Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Why are you seeking an M.B.A.? What are your plans and goals after you receive your degree?
My aspiration is to set up and manage my own health-care organization, catered especially for the poor communities in my country. Why health-care management? My interest in health-care stems from way back. After high school, I secured places in both medical and engineering degree programs. As I was undecided, I enrolled in a medical shadowing program at the National Hospital, which provided an insight into the medical profession. Eventually, I decided that being a doctor was not my professional calling and pursued engineering instead. However, even during my engineering studies, I was still quite interested in working in a health-care related industry, rather than an engineering firm. Admittedly, as a fresh graduate with limited real world savvy, I could not fully articulate my final career aspirations and needed a job that would expose me to many industries with the option of moving back to health-care later, and hence decided on consulting. The last three years at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) have provided me that exposure and have allowed me to gain valuable leadership, business and people management skills. However, I realized that my ability to effect change was limited to financial-based improvements and hence was challenged to re-explore my interest in health-care. How can I make a difference? As I did that, two questions surfaced: 'What can I do related to health-care given my non-medical background? How will I be more effective compared to a medically trained person?' To the first question, I realized my strengths are in leadership, management and business acumen - skills developed throughout my education and enhanced at BCG. I realized that by using my strengths to set up and manage a health-care organization, I could be directly involved in the human elements of health-care delivery To the second question, it is known that a hospital management team made up of doctors will face conflicts of interests in prioritizing funds for health-care delivery. In addition, medical doctors generally lack the business know-how and management skills. Professional managers, on the other hand, have the business savvy and are better positioned to allocate hospital funds in an unbiased manner. However, hospitals run by professional managers can be so financially driven that they neglect the needs of the doctors and patients. Why an MBA? I realize that striking this balance is just one challenge. There are other challenging issues such as 'What are the economics of health-care organizations?' I hope to find answers to these questions through an MBA program - through classroom entrepreneurship and health-care courses, and out-of-classroom activities such as student clubs and health-care summer internship positions. An MBA program, above other graduate health-care management programs, will provide me the holistic understanding of health care delivery, practice of management and finance, which is absolutely vital to leading and managing my own health care organization. Equipped with an MBA education from Chicago, my short-term plans are to either work in a health-care consulting firm or in a health-care venture. Longer-term, I plan to set up and manage my own health-care organization.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
You find yourself on an elevator with the Dean of Chicago GSB. Please tell him why this is the right school for you and what you hope to contribute to the school if admitted.
Dean Snyder, I have chosen Chicago GSBs MBA program, above any other MBA program, for three reasons. Firstly, Chicago GSB's flexible curriculum, which allows students to choose courses of interest right from Day 1, is perfectly suited to my career aspirations. I intend to focus on topics that are particularly relevant such as the quantitative elements of health-care including health care economics and drug pricing, instead of general Strategy or Marketing 101 courses, which I have already learned in BCG. I also hope to cross-register for electives from the Graduate Program in Health Administration and Policy (GPHAP). Secondly I am attracted to the quantitative and analytical teaching methods in Chicago, which will allow me to learn strong business fundamentals with the chance to deep dive into certain areas like 'Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity'. These courses will equip me with the finance and entrepreneurial skills required to start-up my own health-care organization. Finally, Chicago has a wealth of opportunities to apply the theoretical knowledge gained to practical business situations. I look forward to testing my business ideas through the Edward L. Kaplan New Venture Challenge and through my involvement in the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship. The opportunity to learn from your distinguished faculty, especially those who have been involved in health-care ventures such as Prof. Rudnick and Prof. Meadow, truly excites me. During my summer placement, I hope to either participate in the Social Kauffman Entrepreneurship Internship Program, or enrol in internship positions with one of the GPHAP alumni health-care organizations. I am also keen to pursue my interests outside of the classroom, by being involved in student clubs such as the 'Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Group' and 'Healthcare Group'. My contributions to Chicago will be manifold. A unique Asian upbringing, a British education, extensive travel journeys and diverse work experiences have exposed me to many views from different cultures, which have given me balanced perspectives. At Chicago, I intend to share these views and perspectives with my classmates. I also look forward to sharing the experiences gained from solving business problems as a consultant. Community service is another area I see myself making an impact. I have always had a strong penchant for social work and will continue to be actively involved in volunteer organizations during my time at Chicago. I hope to share the understanding I have gained working as a volunteer in the National Blind Association with my co-workers in Chicago's 'Giving Something Back' group, and trade perspectives on how to manage the inherent conflicts between our professional, personal and societal obligations. I have often had to grapple with these tensions - sometimes unsuccessfully and would love to exchange views and experiences. Lastly, I hope to enrich the Chicago community through my active involvement in Chicago's social activities such as TNDC and Brats and Brew. I hope to develop close friendships with my classmates, and work through those relationships to impact their lives. I have benefited from working in environments that foster team spirit, and will make it my purpose to contribute towards the same ethos at Chicago.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
If you could be present at any event in time, what would it be and why? Minor essay
