[Personal Branding] UW Foster essay解析

申請時要看整體學校走向與課程特性
並將essay題目交叉貫串來看出申請人是否適合這間學校
是申請人與學校相互的fit
而不只是申請人比武相親 勝者才抱美人歸

而申請人自身的生涯定位與個人品牌主軸
需要策略性的依照學校問題來做最適性呈現
要先從所有題目的綜觀來看出學校到底想從申請人身上看到什麼特質
樓主問到的Essay 2只是接續第一題的延伸
而第一題可以說看得出學校對申請人的生涯清晰度有高度要求
除了各校幾乎都會問的生涯方向長短程目標之外
Foster商學院還更深入詢問申請人的細部學習計畫與步驟
要問申請人自身如何規劃學習方式
畢竟是兩年的長時間密集操練
課程選擇,主修方向,學習生活安排,社交方向,時間安排,實習爭取,校友交流,求職努力
甚至像樓主講的社區團體社團
都可以是學習計畫
但一切都要以申請人的生涯目標主軸
與細部個人化經驗背景甚至性格結合

而MBA學習有超過一半是在課堂外
第二題的校園活動參與
一方面學校要看申請人對自身目標有多清晰精細
能否運用MBO目標管理的方式來訂立參與方向
也同時會看出申請人花了多少心思瞭解學校有哪些活動
除了地理問題能去一趟最好的話
(小弟去過兩次,校園相當優美,而學生也相當的用功,可是秋東風很大常陰雨綿綿)
最好的方式是跟在學生互動
瞭解有哪些校園資源與社團甚至校園演講或交換課程等等可以參與
多半可以從學校網站上直接查到學校組織活動與社團動態
直接寄信給社團幹部或school ambassador詢問學校各項活動狀況
一方面essay將會多出許多school fit的細節可以寫
另一方面也確定學校是否適合自己
而從這題的多元活動參與可以看出申請人本身的主動性與性格熱情
這類題目多半不是草草列出預計參與的社團就了事
而是要連細部參與動機,活動構想,甚至參與深入度與投入時間精力
都要一併陳述,才會讓學校知道申請人的生涯熱情與個人的投入程度

第三題學校的安排也相當耐人尋味
以二選一的方式來暗示學校寧可選擇ethic/dilemma而放棄瞭解申請人成就
隱約顯出要”先做對的事,再把事情做對”的哲學

即使學校的題目走傳統路線
仍可看出這是間高度區域競爭的學校


Essay 1 - GOALS STATEMENT
Please provide an essay response to the following question. Observe the word limit and use a minimum font size of 10. Double-space your response and clearly label the essay with the topic and your full name.

Required for Full-time and Evening MBA Applicants (750 words maximum)

Applicants with a plan for the future and a good grasp of what is expected of them as MBA students are the most likely to succeed as MBA graduates. We know plans change and that people often pursue an MBA to create new career options. That said, we ask that you give us a clear statement of your current career plans. Your essay should answer all the following questions: What do you expect to do immediately after completing the MBA program? What steps have you taken to assess the viability of your post-MBA goals given your experience to date combined with your intended MBA study plans? What do you anticipate will be the primary challenges to achieving your career goals? What is your lifetime career goal? What unique aspects of the Foster MBA Program would contribute the most to achieving your short term and long term goals?



Essay 2 - OVERVIEW
Please provide an essay response to the following question. Observe the word limit and use a minimum font size of 10. Double-space your response and clearly label the essay with the topic and your full name. If you are applying to both the Full-time and Evening MBA program, you will need to submit the appropriate 2nd essay for both programs. Please upload both programs' essays in one document and use a Page Break to separate them.

Full-time MBA Applicants: PLANS FOR INVOLVEMENT (500 words maximum)
We consider a high level of involvement in student organizations, networking and career efforts to be a hallmark of the Foster MBA experience. Please describe your anticipated level of involvement as an MBA student beyond the MBA course requirements. In what specific organizations or activities will you participate? Where do you expect to make the greatest contribution to the overall MBA experience at the Foster School of Business? What aspects of your past or current life provide insights into your ability and willingness to consistently deliver more than the minimum effort required?

注意第一個問題的anticipated level of involvement需要有細部解釋
並且要直接模擬出申請人在學時的參與狀況
而第三個問題會是區隔錄取申請人的關鍵
要申請人對自身生涯歷程與未來方向投射有高度的密合度與一致性
並將生涯的深度見解灌注於校園活動的體驗學習之中
已在貢獻社群的同時能反射出個人生涯的價值


ESSAY 3 - CHOICE ESSAY
Please provide an essay response to one of the following questions. Observe the word limit and use a minimum font size of 10. Double-space your response and clearly label the essay with the topic and your full name.

Required for Full-time and Evening MBA Applicants (500 words maximum)

Answer one of the following:
a. Describe a situation in a work environment that either severely strained your relationship with co-workers or challenged your personal values. How did you resolve the situation?

注意severely strained your relationship with co-workers
soft people skills永遠是MBA的精要
也是真實人生中的成功要訣

b. At this point in your career what do you consider your most significant professional accomplishments? How have these particular accomplishments affected the career choices you have made?

注意第二題的第二小題
如此成就"如何影響您的生涯選擇"