During your application process, you’ll invariably encounter a question like “Tell us about a time you failed.” One of the primary reasons the AdCom asks this questions is to learn about your ability to accept feedback and improve. While the above example explains the failure, it doesn’t show the effort the candidate made to improve, or the progress they made.
This example is much more effective, since it touches on the impact of the candidate’s mistake, the actions she took to improve and the results of those actions. Through this story, the AdCom will know that this candidate is able to accept feedback with a positive attitude and dedicate herself to improving.