Video summary

Advice from the Admissions Team

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Purpose of the Session

The admissions team hosts this webinar to:

  • Explain the Schwartzman Scholars program through the admissions team’s lens
  • Answer common application questions
  • Conduct a live Q&A

Application Timeline and Cohort Context

  • At the time of the webinar, the application deadline was 19 days, 3 hours, 56 minutes away.
  • The 8th cohort begins in Beijing in August 2023.
  • The current cycle is described as a period when scholars from the previous cohort are arriving / transiting and quarantining, with orientation starting in Beijing.
  • Safety is emphasized as the top priority, alongside ongoing monitoring of evolving protocols.

Self-Discovery and “Holistic Admissions” Philosophy

  • The application is designed to encourage introspection, including values, leadership, impact, and career direction.
  • Admissions uses a holistic review:
    • They read all complete parts of the application
    • They look for how pieces fit together to form a comprehensive picture

Mission Connection Short Answer (Key Prompt)

A key short-answer prompt asks applicants to:

  • Connect with the program mission most strongly
  • Explain how that aligns with who they are as a leader and their leadership trajectory

They also clarify:

  • There isn’t a simple “mission statement” section to fill in
  • Applicants are expected to research and discover the mission through the application journey

“Why” Behind the Program (Core Mission Explanation)

  • Founder Steve Schwarzman (via Blackstone) observed a gap in understanding/trust/communication between China and other global leaders.
  • Without addressing misunderstanding for the next generation, they believe it could lead to negative outcomes/conflict.
  • Schwartzman Scholars was created to build a network of leaders across countries and sectors who collaborate to foster:
    • Mutual understanding
    • Trust
    • Communication
    • Problem-solving

Optional Video

The optional video is not about production value. Instead, it should show:

  • Applicants in a grounded, personal way
  • How they might contribute to the community

Examples mentioned include:

  • Playing an instrument or singing/opera
  • Showing a personal space (e.g., a backyard)
  • Featuring pets
  • Interviewing a family member
  • Demonstrating a personal ritual (e.g., a tea ritual)

They note that phone/laptop recordings are sufficient.

Letters of Recommendation

  • Applicants must submit three letters.
  • With less than 20 days remaining, they strongly urge contacting recommenders immediately.
  • Letters should provide meaningful insight, such as:
    • The applicant’s relationship with the recommender
    • Observed traits
    • Specific experiences/projects
  • They caution against generic praise.

Leadership Roles and Recognitions

They warn applicants not to treat the leadership section like a resume list.

For each role/recognition, they want applicants to explain:

  • How they went above and beyond role requirements
  • The cause-and-effect of their actions
  • Outcomes and impact
  • How they led even without formal “high title” authority

They also note this section supports a coherent leadership narrative across essays and other materials.

How to Write Essays / What Makes an Application Competitive

  • Don’t flatten yourself to guess what admissions wants.
  • Instead, lean into what truly excites you and what makes you unique.

Academic Context / Explaining Setbacks

  • Transcripts with pass/fail or non-numeric grading are acceptable.
  • If performance or opportunities were affected by extenuating circumstances, use:
    • “clarification comments” in the additional information section
  • Only use clarification comments for genuine extenuating circumstances.

Reapplying

  • Applicants may reapply multiple times up to the age limit (up to 28).
  • They cite success stories including applicants who were admitted after applying more than once.
  • Reapplicants are encouraged to:
    • Reflect and reframe earlier materials
    • Use the “what has changed in the last year” section
  • They suggest that if you can’t identify change, it may signal you need more time.

Who Reads Applications / Selection Overview

  • Review begins around September 20th after the deadline.
  • They estimate about 100 readers review applications.
  • Estimated selection outcomes:
    • ~300 candidates invited to interview
    • ~150 scholars selected for the 8th cohort
      • ~120 from outside China
      • ~30 from China

Interview Process

  • Interviews are virtual and conducted by an interview panel.
  • The interview is described as informational and includes deeper follow-up based on what applicants submitted.
  • Applicants should:
    • monitor email (including junk/spam folders)
    • check their application account to view/track communications and decisions

They emphasize interview content is tied to the application.

