Ask Jon Frank- P69-Q&A:WHY MBA? 7 OVERLOOKED REASONS TO GET AN MBA

JonFrank

If English is your second language, the variety of tenses can turn expressing a simple idea into a series of not-so-obvious choices. You can save yourself a LOT of trouble in an essay, however, by sticking to the active voice.

In the active voice, the subject ACTS:

I called a meeting.
Thomas decided on a start time.
Veronica discussed time management.
In these active-tense sentences the subject (I, Thomas, Veronica) are performing the actions. Let’s contrast that to passive versions of the same sentences:

A meeting was called. (by me)
A start time was decided by Thomas.
Time management was discussed by Veronica.
So what’s the difference? The active sentences are SHORTER, PUNCHIER and CLEARER about who’s performing the action. The passive sentences are LONGER, INDIRECT and the person performing the action is unclear or isn’t mentioned. That’s bad news for applications with tight word limits and where the focus needs to be on YOU – the subject performing the actions.

Sentences in the active voice are more energetic and engaging than the passive voice, so use it whenever possible! They’re also shorter, which can mean the difference between hitting your word count and going over. Though applicants occasionally write in the passive voice in an attempt to sound more formal, this strategy simply dilutes your message with unnecessary words; a critical mistake.

So how can you limit your use of the passive voice?

Look for the word “was” in your sentences – that’s a sign of the passive voice. (The meeting was called…) Be careful, however – “was” is not ALWAYS a sign of the passive voice. (I was writing a report when…)
Look for the word “by” – It’s another telltale sign of the passive voice. (The meeting was called by…)
Keep it simple and direct: Don’t try to impress your reader with flowery language. By sticking to simple structures (subject, verb, object) you’ll communicate your message with minimal interference.
So remember:

Use the active voice for shorter, punchier and direct sentences.
Avoid the passive voice: it bogs down your writing with unnecessary words.
Be on the lookout for “was” and “by.”

Jon Frank

sereinsun

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sereinsun

Hello Jon,

Happy new year!

I know this is very last minute but would really appreciate your opinion on my approach to Kellogg's Essay 3.

I am submitting my application in Round 2 which is coming up in 2 days. I have finished my essays but am still not happy with them. So now I'm considering an overhaul of my essay 3 (I know its very last minute). Essentially, I am thinking about taking all the information that's in my current essay into a exit interview format (Q&A).

Do you think I am crazy for thinking about it now? Do you think the adcom will appreciate this creativity or is this a risky move that will make them think I'm immature/gimmicky/opportunistic?  

I personally think it is a good idea (especially I work in PR and writing Q&A is part of my job, so I'm secretly hoping this would show some characteristics) , but really would appreciate your response!

Thanks much in advance!

sereinsun

Sorry here is the prompt for your easy reference:

Imagine yourself at your Kellogg graduation. What career will you be preparing to enter, and how have the MBA and Kellogg helped you get there? (Please answer in terms of your program choice: One-Year, Two-Year, MMM, JD-MBA)

JonFrank

Hello Jon,

Happy new year!

I know this is very last minute but would really appreciate your opinion on my approach to Kellogg's Essay 3.

I am submitting my application in Round 2 which is coming up in 2 days. I have finished my essays but am still not happy with them. So now I'm considering an overhaul of my essay 3 (I know its very last minute). Essentially, I am thinking about taking all the information that's in my current essay into a exit interview format (Q&A).

Do you think I am crazy for thinking about it now? Do you think the adcom will appreciate this creativity or is this a risky move that will make them think I'm immature/gimmicky/opportunistic?  

I personally think it is a good idea (especially I work in PR and writing Q&A is part of my job, so I'm secretly hoping this would show some characteristics) , but really would appreciate your response!

Thanks much in advance!

-- by 会员 sereinsun (2013/1/1 5:18:26)

Hey there!!
Happy new year to you dude!
2 days!!! oh no! I hope you get this message in time. I think that a Q and A can work pretty well for the "fun" personal essays, but my feeling is that for the career essay you should be really staying sober and professional. The MOST important thing here is NOT to be original, but that your goals make sense, that you be ambitious and realistic and logical all together, so I think you should keep it in standard essay format.


Hope this helps!!!



Jon Frank

G750

Hi Jon, do you think whether typos in the application would disqualify me automatically?

I checked everything before uploading but unfornately the online textbox didn't allow copy+paste, so I had to manually input the answers and made 3 typos. Did not spot them until after I submitted. Those are the answers to the online application questions, not the essay or resume.

I heard that the adcom are very sensative and strict about the typo as it shows the slopiness. Wonder if I would have an opportunity at all for these stupid mistakes.

Thanks!

JonFrank

Hi Jon, do you think whether typos in the application would disqualify me automatically?

I checked everything before uploading but unfornately the online textbox didn't allow copy+paste, so I had to manually input the answers and made 3 typos. Did not spot them until after I submitted. Those are the answers to the online application questions, not the essay or resume.

I heard that the adcom are very sensative and strict about the typo as it shows the slopiness. Wonder if I would have an opportunity at all for these stupid mistakes.

