You're in the midst of applying to business school, and it's time to write your MBA application essays. But first, before you start ruminating about that first MBA essay, take a deep breath. Let's assess your status: You have your GPA. You studied for and took the GMAT. You've worked for a few years after graduating college. Hopefully you have even carved out time for community service and your own recreational interests. Now you are about to begin the last stage - writing your essays and completing your b-school applications - the only one over which you still have any influence. You can't change your competition, and you can't change what you've done to date, but you can make sure that what you submit in the future is your best. * General MBA Application Essay Tips A few rules to keep in mind while writing your essays. * How to Write an "Accomplishment Essay" The goal in answering this kind of question is to analyze, rather than summarize, an achievement. This advice is particularly true if you're discussing an accomplishment that is listed elsewhere on the application. Your readers want to gain insight into your character, not read a factual summary of what occurred.