How to Write About Your Interest in Business or Entrepreneurship
by Drew C.
For students applying to business or entrepreneurship programs, the choice can sometimes feel as if it’s self-explanatory. Unlike dance or poetry, there’s a clear path to the workforce. And who wouldn’t want to be CEO of the next big startup?
When it comes to your application essay, however, it can be dangerous to assume your goals are obvious. You still need to do the work of discovering and reflecting on your personal motivations and your ultimate ambitions. What problem do you hope to solve? What community do you hope to serve? What—beyond landing a plush job—do you really hope to accomplish? It’s a popular major, after all. The more unique your perspective, the more you will stand out.
For instance, it’s probably not the best idea to simply mention that you founded your own company or aced a prestigious internship or managed a stock portfolio during free block. All of that’s wonderful, but schools are attracted to students who can articulate why they do these things. You also don’t want to come across as someone who’s so impressed by their own business triumphs that they won’t embrace other subjects the school has to offer.
Of course, it’s not just born entrepreneurs who apply to business programs. People have all kinds of reasons for wanting to learn about fintech or innovative design. The point is that a strong essay will make those reasons clear. You don’t need all the answers. You just need to show that you have a sense of purpose, whatever that might be.
Here are a few tips for writing essays about your interest in business or entrepreneurship:
- Tell a specific story that explains your personal interest in an area you might focus on—body-positive marketing, green supply chains, a better money transfer tool for economic migrants—and describe how this interest will inform your path ahead.
- Organize your essay around a problem you want to solve or a genuine need you want to address, even if you have little or no practical experience.
- As always, it’s a good idea to research the program you’re applying to and explain why it’s a good fit.
- Be clear, concise, and purposeful—after all, these are the hallmarks of good business writing.
