Prompt 2: I am out of my comfort zone when

Before you articulate how you came out of the comfort zone, understand what the term means. If you are working on a project where the tasks have become routine, with low to no pressure and there are few incentives to take the risk, then you are in your comfort zone.

Two traits define comfort zone: anxiety and skills.

Example 1:  Losing a Client

Ross values volunteering and extra-curricular activities. If you have more than two active volunteering experience, use this question for highlighting both or offering context on the challenges, setbacks, and change that you brought about with one active volunteering.

The applicant in the example addresses the complexity of sanitation and enabling behavioral changes. With the emphasis on infrastructure, funding, and marketing, the essay concludes with the impact the applicant had on the slums in Mumbai.

Prompt 2: I made a difference when I

The admission team wants to know the triggers that encourage you to make a difference. Is it intrinsic (responsibilities & challenges) or extrinsic motivation (compensation & titles)?

Another personality trait they want to measure is your ability to take initiatives.

Are you aware of your role in a team?

Do you value excellence?

What is the guiding principle that is pushing you to act?

Example #1: Consulting for a Pharma Giant

In the second example, we look at an applicant who has worked in a non-profit for 5 years as their Business Development/Fund-Raising Manager. Even though she had a positive impact on the lives of women and children migrating from oppressive regimes, an encounter with a Kellogg MBA Alumnus and a Technology Entrepreneur opened up ideas to upgrade her skills.

In the first example, we share the journey of an applicant, who has a natural inclination to find bigger opportunities. Starting as a Technologist, his keen sense of observation and listening skills, helped him earn $5mn for the company. The transition from a Technologists to a Consultant encouraged the applicant to consider Management Consulting. Kellogg MBA becomes the obvious bridge. The first half of the essay narrates the events that transitioned him to Consulting.

How to Answer Essay #5: "What is your short-term, post-MBA career goal and why?" (150 words)

None of the essay questions for Darden MBA are by chance.

How to Answer Darden MBA Essay #3: "Darden strives to identify and cultivate leaders who follow their purpose. At this stage, how would you describe your evolving leadership style and please provide an example." (200 words)

Leadership styles are not stagnant. They evolve and change according to the responsibilities, deadlines, experience, and size of the team.

Sharing this awareness is important.

The Sample Essay is of a fictitious profile - a Marketing lead working for an e-commerce start-up that tried to disrupt Amazon's model of low-cost delivery.

This is another way of asking what you are passionate about or how you would spend your valuable time. Mentioning a leisure activity is not what is expected here. Impact is hinted with the phrase “if you were given a free day.”

Your passion for a goal or activity might have already come out with an extracurricular or your short-term goal, but if you have not covered them, this is the space for you to show that you are complete person. Bring your unique hobby to the picture. We had an applicant with a passion for music - not as a musician but as an organizer. It was so unique and apparent in his Instagram feed that any one from the admission team would recognize that he did not create the narrative for the essay.