How to choose the best recommenders?

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Stanford University
MBA essay topic analysis for the year 2013-14
Another essay that involves quite a lot of work
from the applicant. But the best part (seen by
many as the scariest part) is REALLY. This word
actually gives the applicants a lot of
flexibility to work with. Even if the goals do
not logically flow from your background, this
word is put in the essay prompt to give you the
strength to go for it. Be honest and open. If
you have worked on the shop-floor throughout your
life but want to move to a technology company, be
true. Tell them exactly why want to go there.
What were some experiences and interactions that
you have had with you peers in such firms. Once
you have answered what you want to do, the next
step is to put things into perspective. Exactly
how would Stanford help you get there? Be
specific, talk about your talks with alumni and
current students Talk about the various clubs
that you intend to participate.....
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• Essay 1
• What matters most to you, and why?
• (Suggested 750 words)

This seemingly simple seven-word question is
likely the most challenging essay applicants face
in all applications combined. Clearly, there are
no right or wrong answers here and things that
make you tick can be completely different from
the rest of the application pool.
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The key is to introspect and spend time in
understanding yourself and then, sharing the same
with the admissions committee. Do not worry about
what anybody would think. Be true to yourself and
your application. In case you do not find
anything meaningful to share just yet, a
suggested way is to go through your life (on
paper!). Write about the various highs and lows
that you faced. What were your feelings through
those times.
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Try to find a common theme and that could help
lead you to the answer for What matters most to
you, and why? The winning essay would be one
that gives the admissions committee a clear
insight into your process of introspection. You
must establish a strong connection with your
reader and to do so, the essay must be passionate
and written straight from the heart After all,
they are talking about what matters most so if
the thing you shared does matter most to you,
then you ought to be passionate about it!
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Essay 2  What do you want to doREALLYand
why Stanford? (Suggested 450 words)

• Another essay that involves quite a lot of work
  from the applicant. But the best part (seen by
  many as the scariest part) is REALLY. This word
  actually gives the applicants a lot of
  flexibility to work with.
• Even if the goals do not logically flow from your
  background, this word is put in the essay prompt
  to give you the strength to go for it. Be honest
  and open.
• If you have worked on the shop-floor throughout
  your life but want to move to a technology
  company, be true.
• Tell them exactly why want to go there. What
  were some experiences and interactions that you
  have had with you peers in such firms.
• Once you have answered what you want to do, the
  next step is to put things into perspective.
  Exactly how would Stanford help you get there? Be
  specific, talk about your talks with alumni and
  current students Talk about the various clubs
  that you intend to participate.....
• Talk about the special conferences held at
  Stanford Avoid generalizing and saying A
  Stanford MBA is a door-opener I will learn
  about business etc. etc. Show the admissions
  committee that you have indeed thought it through
  and you are not just some applicant chancing
  his/her luck.
• This essay is similar to the standard career
  goals essay, despite not actually asking for
  short-term and long-term goals. THINK BIG!
  BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND THE PATH YOU HAVE CHOSEN!

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• Another essay that involves quite a lot of work
  from the applicant. But the best part (seen by
  many as the scariest part) is REALLY. This word
  actually gives the applicants a lot of
  flexibility to work with.
• Even if the goals do not logically flow from your
  background, this word is put in the essay prompt
  to give you the strength to go for it. Be honest
  and open.
• If you have worked on the shop-floor throughout
  your life but want to move to a technology
  company, be true.
• Tell them exactly why want to go there. What
  were some experiences and interactions that you
  have had with you peers in such firms.
• Once you have answered what you want to do, the
  next step is to put things into perspective.
  Exactly how would Stanford help you get there? Be
  specific, talk about your talks with alumni and
  current students Talk about the various clubs
  that you intend to participate.....

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Talk about the special conferences held at
Stanford Avoid generalizing and saying A
Stanford MBA is a door-opener I will learn
about business etc. etc. Show the admissions
committee that you have indeed thought it through
and you are not just some applicant chancing
his/her luck. This essay is similar to the
standard career goals essay, despite not actually
asking for short-term and long-term goals.
THINK BIG! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND THE PATH YOU
HAVE CHOSEN!
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Essay 3 
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Answer one of the three 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. (Recommended 400
words)
Option A Tell us about a time in the last three
years when you built or developed a team whose
performance exceeded expectations.
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• This prompt is an excellent opportunity provided
  by the school to you, the applicant, to showcase
  your leadership and management skills. Think
  (within the last three years) when you were
  responsible for building or nurturing the team.
• Did you create a team and launch a new
  product/service in the market? Did you lead a
  simplification effort at work? These might be
  valid questions for people with more experience
  but in case you do not have that Think back to
  your Senior year at college. 
• Did you lead a team to host the college fest?
  Once you have identified the experience, make
  sure that you talk about the impact that the team
  had. And then talk about your strengths.
• Also, if the space permits, you can talk about
  some lessons as well (might help you come across
  as humble and humane and someone willing to learn
  from mistakes and successes).

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Option B Tell us about a time in the last
three years when you identified and pursued an
opportunity to improve an organization.
Show the school that you can take initiative. Was
there an opportunity you spotted and convinced
the Senior Management to go for? Can you
challenge the status quo? Here again, once the
experience is finalized, the important part is to
demonstrate how you pursued the opportunity.
Another essay that involves quite a lot of work
from the applicant. But the best part (seen by
many as the scariest part) is REALLY. This word
actually gives the applicants a lot of
flexibility to work with. Even if the goals do
not logically flow from your background, this
word is put in the essay prompt to give you the
strength to go for it. Be honest and open. If
you have worked on the shop-floor throughout your
life but want to move to a technology company, be
true. Tell them exactly why want to go there.
What were some experiences and interactions that
you have had with you peers in such firms. Once
you have answered what you want to do, the next
step is to put things into perspective. Exactly
how would Stanford help you get there? Be
specific, talk about your talks with alumni and
current students Talk about the various clubs
that you intend to participate.....
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Talk about the problems you faced. Were others
opposed to the idea of change? Where did the
resistance come from? How did you convince
people.
Once you got the clearance, what happened next?
Give an insight into the result of the
opportunity. Increase in sales? Decrease in base
cost? Boosted employee morale? How did the
organization improve?
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Option C Tell us about a time in the last
three years when you went beyond what was defined
or established.
Time and again, we all are faced with this
situation. We all have a piece of paper that
defines or tries to define our roles and
responsibilities. When did you do something
between the lines, where the task was not
defined. Did you take any risks in doing so, and
if yes, what was the return?
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The perfect story would be one that shows you
growing through the experience and making your
organization a better place. Remember also,
that Stanford word count is only suggested. You
have a total of 1600 words to play around with so
do not be overly concerned if the first essay is
700 words instead of 750 and the other two essay
are 25 words over the suggested count.
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• Stanfords MBA essay topic analysis
• 2013-2014
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• http//www.appexperts.net
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