Thanks!

-- by 会员 G750 (2013/1/8 14:05:30)

Hey there!
Well, the thing is that the Adcom is not solo picky about one typo, but three can look like sloppiness, as you pointed out. But there's not really much to do about it now. It's not soooooo much of a big deal that you want to point it out, so let's just cross our fingers and hope.


Jon Frank
HBS 2005

sereinsun

Hello Jon,

Happy new year!

I know this is very last minute but would really appreciate your opinion on my approach to Kellogg's Essay 3.

I am submitting my application in Round 2 which is coming up in 2 days. I have finished my essays but am still not happy with them. So now I'm considering an overhaul of my essay 3 (I know its very last minute). Essentially, I am thinking about taking all the information that's in my current essay into a exit interview format (Q&A).

Do you think I am crazy for thinking about it now? Do you think the adcom will appreciate this creativity or is this a risky move that will make them think I'm immature/gimmicky/opportunistic?  

I personally think it is a good idea (especially I work in PR and writing Q&A is part of my job, so I'm secretly hoping this would show some characteristics) , but really would appreciate your response!

Thanks much in advance!

-- by 会员 sereinsun (2013/1/1 5:18:26)

Hey there!!
Happy new year to you dude!
2 days!!! oh no! I hope you get this message in time. I think that a Q and A can work pretty well for the "fun" personal essays, but my feeling is that for the career essay you should be really staying sober and professional. The MOST important thing here is NOT to be original, but that your goals make sense, that you be ambitious and realistic and logical all together, so I think you should keep it in standard essay format.


Hope this helps!!!



Jon Frank

-- by 会员 JonFrank (2013/1/8 13:54:35)

Oh gosh. i just saw this and submitted long time ago.

I actually also sent you an e-mail and Lauren from your team said it could be a good idea...

anyways

JonFrank

Question:

Oh no! I just got waitlisted. I’ve heard a bunch of advice about what TO do, but what should I absolutely NOT do?

Answer:

Yeah, the waitlist. It’s not a fun place to be. There’s stuff you’ll want to do – and can do – to improve your chances of getting bumped off the list and into the program. But there are also, as always, plenty of ways for you to screw it up. So, let’s dig in.

First and biggest thing you DON’T wanna do? Go against what they tell you to do. Again, they are judging your JUDGMENT. So if they say “Don’t talk to us,” do yourself a favor and don’t talk to them. Don’t go against their rules; follow ‘em at all costs. If they say, “Dont send us any more recs,” don’t do it. Follow directions. Wharton in particular is a stickler here. Do as they say, folks.

Second? Don’t reach out once a week, or more often than is polite. You know whole “How soon after a date can I call” thing? It’s kinda like that. It’s just annoying if you’re getting to be a pest. Rule of thumb is to reach out every 2-3 weeks at the most. There’s just not much you can do. And do yourself a favor: every time you reach out, try to come up with something COOL that you’ve done. Some kind of update, other than just, “Hey, how are you? Remember me? Good! So… like, HI!”

Third thing is all about striking a balance with the first two. Don’t forget about them and STOP keeping in touch altogether. Prove to them that you ARE interested. Play by the rules, but play the game. Keep ‘em updated – new LORs, all that stuff. Keep in touch, and do it by the rules. Again, play the game, and play to win.

Finally, go visit the campus if you can. Why the hell not? If you haven’t gone yet, what better way to say “I love you” than with a personal visit? Now, this doesn’t necessarily fit the “what NOT to do” bill, but maybe it’s part of the one above. “Don’t forget about them.” Show them you love them, of course. Just not overdoing it, overzealously.

–Jon Frank

JonFrank

Question:

So, I just found out that I got dinged in R1. Should I reapply in R3, or should I just wait to reapply next year?

Answer:

Yeah, this is the bit of the process that nobody reeeeeeally wants to think about. What do you do if you get dinged early on in the admissions cycle? Well, if this is one of your dream schools, the feeling like you want to reapply NOW will be all the more tempting. BUT…

No way should you reapply in the same year. Why? Well, the key to a good reapplication revolves around a single question: “How much have you improved since last time you applied?” Now, let’s get real. How much CAN you improve in two months? Three months, even? Not much, right? Right. So, go back for nine months and come up with some goooooood stuff.

You’re going to work yourself up an entirely new brand over the months. If you don’t CHANGE anything, then you’re the same dude that they dinged, so you have to change your approach. Remember, they’re also judging your judgment. How can someone with “good judgment” possibly argue that, after being dinged a month ago, they are a whole new brand now? A whooole new person, who has improved their app a LOT? Hahaha, no way. NO WAY!

At the very least, if you DO have to apply R3, do it at DIFFERENT schools. Not the same ones; that’d be a BIG waste of time. Pick two or three NEW schools for R3, like one dream, one match, and one safety school. Your “I’ve improved so much” speech will surely fall on deaf ears if you go back to the same schools, so open up fresh opportunities with new programs. Otherwise, step back up to the plate next year.

–Jon Frank