I would like to step 20 years into the future to see how successful I have been in changing and contributing to the health-care industry in my home country. There are three things in particular I would like to find out. Firstly, I would like to find out how successful my health-care organization has been in fulfilling its charter of providing affordable treatments to the poor. As the cost of health-care rises in tandem with overall economic development, more and more poor people would be unable to afford expensive specialized or long-term medical treatments. I would like to see if my organization's business model, which combines operating at a low cost through the use of automated paperless systems, and cross-subsidizing poor patients, is able to successfully serve large segments of the poor population. To see this would allow me to focus on adopting the most important aspects of technology and biomedical engineering that can significantly lower the operating cost of my organization. I would also like to see if my health-care fund is able to generate useful research results for new treatments of third-world diseases such as malaria or malnutrition. Secondly, I would like to see how the future health-care landscape affects my health-care organization. I foresee the landscape shifting towards private preventive care and health tourism. In that light, I would like to find out how to best position and grow my organization, which is somewhat positioned against the health-care trend. To find out the governments policy 20 years from now and the amount of funding available for public primary care would help me craft my business plans today. Finally, I would like to find out the role that life science products play in future drug treatments. My home country has recently launched a biotechnology cluster 'Bio-Valley' dedicated to high-tech biotechnology research and drug development, with a particular focus on life science products. It would be very interesting to find out the extent that medicinal properties from life science products such as tropical herbs have been harnessed and translated into commercial drugs. This would directly impact the type of drug treatments used in the future and with this foreknowledge, I would be able to align my health-care organization to this trend. Beyond the three reasons above, I would also treasure the opportunity to see how my family and friends are doing in the future.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
You have been given $1 million to set up a philanthropic organization. What would it support and why? Minor essay
I would use that $1 million to set up a health-care organization that provides affordable treatment to poor communities in my home country. This desire stems for a long-term interest in health-care and a personal encounter with a widow, Letchumi. The health-care landscape in my home country is gradually changing, at the expense of poor patients, in two ways: demand is exceeding supply and private health-care is increasingly taking center-stage. Over the next 10 years, medical demand is expected to far outpace medical supply due to an aging population and the migration of many doctors out of the country. In an effort to address this, the government has accorded health-care sector as top priority. However, emphasis is on growing the premium segment, which means actively targeting wealthy paying-class patients from the region through promotion of specialised treatments. As a result, private health-care is increasingly taking center-stage at the expense of public primary care. The consequence of these changes is that the poor communities will be increasingly unable to afford health-care treatments. Having said that, there is an organization - the National Heart Institute (NHI)- that has tried to bridge this gap by operating a tiered medical scheme whereby medical fees are charged according to the patient's income level. This form of cross subsidy has opened the door of health-care to those who would otherwise be unable to afford it. I am keen to replicate the success of NHI but to a larger extent - not just providing cardiovascular treatments, but a whole suite of treatments. I am also keen to apply technology, for instance clinical engineering, to run an efficient low-cost organization. My desire to support this cause stems from a personal encounter I had with Letchumi. When a social worker friend invited me to tag along during one of her visits to Letchumi, I agreed. I have never seen anyone live in more abject conditions. Letchumi lived in a wooden makeshift house, covered with water that had leaked through the broken roof. She was suffering from chronic asthma, for which she could only afford to buy basic medicine that provided short-term relief but not optimal treatment. I was deeply moved by her plight and offered to help. Together with some friends, I spent several weekends repairing her roof and cleaning her home. Over the last two years, I continue to visit her whenever I am back home, bringing food, and money for her medication. Unfortunately, Letchumi's story is not one from rags-to-riches. The confluence of many unfortunate circumstances creates overwhelming odds that cannot be surmounted by my small-scale efforts alone. Yet, I am gratified because I have made a difference albeit small. Spending time with Letchumi has made me realize that inequality can only be overcome if we each do our part, no matter how small. This realization has strengthened my resolve to give something back to society - that is to set up an equal-access health-care organization someday.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
If there is further information that you believe would be helpful to the admissions committee, please feel free to provide.
I have always strived to lead a balanced life, one that does not solely revolve around academic or professional achievements. My intense experiences at BCG, have reminded me that contentment and happiness should not merely depend on such achievements, but on other things in life that provide enjoyment and healthy distractions. For me, that something is ballroom dancing. Juggling a tight work schedule and extracurricular activities can be difficult, but I believe such an obstacle can be overcome with clear vision, tenacity and perseverance. I had only started learning ballroom dancing a year before I was selected to represent the top U.K. university team in the annual National Championships. Prior to that, I had absolutely no dance experience, nor was I a natural dancer. In fact, during the first few weeks of learning how to waltz and jive, I must have stepped on my partner's feet more times than there were beats in a bar. Through the months of enduring disdainful stares every time I bumped into someone, I gradually learnt to appreciate the music and the dance. Inspired by the many talented dancers on the team, I set myself an ambitious goal of qualifying for the varsity team by the end of the year. With only six months to the trials, I used every spare opportunity to practice, sometimes even squeezing short practice sessions between classes. I did this every single day, for the whole six months. Because the university did not have any good dance instructors, I travelled two hours every weekend to London to take lessons with a private instructor. I also purchased a video camera and convinced some close friends to record my dancing - a highly effective method of identifying the many areas for improvement! Against all odds, I eventually made it to the team. I was extremely encouraged with the outcome because I managed to achieve a goal that was seemingly impossible. Plus, I enjoyed every minute of it. I went on to compete outside of the university circuit and emerged as a finalist in the prestigious international 'Champions-of-Tomorrow' competition held in Blackpool, U.K. and represented Great Britain in the U.S. - U.K. inter-varsity competition. I recently competed in two international competitions held in Asia, coming out champion in both events. My next goal is to represent my home country in the highest level of ballroom dancing - the annual International World Ballroom Dancing Championships held in Blackpool, U.K. I also hope to someday find a means to teach ballroom dancing to those visually impaired at the National Blind Association, just as it has been possible to teach ballroom dancing to those wheelchair-bound.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Why are you seeking an MBA from the Chicago GSB, and what are your plans and goals after you receive your degree?
