Taylor Swift’s lyrics might be your unexpected guide to crafting a standout MBA application and understanding the admissions process better. From “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” to “Shake It Off,” Taylor’s words resonate with lessons on resilience, authenticity, and self-expression—qualities essential for aspiring MBA students. In this article, we’ll explore how her iconic songs can inspire and inform your admissions strategy.
“You are what you did.”
– “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” The Tortured Poets Department
While some Swifties may bristle at the true context of this statement, the core of the message is true: You are what you did. The adcom will be looking to your past success as a predictor of future success. Cite anecdotal evidence to support your case for being a strong candidate.
“I keep my side of the street clean. You wouldn’t know what I mean.”
– “Karma,” Midnights
It’s your job to help the adcom understand your actions and motivation. To put it simply, show don’t tell.
“Pouring out my heart to a stranger.”
– “this is me trying,” folklore
MBA applications can ask about you beyond your career goals and work experience. In such cases, when you take the time to pause and reflect on topics such as who you are, who has influenced you, or what you have overcome, it can feel like an invitation to pour your entire life onto a page. This is a reminder to edit. There’s a balance you need to strive for in your MBA essays—maintaining a professional tone and content while sharing your personal history. The adcom doesn’t need to know, for example, how you feel about your high school bully or unresolved issues with your parents. Stay focused on the positive and maintain a professional tone.
“I could build a castle / Out of all the bricks they threw at me.”
– “New Romantics,” 1989
Challenges and setbacks are popular essay topics in MBA admissions. You’ll want to highlight how you overcame them and the positive results you achieved. Instances of resilience or persistence can be highly valued in the admissions process as well.
“I promise that you’ll never find another like Me-e-e.”
– “ME!” Lover
While you do need to stand out in the admissions process, remember to stay humble.
“I don’t wanna think of anything else now that I’ve thought of you.”
– “Daylight,” Lover
This is a message you send schools by applying during their Early Action or Early Decision rounds. These rounds can often entail a commitment to the program and withdrawing/withholding pending applications. In your “why School X” essays, it’s also a good idea to avoid the comparison trap and stay focused on the program at hand.
“Have my back, yeah, everyday.”
– “It’s Nice to Have a Friend,” Lover
Just like in the real world, you’ll be expected to work in teams during business school—whether on class projects or during club activities. You’ll want to reflect on how you’ve supported others in your work or community, how you’ve resolved challenges with others, and, essentially, show how you’ve had others’ backs.
“They say, ‘She’s gone too far this time.’ Don’t blame me.”
– “Don’t Blame Me,” Reputation
Consider this a cheeky take on the optional essay, which is offered in most MBA applications as a platform for explaining weaknesses in your candidacy. Though it can be understandable that there are circumstances beyond your control, e.g. your company downsized and now you have a gap in your resume, you do need to take responsibility for your actions where possible. The latter also applies to mistake or failure essays.
“Long story short, it was a bad time / Long story short, I survived.”
– “long story short,” evermore
This Taylor Swift lyric is another piece of advice to keep in mind for your optional essay. The adcom understands that applicants can struggle, but you want to keep your descriptions of the issue brief and move on quickly to what you learned and how you acted on what you learned. Also, keep in mind that optional essays create more work for the reader, so brevity is beloved.
“Nobody’s heard from me for months. I’m doing better than I ever was.”
– “Call It What You Want,” Reputation
Calling all re-applicants! This is what you need to show the adcom in your re-applicant essay. Account for what you’ve done since you last applied to strengthen your candidacy. This can include new responsibilities at work, learning more about the MBA program, refining your career goals and more.
“You need to calm down.”
– “You Need to Calm Down,” Lover
Many MBA applications involve a video component, and often interviews are by invitation only. While you can toil away at essays and written elements at your own discretion, these live requests can feel nerve wracking. Remember, you need to calm down: Be ready for the interview by grounding yourself and feeling calm, cool, and collected.
If you pull together a solid application strategy and execute it well, you may find “all the pieces fall, right into place” (“So it Goes…,” Reputation.) Of course, facing rejection in Round 1 can be tough, but just remember to “shake it off” and learn from the process to present better apps for your other target schools in Round 2.
Taylor Swift is not associated with this content; her lyrics simply served as inspiration for this fun post.
