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An MBA admissions expert who's helped students get into Stanford, Wharton, and London Business School explains exactly how to nail the personal essay

Delighted to share these essay tips with Business Insider. Click here to read. (It does have a paywall.)

You can also check out Barbara Coward’s expertise with MBA Essay Strategy & Personal Narratives (no paywall)

Essays & StorytellingBarbara CowardOctober 28, 2019essays, storytelling, authenticity, personal brand

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Application Strategy
- Apr 27, 2026 What MBA Admissions Committees Actually Want (According to the Latest GMAC Data)
- Apr 14, 2026 MBA Essay Strategy for Top Programs: Why It’s Not About You
- Apr 3, 2026 How to Prepare for Round One MBA Applications (Spring Guide)
- Jan 12, 2026 Should You Apply for Your MBA in Round 3?
- Oct 18, 2025 Knowing When to Get Expert Advice Can Make or Break Your MBA Application
- Sep 30, 2025 How to Decide Where to Get MBA Admissions Advice
- Sep 20, 2025 What Is an MBA Admissions Consultant?
- Feb 7, 2025 MBA Scholarship Tips
- Dec 16, 2024 A Quick Guide to MBA Interview Questions
- Sep 17, 2020 Considering Grad School? Here's Your Check-list
- Sep 17, 2020 Should you Hire an Admissions Consultant?
- Apr 12, 2017 What the Best Business Schools Look for in MBA Applicants
Career & MBA Value
- Apr 27, 2026 What MBA Admissions Committees Actually Want (According to the Latest GMAC Data)
- Mar 23, 2023 Banking on an MBA during a banking crisis.
- Nov 23, 2020 The Cost Of NOT Getting An MBA
- Oct 19, 2019 Choosing an MBA: Aim as High as You Can Reach
- Jun 8, 2019 Investment Banking or Technology - Which is the better career path for MBA students? (Part 4: Lifestyle)
- Jun 1, 2019 Investment Banking or Technology - Which is the better career path for MBA students? (Part 3: Work and Impact)
- May 24, 2019 Investment Banking or Technology - Which is the better career path for MBA students? (Part 2: Exit Opportunities)
- May 17, 2019 Investment Banking or Technology - Which is the better career path for MBA students? (Part 1: Compensation)
- Nov 1, 2018 A Third Of World’s Best Performing CEOs Have MBAs
- Oct 16, 2018 3 Creative Ideas for Career Connections in Business School
- Aug 16, 2018 I Want To Start My Own Business—Should I Do An MBA?
- Dec 13, 2016 3 Questions to Ask When Considering an MBA for a Career Change
- Nov 10, 2016 How a Specialized Business Master's Degree Can Boost Your Career
- Oct 7, 2016 Why Should I Get an MBA?
Essays & Storytelling
- Apr 14, 2026 MBA Essay Strategy for Top Programs: Why It’s Not About You
- Aug 19, 2025 Using Storytelling Frameworks to Sharpen Your MBA Essays
- Oct 6, 2024 Add Sensory Language in your MBA Application
- Aug 30, 2024 The #1 Mistake MBA Applicants Make in Essays
- Mar 4, 2023 Showing your fun side in your MBA application
- Feb 18, 2023 Standing out with a "glass staircase"
- Oct 28, 2019 An MBA admissions expert who's helped students get into Stanford, Wharton, and London Business School explains exactly how to nail the personal essay
Personal Growth & Mindset
- Jun 18, 2025 Use Social Media to Strengthen Your MBA Application
- Apr 11, 2025 How Dr. Phil Perfectly Captures the MBA Admissions Rollercoaster
- Mar 22, 2025 What MBA applicants have in common with Members of the U.S. Congress
- Mar 19, 2025 MBA Résumé Examples
- Oct 4, 2024 Have You Tamed an Alligator?
- Apr 15, 2023 Turn a Stormy Background into Sunshine
- Feb 18, 2023 Skating on "Thin Ice"
- Feb 18, 2023 Find the "Central Park" in your MBA Application
- Jun 14, 2018 What's the Value of Volunteer Experience on Your MBA Application?
- May 1, 2017 Learn From an Accepted MBA Applicant's Resume
School Selection & Fit
- May 15, 2024 Designer Shoes & B-Schools
- Oct 31, 2022 Happy Halloween! Wicked Tips on Applying to Business School
- Oct 14, 2020 How to Impress Admissions Officers Digitally
- Sep 17, 2020 Preparing MBA Applications for Global B-Schools
- Oct 29, 2019 Explore International MBA or Masters Programmes Personally
- Jul 26, 2019 What No One Tells You About Choosing the Perfect MBA Program
- Jun 18, 2019 Finding the Best Business School Fit
- Jan 3, 2019 Europe Vs USA: Where Should You Study For Your MBA?
- Dec 28, 2018 Searching for the best MBA program? How decoding a business school's holiday greeting can help.
Test & Readiness
- Nov 20, 2025 What Is a Good GMAT Score?
- Jun 23, 2025 What is a Good GRE Score?
- Mar 12, 2023 Initial Thoughts on the New GMAT Focus with Dominate Test Prep
- Mar 10, 2023 Groundbreaking changes to the GMAT exam!
Trends & Insights
- Mar 8, 2023 Business Schools Admissions Requirements Softened for Laid Off Tech Workers
- Nov 10, 2020 How has COVID-19 Changed the way MBA Admissions Officers are Reading Your Application?
- Oct 16, 2020 What’s B-School like during COVID-19? MBA Students Explain
- Jun 3, 2020 Should you apply to an MBA during COVID-19?
- Mar 25, 2020 COVID-19: Can you still apply to a top-ranked MBA program right now?
- Mar 15, 2019 AIGAC Responds To Operation Varsity Blues: Reaffirms Commitment to Highest Standards of Integrity & Competence
- Nov 28, 2018 Brexit & Terrorism Are Impacting Where Applicants Go To Business School In Europe (video)
- Sep 29, 2015 Mind Over Media Rankings

Blog

Latest news, updates, and insights

An MBA admissions expert who's helped students get into Stanford, Wharton, and London Business School explains exactly how to nail the personal essay

Browse by Category

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Ready for business school?

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Barbara Coward's Blog

Blog

Latest news, updates, and insights

An MBA admissions expert who's helped students get into Stanford, Wharton, and London Business School explains exactly how to nail the personal essay

Browse by Category

Browse by Tags

Ready for business school?

Let’s connect