Essays in the application..

I have been going through the application process for quite a some time (not some time really, for 3 months now) and now have understand what really the B-schools are looking in the essays.

1. Your Prior Experience

The prior experience both professional and personal are very much required to assess your profile. Have your experience and the highlights of it. If you have diverse experience in verious industries or functions, show it and dont just say what you have, but also say what have done and achieved at each job. It shows your maturity. Dont just say I have been promoted twice. Say for what you have been promoted.

2. Career Goals:

If you go through any of the application, the common question is career goals. Do you think it is that much required to know what you want to do down the line..say, 5 years or 10 years? Absolutely YES. You are a Software Engineer and If you want to become an english teacher 5 years down the line..where is the connection..Do you really know what you want to be and what you want to do?

Atleast have what you want to do after MBA. This very much required.

3. Why this school?

The other repeating question is why this particular school. Remember that it is not onlybecause US News or BW ranked this school in the top ten..you are considering this school. You are considering this school because of its strengths in various areas, that are in your interest at MBA and after MBA. Research their curriculam and the special centers and write briefly what is specific about this school.

Finally: You have to connect your past experience, career goals and why school. If you observer keenly, there is a flow from one question to other. You are in business analysis now, Yow want to be a strategic analyst in a consulting firm and the resources at this school and the curriculam help you in a particular way. Show this in essays.