MBA Essay Tip -- with passion
Years ago, when I first heard b-school representatives talking about wanting to see passion in applications, I thought to myself, "You’re looking for passion from a bunch of investment bankers and engineers???? That’s a pretty calculating bunch."
"Passion" has a sexy ring to it. An emotional, visceral appeal. It evokes images of glamorous actors and actresses in hot and heavy romances. The good guy in a Frank Capra film changing history. Generals exhorting the troops before sending them into battle.
Forget the steamy romances. Forget the hero delivering a stirring speech. Forget the generals addressing their troops.
That’s not what we’re talking about in admissions.
"Passion" in admissions -- be it college, MBA, law, medical, or grad school -- means dedication and commitment. It requires action over time. It can be calculated, and it can be goal-oriented. It may lead to a feverish culmination, an earth-shattering moment, and it may not. It can be any one of the following and an infinite number of other activities: - Spending hours practicing the cello day-in and day out, year after year.
- Assuming responsibility for an annual silent auction that raises thousands of dollars for your favorite cause during the five years that you have chaired it.
- Training and training and training so that you beat your personal best in the race of your choice.
- Volunteering at a medical or legal clinic twice a week since your sophomore year in college.
Next time you see the word "passion" in an admissions context, look between the lines. Read "dedication." And those calculating, number-crunching, spreadsheet addicts among you, remember this equation: Passion = Action + Dedication.
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