I'm Mike, your host for this event, and my first tip will be to 'Know your Audience'.
For ten years, I was the audience for thousands of applicants applying to the Stanford GSB. As Director of the Stanford MSx Program and Director of Admissions, I managed the process of evaluating and admitting mid-career students to the school, while coordinating closely with MBA Admissions colleagues on our systems, operations and policies. I also taught classes at the GSB, and worked closely with students, faculty and the deans on the school's MBA and MSx leadership curriculum.
Wearing these hats gave me an appreciation not only for what the admissions office looks for, but why. Just as your application will be evaluated and judged, so the admissions team is also evaluated--by the school faculty and administration, by the students it admits, by alumni, by the public. Knowing the stakeholders (ie. audience) that the admissions process serves can provide helpful context when you are building your own application.
My five tips will each be based on an insight I think can be helpful, along with some concrete and practical ways to utilize each one. I will try to leave some time for general Q&A at the end, as well.
