounded image of the applicant. Through careful consideration of each prompt and an eloquent presentation of thoughts, candidates can stand out and resonate with the admissions committee. HEC Paris seeks individuals who not only possess academic prowess but also demonstrate the qualities of leadership, ethics, creativity, and determination—the same qualities that are essential in the business world.

In conclusion, the HEC Paris MBA essays are your canvas to paint a vivid and convincing picture of who you are, what you aspire to achieve, and how the program aligns with your goals. They provide the admissions committee with a window into your character, experiences, and potential contributions to the HEC Paris community.

As you embark on this exciting journey, remember that authenticity, clarity, and strategic storytelling are your best allies. Take the time to reflect on your experiences, aspirations, and values. Craft your essays with care, ensuring that each word serves a purpose and contributes to your overall narrative.

The HEC Paris MBA is not just a program; it’s a transformative experience that can open doors to a world of opportunities. Through your essays, you have the power to convince the admissions committee that you are not only a strong candidate but also a future leader who will make a meaningful impact on the business world.

So, embrace the challenge, put your best foot forward, and submit an application that reflects your true potential. We wish you the best of luck in your HEC Paris MBA journey!

1. What are the HEC Paris MBA essay prompts?

The essay prompts for HEC Paris MBA may vary from year to year. It’s essential to check the official HEC Paris MBA website or application portal for the most current essay prompts.

2. How important are the HEC Paris MBA essays in the application process?

The essays are a crucial part of your application. They provide the admissions committee with insights into your personality, motivations, and fit with the program. A well-crafted essay can significantly enhance your chances of admission.

3. Can I get help with my HEC Paris MBA essays, such as hiring a consultant or seeking feedback from others?

While seeking feedback from mentors, colleagues, or professionals is encouraged, it’s essential to maintain the authenticity of your essays. Hiring a consultant is acceptable, but ensure that your voice and experiences remain genuine.

4. How long should my HEC Paris MBA essays be?

The word limits for HEC Paris MBA essays may change, so refer to the current application guidelines. Typically, essays range from 300 to 800 words, depending on the question.

5. What qualities is the HEC Paris MBA admissions committee looking for in applicants?

The committee seeks candidates who demonstrate strong leadership potential, diverse experiences, academic excellence, and a clear motivation for pursuing an MBA at HEC Paris. They also value candidates who can contribute to the program’s diverse and collaborative community.

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Sample Harvard Stanford MBA essays: Written by ChatGPT, reviewed by humans

Partly out of curiosity and largely to evaluate its impact on our own future , we asked ChatGPT to do what many have already started asking – write sample MBA essays for Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB and other top business schools.

In an earlier post, we covered how to (and not to) write an MBA Application Essay using ChatGPT .

While that was the entrée, think of this as the main dish. We have now tried to take specific examples, given the AI model as much data as one could, and then attempted to ‘objectively’ assess if it could give humans (with admission consulting experience) a run for their money.

And it should be no surprise to you, the reader, as to what our ongoing hypothesis was here. But with that as a disclaimer, we have tried to be as objective here as possible.  

Stanford and Harvard MBA essay prompts to get examples from ChatGPT

At MBA Crystal Ball, we’ve had a lot of fun over the years tackling the ‘What matters most to you, and why?” question that Stanford GSB has been posing for several years now.

It is also among the trickiest in the MBA application world (together with the openly worded HBS question).  

The methodology

We started with the basic questions and kept increasing the complexity as well as the data that was provided.

To prompts such as – how can I write a good essay for this and do you have a template , ChatGPT humbly accepts it doesn’t have a template but then, goes on to list a 5-part structure:

  It also gives 6 tips such as being authentic, focusing on one or two things and so on.

The tips are nothing new and apply universally, available on any number of sites, including ours, from where ChatGPT inputs would’ve been sourced.

The structure however comes under scanner up front.

In many cases, you don’t have to necessarily spell out what matters to you in what may be construed as pedantic and forced manner (I’ll explain that in a minute).

