{"id":29572,"date":"2015-07-16T01:55:09","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T08:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=29572"},"modified":"2015-07-16T01:57:10","modified_gmt":"2015-07-16T08:57:10","slug":"understanding-stanford-gsbs-interest-in-personal-qualities-and-contributions-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/understanding-stanford-gsbs-interest-in-personal-qualities-and-contributions-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Stanford GSB’s Interest In Personal Qualities And Contributions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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What are the qualities that Stanford GSB is looking for as they build their class? How do successful applicants stand out from the crowd? At a school as competitive as Stanford, it\u2019s a fact that many smart, accomplished applicants won\u2019t get in\u2014so how can you demonstrate that you have that \u201cit\u201d factor? Let us walk you through Stanford\u2019s evaluation criteria<\/a> and give you some advice. <\/em><\/p>\n

Criteria #3: Personal Qualities and Contributions
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In an MBA essay on a meaningful personal experience:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Applicant A describes his ascent of Machu Picchu; we learn that it was awe-inspiring, challenging, required excellent teamwork<\/a>, and that he was moved on a deep level.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Applicant B takes us on a walk around her block. We learn about the struggles of her neighbors in the face of gentrification and how she feels as one of the gentrifiers; how she informally refereed an argument among residents about the stop-and-frisk policy; the diversity of canine life on the block and the particular friendship between her pug and a neighbor\u2019s Rottweiler.<\/p>\n

We conclude from these essays that Applicant A spends a lot of money on personal fulfillment, lacks imagination, relies on banalities, and relishes physical challenges; and that Applicant B is alive to the richness of daily life, has humor, is compassionate, is attentive and alert, and cares about meaningful issues. Point: our personal qualities<\/strong> flow from and mirror our character<\/strong>. And when it comes to personal qualities, be assured, Stanford will prefer those of Applicant B \u2013 even though Applicant A\u2019s topic is superficially more dramatic \u2013 because of the quality of character they reflect. There\u2019s not anything different or mind-blowing about Applicant B\u2019s personal qualities \u2013 they simply represent an engaged, thoughtful person. And there\u2019s nothing wrong with climbing Machu Picchu \u2013 but it\u2019s not the fact of doing it that will impress; rather, what you have to say about it, arising from your personal qualities and reflecting your unique perspective that will catch the thoughtful admissions reader\u2019s eye. Lesson:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Don\u2019t struggle and strain for \u201cunique\u201d things to say.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Rather, for Stanford<\/a>, share your life. Open it up, let it dance or swagger or sashay or skip or march or cartwheel, whatever your style is.<\/p>\n

Now the contribution<\/strong> part. Because Applicant B is attentive to and cares about her surroundings, she can respond and contribute to the daily life of her neighborhood. Again, nothing particularly dramatic or unique; mainly interactions with neighbors. But they\u2019re quality interactions. She cares<\/a>. She has specific<\/em> questions and concerns and feelings and insights \u2013 which become her offering. She can bring this abundance, this world, this humanity \u201cto the table.\u201d You just know<\/em> this person will be a big contributor wherever she is. She doesn\u2019t have to explain that fact \u2013 it\u2019s obvious! Follow her example. Let your personal qualities come alive by sharing what\u2019s meaningful to you in your essays<\/a> (and elsewhere if\/as possible in the application). Don\u2019t explain<\/strong><\/em> that you will<\/strong><\/em> contribute; show<\/strong><\/em> that you do<\/strong><\/em> contribute, as a result of these qualities. It\u2019s simply who you are.<\/p>\n

Check out the rest of the<\/em> What Stanford GSB is Looking For<\/a> series!<\/em>
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