Dear Admissions Officer - Essay Example

My ultimate goal is to exceed my own father’s success as an entrepreneur and to accomplish this one of my goals is to enrich my knowledge, both through theoretical and practical application, of modern management practices.  By starting my own business, I feel I can add to the economic prosperity of a continually changing Chinese business environment by understanding how the business community drives the economic prosperity of China.

To ensure my goal is achievable, I have an exceptional advantage in business as my father, Mr. Duan Yongji, is one of the most successful and famous entrepreneurs in China and is extremely supportive of my business goals and academic pursuits.   

My father is the founder of Stone Group and SINA Corporation and currently serves as both of these two companies as Chairperson is also the President of Zhongguanchun Development, considered the "Silicon Valley" in Beijing.  His different business activities include:

• Board chairman of SINA Corporation (NASDAQ: SINA)
• Founder and President of STONE GROUP Co. Ltd (former CEO and President)
• Chairman and President of Beijing Centigrade Technologies (Holding) Co., Ltd
• Vice-Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce
• Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference
• Special supervisor of the Ministry of Supervision of the People’s Republic of China

Throughout my father’s twenty-three years in the business field, he has had plenty of experience dealing with both practical and entrepreneurial management skills. His refusal to work within state-operated companies in the early 1970s laid the groundwork for starting his own business.  He has also experienced the whole process of seeing the Chinese economy move from a closed market to an open market, which has only added to his skills in proper opportunity evaluation as well as the knowledge that is required to turn an idea into a sound business opportunity. By utilizing my father’s advice on business decisions along with my education, I feel that I can make a dependable plan for my future steps for a start-up company.

A further educational advantage involves my father’s vast businesses network to draw upon in other such countries as Japan, Canada, and the United States which includes many individuals who sit on the Board of Directors from companies such as Goldman & Saches, Microsoft, National & Panasonics, and Pfizer. This is a network that I can draw a great deal of business knowledge from. The reality in China is that if you have strong connections with the governors, which my father has had for more than 20 years now, you will run your business smoothly and safely. 

As a side note, although my GMAT scores may be low, it is not a true reflection of my real understanding of the English language; but, I do believe that I can only improve myself in this area and am more than willing to retake the GMAT in late March.  I also believe this is the best time for me to pursue an MBA education and through applying to your program I anticipate you will give me serious consideration.