The MBA essay structure ChatGPT suggests is pretty similar irrespective of when you ask it to regenerate the response – in other words, if you follow it, the essay risks looking like a clone of many others right up front.

Next, we asked for an example and this is how it went.

[Note: For the sake of brevity, we’ve used representational samples of MBA essays written by ChatGPT, as opposed to the full output.]

From a young age, I loved exploring the woods behind my house, playing in the creek, and watching the stars at night.

As I got older, my passion for nature only grew stronger, and I began to realize that protecting the environment was what mattered most to me.

  Many may marvel at how legible and real it feels. Sure. But then again, remember that making basic sense isn’t what gets you through. A vast majority of humans can do that.

When you’re writing Harvard and Stanford MBA essays, you’ll need to bring in much more than these examples.

What ChatGPT generated is as generic as it gets – right from the scenery it tries to evoke an answer, the example couldn’t be further from sounding as to what a ‘real’ person would say.

We also asked it for a sample on HBS essay prompt, “ As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? ” and this is a small sample of what it came up with.

Growing up in a small town in rural America, I always felt a strong connection to nature. From a young age, I loved exploring the woods behind my house, playing in the creek, and watching the stars at night. As I got older, my passion for nature only grew stronger, and I began to realize that protecting the environment was what mattered most to me.

  This feels derivative of the Stanford MBA essay sample and retains the same generic feel.

Here’s another interesting observation we made. What ChatGPT gave us has an eerie similarity to what it generated for Poets&Quants for over a month back.

  Deja vu?

There may be thousands of applicants getting ‘inspired’ by the same examples with similar wording. Keep this in mind if you plan to use sample MBA essays of HBS, Stanford et al.

We didn’t stop there though. Taking things a notch higher, we then fed a candidate’s resume details as well as a lot of information that we ask as part of our process, into the model. We then requested it for a response. Here’s what we got (personal information masked)

Growing up, I learned the importance of this approach thanks to my father, who challenged me to develop a value proposition for everything I wanted in life.

While I initially resented the delayed gratification that came with this process, it instilled in me a desire to make choices that were well-informed and aligned with my values.

As I entered adulthood, this approach proved invaluable, particularly as a woman in a society that often creates a glass ceiling for women.

When I decided to pursue mechanical engineering despite concerns from others about my ability to land a core engineering job, I did my research, talked to successful women in the field, and ultimately became the first person in my university to land a core engineering job.

Now, I mentor other women in the XYZ program and help them interview for internships at my company.

  The tool follows the GIGO principle (Garbage In Garbage Out). So what you feed it will influence the output it generates.

The example above sounds more real. This is because most of these were the Stanford applicant’s words that we picked up from the rough draft and structure shared while working with us.

So, what’s wrong with this? Notice the use of clichés (like holistic perspective ). It continues to move around the periphery, without hitting the nail on its head.

Reading this, one gets the impression that this is an interesting person, but doesn’t quite get it.

But it can be a good starting point, right? Wrong.

After hours of brainstorming to discover what makes the candidate click, this is what eventually resulted in an admit from the toughest school in the world to get into.

She had won the book for being her XYZ university’s gold-medalist. Despite her academic promise, she never pursued international research opportunities offered to her; it was “unseemly” for a woman to work alone in another country. History repeated itself across generations in my family.

My grandmother studied medicine. My mother is the only person in our family with a master’s degree. My aunt was a national-level swimmer with Olympic potential.

All talented women, but none allowed to professionally explore their potential. I grew up listening to their stories of would-be triumphs and many regrets.

But the picture they painted for me was one of hope and dreams, giving me courage to break the prejudices of a conservative society that had shackled their dreams.

Not without a hint of vengeance, I vowed to never let my life be dictated by my gender.

The first real test of this vow was while deciding my undergrad major.

  Of course, there was much more hard-hitting content in the essay. But what we’ve shared should give you an idea of how different her submitted essay was compared to the examples we got from ChatGPT.

If the candidate had followed the rigid structure or the first draft proposed by ChatGPT, the above version would never had come out.

