gsb mba essay

Stanford GSB MBA Essays: Prompts, Tips, & Examples

Craft compelling Stanford GSB MBA essays with our expert prompts, tips, and real-life examples.

Posted August 14, 2024

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Planning Your MBA Application

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Table of Contents

Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) is renowned for its rigorous and selective MBA program. As part of the application process, prospective students are required to submit essays that provide insights into their personal and professional backgrounds, as well as their aspirations. In this article, we will delve into the importance of Stanford GSB MBA essays , analyze the essay prompts, offer valuable tips for writing effective essays, and discuss common mistakes to avoid. Lastly, we will emphasize the significance of a final review and provide guidance on seeking feedback. Let's begin!

Stanford GSB MBA Essays Overview

Stanford GSB MBA essays provide a broader context for evaluating applicants by offering additional insights into their motivations, values, and goals. Admissions committees carefully review these essays to better understand an applicant's fit with the program, as well as their potential impact on the Stanford GSB community. Essays allow candidates to present their unique perspectives and highlight experiences that might not be evident through other parts of the application.

For example, imagine a candidate who has a strong academic background and impressive professional achievements. While these accomplishments are certainly noteworthy, they may not fully capture the candidate's personal journey, challenges faced, or the values that drive them. Essays provide an avenue for applicants to delve deeper into their stories, offering a more holistic view of their character and potential.

Moreover, essays give applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their writing skills , critical thinking abilities, and their capacity to articulate complex ideas. These are essential skills for success in business school and beyond. Admissions committees are not only interested in the content of the essays but also in the way candidates present their thoughts and ideas.

Essays play a crucial role in the Stanford GSB MBA application process. They offer applicants a unique opportunity to showcase their experiences, values, and aspirations to the admissions committee. Through essays, candidates can make a compelling case for their admission, supplementing the quantitative information present in their application form. Therefore, investing time and effort into crafting exceptional essays is of utmost importance.

What Stanford GSB Looks for in Essays

When evaluating essays, Stanford GSB seeks to assess an applicant's intellectual vitality, demonstrated leadership potential, and personal qualities such as authenticity and self-awareness. Admissions officers also explore how candidates have transformed their experiences into valuable insights, showcasing their ability to contribute meaningfully to the MBA cohort.

Intellectual vitality is a key aspect that Stanford GSB looks for in essays. The program values candidates who have a curiosity for learning, a passion for exploring new ideas, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Through their essays, applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate their intellectual curiosity by discussing their academic pursuits, research interests, or innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Leadership potential is another important criterion that Stanford GSB evaluates in essays. The program seeks candidates who have the ability to inspire and motivate others, to navigate complex situations, and to make a positive impact on their organizations and communities. Essays provide a platform for applicants to showcase their leadership experiences, highlighting instances where they have taken initiative, influenced others, or led teams to achieve significant results.

Authenticity and self-awareness are highly valued qualities at Stanford GSB. Admissions officers are interested in understanding the genuine motivations and values that drive applicants. Through their essays, candidates can share personal anecdotes, reflect on their experiences, and provide insights into their core beliefs and principles. This level of self-awareness not only helps the admissions committee assess an applicant's fit with the program but also enables candidates to present a more authentic and compelling narrative.

In conclusion, Stanford GSB MBA essays play a vital role in the application process. They provide applicants with an opportunity to go beyond their academic and professional achievements, allowing them to present a more holistic view of their character, motivations, and potential. By investing time and effort into crafting exceptional essays, candidates can effectively communicate their unique perspectives and experiences, increasing their chances of securing admission to the Stanford GSB MBA program.

Breaking Down the Stanford GSB MBA Essay Prompts

Stanford GSB provides applicants with a set of essay prompts, designed to elicit thoughtful and reflective responses. Let's analyze each prompt to understand what the admissions committee is looking for:

Analyzing Each Prompt

1. Prompt 1: "What matters most to you, and why?" This prompt encourages applicants to reflect on their core values and motivations that have shaped their lives. It seeks to understand what truly drives and inspires them.

2. Prompt 2: "Why Stanford? Enlighten us on how earning your MBA at Stanford will enable you to realize your ambitions." This prompt aims to evaluate how well applicants understand the unique aspects of Stanford GSB and how they envision leveraging the program to achieve their goals.

4 Common Themes in Stanford GSB Prompts

Although the essay prompts may vary each year, there are recurring themes that tend to emerge:

• Self-reflection and personal values
• Leadership and impact
• Passion and authenticity
• Desire for growth and learning

Understanding these common themes can help applicants craft powerful and cohesive essays that align with Stanford GSB's values and philosophies.

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Tips for Writing Effective Stanford GSB MBA Essays

Writing standout essays requires careful planning and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you create impactful narratives:

Structure Your Essay

Start with a captivating introduction that hooks the reader and clearly states your central theme. Develop the body of your essay coherently, using paragraphs to explore different aspects of your experiences and perspectives. Finally, end with a memorable conclusion that reinforces your main points and leaves a lasting impression.

Balance Personal and Professional Information

While it is important to provide insights into both your personal and professional life, strike a balance to ensure that your essays are holistic and reflective of your overall candidacy. Be mindful of not reiterating information already present in your resume or other parts of the application.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Stanford GSB MBA Essays

As you compose your essays, watch out for these common pitfalls:

Overused Phrases to Avoid

Steer clear of clichés and generic phrases that fail to reveal your true character and unique perspective. Admissions officers seek authenticity, so express yourself in an original and genuine manner.

Pitfalls of Being Too Generic or Vague

Avoid being vague or overly general in your essays. Instead, focus on specific examples and provide concrete evidence to substantiate your assertions. Share stories that demonstrate your actions, impact, and growth.

The Final Review: Polishing Your Stanford GSB MBA Essay

Before submitting your essays, remember to give them a final review:

Importance of Proofreading

Read through your essays multiple times, meticulously checking for grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies. Ensure that your thoughts flow logically and that your essay maintains a consistent tone and style.

Seeking Feedback on Your Essay

Share your essays with trusted friends, mentors, or admissions consultants to gain valuable perspectives. Constructive feedback can help you refine your essays and ensure they resonate with the admissions committee.

In conclusion, Stanford GSB MBA essays offer applicants a priceless opportunity to express their unique attributes, motivations, and aspirations. By understanding the importance of these essays, analyzing the prompts, incorporating valuable tips, and avoiding common mistakes, you can craft persuasive essays that enhance your chances of being admitted to this prestigious program. Remember, a well-written essay can be the differentiating factor that sets you apart from other candidates and propels you towards your goals. Good luck!

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• MBA Admissions
• ISB Admissions
• MBA Application Tips
• MBA Essay Tips
• Business Schools

2024-2025 Stanford MBA essay analysis and tips

Admit expert.

• July 23, 2024

The Stanford Graduate School of Business is one of the world’s leading business schools. Located in Silicon Valley, the school is known for its highly selective admissions process, strong academic programs, and close ties to the tech industry. The school offers a variety of MBA and Ph.D. programs, as well as executive education courses. In recent years, the school has been ranked highly by Businessweek and the Financial Times. With its strong reputation and close connection to the tech industry, the Stanford Graduate School of Business is an excellent choice for any business student.

Since Stanford GSB is one of the most selective Business Schools in the US it becomes really important that you should be able to impress the MBA admissions committee with your essay.

In this article, we’ll share helpful tips for the Stanford GSB MBA essay for the 2025 admissions:

Why are essays important for Stanford GSB admissions?

Essays convey more about you as a person than just what you have accomplished.

Your academic and professional accomplishments are covered in other sections of the application, but the essays show who you are as a person.

The Stanford Graduate School of Business, as in previous years, requires MBA applicants to submit the same two required essay questions . 

For 2025 admissions, the word limit has been set to 1,000 words, with the recommendation of 650 words for Essay A and 350 words for Essay B.

Essay prompts for Stanford GSB MBA 2025 intake

You will write two essays for the Stanford GSB as part of your application.

Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?

For this essay, Stanford GSB asks you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help them understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

Essay B: Why Stanford?

Essay B poses the question, “Why Stanford?” to applicants.

You have the chance to discuss your post-MBA goals and how Stanford can support them in this essay. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Optional essays

You can also submit an optional short response essay question to Stanford GSB. This question is entirely optional and provides you more space to talk about subjects that you might not have been able to in other parts of your application. 

The essay prompt is as follows:

Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others?

You can share up to three examples – up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words, for each example.

Stanford GSB MBA application deadlines

Stanford GSB Round 1 deadlines in

Stanford MBA Essay Analysis and Tips

This infamous question, which has come to represent the Stanford GSB essays, is known for tying up applicants as they attempt to come up with an answer they feel is smart, eye-catching, or even meaningful. 

Stanford GSB seeks students who are not only exceptionally bright and accomplished but also who have strong moral principles and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to society. The ‘true you’ that emerges from this introspection helps the GSB assess your fit for the class. Taking the time to thoroughly consider this question will provide you with significant insight into your life’s purpose and beliefs.

In short, This essay is an opportunity to demonstrate who you are, what motivates you, and why.

Essay tips from Stanford MBA adcom

If you’re starting from scratch, perhaps we can start with some of the advice provided by Stanford GSB. They advise you to consider who you are, the lessons and insights that have shaped your perspectives, and the events that have influenced you. They also encourage you to write from your heart.

The admissions committee at Stanford looks for authenticity. While you may not be able to completely control your uniqueness because another candidate’s profile may be similar to yours, you can control your authenticity by telling your true story.

This is also voiced by Lisa Giannangeli, Stanford MBA admissions director who advises

“Don’t sweat too much trying to find things about yourself that no one before has done. Instead, focus on telling the MBA admissions committee who you are and differentiation will occur naturally”

Stanford’s Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions, Derrick Bolton has been quoted to say, ‘please think of the Stanford essays as conversations on paper ‒ when we read files, we feel that we meet people, also known as our “flat friends” ‒ and tell us your story in a natural, genuine way.” If you look up ‘story’ in the dictionary, you will find a definition along the lines of “an account of imaginary or real people and events told in an entertaining way.” The best essays are told in a compelling ‘story-like’ way that may involve emotion, humor, inspiration, wit, insight, honesty, and simply – being yourself. A Stanford GSB admissions officer may be reading 20 applications today, 30 tomorrow, and hundreds more in the following weeks. So how can you make an impact, sound intelligent, be original, and engage your reader? This is no easy task but it’s time to put on your thinking hat and reach inwards to tell the story that you are the best qualified to write.

