There’s a certain lull about spending each day the same way. After reaching office, I usually set up my laptop, triggered some builds, and sat down with a cup of coffee to check my email; this was my schedule continuously for over 2 years.
A typical day of mine consisted of coding new features, fixing bugs, and handling escalations. Despite working with some really sharp minds and building something incrementally new every day, the will to grow big and grow fast made me take the MBA plunge.
When I started off with my essays, I was staring at a blank sheet of paper unable to comprehend what I would have to write about my technical background, that would maximize my chances of getting into my dream B-School.
Let’s face it – a techie profile is the most commonly received profile by the MBA admissions committee for most colleges. There is very little to be excited about! In such cases, when one doesn’t have the “diversity” card to play, it becomes extremely important to write impactful essays.
Through this article, I would like to help the techie
junta, GEM category students, and anybody else in similar situations in writing essays to get into their dream B Schools. Here are certain things to keep in mind while writing out your essays.
1. Talk about the IMPACT of your projects
You may have written extremely complicated code in your workplace, but that’s irrelevant to the Adcom. What they care about is how your projects affect people at scale. And that’s something any applicant needs to highlight.
Here’s an eye opener for you – the projects you mention here can be non-tech as well – it can be a small counselling service you started, a band you played for, etc. What’s critical is the impact your projects have created and the kind of audience they cater to.
That being said, it’s important to maintain the right balance between the kind of projects you talk about. I would suggest applicants to talk about at least one tech project they did in their workplace, and the impact they made through that project, in their application.
2. Showcase Leadership At Any Level – Workplace, College
B-Schools look to churn out future leaders who can think about critical problems and solve them in the most optimized and practical ways. Given these facts, it becomes extremely vital for applicants to have some leadership stints.
Some applicants may have lesser work experience and may not have taken up managerial roles. In such cases, they should talk about the leadership roles they have taken in college.
3. “Why an MBA from XXXXX?”
This, I believe, is the make or break for an applicant. One should be very clear and specific about the reasons why he/she is doing an MBA in the first place.
I can summarize this point in a single equation: X + Y = Z
X: Where you are currently in your career
Z: Where you see yourself in the next 5-7 years
Y: What the MBA program in that college adds, to help you achieve your goals
The Y variable is something you need to be extremely clear about while penning down your essays.
One of the alums at ISB helped me with this equation, and this was the single greatest piece I received with respect to my application.
4. Talk about Hobbies
If you’re having hobbies, don’t hesitate to talk about them in your essays. You may be an amazing musician, a great dancer, or a fantastic painter. This is something that needs to be highlighted, since it shows that you’re creative, and that you can improvise.
5. Keep it simple
Your essays should convey how you are as a person. You know yourself best, and your essays are yours alone. Keep it simple, and to the point, and it will work wonders.
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About The Author
Ashmit graduated from ISB Hyderabad in 2020. Before ISB, he completed his B. Tech from VIT Vellore, and worked as a software developer for almost 3 years. In his free time, he loves playing the synthesizer.