Memorial Hall (Memorial Auditorium & Stanford Visitor Center) from Hoover Tower.
"My decision to pursue an MBA at Stanford was closely tied to my desire to help my tribe.
I'm a member of the Puyallup tribe, an urban tribe near Tacoma, Washington, which had experienced tremendous economic success in tribal gaming through the late 1990's, but very little had been accomplished outside of tribal gaming. I feared that if we did not begin to diversify our investments, we would not have a sustainable tribal economy.
After graduating from the Stanford GSB, I became CEO of Marine View Ventures, a wholly owned corporate entity of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, which serves as the economic development arm of the Tribe.
I believe that a leader must be able to express his/her vision in a way that is understood by others and that attracts others in the cause. The most important lesson I learned at Stanford was to think big."
Chad Wright, MBA 2004
Tacoma, WA
CEO, Marine View Ventures
Nondiscrimination Policy
Stanford University admits students of either sex and any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, it prohibits discrimination, including harassment, against students on the basis of sex, race, age, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national and ethnic origin, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding Stanford's nondiscrimination policy
The Director of the Diversity and
Access Office - Mariposa House
585 Capistrano Way
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-8230
Voice: +1 650.723.0755
TTY: +1 650.723.1216
Fax: +1 650.723.1971
Email: equal.opportunity@stanford.edu (Please do not contact with questions related to the MBA Program or admission criteria)
Do you have a question about the MBA Program or admission process?
Admission Criteria
What Are We Really Looking for?
We're looking for outstanding individuals, and the very qualities that define you make the GSB a stimulating place to learn.
We Evaluate All Applicants In Three Areas
Intellectual Vitality
One of the ideas or themes that is central in our minds as we evaluate an application is your intellectual vitality.
You can demonstrate this in many ways, not simply through grades and test scores. In other words, your attitude toward learning is as important as your aptitude.
Because the Stanford community believes in the power of ideas to shape the future, we want to see your passion, dedication, and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons throughout your application.
We look for evidence of the kind of curiosity and passion that will allow you to spark a lively discussion in class and continue that conversation during coffee with a faculty member, walking back to the Schwab Residential Center with a classmate, or over dinner with alumni.
Another consideration is the initiative with which you seek out opportunities that enhance your knowledge. We want to understand your willingness to "suspend disbelief"—by mastering concepts that may not be immediately relevant to your intended career, to carve your path in ambiguous environments, and to support the School's goal of developing knowledge that deepens and advances the practice of management.
Demonstrated Leadership Potential
Another factor that is primary in our minds as we read your application is your demonstrated leadership potential.
In short, we try to understand your character and your professional competence.
Your personal character matters not only because integrity is the cornerstone of any academic community, but also because of the vast responsibility our society reposes in leaders of businesses and social-sector organizations.
As a result, we look for evidence of behaviors consistent with your ideals, even under difficult circumstances—a sort of directed idealism.
We want to understand your personal motivation and convictions, and your ability to confront complex, unfamiliar issues with good judgment.
We envision you defending your position with vigor and respect to a peer advocating a different view.
We also try to uncover the ways in which challenges to your beliefs may have changed some of your perspectives and reinforced others.
In understanding your competence, we look for both leadership experience and potential. In doing so, we don’t limit ourselves to your professional life. Neither should you. We look at your background for evidence of your impact on the people and organizations around you, and the impact of those experiences on you.
Learning about your activities, experiences, interests, and aspirations helps us discover your potential contributions to Stanford and to society.
We imagine you working with a group of students and faculty to design a new multi-disciplinary course on ethical issues in life sciences or leading the Principal Investing Conference.
We look for evidence of your desire to leave a legacy in the organizations you serve throughout your career, inspiring and motivating your colleagues.
We consider your awareness of what you do well and the areas in which you can improve; your group and interpersonal skills; and your commitment to utilizing fully your opportunities and available resources.
These qualities will help you to shape your own experience as a student, and will influence your ability to shape the future as an alumna or alumnus.
Personal Qualities and Contributions
A third major concept that we consider is the perspective that you bring to the Stanford community—your personal qualities and contributions.
In a world that often rewards conformity, the Stanford community thrives only when you share your individual experiences and perspectives.
As a result, the strongest applications we see are those in which your thoughts and voice remain intact.
To understand how you will contribute to and benefit from the Business School community, we want to know about you: your experiences, beliefs, your passions, your dreams, your goals. Will you revolutionize the Energy Conference, take the Global Management Program in a different direction, or be the dissenting voice in a classroom discussion?
Take time to reflect on who you are, and have confidence in yourself. We always remember that there is neither an "ideal" candidate nor a "typical" Stanford MBA student. You should remember this, too.
Yes, our community includes students who have pursued incomparable opportunities. This doesn't mean that something remarkable (either positive or negative) must have happened to you to be a strong candidate. In fact, most Stanford MBA students have excelled by doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. It is what you make of an experience that matters to us, not simply the experience itself.
