Sharing Your Story II: Putting Pen to Paper

TL;DR

Learn how to effectively write your Stanford Graduate School of Business application with tips on content, style, and standing out from the crowd.

Transcript

[MUSIC] This is Sharing Your Story Part II, Putting Pen to Paper. This is one of our workshop series for application week. My name is Wil Torres. I'm one of the admission officers here at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. And over the course of today, my hope is we will all get a better understanding of how writing fits in the application p... Read More

Key Insights

• 🈸 The application process at Stanford considers all aspects of your application to understand you as an individual.
• 💦 Your resume and activities/work history should focus on impactful experiences, your perspective, and your leadership qualities.
• ❓ The essays and optional responses provide opportunities to share what matters most to you, demonstrate your background's influence, and show the positive impact you've made.
• 😒 There is no preference for how you approach the essays, and it's essential to use your own voice and be true to yourself.
• ✍️ Practice writing and develop your written voice, read extensively to improve your writing skills, and consider your audience when writing your application.
• 😒 Be thoughtful about the details and level of vulnerability in your essays, and use your judgment to decide how much to share.

Questions & Answers

Q: Do I have to connect my essays or can they focus on different aspects of my life?

Your essays do not have to connect, but if you choose to discuss the same topic, make sure you approach it from different angles to provide depth and nuance.

Q: How vulnerable should I be in my essays?

The level of vulnerability is up to you, but be mindful of the details you share and consider the impact it may have on the reader. Focus on what you want to convey about yourself.

Q: Can I use non-standard writing styles, like poetry, in my application?

Non-standard writing styles can be used judiciously to add creativity, but make sure the main focus is on answering the question clearly and effectively.

Q: How can I stand out from the crowd with my writing?

Be true to your journey, embrace your uniqueness, and discuss the things that are meaningful to you. Show the admissions committee who you are and what makes you stand out.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The holistic review process at Stanford considers all aspects of your application to understand who you are as an individual.

• When writing your resume and activities/work history, focus on the impact you've made, your perspective, and your leadership qualities.

• The essays and optional responses allow you to share what matters most to you and why, as well as demonstrate your background and its influence on your interactions and projects.