Think about all the important events of your life and try to find an underlying theme among all these events. 

Things to do before writing your essay

According to Jayce Hafner ,  (Stanford class of 2019), “Before you sit down to write your personal statement, spend some good time thinking about the moments in your life that have been meaningful and transformative. Write down these scenes individually and consider them in the larger trajectory of your past and your intended future.” She goes on to say, “Own up to your sense of self: your quirks, your decisions, your beliefs. In this way, you are not only creating an authentic essay but you’re also giving yourself permission to show up completely in the later stages of your application process: during your interview, your school visits, and your chats with students, faculty, and alumni.”

Here are a few questions that will help you get started.

• How was growing up like? How did your parents or guardians, as well as your environment, mold you?
• How did school feel? Did you pay attention? What impact did your buddies have on you? What sort of individuals did you associate with? What emotions did you experience as a teenager?
• How has your professional life been? Are you satisfied with your decisions? Any remorse? What aspects of your employment do you like or dislike, and why?
• What extracurricular activities do you participate in and what hobbies do you have, and why?
• What about life do you love or hate? What makes you joyful or depressed, angry or frustrated?
• What causes you to wake up in the morning? What do you actually care about in this life?
• If you knew that you’d die in the next 1 week, what would you do?

How to approach essay A?

Here’s how you should approach this essay:

• Find a person, occasion, or experience that had a significant impact on you to start.
• What lessons, principles, and values have you learned from this experience?
• How do these principles, values, and lessons affect your drive, motivation, and worldview today? How do you employ them? (Keep in mind that the aim of Stanford is to “transform lives, change organizations, and change the world.”)
• How has the progression of your career been related to the aforementioned?
• Reiterate the connection between your values and your career goals and explain why these objectives are significant to you.

Remember that this essay is one of the most personalized essays asked by any business school. Therefore, focus on your life stories and weave them to convey ‘what matters to you the most and why?’

Focus on the “why” rather than the “what.”

Derrick Bolton, the former Stanford admissions director, has been quoted saying that your essay should “… be so personal that if you were working on it at 2 AM and accidentally printed a copy to your office printer, you would break out in a cold sweat, grab the keys, floor it and drive as fast as you could to the office to snatch the essay before anyone could read it.”

To learn more about what Stanford GSB is looking for and how to make your application stand out, get in touch with us at [email protected]

How to write Essay A?

• Pick a theme

Selecting a theme is the first stage in writing any essay.

The ideal strategy for the Stanford GSB essay A is to brainstorm; consider all the things that are significant to you and why you think they are significant. Consider your accomplishments as well as the motivation behind your goals. Find a common theme among those experiences.

• Create a layout

Once you’ve made a list, you can focus on one aspect of your subject and start writing. You can create a general framework for your Stanford MBA essay by creating a list of relevant bullet points that you would expand in your essay.

• Start writing

Start expanding on the bullet points based on the accomplishments that you have chosen. Use specific examples to make your case.

• Revise, Redraft, Revise

Create multiple drafts and revise each draft and make sure there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes.

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

If the first essay focuses on your past and present, the second “Why Stanford” essay focuses on your future. 

There are just two words. That’s all. This question is succinct and expresses exactly what the Stanford GSB adcom wants to know.

To properly answer this question, two pieces of information are required: A well-defined MBA goal and a thorough understanding of the Stanford GSB curriculum, clubs, competitions, placements, professors, location, etc.

In essence, Stanford asks you to explain your decision to pursue an MBA and the unique opportunities you will pursue at Stanford in this essay. 

If you want to excel at writing this essay then your school research must be excellent. What classes, clubs, events, or other programme and community elements will catalyze the impact you want to make in the short, medium, and long term? 

Show Stanford that you’ve done more than just read about the various programmes on the GSB website by digging deep and getting specific.

If you don’t know what makes the Stanford MBA programme unique, you won’t be able to respond to the question. Understand how Stanford’s curriculum flexibility, integrated approach to management education, entrepreneurial culture, and other features will help you gain the skills you need to achieve your goals. Recognize that the curriculum can be customized based on your objectives and prior experiences, particularly any business education you may have had.

Let us help you get into Stanford GSB

We will help you write essays that portray your unique strengths and experiences in the most favorable light so that your application shines above the rest. We have helped hundreds of students get into top US business schools. Let us help you too.

Do you want to get into your dream business school?

Take the first step towards your MBA dream and schedule a free 1 on 1 application strategy call with us.

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Guide to MBA Essays and Interviews in the US • MBA

How to Write the Stanford GSB Essays: Analysis, Examples and Strategies That Work

POSTED ON 06/27/2022 BY The Red Pen

The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) looks for candidates with ambition, confidence and empathy to visualise outcomes that impact humanity and change the world. Ask yourself:

• Are these traits well represented in your application?
• How have you impacted communities or even countries?
• Do your interests and career trajectory demonstrate your intellectual curiosity?
• Does your resume reflect your demonstrated leadership qualities (whether through leading a team or enabling outcomes for organisations)?
• Do your personal qualities and achievements shine through during your diverse engagements with other individuals and society?

While applying, you need to speak of instances where you stood by your values, demonstrated a knack for building connections and made a lasting impact.

Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) Essay Analysis

A crucial part of the application process; Stanford GSB clearly defines what it expects from your essays . The essays section of the application page starts with a clear mission statement – “Essays help us learn about who you are rather than solely what you have done.”

Current Stanford GSB admission director Kirsten Moss once said, “The only common mistake I can think of is not taking the time to read the guidance we offer on our website and in the application.”

How to Tackle the Stanford GSB MBA Essays

Essay prompts – essay a.

“What matters most to you and why?” (Recommended Maximum Word Limit – 650 words)

Essay A is a challenge because it is open-ended. Unlike other schools, you are not expected to talk about what you will contribute to the school or why you want to pursue an MBA. In an interview , Kirsten Moss said that Essay A “…is the best assignment we could ever give as it will help you guide your trajectory from this moment forward”.

Tips on Brainstorming for the Essay:

1) Reflect deeply: John Dewey , the American philosopher and education reformist, said, “We do not learn from experience; we learn from reflecting on experience”. Writing this essay requires consistent and mindful reflection. A great habit to foster deep reflection is maintaining a journal where you note significant events, behaviours and values that have impacted your life. Start the process of reflection by thinking about positive and negative experiences in your life. Ask yourself:

• What was it like living that experience?
• Did it leave an impact on you?
• Did you learn a lesson that will stick with you for life?
• Did it result in a perspective shift for you?
• Think about the people involved – how has your relationship with them evolved?
• What impact did they leave on you and vice-versa?

For example, you may have experienced a pivotal moment as a child with the death of a beloved grandparent. While such an incident is bound to have an emotional impact, it may have also caused you to reflect back on the time you spent with the person and how you learned important life lessons that shaped your outlook and your core beliefs, thereby influencing how you interact with and interpret the world around you.

During such focussed self-reflection, carefully identify what matters the most to you. This is a tricky part. If you have not engaged in self-reflection for a while now – it is never too late. Making detailed notes of your journey will lead to the emergence of behaviour patterns and values that guide your actions and interactions. You now have the building blocks of your essay.

2) Write from the heart: Now that you have the essential elements to describe what matters to you – put pen to paper. The Stanford GSB admission committee’s advice is to write from the heart, which simply means that you need to be personal. Your self-reflection has shown you what values you hold dear and what matters to you. Now think about how it has shaped you and helped you evolve personally. Communicate what you are passionate about through examples and experiences and use them to illustrate your personality to the reader. By giving your thoughts direction, you will be able to write from your heart in a manner that gives your essay substance and a clear focus on the future.

3) Identify what matters most to you and tell them why: Think beyond the admission committee’s advice here. Now that you have identified what matters the most, you are ready to write from the heart. But, do not merely focus on TELLING the reader “why”. Rather, SHOW them why your essay subject matters to you. Instead of stating that you evaluate situations scientifically, you will be better served by providing an example of how you took your bicycle apart as a child, built simple periscopes in school and found solutions to a problem your peers were facing by breaking down the different elements of the problem. Building your narrative adds layers to the story with multiple examples that demonstrate the evolution of a core part of your personality. Examples from your life will bring immense depth to what matters most to you and make your assertions more personal and nuanced.

Suggested Essay Structure With Word Count Breakup:

For this essay, stating what matters to you should be around 50 words. To support your assertion, you need to use the rest of the allocated word count to provide examples from your life experiences. This is ample space to show an evolution of your thought with two or three critical examples. Use 50 words in your conclusion to indicate how you see the theme playing out for you in the future.

Essay Prompts – Essay B

“Why Stanford?” (Recommended Maximum Word Limit – 400 words)

1) Describe your aspirations: At this point, Stanford GSB knows you from Essay A; they now want to know your vision of the ‘future you’. In Essay B, talk about your career aspirations; what is your dream career? There should be a natural progression from the core value system you have described in Essay A to your post-MBA ambitions and why the school plays an integral part in this journey. Consider your aspirations from the lens of the impact you want to create. In a nutshell – be ambitious! For example, you may have spoken about how eradicating poverty is what matters most to you in Essay A. In Essay B, you should build on that thought to provide specific details of the impact you want to make – by finding a solution that provides employment to [X] million people in the Indian subcontinent and impacts the country’s GDP by [X] per cent.

2) State how the Stanford GSB experience will help you realise them: To answer this part of the essay, research the school to narrow down on what, for you, is the most compelling about the GSB experience. For example, researching the SEED programme may inform your ambition to participate and gain valuable insight into your vision of impact with your own long term entrepreneurial journey. Some key elements to keep in mind while researching the school are:

• What is the curriculum structure; what excites you about it?
• What specific classes appeal to you and how do they connect with your aspirations?
• Is the school involved in academic research in your area of interest?
• What other activities/clubs does the school offer that interests you?
• What did the alumni have to say about their experience at Stanford GSB?

If you are applying to both Stanford’s MBA programme and MSx (1-year master’s) programme, use Essay B to address your interests.

Use around 100-150 words to describe your ambition for the future and the rest of the available word count to describe specific resources in Stanford GSB that relate to specific elements of your post-MBA journey.

Finally, use the Additional Information section of the application or the three optional essays to:

• Explain extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance
• Expand on academic experience (e.g., independent research) not noted elsewhere
• Provide the admissions committee with additional examples of impact that could not be accommodated elsewhere. 

