The Power of ‘I’ Statements in Admissions Storytelling
Learn how to use ‘I’ and 'We' statements effectively in your admissions essays and interviews. Understand how these pronouns can emphasize your individual contributions and team achievements and when to highlight collaboration vs. personal initiative in your business school applications.
By Bria H.
Posted July 14, 2025
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Table of Contents
In my experience working with MIT Sloan Admissions and leading numerous panels for admissions, storytelling, and finding your personal brand, I’ve learned that there is an indescribable benefit to understanding the power of leading with “I” statements in personal storytelling. Using "I" statements in your MBA applications plays a vital role in conveying leadership, ownership, initiative, and capability. When applicants describe their work and community contributions, choosing between first-person singular ("I") and first-person plural ("we") pronouns has a powerful impact. "I" statements clearly show individual responsibility and initiative, while "we" language can often blend personal achievements into a team’s collective output, potentially overshadowing unique contributions.
In the context of an application, using "I" statements underscores a candidate’s ability to take ownership of their actions, reflect on their role in successes or challenges, and showcase independent thinking. While collaborative language is essential in business and demonstrates teamwork, Sloan applicants are encouraged to detail the specifics of their impact. Expressing one’s role in first-person singular terms allows an admissions team to understand the scope of each applicant’s individual accomplishments.
There are numerous reasons for the tendency to avoid "I" statements, especially in professional contexts and writing. Some can include cultural, positional, and gender norms. Other examples can be influenced by an aversion to personal acknowledgment to avoid seeming prideful or overconfident. In an application setting, however, using "I" statements, when accurate and substantiated, affirms the applicant's confidence and active role in their achievements. By articulating personal impact and initiatives clearly, Sloan applicants demonstrate they can both lead and collaborate. This balance between singular and plural language helps clarify an applicant’s strengths, presenting a fuller picture of their contributions and capabilities.
“We” vs. “I” Statements
Examples of “We” Statements
- Team achievements: "We worked together to develop a user-friendly app that has since seen widespread adoption."
- Collective effort: "We brainstormed as a team to identify customer pain points and designed solutions that aligned with their needs."
- Collaborative problem-solving: "We came up with a new process that improved our project efficiency and cut production time in half."
- Shared success: "We organized a community outreach program that increased engagement and strengthened our relationship with local stakeholders."
- Reflecting team values: "We continuously strive to maintain an inclusive work environment that values diverse perspectives and ideas."
Examples of “I” Statements
- Ownership of a project: "I led the development of a new onboarding process that reduced training time by 20%."
- Personal initiative: "I identified an opportunity to improve customer satisfaction and initiated a feedback system that has since become a standard practice."
- Problem-solving: "I developed a solution to streamline the workflow, which saved my team significant time and resources."
- Learning and growth: "I took the initiative to learn data analytics, which allowed me to offer more precise insights to my team."
- Personal contributions in a team project: "I created the marketing strategy for our product launch, which helped us exceed our initial targets by 30%."
The Bottom Line
"I" statements are ideal for highlighting personal contributions, individual skills, and specific initiatives you took.
"We" statements are best for reflecting collaborative efforts and joint successes, showing that you work well with others and value teamwork.
Both types of statements serve important functions, but for applications, balancing them thoughtfully helps demonstrate both your leadership and collaborative abilities. Be thoughtful and intentional in your use of one or the other.
Bria H. holds an MBA from MIT Sloan and an MA from Columbia University. She is also an expert coach who can help you get into your dream business school. Book a FREE intro call with Bria today!
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FAQs
Is it bad to use “we” too much in my MBA essays?
- Not necessarily, but if you rely too much on “we,” the admissions team might not understand what you specifically did. It’s great to show collaboration, but you also need to clearly highlight your own leadership, decisions, and contributions.
How do I talk about team projects without sounding like I’m taking all the credit?
- Use “I” to describe what you did, then “we” to acknowledge the team’s role. For example: “I designed the rollout strategy for our new app, and we launched it across five markets in three months.” That shows leadership and collaboration.
What if I feel uncomfortable using “I” in my writing?
- Totally normal, as many people feel like it sounds arrogant. But in applications, using “I” isn’t about ego but about clarity. Admissions readers want to understand your role. If you don’t claim it, they can’t give you credit for it.
Is it okay to switch between ‘I’ and ‘we’ in the same story?
- Yes, and it’s often the best approach. Use “I” to explain your actions and “we” to show team context. The balance tells a fuller, more honest story.
How do I know if I’m using too much ‘I’ or too much ‘we’?
- Read your essay out loud or ask someone to read it and highlight all the “I” and “we” statements. If “we” dominates, make sure you’ve clearly shown what you brought to the table. Every team story should have a personal angle.
Written by Bria
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My name is Bria Hardin-Boyer, and I am an MBA Dean’s Fellow and 2023 Art Scholar at MIT Sloan. As a specialized technologist, I bring a strong foundation in Social Impact and Operations from roles at Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and Hinge. During my time in business school, I pivoted my focus toward leveraging technology for environmental impact. In my current role as a Digital Product Manager, I apply intersectional and environmental practices to product design, user experiences, and AI technologies. I excel at crafting inclusive insights for digital and physical products that resonate with Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha audiences. My mission is to create meaningful impact by combining technical expertise with human-centered design, sustainability-focused solutions, and a global perspective to address today’s complex product challenges.
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