Conquering Writer’s Block | Deferred MBA Weekly Check-In: February 20, 2024
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.
Check out these exciting admissions events coming up over the next couple of weeks:
Yale SOM: Silver Scholars Program - Q&A with a Current Student
When: Tuesday, February 20, 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM EST
Where: Virtual
Description: “Please join us for an informal Q&A with a current Silver Scholar student at the Yale School of Management in order to learn more about the Silver Scholars Programs – Yale SOM’s pathway to the MBA for current college seniors.”
UVA Darden: Future Year Scholars Program VIrtual Coffee Chat
When: Wednesday, February 21, 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM EST
Where: Virtual
Description: “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.”
Columbia Business School (CBS): Virtual Deferred Enrollment Program Information Session
When: Tuesday, February 27, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Where: Virtual
Description: “Interested in the Deferred Enrollment Program? Register for this webinar to hear from CBS admissions about the program and our application process.”
Northwestern Kellogg: KFL Program Admissions Officer Information Session
When: Tuesday, February 27, 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM CST
Where: Virtual
Description: ”Join an admissions officer for a virtual information session on our Kellogg Future Leaders Program.”
All times displayed are local to the respective institutions.
Looking for more?
I’ve compiled a list of all of the calendars for the top deferred MBA programs in the US. Check it out to see more events!
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.
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.
I’ll admit it. This week’s topic hits close to home. I’ve got writer’s block right now. Can you smell it in my writing?
See you next week!