Many business school applicants focus tremendous energy on test preparation, polishing their resume, and refining their answers to classic essay and interview questions. As a result, some are surprised when they encounter a question about how they will contribute to the program they are applying to. Consider this essay prompt from Duke Fuqua, a very community-focused business school:
…Our student-led government, clubs, centers, and events are an integral part of the student culture and to the development of leaders. Based on your understanding of the Fuqua culture, what are 3 ways you expect to contribute at Fuqua? (500 word limit)
The writer is being asked to identify and describe not one, but three different ways that they will contribute during their time at Duke. Schools that ask contribution-themed questions view their students as community members and expect them to be active inside and outside the classroom, creating value for others while they are absorbing knowledge and developing new skills.
A strong answer to this type of question does not simply state that you will be active in classroom discussions or that you plan to “join” or “participate in” a student club. You must be more specific and more personal than that. This is an invitation to show off your school research, unique industry knowledge, specialized skills, as well as personal values. Let’s take a look at several ways to approach a contribution essay.
Contributing in the Classroom
As with other essay and interview topics, it’s best to approach classroom contributions by taking a personal angle. Drawing on your unique professional and academic experiences is one convincing way to demonstrate the value you will bring to your program. Specialized skills and knowledge, such as architectural training or monitoring financial markets on the Bloomberg platform, will position you to offer a valuable perspective to course discussions and group projects. Similarly, industry-specific knowledge and experiences allow you to bring real-world examples into the classroom.
Highlighting soft skills is another opportunity to prove your worth as an asset or teammate in the classroom. Here are some examples: someone with a background in Human Resources might have a knack for building teams based on individual strengths. An entrepreneur whose startup survived several rounds of pitches can claim the ability to present on behalf of a team in a student competition. Someone who has contributed to their company’s Employee Welfare Committee can point to their proven ability to collaborate and mediate.
Contributing to the Community
Beyond the classroom, students can make contributions to student clubs, campus and departmental events, and student government roles. Most universities are home to an array of student clubs, so meaningful club involvement can be motivated by either professional aspirations or personal values. For instance, Marco has a background in environmental engineering, so he wants to work on projects in the local community with the Sustainability Club. Angela has had great mentors throughout her career, so she wants to pay it forward by volunteering with the Student Mentor Club. Wei-Lin plans to move to Belgium after his MBA studies, so he is excited to host language exchange events with the French Connection Club. After identifying their interest in the club, the writer should articulate the value they can bring to the group.
Other than student clubs, universities host myriad events spanning academic research, industry thought leadership, community outreach, alumni networking, symposiums, and more. Students seeking to expand their network while gaining industry expertise might volunteer to work for a large-scale event, like the USC Global Supply Chain Summit. More locally, a student with a passion for event planning or community-building could get involved in hosting alumni-student networking mixers. Event involvement can reveal personal values, skills, and motivations.
Contributing to Recruitment and Retention
Campus ambassadors offer a vital touchpoint that helps prospective students learn about their target program and campus life. Ambassadors are usually volunteer roles that focus on the program the ambassador is studying. International students who are passionate about inspiring more students from their home country or region to join their program may wish to become ambassadors as a way to give back.
The final way one might talk about contributions to the program would be after graduation. As a professional, you could support student clubs, be a guest speaker in classes or conferences, act as an alumni ambassador, or lead a local chapter of the alumni association. Business schools are eager to cultivate alumni communities that continue to add value to their programs well after studies are completed. As an added bonus, being active in the alumni community sustains a healthy practice of ongoing networking.
[Conclusion]
Do not underestimate the potential impact of a strong contribution essay to your application. We all have value to offer to our communities and peers. Your job, when answering a contribution question, is to highlight the strengths and aspirations that will inspire you to offer ideas, information, time, and effort that will improve others’ experiences. Seize the opportunity to write persuasively about your future role as a campus community member, classmate, and alumnus.