Do not mention these elements in Essays A and B. The two essays need to showcase you as a self-aware applicant willing to understand yourself better.

The Red Pen’s team-based approach will help you reflect meaningfully to present your case clearly to the Stanford GSB admission committee. Contact us here to begin your MBA admission journey.

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Stanford GSB 2024: Comprehensive MBA Guide with In-Depth Essay Analysis

The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) stands as a beacon of academic excellence in the world of business education, boasting an admission rate that hovers around a competitive 6.1%. This esteemed institution is synonymous with academic prestige and is renowned globally for its exceptional degrees.

The cornerstone of their offerings is the immersive two-year Stanford MBA Program. This comprehensive, full-time, residential course not only awards a general management degree but also nurtures students’ entrepreneurial visions and equips them with a dynamic set of skills to turn those visions into reality.

The Stanford Advantage

Nestled in the heart of Stanford, California, Stanford University offers a unique platform that merges the academic world with the real-world. The institution opens doors to a world of opportunities, including state-of-the-art facilities, an influential alumni network, and remarkable placement prospects. This environment attracts the finest talents from around the world, creating a vibrant and diverse campus, conducive to enriching learning experiences.

The full-time two-year MBA program at Stanford typically enrolls approximately 400 students annually, fostering a close-knit community of aspiring business leaders.

Silicon Valley’s Innovation Hub

Located within the innovation hub of Silicon Valley, Stanford GSB provides unparalleled access to major technology firms and some of the world’s most promising startups. The past few years have witnessed a remarkable surge in the creation of MBA startups at Stanford, cementing the school’s reputation as the ideal place to transform business ideas into reality. It offers an environment to incubate startups from scratch, secure capital from angel investors and venture capitalists, and successfully launch entrepreneurial ventures.

The Two-Year MBA Program in Detail

The Stanford GSB’s two-year MBA program, based in Stanford, California, ranks prominently on the world stage, securing the 6th spot in the prestigious Financial Times Global Business School rankings. What truly sets the program apart is the caliber of its faculty members. They are not only distinguished in their respective fields but are also known for influencing and shaping contemporary business practices.

Joining Stanford GSB means joining a network that you can always count on. The institution connects you to over 500 speakers from various industries annually and links you with an expansive alumni network comprising more than 47,000 influential leaders across the globe.

In terms of affordability, tuition fees for one year amount to $76,950, with the total first-year budget totaling $124,389, including various expenses such as boarding.

Stanford takes pride in offering generous scholarships to outstanding international candidates, primarily on a merit basis. These scholarships include Stanford GSB Need-Based Fellowships, the Stanford GSB BOLD Fellows Fund, and the prestigious Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program. Additionally, students can explore various avenues for career support, summer stipends, external scholarships, employer sponsorships, and military-related Yellow Ribbon programs.

Diverse Class Profile

One of Stanford GSB’s standout features is its diverse MBA cohort, representing a wide array of industries and professional backgrounds. This diversity translates into a truly global learning experience, where students gain insights from diverse perspectives.

Students joining the program bring a wealth of industry experience, spanning diverse sectors such as consulting, banking, financial services, fashion, and the performing arts. What’s particularly remarkable is that around 47% of the student body comprises international or non-US students, fostering a rich global learning environment.

With an average work experience of 4.8 years for full-time MBA students, Stanford ensures that its classrooms are enriched by the varied industry experience that students bring. This peer-to-peer learning extends beyond the classroom, creating a holistic educational experience.

Stanford GSB proudly maintains one of the best gender diversity ratios among business schools worldwide, with women making up 44% of the student body. This commitment to inclusivity adds to the school’s appeal.

In terms of academic prowess, the incoming class exhibits an impressive mean GMAT score of 734, and an average GRE score of 330. Furthermore, the students boast an average GPA of 3.78, reflecting their academic excellence.

Comprehensive Overview of the Stanford MBA Program Curriculum

At the Stanford MBA Program, the primary goal is to help you nurture your vision and arm you with the knowledge and skills needed to bring that vision to life. The program is structured into two years, each designed to provide you with a unique blend of core and elective courses, ensuring you are well-prepared to excel in the dynamic world of business management.

First-Year Curriculum: Building Strong Foundations

In your first year, the curriculum focuses on building a robust foundation in general management. It’s a transformative journey that begins with the following components:

Core Courses: Immersive Learning

This is where you dive deep into intricate managerial challenges. These core courses offer invaluable insights into the mindset of senior managers and leaders, enabling you to grasp the broader context of management. Through a combination of hands-on experience and constructive feedback from both peers and dedicated leadership coaches, your leadership style will evolve, and your managerial skills will flourish. Additionally, the curriculum emphasizes global management, helping you thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. The core courses are thoughtfully designed, with options tailored to your unique skills, experiences, and future aspirations. Although the initial year primarily comprises core courses, there’s room for flexibility with one to two elective courses available during the winter and spring quarters.

Global Experience Requirement: Expanding Horizons

Our Global Experience Requirement is a hallmark of the Stanford GSB experience. It offers a spectrum of exciting opportunities to immerse yourself in global issues and appreciate the complexities of global management. MBA students are mandated to partake in and successfully complete at least one global experience. These experiences are transformative, broadening your perspective and enhancing your leadership capabilities, which will serve you well, regardless of your future career path.

Second-Year Curriculum: Tailoring Your Journey

In the second year, you have the flexibility to customize your educational journey to align with your personal and professional interests. This is accomplished through a wide array of elective courses, seminars, joint or dual degree programs, and the opportunity to explore courses offered by other Stanford schools.

Electives: Specializing Your Knowledge

During the second year of the MBA program, the focus primarily shifts to elective courses. These courses are designed to enrich your experience and broaden your perspective. They allow you to deepen your expertise in specific areas of interest, bolster areas of development, explore new subjects, and ensure a well-rounded education in general management. Our curriculum is dynamic, with new electives continually added or existing ones revised to stay in tune with changes in the business environment, the social sector, and students’ evolving interests. Elective topics span a wide range, encompassing disciplines such as Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Global Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, Leadership, Managerial Economics, Marketing, Operations, Organizational Behavior, Political Economics, Public Management, and Strategic Management.

Compressed Courses: Enhanced Learning Opportunities

Additionally, we offer compressed courses that provide intensive, focused learning experiences in specific areas of business management.

Placement Statistics

Stanford consistently delivers exceptional results, with over 91% of MBA graduates securing employment opportunities each year. The return on your investment is substantial, with alumni reporting an  average post-graduation salary of $160,000, complemented by a generous variable compensation of $78,000 . Many of our graduates choose to embark on entrepreneurial ventures, while others opt to join innovative startups and emerging ventures. These statistics serve as a testament to the remarkable success achieved by our MBA graduates.

By providing a more in-depth overview, we aim to give you a comprehensive understanding of the enriching and transformative journey that awaits you at the Stanford MBA Program.

Let’s also do the MBA essay analysis for Stanford GSB for the 2024 admit.

Essay A: What matters most to you, and why? (in 600 words)

“What matters most to you, and why?” This essay is a fundamental part of your application, as it offers you the opportunity to reveal your values, beliefs, and what drives you. To craft a compelling essay, follow these steps:

• Self-Reflection: Before you start writing, take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you. It might be a life experience, a personal value, a passion, or a commitment. What deeply motivates and guides your actions and decisions? Make sure to choose something authentic, meaningful, and unique to you.
• Storytelling: Your essay should tell a story or illustrate your point rather than merely listing your values. Share a specific and personal anecdote that demonstrates how this value or belief has impacted your life. Use vivid details to paint a clear picture.
• The “Why”: Remember that this essay is not just about what matters most to you but also why it matters. Explain the significance and the impact it has had on your life and the lives of others. Go beyond surface-level explanations and delve into the emotional and intellectual reasons behind your choice.
• Authenticity: Be genuine and honest in your writing. Admissions committees are looking for individuals who are sincere and self-aware. Avoid trying to guess what the committee wants to hear or using cliches.
• Connection to Stanford GSB: Connect your values or what matters most to you with your aspiration to attend Stanford GSB. How will your values align with the Stanford GSB community and its mission? What unique contributions will you make based on your values?
• Conciseness: While you have up to 600 words, it’s essential to be concise and focused. Every word should contribute to your narrative. Avoid unnecessary tangents or fluff.
• Revise and Edit: After writing your initial draft, revise it thoroughly. Consider seeking feedback from mentors, peers, or professional essay editors. Ensure your essay is clear, well-structured, and free from grammatical errors.

Here’s a sample structure for your essay:

Introduction : Begin with a captivating opening that introduces the central theme of your essay and what matters most to you.

Body : Use the body of the essay to narrate your story and explain why this value or belief is significant. Provide examples, experiences, or events that have shaped your perspective.

Reflection : Reflect on how this value or belief has influenced your decisions, relationships, and overall life.

Connection to Stanford GSB : Conclude by explaining how your values align with the Stanford GSB community and its goals. Emphasize what you hope to contribute to the Stanford GSB community.

Conclusion : End with a strong conclusion that reinforces the importance of your chosen value and leaves a lasting impression.

Remember, this essay is your opportunity to stand out and demonstrate your uniqueness. Be authentic, introspective, and passionate about what matters most to you. Good luck with your essay!

