Stanford MBA students socializing after Friday classes.
Q&A: Stanford MBA Program
What is the best way for me to learn about the Business School?
Begin by browsing the MBA Program and Stanford GSB websites. If you are going to be in the Palo Alto area, you may register online to visit a class, go to lunch with a current student, and attend a group information session led by an Admissions Officer. Tours of the Stanford GSB and Stanford University campus are also available. We also offer off-campus information sessions in locations throughout the world. For additional information, please refer to the Related Links box.
What is the structure of the Stanford MBA Program? How long does it take to complete the Stanford MBA education?
Stanford's MBA Program is a two-year, full-time, residential day program. It takes two years (or six academic quarters) of full-time study to complete the MBA education. The first year of the program consists primarily of general management requirements and the second year of the program is made up primarily of academic electives. You are not required to declare a major field of study to graduate from the MBA Program, but rather may choose among a wide variety of business courses to complete the degree requirements.
Virtually all classes are offered during the day from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. While classes are not often scheduled on Wednesdays, there are other academic commitments on Wednesdays, including exams, lab sessions, Stanford University courses, guest speakers, and—occasionally—GSB classes. Because of the heavy academic workload and commitment, students should not expect to work while you are enrolled.
Can I start in January?
Our matriculating classes begin in the fall of each year. We do not offer January admission.
Do you have a distance learning program? Do you have an Executive MBA?
The Stanford MBA Program is a two-year, full-time, residential day program located here on the campus of Stanford University. We do not offer a distance learning MBA or a part-time Executive MBA.
What teaching methods are used in the Stanford MBA Program?
The philosophy of the Stanford MBA Program is that one size definitively does not fit all. Throughout the entire MBA Program, teaching methods will vary by course—and by topic within each course—to provide the most effective learning environment. Our faculty determine whether to use lectures, discussions, case studies, computer simulations, group projects, presentations by business leaders, or combinations of methods to best deliver the educational experience.
Stanford has a cooperative learning environment, so what is the role of grades in this culture?
One of Stanford's distinguishing characteristics is the collaborative learning environment. Even within such an environment, however, you need benchmarks for measuring your performance, and knowing the degree to which you have mastered the course material. Grades are never publicly released; each student "owns" his or her grades. Although Stanford students work hard to learn and stretch themselves, they collaborate with one another to maximize their learning opportunities.
How does the Stanford GSB teach leadership and management skills?
Business schools are about leadership, whether you choose to make a difference in the for profit, not-for-profit, or public sector. You will learn about articulating a direction, and having a sound business strategy that includes effectively managing your physical, capital, and human resources. The Stanford GSB is a place where you learn frameworks for organizing the complexities of management problems, thus preparing you to make a significant impact in the world.
Talk to alumni in both start-ups and well-established companies, and they will tell you that a source of great satisfaction (and a determinant of success) is having the skill to motivate and inspire people to perform at their personal best while also engendering a sense of team, commitment, and loyalty to the institution. Stanford GSB students learn about leadership through discussions of case studies in which they assess the behaviors of organizational leaders, by listening to executives speak about their successes and failures, and through the practical experience of initiating and coordinating events and activities here at the Business School. Through the combination of both theory and practice, they develop specific skills and frameworks on how to build teams, how to work with others, and how to lead people towards a goal.
In which fields does Stanford specialize? Do I graduate with an emphasis in a certain area?
At the Stanford Graduate School of Business we offer a general management education. You will receive a thorough grounding in critical business disciplines that create a foundation for successful leadership. You will also have the freedom to tailor your coursework to meet your own personal interests and career goals. Because of our size, the Stanford MBA Program can offer unparalleled personal attention and flexibility.
Once you have completed the general management requirements, you may choose from over 100 electives offered at the GSB. While every student graduates with a general management degree, some students choose to also pursue a certificate such as the Global Management Program or the Public Management Program certificates. For specific course information, we encourage you to visit www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/courses.
Our MBA students can also take advantage of all the resources of Stanford University with its esteemed schools in Earth Sciences, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, Law, and Medicine. As an MBA student, you may pursue joint or dual degrees with other Stanford programs or take approximately 16 units from other departments that count toward your MBA requirements. Stanford provides unparalleled breadth and depth in its studies.
How do you compare Stanford to other schools? Where does Stanford rank?
We are able to answer questions about the Stanford MBA Program. We cannot, however, help you with comparisons of other schools. We are not experts in those programs. We encourage you to learn as much as possible about all programs in which you have an interest and make the comparison once you have all of the facts in hand.
The Stanford Graduate School of Business is a highly respected educational institution, that is regarded among the top few business schools in the world. Rankings can vary depending on the particular focus of the surveys and the participants who are surveyed. Most rankings are promoted by media publications rather than educational institutions, so we suggest that you research each institution of interest rather than relying solely on rankings for such an important decision.
What is career placement like?
Our MBA Career Management Center offers valuable resources for exploring your career options. With the highest career services staff-to-student ratio among peer schools, we help you develop a career vision, make strategic career decisions, and build a strong foundation for continuous career and life management. Our graduates work in cities large and small throughout the world, in nearly every industry and function.For additional information, please visit the Career Resources section of our website.
How do I get in touch with alumni or current students from Stanford?
Unfortunately, we are not able to share alumni or student contact information with you because of privacy concerns. However, there are opportunities to meet both alumni and students as a prospective applicant. Once you are admitted, you will be given the opportunity to connect with both students from and alumni in your area.
If you attend one of our off-campus information sessions around the world, you will have an opportunity to hear not only from an Admissions Officer, but also from alumni who are available to share their experiences and answer your questions. Alumni also serve as interviewers in the admission process, if you are invited to interview after submitting your application.
If you are able to visit the campus, we offer student-led tours, a lunch table hosted by students, and a class visit program, as well as an information session hosted by an Admissions Officer. To learn more about these activities, please refer to the Related Links box.