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Stanford MBA Application Essay Tips for 2009/2010



      Essay A: What matters most to you, and why? (750 words)
 
Gurome Tips: Through this essay, the Stanford Admissions Officers are trying to get a picture of the kind of person you are - your values, interests, goals, what moves you, what motivates you, and so on.
 Give yourself 'enough' time to write this essay. This essay should reflect your passion, conviction, values, and commitment. This essay is not about what you have achieved and want to achieve; it is more about what has been the driving force behind at least a few of the actions you have taken so far and what you would want to continue to do.
 You could, for example, talk about how you enjoy interacting with people from different culture, tasting different cuisines, learning different languages, etc. and subtly tie it in with your desire to start an enterprise in Ecuador or China. You could talk about topics as diverse as human relationships, waste management, renewable energy, health care, or anything that you strongly believe in. Although this essay is a personal essay, what you write should resonate with your career aspirations or long-term goals. Be sincere in your approach and provide examples to substantiate your point.
 
 •      Essay B: What are your career aspirations? How will your education at Stanford help you achieve them? (450 words)
 
Gurome Tips: Before you start with this essay, we suggest you spend a good few hours looking up the Stanford MBA website, the new curriculum, talk to Stanford alumni, go for a campus visit. This will come in especially handy when you write the second part of the essay. As far as the first part of the essay is concerned, be sincere and passionate about your goals. Be precise in stating your aspirations and avoid using jargon. Talk about specific steps that you have taken and are likely to take in future to meet your career aspirations. Your essay could be a specific action plan related to what matters to you most (Essay A) or it could be focused on something entirely different, but something that is consistent with the path you have taken.
 
•      Essay C: Short Essays-Options 1-4 (300 words each)


Answer two of the questions below. Tell us not only what you did but also how you did it. What was the outcome? How did people respond? Only describe experiences that have occurred during the last three years.

Option 1: Tell us about a time when you built or developed a team.

Option 2: Tell us about a time when you felt most effective as a leader.

Option 3: Tell us about a time when you tried to reach a goal or complete a task that was challenging, difficult, or frustrating.

Option 4: Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined, established, or expected.
 
Gurome Tips: Each of these essays is trying to gauge whether you are a leader or whether you have the potential to become one. Try and bring out facets of your personality that have not been covered in the earlier essays. While you have the choice of writing about your professional life, you can also use one of the essays to talk about your involvement in a non-profit organization, or any other charitable/community programs you may be involved with. This could even be a place where you talk about your role in organized sport or cultural forums.
 
Application Deadlines for Class of 2012 (Entering Fall 2010)

Application Round         Submit your application by           We will notify you on             Your reply & deposit are due by
     Round 1                     07 Oct 2009*                                        16 Dec 2009**                    TBD
     Round 2                     06 Jan 2010*                                         31 Mar 2010**                   TBD
     Round 3                     07 Apr 2010*                                        19 May 2010**                  TBD
* Applications are due by 5:00 PM, Pacific Time
** On the decision notification date, you will be offered admission, denied admission, or offered a place in the wait pool.


Hope this information was useful to you. If you need additional help or would like us to work with you on your Stanford MBA Application Essays, limited spots are available through September 7th for Cycle 1 and December 5th for Cycle 2.

Please visit www.gurome.com for more information. For a FREE 20-min admissions consulting session with our experts register here http://www.gurome.com/info/us/consulting_packages.html



Posted by Arpita at Aug 13, 2009 12:18:05 AM
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