The Stanford MBA – Stanford University

The Stanford Graduate School of Business was founded in 1925, and its MBA degree is one of the most sought-after in the United States and globally. Stanford consistently places at the top of every MBA program ranking and enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide, particularly for its flagship track of General Management.

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Average Age

Class size

Acceptance Rate

Average GMAT

Average GPA

FT Ranking

Percent of Hires in Each Industry:

  • Financial – 33.2%
  • Technology – 29.7%
  • Consulting – 15.1%

Median Starting Salary per industry:

  • Financial – $200000
  • Consulting – $190000
  • Consumer – $165000
  • Technology – $164000
  • Real Estate – $145000
  • Health Care – $195000
  • Energy - $200000
  • Media – $155000
  • Want to see applicant’s ideals, passions and aspirations. Looking for students who have been successful as a by-product of pursuing their passions and interests, as opposed to just pursuing success after success as a goal in itself.
  • They like community involvement and public-service-oriented people.
  • Have strong entrepreneurship program- may be good to discuss both specific entrepreneurial ambitions, and the way those ambitions will have a positive impact on society.
  • Demonstrate that you are interested in the academic experience of the Stanford MBA itself, rather than just the benefits afterwards.
  • Recommendations very important.
  • Like people who are humble, know how to listen, and lead by bringing out the best in those around them (see questions to recommenders).
  • School says your attitude toward learning is as important as your aptitude – i.e. want to see evidence of intellectual curiosity, passion about ideas, broad interests.
  • Advantageous to apply in Round 1.
  • In essays, show insight taken away from experiences, not just experiences themselves.
  • Somewhat of a ‘touchy-feely’ culture- students accept differences and are very supportive of each other. May be good to show that you are kind of person who will thrive in that environment.
  • Have numerous resources for people interested in social innovation (non-profit), including the Center for Social Innovation and the Public Management program. If interested in field, good to discuss how will make use of these resources.
  • Alumni are highly-involved. Helpful to show track record of involvement in alumni activities.
These traits make you more likely to get accepted into Stanford’s MBA program:

Trait

Importance
(4 is highest, 1 is lowest)

Leader/Manager 4
Team Player/Relationship Builder 3
Smart 3
Initiates 3
International/Cultural 2
Creative 1
Presentation Skills 1
Persuasion Skills 1
Community/Society 4
Risk Taker 1
Business Skills 1
Source of career plan/prog choice 2
Promotions 2
Credible Names 2
Story is unique 2.5
Learn more about the meaning of these traits and how they are reflected in your application.

ARINGO has developed this information through ARINGO employees who worked with the Stanford MBA admissions committee, thousands of hours of research, and by helping hundreds of applicants apply to Stanford. ARINGO knows Stanford, and we can help your strengths shine through your application. Contact us today.

Entrepreneurship, (General Management, e-Business, Nonprofit)

The program offers other specializations as well: global management and public management. It also excels in entrepreneurship, non-profit management, and information technology management. Stanford places particular emphasis on the societal impact of a business school education.

Stanford’s program is the most selective in the world, accepting less than 10 percent of approximately 4,700 applicants per year. It is a mid-size program, with about 400 students enrolled in each class.

As a result, the school’s alumni network numbers about 17,000, but is known for its outsize power and impact. Stanford’s geographic proximity to Silicon Valley has led to excellent relationships and strong partnerships with the world’s leading high-tech community.

Stanford prides itself on involving students in a significant way in the school’s management. It boasts a relaxed and creative atmosphere, in part due to the school’s policy of grade non-disclosure. Stanford is open to candidates who lack a business background and who have limited work experience.

Notable Stanford GSB alumni include: Robert Scott (former CEO and president of Morgan Stanley), Ken Powell (Chairman and CEO of General Mills), Howard Leach (former U.S. Ambassador to France), Robert Fisher (a director at Gap. Inc.) and Jim Kolbe (U.S. Congressman).

  • Relatively high percentage of female and international students.
  • Most selective business school.
  • More laid-back atmosphere and less competitive than HBS – have grade-non-disclosure policy.
  • Undergoing curricular changes which include increasing global emphasis in curriculum, increasing student-faculty interaction, personalized advising, and increasing students’ ability to design their course of study by offering broader range of courses.
  • Close links with the venture capital, finance and technology firms of nearby Silicon Valley.
  • Very powerful and highly-involved alumni network for its size (about 15,000).
  • Great brand name.
  • Emphasis on impact of business and management education on society – are very interested in applicant’s potential to have a positive impact on society, as well as on school.
  • Are open to people from non-business backgrounds interested in pursuing non-business paths (as long as have strong quant skills, demonstrated leadership, professional abilities etc).
  • Open to people with limited work experience (as long as have…).
  • Will accept GRE in lieu of GMAT.

Students who submitted their applications through ARINGO have had a 166% higher admission rate than Stanford MBA’s average admissions. Contact us to start working on your Stanford MBA application.

  • $113,000
  • $160,000
  • $133,000
  • $67,000
  • $60,000
  • $30,000
  • $30,000
  • $20,000
  • $20,000
  • $20,000
  • $20,000

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