Essay B: Why Stanford (in 450 words)

“Why Stanford?” which has a word limit of 450 words. The purpose of this essay is to understand why you are interested in pursuing an MBA at Stanford specifically. Here are some key points to consider:

• Reflect on Your Values : Start by reflecting on your personal and professional values. What is it about Stanford GSB’s culture, values, and mission that resonates with your own beliefs and aspirations? Be specific in how your values align with the school’s ethos.
• Research the School : Show that you’ve done your homework about Stanford GSB. Mention specific programs, professors, resources, or extracurricular activities that are unique to Stanford and relevant to your goals. This demonstrates your genuine interest.
• Personal Growth and Development : Explain how you believe a Stanford MBA will help you grow as an individual. Highlight areas where you see the biggest potential for personal and professional development, and how Stanford GSB’s approach will support that growth.
• Contribution to the Community : Discuss how you plan to contribute to the Stanford GSB community. This could be through your unique experiences, skills, or perspectives. Stanford values diversity and the sharing of different viewpoints, so explain how you can enrich the school’s culture.
• Long-term Goals : Connect your aspirations and long-term career goals to what you hope to achieve at Stanford. How will this MBA program help you on your path? Discuss how the school’s resources and network will be instrumental in realizing your ambitions.
• Evidence of Fit : Share examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your fit with Stanford’s culture and values. This could be related to leadership, innovation, or making a positive impact.
• Avoid Generic Statements : Be specific and avoid generic statements like “Stanford is a top-tier institution.” Instead, delve into what makes Stanford unique for you and your goals.
• Reflect on Your Unique Story : Bring in your personal experiences and anecdotes that showcase your journey and the reasons behind your choice. Make it personal and authentic.
• Tone and Style : Maintain a professional and sincere tone throughout the essay. Your enthusiasm should shine through, but avoid being overly effusive.
• Edit and Proofread : Once you’ve written your essay, review and edit it for clarity, grammar, and coherence. Ensure that every word contributes to your narrative.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, pursuing an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business is a transformative journey that can open doors to countless opportunities. Stanford’s commitment to innovation, diversity, and social impact creates a unique environment that fosters personal and professional growth. The school’s renowned faculty, global network, and exceptional resources make it a top choice for those who aspire to lead, innovate, and make a difference in the world. Whether you’re looking to accelerate your career, launch a startup, or enhance your leadership skills, Stanford GSB offers an exceptional platform for achieving your goals. With its rich history, forward-thinking curriculum, and vibrant community, Stanford MBA is a path to greatness and a chance to join a network of alumni who are changing the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• What is the application process for Stanford GSB MBA?

Answer: The application process typically includes essays, letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, standardized test scores, and an interview. It’s important to visit Stanford’s official website for the most up-to-date information.

• What is the ideal candidate profile for Stanford GSB?

Answer: Stanford values diversity, leadership, and innovation. Ideal candidates are typically accomplished professionals with a strong track record of leadership and a passion for creating positive change.

• What makes Stanford GSB unique among other business schools?

Answer: Stanford is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, focus on innovation, and emphasis on social impact. Its location in Silicon Valley provides unparalleled access to resources and opportunities.

• How long does the Stanford MBA program take to complete?

Answer: The standard Stanford MBA program is a two-year, full-time program.

• What is the cost of tuition for the Stanford MBA program?

Answer: Tuition and fees for the Stanford MBA program vary annually. It’s advisable to check Stanford’s official website for the most current information on costs and financial aid.

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June 28, 2024

Stanford GSB MBA Application Essay Tips and Deadlines [2024 – 2025], Class Profile

In this post, we provide guidance and information to support you in creating and submitting your application to the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB):

Stanford GSB application essay tips

Stanford gsb application deadlines, stanford gsb class profile, essay a: what matters most to you, and why.

For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, please help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you. What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

The Stanford GSB’s tried and true essay question “What matters most to you and why?” is one of the most challenging MBA application prompts to respond to (so start early). Unlike most MBA essays, Stanford’s is not about describing your accomplishments, even if “achievement” is what you value most. It is not about highlighting your career, even if “ambition” matters most to you. It is not about revealing your “humble beginnings,” even if your childhood is the stuff about which memoirs are written. The school’s primary essay is about what you value most and, more importantly, why it matters most to you. It requires a level of maturity and introspection that only such a question as this can demand. It gives Stanford insights into who you are and what you can bring to the GSB beyond your academics background, professional accomplishments, and personal attributes. 

So, where do you start? Start with the “what.” Ask yourself, “For what would I walk over hot coals?” Still stuck? Review lists of values that resonate with you. Is it peace, relationships, health, creativity, compassion, expression? The lists go on and on, and you should not worry about being cliché with your “what,” because your why will be unique to you and how you have lived your life.

Moreover, you can choose something symbolic to help you tell your story. I often talk about a ring my mother gave me. The ring is precious to me because of what it represents and how it has motivated me to make the choices I have made. It is a symbol of an unbreakable mother-daughter bond. 

Where do you go after identifying your “what matters most”? Remember that your “why” is more important than your “what.” You need to explain why the values you highlight are essential to you. The best way to illustrate your “why” is by providing specific examples of how these values have shaped your life. Refrain from offering career examples, because you can state your achievements in the optional “impact” essays, resume, and application form. Your recommenders should be writing about your career achievements as well. If your values only motivate you for work, then these values are likely ones that don’t truly matter most to you, despite your spending 60-100 hours per week working.  

• State the value that matters most to you.
• Explain why this value is essential to you.
• Provide specific examples (anecdotes) that illustrate how the value has shaped your life.
• Discuss how your value has influenced your decisions and actions.
• Explain why you are better off by having this value drive you.

The essay requires a level of honesty and authenticity that few others demand. Be specific and concise. The admissions committee wants to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your personal stories and experiences. 

Essay B: Why Stanford?

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Why Stanford? 

Two words pack quite a punch: why Stanford, indeed? As you approach this essay, consider that Stanford values intellectually curious individuals who can solve problems, see beyond the obvious, and connect the dots. Therefore, I suggest you begin your essay with what you hope to achieve after you graduate from the Stanford GSB. Don’t think about a role as you might with other post-MBA goals essays. Instead, consider the problems you want to solve at the organizations for which you hope to work in the future. It does not matter whether you are considering an MBB consultancy, a Fortune 100 behemoth, a small start-up, a large private equity firm, a midsize family business, or a nonprofit organization. Focus on identifying the problems you can solve with your current skill set and the knowledge you will gain at Stanford.

Next, address the crux of the essay: Why Stanford? Note that the question is not “Why the GSB?” It is “Why Stanford?” While you want most of your essay to be about how the GSB can help you achieve your aspirations, consider how other parts of Stanford can add value to your education. And please don’t state the obvious. Resist the temptation to lift your information directly from the school’s website. The admissions committee already knows that Stanford’s location is perfect for entrepreneurship, tech, and venture capital. They already know they are highly selective and, therefore, highly ranked. They already know the Stanford brand resonates worldwide — they communicated all this to you in their marketing materials. Instead, think about the resources, opportunities, and community Stanford can offer you that will enable you to reach your unique goals. Why does this program make sense for you?

Finally, you will want to discuss how you will contribute to the Stanford GSB community. How will you make a difference at Stanford? What unique skills and experiences do you bring to the table? Why will your peers benefit from having you as a member of their class? 

With only 1,000 words to use for Essay A (What matters most?) and B (Why Stanford?) together, you need to understand yourself, your goals, what  offers, and your unique value proposition to the Stanford community before tackling this essay. Stanford recommends dedicating up to 650 words for Essay A and 350 for Essay B. With this suggestion, the admissions committee is expressing their desire to see your introspection, but you don’t need to obsess over the suggested word count; just write fewer than 1,001 words for both essays combined.

If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, the school suggests that you use Essay B to discuss why you are interested in both. In your essay, you will want to clearly spell out your reasons for applying to both programs and explain how you believe each one will help you achieve your goals. Also, if you strongly prefer one program over the other, you should express this in your essay.

Additional Context 

We know that each person is more than a list of facts or pre-defined categories. With this space, we provide you with an optional opportunity to elaborate on how your background or life experiences have helped shape your recent actions or choices. (1,200 characters)

Some applicants overlook this question, because Stanford tucks it within the Personal Information section of the application. Reflect on all the drop-downs menus you clicked on, and consider this mini essay a kind of bookend to Essay A, in which you discussed what matters most and why your values are what they are. For this essay, you need to consider how your identity and the uniqueness you bring to the table motivate your actions. Consider cultural upbringing, education, abilities, and life experiences. How have these factors influenced how you view the world? How has your identity – that core of who you are, that core of most significant influences and experiences – expressed itself in your recent actions? This essay is about getting to know you and what motivates you.

Given that you have only a meager 1,200 characters, select one factor that drives your decisions. Then, describe the action. Your action is the evidence you will use to support how and why that factor motivates you. For example, my life was heavily influenced by being the daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college student. It drove the overachiever in me. That background influences every action I take, from preparing clients for their GSB interview to advocating for the rights of disabled and infirm people. That identity is how I tell my story. Now, how will you tell yours?

Optional Short-Answer Question

Think about a time in the last few years when you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? (1,200 characters)

Why does Stanford have optional essays? The school offers these impact essays because too many applicants tried to squeeze their accomplishments into their “what matters most essay.” If you are tempted to write about your achievements in that essay, stop. Then, cut and paste that information here instead. Now you have a space where you can highlight activities and describe your impact on work, extracurriculars, community service, family, or anything else. 

The best approach to writing an impact essay is to use a CAR or STAR with an added Sig (significance) framework. Select each impact to show some variety in your life (in other words, don’t draw all three examples from your daily work).

C = Challenge (What challenge did you face?)

A = Action (How did you address the challenge? What specific steps did you take?)

R = Result (What was the outcome? Quantify the outcome, if possible. Did you increase revenues? Did you decrease costs? Did you increase membership? Did you minimize the danger? If so, by how much?)

Sig = Significance (Why was this important to you? What did it mean for others in your life?)

S = Situation (What background must you describe for the reader to understand your example?)

T = Task (What was your goal?)

A = Action (What steps did you take to achieve your goal?)

R = Result (What was the outcome? Did you achieve the goal? Did you surpass the goal. If so, by how much?)

Sig = Significance (Why was this important to you? What did it mean for others?)

These frameworks will work for any behavioral question that an admissions committee or interviewers asks you. They will help you stay on point, so use them. Finally, be succinct, because the 1,200-character allotment includes spaces. 

Additional Information

We are deliberate in the questions we ask. We believe that we get to know you well through all of the elements of your application. Complete this section only if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). This section should not be used as an additional essay. (1,200 characters)

Additional information “essays” exist so that you don’t have to make the admissions committee guess about any of the following scenarios:

• You had terrible grades your first year of university when your parent became ill, and you flew back and forth to care for your parent, or you worked 30 hours a week to make ends meet.
• You received a subpar GMAT or GRE score because you are not a strong test-taker and can prove it with your inadequate ACT or SAT score and your 4.0 GPA or because you were initially premed and realized after volunteering at a hospital that medicine was not your thing.
• You did not ask an immediate supervisor to recommend you because you have only been with the company for a short time, they do not know you well, or doing so could lead to losing your job.

Stanford also suggests that you use this section to discuss any academic research, because they do not want to see it on your one-page resume.

Additional information does not mean you should add an essay you wrote for another school. Feel free to bullet your reasons, making the section easier to read. If you have many bullets, you might have too many excuses, and many schools, including Stanford, could be a long shot for you.