My short- to mid-term career goal is to return to the defense industry (such as Raytheon or a similar defense contractor) as an international program manager, where I will oversee a large-scale project with an Asian customer, including its technical, financial and managerial aspects. Recently Raytheon began to receive large-scale defense contracts from the Japanese and Taiwanese governments. I believe this new trend will continue since we are the most technologically advanced nation in defense technology. However, through my extensive dealings with colleagues on the Patriot Japan project, I realized the urgent need for effective program management on Asian projects. The senior managers at Raytheon, though proficient in business management in domestic military contracts, lack understanding of the Asian culture and business practices. Misunderstandings and different communication styles have led to significant delays on the project. With my solid knowledge of defense technology and understanding of the Asian culture, I am well positioned to bridge this gap. However, I do not yet have sufficient managerial and financial skills to excel in such a role. This is primarily why I have decided to pursue an MBA. My long-term career goal, to become a top executive in the defense industry, is a logical extension of my short- to mid-term goal. I plan to work as a program manager on overseas projects for five years, and as I prove my capabilities with successful completion of projects, I will transfer to a department that oversees the entire integrated defense business operations, both domestic and international. As I make a consistent impact with significant achievements and contribute to expanding the global market, I expect to advance and eventually be promoted to President of the Integrated Defense Division. I would like to pursue an MBA with emphasis on General Management at Chicago GSB because the program matches my learning needs while my personality is perfectly adapted to the characteristics of the students. The flexible curriculum will allow me to tailor my classes towards program management. Courses such as Strategies and Processes of Negotiation and Competitive Strategy will prepare me to effectively negotiate contracts, while Management Lab will sharpen my managerial skills in real-world situations. During the summer, I plan to intern at a high-tech company in Japan or Singapore to further enhance my understanding of business practices in Asia. The students are enthusiastic, supportive, fun, and, not surprisingly, highly analytical. I expect to fit right in at Chicago GSB as I possess these characteristics as well. I felt instantly connected with the students through my interactions with them during the Fall Preview, as though I were already one of them. Ive always enjoyed academic challenges and believe my intellectual curiosity will enrich the classroom experience of other students. I will share my insights with classmates seeking to understand the living conditions and economic climate in rural China, and shed light on government spending on military projects or the downfall of the telecom market in 2000. With my strong analytical background, I can help my cohort with probability and statistics related courses. I also can instruct fellow classmates on new computer skills (such as MATLAB) in which I am proficient. I plan to serve as a LEAD facilitator during my second year to further cultivate my leadership abilities. As an alumna, I will serve as an ambassador to promote Chicago GSB in my community, and maintain lifelong ties with Chicago GSB and other alumni.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Chicago GSB is seeking a mascot to represent our new facility, the Hyde Park Center, what would your choice be and how will it represent the attributes of Chicago GSB?
I choose an Eastern Dragon as a mascot for the Hyde Park Center. Unlike the negative impressions associated with Western Dragons, Eastern Dragons are a potent symbol of auspicious power and are seen to embody wisdom, benevolence and blessing. They are the angels of the Orient. Instead of being feared and hated as are the Western Dragons, they are loved and revered. The body of the Eastern Dragon is composed of parts from nine different animals, which represents the diversity of students at Chicago GSB. Eastern Dragons have the body of a snake, the scales and tail of a fish, the antlers of a deer, the face of a qilin (a deer-like mythical creature with fire all over its body), the talons of an eagle, and the eyes of a demon. Similarly, the close-knit community at Chicago GSB is composed of students from different nations around the globe, many ethnicities within the U.S., and diverse professional backgrounds. The ancient legend of the Eastern Dragon represents the long history of Chicago GSB. The origin of the Eastern Dragon traces back to Huang Di (Yellow Emperor), a mythical, prehistoric ruler of China, who was said to have transmogrified into a dragon and ascended into the ninth-fold of the heavens upon his death. Later the notion of the dragon spread to Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. With over a hundred years of history, Chicago GSB is the trailblazer in business education. For instance, Chicago GSB is the first business school to have a Nobel Laureate on its faculty, the first and only business school to have six Nobel Prize-winning faculty members, and the first and only U.S. business school with permanent campuses on three continents, Asia, Europe, and North America. The wisdom of the Eastern Dragon represents the intellectual rigor at Chicago GSB. With its world-renowned faculty, contemporary facilities, educational philosophy of highly analytical learning, and flexible curriculum, Chicago GSB arguably fosters the best learning experience for students of all top business schools. Chicago GSB leverages vital knowledge from sociology, psychology, economics and other disciplines to enable students to make the best decisions throughout their careers. In an environment that nurtures intellectual exchange, where professors challenge and support each other, there is no wonder that all faculty unanimously agree that Chicago GSB is the best place to teach. The benevolence of the Eastern Dragon represents the friendly and collaborative student culture at Chicago GSB. Chicago GSB has a talented and diverse student body with a broad range of professional and personal achievements. Though participation in student-led organizations, social clubs and professional conferences and presentations, students engage in new life experiences, gain global perspectives, and build lifelong friendships. The Eastern Dragon brings people prosperity and good fortune, as the career services department of Chicago GSB helps students succeed in their chosen profession. As the best career services among all business schools, they are committed to fully supporting students during their MBA education and as lifetime alumni. The wide range of services, in addition to the extensive alumni network, supplies ample opportunities for students to pursue the careers of their dreams.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
If you could step into any celebrities shoes for a day, who would it be and why?
If I could step into any celebrity's shoes for a day, Id like to be Elaine Chao, the twenty-fourth US Secretary of Labor. Secretary Chao immigrated to the United States at age eight, and at age forty-eight she became the first Asian-American woman appointed to the federal cabinet. President Bush described her as an individual with 'strong executive talent, compassion, and commitment to helping people build better lives.' Secretary Chao is my role model because we not only share a common background, but also share similar values and beliefs. Secretary Chao inspires me to become a pioneer in my field. 'Nothing is off-limits to the limitless talents of women in business,' she said in a speech at the Convention of Women Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century. Raytheon, as well as several other military contractors, are still led by the 'old-boys network.' At Raytheon, employees jokingly call the leadership team the 'House of Lords.' However, over 40% of the 'lords' will retire within ten years. The future of Raytheon depends on recruiting a diverse leadership team to promote the globalization of the defense market. I strive to become one of the first minority female executives in the defense industry. In a speech, Secretary Chao guided Asian Americans on the essence of leadership: 'Leadership is the ability to inspire and motivate your fellow employees. It takes good communication skills... And it takes an attitude of service to those you lead. Good leaders are brave, courageous, servant leaders.' I have practiced Secretary Chao's guidance throughout my career: I motivated my peers with my passion and enthusiasm for my work; As a team leader, I am devoted to helping my teammates with any technical difficulties they encounter; and I honed my communication skills through many successful presentations to colleagues and customers (most recently to the Navy). 'In a democratic society, all of our institutions & are only as good as the character of the people who run them.' As president of United Way, Secretary Chao exemplified the importance of ethics by restoring public trust after the organization was tarnished by mismanagement and financial abuse. I followed her footsteps in building strong ethics in the work place: As a Release Coordinator at Lucent, I stood my ground and made sure all product defects were documented and presented to customers; I remained motivated and delivered high quality work even though I knew I was scheduled to be laid off from Lucent; and I volunteered as an ethics trainer for my department at Raytheon. She inspires me to never compromise my ethical and moral principles in pursuit of my goals. I smiled while reading Secretary Chao's autobiography; her early experiences are strikingly similar to mine. We both lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Queens, NY, come from loving and supportive families that value education and hard work, and overcame financial hardship and language barriers when we first came to the US. I would be thrilled to step into Secretary Chao's shoes for a day. I would explore her vision for the nation's future labor policies, study her superb leadership, managerial and communication skills, and learn how she tackles the challenges she encounters every day. The opportunity to learn from Secretary Chao would be extremely beneficial to my future career development as a leader in the defense industry.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Who was your childhood hero and why? Is this person still your hero? Why or why not?
