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Stanford MBA Program

Q&A: Admission

 

What are the admission criteria?

We evaluate all of our applicants in the following three areas:

  • Intellectual Vitality
    The idea or theme that is primary 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, we want to see your passion, dedication, and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons throughout your application.
  • Demonstrated Leadership Potential
    Another factor that is foremost 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.
  • Personal Qualities and Contributions
    A third factor that we consider is the perspective that you bring to the Stanford community—your personal qualities and contributions. In a world that often emphasizes conformity, the Stanford community thrives only with the unique perspectives and interests of our students.
How does Stanford evaluate applications and make final decisions? Can you tell me more about the evaluation process?

What goes through the minds of the Admissions Committee members when reading files? Imagine putting together a jigsaw puzzle without having a picture on the box to guide you. To begin, your academic profile forms the border of the puzzle—an important and necessary part of the puzzle—but by itself the picture would be incomplete. What gives the puzzle definition and texture is the essays and letters of reference.

When reading the essays, we begin forming a picture of who you are—your values, your goals, and what motivates you in life. In reading about you, we imagine you as a student at the Stanford GSB, as a future leader and manager, and as a future alumnus/a of the University.

Your three recommendations continue to add color and design to your puzzle. They enhance the themes of your essays as well as create new dimensions to your profile. Their detailed descriptions of you in a broad range of situations give us a good sense of who you are. They help define your potential for becoming excellent managers and leaders.

However, evaluating the individual applicant file is only one of two critical processes. The next step is a comparative process, deciding which of the highly qualified candidates to admit. Do we have a formula for constructing the class? No. Do we have target percentages for specific industries, colleges, or countries? No. This process definitely is more of an art than a science. While you can influence the first part of the process by submitting a complete and thorough application, you cannot fully control the final outcome since you do not have knowledge of or control over the quality and quantity of applicants in the pool against which you will be compared. This is why your strategy in applying to highly selective schools should be to focus on your individual application, making it the strongest possible in hopes that it will stand out from among others.

Because there is no quantitative formula for admission, we rely on the professional judgment of our MBA Admissions Officers to evaluate applications in a thoughtful and thorough manner. There is nothing quite as challenging as the art of human assessment, especially in an admissions process where important decisions are made based on limited information. We, as a staff, are committed to giving each applicant a fair and complete review and are respectful of the fact that the two-dimensional pieces of paper in front of us represent real people.

If I send in some supplemental materials after I submit my application and after the deadline has passed, will you read it?

The Stanford MBA Admissions Office strives to provide the best service to applicants. If you send something separately or past the deadline date, however, you should expect that it will not be read. We do this to be fair to all applicants.

How does Stanford's MBA Admissions Office communicate admission decisions to applicants?

Your admission decision will be posted to your ApplyYourself application on the decision date (for the round in which you applied) by 5:00 PM Pacific Time. To receive your admission decision, please log into your application and follow the link on the main page called "Decision Status." If you have forgotten your ApplyYourself login or password, please contact ApplyYourself directly.

Please provide an email address on your Application Form to which you will have access through the decision date.

We do not release admission decisions to applicants via telephone or in person and under no circumstances may we provide a decision before the published deadline.

Is there an advantage to applying in Round 1, 2, or 3? Does Stanford have a pre-established quota or number of people who are accepted in each round?

The simple and honest answer is that you should apply when you are fully confident that you can submit an application that accurately represents your talents and strengths. Do not submit a weak application just to apply in an earlier round. Take the time to put together a thoughtful and thorough application, even if it means applying in the final round.

If you are considering applying in either Round 1 or Round 2, we encourage you to consider Round 1. Over the past few years, we've noticed more applicants applying in Round 2 and, as a result, this round has become bigger and a bit more competitive. You should never rush your application. But on the margin, earlier is better.

While we admit outstanding individuals in all three rounds, there are some advantages to applying in either the first or second round:

  • Early notification
  • The opportunity to meet other admitted candidates during Admit Weekend
  • The opportunity to register early for on-campus housing, especially at the Schwab Residential Center, which is in high demand
  • For international student, to have additional time to navigate the often time-consuming visa process
  • If needed, the ability to complete preliminary quantitative and/or language coursework prior to arrival on campus.

At the same time, you know best when you are ready to apply. While it is true that the final round typically is smaller than the first two, we do admit excellent candidates in Round 3 (including our current Director of MBA Admissions).

