University of Michigan business school admissions director says concise application essays are best
The essay is important, but don't let it overwhelm your application process.
University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business
File photo | AnnArbor.com
"So many people were spending a lot of time on the essays and probably not as much time thinking about the other things, like their interviews or talking to their recommenders or even studying for the GMAT," Ross admissions director Soojin Kwon told U.S. News.
"The whole purpose of the essay and the interview is to just get a better understanding of where they're coming from and where they want to go to. And I don't need to read a thousand words, 2,000 words, to understand that."
Ross is not alone in reducing its allowable word count on application essays. According to the article, Columbia University's business school reduced one essay from 500 to 250 words.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Chelsea Hoedl
Thu, Jun 27, 2013 : 1:34 a.m.
This is great advice and I'm sure LSA feels similarly about concise content. Wish I had this tip when I was laboring over my essays a few years ago!
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jun 26, 2013 : 7:44 p.m.
Does anyone still write their own essay? Aren't there people you hire to do that?
Julius
Wed, Jun 26, 2013 : 7:34 p.m.
Good advice. You have to sell yourself in these things, but you can't get too wordy and flowery. You'll start overstating things and making stuff up. Plus, the poor people who go through these don't want to read superfluous essays. "Yes, I'm a forward thinking self-starter with an eye for detail who prides himself on synergistic, innovative solutions that are agreeable to my acquaintances."
Dog Guy
Wed, Jun 26, 2013 : 7:30 p.m.
Any greeting card, advertisement, essay, or comment on annarbor.com which goes beyond six sentences is a con job.
GoNavy
Wed, Jun 26, 2013 : 7:01 p.m.
Dirty little secret: It almost doesn't matter what you write on the essay. Many applicants, especially foreign applicants, don't even write their own essays.
81wolverine
Wed, Jun 26, 2013 : 6:31 p.m.
Probably a smart thing to do. It's a good way to teach up and coming business managers and executives to get their message across more clearly and efficiently. Research has shown the longer a written or verbal message is, the less effective it is.
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jun 26, 2013 : 6:29 p.m.
"The best things in life are free But you can keep them for the birds and bees Now give me money (that's what I want) That's what I want (that's what I want) That's what I want only (that's what I want) That's what I want (that's what I want) Money don't get everything, it's true what it don't get, I can't use Now give me money (that's what I want)" - With thanks to the Beattles, and apologies to the Michigan Business School grads
John of Saline
Wed, Jun 26, 2013 : 6:43 p.m.
Because we all know the Beatles never cared about money.