My father has been my hero since I was a little kid, because he is a great father, a great friend, and a great teacher to me. My childhood was filled with laughter. I grew up in Jia Yu Guan, an oasis city in the Desert of Gansu in northwestern China. My grandfather was the one of the forefathers who built this town from ground up and was a high-ranking local government official; my grandmother was the principle of our first elementary school; my father was one of the few college educated persons in town; and my mother was well known for her beauty and her impeccable sewing skills. We were the first family that had a colored television, a refrigerator, and telephone in the seventies. In the isolated desert, ordinary products from the major cities were luxuries to us. My mother, a native of Shanghai, often brought back novelties from Shanghai, including Coca Cola, sunglasses, mechanical pencils, and chocolates. I was the envy of all my friends for possessing such novelties. However, my father did not let me take the comfortable living for granted. He constantly encouraged me to share my toys with friends. Consequently, I was very popular at school. My father and I were best friends, or as I called it, 'partners in crime.' We often ganged up and played pranks on my mother. She usually just shook her beautiful head and went right back to sewing. My mother sewed everything in our house: the sofa cover, the curtains, the table cloth, etc. All our visitors paid heartfelt compliments to my mother's sewing skills. My father kept a tally system for my rewards and punishments: add eight spankings for playing outside past my permitted hours; subtract ten spankings for getting an 'A' at school; add fifteen spankings for breaking my parents' most treasured vase; subtract twelve spankings for helping my friends with their homework. This tally system trained me to negotiate and debate like a pro at a very young age. Hence, as a kid, I was the leader among my friends, even the ones that were three years older than me. My father was keen on my intellectual development as well. He taught me the philosophical works of Laozi (founder of Daoism) and Kongzi (founder of Confucianism), poetry from the Tang dynasty and prose from the Song dynasty. As a result, I became passionate about classical Chinese literature at a young age. I read all three volumes of the famous novel Dream of the Red Mansion, written in the Qing Dynasty, at age nine. I was considered a child prodigy in my town and called upon to recite poems or prose as entertainment during neighborhood gatherings. My father began training me in calligraphy with a brush at age six. In China, calligraphy is a serious form of art and requires many years of training. When I was a teenager, my calligraphy pieces constantly won regional awards and were displayed in local museums during art exhibits. To this day, in a foreign land far from the desert, my father's influence still plays a significant role in my life and my decision making. My father is my hero, and I, in turn, am his pride.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Minor Essay If there is further information that you believe would be helpful to the admissions committee, please feel free to provide it?
My Family Values I lived a simple yet worry-free life in Gansu, China. Before coming to the US, I imagined my life in the US would be similar to the show 'Growing Pains.' ButI was wrong. Due to the language barrier, my parents had to work fourteen-hour days in Chinese restaurants and clothing factories, making less than minimum wage, in order to support my handicapped grandmother and me. It was heart-wrenching for me to watch my scholarly father and beautiful mother drag their exhausted bodies to work day after day. We lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Queens, New York and had no medical insurance. Even though I was eager to help out, my parents insisted that I focus on education and only allowed me to work during school vacations. My parents rested all their hopes on me to thrive in the New World. My strong desire to improve living conditions for my family is what propelled me to struggle so hard. During college, I put in extra effort to learn English, worked twenty hours a week, and studied electrical engineering, one of the most demanding majors on campus, all at the same time. I paid for my entire college tuition through scholarships and part-time jobs. I completed my Master of Science degree in two-and-half years while working fifty-hour weeks at Lucent. I advanced to team leader within eight months after joining Lucent, was the youngest Systems Engineer in Bell Labs history, and was rapidly promoted to Senior Engineer. At Raytheon, I led a team of three engineers to complete a Six-Sigma project that saved the company $436,000. It was a proud day when I bought a massage chair for my parents with my first paycheck. Thus far, I have put $124,000 into my parents' retirement fund, money I earned from salary, real estate sales, and stock market investments. I believe it is my duty to support my family. Mentoring My compassion stems from my own experience of financial hardship and language barrier. When through my mother I met two young boys who recently came from China, I immediately understood their confusion, fear, and helplessness. I tutored them in English and math, bought them school supplies and ice cream, and more importantly constantly encouraged them to have confidence in themselves. After merely two years of mentoring, they caught up at school, made many new friends, and even formed a band! Choice of Recommenders Even though I am well regarded for my work at Raytheon (e.g., recipient of the 2004 'Team Achievement Award'), I chose to have my manager and mentor from Lucent write my recommendations. Having worked for my current employer, Raytheon, for only one year, I believe my current manager would disapprove of my decision to leave the company to pursue further education. Mentioning this to him could seriously affect my working relationship, the quality of my future assignments, and potential promotion. Whitewater Rafting I have gone whitewater rafting several times a year for the past six years. Whitewater rafting is a true display of camaraderie where my friends and I entrust our safety to one another. We must paddle in-synch to get out of the rapids that could engulf us, and rescue our friends when they fall into the river. I built strong bonds with the friends that I raft with annually.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Why are you seeking an MBA? What are your plans and goals after you receive your degree? (MAJOR ESSAY)
During the faculty panel at this October's Fall Preview, Professor Ellen Rudnick referred to entrepreneurship as the 'integration' of all other business-related disciplines. Having spent a year at the helm of an early-stage company, I appreciate the range of expertise required to launch a new venture, and the formidable nature of this task motivates me to earn an MBA and continue my career in entrepreneurship. Upon graduation, I hope to re-join ISTN or manage a similar start-up, especially since I have gained the competitive advantage of being an early entrant in the nanotechnology industry, which the National Science Foundation predicts will grow to $1 trillion by 2015. Eventually, I intend to draw on my accumulated expertise to start my own company from scratch. I see this grand challenge as a fitting continuation to a career where I have continually sought the most demanding intellectual pursuits. Unsure of an exact path following high school, I chose the broad, rich academic experience offered by the nation's top liberal arts school. After a semester studying in one of the world's financial centers sparked my interest in business, I chose the competitive environment of a bulge-bracket investment bank to build my career foundation. Despite the extraordinary learning curve, my unique leadership experience as a representative on Lehman's Global Advisory Committee, where