Microsoft 365 Copilot MBA App Prompt 9: Question the types of questions you ask yourself to ideate an admissions-worthy essay topic

This is for my personal account and not a content piece for Microsoft.

“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers” - Voltaire

Prompt 9 Format

Part 1:?

What are [insert number] types of questions? Please write a brief description of each and how they are best used.

Part 2:

I am (a/an) [insert role] [insert action being taken in role to achieve a specific goal] [insert additional details on action being taken in role]. Can you please provide me with a list of [insert number] questions to ask myself to help me ideate answers to this essay question? Below are some additional details:

• These questions should be the type of questions (an/an) [insert role] would take in order to [insert action being taken in role to achieve a specific goal].?
• Please use my attached resume as a starting point for ideating questions. [For the example below, I used my own resume].
• Please ensure the questions are a mix of [type of questions]. A description of each type of question is below: [insert question types and descriptions provided in Prompt 9 Part 1 response]

Prompt 9 Example

Part 1:

My Question: What are 10 types of questions? Please write a brief description of each and how they are best used.

微软 365 Copilot Response: Here are 10 types of questions along with a brief description of each and how they are best used:

• Open-Ended Questions: These questions cannot be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no' and require a more detailed response. They are best used to encourage discussion and gain in-depth insights. Example: "What do you think about the new policy?"
• Closed-Ended Questions: These questions can be answered with a 'yes' or 'no' or a specific piece of information. They are best used when you need a quick, definitive answer. Example: "Did you complete the assignment?"
• Leading Questions: These questions suggest a particular answer or contain the information the questioner is looking for. They are best used to guide the respondent towards a specific point. Example: "You enjoyed the movie, didn't you?"
• Probing Questions: These questions are used to dig deeper into the subject matter. They are best used when you need more detailed information or clarification. Example: "Can you explain further why you feel that way?"
• Rhetorical Questions: These questions are asked to make a point rather than to elicit an answer. They are best used in persuasive speaking and writing. Example: "How many times have I told you to be careful?"
• Funnel Questions: These questions start broad and then narrow down to a specific point, or vice versa. They are best used to gather detailed information in a structured way. Example: "What can you tell me about the project? What was your role? What challenges did you face?"
• Recall and Process Questions: Recall questions require the respondent to remember facts, while process questions require them to understand and apply information. They are best used in educational settings to assess knowledge and comprehension. Example Recall: "What is the capital of France?" Example Process: "How would you solve this math problem?"
• Loaded Questions: These questions contain an assumption that may be controversial or unjustified. They are best used with caution as they can be seen as confrontational. Example: "Why did you lie about the incident?"?
• Hypothetical Questions: These questions ask the respondent to imagine a scenario and describe how they would respond. They are best used to explore potential outcomes and actions. Example: "What would you do if you won the lottery?"
• Reflective Questions: These questions encourage the respondent to reflect on their experiences and opinions. They are best used in coaching and counseling to promote self-awareness. Example: "How did that situation make you feel?"

Sidenote: To effectively ideate a list of questions for the Stanford University Graduate School of Business essay, it's essential to use questions that inspire deep contemplation. After reviewing the descriptions of various types of questions, it's evident that open-ended, probing, funnel, recall and process, and reflective questions are the most suitable for achieving our goal. These types of questions are designed to encourage thoughtful and comprehensive responses, which will be invaluable in crafting a meaningful and insightful essay.

Part 2:

My Question: I am a prospective MBA student who is applying to the Stanford University Graduate School of Business . I need your help with ideating responses to the Stanford Graduate School of Business’ application essay question: “What matters most to you, and why?” Can you please provide me with a list of 50 questions to ask myself to help me ideate answers to this essay question? Below are some additional details:

• These questions should be the type of questions a journalist would ask someone they are interviewing for a feature story about their life.?
• Please use my attached resume as a starting point for ideating questions.?
• Please ensure the questions are a mix of open-ended, probing, funnel, recall and process, and reflective questions.?

