Creating a compelling video essay is an important part of many small MBA program applications. Video essays allow applicants to convey their personal qualities, values, and motivations for pursuing an MBA in a way that transcends a traditional written essay. Given the length constraints of typical small MBA video essays, which often range between 1-3 minutes, crafting an impactful video requires strategic planning and focus.
The primary goals of a small MBA video essay are to introduce yourself authentically and demonstrate your fit for the program. Some key things to keep in mind when crafting your video are conveying your authentic personality, clearly articulating your motivations for an MBA, and highlighting relevant experiences in a succinct yet engaging manner. Given the short time constraint, every second of the video should work to advance these core goals.
When getting started, it is important to brainstorm and outline what experiences, values, or personality traits you want to highlight that make you a strong fit for the program. Consider any hardship you have overcome, leadership roles, community involvement, career experiences relevant to your MBA goals, or personal qualities that will enrich the program’s culture. From there, distill these ideas into a clear narrative arc that will unfold naturally within the time limit.
Outlining the key points you want to cover in advance will help ensure your video stays focused rather than rambling aimlessly. You may choose to follow a chronological structure highlighting your story and journey or focus each section on a specific experience, value, or lesson. Whatever structure you choose, make sure each piece connects back to why an MBA from that particular program is the right next step for you.
In terms of production elements, you will likely want to film your video using a phone, tablet, or computer camera against a simple, neutral background to keep the focus on you. Good lighting is important for visual clarity. Speak naturally but confidently while looking directly at the camera as if addressing the audience. Practice your delivery while timing yourself to refine the script and ensure it fits within the limit.
Make eye contact, vary your tone, and employ hand gestures sparingly for emphasis rather than distracting movements. Your energy and expression should match the content and arc of your story. While casual, the tone should still convey the importance and sincerity of your goals and motivations. Technical mistakes or poor presentation can undermine your message.
When scripting your narrative, strive to achieve a good balance of descriptive detail without getting too wordy. Vivid anecdotes that bring your experiences to life through sensory details and imagery will help engage the viewer more than dry recitations of facts and achievements. Interweave these stories organically with insights about the specific lessons learned and how they relate to your MBA aspirations.
Rather than simply listing goals, qualifications, or experiences in bullet points, craft your narrative to unfold them in a way that feels natural yet thoughtfully organized. The progression of your narrative should build upon previous points to leave the viewer with a clear sense of “you” and why you want an MBA from that school above others when the video concludes.
Along the way, be authentic yet self-aware in how you present yourself. Humble confidence tends to leave the best impression. Avoid coming across as arrogant, entitled, or defensive. Share vulnerabilities thoughtfully if relevant to your growth but do not dwell in self-pity. Maintain a positive yet determined tone focused on your strengths, drive, and capacity for growth through the program.
Small touches like effective transitions between sections and a strong concluding statement that ties everything together can elevate the overall impact of even a short video essay. Practice and get feedback from others to refine your presentation skills and gauge whether your true self comes across clearly yet professionally. With strategic planning and focus on authentically showcasing your strengths and fit, a video essay allows applicants for highly selective small MBA programs to stand out from the crowd.