If you are not admitted this year, you are welcome to reapply the next year.

 

How many people do you admit? How many from my country? How many from my industry?

The specific number and types of candidates admitted each year will vary and will also depend on the applicant pool at the time. There are no quotas or targets for any group. The one constant is that it will always be based on those who will contribute to a stimulating, diverse educational experience. While we consider gender, ethnicity, nationality, and personal, professional, and academic experiences, among other aspects, we ultimately admit individuals and not categories of people.

Are reapplicants at a disadvantage?

Reapplicants are not placed at disadvantage for having applied (or been denied) in a previous year. Your new application will be evaluated on its merits, in the context of the new applicant pool. We encourage you to give yourself a fresh start when you approach your reapplication. Think through and re-write your essays (questions may change each year), update work history, submit new letters of reference (even if you choose the same recommenders), and submit new transcripts. This is also a good opportunity for you to add any new information that may be helpful in the decision process. Admission decisions are also dependent on who else is applying in any given year and what the total pool and mix of applicants is.

What are the procedures for reapplying?

All reapplicants are required to complete the new application, including new academic transcripts, essays, letters of reference, work history and pay the application fee.

As long as your test scores (GMAT/TOEFL) remain valid, you do not need to have them resent from the test centers. However, you do need to self-report them in the application. If your test scores are no longer valid, you need to retake them.

Your old application is available to the readers but the admission decision will be based upon the new application materials.

What is your policy on deferred admission?

We encourage you to apply for the year in which you wish to enroll. We realize, however, that unforeseen circumstances may prevent an admitted candidate from enrolling in that year. If, after being accepted to the MBA Program, you have compelling reasons for deferring admission, you may request a deferral by writing to the Director of MBA Admissions.

  • Deferrals are at the discretion of the director and are rarely granted.
  • Deferrals for professional/ work-related reasons (other than compulsory military service) are not granted.
  • College seniors may defer admission at the discretion of the director.
Do you accept transfer students from other graduate business schools? Can I transfer units into the Business School?

No, we do not accept transfer students into the Stanford MBA Program. Our program is a full-time, two-year, residential day program that admits new students in the fall term only once a year.

With prior approval of the GSB faculty, you may receive credit for approximately 10 units of academic work at another university (e.g., Harvard's Kennedy School MPA/MPP).

Can I apply if I already have an MBA?

Yes. Even if you already have an MBA, you are eligible to apply to the MBA Program. You may wish to review our course offerings to see how much of the program would be repetitious. Then, if you decide to apply, make a compelling case in Essay B to explain why you would want to have another MBA degree and particularly at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Can I speak to an admissions counselor? How do I find out if I am qualified?

The best way to contact our office with specific questions about the MBA Program and application process is to submit an online inquiry or call +1.650.723.2766 to speak with an Admissions Counselor. Please refer to the Related Links box.

Please keep in mind that we cannot evaluate your qualifications before you apply. The evaluation process looks at your entire application, and compares that profile against the larger applicant pool in each round. Therefore, it is impossible for us to tell you in advance your chances of admission.

Although we are not able to meet with you individually, we offer group information sessions led by an Admissions Officer on campus typically twice weekly and off campus in the fall and winter. These information sessions provide you with an excellent overview of the MBA Program and admission process as well as an opportunity to ask questions. We hope that our printed and electronic materials will provide you with complete information about the Business School and the admission process.

 

How close to the application deadline can I take the GMAT and/or TOEFL?

Although you must take the GMAT (and TOEFL, if applicable), or GRE before submitting your application, we only require that the test be taken before the deadline date of the round in which you apply. You self-report your scores on your application. If the AWA (Analytical Writing Assessment) score is not available, please leave this question blank. On the date of the test, you should instruct the testing service to send your official scores directly to Stanford so that they will reach us in time for that portion of the review.

What score do I need on the GMAT—really?

There is no minimum score required to apply—really. Scores of students currently attending the MBA Program range from 500-800 on the GMAT. We use the GMAT as a guide to success in the first-year courses. To assess your intellectual vitality, we rely on your full history rather than scores from a test taken on one particular date.

Please note that while we require all applicants to submit results of the GMAT, we will make exceptions for alternatives such as the GRE. Please contact the MBA Admissions Office for more information. There is no minimum GRE score required to apply.

I was born and raised in an English-speaking country but went overseas for my undergraduate degree at a university where the primary language of instruction was not English. Am I required to take the TOEFL?

