How do I write good Stanford MBA essays?

Good Stanford MBA essays are less about structure and more about honesty. This isn’t the place for big buzzwords or polished stories—it’s where the admissions team looks for depth, not perfection.

Here’s how to approach them:

• For the first essay (“What matters most to you, and why?”), start with something personal. Not a value like “integrity,” but a story—like standing up to family pressure to pursue a non-traditional career path. The “why” matters more than the event.
• Avoid generic lessons. Instead of saying “I learned to lead,” explain how a small, specific moment—like mentoring a junior who was ready to quit—shaped how you see responsibility.
• The second essay (“Why Stanford?”) should link your future goals to actual Stanford resources: the Arbuckle Leadership Fellows program, specific electives, or a center like CES.

The best essays feel uncomfortable to write. That’s usually a sign they’re real. Stanford reads for self-awareness more than polish.