By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. Most advice online about MFA statements of purpose focuses on creativity, passion, and storytelling. Applicants are told to write something emotional. Something expressive. Something that reveals their voice as an artist or writer. But MFA admissions committees…

The pressure to write a perfect MBA personal statement can be overwhelming. Your essay is a key factor in admission to a top-tier business school — and for many applicants, it’s also a deciding factor in funding. A strong essay can literally be the difference between paying…

By Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. If you are struggling with the introduction of your Statement of Purpose, the issue is rarely writing ability. In most cases, it is a misunderstanding of what admissions committees are actually trying to determine in the first paragraph.…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. Statement of Purpose Format (Quick Answer) A standard statement of purpose format is 500–1,000 words, single-spaced, in a readable serif font (11–12 pt), with one-inch margins and saved as a PDF unless a program specifies otherwise. Your…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. If you are applying to a Master of Public Administration program, the essay is not a formality. It is not a writing sample.It is not a personal reflection exercise.And it is not a place to sound passionate…

Do you want to get admitted into your dream business school? Doing so requires a good deal of forward thinking, especially when it comes to crafting a winning MBA essay on leadership. While there’s no miracle formula that guarantees acceptance, applying the right tips and tricks can…

Ah yes, the dreaded SOP for masters in finance. Crafting an essay that sells your experiences and connects well with admission officers can be an overwhelming task that leaves even the best of us feeling lost in translation. Writing becomes even more daunting when you realize that…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. Most advice online about writing an economics statement of purpose focuses on the wrong things. Applicants are told to describe their passion for economics, summarize their coursework, and explain their future career goals. While those elements are…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. Writing a statement of purpose for a master’s in international relations can feel overwhelming. Applicants often assume that this essay is simply an opportunity to describe their passion for global affairs or explain why they want to…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. The MIT Sloan video essay is one of the most unique parts of the MBA application. You’ll be asked to record two 60-second video responses: one prepared self-introduction one random question with only 10 seconds to prepare…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. Writing a history statement of purpose can feel intimidating. Applicants often assume the essay is simply an opportunity to describe their passion for the past or explain why they enjoy studying historical events. But from the perspective…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. Writing a statement of purpose for a scholarship can feel confusing because applicants often receive mixed advice. Some guides suggest focusing primarily on financial need.Others recommend emphasizing academic achievements.Still others frame the essay the same way as…

Applying for an MBA can be nerve-wracking — and your MBA video essay is often the moment that decides whether you stand out or fade away. In this guide, you’ll find practical MBA video essay tips, real examples, and expert insight on how to prepare and impress.…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. If you are applying to graduate programs in psychology, one document plays an outsized role in how your application is evaluated: the statement of purpose for psychology programs. Many applicants assume the psychology statement of purpose is…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. Most applicants know their statement of purpose matters — but what almost no one talks about is how much the conclusion can sway admissions readers. End too weakly, and everything you built up in the essay fizzles…

What Admissions Committees Mean by “Great” — and Why Most Applicants Miss It By Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. If you’re trying to write a great Statement of Purpose, chances are you’ve already read plenty of advice — templates, examples, do’s and don’ts. Most…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and former Assistant Director of MBA Admissions. Many Executive MBA applicants misunderstand what admissions committees are actually evaluating through essays. They assume EMBA essays are primarily: writing exercises storytelling exercises or opportunities to sound impressive. That is usually not how committees…

By Dr. Philippe Barr, former professor and graduate admissions consultant. A statement of purpose for PhD applications is not a personal essay, a cover letter, or a summary of your résumé. It is an evaluation document. Admissions committees use the PhD statement of purpose to answer a…

Are you an applicant trying to crack the code of Kellogg’s MBA admissions process? Crafting a stellar application essay can be daunting for many, but with our helpful tips and tricks as well as detail-oriented Kellogg essay examples, you’re sure to create an effective piece of writing…

If you’re considering applying to UCLA Anderson MBA Program this year, writing a winning admission essay is one of the most important steps in creating a successful application. It’s your chance to introduce yourself and make a strong impression on the admissions committee – so it has…