10 MBA Essay Mistakes That Make a 730 GMAT Applicant Look Average

1. Introduction – The Illusion of Safety at 730

So why are you still staring at a rejection email?

Because in the MBA admissions world, a strong GMAT gets you into the conversation—but it doesn’t win the argument.

Your essays are not just about writing. They’re about judgment, clarity, and strategic positioning. And far too many high-GMAT applicants fall into the trap of assuming the numbers will speak for themselves.

In this blog, we unpack 10 essay mistakes that make even top-scoring applicants seem forgettable—and how you can avoid them.

2. Why the Essay Is the Deciding Factor After Scores

Business schools are not assembling a class of test scores.They’re building a cohort of thinkers, communicators, collaborators, and future leaders.

The GMAT is proof of academic readiness.The essay is proof of personal fit.

And when everyone else also has a 710+, what sets you apart is:

• Your clarity of goals

• Your depth of reflection

• Your ability to communicate leadership, not just execute it

Let’s explore the 10 traps that derail high-potential applicants—and how to rewrite your narrative.

3. The 10 Common Essay Mistakes That Dull a Sharp Profile

Mistake 1: Assuming the Resume Will Fill in the Gaps

Symptom: Essays that simply reference job titles, roles, or KPIsFix: Use essays to add context. What shaped your decisions, style, or transitions?

Mistake 2: Leading with "What I Did" Instead of "Why It Mattered"

Symptom: Bullet-style accomplishments dressed up in paragraphsFix: Anchor the story in insight, not activity. Reflect before you report.

Mistake 3: Using Generic Career Goals

Symptom: “I want to be a global leader creating impact through innovation.”Fix: Be specific. Tie your goal to a clear industry problem and personal mission.

Mistake 4: Overusing Buzzwords

Symptom: “Synergy,” “disruption,” “strategic mindset,” “value creation”Fix: Swap jargon for plain language. Show, don’t label.

Mistake 5: Playing It Too Safe

Symptom: Stories that feel sanitized, polished, or rehearsedFix: Include vulnerability. Share tension, conflict, doubt, and growth.

Mistake 6: Underestimating the Importance of Tone

Symptom: Essays sound overly formal, corporate, or distantFix: Write with voice. Use language that reflects who you are—not who you think they want.

Mistake 7: Not Showing Evolution

Symptom: Stories where you succeeded—but didn’t changeFix: Every essay should leave the reader thinking: “This person learns.”

Mistake 8: Ignoring the 'Why Now'

Symptom: “An MBA will enhance my skill set.” That’s not a reason—it’s a filler.Fix: What inflection point are you at? What decisions are you preparing to make?

Mistake 9: Recycling Essays for Multiple Schools

Symptom: Copy-pasting goals or values across applicationsFix: Tailor the tone, structure, and story to each school’s culture and DNA.

Mistake 10: Trying to Impress, Not Express

Symptom: Essays that read like performance piecesFix: Speak to the reader. Let them feel your thought process, not just admire your credentials.

4. What the AdCom Really Wants to Read Instead

They want to meet a candidate who:

• Knows where they’ve been—and why it shaped them

• Has clarity about where they’re going—and how they’ll get there

• Has self-awareness, not just accomplishments

• Reflects depth, not just data

You don’t need to wow them. You need to connect with them.

5. Final Thoughts – Your Score Opens the Door. Your Story Gets You In.

A 730 GMAT puts you on the radar. But your essays determine if you stay in the room.

They reveal your mindset, maturity, and meaning-making.And that’s what gets remembered—when others with the same score start blending together.

So if you’ve got the numbers, now’s the time to build the narrative.

Let your essays speak the language your resume can’t:Intention. Growth. And leadership in motion.

6. Want to Match Your Story to Your Score? Let’s Elevate It.

At EssaysElevate, we work with high-GMAT, high-potential applicants to craft essays that go beyond credentials—into clarity, authenticity, and competitive edge.

Explore our 1:1 Essay Coaching or Book a Free Strategy Session now and turn that 730 into a full-circle admit.