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

For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you've identified
what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes
this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

Title: Navigating the Transformative Landscape: A Lifelong Commitment to Equality and Education

At the core of my principles resides an unwavering faith in the transformative potential of education
and the fundamental importance of equality for every individual, irrespective of their background.
My life's purpose revolves around dismantling the shackles of societal prejudice through the
provision of quality education. I don't merely advocate for these principles; I embody their impact as
an individual born into a scheduled caste family—one of the marginalized groups in India, once
treated as untouchables.

The genesis of my journey can be traced back to my grandfather, a man denied the privilege of
formal education due to untouchability. Undeterred by this setback, he ingeniously constructed a
makeshift classroom, absorbing lessons from a nearby school, and meticulously documenting them
in the sand. His determination and resourcefulness not only granted him knowledge but also laid the
foundation upon which he imparted wisdom to his progeny.

This legacy endured through my father, who navigated financial hardships to secure a job at a steel
plant. My schooling years were marked by frequent illnesses, with diagnoses ranging from Jaundice
and Smallpox in 10th grade to Typhoid in 12th grade, rendering me weak and thin. Despite these
challenges, I persevered in preparing for a rigorous exam to gain entry into the Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT). The transformative potential of education became even more apparent to me,
offering a path to alleviate financial burdens and uplift my family. My dreams soared when I secured
admission to the esteemed IIT Kharagpur, where academic excellence and diversity fostered an
environment where the power of education to effect change became evident.

Representing IIT Kharagpur in athletics not only marked my triumph over childhood health struggles
but also positioned me as a source of inspiration for fellow students. Serving as the Sports Captain in
my third year of college and clinching the general championship underscored the transformative
impact of education on both physical and mental well-being.

Post-graduation, my professional journey traversed the challenging landscapes of the oil and gas
industry in Schlumberger, imparting valuable lessons in resilience and determination. Transitioning
into the startup realm, I explored diverse sectors, including the service industry, beauty, food
technology, and ultimately, education technology. Despite encountering obstacles in scaling my
grooming services startup, thebeards.in, the entrepreneurial experience deepened my
comprehension of business dynamics.

However, my path was not without its share of hardships. I faced caste-based discrimination when I
sought to marry my girlfriend of six years. Her father's refusal was a stark reminder that despite my
achievements, the specter of casteism continued to haunt my life. These experiences, coupled with
instances of rejection and prejudice, served as stark reminders that societal inequality persisted
despite personal achievements. Rather than succumbing to despair, these challenges fuelled my
determination to combat inequality and expand educational opportunities.

Surveying my community, I identified a shared struggle for equality and education. Many individuals,
unaware or deprived of opportunities, settled for mediocrity. Driven to action, I redirected my
professional trajectory toward education technology. Armed with a decade of diverse industry
experience, I was well-equipped to address the challenges facing marginalized communities.

Committed to raising awareness and advocating for equality, I immersed myself in volunteering,
organizing blood donation camps, and rallying youth participation. My objective is to ensure that
young people understand the importance of social impact, reaching interior areas and villages often
overlooked.

In essence, my ultimate pursuit envisions a world where education serves as a beacon of hope, a
ladder to success, and a bridge to equality for all. Having personally experienced the transformative
power of education, I am unwavering in my commitment to ensuring others have similar
opportunities. The journey continues, and my dedication to this cause remains unshakable.

Essay B: Why Stanford MSx, and why now?

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford MSx experience will help you realize them. Why
is this the right time for you to pursue your master's degree at the GSB? (400 words)

Boasting a decade of experience within a diverse array of Indian startups, I've successfully reached
the position of Associate Director at upGrad, a billion-dollar education technology startup. My
immediate focus is on upskilling and enhancing leadership capabilities to overcome barriers
hindering opportunities for marginalized groups in India. The ultimate goal is to lead an organization
dedicated to this cause.

Four years ago, during my role as Head-Partnerships at HungerBox, a food tech startup in Bangalore, I
encountered Stanford's business program. Through conversations with Rohit Bhalla, a Stanford GSB
alumnus and Head of new category development at ITC, I learned about transformative experiences
and Stanford's unique community, which cultivates lifelong leadership and networking skills.

In the short term, I aim to broaden my business knowledge globally, gain fresh leadership
perspectives, and improve my networking skills. Stanford's program, with its study trips, TALK
experiences, and mentorship opportunities from global leaders, stands as an ideal platform for
comprehensive personality development.

