Conquering Writer's Block | dMBA Weekly Check-In: March 25, 2025
Getting stuck while writing deferred MBA application essays is an inevitable part of the process, but it doesn't have to be excruciating!
I can remember all too well those frustrating afternoons I had when I was working on my deferred MBA applications and I couldn’t even bring myself to put a word on my Google Doc. If you’ve experienced this recently, trust me, I know. It’s terribly unmotivating, but it’s an inevitable part of the application process.
I want to share with you my personal method on how I avoided writer’s block during my essay writing phase of the application.
In today’s check-in:
Quick plug on MBAxcel Coaching!
On Your Radar: This week’s deferred MBA admissions events
Tip of the Week: When in doubt, bullet it out.
But first, a quick note about MBAxcel Coaching!
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60-Minute Application Strategy Consultation | $90
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On Your Radar
Darden (UVA): Future Year Scholars Program Virtual Coffee Chat
When: Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM EDT
Where: Virtual
Details: Chats are small group events for prospective students who are interested in learning more about Darden. Join Senior Associate Director of Global Recruitment, Merav Frazier, to learn more about the deferred admissions application process, what top business schools are looking for, and the value of an MBA degree.
Harvard (HBS): 2+2 Program Application Q&A
When: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM EDT
Where: Virtual
Details: If you’re a final-year undergraduate student (or master’s student) contemplating or gearing up to apply for the 2+2 program, this virtual session is for you. The session will be hosted by a member of the MBA Admissions Team and will include a short presentation on the admissions process and plenty of time for questions.
Berkeley (Haas): Accelerated Access: Application Prep Webinar
When: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Where: Virtual
Details: Our App Prep Webinar is one of the most valuable resources available during your MBA application journey. If you are a current undergraduate or graduate student and considering applying to the Haas MBA through Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access, our deferred application pathway, join us for our webinar.
Darden (UVA): Future Year Scholars Program Application Tips
When: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM EDT
Where: Virtual
Details: With the application deadline less than 2 weeks away, join Katherine Alford and Merav Frazier from Darden Admissions for last minute tips on how to put your best foot forward in your application. Bring your questions!
Columbia (CBS): Deferred Enrollment Program Campus Visit
When: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 1:15 PM to 3:15 PM EDT
Where: Columbia Business School - Kravis Hall, 665 W 130th St, New York, NY 10027
Details: Join us for a Deferred Enrolled Program Campus Visit at Columbia Business School! Campus Visits are a great opportunity to have your questions answered by Admissions and visit our campus in Manhattanville!
Yale SOM: Silver Scholars Application Workshop
When: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM EDT
Where: Virtual
Details: We invite you to join this live online event developed for Round 3 candidates applying to our Silver Scholars Program. The workshop is hosted by an Admissions Committee member, who will provide insight into what the Admissions Committee is looking for to help you prepare your best application.
Berkeley (Haas): Accelerated Access: Application Prep Webinar
When: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT
Where: Virtual
Details: Our App Prep Webinar is one of the most valuable resources available during your MBA application journey. If you are a current undergraduate or graduate student and considering applying to the Haas MBA through Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access, our deferred application pathway, join us for our webinar.
Columbia (CBS): Virtual Deferred Enrollment Program Information Session
When: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Where: Virtual
Details: Interested in the Deferred Enrollment Program? Register for this webinar to hear from CBS admissions about the program and our application process.
Harvard (HBS): 2+2 Program Information Session
When: Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM EDT
Where: Virtual
Details: Calling all college students! Join this virtual info session hosted by a member of the HBS MBA Admissions Team to learn about the MBA program, the admissions process and financial aid, and the 2+2 deferred admissions pathway.
Columbia (CBS): The Time is Now: Deferred Enrollment Application Tips Webinar
When: Monday, April 7, 2025, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Where: Virtual
Details: Join us to learn about application tips for Columbia Business School. This online session, hosted by the Office of Admissions, offers you an opportunity to get information about applying to the Deferred Enrollment program as well a chance ask your questions.