Yes. All students—regardless of nationality—without a degree from a university at which the primary language of instruction is English must submit results of the TOEFL.

Do you accept the IELTS (International English Language Testing System)?

Stanford University does not accept the IELTS.

I don't want to tell my employer that I am leaving. Whom should I ask to write my letters of reference? What should I do?

We would not want you to jeopardize your employment to apply to Stanford.

If you are unable to provide a letter from a current direct supervisor, respond YES to the question, "Are you applying in confidence" in the Contact Information section and include a brief note of explanation in the Additional Information section of the Online Application.

Because the letters of reference are extremely important to our understanding of your values, personal qualities, and impact in the organization, you should choose another recommender who can give us specific anecdotal information about your leadership skills and managerial talents. You may want to ask a past employer or a supervisor from a charitable or extracurricular project, for example.

You require a letter of reference from a peer. How do you define a peer?

A peer is an equal. In our application process, we are looking for a reference from a colleague who is neither a supervisor nor a subordinate. You may choose this person from any of your team experiences: extracurricular, professional, charitable, or otherwise.

I am a college senior. What type of recommendations should I have? Can I ask my professors?

We want to know about you—your achievements, your leadership ability, experiences that significantly influenced how you work with others, and other details that paint a strong picture of your accomplishments and potential. We strongly suggest that you have your letters of reference written specifically for this application—generic or outdated letters typically do not strengthen an application.

College seniors may use a direct supervisor from a summer, part-time, or internship experience. Alternatively, you may ask someone who oversaw you in an extracurricular, volunteer, or charitable activity. You are welcome to submit a recommendation from a professor, but academic letters of reference generally are not helpful in our evaluation.

Academic recommendations are acceptable if you worked with the recommender as a teaching assistant, researcher, or in a similar capacity.

 

My recommender is overseas and can't submit the letter in time. Is that OK?

You are responsible for ensuring that all three letters of reference are submitted online prior to the application deadline and/or returned to you in time to be included with your supplemental application materials package. While we would do our best to include a late reference, we may begin to review your application before the recommendation has been submitted. In fairness to all applicants we are not able to wait for late submissions to arrive. We hope that you will use the reminder button on the application if your recommender has not submitted well before the deadline date.

What are you looking for in the essays? How many pages should they be?

We learn about what you've done through your test scores, transcripts, and work history. We learn about you—your influences, passions, values, interests, and aspirations—through your essays. You must submit two essays and complete two short-answer questions.

General guidelines for the essays:

  • Take time to think, then write—these are not easy questions to answer.
  • There are no "right" answers.
  • Tell us your story in a natural and honest way.

Please see the Application Instructions for detailed information on length and formatting. Remember, these are guidelines, not firm rules. If your essays total more than 7 pages, however, you need to upload the remaining pages into the Additional Information section of the Online Application.

How does the interview process work? Can I interview on campus?

We offer evaluative interviews on an invitation-only basis. Interviews are designed to provide useful information about you that may not be easily captured on paper. They are also a good way for you to learn more about the MBA Program. This does not mean a diminished emphasis on the application essays and letters of recommendation; they remain a critical part of the evaluation process, with interviews as a supplementary information source. We expect to interview between 800 and 1,000 applicants this year.

So what happens during the 45-minute interview? The primary questions revolve around behaviors, skills, and attitudes that we believe are key to good citizenship here at the Stanford Business School and high-impact leadership post-MBA. There are no trick questions, but rather ones that ask you to reflect on your professional and personal experiences, what you've learned about yourself, and how to best manage people and situations. The interview is both evaluative and informative, as it is an opportunity for us to learn more about you, and for you to learn more about the School. It is designed to be a positive exchange of ideas and information. The only information about you that the interviewer will have is your resume, which you will send to him/ her.

If you are invited to interview, the interview will occur during the application round in which you applied. You will be contacted by the MBA Admissions Office to schedule an interview and you and your interviewer will set up a mutually convenient date and time to meet.

The admission interviews are conducted almost exclusively by Stanford MBA alumni. On occasion, you may be invited to interview with an MBA Admissions Officer. Our goal is to interview everyone who will be offered admission. However, given the strong caliber of our applicant pool, the majority of those interviewed will not be offered admission.