Admissions Pillars

The admissions team evaluates through three pillars:

  • Leadership
  • Intellect / academic excellence
  • Character

They connect these pillars to application components, such as:

  • Leadership essay/letters
  • Academic rigor for academics
  • Character through collaboration across differing values/perspectives

“Why Now?”

They argue now is a strong time because:

  • Renewed global openness to cross-cultural connection after pandemic restrictions
  • Scarcity of funding for graduate study post-bachelor’s
  • The program’s focus on constructive debate, common ground, and respectful disagreement

Methodology / Instructions

How to Approach the Key Mission Short Answer

  • Identify the mission aspect you connect with most.
  • Explain why it connects to you
    • who you are as a leader
    • what you care about
  • Describe your leadership trajectory
    • how your future leadership path aligns with the program
  • Do mission research
    • even if there isn’t a visible “mission statement” section
    • the absence is intentional so applicants actively discover the mission

Optional Video: What to Do (and What Not to Overthink)

  • Goal: help the team understand you and how you’d engage in the community.
  • Content ideas:
    • play an instrument / sing opera
    • show your space (e.g., backyard)
    • include pets
    • interview a family member
    • demonstrate a personal ritual (e.g., making tea)
  • Production guidance:
    • no need to rent equipment
    • phone/laptop recordings are acceptable
    • prioritize authenticity and a grounded personality

Letters of Recommendation: Requirements and Best Practice

  • Requirement: submit 3 letters.
  • Before the deadline:
    • contact recommenders immediately if you don’t yet have all three
    • ensure recommenders understand you’re applying to Schwartzman Scholars
  • What to request from recommenders:
    • why you’re applying
    • past shared experiences/projects
    • what stood out about your leadership
  • Letter fit examples:
    • Professor/TA: ask what specifically about you was notable in a project/learning context
    • Mentor/Manager: emphasize your relationship and observed growth
    • Colleague: highlight challenging work you contributed to and the outcomes

Leadership Roles & Recognitions: How to Write It Well

For each role/recognition, include:

  • Context: what the organization/community looked like beforehand
  • Your actions: what you did beyond job description expectations
  • Cause and effect: what changed because of your leadership
  • Outcomes: results and impact after your involvement
  • Your scope of leadership: how you defined leadership/influence even without formal authority

If Your Academics Were Impacted (Transcript Clarifications)

  • Pass/fail or non-numeric grading is okay.
  • Use “clarification comments” only for extenuating circumstances.
  • Keep it brief and tied to the transcript/relevant details.
  • Don’t treat clarification comments as a replacement for essays.

Reapplying: How to Increase Chances After Rejection

  • You may reapply multiple times up to age 28.
  • Use prior materials, but:
    • reframe your application to show improvement
    • show meaningful growth and change
  • The application includes a section asking what changed in the last year:
    • if you can’t answer it, they suggest you may need more time before reapplying

After Submitting: What Happens and How Decisions Are Communicated

  • Around September 20th, the team begins reviewing applications.
  • Some applicants are invited to virtual interview panels.
  • Applicants should:
    • monitor email (including junk/spam folders)
    • log in through their application account to view decision letters

Interview: What to Expect

  • Virtual interview panel.
  • Deeper informational questions that expand on:
    • life experiences and influences shaping who you are
    • how you became the leader you are
    • links to what’s already in your application

Speakers / Sources Featured (As Named in the Subtitles)

  • Wyatt — Deputy Director of Global Admissions (host/speaker)
  • Lisa Yu — Admissions Operations Manager (speaker)
  • Elysia / Elysia Pan — Outreach and Events Officer (speaker)
  • Tom Temesco — Admissions team (newest addition) (speaker)
  • Sarah — Region Selection Officer (speaker)
  • Steve Schwarzman — founder/CEO of Blackstone (referenced as the origin of the program’s mission framing)

Original video