Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2019 Intake) Class of 2021!

I was actually going to write the exact same thing. With out additional background, this is definitely the same advice I would give.

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Anyone got started on the essays?

What matters most to you and why?
Why Stanford?

Good luck to all! The best advice I can give for these essays is,

For A: Be honest and don't say what you think they want to hear. They can detect BS a mile away. Whatever you're claiming is most important to you, you need a solid story that explains WHY it's most important, and then you should have 2-3 examples showing how you've since done things about What Matters Most. Show them you are walking the walk. If you say that saving the environment matters most but have never been involved with any organization that attempts to fight climate change, for example, that would raise a red flag.

For B: This is a career goal essay in disguise. Tell them what you want to do in the future (and WHY) and then specifically (key word!) what you'll do at Stanford to help you reach those goals. General statements about it being near Silicon Valley and having small class sizes and whatnot are things literally anyone could write. Make it specific to YOU and your goals.

Hope that helps!

This is very helpful. Thank you.

Hope everyone is getting on well with the applications and essays!
I was admitted last year in R2 and received a huge amount of help from this forum, both to prepare my GMAT and my applications.
If you would like help, please write to me directly, I'll be happy to give my advice.
Best of luck!

For essay B, how specific should I be? Is it ok to name courses/clubs/initiatives or should I answer more broadly?

Oh you DEFINITELY want to be specific. Course names, a professor you'd like to study under, alums you'd want to network with at target companies, clubs you want to join, conferences you want to help out with/attend, etc. Half the response should be your career goals and WHY you have them, and the next half should be specifics about how Stanford will help you fill your gaps and reach those goals. Don't say anything general that anyone else could say!

How to prove work experience as a self employed in an unregistered firm?

Thanks. It would be great if you reply here only!

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So hopefully a simple question. For the Activities & Interests section, is this just asking for what we do when not at work?

For instance, I have played amateur football for a long time, I should put that in?
How about being a keen skier and organising a group trip every year for 10-20 friends?
What about more recreational activities such as fitness training or playing tennis with friends?

I feel like the first two examples are probably good to be put in, but wondering where we should draw the line?

BNabs88 yes it's whatever you're doing when you're not at work.

Prioritize anything that might be organized ie, one of my clients at Stanford led an annual trip for 6 friends, and had an amateur Soccer Club.

So if there's a way you could squeeze leadership in there then do that but it's not a must.

Prioritize hobbies that
set you apart,
make you unique,
show you as interesting and well-rounded, and increase the diversity of the class.

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For what matters most to me, I wrote my essay about finding meaning in work (on a personal level) beginning with volunteering at my church in HS, to joining the military, and then how I will continue to do meaningful work in a future civilian career. Throughout the essay I pulled specific examples of why I found my work meaningful at different stages of my career and ended with a justification of why I will find work in the business world meaningful as well.

For "Why Stanford" I wrote about how the school's mission statement speaks to my goal to be a global leader broadly speaking, not only in business. I also discussed how I wanted to learn to different leadership styles through both my peers and the "touchy feely" class to expand outside of the centralized, hierarchichal style of leadership the military uses. I also wrote about how their global programs, such as GMIX, will complement my previous international experiences.

XTOL - thank you for sharing!

I'm struggling more with the "Why Stanford" essay than "What Matters Most, and Why." Trying to squeeze in career goal + why Stanford (3 ideas: courses, tech, mentoring) is a challenge

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I sit my GMAT in late October, I will submit my application in R2.

The biggest worry I face is of getting a scholarship.

Guys,

I am working with a consultant and when I told him that I wanted to write about moving to a new country as a young teenager and had to overcome language and cultural barriers, to show my ability to face challenges, he said that the idea is banal.

What do you guys think? Sure, I have not conquered cancer or poverty, but I am not trying to compete with who has overcome the greatest obstacles. I am telling a story about my life, and that was one of the first significant challenges.

What do you guys think about this? I think hundreds of people will be writing about some kinds of nonprofit, charity, giving back - so nothing is extremely original anyways.

Thanks for the input guys.

The GSB essay is due soon so any insight would be great!

The idea itself is very cliche, but the devil is in the details. The reason why you moved away, where you come from and where you relocated to, how all of this affected your life path to date and your future goals are definitely things to consider. I guess some professional consultants can tell you a bit more about it, but my suggestion is to work with your consultant on your story, tell them who you are and what shaped your as a person and then he/she should be able to help you shape your essay. Good luck!