Some university programs require you to write an essay about your values, which show who you are as a person and how they have influenced you. Through this essay, the admissions committee looks for what drives you and makes you unique.
You shouldn’t just list your value like “I value perseverance.” You must demonstrate those values with examples from your personal or professional life. So, here is an example of a successful essay that talks about values important to an applicant and how those values influenced him. The applicant was admitted to a top graduate business program.
Sample Essay on Values that Have Influenced You
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Innovation, integrity, and the drive to take on challenges to improve oneself are the most important values I live by, and they greatly influence my personality.
Our global is over 7 billion, and 50% of the population belongs to the lower-middle class. But unfortunately, these people barely have any investment platforms or financing options to enhance their incomes. Also, conventional banks mainly target high net-worth individuals and rarely offer microfinance lending.
Moreover, most of this middle-class segment is engaged in private sector jobs without access to any health or pension funds plan. As someone with a strong innovative spirit, I started Alpha Financial, helped many clients gain exposure to financial instruments, and employed hedging strategies to protect their portfolios even during downturns. I also launched first-of-its-kind micro investment products to cater specifically to low-income individuals. My goal is always to create innovative, transparent investment opportunities for the masses, allowing them a chance to realize their dreams. This innovation has helped me grow my business by three times in 3 years.
Integrity is fundamental for developing personal and business credibility. I have always tried to be transparent in my dealings and create a culture in my organization that encourages the same. Leading a financial advisory firm, I always lead from the front, encouraging my colleagues to be clear in terms of setting the investor’s expectations and explaining the inherent investment risks clearly. Encouraging transparency has increased the firm’s credibility as one of the most trusted upcoming financial advisory firms. As a result, we have increased our client base and revenues, with the added responsibility of not losing the trust of our investors.
I have always been driven to take challenges in my stride and learn to improve myself personally and professionally. From running my family after the demise of my parents to growing academically and professionally, I have always tried to excel at any challenge thrown my way. This drive for self-improvement has made me well-rounded and fearless of uncertainty, and I aspire to continue this spirit into my MBA journey.
I believe the MBA program strongly resonates with my values, which will help me grow personally and professionally during my time here.