In this installment of Paths Less Traveled, Stacy talks with Ann Hsing. Upon graduating from undergrad at MIT, Ann opened and operated a bubble tea shop in Boston. She then worked as a strategy consultant at the small boutique Callidon Group, focusing on private equity due diligence projects and pricing structures. Next, Ann returned to school to earn her MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Following business school, she was Vice President in Equity Derivatives Sales at Credit Suisse from 2009 to 2013 in New York City. Ann then joined The Alinea Restaurant Group. At the time of her departure, she was Director of Business Operations. Ann is now CEO of Seline and Pasjoli Restaurants.

In this episode we talk to Ty Greenberg, a former SBC client and a Stanford GSB graduate. Ty talks about his unusual background, his initial rejection from all of the business schools he applied to, changes he made and his eventual success as a reapplicant.

HIs inspiring story offers helpful lessons to applicants coming from unorthodox backgrounds ,or who are considering whether to reapply to their dream schools after not succeeding initially.

The things that scare us – especially in the context of MBA essays – are often the things that make us feel vulnerable, uncertain, or insecure. In short, things that force us to take our armor off and be vulnerable.

Vulnerability in business school essays also offers you a powerful opportunity to connect with your reader, demonstrate self-awareness and/or EQ, and – most importantly – tell a really memorable and compelling story about yourself.

In this episode we talk about how to choose an essay topic offers these opportunities for candor and vulnerability, including sharing a range of examples and categories of essays that might be a good fit for you.

This is a must for anyone interested in writing their MBA essays more boldly and more authentically.