A breath of fresh air - Harvard - Free example business school statement

Free example business school statement

When I was an infant, Shanghai’s air pollution poisoned my lungs. Severe asthma attacks led to recurring hospitalizations; doctors told my mother I would always be sickly. After moving to Minnesota at age five, however, my asthma disappeared and my respiratory system healed. In 2005, I returned to China, and what I saw saddened me. In Xi’an, state-owned factories running twenty-four hours a day spewed black smoke that stained the entire city. People in Beijing and Shanghai wore surgical masks because of the smog. As a near victim of pollution—and an outdoors enthusiast after years of enjoying Minnesota’s natural beauty—I felt a strong personal conviction to improve the situation. Unlike the helplessness I felt as a child struggling to breathe, this time I realized that my business interest and knowledge gave me a way to turn conviction into impact.

WalMart CEO Lee Scott recently said, “There need not be conflict between the environment and the economy.” As an environmentalist and management consultant, I wholeheartedly agree. My career vision is to help industrial companies in China incorporate environmentally sustainable practices into their business strategies. While manufacturers traditionally view environmental issues as obstacles, I see significant long-term value in being “green.” I’m confident this vision is realistic, because I’ve already seen benefits from “clean” manufacturing while at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). On a recent project, my team helped a chemicals company discover that their fastest-growing customers preferred suppliers with environmentally friendly reputations. 

Consequently, our client started viewing environmental infrastructure as a marketing investment, not a capital cost. I also visited a chemical plant operated by my uncle outside Shanghai and learned that clean-air technologies reduced his energy costs and won him the local community’s support. These examples inspire me to lead industrial firms in countries like China, where stakes and opportunities are highest.

My post-MBA path will start at BCG, where I will gain exposure to general industrial operations and have opportunities to employ business and leadership lessons. Afterward, I intend to tackle environmental regulatory compliance issues at a multi-national chemical company. Within ten to fifteen years, I hope to launch my own consultancy, helping companies integrate environmental concerns into business strategy. My career vision stems from a passion rekindled with every breath. Now that I am healthy, I intend to exhaust myself finding practical, sustainable solutions so that my future children can breathe a little easier.

Analysis

With vivid imagery, simple prose, and a clearly articulated vision, the author of this essay is successful at distinguishing himself as much more than your average consultant. From the opening sentence, the reader is hooked as the author paints a picture of why he is uniquely suited to help China in its efforts to go green.

The structure of this essay is noteworthy. The author begins by explaining who he is and by succinctly summarizing his professional view of himself as “an environmentalist and a management consultant.” He then highlights a very real problem to which he is passionately devoted. In doing so, he answers a critical question: “Why is this your career vision?” By providing concrete examples of how, as a consultant, he can influence companies to make environmentally friendly decisions, the author renders his career objectives highly credible. He follows with well-considered, short-and long-term goals. Finally, he concludes with two strong sentences, laden with personal meaning.

Though compelling in its own right, this essay fails to address one critical question: Why does the author need an MBA specifically from Harvard Business School? Each MBA program offers a unique value proposition for students, so in your essays highlight why a particular school is best suited to help you achieve your goals.

All told, this essay provides a cogent example of how to distinguish an applicant who is interested in pursuing an otherwise traditional career path.

From 65 Successful Harvard Business School Application Essays edited by the Staff of the Harvard Crimson. Copyright (c) 2009 by the authors and reprinted by permission of St. Martin's Publishing Group