The Stanford GSB MBA Personal Background Supplemental Essay

Malvika Patil
Feb 3
3 min read

“We want to know the real you”. Business schools say this a lot. This emphasis on authenticity often manifests in the form of unique essay questions in the MBA application, like the (often optional) personal background essay.

At Stanford GSB, AdCom asks:

We know that each person is more than a list of facts or pre-defined categories. With this question we provide you with an optional opportunity to elaborate on how your background or life experiences have helped shape your recent actions or choices. (1,200 characters, maximum)

While this essay is optional, we recommend that you write it. Stanford prides itself on selecting individuals who bring a diverse range of life experiences, perspectives, and values to the table. Their optional essay gives you an opportunity to show what you can contribute to the school’s community, and how your background makes you a stronger person, professional, and leader.

What does Stanford look for?

Stanford wants applicants to move beyond a list of accomplishments or straightforward facts (like those found in your resume). They are asking you to reveal more of who you are, why you think the way you do, and how your life experiences have influenced the decisions you make.

Think of this as an invitation to tell a personal story—one that helps the admissions committee see the person behind the resume and application stats. This is your chance to provide context to your life choices, revealing a more human side of you.

What should you write about?

Start by reflecting on moments, experiences, or challenges in your life that have significantly shaped your values, behavior, or decision-making. Consider the following:

Personal challenges: Have you faced adversity or a significant challenge that changed your perspective on life? How did you respond, and what did you learn?
Cultural or family influences: Have you come from a unique cultural background that has influenced your worldview? How do your family values inform your choices?
Defining moments: Is there a specific event or realization that changed the way you approach work or life?

Note that the question is looking for insights into recent actions or choices you've made, so focus on how these past experiences have directly influenced your current values, decision-making, and leadership style.

Don’t try to force a narrative just because you think it sounds impressive. Instead, show the admissions committee who you are at your core. A well-told story about overcoming a difficult challenge or making a tough choice will resonate more deeply than a polished account of a "perfect" experience.

This essay is about reflection, not just what you’ve done. The focus should be on how you’ve grown or changed as a result of these experiences. Be honest about your vulnerabilities, lessons learned, and how they’ve influenced your recent choices.

Structuring your essay

Use the classic SCAR structure to structure your story:

Situation: Briefly introduce a formative experience or key moment.

Challenge: Explain what happened and why it was significant to you.

Action: How did you respond to it?

Result: How did this experience shape your actions or decisions more recently? What did you learn? For example, you approached your work differently (e.g., choosing to lead a team through a crisis), made a personal choice (e.g., moving to a new city for career growth, taking a gap year, changing career paths, or overcoming a personal challenge), or stepped up as a leader in your community.

Analysis: While the word limit is short, it can still be helpful to tie your narrative back to Stanford’s values. Reflect on how your experiences align with what Stanford looks for in its students—such as leadership potential, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to making an impact.

You can hint at how you see yourself contributing to Stanford’s community. For example, you might connect your past experiences to your future goals and how an MBA from Stanford will help you continue growing in that direction.

Get an example essay based on real Stanford GSB applicants in the Stanford GSB course on MBAconsultant.com.

Need help writing your Stanford GSB essays? Get in touch.