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While we happened to make up this imaginary opening to an MBA admissions essay. It’s not far off from many of the first drafts we receive from the applicants we work with. The biggest problem with this introduction is that it includes a quote from a famous book. MBA quotes should be thoroughly thought about and not be overused. Using quotations from famous literature, plays, and films is one of the biggest red flags in an admissions essay. Something we ask applicants to avoid using or to cut 95% of the time. Below, find out our MBA admissions consulting experts’ insight into why we think using quotes in your essays is a bad idea. One of the few ways in which you can utilize quotes in an admissions essay to great effect. 3 Things to Avoid Using In MBA Essays Idioms When it comes to writing your MBA essays, there are certain things that you should avoid using if you want to make a good impression. One of these things is idioms. Idioms are idiomatic expressions that are used in everyday conversation. While they can add color and personality to your writing, they can also make your text sound too casual. Idioms should be used sparingly, and only when they contribute to the overall tone and style of your writing. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and avoid using idioms altogether. Your admission essay reader will appreciate your effort to communicate concisely. Quotes As anyone who has ever written an essay knows, positive MBA quotes can be a great way to add weight to your argument or illustrate a point you are trying to make. However, MBA quotes should be used sparingly in the essays. In general, you want your own voice and thoughts to come through loud and clear in your essay, rather than the voices of other people. MBA graduate quotes can also be difficult to integrate into an essay smoothly, and can often interrupt the flow of your argument. As a result, it is usually best to avoid using quotes in MBA essays altogether. If you do feel like a quote is absolutely essential to your essay, make sure that it is short, quoted correctly, and to the point. Informal Language It is important to remember that informal writing may not always be understood correctly. In MBA admissions essays, for example, it is essential to write using formal language in order to establish credibility and convey your professionalism and intelligence. This can help you to stand out from the other applicants and demonstrate your readiness for the rigors of higher education. Furthermore, informal writing often uses colloquial terms or abbreviations that might be confusing to an admissions committee. Overall, informal language may seem more appealing at first glance, but it can actually diminish your level of intelligence when used without caution. Application essays for HBS 2+2 programs, for instance, can be from 800 to 2000 words long. It may seem difficult to avoid using informal language. However, essay samples show that you can be precise in academic style plus real-life examples. Why Should You Avoid Using MBA Quotes In an Essay? When applying to business school, your MBA essay is your chance to show your unique voice and perspective and to demonstrate your writing abilities. As such, you want to make sure that your essay is as strong as possible. One way to do this is to avoid using MBA quotes. MBA essays are typically quite short, so there isn’t room for lengthy quotes from others. Additionally, quotes can often be seen as a crutch or a way to fill up space without adding anything meaningful to the essay. Admissions committees want to hear from YOU – not from someone else. So instead of starting your essay with a quote, focus on crafting an opening that will grab the reader’s attention and give them a sense of who you are and what you’re all about. You will probably doubt: does it matter where you get your MBA? If so, let your essay talk about you in your words, without quotes or interventions. Is It Ever Okay To Use MBA Quotes? In a few rare instances, yes. The first instance in which you could potentially utilize a quote from a film or a movie is when answering a more lighthearted prompt like Fuqua’s “25 Random Things” essay. If you’re able to tell the adcoms something funny, interesting, or memorable about yourself by utilizing a quote from a book or movie, then that might be okay. Another place where you might be able to effectively use other people’s words is when writing dialogue in your essays. Many MBA applications have a question about an example of feedback you’ve received in your career. A very effective way to explain what the feedback you received was is to actually write out what your boss, supervisor, or mentor said to you. If their words were particularly meaningful or inspirational, it is perfectly fine to simply write them out in your essay. You’ll note that this use of a quotation is only useful because it is directly related to you and your experiences. So, as a general rule, quotations from movies, plays, musicals, or books are not a good thing to integrate into your MBA admissions essays. Remember, unless the quotes used in MBA essays tell the adcom something particularly interesting or memorable about you as a person and businessperson, it’s best to stick with your own words. What to Use Instead of Quotes in MBA Essays? There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding what to use instead of quotes in MBA essays. First, quotes should only be used sparingly - they should not make up the bulk of your essay. Second, when you do use quotes, make sure that they are relevant and add value to your argument. Finally, avoid using quotes that are longer than two or three lines - if a quote is too long, it will bog down your essay and disrupt the flow of your argument. Gmat exam preparation courses or other assessment preparation classes normally give you similar guidelines about avoiding too many quotes in your texts. So what can you use instead of quotes in MBA essays? Use examples to illustrate your point. This can be especially effective if you can find a real-world example that relates to your topic. By using examples, you can make your MBA essay more engaging and ensure that your argument comes across clearly. On the other hand, you can create your own smart ideas. Make others use your ideas as their quotes. Final Thoughts Every day, we make choices that affect our future. First, you check out the top 10 MBA programs. Then you look for requirements and deadlines. And finally, you make your choice. You are likely to be also interested in MBA deduction 2022 also or other financial information before making the decision. Some of these choices are small and have little consequence, while others are major life decisions that will shape our future. Earning an MBA can open doors to new opportunities and lead to personal and professional growth. It can also be a springboard to a successful career in business. For all of these reasons, an MBA essay is your ticket to the future. An MBA essay allows you to demonstrate your unique qualifications and set yourself apart from other applicants. It is an opportunity to share your story and show why you are the right candidate for the program. By thoughtfully and carefully crafting your MBA essay, you can take control of your future and write your own success story. Stick to the tips offered in this article and create your unique essays with fewer quotes, in the idioms-free and academic style.

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