At mbaMission, we frequently get asked, “If I write the optional essay about my [low GMAT score, low GPA, bad semester in college, long stretch of unemployment] will it call attention to that weakness and overemphasize it?” In short, no. Writing the optional essay about that weakness instead allows you to control the narrative.
The AdCom is going to notice a low GMAT score or a low GPA – and if you do not write the optional essay about it, they will be left with unanswered questions about why that weakness occurred. Rather than putting them in the position of having to guess at an explanation, take control of the narrative and explain the weakness to them. For example, let’s say you have a weak GPA overall because in your first two years of college you worked full time, but your GPA from your last two years is much stronger. Not writing the optional essay means that you are hoping the AdCom takes the time to search through your transcript, note the higher GPA, then search through your job history and see that you worked full time during your first two years, and then make the connection between the full time work and your lower grades themselves. On the other hand, if you write the optional essay and tell them the story of what happened, you no longer have to simply hope that they will put in that extra effort. They won’t have to guess at the reason behind the low GPA – you will have filled in the story for them.
The bottom line is, the AdCom members are professionals whose obligation is to notice all aspects of your profile. While they are not punitive, they are also not careless and will identify weaknesses like those mentioned above. At the same time, they are human, and are dealing with thousands of applications. Any way that you can save them work by helping guide them through the story of your application can only work to your advantage.
Read the full article: MBA Admissions Myths Destroyed: They Won’t Notice My Weakness!