I am looking for sample MBA essays that answer the "How do you define
success?" question or equivalent.

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Clarification of Question by puong-ga on 14 Aug 2004 07:22 PDT

I need to find an essay written
for the purpose of business school entrance

Hi, Find the essay answer below, Regards - epedia.
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How do you define success?

Society, in general, tends to equate success with material wealth and
possessions. And while those things can be an outward sign of your own
career or business success - or that of your family - it reflects only
a small piece of the bigger picture that is your life.

A successful life should encompass far more than your work or
finances, although they are a part of the big picture. A fulfilling
life in all areas is a successful life. Come up with your own specific
categories and milestones that indicate your personal success level so
that you can evaluate success on your own terms. As you ponder your
success definition, ask yourself some key questions:

1. DO I ENJOY MY LIFE? Our journey through life may not always be just
what we want it to be, but we can still choose to experience
contentment and joy on a daily basis. Identify the things that bring
you joy in your life, and be sure to incorporate them into your
everyday life.

2. AM I MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS? Life becomes
meaningful when your actions impact more than just you. Your mission
in life is using your gifts and talents to make a positive difference
in others' lives. Whether the gift you give is a listening ear, a
skill you teach or an encouraging word, make a difference to at least
one person every single day.

3. DO I PERSEVERE IN THE MIDST OF CHALLENGES? Life is a learning
journey. If you focus only on your challenges or problems without
asking, "What am I to learn from this?," then you will continually
feel frustrated and sorry for yourself. Those who persevere, grow. And
as you grow, you increase your capacity to handle more and have more
good opportunities come into your life.

4. DO I HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF THE THINGS I NEED TO LIVE COMFORTABLY?
The term "comfortable" means different things to different people.
Make it a goal in your life to not aim for "enough," but to have "more
than enough" of what you need - whether it's time, money, love, space
or other precious resources. When you live in abundance, you can focus
more clearly on what you want. It empowers you to share yourself, your
time, talent, and love more generously.

5. AM I SUCCESSFUL IN GOD'S EYES? A test that can help you focus on
what's most important in your life is to consider it from a spiritual
perspective. Jesus said that everything God asks can be summed up in
two commandments: Love God with all your heart, all your soul, and
with all your mind; and secondly, to love your neighbor as yourself.
When you are curious about how truly successful you are, ask yourself
if you are doing these two things.

Rather than allowing others to define success for you, take time today
to create your own definition. Make a list of what success looks like
to you, and have the courage to measure your success by standards that
are meaningful for your life.
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I am not sure this is an MBA essay. I need to find an essay written
for the purpose of business school entrance. Thanks though and cheers.

This is for law school, but perhaps it may be of some help.  I agree
with the first poster, but I just left out #5.  Despite mediocre
credentials, I was admitted with scholarship, and I think the essay
helped.  I just wrote about wanting to use the degree to help people,
which is true.  Here is an excerpt.  I hope it can be of some help. 
Good luck.

My life experience allows me to offer further diversity as an
applicant.  Although I do not wish to pursue securities law, I have
few regrets regarding my past employment.  Being a part of the boom
and bust stock market of the late 1990?s was a defining life
experience for me.  Four of my five previous securities employers are
now out of business.  My values regarding wealth have changed.  The
pursuit of money is a low priority for me now.  Wealth and money were
once the same thing to me.  Today, that is not the case.  Material
items are only one aspect of wealth.  The richest people are not the
happiest.  I now believe that great wealth comes from being a positive
force in peoples? lives.  There is great irony in that people who
spent their lives focused on the pursuit of their own happiness end up
less happy than people who devote themselves to others.  I am
fortunate to have had the life experience to teach me these lessons. 
Being certain of my life?s priorities will give me the focus to become
a dedicated student of the law.

"I suspect that HBS' new question, "How do you define success?" may
cause a few of you to tear your hair out..." (Ideas for HBS
application essay #4
<http://accepted.typepad.com/admissions_almanac/2004/07/ideas_for_hbs_a.html>).

Sample essays
<http://www.accepted.com/mba/sampleessays.aspx>