Finally, no matter what your aspirations are, the Stanford MBA program can help you achieve them.

Your completed application, including your  and , is due at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on the deadline date for the round in which you apply.

Source: Stanford GSB website

***Disclaimer: Information is subject to change. Please check with the Stanford GSB to verify its essay questions, instructions, and deadlines.***

Here’s a look at the Stanford GSB’s Class of 2025 (data taken from the Stanford GSB website ):

Applicants: 6,190

New students: 431

U.S. students of color: 50%

International students: 36%

Countries represented: 55

Languages spoken: 53

U.S. students & Permanent Residents (Federal Guidelines)

• White (including Middle Eastern): 47%
• Asian (including Indian subcontinent and Philippines): 24%
• Hispanic/Latino: 12%
• Black or African American (including Africa and Caribbean): 8%
• Multi-race: 7%
• Declined to identify: 3%
• American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Other Pacific Islander: 0%

Undergraduate Degrees

• Engineering: 26%
• Economics: 21%
• Business/Commerce: 20%
• Math/Sciences: 15%
• Social Sciences: 13%
• Arts/Humanities: 5%

Average GPA: 3.77

First-generation college graduate: 11%

Hold advanced degrees: 17%

U.S. institutions: 82

Non-U.S. institutions: 83

Average years of work experience: 5

Industries Represented

• Investment Management/Private Equity/Venture Capital: 19%
• Consulting: 17%
• Technology: 13%
• Government/Education/Nonprofit: 10%
• Consumer Products & Services: 9%
• Healthcare: 7%
• Financial Services: 5%
• Military: 5%
• Arts/Media/Entertainment: 4%
• Cleantech/Energy/Environmental: 4%
• Manufacturing: 3%

Organizations represented: 295

Average GMAT: 738

GMAT range: 630-790

Average GRE Verbal: 164

GRE Verbal range: 149-170

Average GRE Quantitative: 164

GRE Quantitative range: 150-170

Average TOEFL: 113

TOEFL range: 104-120

Our team of MBA admissions experts includes former admissions directors, published authors, and highly experienced business school admissions consultants. We are all primed and ready to help you secure a seat at your dream school, just as we have done for thousands of clients for the past 25 years. Schedule your free consultation , and speak to an expert admissions expert!

By Natalie Grinblatt, a former admissions dean/director at three top business schools. Natalie has reviewed more than 70,000 applications, interviewed more than 2,500 candidates, and trained nearly 700 admissions directors and alumni volunteers to select outstanding candidates for admission. Her clients gain admission to top programs, including those at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, Cornell, Columbia, Berkeley, Chicago, Northwestern, and NYU. Natalie holds an MBA from Michigan Ross. Want Natalie to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2024
• Admissions Straight Talk Podcast
• Five Tips for Applying for Stanford’s Knight-Hennessy Scholarship

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Stanford GSB Essay Advice and Application Deadlines: 2024-2025

Stanford GSB ‘s 2024-2025 MBA application is now live. It appears that this year Stanford lowered the word count for essay B. It is suggested to allocate up to 650 words on Essay A and up to 350 words on Essay B.

Stanford had already shortened the combined word limit a few years ago, a sign that the school encourages applicants to remain focused and concise in their answers. Below, please find Personal MBA Coach’s advice on how to approach the two Stanford GSB essay questions.

The Upcoming Stanford GSB Application Deadlines 2024-2025 Are:

Round 1: September 10, 2024

Round 2: January 8, 2025

Round 3: April 8, 2025

2024-2025 Stanford GSB Essays:

Stanford gsb essay a: what matters most to you, and why  (650 words suggested).

For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

This first Stanford MBA essay is arguably one of the hardest MBA application questions across all schools. This challenging question requires candidates to speak from the heart.

As Stanford advises, think more about your values here and WHY you made the choices you have made than WHAT you have done. Personal MBA Coach recommends you do some serious soul searching before starting. Think about what you are most passionate about. What drives you to get out of bed each morning? If you could spend your time as you wish, what would you do? Ideally, you have acted on this passion, and it extends throughout multiple aspects of your life.

Then, think carefully about why this matters to you. Did you have an experience as a child? Are you following a passion held by others in your family?

Finally, once you have established the why, you should include some WHAT here. After all, a passion or cause that you have done nothing with will not be very believable. Remember though, this is only PART of this personal essay.

Stanford GSB Essay B: Why Stanford? (350 words suggested)

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

In this short Stanford MBA essay, candidates have a lot to cover. First, you should set up why you want an MBA. Naturally, this would include what your goals are and what skills you need to develop to achieve these goals.

Then, establish how Stanford will help you to fill these skill gaps. Once again, be specific! Name classes, clubs, programs, etc. and how they will help. Finally, be sure to articulate what attracts you to Stanford’s culture. We realize this is a tall order with a suggested word count of only 350 words, so be succinct.

Unlike other schools, Stanford gives the candidate discretion on how to divide the 1000 words across the two essays. The breakdown above is a suggestion and, in general, this is an ideal breakdown for most candidates.

In addition, there is one optional question in the Stanford GSB application.

Stanford GSB Optional Question: Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others?

In the Essays section of the application, we ask you to tell us about who you are and how you think Stanford will help you achieve your aspirations. We are also interested in learning about the things you have done that are most meaningful to you. If you would like to go beyond your resume to discuss some of your contributions more fully, you are welcome to share up to three examples.  (Up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words, for each example)

For many other top MBA programs, Personal MBA Coach advises clients to answer optional essays only to discuss unique circumstances. Take a look at  our blog  on optional essay questions to learn more.

However, the requirements for addressing one or more of the optional Stanford MBA essays are not quite as stringent. You can use these optional essays to share other aspects of your candidacy not included in your essays.

That said, use these Stanford MBA essays sparingly. Less continues to be more here.

Answer these questions only if you have something very powerful to add that is not already included elsewhere in your Stanford GSB application.

Looking help developing your Stanford GSB essays? Find out how we can help with our comprehensive packages . Plus, for more information on the full-time Stanford MBA program, check out Personal MBA Coach’s Stanford guide .

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2024-2025 Stanford MBA Essay Tips and Example Essays

Jun 24, 2024

• Who is Stanford GSB looking for?
• How should I answer the Stanford essay questions?
• Essay Length
• Make sure you get into Stanford GSB

UPDATE : This article was originally posted on August 20, 2018. It has been updated with new information and tips below. 

With a mission to “ to create ideas that deepen and advance our understanding of management and with those ideas to develop innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change the world ,” Stanford Graduate School of Business is at the top of many applicants’ list of dream schools.  

However, with increasing competition over the small number of spots at this haven for innovative thinkers, securing a place at Stanford is more challenging than ever. 

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Stanford GSB admissions essays to stand out . We’ve rounded up our best tips and links to Stanford MBA sample essays to ensure you give your Stanford application your best shot. 

1. Who is Stanford GSB looking for?

“At Stanford, we strive to ensure that a diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, genders, political and religious beliefs, physical and learning differences, sexual orientations and identities is thriving on campus. Such diversity will inspire new angles of inquiry, new modes of analysis, new discoveries and new solutions … Our diversity ensures our strength as an intellectual community. In today’s world, diversity represents the key to excellence and achievement.” – Persis Drell, Provost, Stanford University

Every year, Stanford GSB’s admissions team selects around 400 students from over 6,000 applications for the honor of joining their prestigious MBA program. Though what “fits” at Stanford is constantly evolving, they do tend to admit slightly younger applicants (with an average of 5.0 years of work experience). Stanford also works hard to admit a highly diverse group of students. 

Applicants offered admission also tend to have outstanding GMAT scores (the average for the Class of 2025 was 738) or exceptional GRE scores (the average for the Class of 2025 was 164Q and 164V) .  

Nonetheless, that does not mean that Stanford looks simply for good test-takers. Instead, they want a talented, principled group of leaders who will use business to positively impact the world. 

According to Stanford’s Admissions team: 

If this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll first have to prove you’ve got what it takes by successfully answering Stanford’s open-ended admissions essay questions. 

2. How should I answer the Stanford essay questions?

Writing any admissions essay is a tough task , however, Stanford raises the bar when it comes to presenting a highly challenging yet open-ended prompt. 

According to Stanford, here’s what they want to see in your admissions essays. 

Keep reading for a more in-depth look at how to turn this rather open-ended task into a standout essay! 

2.1. Essay A

Essay a: what matters most to you, and why.

For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?

Like most excellent admissions essays, this essay begins with in-depth brainstorming. 

Questions like “What matters most to you” are not questions we commonly ask ourselves on a daily basis, so the answer might not be readily apparent to you. 

During this brainstorming period, you should focus on retroactively connecting the dots and thinking about the future. What moments in your life did you feel most engaged or fulfilled? Have you overcome any challenges that marked your identity? What are your values ?

Regardless of which topic you choose, make sure it is genuine and that you can point to specific moments in your life during which you have acted on this value. This is not a purely philosophical essay in which you examine a core value. Instead, it is a picture of your motivations, intentions, and lessons as you have navigated your life’s many ups and downs. As I always tell clients, if you argue that what matters most to you is sustainability but you can’t provide a single example of acting to make your company or community more sustainable, perhaps you should go back to the drawing board or consider how to tweak your examples to tell a clearer, more compelling story.

If you’re having trouble getting started, or aren’t sure you’ve really identified the right path forward, family members and close friends can be an excellent resource to help you zero in on the best topic.

After you choose your theme, you must go about supporting it . This does not mean you should simply copy/paste examples from other essays. This simply won’t work for Stanford. 

Instead, carefully consider times when you clearly acted upon the core value you’ve presented. For example, if you state that being an independent thinker is what matters most, describe a time in your life when you went against the grain — and it paid off. 

In writing your examples, be sure not to lose your theme, as this essay must be a coherent exploration of how your life has centered around what matters most to you. 

TOP TIP : Striking upon a core value that GSB has never heard of before is almost impossible. The admissions committee has read thousands upon thousands of essays. Instead of standing out by choosing a unique (but perhaps under-supported) theme, choose the theme that genuinely demonstrates what you’re all about .

