How to Write Great Admissions Essays: Step 2

(This is part of a new series that we will roll out over the next several weeks, introducing our readers to our proven 10-step process for writing great admissions essays. Check back often for more MBA admissions essay tips!)

Step 2: Practice
It may sound strange to practice essay writing in the midst of an application process, but practice is the single most effective strategy to master this art form. While the old adage "practice makes perfect" may not be entirely true, there is no doubt that practice does breed comfort in word counts, themes, and structure, which is paramount to position yourself to get the most out of the process.

Consider that you will be working with your consultant on multiple versions of each essay and will be addressing critical components such as themes, content, structure, and style, as well as focusing on expressing fit with each program in question. This extensive model of evaluation is perfect for improving your writing, crystallizing your story, and polishing up your presentation. That said, your finished product will always be relative to your starting point. The Veritas Prep model of essay composition is designed to ensure that the essay remains "yours" throughout and does not become the work of the consultant. To that end, we specify the number of drafts and outline an exact process, providing guidance to maximize your candidacy without undermining the admissions process as a whole.

Think of the improvement you will make in this process as a guaranteed amount, limited only by your starting point. Put into simple terms, our experts and our methods will improve your essays by two letter grades. If you are starting with "C," we can take you to an "A" quality essay. However, if your essays are "D" quality to begin with, your likely finish line will be a "B" essay.

What does the above analysis mean for you? Try your very best to start with at least a "C," of course! The goal of creating an adequate and satisfactory starting point is the reason for this entire guide, but it is also the most compelling reason to practice writing. Before you ever send your first draft of an essay to a consultant, you should spend time examining great sample essays and practice, practice, practice.

After your initial call with your consultant, you will have ample time to develop your skills. Your consultant will be engaging in the most thorough analysis of your candidacy possible and crafting your Personalized MBA Game Plan™. During this time, you can start developing great writing habits by carving out a schedule and an ideal writing environment, as detailed above, and you can begin to turn essay-writing into second nature through practice. Immediate outcomes of practice include:

1. Improved efficiency with words and ability to adhere to designated word counts. There is no worse feeling than sitting down to write a 400-word essay, pouring your heart into a first draft, and subsequently realizing that you are over by 150 words. Practicing staying within the confines of various word counts will help you see the value in economical writing and enable you to consider ways of condensing your work so as to get more affirmative statements out of fewer words.


2. Improved clarity regarding your motivations. The more times you grapple with common essay questions and themes, the more clarity you will have when you sit down to craft responses on your actual applications. Answering the same question in multiple ways or addressing the same themes embedded in different answers is a great way to really hone in on your reasons for pursuing admission to graduate school. Getting comfortable with your motivation allows you to interject those answers into your application without resorting to contrived or forced answers.


3. Comfortable using the first-person narrative. One of the most consistent problems we see with candidates' essays is that they are not crafted as a bold and clear portrayal of the individual in question. In almost every instance, this issue stems from a discomfort with writing from a first-person, or "I" perspective. From the time we are old enough to write in complete sentences, our teachers have encouraged us to avoid using the word "I" when we write. However, the personal statement is the one time when using the word "I" is completely necessary. After all, it is your story - your case to make to the reader in question.

While many applicants are not comfortable with the usage of "I," most understand its necessity in the application essay. The main problem, then, is not an awkward avoidance of the word "I," but rather a massive proliferation of the pronoun. This syndrome is primarily due to a lack of comfort and skill with the first-person device, making practice the surefire way to gain that level of comfort. Practice does not even have to take the form of application essays -— instead, take a stab at writing a few short stories or essays that feature a first person narrative.

Write 600 words about taking a bus ride, completely from your perspective. Get comfortable with offering a genuine, first-person narrative without starting every sentence with "I." When you feel comfortable with the narrative style, you can stop worrying about counting your "I" uses and wincing at stilted phrasings, and instead focus on content and on telling a great story that encapsulates who you are as a person and an applicant and effectively articulates that message to the reader.

Stay tuned for Step 3, coming in a few days. In the meantime, if you need help with your MBA admissions essays or personal statements immediately, give us a call at 800-925-7737 and talk to one of our admissions experts. And, as always, be sure to follow us on Twitter!