How to write Short Term and Long Term Goals Essay?

Are you confused about what to write in goals essays for your dream university? Do not worry. This guide is prepared with the thought to help you develop outstanding responses for your goals essays. 

Let’s get straight to the point: “How to write a Short Term Goals Essay?” Most universities, in their admissions essays, ask the applicants to discuss their professional goals. Either they give a long question, combining both short-term and long-term goals, or several short-answer questions. They may ask however they want, but one thing is for sure - you will be expected to share your specific vision. Read further to understand what to include and not what to include in your goals essay.

Now, let us understand what is meant by long-term and short-term goals that the universities ask for. Short-term goals are your goals/ aspirations or career plans, immediately after the completion of the program that you are applying to. This would mean your current career path and how you wish to modify your life after completing the program. The idea is to know what you intend to do/achieve within the next three to five years. Remember, being a CEO of a major Fortune 500 company is not a short-term goal but a long-term goal! Short-term does not mean within the next year. Some students commit this common mistake while writing their goal essays.

How to write Short Term Goals Essay

Short-term goals are basically your career plans, immediately after completing the program. Normally, this includes a timeline of 1 to 5 years unless specified by the university. Connect your short-term goals with your current career path and how it will be an upgrade for you. You have to share your plan for the next three to five years. Remember, your goals should be logical and not look forced. Becoming the CEO of a top MNC does not qualify for a short-term goal!

There is a thought process that you can follow: make a list (2-3) of the designations in which you see yourself after completing your MBA. Shortlist 2-3 organizations where you would like to work and why? The ‘why’ is important. Show how you will be contributing through your skills and values.

Additionally, it is not uncommon for students to write about pursuing their program as their short-term goal. Do not include your program-specific goals in your short-term goals essay for MBA applications or other graduate programs. These are your aspirations after you have successfully completed the program. Some universities may ask only ask your short-term goals. Thus, unless specified, short-term goals refer to your immediate career goals upon completion of the program.

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How to write Long Term Goals Essay

Let us now understand how to write long-term goals essays. Normally, the timeline for a long-term goal is the next 10-15 years. They are your ultimate aspirations or the heights you wish to achieve in your life. Think like a visionary while writing your long-term goals. You can talk about your entrepreneurial plans or how you intend to rise high within your field. The idea is to communicate your plans with the admissions Committee. They prefer knowing how you will utilize the degree in the long run.

Through your long-term goals, the Admission Committee analyses your thinking capability, approach towards leadership, and the ability to take risks or initiatives. Therefore, mention your dreams but make sure you do not sound cliché. For example, become a CEO of an MNC is vague, generic, and broad in a long-term goals essay for your MBA applications. Show how you would lead with example, what kind of challenges you will address, and how you will make a difference in your field in an executive position. Similarly, if you want to establish your own business, show how you will contribute to your field and your community as an entrepreneur.

Often, students mistake long-term goals for career aspirations beyond the course, which is not the case. It also does not mean your retirement plans. Simply put, these are your career aspirations after a decade or so. You may also be required to write how you will achieve your long-term goals in paragraphs.

Important points to Remember When Writing your Goals Essays

Keep in mind the following points when you sit down to write your goals essays:

1. Avoid mixing short-term and long-term goals: When writing both short-term and long-term goals together (in a single answer), create separate paragraphs. Short-term goals will come first, followed by the long-term goals.
2. Numbers help: In your short-term goals essay for MBA applications, write how many years you are going to invest in a certain job role. Specify how long (for example: two to three years) you wish to work in a role and more importantly, what the kind of expertise and experience you wish to build? Such strategic and specific details add value to your goals essay. It will also confirm that you have thought about the goals carefully.
3. Avoid extra information: Applicants are driven by the urge to write everything that they can about themselves. But this should be checked as adding information, which is not asked will not help your case. If the question is only about short-term goals, stick to it. Do not add your long-term goals or what makes you a perfect match for this program, even though you want to write it because you have the word limit available. Answer what is asked. The Admissions Committee appreciates when the answers are straightforward and specific.
4. Avoid multiple goals: Writing multiple goals in your short-term and long-term goals essay for your MBA applications will show that you are indecisive. Unless a university asks for plan B if plan A does not work, do not discuss what you would do in case one goal does not materialize.
5. Make sure to check the word/character limit: Instead of word limits for essays, they may ask you to answer a question in certain number of characters. The range is huge; it can be 50 words for one prompt and 5000 characters for another. Moreover, do not think that writing a few extra words or characters is harmless because it is. Do not risk your application because of assumptions.

Having learnt how to write the goals essay for MBA applications or other graduate programs, you must also remember that it is very much like a statement of purpose (SOP) – albeit with a specific question and a word or character limit. You must focus on the question asked on short-term and long-term goals and adhere to the word/character limit specified by the university.

Also Read

• How to Write a Leadership Essay
• How to Write a Career Progression Essay

What is the weightage of short-term and long-term goals for MBA applications?

The goals essay holds significant importance. They may have as much as 40% weightage in your MBA applications. Your goals can even tip the decision in your favour or against you when you are competing with candidates having similar profiles as yours. Therefore, give 100% attention to your goals essays. Make them specific, relevant, logical, and outstanding. Hinting at your progressive attitude and a strong vision will strengthen your goals essay. Avoid grammatical errors and silly mistakes like not following the word limit, adding generic content, or showing multiple and irrelevant interests.

The simple answer is no. When you are going as a student, your objective should be to learn and grow. If you talk about settling in the country, it may appear that you are using the degree as an indirect route to migrate to the country. You can work there for a few years, but show that you will be a contributing asset to their country as a working professional. Highlight your intent to return to your home country in the next few years and contribute to your own people and nation.

How to Write Short-Term and Long-Term Goals Essay - FAQs