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8. Theme: Failure/What Mistakes Have You Made?
Discuss a nonacademic personal failure. In what way were you
disappointed in yourself? What did you learn from the experience?
Translation:
Can you admit to a genuine failure? Do you have enough
self-awareness to know what one is real? Can you learn from your
mistakes? Do they lead to greater maturity and self-awareness? Do
you take accountability when the fault is yours?
Many applicants make the mistake of answering this question with
a failure that is really a positive, “I’m a perfectionist and so
therefore I was too demanding on a friend when she was in a crisis.”
Or, they never really answer the question, fearful that any
admission of failure will throw their whole candidacy into jeopardy.
The truth is, if you don’t answer this question with a genuine
failure or mistake, one that the committee will recognize as
authentic, you may have jinxed your application.
In this essay you want to write about a failure that had some
high stakes form you. Demonstrate what you learned from your mistake
and how it matured you. What’s the relevance to b-school here? Your
ability to be honest, take accountability, and face your failures
head on reflects what kinds of decisions and judgments you will make
as a business professional.
Can’t think of a time you failed? Discuss the essay question with
a friend or family member. An outsider’s perspective may jar your
memory. Remember, if you’re whose application has been about work,
work, work, this is a great place to convince the committee you’re a
real person. |