I was one of just four Analysts elected by peers to work directly with the senior management of Investment Banking in identifying and addressing key operating issues, compelled me to find a position less focused on client service. Aware that maximizing my level of accountability and responsibility held the key to accelerating my development, I turned down an Associate position from a boutique investment bank to join ISTN. In just over a year, I have grown the company from 11 employees to 19, pushed it past the critical $1 million mark in revenue, and transformed its culture from a dormant R&D firm to a dynamic upstart focused on commercialization. This whirlwind experience has further confirmed my long-term interest in entrepreneurship, but it has also reminded me that an MBA is essential to my success. Despite my tremendous experience at ISTN, the breakneck pace of my job makes it impossible to gain the useful grounding in business fundamentals an MBA can provide. Not only would I immediately enhance my entrepreneurial skills by studying topics such as Commercializing Innovation and Developing New Products and Services, I could utilize the framework for evaluating opportunities that I will learn to verify I am entering the right company and the right industry. Furthermore, I would gain valuable training in functional areas such as Finance that will become increasingly critical as the organization I manage grows. My professional challenges will surely change with time, and I want a foundation that will prepare me to manage a company through different business environments and different stages of its life cycle.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Why are you seeking an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business? What do you hope to experience and contribute? What are your plans and goals after you receive your degree?
Whenever I think about the choices that I have made in my life, I remember a night during my last year of high school in China. While playing poker with some of my closest friends, we started talking about where we pictured ourselves in years to come. As we discussed our dreams, I began to seriously think about my life goals. At the time, I had high ambitions; I was determined to do better than other people. After high school, I went on to study electrical engineering in college. Soon after I graduated, I secured an ideal position with China National Electronics Import and Export Company (CEIEC) in Shenzhen. The company is one of the top three electronic products trading companies in China. In 1998, as the manager of the Export Department at CEIEC, I suggested that we should establish a branch office in the United States to open a new market for our electronic goods. CEIEC accepted my advice. Soon afterwards, I was sent to America with the task of marketing our electronic products in the U.S. It has been more than three years since I first came to the United States, far from my home in China. As a foreigner living and working in this country, I have had to rise above many challenges: being separated from my family and friends, confronting the pressures of managing business operations, and adapting to a foreign way of life. Today, when I consider my daily business interactions with people of different nationalities in a variety of different circumstances, I am pleased to see how well I have assimilated into American life. Now I am 31 years old and working as a director of marketing. My friends say that I should be satisfied with having this great position at my age. In fact, I feel that this is only the first step in my career. One of the most important objectives in my life now is to push forward and learn more about leadership, business management, and the global economy. Going to business school to strengthen my theoretical and practical management knowledge is my two-year objective. Becoming a senior-level manager is my five-year career plan. Becoming a well-rounded leader capable of starting my own business and growing it into a Fortune 500 company - that is my ultimate career goal. When I decided to go to business school, I did a lot of research comparing different schools. My main purpose was to find a school whose philosophy and designs exactly match my career goals. In those terms, the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business is the place that I have been searching for. Today, our society is experiencing the development of technology, globalization of markets, and transformation of the economic environment. All of these are testing us in unprecedented ways. However, the Chicago GSB can provide superb business and management skills to help us withstand various tests and further prepare us to engineer our own success in the face of relentless change. This is the school's philosophy, and also what I want. On the basis of its beliefs, the Chicago GSB utilizes the discipline-based approach focused on principles and analysis, not just case-specific details. So my mind will be trained to go through a whole theoretical framework and the analytical way of thinking about problems, which is an absolutely transferable method of solving all problems. As one of the world's great centers of learning, your school offers a flexible curriculum in which concepts of leadership are embedded. Such flexibility will give me more freedom to choose a study plan matching my career plans. Also, in my mind, Chicago GSB has the best faculty in the country. Their global perspective as well as knowledge and experience in all areas of business and management will become part of my competitive advantage once I leave the classroom. In addition, various team projects help students learn from one another. Working in teams will allow me to gain new perspectives from my classmates, share their unique experiences, and get a feeling of the spirit of teamwork. At the same time, I hope that by sharing my experience with fellow students at Chicago GSB, I might help them to grow as well. I am still far from my goals, but I believe that my choice to go to the Chicago Graduate School of Business will lead me to success in my life ahead.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
If you could invite three guests for the dinner, whom they would be?
If I could invite any three guests to dinner, I would bring together three people who have inspired me. First, I would want my elementary school teacher to be there. She's not famous, but her influence on me has been tremendous. She always told me to seek knowledge everywhere and in everything, and to always strive to understand more. Her words have shaped my way of thinking; in a way, her lesson has led me to apply to graduate school today. Next, I would invite Michael Jordan. I have always been a fan of this excellent basketball star, but not just for his athletic skill; I see him as a person who never admits defeat and continually seeks new challenges. I will always remember the first game of this season when Michael Jordan appeared on the court for the first time after retiring, with thousands of spectators cheering. To come back from retirement at the age of 38, after achieving so many outstanding accomplishments in the past, Michael Jordan has earned my greatest respect and admiration. The third guest I would invite to dinner would be Bill Gates, the man who initiated this new age of computer development and accelerated the popularity of personal computers. His foresight and vision amaze me. Years ago at COMDEX -- the biggest computer show in the world -- Bill Gates predicted that a new age of networking was about to begin. At the time, few could have imagined what he meant, but today our lives are wrapped in the amazing technology he foresaw. I would like to thank him for playing a large role in bringing about this exciting age.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
You find yourself on an elevator with the Dean of Chicago GSB. Please tell him why this is the right school for you, and what you hope to contribute if admitted.
