As its blog title implies, Wharton MBA for Executives is a blog managed by and written for MBA students of Wharton School?s Executives program. There are actually two blog administrators, although the blog also features guest bloggers from time to time. Basically, the contents of the blog chronicle the authors? experiences in their pursuit of an MBA program.
What makes this blog special
Unlike most MBA blogs, which may be classified as informative or feature blogs that typically discuss basic management and business principles, this Wharton blog falls under the “personal blog” category. For instance, one of the authors wrote about his trip to Marrakech and how price-haggling with souvenir vendors gave him an idea for a paper in his negotiations class. Set on a clean and simple three-column WordPress layout, the blog contains links to the official Wharton EMBA site and other Wharton blogs, as well as the authors? Facebook and LinkedIn profiles. Since the target readers are Wharton EMBA students?and those who aspire to be?other useful links include business journals and news articles on finance.
Navigating through the site is easy, as one of its three columns show the blog categories and tag clouds. This allows readers to find entries only on topics that they are interested in without having to spend too much time digging through the site. The archive link and RSS button enable followers of the blog to find old entries and receive blog updates conveniently.
Areas for improvement
However, the blog still needs tweaking in some areas. The blog description on the header indicates that one person maintains the blog, although its “About” pages show two different authors. Also, simple does not have to mean “boring,” so adding images to the entries will make the page more attractive to readers. Adding relevant widgets will also optimize the blog?s clean look and readership.
MBA Answers is a blog that seeks to provide sound answers to all MBA-related questions. This is one place on the Internet where current and would-be MBA students can get useful information from someone who has plenty of experience in the field, ranging from taking the GMAT to online MBA programs and international business schools.
What makes this blog special
One thing that makes MBA Answers stand out as a career blog is its magazine-type layout. On its homepage, you can see snippets of its featured posts, which are grouped under the categories, “About MBA?s,” “GMAT & Business Schools,” “MBA Updates,” and “More MBA Answers.” Write-ups in About MBA?s contain general information on the degree, such as its benefits and factors to consider when assessing one?s readiness to pursue an MBA. Posts under GMAT & Business Schools help readers choose which program and business school is right for them. The MBA Updates category provides links to useful and recent MBA materials, while More MBA Answers is where readers interact with each other in typical Q&A fashion commonly found in e-forums.
What makes MBA Answers stand out is that by subscribing to the blog (simply type your e-mail address into the appropriate field), you will also get newsletter issues delivered to your inbox. For those who don?t like getting too many messages in their inbox, they can still subscribe to the blog?s post and comments updates via the RSS button.
Areas for improvement
Despite the blog?s nice layout, readers may find some difficulty navigating through the site. The homepage contains tabs and links which turn out to be serving the same function?directing the reader to the same page containing the same information. For instance, clicking on the “About MBA?s” tab on the upper-left side of the homepage and the “More Featured Posts” link under the “About MBA?s” box on the same page will give you the same result. In addition, it will be much better if readers get to post questions directly, as most are posted (moderated) through the site administrator.
GeekMBA360 is a blog that cuts across three niches: personal, career, and Internet marketing. According to the writer, the sole purpose of the blog is to provide career advice, especially in riding out the recession wave and managing one?s finances. However, since the writer has an MBA and a computer science background?not to mention a marketing job for an Internet company?he or she describes the contents of the blog as “career advice at the intersection of business and technology.”
What to like about this blog
Although the writing style used is friendly and personal, one look at the list of blog post categories will tell you that the blog is serious and, as the writer claims, well, “geeky”; topics discussed include multiple income stream, product management, and company analysis. The blog contains tips on saving, recruiting, job-hunting, fast-tracking your career, and blogging. For instance, in a post about conquering blogger?s block, the writer recommends writing at least 3 posts per week. A Q&A section is also available, where readers can respond to questions asked by other readers.
The blog has a number of good points. For one, the way the blog posts are titled does wonders in sparking the reader?s interest without being misleading. Also, each part of the blog holds substantial information and is not just serving as space fillers. It has a page for forums, as well as those containing a layoff survival guide and daily updates on layoffs, including those which are ?secret? or unannounced.
Areas for improvement
However, one thing that it does need to improve on is the layout. While the Cutline WordPress layout is all right for a personal blog, it waters down the attractiveness of GeekMBA360. Cutline is too generic, and a blog of this quality should opt for a more unique web design. In addition, a search field must be added to help readers find posts on certain topics much quickly, especially since the blog already contains several posts.
Like almost everything else in your list of MBA application requirements, your personal statement is one of your marketing tools to “sell” yourself to the business school you are applying for. You have to emphasize your strengths and the reasons why you should be taken in. There are several other applicants like you so you?d really have to give it your best shot and outshine them all.
You don?t really have to brag or show off. Admissions committee members would know show-offs when they see one. Your goal is not to make a hyped sales copy something more like a business proposal. Let your credentials and dedication speak for themselves in the most appropriate?and therefore, effective?way.
Tell your readers about what they want to hear.
Keep in mind that your personal statement?s readers would be business professionals, professors, admissions committee members, and the like. Think of what they would want to hear about you. Even business schools post suggestions and tips on what they would want your personal statement to have. Take them into account and you?ll do just fine.
Go into details to support your main ideas
The best way to establish and strengthen your ideas in your personal statement is by supporting them with proof. While you can?t append your certificates and grades to prove you?ve been a good leader since you were young, you can describe the experience by going into details only the one who experienced it would know.
Make them remember you
Again, there are many other applicants wanting to get that MBA spot in the school your applying for so find a way to make yourself stand out. Think of something unique about you that would make readers remember you or the personal statement you wrote.
Related links:
Highlighting strengths in your MBA essay – MBA essay tips
Sensitive topics in MBA personal statements – MBA personal statement topic tips
Writing an error-free MBA personal statement – MBA personal statement tips
Bad MBA personal statement – MBA personal statement tips on how to not write a bad personal statement
Writing an MBA essay – More MBA personal statement tips
Personal statement writing tips – More MBA personal statement tips
Making a personal statement – Personal statement writing tips
Personal statement for law school – Personal statement writing tips
Writing an effective personal statement – Personal statement writing tips: more examples
5 steps to writing a good personal statement – Personal statement writing process
