The Additional Essay in the MBA Application – When Not to Use It

The following is a guest post from Yael Redelman-Sidi, an experienced MBA admissions consultant who provides customized guidance for prospective students about the application process:

Many business schools provide an “Optional Essay” that has no specific question or guidelines. I often get asked by candidates when to use the essay and what to do with it.  Here are some basic tips to help you decide when you shouldn't use this section in the application:

When not to use it:

1. Compensate for weak essays - If you feel your other essays aren’t strong enough or delivering a point. This is not the place to talk about your project, accomplishments, or why you switched jobs. There’s usually enough space in the regular essays and if you can’t fit it there it means the issue isn’t important enough.
2. GMAT – if you have taken the test once but didn’t do well, don’t try to say that you’re a “bad test taker”. If you’ve taken it 5 times and are still not happy with the results just face it and just try to get a strong application otherwise.
3. Ex-curricular activities – include your volunteer work in the “Other” section in your resume, or talk about it throughout the essays. If it’s a significant activity to you, Admissions Committee would expect to see it there.
4. Your passion about the school – again, this is not the place – use the essays, your network and energy to attend events and connect with the right people.

Summary – the best way to handle this essay is to leave it empty. If you have to use it, make sure you are approaching your past with maturity rather than providing excuses.

Get tips on when you should use the additional essay in the MBA application.