One of the most intimidating parts of applying to top MBA programs is the intense competition. The number one secret of top MBA programs is they attract candidates who are already very, very accomplished. Stanford GSB accepts fewer than 1 in 10 candidates and the odds are only slightly better at HBS. It can be even more disheartening if you look at the profiles of some of the rejected candidates and see how chockfull of impressive stats and accomplishments they are. Just think of the “26-year-old with a 3.95 GPA and a 760 GMAT who after  a two-year stint at a global investment banking firm, worked at a tony investment fund. The young professional even had a letter of recommendation from a Harvard Business School alum. His fate: Rejected from both Harvard and Stanford” as Poets&Quants once chronicled.

But let’s say you have mastered the stats part for your target schools respectably enough – you are within the desired GMAT, GPA and work experience. How do you add the magic fizz that helps your application stand out?

As a candidate, it’s so easy to be tempted to travel down the road of trying to impress. You think of every accomplishment, every award, every activity that makes you look like the high achieving candidate top MBAs are looking for. But I am here to advise you to think of yourself differently. Don’t try to impress. Try to excite.

But what’s the difference, you say? 

Well, you don’t want the admissions committee to simply be impressed by your candidacy, do you? You actually want them to go a step further – you want them to want you. To invite you to be part of the class. That’s the ultimate goal, isn’t it? 

 OK, Petia, you say, you have a point but HOW do I do this? How do I become “exciting”? 

Like I said, it goes a step or two beyond simply thinking of your accomplishments. To be sure, taking stock of all your achievements is absolutely where you should start. Every great MBA candidacy starts with a thorough assessment of what you have accomplished so far. The step further is that this assessment should be built through a deep and truthful reflection. What are your deepest convictions? What do you consider your life’s purpose? What lights you up? What do you do when no one is watching? How would you like to be remembered? (A great mentor of mine once suggested I write my own obituary as an exercise of discovering my true calling.)

Take a lot of time to think through and answer these questions. Go below the surface and probe by asking “Why?”. Why do you want to build better educational resources for refugees? Why do you think it’s important? Why you? What exposed you to this issues? Why did it trump the many other ones that could occupy your mind and heart? Dig really deep. You want to go several layers below the surface answers. 

Make this an iterative process and write all your thoughts and answers down. Reread and add without worrying too much about editing. Do it without the admissions committee in mind. Be honest. Now is not the time for embellishment and packaging. You will see a narrative emerge about the person you are and the one you want to be. Write that narrative. Write it in the most truthful, simple, humble way you are capable of. 

This story will become the backbone of your candidacy. You may not use every single part but it will be what you will refer to as you fill out application questions. It will be the foundation of your essays. It will shine through your answers in your admission interview. Because quite simply, genuine passion and convictions are contagious. They make others want to invite you in. 

Now go and start writing. This exercise should not be done skimpily. 

Oh, and if you are curious to know how the MBA admissions committee determines who gets in and who doesn’t, you can read about it here.