Lastly, be sure to make sure the essay includes you and your personality . The key to this is what we call voice . To help you demonstrate your voice, we suggest you keep the following tips in mind:

• While writing, imagine you were explaining what matters most to you to a good friend or family member. How would you explain it to them? Which words would you use?
• Explain the feelings and emotions you experienced during the events you are describing.
• Think about the tone you want to write in and how it reflects how you feel or felt about the experience you describe.
• Use sensory descriptors like how specific environments, events, people, or objects looked, smelled, tasted, felt, or sounded.
• It’s okay to use informal language (e.g. contractions, slang, exclamations, etc.) in this essay to reinforce your voice! While this is a formal essay, these elements are often a welcome addition.

2.2. Essay B

Essay b: why stanford.

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

This question is essentially a goals essay , a common type of essay required of applicants at many elite business schools. 

In this essay, you have a big task. In around 350 words, you need to discuss:

• Any context from your past experience that helps underline your motivation for your goals
• Your specific-post MBA goals
• Why you believe an MBA is necessary to reach these goals
• How a Stanford MBA will help you reach these goals

Each of these elements must be included and must build off of each other.

We suggest beginning your essay with a hook or experience from your past that demonstrates your motivation or past experience with your target industry. For example, if you are looking to go into developing green technologies, you could write about your country’s current green energy capacity; your first experience with sustainability as a teenager; a past work project focused on applying technology effectively; or your experience with sustainable business practices. As long as the story underlines why you care about your goals, it can work as an effective introduction to your essay.

Second of all, many candidates think they do not need to specifically state their goals, or that it’s better to leave “their options open.” If you are applying to elite business schools, however, you must have and present absolutely clarity about your goals. 

Second, you should clearly demonstrate why you need an MBA . 

An MBA is not a catch-all degree that serves a purpose for all career paths. As such, you need to demonstrate that the goals you have set for yourself require the additional training an MBA can provide. 

Be thoughtful about this particular section. If you don’t need to improve in any meaningful way, you might be presenting the argument the admissions committee needs for why you can’t actually benefit from an MBA. 

Furthermore, if you show fluffy or unsupported reasons you need to hone your skills, you’ll also likely see your application tossed aside in favor of an applicant who was able to clearly demonstrate how they plan to leverage their time at business school. 

Third, show how Stanford can specifically help you grow in the areas you’ve identified. Mentioning that you want to go to Stanford because of its ranking or sunny California location will not cut it here. 

Instead, show that you understand the flexibility of Stanford’s curriculum and have done significant, thoughtful research into how the opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom can help you grow. You should also definitely mention how you can contribute to the community. 

Unlike other goals essays, however, you should also keep the theme you’ve presented in your first essay in mind. If you write a goals essay that is completely at odds with what you’ve shown is most important to you in life in your first essay, this inconsistency will likely end your Stanford application journey. However, it is okay if they are not explicitly related.

Finally, if you are applying for the Stanford MSx program , you are given an additional 50 words to also discuss your interest in this particular program. 

2.3. Optional Essays

In addition to the two main essays, Stanford also has four optional short essays. These essays give you additional space to show off different elements of your profile and highlight areas you might not have been able to include in your What Matters Most and Why Stanford essays. 

2.3.1 Optional Impact Essays

Question: Think about a time in the last few years when you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others?

If you would like to discuss your contributions more fully, this section is the place to do so. Perhaps you would like to expand upon a bullet item from your resume and tell us more about the “how” or “why” behind the “what.” Or maybe you have had an impact in a way that doesn’t fit neatly in another part of the application. You are welcome to share up to three examples (up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words, for each example).

Though these responses are technically optional, we highly suggest using this space to highlight professional or extracurricular achievements that you may not have been able to address in your What Matters Most essay. In particular, try to show a variety of achievements that complement your stories in other parts of your application and work to include stories with clear outcomes. 

2.3.2 Additional Context Essay

Additional Context: We know that each person is more than a list of facts or pre-defined categories. With this question, we provide you with an optional opportunity to elaborate on how your background or life experiences have helped shape your recent actions or choices. (1,200 characters) 

Stanford GSB values applicants who can contribute to its greater community and the educational experience for all. This question tests how prepared, willing, and capable you are to draw on what you’ve experienced thus far in life to contribute to a project, class discussion, or community or interpersonal challenge. For that reason, it’s important to keep in mind that they are not asking you to show a time when you offered input — instead, they want to see when something about your personal or professional background proved to be the key to winning the day. 

For example, one of our clients, Fabrizio, had a brother who had been unemployed for a long period of time, and he personally witnessed how demoralizing the lack of support he received during this period was. Then, when tasked with working on a workforce transition project at his consulting firm, he made sure to design initiatives that took into consideration how layoffs affect real people. In your essay, similarly look for a time when your previous experience or core values inspired you to take action. 

Keep in mind you must limit yourself to 1,200 characters including spaces . 

2.3.3 Additional Information Essay

Additional Information: We are deliberate in the questions we ask. We believe that we get to know you well through all of the elements of your application. Complete this section only if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). This section should not be used as an additional essay. (1,200 characters

Stanford, like most top business schools, gives you space to explain any gaps or weaknesses in your profile. This should not be a place to discuss why Stanford should admit you, who you know from Stanford, or who you know from Stanford. It most certainly should not be a continuation of your Why Stanford essay. 

Furthermore, just because there is no stated word limit does not mean you should write more than is absolutely necessary here. In my opinion, if you’re writing more than 200 words you might want to revisit your essay to ensure every part is needed. 

If you’d like to learn more about what topics justify an optional essay – and how to write these essays – check out our post on the topic here . 

3. Essay Length (Essays A and B)

Your answers for both essays A and B combined may not exceed 1,000 words.

Each of you has your own story to tell, so please allocate these words between the essays in the way that is most effective for you. In our experience, the recommended 650/350 word length suggestions works very well. 

Looking for Stanford GSB MBA essay examples? Check out our real sample essays that got our clients admitted here .

4. Make sure you get into Stanford GSB

One of the most common mistakes we see in MBA essays is that candidates fail to tell compelling stories . This is important because if your stories are not compelling, they will not be persuasive. At the same time, they must be backed by strong examples that establish a track record of success and prove to the admissions committees why you belong at their school. 

Striking this balance between content and creativity can be tough, however, as succeeding means not only choosing the right stories but ensuring they are told in an optimal manner. 

This is why our iterative developmental feedback process here at Ellin Lolis Consulting helps you mold your message through the application of our storytelling expertise until it reflects exactly what makes your profile stand out and show fit with your target program. 

That’s the approach we took with Giulia, who was admitted to Stanford. In her words, “I will never forget when I told Ellin I wasn’t applying for my dream school because I was sure I wouldn’t be accepted. She encouraged me to apply, and in the end, I was accepted. 

The team is so well prepared to help the applicants with their specific needs. Above all, I felt I invested in mentoring and coaching, more than just help with the MBA process. Ellin and her team balanced perfectly dreaming with having my feet on the ground!”

Not only can you take advantage of our editing expertise through multiple edits – you can also benefit from it after a single review! If your budget is tight, our editors will be happy to help polish your text as much as possible and leave “bonus comments” so you can keep working on it on your own!

No matter how long we work with you, we will always ensure your essays shine . Sign up to work with our team of storytelling experts and get accepted.

5. Deadlines

Here are the 2024-2025 deadlines. You can access the online application here .

Stanford Round 1 Deadlines

Application Deadline : September 10, 2024

Interview Notification : Ongoing

Decisions Released : December 5, 2024

Stanford Round 2 Deadlines

Application Deadline : January 8, 2025

Decisions Released : April 3, 2025

Stanford Round 3 Deadlines

Application Deadline : April 8, 2025

Decisions Released : May 29, 2025

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Stanford Graduate School of Business Application Essay Example

How many times have you thought about what truly matters most to you? Or what fuels your drive, or what guides your decisions above all else? There is a good chance that you have never thought deeply about your response to any of these questions. That makes the Stanford GSB’s main essay prompt—What matters most to you, and why?—surprisingly vexing. Answering it well requires a considerable amount of introspection and honesty, something we do not always give ourselves the time to do.

The following essay response to “What matters most to you, and why?”, along with its associated commentary, is one of fifty essays featured in  “What Matters?” and “What More?”: 50 Successful Essays for the Stanford GSB and HBS (and Why They Worked) ,  a book co-authored by our firm’s founder,  Liza Weale .

We have selected Jules’ essay to share here because it captures the reflection and authenticity that can make for a successful GSB essay, at least according to the Stanford GSB admissions committee! We also like the essay because of the absence of any single incredible story. Too often, people assume that the only people accepted by into GSB’s MBA program are those who are running a unicorn start-up or are, as the saying goes, “saving the world.” Yet, even more relatable stories can reveal a tremendously inspiring person worthy of attending the GSB!

Stand by Me, Stand by You – Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) Application Essay Written by Jules, GSB MBA

Pre-reading commentary from liza weale, founder of gatehouse admissions:.

Jules is a reapplicant to the Stanford GSB. Reapplicants have different strategies they can choose from for their new essay submission, and we reached out to Jules to learn how similar this essay was to the first one she submitted. She shared that in her first GSB application, she had focused on relaying what she wanted the GSB to know about her. Afterward, she realized that she had never actually answered the school’s question (for herself or for the admissions committee), and although she had presented a robust, multidimensional picture of who she was, her essay lacked the singular thrust the prompt demands. This time, rather than trying to control how the school might perceive her, she simply answered the question truthfully and sincerely. Kudos to Jules for recognizing the importance of being authentic in her essay!

In the essay, Jules makes no mention of her earlier application. Instead, she discusses three disparate situations—a classmate’s suicide, a difficult sibling relationship, and a company reorganization—and links them via what matters most to her: relationships. Her essay also conveys a strong sense of discovery and reflection, and each challenge better equips her for the next. Another thing Jules does well is openly admit her shortcomings (notably, her impatience with her brother). As we have said before and will undoubtedly say again, business schools are not expecting, or even seeking, perfection. Jules references her impatience matter-of-factly, with no sense of defensiveness or dramatization, thereby earning the reader’s compassion.

Some applicants might think Jules had the “good fortune” of finding herself in what was surely a very difficult work situation, rife with opportunities to demonstrate commitment, integrity, and empathy. Yet BigBoxCo would not likely have put Jules in the middle of this reorganization had she not already displayed these traits. Throughout her essay, Jules’s actions clearly underscore who she is, ultimately giving the GSB admissions committee compelling and sufficient evidence of its desired Demonstrated Leadership Potential.

What matters most to you, and why?

