What Reviewers Look For in the Information Management Master's Application Essays
This review looks at whether each response answers its supplied question, explains your direction in information management, and shows relevant preparation through clear examples. It also considers leadership, information access or responsible use, and program fit when the prompt or your broad statement calls for those topics. Check each school’s current rules on outside or AI assistance; this writing review does not establish permission to use either.
What We Check
Whether each answer addresses its own question and makes distinct use of the available space.
Whether the proposed study or career direction explains an information problem and the people or decisions it affects.
What the writer's experience demonstrates about readiness for graduate study in information management.
How the writer influences shared work and learns from other people.
How the writer responds to a requested question about inclusion, equity, access, sovereignty or responsible information use.
How a program feature or mission supports the writer's learning need or intended contribution.
Mistakes We Flag
- Replacing the prompt with a general life story
- A response needs to address the question it was given. A broad personal narrative can leave the requested topic unanswered.
- Repeating the same project and lesson in multiple answers
- Separate answers should make distinct use of the available space. Reusing a project can work when each response uses it for a different purpose.
- Listing tools or technologies without explaining their use
- A software list or fashionable technology list does not show the information need, your actions, or what you learned.
- Claiming leadership without describing collaboration
- A title or a statement such as “I am a natural leader” does not explain what you coordinated, changed, or learned from others.
- Giving generic reasons for a program
- Praise alone, or a course title without a learning purpose, does not show how the program connects to your goals.
How this rubric reads your essay
- Built from published reader guidance — the sources are listed below.
- Scored per section against defined criteria, not general impressions.
- Calibrated for consistent scoring, so a better draft shows up in the score.
References
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit one answer instead of several essays?
Yes, when the application provides one broad statement or one supplied question. One supplied answer is a complete submission, and other application components are not treated as missing writing.
How should I handle a school-specific word limit?
Follow any numeric minimum or maximum the school supplies. There is no universal length requirement for information management master’s essays, and question labels are not part of your answer word count.
How does this writing review treat nontechnical preparation?
Relevant preparation can come from coursework, independent learning, employment, community work, or personal projects. Nontechnical experiences can show analysis, communication, organization, or learning, but you still need to check each program’s own prerequisites and requested content.
Which topics apply to broad versus narrow prompts?
A broad personal statement or statement of purpose always addresses information-management direction and preparation; leadership, information access, and program choice apply when you introduce those themes. For a narrow prompt, focus on the subjects it specifically asks you to address.
Prepare your draft for review
Review your information-management essays →Get AI feedback on your draft with a free Quick Review. Full Reviews add rubric scores and revision suggestions. Follow your program’s current writing instructions and assistance policies.
See how statement of purpose review works