Top 10 Stanford MBA Admission Questions Answered

Stanford MBA Admission Blog has recently started a series revealing some of the myths about MBA Admission to Stanford GSB, and has debunked quite a large set of myths related to recommendation letter, interviews, work experience, campus visit, and essays. We have summarized the main points in this Stanford MBA Admissions FAQ article:

1) Essays & Recommendation letter > Interviews

Essays & Recommendation letter has a slight preference over interview. Remember that the interviews offer supplemental information. The main information about candidacy (motivation, interests, strengths, & weakness) is conveyed through the essays & recommendation letters.

2) Interview Invite Order – Not Significant

The order in which interview invites are sent does not reflect on the chance for admissions. It simply means the order in which the applications were reviewed.

3) Don’t Visit Campus To Increase Chance for Admissions

To convey your interest in the MBA program, you don’t necessarily need to visit the campus, especially for applicants who are international or those who are not in the vicinity. Use campus visits to learn more about the environment but not as a tool to influence the AdCom.

4) Self Employed or Recent Job Changers – Tips for you

The AdCom understands that, for self-employed applicant, the only viable options for recommendation letters are from partners, which can include family members or clients, with whom you interact on a regular basis. Stanford GSB discourages recommendation letter from family members. They prefer letters from clients. For the recent job changers, ask your previous supervisor for a recommendation letter.

5) Recommendation Letter – Max 3 & Pick Good Ones

Do not send additional recommendation letters. It does not increase the chance for admissions. It simply adds to the workload for the AdCom. Instead, give a lot of thought on shortlisting supervisors, clients, and other professionals, who are best equipped to review your contribution. Also, pick recommenders who are motivated to write a recommendation letter, worked with you the most and would like to see you succeed.

6) Recommendation Letter – Need not be in Perfect English

AdCom prefers the recommendation letter in English but they understand that recommenders from non-English speaking countries might not be well versed in it. A better alternative is to ask your recommenders to write in their native language, and assign someone to translate it. The applicant should not be involved in the translation process but a clear guideline should be provided while discussing best practices for the recommendation letter.

7) Recommendation Letter from Professors – Last Resort

Stanford MBA AdCom discourages applicants from asking recommendation letter from professors. The only scenario is if the applicant has worked as a teaching assistant, and it is the only relevant experience available for the application.

8) Full-time Experience During or Before Graduation – Not Counted

Although the AdCom will provide space to include part-time work experience (in hours) during college, it will not be counted in total work experience. The full-time work experience is counted from undergraduate graduation to September (MBA Entry Year).

9) Applications are NOT REJECTED on Numbers

Although the Academic aspect of the application (GMAT, GPA) is important, the applications are not rejected immediately if they don’t fall within the range of scores. Each application is reviewed, and your personality studied before making any decisions. It’s not just numbers.

10) GMAT = GRE

Stanford GSB MBA AdCom does not prefer one exam over the other. Both scores are equally accepted. But on a more practical note, if the applicant is applying to multiple MBA programs, taking the GMAT is preferred, as most schools have yet to accept GRE scores in equal measure.