A description of each type of question is below:

• Open-Ended Questions: These questions cannot be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no' and require a more detailed response. They are best used to encourage discussion and gain in-depth insights. Example: "What do you think about the new policy?"
• Probing Questions: These questions are used to dig deeper into the subject matter. They are best used when you need more detailed information or clarification. Example: "Can you explain further why you feel that way?"
• Funnel Questions: These questions start broad and then narrow down to a specific point, or vice versa. They are best used to gather detailed information in a structured way. Example: "What can you tell me about the project? What was your role? What challenges did you face?"
• Recall and Process Questions: Recall questions require the respondent to remember facts, while process questions require them to understand and apply information. They are best used in educational settings to assess knowledge and comprehension. Example Recall: "What is the capital of France?" Example Process: "How would you solve this math problem?"
• Reflective Questions: These questions encourage the respondent to reflect on their experiences and opinions. They are best used in coaching and counseling to promote self-awareness. Example: "How did that situation make you feel?"

微软 365 Copilot Response: Here are 50 questions to help you ideate responses to the Stanford GSB application essay question, "What matters most to you, and why?" These questions are designed to prompt reflection and insight, drawing from your resume and experiences:

Open-Ended Questions:

• What inspired you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?
• How did your experiences at 微软 shape your professional goals?
• What motivated you to found MAV Media & Messaging ?
• How did your role as a journalist influence your communication skills?
• What did you learn from your time at 美国杜克大学富卡商学院 ?
• How did your internships at 纽约时报 and USA TODAY impact your career path?
• What was the most rewarding aspect of your work at Communications Strategy Group (CSG?) ?
• How did your role as a Product Marketing Manager at 微软 challenge you?
• What did you find most fulfilling about your work with the Generative AI Center of Excellence?
• How did your education at Wheaton College Massachusetts contribute to your current success?

Probing Questions:

• Why do you feel so passionately about product management and marketing?
• Can you explain further why you decided to transition from journalism to business?
• What specific skills did you gain from your MBA that you apply in your current role?
• How did your work with Azure AI Studio influence your perspective on technology?
• Why is it important for you to be involved in developing scalable digital assistant solutions?
• What impact do you hope to have on the marketing industry through your work?
• How did your experience with the Marketing Aspire MBA Rotational Program shape your career aspirations?
• What drives your commitment to enhancing small business users’ experiences with Defender for Cloud?
• How did your role as a Founder and Lead Earned Media and Messaging Strategist align with your values?
• What do you believe is the most significant contribution you've made in your career so far?

Funnel Questions:

• What are the top three values that guide your professional life?
• Of those values, which do you consider the most important?
• Why is that value more significant to you than the others?
• How did you come to realize the importance of this value?
• What specific moments in your career highlight the significance of this value?
• How does this value affect your daily work and interactions?
• What challenges have you faced in upholding this value?
• How have you overcome those challenges?
• What have you learned about yourself through these experiences?
• How has this value shaped your goals for the future?

Recall and Process Questions:

• When did you first realize the importance of this value?
• What events led up to this realization?
• How has your understanding of this value evolved over time?
• What specific actions have you taken that align with this value?
• How have others responded to your commitment to this value?
• What obstacles have you encountered in living out this value?
• How did you navigate those obstacles?
• What skills have you developed as a result of prioritizing this value?
• How has this value influenced your personal growth?
• What are the tangible outcomes of this value in your life?

Reflective Questions:

• How does this value make you feel on a daily basis?
• What emotions do you associate with this value?
• How do you feel when you are not aligned with this value?
• What does this value say about who you are as a person?
• How does this value align with your long-term vision for yourself?
• What does this value mean for your future?
• How does this value affect your relationships with others?
• How does this value influence your decision-making?
• What does this value reveal about your character?
• How does this value contribute to the person you want to become?

These questions should help you reflect deeply on your experiences and values, providing a strong foundation for your essay. Remember, the key is to be authentic and introspective, as the admissions committee is looking to understand the core of who you are and what drives you. Good luck with your application! ??

Ready to write your essay now? Head over to the previous prompt post Microsoft 365 Copilot MBA App Prompt 7: Use a flashback structure in your MBA admissions essays to flaunt your expertise to figure out how to structure your essay.