Getting feedback on your MBA essays from others is one of the most important steps in the application process. Taking the time to have others review your essays can help strengthen your writing and ensure you are effectively conveying your key messages to Admissions Committees. In this article, we will discuss why MBA essay feedback is so important, who you should ask to provide feedback, tips for getting the most out of the feedback process and how to incorporate suggested changes.
Why is MBA Essay Feedback Important?
There are several key reasons why seeking feedback on your MBA application essays is crucial:
Outside Perspective – As the author, you are too close to your own writing. Others can provide a fresh set of eyes to catch any issues you may have missed like unclear points, inconsistencies or weak areas. Feedback helps gain perspective you cannot see on your own.
Editing Assistance – Reviewers can help tighten up your writing by catching redundant or repetitive phrases, suggesting ways to further develop underdeveloped ideas or trim unnecessary words/details. Good writing requires multiple rounds of editing and feedback facilitates this.
Ensuring Messages are Clear – The goal of your essays is to effectively convey key messages and stories to Admissions Committees. Feedback helps confirm these intended takeaways are actually coming across clearly to readers or identifies where messaging may need clarification.
Catching Any Errors – Whether grammatical mistakes, typos, incorrect facts or inconsistencies between essays – feedback increases the chances of catching errors before your final submission. Mistakes can negatively impact an otherwise strong application.
Benchmarking Against Others – Getting a sense for how your writing and stories compare to peers who have been successful in their applications. Feedback providers with admissions experience can offer guidance on competitiveness.
Fresh Motivation – Feedback fosters continued motivation to improve what may have already felt “finished” to you. New suggestions spark reworking essays to their full potential.
Who Should Provide Your MBA Essay Feedback?
The ideal essay feedback providers are those who understand the MBA application process and can offer an informed outside perspective. Here are some top options to consider:
Admissions Consultants – Specifically those with experience reviewing real, successful applications. They understand what resonates with committees.
Current/Former MBA Students – Great insight into what was important in their own applications and competitive factors for your target programs.
English Professors/Teachers – Experts in structure, flow, development and proper writing mechanics to strengthen your craft.
Career/Recruiting Professionals – Understand how to effectively market your experiences and skills to future employers.
Friends in Other Grad Programs – Can comment as a general reader while still understanding big picture goals.
Family Members – Only if they are willing and able to provide thoughtful, objective feedback beyond “I liked it”.
The keys are finding people who understand the context of an MBA application, can be direct in their feedback and have experience reviewing personal statements or essays. Avoid solely relying on feedback from those personally invested in your success like parents/partners.
Tips for Getting the Most from Feedback Sessions
To maximize learning from feedback sessions, here are some best practices:
Provide Context – Give review partners background on your goals, experience and target programs to frame their perspective.
Set Clear Timelines – Schedule dedicated blocks of time with feedback providers vs. quick reviews. Allow for discussion after suggestions.
Gather Written Feedback – Have partners annotate drafts or provide detailed written comments. Schedule follow-up discussions too.
Be Receptive – Remain open-minded to criticism without becoming defensive. Thank reviewers for their time regardless of specific feedback.
Take Detailed Notes – Note common themes/suggestions across multiple reviewers to identify areas truly needing work vs. individual preferences.
Follow-Up on Unclear Points – If any feedback seems vague, set up separate discussions for clarification before incorporating changes.
Try Suggestions Yourself – Don’t just implement all feedback as-is. Experiment making proposed modifications to see how they feel/read.
Iterate Multiple Times – Feedback is an iterative process. Seek reviews of revised drafts to further refine writing before final versions.
Incorporating Feedback Into Your Essays
When it comes to actually updating your essays based on reviews, follow these guidelines:
Prioritize Consensus Themes – Common issues noted across multiple reviewers likely need attention before individual preferences.
Consider Feedback Holistically – Weigh all commentary rather than focusing on single opinions. Look for patterns indicating recurring strengths/weaknesses.
Test Edits Yourself First – Swap in/out proposed changes to essays yourself before finalizing to ensure they fit naturally with your voice/style.
Leave Yourself Time for Further Reviews – Update based on initial feedback but still seek additional rounds later to catch any new tweaks after rewriting.
Cite Feedback Providers – If specific suggestions particularly strengthened your essays, acknowledge these individuals in any “feedback” prompts or thank you notes with applications.
Recycle Good Feedback Discussions – Consider sharing draft revisions or key suggestions with initial reviewers if major reworks occurred from their input. Let them see impact.
Acknowledge Changes Humbly – Don’t frame improvements as though feedback “fixed” flaws but rather helped maximize potential through collaboration.
Mastering the comprehensive and iterative feedback process takes time but yields tremendous benefits when done thoroughly. Thoughtful incorporation of reviews ultimately elevates MBA essays to their highest competitive level.
Does this help explain why getting feedback on your MBA application essays is so important? Let me know if you have any other questions! Seeking objective outside perspectives and making targeted improvements based on constructive reviews will give your essays the best chance at impressing admissions committees. The feedback process itself is also a valuable learning experience that can strengthen one’s self-awareness and writing abilities.
Andrew Stroud