MBA applications don’t break you. The pressure you put on yourself does.

When I first applied back in 2006, I did what many applicants do: I stared at my essays for hours, trying to make them sound perfect. The more I rewrote, the drier they became. I was so focused on how I was saying things that I lost sight of what I was trying to say. It got overwhelming - and in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to hit submit.

In 2007, I tried again for Round 1, but the same cycle of overthinking and perfectionism took over. I missed the deadline and felt utterly defeated.

Then I took a break. I went on holiday, stepped away from the noise, and when I was flying back, my sister told me: “Just write from the heart.” So that’s what I did. On the plane, I started writing - not worrying about polish or being perfect - just focusing on the core of my story. That messy, imperfect first draft became the foundation of my essays. And suddenly, the process didn’t feel so overwhelming anymore.

That’s precisely what I do with my clients today:

I strip away the noise by having them start with bullet points, so they focus on the substance before the polish.

I help them step back and breathe, mapping out recommender stories before obsessing over who to choose.

And when it comes to interviews, I recreate the same casual, friendly environment my sister gave me  - tough questions, yes, but always with a relaxed, authentic approach that builds confidence instead of stress.

Applications will always be hard. But when you take the pressure off yourself to be perfect and instead focus on clarity, structure, and authenticity, the whole process becomes far less overwhelming.

When the Dream Job Slips Away: How to Pick Yourself Back Up

Six months. Forty interviews.The hardest rejection is the one that comes after hope.

One of my final ones was with a top FAANG company for a senior sales leadership role in Indonesia. By the fourth interview, I felt confident - maybe even certain - that this was it. The conversations were strong, the fit seemed perfect, and I could already picture myself stepping into that office, leading that team, building that next chapter of my career.

And then… I didn’t get it.  That rejection hit differently. It wasn’t just about losing the job - it was about losing the job I thought I already had. I had allowed myself to imagine the future too vividly, and when it disappeared, the silence felt deafening.

For a while, I stood still. And the longer I stayed still, the heavier that rejection felt.

What helped me get back up was motion - even small steps forward. Reaching out to new contacts. Preparing for the next conversation. I actually advise my clients to always keep at least 6-7 conversation open at any time so if a priority one falls out you other ones you can focus on. It doesn’t erase the disappointment, but it prevents it from consuming you.

The second shift was internal: not tying my identity to the outcome. That role would have been incredible, but a “no” from one company doesn’t mean a “no” to who I am. Our worth isn’t stamped by a hiring manager. It’s defined by the persistence we show in continuing to move forward, even when the outcome isn’t what we wanted.

Finally, I learned to zoom out. At the time, the rejection felt monumental - the biggest setback of my search. But now, with perspective, I see it as just one chapter in a much larger story. Looking back, if I had taken that job, it might have taken me longer to get to my true north, helping people find that next best step for their career.

Sometimes the door that closes was never really yours to begin with - it just clears space for the right one to open.

I’d love to hear from you - how have you handled rejection in your career, and what helped you move forward?

How to approach the Why School Essay?

Most MBA applicants copy course names in their “Why school” essay.

That’s why it fails.

Here’s how to write one that actually works:

1️⃣ Define your skill gap

Your dream job is Point B. Your current role is Point A. The MBA is the bridge. Break that bridge into three parts.

• Functional gap – the hard skills you still need.

• Industry gap – the sectors or ecosystems you need exposure to.

• Leadership gap – the people skills you must sharpen to succeed.

Examples:

• A programmer pivoting into product management → Needs marketing, finance, and product strategy (functional), deeper exposure to tech business models (industry), and training in influencing without authority (leadership).

• A lawyer moving into consulting → Must build financial modeling and strategy frameworks (functional), dive into industries beyond law like healthcare or energy (industry), and develop client leadership + comfort with ambiguity (leadership).

• A startup operator chasing entrepreneurship → Needs fundraising/VC and scaling strategy (functional), immersion in their chosen sector’s ecosystem (industry), and founder-style leadership: vision-setting, resilience, and persuasion (leadership).

2️⃣ Research like a detective, not a tourist

A website skim won’t cut it. Email student club officers with specifics (“I’m applying this year, here’s what I’ve found at your school, what else would you recommend?”). From these chats, you’ll get gold—real stories, insider tips, and unique program angles.

3️⃣ Structure your essay like a story, not a bullet list

• Short-term + long-term goals

• Vision paragraph (big picture impact)

• Functional gap → specific classes/clubs that close it

• Industry gap → events, professors, research centers

• Leadership gap → leadership labs, treks, coaching programs

4️⃣ Make it feel lived-in

The best essays don’t just list courses - they sound like you’ve already started your MBA journey.

Generic: “At Wharton, I will take courses in strategy and finance.”

Lived-in: <NAME>’22 student recommended Energy Finance to better understand risks in clean-energy investments, while <NAME>’23 classmate suggested the Energy & Climate Club’s Conference to deepen my exposure to climate-tech careers.”

Generic: “I will learn leadership through Wharton programs.”

Lived-in: <NAME>’23 shared how the Executive Coaching and Feedback Program helped him identify blind spots, while <NAME>’21 Negotiations for its hands-on, deal-simulation format.”

When your essay is full of conversations, not brochures, the AdCom feels: “This person already belongs here.”

Your “why this school” section should be so tailored that if you swap in another school’s name, the whole thing falls apart. That’s when you know you’ve done it right.

So, are you writing your essay… or just rewriting the school’s website?