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Q: Standford Business school admission ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Standford Business school admission
Category: Reference, Education and News > Education
Asked by: jeekaz-ga
List Price: $2.00
Posted: 23 Apr 2003 01:11 PDT
Expires: 23 May 2003 01:11 PDT
Question ID: 194219
how to increase my chances on getting into Stanford's MBA program?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Standford Business school admission
Answered By: denco-ga on 23 Apr 2003 22:52 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Howdy jeekaz,

There are some ways you can increase your chances of being
accepted to Stanford's MBA program.

Let's start with Stanford's own frequently asked questions
(FAQ) and the 3 critical parts of the "puzzle" mentioned.
http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/ask/faqs.html

- your academic profile
- the essays
- letters of reference

Timing could work in your favor; from the FAQ.

"However, we strongly encourage you to apply in the first
or second application round if possible. First, at least
two-thirds of the class is typically admitted in these
rounds ..."

If you get invited to an interview at Stanford, you will
want to keep in mind the following, also from the FAQ.

"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."

More on experience in the workforce appears in some links
later in this answer, as this is important, based on what
the FAQ has to say.

"As you approach your MBA application, keep in mind that
we are more interested in the impact you have had in your
work place than the name or stature of your organization."
...
"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."

Taking some specific pre-graduate classes is mentioned
in some of the links in this answer, and the FAQ agrees.

"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 ..."

It probably wouldn't hurt to take these classes at Stanford,
if that is possible.

The GoCollege web site brings us back to academics and the
value of recommendations and work experience.
http://www.gocollege.com/articles/faq/g35.shtml

"[A low] GPA does not put you out of the running, but
recommendations and GMAT scores will be extremely
important for you. You should also look for internships
related to the fields which interest you. ... Stanford
... prefer[s] candidates with some real world experience."

The SoYouWanna web site agrees that experience is a must.
http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/bschool/bschoolFULL.html

"All top business schools require (or in their language,
"strongly encourage") that you have at least two to four
years of experience prior to being accepted."
...
"You simply need to demonstrate that you have good
organizational skills and leadership abilities."

They also point out the value of preparation.

"According to the Graduate Management Admission Council
(GMAC), (they're the guys who administer the GMAT exam so
you should pay attention to their advice) you should begin
the application process 6 to 10 months before the program
in which you are interested starts."

Timing is brought up again, along with other tips.

"... you should definitely apply early ..."

The SoYouWanna page also emphasizes the essentials.

"Each school generally requires 4 essential components:
GMAT scores, transcripts, essays, and recommendations."

"Students ... have [GMAT] scores above 680."
"... average GPA ... ranges between 3.4 and 3.5"
"Nail your essays"
"Get good recommendations"

The MBA Applicant web site has some great tips on a
variety of subjects with more detail than I can do
justice to here.  You should go to the pages themselves
and really read them thoroughly.

MBA INTERVIEWS
http://www.mbaapplicant.com/7_interviews.htm

SEVEN ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
http://www.mbaapplicant.com/seven_elements.htm

MBA ADMISSIONS
http://www.mbaapplicant.com/b_school_prep.htm

MBA RESUMES
http://www.mbaapplicant.com/resumes.htm

The MBA Admissions Wire web site has an informative
"blog" discussion on admissions, including what is
purported to be samples of Stanford's essay questions.
http://mbawire.blogspot.com/2002_08_25_mbawire_archive.html

"ESSAY A: What matters most to you, and why?"
"ESSAY B: What are your short-term and long-term career
aspirations? How will an MBA education further your
development? Why does the academic experience offered
at the GSB appeal to you?"

A Geocities site has an article titled "Getting into a Top
5 MBA Program" that again, space here can't do justice, so
you should read it in its entirety; they have this tip.
http://www.geocities.com/topmbaprograms/Top5MBA.htm

"The key to admission is convincing the committee that you
are bringing something unique to the class."

There are some books people recommend that should be read
to get an edge on the process as well.  Online bookstores,
such as Amazon sell them.

"ABC of Getting the MBA Admissions Edge" by Matt Symonds
and Alan Mendonca
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0971482209/

"HOW TO GET INTO THE TOP MBA PROGRAMS" by Montauk
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0132463237/

To summarize:
- have high SAT and GMAT scores; retake the GMATs if needed
- get a job at a good "name" company and take it serious
- get some great and varied recommendations
- prepare for the admissions process
- work on producing outstanding essays
- work on being a "well rounded" but "unique" person


Search Strategy:

Searched Google with the keywords: Stanford MBA program "being accepted"
://www.google.com/search?q=Stanford+MBA+program+%22being+accepted%22

If you need any clarification feel free to ask.

Looking Forward, denco-ga
jeekaz-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
Wow! All this for a mere $2??!?! :-)
Thanks denco, and wish me luck!  As the matter of fact, I am very
interested to apply Biz and Law school together and graduate with a
dual degree.  Do you have any advice on that?  Perhaps I will put that
into another question submission.  Have a good weekend!

Comments  
Subject: Re: Standford Business school admission
From: denco-ga on 25 Apr 2003 01:24 PDT
 
Howdy jeekaz!

I found so much good material I didn't want to waste it!

Thanks for the 5 star rating and good luck!  No problem
if you want to post another question on the (ambitious!)
double degree information.  And good luck!

Looking Forward, denco-ga

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