The question is - why are you competitive?

How much do you understand the student culture at School X?

Have your done your homework / due diligence / needs analysis?
What do your future classmates need that only you can provide?
What needs can you fill? Be as specific as possible.

Q: WHY DO THEY ASK THIS QUESTION?

A: TO SEE CHECK YOUR "FIT" WITH THEIR SCHOOL
Q: WHAT IS FIT?
A: YOUR ABILITY TO BENEFIT FROM AND ADD TO EACH SCHOOL'S
UNIQUE STUDENT CULTURE
To quote Lou Gerstner, Culture isnt just one aspect of the game -
it is the game. Read more about "fit" here

Vince suggests you fill out this first matrix (Version A) to help clarify how your
contributions add value to you and others.

Personality Contribution Matrix Version A

What personal What will you do at How will your How will your
characteristic are you "school X" to build onWhy is thisactions help you actions
Example what you have done special? achieve your
trying to show with this benefit
example? in the past? future goals? others?

2
 3

HOW TO USE THIS CHART

When it comes to contribution questions, it is important to tell specific
stories that highlight concretec ways you will add value to your future
classmates.
Sometimes people mention contributions that don't have any really clear
added value; these, by definition, are not contributions.
Yes, you may love reading Science Fiction in your spare time, but it is only
a contribution if your experience of reading Science Fiction can be shown to add
value to your classmates (financial forecasting?).
(modified from Adam's post found at http://adam-
markus.blogspot.com/2007/09/fall-2008-mba-contribution-questions.html;
accessed 11/2010)

Next, filling in the chart below might help you think about the context of your
contributions.

Personality Contribution Matrix Version B

Aspect Keywords Professional Personal Application to MBAApplication to MBA Application to p
 Example(s) Example(s) Life: Daily Life: Special MBA Life (alum

Special
Project Team
Case Study Alumni
Competition network
CONTEXT Class Business Recruitin
Where? Study Plan Competition activities for sc
When? group Marketing (school-specific
Competition events, MBA To
Event School Panels)
Conference
Study Trip

Expert / Expert / Expert /

Leader Leader Leader
What? Organizer / Organizer / Organize
Role Facilitator Facilitator Facilitator
Enthusiasti Enthusiastic Enthusia
c Beginner Beginner Beginner

Strengths

analytical
how strength helps
(head)
you contribute to
classmates

technical
(hands)

interperso
nal (heart)

NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY?

 Dig deeper into School X's special programs / student clubs and culture to
find a specific area where you can help them innovate.
You can use SWOT or some other framework to analyze what School X
needs and how ONLY YOU can provide it.