Chicago GSB is the ideal school for a person with my career goals and personality. GSB's academic excellence, influential alumni network in the financial industry and strong entrepreneurship program is the perfect match for my aspirations to build a financial services venture. GSB's flexible academic program allows me to get concentrations in Finance and Entrepreneurship and simultaneously round out my education through the wide range of electives in economics, marketing and international business. Courses such as Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity with Professor Kaplan will provide me with the knowledge to create and grow my venture successfully. Courses like Financial Statement Analysis and Emerging Financial Markets will enable me to better understand the financial world, and will be crucial in developing my ability to evaluate investment opportunities in developing economies. Furthermore, the GSB faculty's emphasis on complementing theoretical concepts with real-life cases will be invaluable to me in the practical application of management principles. The GSB clubs EVC and Emerging Markets Group will help me network with peers having similar passions and goals. I look forward to forming a core team to create the business plan for my dream venture and test it in the New Venture Challenge. These highly active clubs will also give me the opportunity to interact with business leaders in these areas and gain valuable insights on how to transform a business idea to a successful venture. The GSB also offers a challenging yet collegial learning environment which is exactly what I am looking for. I experienced GSBs collaborative culture through my interactions with current students during this year's Fall Preview, where everyone was enthusiastic about answering all my questions. Sumit Jain, co-chair of Emerging Markets Group, provided me with helpful details about the scope of activities of the club. Mangal Pandey, a married student, highlighted how GSB involves spouses and partners in various extracurricular activities and fun events. This will help my spouse develop a strong sense of belonging in the GSB community which is really important for me. I believe that through the richness and diversity of my experiences, I will bring unique pragmatic perspectives to the class of 2006. Having worked and lived in three different countries, I have the ability to expand the cultural horizons of my peers. I will utilize my entrepreneurial experiences from founding Urban Accessories to impart practical insights to my peers and share real-life examples with them. My experience with the financial industry and application of technology to transform businesses will enable me to add significant value to classroom discussions. I am eager to utilize these experiences to create meaningful activities through the GSB clubs to stimulate development and exchange of ideas. I also hope to create a new Adventure Club to share my passion of adventure sports with my colleagues. I firmly believe in the power of networks and plan to further develop the GSB alumni network in India. Since my final year at IIT Delhi, I have been involved with the creation and expansion of IIT alumni networks in the US. During the Fall Preview, Admissions Director Don Martin discussed with me his upcoming trip to India to build a stronger GSB brand there. I will work towards strengthening the alumni network and explore the possibility of building partnerships with Indian technology and business schools to increase the brand recognition of the GSB in India. I am convinced that Chicago GSB is the best fit for me and that the MBA program here is the one that I will be able to contribute the most to and gain the maximum from.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
If you could be present at any event in time, what would it be and why?
The one event that I would not miss for my life took place on August 15th 1947, the independence of India from British colonial rule. This day brought about the single most important event in the history of modern India. It marked the culmination of a hundred years of struggle for freedom and the fruition of the sacrifices of thousands of men and women. The stage was set this day, to forever close the chapter on foreign rule and start a new book on a country that would be great one day, once again. On this day, I want to be present in India to be able to experience the exuberance and joy that millions of Indians felt. I crave to celebrate with them when they shake off the garbs of slavery and don the attire of power and democracy. I will talk to my countrymen and experience the same emotions and passionate feelings that they went through. I shall be a witness to the historic 'Tryst with destiny' speech by India's first Prime Minister, Pundit Nehru and stand with him as he unfurls the Indian flag for the first time. Although there was celebration marking the culmination of a difficult battle, this event was also the beginning of a new, even tougher struggle. After the British turned the reins of power over, the leaders and people of India were left with a country in shambles from hundreds of years of exploitation. There was immense political turmoil and people struggled to rebuild their lives. There was no industry to speak of, agriculture was still primitive and infrastructure was in disarray. The education system in place at the time was inadequate by far. After achieving political stability, the leaders started a revolution to achieve self sufficiency. Agriculture and industry were developed to ensure that India produced every food grain and medicine pill that her people needed. Next, hospitals were built and educational institutions and universities were created. Having built a strong foundation, India then moved to the next level of development to fund superior research centers and words like innovation and technology found their way into the Indian dictionaries. India has come a long way since that day in putting herself back on the world map. The country has not only become self sufficient, but the exports have also been increasing at a tremendous rate. Indian professionals and India's software industry has a made a niche in the IT market worldwide. Innovation in the agriculture sector has enabled the country to produce enough food to feed a population of 1 billion and still be left over with more. India recently joined the big league of space powers with a commercial satellite launch on an indigenously produced launch vehicle. It has always been my dream to be able to go back and experience for myself what it was like to witness the birth of a great country like India. Knowing where we stand now and where we came from, makes me proud to be an Indian. It gives me confidence in the ability of my countrymen to achieve even more and collectively take India back to the heights of glory that she enjoyed before being crushed by imperialism.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Why are you seeking an MBA? What are your plans and goals after you receive your degree?
