Stanford GSB Calling all applicants for Class of 2016!

Having spoken to a bunch of Stanford admits, listened to DB talk about some topics admits wrote and penned a response last year, I thought I might share some random thoughts on essay one.

1. The diversity of topics people choose is HUGE. If you think everyone writes about 'saving the world' / 'microfinance in Africa'-style topics you are wrong.

2. Don't worry about the 'what' being original because it probably won't be. Family, pet, child, personality trait, TV show, board game, instrument etc - it's all been done. There are no points for an original 'what'.

3. Don't be boring. Your essay can be about family without starting "my family is what matters most." However, gimmicks are lame. If your essay is about family being important, your better to basically say that rather than spin a convoluted tale about something silly.

4. Do worry deeply about the 'why'. The 'why' is more important than the what. The 'why' will almost always touch on upbringing, family, or some other defining experience and be inherently unique.

5. Authenticity is key. Relevance to essays B and C is nice, but not at the expense of being authentic.

6. Don't think about what Stanford wants and work backwards.

7. It needn't be a tail of woe, misery and overcoming the odds - but an upward trajectory or some sort of personal development angle is nice.

8. This essay is more about identity than motivation.

lindalibinbin - I actually think all three of those topics could work; even 'negative' traits have a why and could still be good essays. I think you would have to be a pretty good writer to pull it off though.

One thing I found interesting is you mention money and job security is what matters most to everyone deep down, but I actually don't think that's true at all (moving beyond just survival). If you spend a lot of time thinking about job security then potentially there is an interesting underlying 'why' you could delve into?

Happy drafting!

I know I'm being crazy, someone reassure me its okay to not over-think the "just for fun style questions" like what is your favorite place.

I so empathize with you.

Don't over-think --> Does this help?

Trying to reach out to some current Stamford students/alumni/admits to put some questions to them, would anyone with close contact to the school be willing to help an international applicant who can't visit out?

Also - have been drafting some essays too. I'm on version 3 on most of these!

Yup all better now!

Yea exactly the same boat. I have had a good number of people suggest just trying to network with alums through linkedin which is not a terrible idea. I don't like bothering people, but it will most definitely help get a feel for the school. And I am version 3 or higher for all of my essays. I am getting the problem where I feel like I know what I want to say but just can't make it come across on paper. That and my essay is always ridiculously long or crazy short. Best of luck to you though!

Count me in for R1!

Met a graduate from the 80s today - he was gushing about his experience @ Stanford. I think I am possibly in for R2. Still deciding if its worth my donation

oh, i said money is rarely really what matters most, so we are in agreement.

Ah sorry, my mistake!

Posted from my mobile device

Count me in guys..

Haven't read questions/started any work on applications as of yet. Hopefully will register on their website and start tomorrow.

Good luck to others too!

Count me in for R1. Spent a week at the Stanford D-School earlier this week and loved every second.

What matters most to me is to be able to tell others that I have a MBA from the most selective school in the world - of course I can never share it.
But, I think what they are really expecting are things like starting a sustainable energy company in Nepal or an creating a new education system in Ethopia....or something along those lines.

Stanford posted an interesting piece on their site - a week in the life of a Stanford GSB Student.
Maybe I missed it in the past but it seems to be new.

https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/mb ... n-the-life

It was there earlier too. Seems they added stuff of a different set of students.

I kinda dig the new GSB site and interface

Hi Everyone! Anyone from Latin America? Bolivia?

We've now got two Stanford essay reviews posted here on GMAT Club:

* Stanford Essay 1 - "What matters most?"
* Stanford Essay 2 - "What do you REALLY want to do?"

Hope they're helpful!

EssaySnark