  • Please do not call or contact our office to request an interview.
  • Almost all interviews are conducted by Stanford MBA alumni. On occasion, you may be invited to interview with an MBA Admissions Officer.
  • We do not provide interview feedback.
  • After you receive an email invitation, you and your alumni interviewer will set up a mutually convenient date and time to meet.
  • If you anticipate difficulty obtaining an official transcript from your undergraduate institution, we suggest that you request one when you are invited to interview. Do NOT send the transcript to the MBA Admissions Office until we request it.
  • If you are waitlisted without an interview, you will be interviewed after you accept your place on the waitlist.
Do I have to work for one of the top companies in my field to be competitive for admission? What if I come from a "non-traditional" background?

We make a concerted effort to attract and admit students from a broad range of professional backgrounds and experiences. Therefore, there are no preferred industries or sets of companies that put you at a competitive advantage in the admission process. Although investment banks and management consulting firms are represented at Stanford, we also draw students from non-profit organizations, multi-national corporations, family businesses, entrepreneurial ventures, and the public sector. And our personalized education challenges each of you to maximize your potential, regardless of background or experience.

As you approach your MBA application, keep in mind that we are more interested in the impact you have had in your workplace than the name or stature of your organization. Have you made the most of your professional opportunities? Are you cultivating your leadership and team skills and making a difference? In the end, don't build your resume simply to be an attractive business school applicant, but rather seek opportunities that are truly challenging and rewarding for your own professional and personal growth.

 

What if I don't have strong quantitative skills? Can I still apply?

Yes. Stanford admits individuals with strong potential to become leaders of organizations; and leadership requires a broad range of skills. Your background may, however, place a larger responsibility upon you to prepare for the program ahead of time. We will help you identify ways to prepare before you come to Stanford.

Once you arrive at the GSB, you will receive ample support and guidance in customizing the curriculum based on your background and objectives. Free tutoring is also available through our Student Life Office, and our students often work together in study groups to help each other through the tougher quantitative areas and in preparing for exams.

Can I apply as a college senior?

We encourage college seniors to consider applying to the MBA Program. We accept entering students with all types of experience as well as students who enroll directly from an undergraduate program with no full-time work experience. Admission may be granted to college seniors who present superior academic credentials and truly outstanding evidence of leadership through extracurricular and community activities. Full-time work experience is not required for admission.

Those who are accepted directly from their undergraduate program typically enter Stanford the year they are accepted, although we may offer deferrals to college seniors.

As a college student, is there a preferred undergraduate major that I should choose to prepare for my MBA education?

There is no "ideal" undergraduate major for business school; therefore, choose a major that you find interesting and engaging. MBA students have majored in everything from economics to religious studies. Since business school curricula will assume a solid foundation in quantitative skills, you may want to take at least a couple of classes in economics, math, statistics, and/or science (i.e., courses that will sharpen your analytical reasoning skills). If your schedule precludes you from taking these courses, you might consider taking evening or distance-learning quantitative courses from a local university or college.

While in college, you may wish to pursue an honors project or do a senior thesis. While the topic you choose may not seem to be directly relevant to an MBA, it can demonstrate to an admission committee that you possess intellectual vitality and initiative.

How many years of full-time work experience do I need to even be considered for admission? Does graduate school count?

Your quality of experience is much more important than quantity. We will focus on the degree to which you take advantage of opportunities to develop professional and leadership skills, regardless of your experience level. We accept entering students with all types of experience as well as students who enroll directly from an undergraduate program with no full-time work experience. Admission may be granted to college seniors and early-career professionals who present superior academic credentials and truly outstanding evidence of leadership through extracurricular and community activities. Full-time work experience is not required for admission.

The academic coursework you took in graduate school is considered part of your educational history rather than work experience. If, however, you were required to work either full- or part-time while pursuing your graduate degree, please include that information on the application form under Employment History.

Can I apply without paying the application fee?

Fee waivers are available to university/ college seniors currently receiving financial aid. If that is your case, please send us documentation from your school's Financial Aid Office. Although we understand the financial burden that other applicants may be under and sympathize with your circumstances, we are not able to waive the application fee in other cases. Once you have been admitted to our program, however, we are able to offer financial aid in the form of need-based fellowships and both need-based and non need-based loans.

What are you hiding from me?

There is nothing that we are hiding. We provide all of the information that would be helpful to you in learning about the application process. There is no magic formula and no secret clue. Please take the time and learn about the MBA Program and admission process by perusing our website. We also advise you to read the Application Instructions thoroughly.