Importance of Essay Writing and Sample Essay Topics 
Essays help us learn about who you are rather than solely what you have done. Other parts of the application give insight to your academic and professional accomplishments; the essays reveal the character of the person behind those achievements.
When writing your essays, resist the urge to "package" yourself into what you think Stanford wants to see. Doing so will only prevent us from understanding who you really are and what you hope to accomplish. The most impressive essays are the most authentic.
Essay Questions for the Class of 2016
You are required to write two personal essays and one short-answer essay. The personal essays tell us who you are; the short-answer essay tells us about an experience that shaped you and what you aspire to do. In each essay, we want to hear your genuine voice. Think carefully about your values, passions, hopes, and dreams prior to writing them.
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why?
A strong response to this question will:
Reflect the self-examination process you used to write your response.
Vividly and genuinely illustrate who you are and how you came to be that person.
Share the insights, experiences, and lessons that shaped your perspectives, rather than focusing merely on what you've done or accomplished.
Be written from the heart, and will illustrate how a person, situation, or event has influenced you.
Essay 2: What do you want to do — REALLY — and why Stanford?
Use this essay to explain your view of your future, not to repeat accomplishments from your past. You should address two distinct topics:
Your career aspirations
Your rationale for earning your MBA at Stanford
A strong response to this essay question will:
Express your passions or focused interests.
Explain your decision to pursue graduate education in management.
Explain the distinctive opportunities you will pursue at the Stanford MBA Program.
Essay 3: Short-Answer Essay
Answer one of the three questions below.
Tell us about a
When writing your essays, resist the urge to "package" yourself into what you think Stanford wants to see. Doing so will only prevent us from understanding who you really are and what you hope to accomplish. The most impressive essays are the most authentic.
Essay Questions for the Class of 2016
You are required to write two personal essays and one short-answer essay. The personal essays tell us who you are; the short-answer essay tells us about an experience that shaped you and what you aspire to do. In each essay, we want to hear your genuine voice. Think carefully about your values, passions, hopes, and dreams prior to writing them.
Essay 1: What matters most to you, and why?
A strong response to this question will:
Reflect the self-examination process you used to write your response.
Vividly and genuinely illustrate who you are and how you came to be that person.
Share the insights, experiences, and lessons that shaped your perspectives, rather than focusing merely on what you've done or accomplished.
Be written from the heart, and will illustrate how a person, situation, or event has influenced you.
Essay 2: What do you want to do — REALLY — and why Stanford?
Use this essay to explain your view of your future, not to repeat accomplishments from your past. You should address two distinct topics:
Your career aspirations
Your rationale for earning your MBA at Stanford
A strong response to this essay question will:
Express your passions or focused interests.
Explain your decision to pursue graduate education in management.
Explain the distinctive opportunities you will pursue at the Stanford MBA Program.
Essay 3: Short-Answer Essay
Answer one of the three questions below.
Tell us about a