Whys and other questions

During my conversation with a friend we were talking about the questions to ask before thinking of MBA, and we spoke about the 5 why's.
It is useful to answer a few questions before plunging into MBA application process. You can be as descriptive or as concise as you would like to be and remember when you look at your words later.

* The first set of questions are five Why's which are very useful in applications, almost every school will have one or more essays based on this.
Why MBA, Why now, Why this school, Why this region, Why me

* The first question always is Why MBA and it transcends to 5 more whys. For Example -
Why MBA - because I want to change my field of work to ___
Why change my field of work to ___ because I am passionate about it
Why are you passionate about it...
...and so the questions go

The answers have to be plausible before proceeding to the next why. Once you have done this move on to the other three and then to the last one which is selling yourself

* Why me is an important question and requires a lot of reflection. This is where you take a look at yourself. There are various tools available to help you figure this, on forums you'll find skill assessment metrics etc, there is swot assessment - strength, weakness, opportunity and threat (which I can talk more about, may be later) and some more.
I did not use any of these directly but I'm a less organized person.

* Make a list of your accomplishments and disasters. This helps work on essays later

* Make a list of five things you definitely want to add to your application and two that you want to highlight. These are usually your strengths and differentiators.

* The two things you select in above are very important, they are what makes you unique in the pool applicants. For Example, you may want to highlight your entrepreneurial abilities and creativity. They both go hand in hand so you may choose your detail orientation over creativity and highlight creativity while sighting example of entrepreneurial skills.
What is more important here is this unique thing about you has to be demonstrated in your life. You should be able to hold it at all times. Which would mean that your recos will have them mentioned in some form, you should be able to carry them with you during interview. This is what defines you as a person.

I'm sure these are not the only questions and people may have their own version. And that is the point, bring in your perspective show your individuality in the process. That is what leadership is all about.

Did I do the above religiously, don't think so but like I mentioned I'm not an organized person. And I don't have the credibility to preach at the moment until I get admitted to a b school. I just like to share my thoughts!