Stand by Me, Stand by You (written by Jules, GSB MBA)

My cell rings. Victoria. One of my co-mentors to a group of high school underclassmen. “Hi… I think you should sit down for this.” Victoria pauses, “Amit killed himself tonight.” [1]

Amit was one of our 40 freshmen mentees. A few times a week, we’d bring the mentees together, as one or in smaller groups, to provide a “safe space” in the school’s high-pressure environment. I’d only been involved in the program 9 months, but it had become integral to my high school experience.

The news of Amit’s suicide rocked me, and my grieving was intense. The school’s guidance counselors reached out, as did friends and family, but I didn’t know how to accept their help. The only people who I felt understood were other members of our group. With them, I could share my feelings of disbelief and guilt and listen to theirs. We used each other to figure out how to grieve and accept what happened. But we also channeled our pain towards action, organizing a Suicide Prevention gathering, visiting Amit’s family, and creating a field day to inspire some happiness.

These relationships saved me, and saved us, and while it took time, I ultimately got through the worst of this period. I was left with a profound appreciation for the power of relationships. I also gained resolve to fix an important one that I’d let languish.

My twin brother Johnny struggled with depression for much of my childhood. Anything set him off, resulting in hours of hysteria and cries for attention. I tried not to upset him, which essentially meant not interacting at all. In fact, Johnny was why I’d begun mentoring: I felt disconnected from him and ill-equipped to help, so I latched onto mentoring in school to build relationships and have an impact.

But after I’d processed much of my grieving for Amit, I started reevaluating my approach with Johnny. I realized I was angry at Johnny for the state of our relationship without taking any responsibility myself. I’d never tried to understand the reasons behind his outbursts and instead assumed ill-intent. I also realized I had never been upfront with him about how his actions impacted me.

Slowly, I got more comfortable dealing with Johnny when I felt he was irrational. I also tried harder to understand his feelings, and I asked him to be honest right back. This hasn’t been easy, and even now that Johnny is in a good place, we still have to intentionally work on our interactions. [2] But it has gotten us to what I gratefully have today—a relationship that is truly one of the most meaningful in my life.

More recently, the importance of relationships again showed itself. I joined BigBoxCo shortly before the company decided to dismantle a 30-person Product Development team. The tasks would be absorbed by folks in other groups, while the 30 people would be reallocated to different areas across BigBoxCo.

Over the next 18 months, I had to maintain absolute secrecy as I documented everything I could about the processes. Without letting on the reason behind my attendance at meetings or my line of questioning, I spent significant time with people who would be impacted by the reorg. I struggled internally, wondering if I could do my job with integrity, without feeling like I was betraying these people, many of whom I called “friend.” [3] I focused on my belief that the reorg was better for the company and those affected, and I hoped my involvement in the project would help me support them once they began their new roles.

After the changes were announced and we moved into implementation, I prioritized connecting with colleagues whom I couldn’t tell about the reorg. I reached out initially to clear the air about my involvement in the project but continued reaching out when I picked up on their eagerness to ask me for advice on navigating the new structure. Throughout this period, I’ve found no one holds anything against me. Instead, many of my relationships have actually gotten stronger—my colleagues seem to trust me and appreciate how committed I am to their success.

To this day I grieve for Amit and mourn the fact that I couldn’t help him more. But, I take solace in the fact that, since his death, I have realized what matters most to me: that I have and form strong relationships. They fulfill me and give meaning to my actions, and in turn, my actions give meaning back to them. [4]

Additional Commentary from Liza:

[1] Dealing with heavy topics such as suicide in a business school essay can be challenging. Stating the situation clearly and simply, with one or two salient details, will provide enough context for the admissions reader to be able to empathize without thinking you are “playing the sympathy card” (to quote candidates who worry the admissions committee might perceive such topics negatively).

[2] Sometimes, candidates are tempted to shout from the hilltops, “Look! I fixed the issue! Just like that!” The truth, of course, is that change takes time, and because Jules admits that the relationship can sometimes still be challenging, the reader is more likely to appreciate her efforts to improve it.

[3] Jules again reveals her struggles, reassuring the reader that she is like the rest of us—human!

[4] Jules chooses to clearly state what matters most to her at the very end of her essay, but by this point, her answer is a foregone conclusion. By laying out the evidence from the start, she has more than convinced us that relationships matter most to her, and as result, she needs very few words for her conclusion.

If you would like to see more examples of successful HBS and GSB essays, you can purchase the entire guide  here .

For strategies on crafting your response to “What matters most to you, and why?”, read our Essay Analysis for the Stanford GSB .

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Stanford GSB Essay Questions & Tips

Applying to Stanford GSB ? If so, you’ve likely begun thinking about how to approach the Stanford GSB essay questions and, more specifically, pondering ‘what matters most to you and why’. Who knew you would be doing so much soul searching during the MBA application process, right? We’ve got you covered. Read on for the Stanford GSB essay questions and tips to ensure your responses are as strong as possible.

Stanford GSB Essay Questions

• Essay A: What matters most to you, and why? For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?
• Essay B: Why Stanford? Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Both essays combined may not exceed 1,050 words. Stanford GSB admissions recommends up to 650 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B.

Note that Stanford’s application also includes two optional short answer questions – see our advice on these at the end of this article:

• We know that each person is more than a list of facts or pre-defined categories. Please feel free to elaborate on how your background or life experiences have helped shape your recent actions or choices- (up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words).
• Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? You are welcome to share up to three examples (up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words, for each example).

Before you think about putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys, as the case may be), it’s critical to take the time to truly understand Stanford GSB and what it looks for in successful applicants. To us, the best encapsulation of this can be found in the GSB’s mission statement: “Change lives. Change organizations. Change the world.”

While many business schools aspire to educate leaders that will make a difference in the world, there is a reason that ‘change lives’ comes first in this motto. The GSB embraces a strong belief that change originates from people. People with different perspectives interacting, challenging each other, and ultimately joining forces to push the limits of what seems possible. No man or woman can create change in a vacuum.

In practice, we find that successful applicants personify this mission statement by displaying the following characteristics:

• A belief that EQ and people are just as important as IQ and profits – While demonstrating impact is critical, Stanford GSB seeks those who deliver it through collaboration with and/or for the benefit of others.
• Strong self-awareness – The essay prompt says it all, Stanford GSB cares what matters to you and how it has influenced your choices in life. Scratching the surface of self-awareness is not enough; beyond articulating your emotions in a given situation, they want to see that you can connect situations to your core values and underlying motivations.
• A willingness to take risks – Change is impossible without some level of risk and change is the crux of the GSB’s mission. They want to see that you don’t let fear stand in the way of progress – for yourself and for others.

How to Answer the Stanford GSB Essay Questions

How do i uncover ‘what matters most to me’.

Attempting to crystallize what matters most to you is incredibly intimidating! If you’re digging deep enough, figuring this out is not something that can be done in a day or even a week. That’s why starting early is critical.

To begin, we love suggesting that clients read two great books, True North by Bill George and What You’re Really Meant to Do by Robert Kaplan.  Give thought to where you dream of taking your career (and life more broadly) and why.

From there, it can be helpful to think back to each major decision you’ve made in your life and reflect on why you made the choice you did. Are there any commonalities? Lastly, think about influential people or events in your life stretching back to childhood. What or who has made you who you are and why?

Once you’ve done all this reflection (and written it down!), look for points of intersection and interrelation. Sometimes another set of eyes from a trusted friend or family member can be helpful here. More times than not, there is a common passion, motivation, value, or trait that connects what you’ve done in the past and what you hope to do in the future. This common thread can serve as your overarching theme and answer to ‘what matters most to you’.

Turning Your Theme into a Strong Essay A

The essay itself should prove that this ‘thing’ is truly what matters most to you by laying out 2-3 stories and describing how they connect back to it. While the stories are typically told in chronological order, the essay should not read as your memoir. Be thoughtful and strategic, choosing only your most powerful examples.

Many times, successful essays begin with what we refer to as a ‘superhero origin story’. By this we mean the time in your life or experience that first brought your ‘thing’ (i.e., what matters most to you) into play for you. It is the defining moment that triggered a shift in your thinking or approach in a way that has stuck with you from then on out, influencing who you’ve become and who you hope to be in the future.

The balance of the essay should focus on one or two other situations from your life since the ‘superhero origin’ where the thing that matters most to you influenced your actions or choices. One of these (or a third topical area if you have space) can be devoted to your vision of the future. You have space to further spell out your plans in Essay B, but you should lay out, in broad strokes, how your ‘thing’ influences where you want to take your life in Essay A. 

Once you have the backbone of your essay in place, our advice is to go back and add stylistic nuances that demonstrate you possess the characteristics the GSB seeks. Describe interpersonal dynamics within each story and how you successfully navigated them. Layer in emotion and insights about yourself that demonstrate self-awareness.  Importantly, write so that the adcom feels your authentic passion for the topic you have chosen to discuss.

If this sounds difficult, that’s because it is. Writing a strong Stanford essay takes upfront investment in introspection and time to iterate (and then iterate again). It’s not uncommon for us to work through 10-20 drafts of this essay with clients because, even with professional help, that’s how long it takes to make it perfect.

Essay B is Straightforward but Not ‘Easy’

Once you’ve outlined generally where you want to take your life in Essay A, Essay B is your opportunity to get tactical. Share your specific post-MBA goals and describe why an MBA and the GSB’s program in particular are necessary to help you achieve them.

The keys here are specificity and personalization. If someone could blindly read your essay and think it applies to another MBA program, you are not being specific enough. If they could read it and think the ‘why Stanford’ you describe could help someone achieve different goals than those you are targeting, you are not personalizing your reasons sufficiently.

Writing a successful Essay B requires more than just perusing the GSB’s website for classes and its own description of why the program is unique. Talk to alums and current students, attend webinars, stroll campus if you can, and, critically, reflect on the specific skillsets (hard or soft) you need to build to achieve your most aspirational goals.

How to Answer Stanford’s Short Answer Questions

While these are truly optional, it seems like a missed opportunity not to highlight your unique perspective as well as a few of your best accomplishments. View these as a place to fill in any gaps – in other words, parts of your personal brand or ‘story portfolio’ that you haven’t covered in the main essays. It may help to write a list of all the stories you want to cover upfront and then move the puzzle pieces around, prioritizing the main essays.