Even before the ChatGPT era, we’ve been cautioning candidates against reading up sample MBA essays or asking for one. They do nothing but to bias you that there is a right answer out there. There isn’t.

In the words of ChatGPT, you have to be authentic. And without an interactive back and forth, without the right dosage of art and creativity thrown in for good measure, the current system is likely to make you biased.

Let’s see what the online tool does with the HBS prompt now. This time, showing how it ends. Here’s the sample Harvard MBA essay generated by ChatGPT.

In pursuing an MBA at Harvard Business School, I hope to further develop my skills in leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration. With a passion for creating value and making informed decisions, I am confident that I can contribute to the HBS community and bring a unique perspective to class discussions and projects. Thank you for considering my candidacy.

  The first sentence is quite a mouthful without giving away much of real substance. The Why HBS piece is a boilerplate response that is just sheer waste of space. Compared to how we helped the applicant end it.

I love creating “value propositions” and I believe that I can really refine my strategy building skills at HBS, especially over the strategy classes in Term 2. In addition, the field immersions would also help me try out my decision making frameworks on real life projects.

I believe this exposure, coupled with a stint in consulting and my background in engineering will enable me to pursue my goal of becoming a well-rounded strategy leader in a technology enterprise, who is able to create the right “value propositions” for the company and help women look beyond the questions that our society continuously throws at them!

  As humans, it’s hard for us to leave something that’s already there (in this case, say a first draft from ChatGPT) and start from scratch. Its after all an art.

Many argue as to why are these essays required, for they are not going to become artists. But that’s not correct. For becoming a business leader is no less than art where you have to balance conflicting priorities, and not just think objectively, but humanly and manage emotions too.

In essence, play with the AI model but if you are serious about your applications, stay authentic and avoid the temptation to take the easy route. The route won’t lead anywhere.

Living and breathing humans are better at understanding pain, euphoria and other emotions that go into making a good MBA essay. And with experience it gets better. We have a few of those seasoned mentors in our team, who can help you with your MBA applications.

Play around with ChatGPT till you figure out what it can and cannot do. And then drop us an email for the serious application work: info [at] mbacrystalball [dot] com

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Poor Nations Are Writing a New Handbook for Getting Rich

Economies focused on exports have lifted millions out of poverty, but epochal changes in trade, supply chains and technology are making it a lot harder.

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By Patricia Cohen

Reporting from London

For more than half a century, the handbook for how developing countries can grow rich hasn’t changed much: Move subsistence farmers into manufacturing jobs, and then sell what they produce to the rest of the world.

The recipe — customized in varying ways by Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and China — has produced the most potent engine the world has ever known for generating economic growth. It has helped lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, create jobs and raise standards of living.

The Asian Tigers and China succeeded by combining vast pools of cheap labor with access to international know-how and financing, and buyers that reached from Kalamazoo to Kuala Lumpur. Governments provided the scaffolding: They built up roads and schools, offered business-friendly rules and incentives, developed capable administrative institutions and nurtured incipient industries.

But technology is advancing, supply chains are shifting, and political tensions are reshaping trade patterns. And with that, doubts are growing about whether industrialization can still deliver the miracle growth it once did. For developing countries, which contain 85 percent of the globe’s population — 6.8 billion people — the implications are profound.

Today, manufacturing accounts for a smaller share of the world’s output, and China already does more than a third of it . At the same time, more emerging countries are selling inexpensive goods abroad, increasing competition. There are not as many gains to be squeezed out: Not everyone can be a net exporter or offer the world’s lowest wages and overhead.

There are doubts that industrialization can create the game-changing benefits it did in the past. Factories today tend to rely more on automated technology and less on cheapworkers who have little training.

“You cannot generate enough jobs for the vast majority of workers who are not very educated,” said Dani Rodrik, a leading development economist at Harvard.

The process can be seen in Bangladesh, which the World Bank’s managing director called “one of the world’s greatest development stories” last year. The country built its success on turning farmers into textile workers.

Last year, though, Rubana Huq, chair of Mohammadi Group, a family-owned conglomerate, replaced 3,000 employees with automated jacquard machines to do complex weaving patterns.

