Getting into Stanford MBA – Academic Profile

Before you apply for Stanford MBA program, research about the type of profiles that is selected for the past 5 years.

The academic competency (Undergraduate GPA and GMAT Score) are used as the first point of elimination for top Business Schools. If the AdCom notices that you have low GMAT or GPA (below class average), they quickly look into other aspects of your profile. If the non-academic aspects of your profile do not stand out, your application will be under ‘Review Later’ category.

GPA Average GPA for Stanford MBA is 3.69

Let us look into previous year’s GMAT Score range and median score for Stanford MBA graduates.

The Stanford AdCom has clarified that they will not take GPA scores in absolute terms. They will evaluate your GPA relative to the highest and lowest scores in your university. The evaluating factors and criteria are different across various countries. If the scores do not give a clear picture on your ability to excel academically, the AdCom looks into your GMAT Score. In any case, GMAT score is important for top Business Schools.

GMAT Score is crucial. If you look at the past four years, here are the range and median GMAT Scores

2012 GMAT Scores Range 580-790 Median 730
2011 GMAT Scores Range 540-800 Median 730
2010 GMAT Scores Range 530-790 Median 730
2009 GMAT Scores Range 570-790 Median 730
2008 GMAT Scores Range 530-800 Median 720    

You have to score in the 710-730 range if you want to be competitive.
TOEFL score ranges are not highlighted as entry criteria in many MBA programs. That is because; we rarely see someone performing poorly in TOEFL, after a 700+ score in GMAT. If you are wondering what the TOEFL scores are for Stanford MBA graduates during previous five years, here is the data:

2012 TOEFL Scores (Internet-based) Range 101-119 Median 113
2011 TOEFL Scores (Internet-based) Range 104-120 Median 112
2010 TOEFL Scores Range 253-287 Median 280
2009 TOEFL Scores Range 260-300 Median 283
2008 TOEFL Scores Range 253-300 Median 283

Now you have a clear idea on how well you have to score in GMAT and TOEFL. GPA part might be too late to change, but at least you know what to target in GMAT to compensate any weakness in GPA.

If you are already in a competitive academic range, download the Stanford mba essay guide to differentiate your application.

To prepare for GMAT, Download F1GMAT's GMAT Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension Guide.