My first app and it seems quite a struggle. Time and again when I have discussed with people about my MBA plans, I was always told that GMAT is the easiest part of the whole thing, the apps drain you out thorougly and is the most difficult part. Although I didnt ignore their warnings, I truly underestimated the effort needed to achieve it. I was of the opinion that essays required spending 2-3 hours every day writing and rewriting stuff. As a part of the process you would introspect, reach out to students in the schools, peruse websites and forums. It didnt seem that difficult before i took the plunge. I thought 2 months post GMAT is a good amount of time to do justice to the 5 apps I planned.
Its 2 weeks since then and I barely have started. Infact I am rewriting my first essay (career goals essay) from the scratch undoing the mess I created with it.I went about it in a very organized manner. I religiously read all possible resources (clearadmit, gyan from the gurus, blogs of fellow applicants). I completed few relevant chapters of Richard Montauk as well. I created a Fact file, as recommended by Juggler in her post, listing out all the things and events I have been involved in the past 10 years. I have a lot of data, but in a form that makes no sense. And making this info sound like a compelling story is easier said than done. When I write my essays I see a disconnect in the content. It all seems a set of events or facts. They dont blend into one another. I am trying hard to make them do and there is hardly any progress. Having spent 2 weeks and not getting a single essay into shape, the road ahead seems tough.
Does everyone go thro' this phase?
Most of the fellow bloggers I interact have successfully crossed the R1 milestone and arechurning out essays for R2. Is there anyone who has started his/her essays recently
and is in the same boat?
And there is one advice I get from everyone. Introspect. Does that mean know yourself well? or Does that mean knowing your life in and out?
I know that the first app is the most difficult one and later on things will move at a faster pace. Hope to get past this phase soon..
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6 comments:
Welcome to the great application game! While the applications (esp. the essays) are hard, they get easier after you've written a few of them. The key for me, is to really think long and hard about who you are, what you want to get from the MBA (and why) and why you have chosen the career goals you have. As it is inscribed in the temple to the oracle at Delphi - "Know Thyself"
Hey you just focus on your essays...just keep hanging in there and after a while the essays will start taking shape....I think it happened with all of us. Best of luck for your apps!!
Dont get into more mess by thinking that you are in a mess! Get my point? Everyone goes through the same stages, rather everyone has to... Its also not too late. R1 and R2 are pretty similar as far as intakes go. So dont worry about the rounds.
I am in a similar boat to head towards a US MBA. My first app was quite haphazard and I've already earned the fruits of it...
3 things:
1. Be careful
2. Be yourself
3. Be-lieve
and you'll 'Be there!'
Few things - first, I'm by no means an expert. I have been fortunate enough to get past the "mess" stage and submit a few applications. That being said, here are a couple of suggestions based on your post.
First, if you need to rewrite - go for it. The hardest part of the essays, imo, is the content. Once you get the content, you can fix the transitions. So figure out what you want to write, what makes you special.
Second, get a first draft complete. Yes, it won't be perfect, but when it's YOUR writing, sometimes it's hard to see the big or outside picture. Find a close friend that is good at editing and let them review it. (Two ways to review, just give it to them and let them tell you what they think or specifically ask them if you have answered the question and mark up syntax errors/grammar/spelling, etc.) In addition, another way to personally review your essay, esp. sssays with word limits, read each sentence, make sure it relates to the question, then if it does, see if it's necessary and important. You'll be more concise.
Finally - remember, this is a process. And sometimes it's easier to leave an essay and come back to it later.
I hope this helps! Best of luck to you.
@Mike,
Thanx for that quote "Know Thyself". I am to trying to work on that!
@Bokaa,
Thanx and gud luck to you too!
@Ameya,
I just got a pretty psyched up spending 2 weeks and making no progress. Things are positive now. Thanx for your support n Gud luck!
@Paige,
I m hoping to get past this mess soon :)
I realise that I rather rewrite and do all thats necessary now than regret later. I will keep ur inputs in mind while i work on my essays. Thanx and gud luck to you too!
Hi..good post..have gone thru a similar mess with my ISB essays..best is to get feedback from various sources..it refuels ur thinking tank...btw whr did u get richard montauk in blr..i have been searching everywhr..
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