The women found similar jobs elsewhere in the company. “But what follows when this happens on a large scale?” asked Ms. Huq, who is also president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

These workers don’t have training, she said. “They’re not going to turn into coders overnight.”

Recent global developments have accelerated the transition.

Supply chain meltdowns related to the Covid-19 pandemic and to sanctions prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drove up the price of essentials like food and fuel, biting into incomes. High interest rates, imposed by central banks to quell inflation, set off another series of crises: Developing nations’ debts ballooned , and investment capital dried up.

Last week, the International Monetary Fund warned of the noxious combination of lower growth and higher debt.

The supercharged globalization that had encouraged companies to buy and sell in every spot around the planet has also been shifting. Rising political tensions, especially between China and the United States, are affecting where businesses and governments invest and trade.

Companies want supply chains to be secure as well as cheap, and they are looking at neighbors or political allies to provide them.

In this new era, Mr. Rodrik said, “the industrialization model — which practically every country that has become rich has relied on — is no longer capable of generating rapid and sustained economic growth.”

Nor is it clear what might replace it.

There’s a future in service jobs.

One alternative might be found in Bengaluru, a high-tech center in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Multinationals like Goldman Sachs, Victoria’s Secret and the Economist magazine have flocked to the city and set up hundreds of operational hubs — known as global capability centers — to handle accounting, design products, develop cybersecurity systems and artificial intelligence, and more.

Such centers are expected to generate 500,000 jobs nationwide in the next two to three years, according to the consulting firm Deloitte .

They are joining hundreds of biotech, engineering and information technology companies including homegrown giants like Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro and Infosys Limited. Four months ago, the American chip company AMD unveiled its largest global design center there.

“We have to move away from the idea of classic development stages, that you go from the farm to the factory and then from the factory to offices,” said Richard Baldwin , an economist at the IMD in Lausanne. “That whole development model is wrong.”

Two-thirds of the world’s output now comes from the service sector — a mishmash that includes dog walkers, manicurists, food preparers, cleaners and drivers, as well as highly trained chip designers, graphic artists, nurses, engineers and accountants.

It is possible to leapfrog to the service sector and grow by selling to businesses around the world, Mr. Baldwin argued. That is what helped India become the world’s fifth-largest economy .

In Bengaluru, formerly known as Bangalore, a general rise in middle-class living attracted more people and more businesses that, in turn, attracted more people and businesses, continuing the cycle, Mr. Baldwin explained.

Covid sped this transition, by forcing people to work remotely — from a different part of town, a different city or a different country.

In the new model, countries can focus growth around cities rather than a particular industry. “That creates economic activities which are fairly diverse,” Mr. Baldwin said.

“Think Bangalore, not South China,” he said.

Free markets are not enough.

Many developing nations remain focused on building export-oriented industries as the path to prosperity. And that’s how it should be, said Justin Yifu Lin , dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University.

Pessimism about the classic development formula, he said, has been fueled by a misguided belief that the growth process was automatic: Just clear the way for the free market and the rest will take care of itself.

Countries were often pressured by the United States and the international institutions to embrace open markets and hands-off governance.

Export-led growth in Africa and Latin America stumbled because governments failed to protect and subsidize infant industries, said Mr. Lin, a former chief economist at the World Bank.

“Industrial policy was taboo for a long time,” he said, and many of those who tried failed. But there were also success stories like China and South Korea.

“You need the state to help the private sector overcome market failures,” he said. “You cannot do it without industrial policy.”

It won’t work without education.

The overriding question is whether anything — services or manufacturing — can generate the type of growth that is desperately needed: broad based, large scale and sustainable.

Service jobs for businesses are multiplying, but many offering middle and high incomes are in areas like finance and tech, which tend to require advanced skills and education levels far above what most people in developing nations have.

In India, nearly half of college graduates don’t have the skills they need for these jobs, according to Wheebox , an educational testing service.

