HOW TO WRITE ABOUT SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOMING OBSTACLES IN YOUR APPLICATION FOR AN MBA
It's highly unlikely that you'll be able to apply for an MBA without submitting an essay about a challenge you faced and how it changed you. You could find yourself at a loss for words and are perhaps reluctant to discuss your struggles or areas of weakness in your writing. However, this blog post will explore how to approach this essay question while still presenting yourself as a competitive MBA applicant.
Success Isn't Everything
The admissions committee has seen your successes, but they now want to know about one of your obstacles. Don't clog up this section of your application with references to your qualifications or notable accomplishments. Your achievements are significant. But, while sifting through a stack of applications, the most important factor is whether you are a suitable fit for the program. In other words, they need to get to know you. Spending time conveying the story of an honest and significant obstacle you experienced allows them to connect with you.
It's Not Huge
The adversity does not have to be big — it doesn’t have to be world hunger that you’re curing. But it may be recognizing what a new leadership role demanded of you and giving it your all to satisfy those demands. Another example is altering the way a task has "always been done" in order to give more value to your clients or your company. It might be handling cross-cultural issues or finding a breakthrough while managing a tough employee.
What is important is that the admissions committee feels it was really challenging for you. That the admissions committee knows how you've reflected on and learned from the struggle. And how they recognize your underlying character or personal qualities that helped you overcome the challenge.
Tell A Story
These "meaningful challenge" questions invite you to share your story. Focus on one specific event to demonstrate your character and ability to grow from adversity. This will help you set up the perfect foundation for a great story.
When it comes to telling a story, follow the classic story telling principles. This is a three-act framework that many classical books, movies and plays adhere to.
ACT 1: Setting the SCENE and the HOOK
In the first few sentences, set the scene. Where are you? When did it happen? Who is the protagonist - you, of course - but what was your role or position at the time? What do we need to know about you to better understand the story? Plant the hook as you create the scene: what is the challenge and what is at stake?
ACT 2: the JOURNEY, SETBACK, NEW CHALLENGE and CLIMAX
This is the scene in which we get to watch your character in action. You are on a quest to overcome this obstacle. You are confronted with setbacks and new problems. You keep going while the difficulties rise.
Finally, the issues approach a tipping point. The decision you have to make now could be the most difficult one thus far. Or perhaps it's when someone says something to you that you truly needed to hear.
ACT 3: the RESOLUTION or TAKEAWAY
In this act, explain how the challenges were resolved. A resolution where you either succeeded or discovered something worthwhile, or both.
Throughout all three acts, all you need is a genuinely well-crafted story that demonstrates your courage in the face of major obstacles. This is proof that you will have what it takes to go through the most difficult times of an MBA program. And it is this that will make your MBA application stand out.