Never write something that someone else could write.
Too often, clients in their essays with something like, This will allow me to achieve my long-term goal.
Why do you even assume that the reader remembers your long-term goal? That was pages ago :) Seriously, use every single opportunity to remind busy readers of what you are trying to achieve and why you care about it.
Like all humans, admissions office readers learn through repetition. Learn how to say the same thing in a different way. Paraphrase your specific goals. Never use a generic phrase like "my short-term goal" or "my long-term goal." Just because that phrase appears in the question you don't need to repeat it in your essay. You have specific goals. Remind them what your specific goals are at every opportunity.
A few years ago, I was invited to give a few technical writing lectures at The University of Tokyo. Now, I am happy to share these notes and tips with you in case they help you achieve your writing goals. Many thanks to the writing centers that allowed me to share their sage advice with you in this forum.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Show them the money
One of the hardest things from my Japanese clients to understand is that American people want to hear a hopeful story. It's okay to talk about Japan lagging behind in this area or that area when trying to convince your company to sponsor your MBA or when applying for a Fulbright scholarship or a similar grant. However, when writing for or speaking with admissions officers, tell them a story about the opportunity that you hope to capture.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Include first and last names when mentioning alumni in your essay
Include first and last names when mentioning alumni in your essay
Tip: Always refer to current students or alumni by their full name and year of graduation.
Tip: Always refer to current students or alumni by their full name and year of graduation.
Reason: Sometimes, admissions office readers only know someone's first name.
IN ESSAYS
IN LETTERS of RECOMMENDATION
Mr vs Mr.
Too many clients write Mr.Smith, which is always incorrect in both US and UK English.
IN ESSAYS
- Student names: Always refer to current students or alumni by their full name. Sometimes, adcom readers only know someone's first name, especially at schools like Kellogg and Tuck. Write like this: Vince Ricci (MBA '15)
- School name: similarly, in your goals essay, the first time you write a school's name, spell it out officially as the school does e.g. The Kellogg School of Management. Afterward, you can just call it Kellogg.
IN LETTERS of RECOMMENDATION
- The first time your recommender mentions you, he should write your full name, like this: "I first met Mr. Vince Ricci in 2002." Afterward, he can refer to you as just Mr. Ricci (or Vince if a peer / casual recommender)
- I am writing to you with regard to [Mr./Ms. Full Name], who has requested that I write a letter of recommendation on [his/her] behalf.
Mr vs Mr.
- In British English, abbreviated titles that end with the same letter as the word being abbreviated do not take a full stop (period): “Mr” but “Prof.”
- On the other hand, in American English, all titles take a period: “Mr.” and “Prof.”
- Either way, be sure to add a space after Mr or Mr.
Too many clients write Mr.Smith, which is always incorrect in both US and UK English.
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