Should You Start Your MBA Essay with a Quote? Pros, Cons & Smarter Alternatives

1. Introduction – The Quote Temptation

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”“Leadership is not a position or a title…”“Success is not final, failure is not fatal…”

Sound familiar?

If you’ve considered opening your MBA essay with a quote from Gandhi, Churchill, or Steve Jobs—you’re not alone.

Quotes feel like a shortcut to depth. They sound wise. Polished. Big-picture.

But here’s the truth: unless used with precision, quotes can make your essay forgettable.

In this blog, we unpack the quote dilemma: when to use them, when to avoid them, and what to do instead to make your MBA essay sound like you, not a motivational poster.

2. Why Applicants Use Quotes—and Why They Often Backfire

Why people use them:

• To show alignment with admired values

• To sound profound or literary

• To create a strong first impression

Why they often fail:

• Generic impact: The quote outshines your voice

• Overused phrases: Adcoms have seen it hundreds of times

• Unnecessary detour: It delays your actual story

• Disconnection: It doesn’t tie into the core theme meaningfully

The goal of an MBA essay is not to borrow wisdom—it’s to showcase your own.

3. When a Quote Does Work

You can use a quote—but it has to meet all three criteria:

✅ It’s personal

The quote genuinely shaped your thinking or actions—and you explain how.

✅ It’s original

Not from a quote calendar or TED Talk. Ideally, it’s:

• Something a mentor or parent once told you

• A line from a lesser-known poem, book, or film

• A quote you reinterpret or challenge

✅ It’s integrated

The quote is not just an opener—it’s part of the reflection.

Example:

“My grandmother always said, ‘The hand that gives, leads.’ I didn’t understand this until I managed my first team—and found that generosity earned more loyalty than authority ever could.”

This isn’t about sounding smart. It’s about sounding real.

4. Smarter Alternatives to Starting With a Quote

Instead of opening with someone else’s words, consider these high-impact alternatives:

🔹 Start in the Action

“My hands were shaking as I hit send. Thirty seconds later, the deal collapsed.”

Drop the reader into the moment. Let them feel it with you.

🔹 Start with a Personal Realization

“Until I moved to Lagos, I thought strategy was about answers. There, I learned it begins with questions.”

Open with a shift in mindset—that’s memorable.

🔹 Start with a Question You’re Still Living

“What does it mean to lead when no one’s watching?”

This adds mystery, tension, and introspection—all in one line.

5. Final Thoughts – They Came to Meet You, Not Your Quote Book

Admissions officers aren’t looking for the next great philosopher.They’re looking for you—your thinking, your change, your future.

So if a quote genuinely shaped your worldview, bring it in. But don’t let it do the talking for you.

Instead:

• Be bold in your own insight

• Be specific in your voice

• And trust that your story, told with clarity and depth, is enough

6. Wondering If Your Essay Opening Works? Let’s Find Out.

At EssaysElevate, we help applicants replace formulaic openings with intentional, strategic narratives that hook the reader from the first line.

If you're debating whether to use a quote—or how to start strong—let’s craft an opening that feels like you.

Explore our Essay Opening Audits or Book a Free Structure Strategy Session now.