The mismatch is everywhere. The Future of Jobs report , published last year by the World Economic Forum, found that six in 10 workers will need retraining in the next three years, but the overwhelming majority won’t have access to it.

Other kinds of service jobs are proliferating, too, but many are neither well paid nor exportable. A barber in Bengaluru can’t cut your hair if you’re in Brooklyn.

That could mean smaller — and more uneven — growth.

Researchers at Yale University found that in India and several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural workers jumped into consumer service jobs and raised their productivity and incomes.

But there was a catch: The gains were “strikingly unequal” and disproportionately benefited the rich .

With a weakening global economy , developing countries will need to wring every bit of growth they can from every corner of their economies. Industrial policy is essential, Mr. Rodrik of Harvard said, but it should focus on smaller service firms and households because that is going to be the source of most future growth.

He and others caution that even so, gains are likely to be modest and hard won.

“The envelope has shrunk,” he said. “How much growth we can get is definitely less than in the past.”

An earlier version of this article misidentified the location of IMD. It is in Lausanne, not Geneva.

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Patricia Cohen writes about global economics and is based in London. More about Patricia Cohen

After being insulted, writing down your feelings on paper then getting rid of it reduces anger

A research group in Japan has discovered that writing down one's reaction to a negative incident on a piece of paper and then shredding it or throwing it away reduces feelings of anger.

"We expected that our method would suppress anger to some extent," lead researcher Nobuyuki Kawai said. "However, we were amazed that anger was eliminated almost entirely."

This research is important because controlling anger at home and in the workplace can reduce negative consequences in our jobs and personal lives. Unfortunately, many anger management techniques proposed by specialists lack empirical research support. They can also be difficult to recall when angry.

The results of this study, published in Scientific Reports , are the culmination of years of previous research on the association between the written word and anger reduction. It builds on work showing how interactions with physical objects can control a person's mood.

For their project, Kawai and his graduate student Yuta Kanaya, both at the Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University, asked participants to write brief opinions about important social problems, such as whether smoking in public should be outlawed. They then told them that a doctoral student at Nagoya University would evaluate their writing.

However, the doctoral students doing the evaluation were plants. Regardless of what the participants wrote, the evaluators scored them low on intelligence, interest, friendliness, logic, and rationality. To really drive home the point, the doctoral students also wrote the same insulting comment: "I cannot believe an educated person would think like this. I hope this person learns something while at the university."

After handing out these negative comments, the researchers asked the participants to write their thoughts on the feedback, focusing on what triggered their emotions. Finally, one group of participants was told to either dispose of the paper they wrote in a trash can or keep it in a file on their desk. A second group was told to destroy the document in a shredder or put it in a plastic box.

The students were then asked to rate their anger after the insult and after either disposing of or keeping the paper. As expected, all participants reported a higher level of anger after receiving insulting comments. However, the anger levels of the individuals who discarded their paper in the trash can or shredded it returned to their initial state after disposing of the paper. Meanwhile, the participants who held on to a hard copy of the insult experienced only a small decrease in their overall anger.

Kawai imagines using his research to help businesspeople who find themselves in stressful situations. "This technique could be applied in the moment by writing down the source of anger as if taking a memo and then throwing it away when one feels angry in a business situation," he explained.

Along with its practical benefits, this discovery may shed light on the origins of the Japanese cultural tradition known as hakidashisara ( hakidashi refers to the purging or spitting out of something, and sara refers to a dish or plate) at the Hiyoshi shrine in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture, just outside of Nagoya. Hakidashisara is an annual festival where people smash small discs representing things that make them angry. Their findings may explain the feeling of relief that participants report after leaving the festival.

• Anger Management
• Social Psychology
• Disorders and Syndromes
• Educational Psychology
• Consumer Behavior
• Anger management
• Social psychology
• Cognitive dissonance
• Self-awareness
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Collaboration

Story Source:

Materials provided by Nagoya University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Yuta Kanaya, Nobuyuki Kawai. Anger is eliminated with the disposal of a paper written because of provocation . Scientific Reports , 2024; 14 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57916-z

Cite This Page :

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