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10 Jun 2020, 10:41
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Stanford has announced their deadlines for applications as well as their essay questions for the 2020-2021 admission cycle. In this article we are sharing a few tips to help you stand out among your peers and avoid some common pitfalls.
This year’s essay questions remain unchanged, and still aim at knowing applicants on a personal level-beyond their academic and professional accomplishments.
What is Stanford looking for in your essays?
Kirsten Moss, Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Stanford mentioned in an interview with Clear Admit:
“We have two essays the first asks about your values and sheds light on what motivates you. In this essay, you share with us what is the wind in your sails. The second essay asks, “Why Stanford? Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them.” In this essay, we try to understand what you hope to do. We also pay attention to what is most compelling to you about the GSB experience and how our program can help you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to go.” Source: Clear Admit Interview, August 2019Stanford MBA Deadlines
Essay Analysis
1. Length
Both essays should not exceed 1,150 words combined. We found that the most effective essays are usually written in fewer words, therefore we recommend up to 750 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B.
2. Essay A: what Matters to you and why
“For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?”
This seemingly straightforward question is perhaps one of the most difficult MBA question to answer. This essay is aimed at capturing the essence of a candidate and deep dive into what they are passionate about.
Although this essay is not career related it should inform the next essay which is more career focused. Think about the drivers that lead you to want to pursue a specific career path. This is about the “why” rather than the “what.”
Generating ideas for this essay will require a lot of introspection. This is about lessons, experiences or relationships that shaped you, whether they are good or bad. We typically advise our clients to write down 10 most important experiences and role models in their lives and help them identify a few that might have shaped their path.
This essay should also demonstrate your ability to embrace challenge and any opportunity to have an impact. So, don’t be afraid the share your failures along with your successes and how your principles guided you along the way.
3. Essay B: Why Stanford
“Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.”
Now that you’ve discussed who you are and what drives you the next step is to deep dive into how Stanford can help you reach your career goals.
The sub-text of this prompt is “why do you want to pursue an MBA and why specifically at Stanford?” this is your opportunity to share how your post-MBA career aspirations will benefit from your time at Stanford.
Start by describing why you want an MBA (focus on your desired career outcome) and why at Stanford. Be as specific as possible, this isn’t about brand or rankings, talk about specific classes, students’ organizations or clubs, conferences, curriculum flexibility or even dual degree options that set Stanford apart from other schools.
Dream big but demonstrate that you have the ability and drive to achieve your goals. Self-awareness is key here, avoid the pitfall of coming across as someone who knows it all and isn’t open to learning. Identify knowledge gaps and how your MBA will help you bridge this gap.
4. Optional Short-Answer Question
“Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? You are welcome to share up to three examples. (Up to 1500 characters, approximately 250 words, for each example)”
This optional essay should be answered directly in the space provided in the application. It provides you with an opportunity to showcase (very briefly!) your leadership skills, impact and initiative.
For this section, you can focus on a few extra-curricular or professional activities you were involved in and where you had a direct and measurable impact. Make sure you outline the situation (set the scene), the action you took, and the result of these actions.
This essay really aims at identifying applicants who will leave their mark in the Stanford community and beyond, candidates that will “Change Lives, Change Organizations, Change the World.” As outlined by the school’s mission statement. Although it is optional, we strongly encourage candidates to identify at least one example of leadership and measurable impact they’ve had.
If you find the essays challenging or have any additional questions don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance: loubna@admissionconcierge.com
This year’s essay questions remain unchanged, and still aim at knowing applicants on a personal level-beyond their academic and professional accomplishments.
What is Stanford looking for in your essays?
Kirsten Moss, Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Stanford mentioned in an interview with Clear Admit:
“We have two essays the first asks about your values and sheds light on what motivates you. In this essay, you share with us what is the wind in your sails. The second essay asks, “Why Stanford? Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them.” In this essay, we try to understand what you hope to do. We also pay attention to what is most compelling to you about the GSB experience and how our program can help you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to go.” Source: Clear Admit Interview, August 2019Stanford MBA Deadlines
Essay Analysis
1. Length
Both essays should not exceed 1,150 words combined. We found that the most effective essays are usually written in fewer words, therefore we recommend up to 750 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B.
2. Essay A: what Matters to you and why
“For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?”
This seemingly straightforward question is perhaps one of the most difficult MBA question to answer. This essay is aimed at capturing the essence of a candidate and deep dive into what they are passionate about.
Although this essay is not career related it should inform the next essay which is more career focused. Think about the drivers that lead you to want to pursue a specific career path. This is about the “why” rather than the “what.”
Generating ideas for this essay will require a lot of introspection. This is about lessons, experiences or relationships that shaped you, whether they are good or bad. We typically advise our clients to write down 10 most important experiences and role models in their lives and help them identify a few that might have shaped their path.
This essay should also demonstrate your ability to embrace challenge and any opportunity to have an impact. So, don’t be afraid the share your failures along with your successes and how your principles guided you along the way.
3. Essay B: Why Stanford
“Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.”
Now that you’ve discussed who you are and what drives you the next step is to deep dive into how Stanford can help you reach your career goals.
The sub-text of this prompt is “why do you want to pursue an MBA and why specifically at Stanford?” this is your opportunity to share how your post-MBA career aspirations will benefit from your time at Stanford.
Start by describing why you want an MBA (focus on your desired career outcome) and why at Stanford. Be as specific as possible, this isn’t about brand or rankings, talk about specific classes, students’ organizations or clubs, conferences, curriculum flexibility or even dual degree options that set Stanford apart from other schools.
Dream big but demonstrate that you have the ability and drive to achieve your goals. Self-awareness is key here, avoid the pitfall of coming across as someone who knows it all and isn’t open to learning. Identify knowledge gaps and how your MBA will help you bridge this gap.
4. Optional Short-Answer Question
“Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? You are welcome to share up to three examples. (Up to 1500 characters, approximately 250 words, for each example)”
This optional essay should be answered directly in the space provided in the application. It provides you with an opportunity to showcase (very briefly!) your leadership skills, impact and initiative.
For this section, you can focus on a few extra-curricular or professional activities you were involved in and where you had a direct and measurable impact. Make sure you outline the situation (set the scene), the action you took, and the result of these actions.
This essay really aims at identifying applicants who will leave their mark in the Stanford community and beyond, candidates that will “Change Lives, Change Organizations, Change the World.” As outlined by the school’s mission statement. Although it is optional, we strongly encourage candidates to identify at least one example of leadership and measurable impact they’ve had.
If you find the essays challenging or have any additional questions don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance: loubna@admissionconcierge.com
