How to Answer Stanford’s “What Matters Most to You and Why?”

Stanford’s “What matters most to you and why?” is one of the most challenging MBA essay prompts, and many applicants struggle to answer it with real depth and clarity. This session is for candidates applying to Stanford who want to approach this essay with a more thoughtful and effective strategy. You’ll learn how to identify a meaningful central theme, avoid common pitfalls that make essays feel surface-level, and structure a response that feels both personal and compelling to admissions readers. Join live to ask questions about your own essay ideas and get guidance on how to refine them before submission. The speaker has extensive experience in the admissions process and has helped many candidates gain admission to Stanford. They’ll share the patterns they see across successful essays and the kinds of feedback typically given in 1:1 coaching conversations.