MALD2011 wrote:
ksk80 wrote:
Hi... I'm looking for some advice on the topic: "Please describe a time when you had to make a decision without having all the information you needed." What kind of situations are a fair game here? Any advice or feedback would be helpful. Thanks!
I am toying with couple of ideas
1. The Obvious one. Describing a work place situation. As an engineer many times I had to finalize designs without finishing all the testing because of the approaching deadlines. That would work but I think that one will be a cliche'. If you had a plan B if something failed then you can mention that and whether you had to use it or not.
2. In my second year college some friends a I took a spontaneous hiking trip without thinking too much about weather. When we were at the base camp we were not sure about weather on the mountains be I convinced everyone to march forward and in a day we were trapped in to really bad rains and winds.
For the second idea you can also turn it in to a lesson. I should not have endangered other peoples' lives with that rash decision. Also if you helped your friends to keep their calm, that will show your team building ability or leadership ability.
Just my thoughts. I hope that helps.
You are thinking in the right direction but I believe it has to be more carefully thought.
For example->>I should not have endangered other peoples' lives with that rash decision
The "rash decision" might be taken in a negative way.
I would(did) tell about a situation in which there is no way you can predict what's gonna happen. Explain what are possible outcomes and then explain what you did why.
In my case I took a business example from work and told why there wasn't a bullet proof answer/solution for that situation. Then showed two possible paths that could have been taken.
Then finally what I did, which was a a mid-way solution for both the paths and why.
The example one would become too geeky once you start putting in some details. If the problem is more soft skills related, it would be easier for adcom to relate.
I submitted a geeky essay last year. I applied again in R1. Hopefully some good news this time.