5 MBA Essay Mistakes to Avoid—And What to Write Instead

The MBA application essays—and the Statement of Purpose for Master’s applicants—are one of the most critical parts of the application process. Beyond your test scores and résumé, the essays are the part you still have control over right now, and they’re your key opportunity to shape the story the admissions committee will hear about you.

A lot of applicants assume that you need a “tragic” personal story or a long list of extracurriculars to stand out, but that’s a misconception. While writing from the heart matters, strong MBA essays are actually more technical than most people expect. Admissions committees are looking for a few specific ingredients: clear goals, alignment with their program, and proof of leadership potential. When those elements are missing, that's what leads to a doomed application.

With that in mind, here are the top 5 mistakes applicants make in their MBA essays—and how to avoid them.

1. Being too resume-like

   Some applicants treat the essay as a chance to rehash their experience, almost like a second résumé. But the essay is where you’re supposed to go beyond the bullets. In fact, many essays (like CBS) even emphasize that they already have a "clear sense of your professional path to date". They want to know who you are, what you want to do, and how your experiences connect to the next chapter of your life.

2. Skipping the “Why Now?”, “Why MBA?”, and why this program

   One of the biggest reasons applications get dinged is lack of clarity around why you need an MBA, why now, and why this specific program. Timeliness is everything and Ad Comm want to know how an MBA fits into your career plans and why you’ve chosen their program in particular. Generic buzzwords like "top-ranked program" or "diverse community" won't cut it. Programs want to know you've done the research and understand how their unique resources will support your goals.

3. Lack of alignment in past experience and career goals

   Programs care deeply about post-graduation outcomes—both for rankings and for class success. Admissions committees want to be confident that you’ll be able to secure a job after graduation. So it's crucial in the essays that you clearly explain how your past experience connects to your future goals, even if you’re making a pivot. Prove that an MBA is the right bridge.

4. Overwriting (or AI-Fluffing)

   Essays have a word limit for a reason: Admissions teams read thousands of applications, and they’re looking for concise, direct answers to the question. Rambling, inflated language waters down your message. And yes—ChatGPT can sometimes make this worse. While AI can be helpful for brainstorming, it often creates wordy, generic drafts filled with fluff when you need to be clear and specific. Use AI wisely.

5. Undervaluing personal reflection

   Besides showing your career goals, essays are also about showing who you are as a leader. Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about self-awareness, growth, and the ability to reflect. Thus, as you work on your essays, think about moments where you’ve learned something meaningful, changed your perspective, or grown from experience. Humility and reflection go a long way.

   
   

Writing a great MBA essay isn’t just about telling your story—it’s about telling it strategically, with the right structure, goals alignment, and school fit. The good news? Once you know the common mistakes to avoid, you’re already ahead of most applicants.

If you’d like personal feedback on your application strategy or help crafting your essays, I offer one-on-one consultation calls. We’ll discuss your goals, your story, and how to position yourself for the best chance of success. Book a Consultation Call Here.

Or, if you’re still deciding which MBA program is the right fit for you, take my free quiz to get personalized insights and next steps.