Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?

“People of Pakistan, thank you for standing up and working alongside me to make Pakistan a great country

of the world”, a ten year me chanted in 2004 in front of my dressing table mirror while addressing my

assumed countrymen.

Recently I daydreamed that I had managed to help my company come up with a strategy and implemented

it to build its mid-stream and downstream businesses of petroleum refining and sales respectively. Thereby

maintaining an all Pakistani business structure throughout and eliminating extra profit margins by reducing

the number of parties involved. In this way played my part in economy’s revival.

Just last month I was daydreaming that I had started a business of providing steel and carbon forged valves

to petroleum industries in Pakistan as the first such manufacturer in Pakistan. I had to convince the biggest

industrial group in my country to invest in my venture, but I was able to secure this business. As the only

producer in Pakistan, my company is growing rapidly and is helping Pakistani economy by reducing imports.

Although the moments I have mentioned are parts of my daydreaming routine, I have loved Pakistan for as

long as I can remember, my father having been a Pakistan Navy officer has probably played a great role in

it. I still have a monthly gathering with a bunch of friends and all we talk about is how the system and

economic policies in Pakistan can be remodeled to force a positive change. And what matters most to me

is that I play a strong and positive role in bringing Pakistan out of its troubles and this is something I think

about a lot. This is very important to me because I think I have the ability and determination to make a

difference and I believe that one day I will be at the forefront of Pakistan’s industrial revolution.

I had grown up in a country known worldwide mainly for terrorism. I don’t agree with the general perception,

but the country was in a state of chaos not long ago. Since then the law and order throughout Pakistan has

improved a lot. The problems that remain though are of economical and structural nature. These are severe

problems. Currently steps have been taken to mitigate the fiscal deficit. High taxes have been imposed on

imports and currency devalued to help the local businesses, tax collection has improved, and smuggling

has somewhat been alleviated. Even after all this the main cause of these problems, the shortage of local

businesses, has not been solved mainly because of a lack of confidence in businessmen and a general

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lack of business knowledge and government policies. Pakistan has a shortage of its own manufacturing

businesses. This shortage has been a cause of the ever-present trade deficit.

I have been working at a renowned petroleum explorations and production company of Pakistan in Projects

Department and have been directly involved in important company projects. This is one of the most

respected companies in Pakistan in terms of professionalism and its system. Despite the commitment and

efforts from such companies, I have found even these Pakistani companies lack the alignment of their

direction with their strategic goals. And that in even good Pakistani organizations lack a systematic

approach to problem solving.

Pakistani businesses need a good alignment of their strategic goals with their business decisions and

specialized planning to achieve these goals. And the government of Pakistan needs to provide confidence

to businessmen by opening a scheme of investing in newly setup local manufacturing businesses just like

America opened up a program of investing in minority businesses to narrow the ownership gap. This will

indeed increase the number of new manufacturing businesses and government will also get a chance to

regulate business decisions across Pakistan. This will change the economic situation slowly and steadily.

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 Essay B: Why Stanford?

Thinking of Stanford brings up an image of a group of highly achieved intellectuals in mind, people who will

achieve great in the future. Therefore, my most important reason for seeking to study in Stanford is me

wanting to be a part of a diverse class of outstanding professionals and students. This will not only open

me to new culture and ideas, but it will also broaden my perspective to approach challenges. Stanford

promises the experience to be transformative where I can polish my leadership. It will help me to evolve as

a great leader.

Stanford’s curriculum is shaped up nicely. The Global Management Immersion Experience promises to

provide me a chance to work in the industry and try out the challenges I want to in my professional life,

meanwhile acting as a platform that will give me feedback on what I should improve before going back into

my professional life.

The social experience at Stanford is attractive. I would be very happy to get a chance to be a part of Adam

Smith Society which promotes discussion on free markets. The Energy Club also captured my interest

being a part of the energy industry.

Last but not the least, recent Stanford graduates boasts an impressive trend of ending up in consulting. As

I want to go into management consulting, being a Stanford alumnus would surely be an added advantage.

The Stanford reputation would help me in achieving my required role in my own country.

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