The video essay has become an important component of MBA admissions for many top business schools. Programs are using this medium to gain a deeper understanding of who applicants are beyond just their resumes and essays. Crafting a compelling video submission takes careful planning and execution. Here are some essential tips for crafting an outstanding foster MBA video essay.
Choose your topic wisely. The topic you choose should highlight why you want an MBA and how you plan to contribute to the program. Focus on a formative experience that shaped your leadership abilities, passion for business, or desire to effect positive change. Avoid superficial topics like hobbies – select something meaningful that reveals your character.
Prepare, but don’t over-rehearse. Develop an outline for your key points, but don’t write a script verbatim. You want to come across as genuine, so maintain a natural conversational tone. Practice your delivery without reading from notes. Rehearse enough that you stay within the time limit comfortably while engaging the viewer.
Show, don’t just tell. Business schools want to get to know you beyond your resume, so share vivid examples and anecdotes that bring your message to life. Use specific details to demonstrate, rather than generically stating, how past experiences illustrate your qualities and ambitions. Give the admissions officers a glimpse into your world.
Address the prompt directly. Make sure your story directly connects to and answers the specific prompt or question provided. Don’t ramble about unrelated topics. Tailor your response each time to directly address what the school asks of you. Be sure your video focuses on the topics or themes prioritized in their instructions.
Tell a compelling story. Structure your video like a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Capture attention with your opening and build toward a powerful conclusion that leaves the viewer with a lasting impression of who you are. Maintain a steady narrative arc throughout to effectively communicate your key points in a cohesive, memorable way.
Make eye contact with the camera. Pretend you’re having a conversation with the admissions officer watching. Maintain friendly, attentive eye contact and speak confidently but conversationally, just as you would if sitting across from them. Only glance at brief notes if needed, but primarily focus your gaze into the camera lens.
Use props sparingly, if at all. Rely primarily on the power of your words and presence – avoid distracting props. Simple illustrations like short summaries on note cards can work if referencing them enhances rather than hinders your communication. But in general, keep your video presentation clean and focused solely on you.
Pay attention to lighting, sound quality, and background. Make sure lighting is bright and even, avoiding shadows on your face. Record in a quiet space without ambient noise interference. Choose a neutral background that doesn’t distract from you. Check your recording quality and redo takes as needed until you have high-definition footage you’re proud to submit.
Express your authentic self. Allow your genuine passion, intelligence, humor, or other defining qualities to shine through in a way resumes can’t capture. Reviewers want to get a true sense of your character, so feel free to inject your own personality while staying true to the prompt. With confidence and sincerity, let your unique self emerge on camera.
Keep it under three minutes. Business schools don’t have time for long videos. Keep your submission succinct and impactful, typically between 90 seconds to 3 minutes maximum. Say what you need to say clearly and memorably within the prescribed time limit. Respecting their guidelines will make a good impression.
Get feedback and refine your draft. Ask trusted advisors and mentors to review your video and provide suggestions. Incorporate constructive criticism to continuously polish your submission. Multiple practice runs will help optimize your delivery, just as with an interview. Spend quality time fine-tuning based on input from others before submitting your very best work.
With focused planning and execution, your foster MBA video essay has great potential to make you stand out from other candidates vying for admission. By thoughtfully crafting your video response to effectively communicate why you’ll thrive in the program and field, you can significantly strengthen your application and chances of acceptance. Approach this supplemental requirement as an impactful opportunity rather than an afterthought or burden. With passion and preparation, your video can give reviewers powerful new insights into who you are.