Look back first, then look ahead: Essay advice from our DIB Associates

We know that essays can be a daunting part of the application process. That’s why our Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Associates hosted a webinar to offer helpful tips for crafting your application essays. During the webinar, they discussed the various essays required for each program, answered questions, and provided valuable advice. Read below to learn what questions were asked during this information session and review some general tips offered by the DIB Associates.

How should I avoid repeating the information from my résumé in my essays?

Essays are an opportunity for you to highlight why you are interested in the program and your motivations for the activities you have included in your résumé. Essays allow you to shed light on who you are personally.

Should I use links to my work—research, papers, op-eds—in the essays?

We do not recommend including links to your work in essays, though you could potentially hyperlink these in your résumé instead.

How specific should I get about what I hope to do after graduating from HKS?

It helps to have a general idea of what you want to do post-graduation, but you do not have to be super specific in your essays. As long as you can showcase that you have thought about your career goals, you do not need to know exactly where you want to be or what you will be doing. HKS will help with that!

Should I submit an optional essay?

On the Essay section of the application, you will see an opportunity to upload an optional essay. If there is anything you would like the Admissions Committee to know about your academic, professional, or personal background that is not otherwise addressed in your application, you can use the optional essay to provide this context.

The optional essay is helpful to address:

• Gaps in your résumé or professional background
• Major changes in your career trajectory
• Inconsistent academic performance
• Perceived weaknesses in your application

If you are submitting an optional essay, be careful not to make excuses but instead provide context and focus on growth and learning. Most applicants do not submit an optional essay, so do not feel obligated to submit an optional essay if there is nothing you feel needs to be addressed.

General Tips from the DIB Associates

• There is no essay template. Each application essay should be unique. It’s up to you to style it.
• Essay questions can change year to year! Even if you have applied in the past, the essays may be different this year.
• Proofread your essays. 
• You are the main character in your essays. Craft a narrative that is personal to your experiences.
• You should reflect on your background and look introspectively about why you would like to apply to HKS. 
• Look back first, then look ahead. Each essay is meant to highlight different aspects of who you are, so take time to think about who you are and what you want to be. You should consider reflecting on your background and tying your experiences into a narrative that is personal to you.