My long term goal is to establish a company that provides Indian expatriates in the US a direct platform to invest and trade in the Indian financial markets. The 2 million strong Indian expatriate community, with a combined investment potential of over $50 billion, has traditionally invested within the US. However, strong economic growth and improvements in the basic structure of Indian financial markets has spurred a strong interest in high return investments in India. Although this has created a huge potential for retail brokerage houses, no company has sought to tap this market, creating a vacuum which I aim to fill through my company. After graduating from the GSB, I plan to work in the business development group of a large brokerage house. Here I shall create strategies for business expansion and brand development for retail brokering, experiences this will be crucial for my long term goal. I shall also learn the intricacies of retail brokering and form partnerships for my future venture. I first became interested in financial markets and foreign investments during my summer internship in 1998 in Indonesia. This interest stemmed from my analysis of the effects of the South-East Asian economic crisis on the Indonesian manufacturing industry. After joining Accenture in 1999, I chose to focus on the financial services industry to combine my interest in financial markets with my technology background. I joined the $100 million project at Options Clearing Corporation where I worked to create the country's first real-time clearing system which settles every single stock option traded in the US today. I worked at OCC in a variety of roles for three years and gained expertise in all aspects of derivatives trading and clearing. Initially, I facilitated visioning sessions for reengineering settlement processes for current and new financial products. Further, I utilized this business knowledge to architect solutions most suited to processes in the industry, earning me the confidence of the client management. As I progressed in responsibilities, I managed multiple development teams, a responsibility usually fulfilled by Managers. I provided leadership to a client team and guided them to an innovative design for the critical risk management module. In spring of 2003, I co-founded Urban Accessories, a garments import company where I worked part-time. Creating and growing this venture into a $50,000 business within six months of inception, has taken perseverance, exceptional teamwork and the ability to take risks. In the effort to further grow this business I have gained invaluable negotiation and management skills as well as precious experience in financing of small businesses. My experiences at OCC and Urban Accessories have shaped my career goals. In order to achieve these goals, I now need an MBA to complement these experiences with keen business acumen. An MBA will help me build a strong foundation in finance and entrepreneurship which will be crucial for my success in this industry. I also aim to understand the principles of venture financing and gain organizational and marketing expertise which will help me create, manage and grow a successful business. In order to succeed in my aspirations, I will need to build a strong network with like minded peers and highly placed GSB alumni in the financial services industry. The challenging and diverse environment of an MBA school will be ideal for me to hone my team building and leadership skills, qualities necessary to lead an organization in this fast-paced industry. I am confident that my experiences and abilities, combined with an MBA from a renowned institution like the GSB, will accelerate my career and enable me to realize my dream of building a successful venture.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Describe an ethical dilemma that you have faced and how it was resolved.
In April 2001, I was part of a team responsible for architecting a crucial system process for an options clearing house. Two weeks away from the delivery date, I was shocked to discover a shortcoming in our design. This could cause the system performance to degrade during days of high activity. I raised this issue to my manager, and explained that the entire solution would have to be retro-fitted which would affect our deadline. My manager decided not to publicize or resolve this issue at this time, as a slippage in the delivery date would cause him much embarrassment and affect his track record. He tried to assure me that the issue would be identified and resolved by the performance tuning team later. However, I was aware that the development of other dependant processes was slated to begin soon after we delivered. Because of these dependencies, any delay would make the resolution of this issue increasingly expensive for the client and have a much bigger impact on the deadlines of the rest of the project. I have always maintained that professional excellence comprises of not only subject expertise and positive attitude but also integrity and righteousness. I have followed the value that any decision taken at a project should be in the best interest of the client. However, I was faced with a dilemma where if I chose to go with my managers decision, then the project would certainly suffer. On the other hand, if I chose what was right for the project and escalated the issue to the client, then it would not only reflect badly on Accenture's capabilities and adversely affect my manager's upcoming appraisal but also most certainly sour my relationship with him. While deliberating this dilemma in my mind, I was determined to maintain my professional integrity and to ensure that this issue got its due attention. But at the same time, it was equally important for me to maintain a good relationship with my manager. In looking for a solution, I sought counsel from my mentor who suggested getting an independent review of the process done. Building upon this suggestion, I decided to take the help of the testing team manager on my project. Utilizing my strong rapport with him, I shared my concerns and convinced him of the urgency of the issue. I then urged him to approach the project management and propose an independent review of the system process as soon as it was delivered, given its significance to the client and the project. The management agreed to a short and quick review of the process. We delivered on time and my manager was able to maintain his track record. Immediately after the delivery, we enlisted a senior consultant and an analyst to conduct the review. The review validated my findings and discovered other opportunities of improvements. I worked with the review team to present the findings to the management and subsequently, I was given the lead of the retro-fit team that resolved the performance issue. Although my manager later learned about my role in getting the process reviewed, he commended me for my professionalism and we still maintain an excellent working relationship. I learned that in situations where one has to choose between two imperfect solutions, the best way is to not give up and instead create the right solution. In looking for this solution, one's integrity and core values must be preserved above all. The satisfaction and contentment from having maintained one's ethics cannot be overstated. I have also realized that the best solution is not always immediately apparent and often requires creativity and perseverance to develop. Instead of rushing into a decision in despair, it is best to give oneself appropriate time and seek counsel if necessary, to arrive at the correct choice.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Accomplishments/Background
If I am to forgo a successful career in the construction industry, I want to do everything possible to ensure that the experience is a positive one. When I decided to leave my present career to pursue an MBA, there were two factors that I deemed as critical components of any MBA experience: the degree of respect each institution garners and the strength of the entrepreneurial program. What the Chicago Graduate School of Business (GSB) offers is a flexible curriculum that provides an excellent core background in business, while encouraging the development of individual interests. In addition, the underlying motivation for seeking an MBA is to prepare myself to start a new company. A strong foundation in Entrepreneurship is something that I feel is critical to the success of any of my future business ventures and it is programs like the Kauffman Entrepreneur Internship that truly set the Chicago GSB apart from other MBA programs. In addition, the faculty at the Chicago GSB is without equal and I would welcome the opportunity to be part of such a challenging and collaborative environment. I truly believe that an education from the Chicago GSB to be instrumental to my future success. While my main focus would be in Entrepreneurship, I would also like to explore possibilities in International Business. Due to the advances in technology, the world is becoming more 'connected' everyday and I believe that for a company to succeed, traditional borders and geopolitical ideals need to be transcended. While the actual academic portion of an MBA program is the main reason you are there, it is the people you meet, the environment and the variety of available opportunities that really make it worth immersing yourself. I have always enjoyed participating in a variety of activities, both work and non-work related, and would welcome the chance to involve myself in an MBA environment that embraces that mindset. For example, I have been involved with Rebuilding Together, as a house captain for the past four years and would look