Believing in the potential of the GSB curriculum and community to expand horizons, I appreciate the
program's flexibility, offering over 130 elective courses. This flexibility is crucial, given past
experiences where successful startup ideas often stumbled during the scaling-up phase. The chance
to attend classes across Stanford's schools, including Education, allows for interdisciplinary
exploration.

Particular elective courses, such as Prof. William P. Barnett's "Strategic Leadership: Creating and
Sustaining Growth," intrigue me as they address my knowledge gap in understanding the transition
of early-stage startups to IPO. Additionally, "Education and Society" by Prof. Francisco Ramirez aligns
with my overarching goal of promoting global accessibility to education.

Beyond academics, the one-year program is seen as an opportunity for personal development. The
intimate class size promises personal connections with classmates, fostering a diverse network—an
invaluable asset in my professional journey.

Looking ahead, my long-term vision aligns with the increasing global internet accessibility and
smartphone adoption. I aim to create a platform providing fundamental education worldwide,
reaching every corner of the globe. Stanford serves as the ideal catalyst for this journey, offering a
supportive network, exemplified by individuals like Liza Mash Levin and Ritu Narayan. Stanford's
strategic location in Silicon Valley further opens doors to opportunities in advanced technology.

In conclusion, I am confident that Stanford's MSx program provides the optimal blend of personal
and professional development. With its wealth of resources, Stanford is the ideal institution to propel
me toward the vision of making education universally accessible while fostering growth as a leader in
the global business landscape.

Question:

Think about times you've created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular,
academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others?
(1200 characters)

Essay 1:

In 2016, recognizing a gap in the Indian beauty services industry for men, I ventured into
entrepreneurship. The challenge was introducing at-home salon services for men, a concept
unfamiliar in India where beauty treatments were predominantly associated with women. Despite
initial customer resistance, I invested my savings to open a salon and educate clients about the
convenience and cost-effectiveness of at-home services. Struggling to gain traction, a breakthrough
came when a mother inquired about home haircuts for her child due to her husband's busy
schedule, revealing our true target audience—kids and elderly men.

To cater to this demographic, we innovated a foldable chair and a sheet for waste collection, enabling
salon services at home. Our family package, designed for kids, fathers, and grandfathers, proved
successful, leading to significant growth in one city. Struggling to expand in a new city, Delhi due to
varied dynamics, we thrived in Vizag with 20,000 services and a 50% repeat customer base. Faced
with financial challenges, I sold the venture to a team member, becoming a lifeline for his family and
showcasing entrepreneurship's adaptability and resilience.

Essay 2:

Since childhood, my fine arts skills stood out, notably at the 2005 Berlin Child Art Exhibition. Despite
health challenges, I earned a Balashree (President Award for Talented Children) nomination for
painting, acknowledging my artistic prowess.

Entering IIT Kharagpur for B.Tech sparked a profound change, shifting me from introversion to
resilience. Embracing running amid health challenges, I secured second place in a demanding 4-mile
run in my first year, unveiling a latent athletic talent that initiated my sports journey.

Exploring diverse sports, I thrived in running, winning medals in 400m track and hurdles. Encouraged
by seniors, I delved into hockey, football, and volleyball. As Sports Captain in 2012, I led our hostel to
victory in the championship among 5000 students. I topped the hockey goal charts with 19 goals,
securing four athletics medals and a silver volleyball.

In 2013, I became the Fine Arts Captain, pivotal in our silver win, marking my shift from a timid artist
to a resilient individual excelling in arts and athletics. The journey enriched my creativity and mental
resilience, revealing the transformative power of self-discovery and unwavering determination.

Essay 3:

UpGrad, a billion-dollar startup, aspired to provide affordable tech bootcamps in the dynamic ed tech
landscape. Leading, setbacks occurred – unexpected departures, including Business and Sales Heads,
dimming our $1.5M quarterly run rate goal. Festive revenue dip intensified team's confidence loss,
pushing us into uncertainty.

I led the revitalization of a 100-member sales team with unity-building meetings. Acknowledging
latent leadership, I delegated tasks and fostered purpose through recognition and incentives. A
revamped strategy included three calling sprints per day, enhancing pipeline metrics. Collaborating
with the marketing team optimized budgets, shifting from Google/Facebook ads to influencer
marketing reduced lead costs from $15 to $1. These interventions improved the sales trajectory,
laying the groundwork to scale revenue to $3 million quarterly. The transformed mindset,
recognizing hard work, unified the team toward shared goals.

I got promoted to Associate Director, my journey reveals leadership in crises, innovation in

uncertainty, and the power of individual recognition. Steering our vision required understanding
pivotal roles and fostering title-free leadership.