Berkeley (Haas): Accelerated Access Info Session: Berkeley Haas Deferred MBA
When: Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Where: Virtual
Details: Curious about Accelerated Access, the deferred admission application pathway to Berkeley Haas's top rated full-time MBA program? In this session, you'll learn about the value of an MBA, what makes Berkeley Haas special, and what we look for in outstanding candidates to the program.
Northwestern (Kellogg): Kellogg Future Leaders Virtual Information Session
When: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM CDT
Where: Virtual
Details: Please join us for a virtual information session on the Kellogg Future Leaders deferred enrollment program. Kellogg admissions team members will give an overview of the program and provide context on the application itself.
Harvard (HBS): 2+2 Alum Insights: AMA Edition
When: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM EDT
Where: Virtual
Details: Join Harvard Business School MBA students for an Ask Me Anything about the 2+2 program. This session will give you the opportunity to engage with students who have already been where you are and benefitted from all the 2+2 program has to offer.
Editor’s Note
Many dMBA schools offer on-campus events regularly, which I do not always include in these posts. I’ll usually highlight them here if they are deferred MBA-specific.
Looking for a full list of dMBA admissions sites?
Check out our FREE updated 2025 dMBA admissions guide here!
MBAxcel Tip of the Week: When in doubt, bullet it out.
Clever, right? I just came up with that.
My scattered brain loves bullet points. Every time I begin writing, I either have too much going on in my head or it’s literally no thoughts, head empty.
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But that’s the beauty of bullet points: it doesn’t matter where you start from or even what you write down. In my opinion, the best way to beat writer’s block is to write words. Any words.
Throw perfectionism out the window.
I have a bad habit of trying to get everything perfect on my first draft. That’s probably where a lot of my decision paralysis comes into play. But using bullet points just cancels that issue out.
Let me explain.
Bullet points can be as structured or unstructured as you want them to be. If you have a target plan, creating an outline with sub-bullets is a great place to start. This is what I would consider semi-structured bulleting: using bullets to organize your various thoughts into a coherent abstract.
On the contrary, word salad is what we’ll call the opposite: using a bulleted list to write any miniscule detail or bad idea that comes to mind. Nothing wrong with this approach: sometimes, it’s necessary!
During my essay writing sessions, I practiced a combination of both semi-structured bulleting and word salad.
If you’re staring at a blank page with nothing but the essay prompt in front of you, try this. Start with a word salad. Write a bunch of ideas for experiences that you could write about that pertain to the prompt.
Not all of those ideas will work, but perhaps after you’ve written some down, you feel drawn to a certain idea. Listen to your instincts. Start a semi-structured bulleting session. Take that idea and create some vague sub-bullets.
Here’s an example of what I wrote down for Columbia’s prompt, “Who is a leader you admire, and why?”*
Conan O’Brien
Lead by example
Bringing people up with him (keeping staff for over 20 years), establishing a positive work culture
Hire back his staff
Empathetic connection with guests
Mentorship
As you can see, these thoughts are barely coherent. But the result of this brainstorming session was the development of one of my favorite deferred MBA personal essays that I wrote.
*Note: This is no longer the prompt for Columbia’s dMBA program.
If you need to, step away.
Sometimes, even a bulleting session won’t get you hyped and excited to write. And that’s okay. That’s part of the game. There will be other times when you start bulleting and can’t stop yourself from typing away and beginning to write beautiful prose. Trust your gut and take that leap of faith! If you feel like it, just keep writing!
Remember, personal narrative writing is iterative. It ebbs and flows. Regardless of what you write down, you’ll have the chance to refine it over the next several weeks. You will have your down times and your a-ha moments. Trust the process.
Postscript.
Looking to get some feedback on your essays or resume? As a thank you for reading to the bottom of this email, message me “what’s good?” and I’ll give you 30% off of any of my coaching services!
What are you waiting for? Let’s get writing!