forward to becoming involved with programs such as Giving Something Back. This would enable me to stay involved with community service programs, while utilizing my experience to involve and educate others. In both my past and present positions, I have also enjoyed being involved with college recruiting and continuing education, both in-house and at universities. These same dynamic and educational characteristics that drew me to a career in the construction industry seem to be an inherent part of the MBA program at the Chicago GSB and that is why this program is at the top of my list. Once the goal of attaining a strong foundation in business is realized, the next step is the creation of a new company. During the time that I have worked as a cost planner, I have noticed a void that seems to exist within the construction industry. Almost all construction-related companies today specialize in either pre-construction or construction, but not in both. Because of this, I believe that I can create a company that provides a service that is not presently available in the industry. The benefits of having only one organization involved from the beginning of design to the completion of construction are immeasurable. Not only will this company combine the services of multiple companies, but it will also be an organization with expertise in 'green' or sustainable building practices. The construction industry today is one of the greatest contributors to the depletion of natural resources and there are efforts being made to reduce or minimize the impact of construction on its surrounding environment. One of the leaders in this effort is the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system for buildings. This assesses the entire construction process, from where the materials came, to how much energy the building consumes. As natural resources become more scarce and as the world becomes more populated, the paradigm in construction is changing. No longer will it be sufficient to just 'build' the building. Thus, companies that are not only familiar, but proficient in sustainable building practices will become the forefront of a new movement. As I believe an education from the Chicago GSB to be imperative to my successfully starting such a new company, I look forward to being a part of this program-a program that boasts a collaborative and challenging environment where students not only learn, but teach, a faculty that is without equal and a curriculum that is unmatched.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
Character/Leadership
I was recently challenged by the head of New Construction and Development at Gap, Inc. to examine the possibilities of constructing a building that implemented 'green' or sustainable building practices for under $50 million. Gap was attempting to set a precedent in the corporate retail environment by adopting design and construction practices that reduce or minimize the impact of construction on its surrounding environment. As I have been involved with a number of projects that utilize 'green' methods of construction, I felt confident, that given the proper resources, I could answer this challenge. I had worked with a particular architect, Aidan Michaels, on quite a number of complex projects and I knew that he had the experience to fill this position. Completing the team was Nancy Smithe, an excellent engineer, who was also well versed in sustainable building practices. I would act as both team leader and cost planner for the duration of this project. As we were working at a conceptual design level, I was going to rely on the expertise provided by both Aidan and Nancy. From working with both of them on previous projects, I knew they embraced the concept of teamwork. I also knew that due to their particular disciplines, there would be a difference of opinion on a number of issues. Another reason I chose Aidan and Nancy was due to the extensive experience in their chosen fields and the different perspectives that each would bring to the team. Our first task was to develop some general massing schemes that would determine the eventual shape of the building. As one of the critical components of 'green' construction is natural ventilation, the geometry of the building was going to have a large impact on the effectiveness of this particular factor. This issue is just one example where the inherent differences between architects and engineers was apparent. Architects generally are more concerned with the appearance and interaction of visual building elements while engineers concentrate more on the function of the various structural, mechanical and electrical components. Because every decision we made had cost implications, I was relying on our different perspectives to provide a balance. While each member had their own perspective about the project, everyone was dedicated to working as a team. Evidence of this involved the continuing evolution of the natural ventilation system. Aidan was currently championing a building with dramatic visual features, but Nancy indicated that with all the different building planes it was going to be difficult, if not impossible, to reconcile these features with the ventilation design. Whereas on past projects I had witnessed teams become mired in debate without agreeing on a course of action, this group dealt with the difficulties inherent with this topic and reached an agreement. While the building would have a reduced amount of articulation to aid in Nancy's design, some critical components would be maintained, thus satisfying Aidan's desire to create a distinctive building. The final design also conformed to the resources that I had allocated to this particular component. The actual process of bringing an idea to fruition is one that is complex and involves compromise from all involved. The goal of determining whether the challenge could be met, while including the features that each team member thought important involved a lengthy process. During the course of this task, it was my responsibility to keep both Aidan and Nancy motivated. Most often, this came about when there was a disagreement in regards to the design of particular elements. In such instances, I found that creating an environment that fosters clear and open lines of communication with constant support from the other team members is critical. During a process such as this it is important that everyone believes their voice and ideas matter. Both Aidan and Nancy had creative license to develop and present ideas, and as a team we decided on the feasibility of each idea. In cases where disagreements did occur, through my facilitation, a compromise was always reached. By doing this, we were able to start with only an idea and present a conclusion based on thoughtful and decisive action. In the development of any idea, success is reliant on a number of factors. Of these, a belief in the value of teamwork and an involvement of different perspectives is critical. Couple this with leadership and motivation that fosters a supportive environment and we were then able to answer the challenge presented, with 'yes' we can.
Essay Category:
Essay Question:
What would you say is asked to speak to a future graduating class?
Let me start by saying what a great pleasure it is to be nominated a Distinguished Alumni. Recognition like this serves as a confirmation that what I have accomplished to date has served at least some purpose. It was difficult to narrow down what the most important thing that I have learned from my countless years in both the construction and business worlds. While I have worked for various companies in different industries, it is the relationships that I have fostered that have been the most rewarding and remain a constant, and it is these relationships that I feel have been the key to my success. The qualities that have enabled me to build such strong ties to the people that I have encountered are trust and respect. These two qualities have enabled me to take a casual business relationship to another level. A level where regardless of what company I work for, I can always count on the support of my contacts and that this support will be reciprocated. It is in tough situations where this network of support can prove critical. I cannot count the number of times where I have been faced with difficult circumstances and it has been through the help of others that I have been able to take a possible disaster and turn it into a success. It is also comforting to know that when situations like this arise, you are not alone. Trust and respect are also two qualities that once lost, are hard, if not impossible to regain. But I stand here today to attest to the fact that if you treat, not only the people you work with, but everyone in your life with respect, you will not be disappointed. It should be no surprise then, for me to say 'treat people with respect.' While this may seem like something so rudimentary, consider the following: have you ever asked someone to do something that you are unwilling to do yourself? Do you have trouble admitting when you are wrong? In team situations do you give full attention to the comments and ideas of others? These are just a couple of scenarios from everyday work situations where people often do not respect each other. So, I challenge all of you to think before you act. Ask yourself this, 'what are the possible impacts of my action' and decide if that course of action is indeed appropriate. While this is not a guarantee that the respect you offer others will be returned, it will help you decide with which people to build relationships. We are born alone and we die alone; therefore, it is the bonds that we create with others during our lives that mean the most.