A blend of personal and professional is best, both here and in the main essays – the adcom wants to understand the entirety of who you are as a person. Additionally, your short answers should be complementary but not repetitive with your main essays. Remember, you are trying to highlight personal qualities, experiences, and accomplishments that you haven’t been able to cover elsewhere.

Lastly, don’t grasp for straws here, so if you only have two accomplishments to share instead of three in short answer #2, that is ok. But do you best to answer both questions as thoroughly and thoughtfully as possible.

Overwhelmed? We get it – the Stanford GSB application is perhaps the most challenging MBA application out there. If you need assistance, feel free to reach out to schedule a free consultation. 

Katie is a passionate mentor and coach, helping her clients craft a unique, compelling story by leveraging her experience as a corporate executive, alumni interviewer, and campus recruiter. Before completing her MBA at Kellogg, Katie spent five years in banking where she learned practical finance skills as well as how to operate in a demanding, high pressure environment. She pursued an MBA in order to transition to an industry role where she could utilize her finance knowledge to drive change within an organization. Post-MBA, she worked in finance and strategy for a leading CPG firm, progressing to an executive role leading the finance function for a $2B business segment. Her experience managing diverse teams led to a passion for developing others. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, she led her firm’s MBA recruiting efforts and served as an alumni admissions interviewer for Kellogg.

Wharton MBA Essay Questions & Tips

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How to Write the Stanford GSB Essays

Introduction ‍.

Now that you’ve decided you want to apply for an MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (Stanford GSB), you need to craft an application that will demonstrate your professional skills, experience, and academic record. You will also need to showcase your skills as a writer, your aspirations, and your individuality. 

The Stanford GSB essays are a crucial component of your Stanford application; they will illuminate your voice and authentic self to the admissions committee. Although writing the Stanford GSB essays can seem like a daunting task, this guide will help you understand, execute, and perfect your essays.

What are the Stanford GSB Essays? ‍

The Stanford GSB essays are two personal essays you'll complete as part of your application to Stanford. The infamous ‘ essay A ’ asks applicants, “What matters most to you, and why?” 

Stanford’s website encourages applicants to “ write from the heart ” and be genuine about what matters most to you and to make an argument for why it is so important. 

Essay B , on the other hand, asks applicants, “Why Stanford?” 

This essay provides the opportunity to describe your personal aspirations and how Stanford fits around them. 

Stanford also allows you to submit several optional short answer essay questions . These questions are completely optional and provide you with more words to discuss topics you may not have been able to address elsewhere in your application. The first prompt reads: 

“Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others?” 

This prompt allows you to provide up to three examples to discuss your resume further. 

The other optional short-answer Stanford GSB essay question asks you to:

“Tell us about a time within the last three years when your background influenced your participation in a situation, interaction, or project.”

This essay facilitates discussion about your background, like education, work, skills, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or gender identity. 

Stanford GSB Essay Length

Both Essay A and B together should not exceed 1,050 words. 

Stanford recommends writing no more than 650 words for essay A and no more than 400 words for essay B. Stanford asks that all essays are double-spaced and submitted in one document with numbered pages. 

For Stanford’s optional question A, you can provide up to three 200-word responses. You should write around 200 words for Stanford’s optional question B essay. 

This length constraint may seem restrictive, but being concise and adopting the “less is more” approach can make for a particularly effective essay. As Stanford notes, “We often find effective essays that are written in fewer words.” 

What Is the Purpose of the Stanford GSB Essays? 

The rest of your application includes everything you need to make a good impression: adequate work experience , high grades, a lengthy list of extracurriculars, and a stellar resume . 

Stanford understands that you are more than the sum of your total experiences and credentials laid out on these pages. The Stanford GSB essays humanize your application and demonstrate to the admissions committee what makes you unique. 

Stanford GSB Essay A

Essay A is a deeply personal and subjective essay. There is no such thing as a perfect topic to write about here. 

The question, “What matters to you most, and why?” is purposefully tricky to answer as it forces you to delve deep into yourself and choose something that is most important to you. That is easier said than done, especially when so many of us have many great things in our lives that are important to us, like our families, friends, and jobs. 

Some may take the route of writing about big-picture ideas like eliminating poverty, ending world hunger, or halting climate change. But essay A is not the space to write what you think Stanford wants to hear, and doing so would be doing yourself a disservice. 

Derrick Bolton, the former Stanford admissions director , said that your essay should “... be so personal that if you were working on it at 2 AM and accidentally printed a copy to your office printer, you would break out in a cold sweat, grab the keys, floor it and drive as fast as you could to the office to snatch the essay before anyone could read it.” 

Some applicants write about controversial or uncomfortable topics, whereas others write about how they want to impact the world, or how their weaknesses have helped cultivate their strengths. 

Ultimately, how you want to portray your individuality and what you choose to write about is entirely up to you. 

Stanford GSB Essay B

Essay B reflects your personal reasons for applying to Stanford. This writing demonstrates why Stanford is the best fit for you and how completing your Stanford MBA will help you achieve your goals. 

Although you have a tight word limit to explain why Stanford is the school for you, you want to be specific to show that you researched the school and program. You also need to explain how Stanford’s program is a significant stepping stone to achieving your career and personal goals. 

You should have an understanding of your industry and what your working life could look like post-MBA. The other purpose of this essay is to demonstrate how your admittance will enrich Stanford’s class. 

Stanford Optional Short Answer Question A 

The optional question A is focused on uncovering more about you beyond your resume. 

Specifically, Stanford is “... interested in learning about the things you have done that are most meaningful to you.” While you can write about your most impactful experiences in the Stanford GSB Essay A, this prompt allows you to go beyond your resume. 

Perhaps you didn’t have enough words to discuss your love of photography in Essay A. In that case, this optional essay allows you to discuss your contributions more fully. 

Of course, you shouldn’t use this essay to ramble on about why you love Stanford. Write about that in your “why Stanford essay.” Instead, answer the question’s main focus — what positive impact did you create, and what made it significant? 

Write about your impact on a situation and emphasize your skills and abilities that will help you achieve academic and professional success. If you can point to your stellar leadership skills, you will show you are ready for an MBA.  

Stanford Optional Short Answer Question B

Stanford’s optional short answer question B asks you to discuss your background. “Background” is purposefully defined broadly. So, you can write about almost anything, ranging from your socioeconomic status to gender identity. 

Perhaps you chose to pursue a part-time job in college because of your gender identity. In that case, explain how and why your background influenced your decision. Self-reflection is key here.

What Is Stanford GSB Looking for in the Essays?

Stanford’s admissions team uses your Stanford GSB application essays to get to know you beyond your academic achievements. 

Specifically, they want to read about your experiences and hear your “genuine voice.” Each Stanford MBA essay is designed to allow you to open up to the admissions committee. Being authentic is vital here; Stanford’s admissions officers can tell if you are not genuine in your responses. 

There is no “right” or “perfect” answer to Stanford’s prompts. As Stanford says, “... the best answer is the one that is truest for you.” 

Looking at Stanford example essays is helpful, as they show you how other applicants have written about their lives. But they are written by other applicants with different experiences. 

Reflect on your own experiences in your Stanford business school essay, and you’ll increase your chances of admission. 

Step-by-step Guide to Writing the Stanford GSB Essays

Writing the Stanford GSB essays can be a daunting task; you may be asking yourself, “How can I effectively convey all that I want to in so few words?” 

Writing an effective essay about yourself can feel challenging, especially with such a low word limit. These essays are quite different from essays you may have done as an undergrad, where long essays are part of the curriculum. 

Remember that these essays are designed to be challenging, and it’s OK to find them difficult. This step-by-step guide will help get you started and provide tips to write a great essay. 

1. Pick Your Topic 

The first step to any essay is to pick your topic. 

For the Stanford GSB essay A, the best course is to brainstorm; think about all the things that are important to you and why you consider them important. Also, think about your achievements and why you set out to achieve them. 

2. Create an Outline 

After you’ve compiled a list, you can narrow down your topic and begin writing. A bullet-pointed list outlining your Stanford MBA essay’s rough structure will help you develop an overall framework.

3. Start Writing 

You can build upon the points you want to touch on and use supporting points as the foundation of your essay. Your essay should be easily separated into three parts:

• Introduction 
• Body paragraphs
• Conclusion 

Your introduction will introduce the topic, the body paragraphs will provide evidence to support your writing, and your conclusion will wrap up your essay neatly. 

4. Create Your Introduction 

Your introduction should captivate the reader immediately. The introduction is often where candidates introduce a relevant anecdote. 

Many people find it helpful to complete their introduction after the main essay is complete. It’s suitable to begin with your introduction or dive right into the body of your essay.

5. Write the Body 

The body of your essay should provide specific examples related to your anecdote. You should discuss what you’ve learned or gained from your experience. 

6. Write Your Conclusion 

Your conclusion should summarize your main points and reference the future you want. It should also leave the reader feeling satisfied that Stanford will help you toward that future. 

1. Brainstorm Why You Want to Attend Stanford 

With the “why Stanford” MBA essay, because you already have your topic, you will want to work out your specific reasons for why Stanford is the school for you. 

Again, brainstorming reasons will help you develop the framework of your essay. Does the school culture excite you? Are you looking to make connections within Silicon Valley?

Jot down every reason you can think of to narrow down your argument. Similar to essay A, your essay should have an identifiable introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. 

3. Create Your Introduction

Your “why Stanford” essay introduction should immediately explain your interest in Stanford. Why is Stanford the school you want to go to? Alternatively, you can start writing the body of your essay first and return to the introduction after.

4. Write the Body 

The body of your essay should highlight some of your achievements and what you have learned from your experiences. You can also relate your background to classes offered in the program and how they would help you grow. 

5. Write Your Conclusion 

Your conclusion should leave the reader satisfied that Stanford is the only school for you. Be passionate, and be specific. 

For both essays, remember to revise, revise, revise. Your essays should be free of all grammar and spelling mistakes and should flow well. Be sure to read your writing aloud to see how it reads as this can help identify possible errors or substantive issues.

Stanford GSB Essay Examples and What Made Them Successful

Reviewing Stanford essay examples is a great way to understand how your writing should generally look, feel, and flow. Below are two compelling essay examples of Stanford GSB essays that worked. 

These are paragraphs taken from full examples of Stanford essays that worked and are not complete essays alone. To better understand the essays’ makeup, the introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs are labeled. 

Stanford What Matters Most to You and Why Essay Example

What matters most to you, and why?

Sample Introduction:

One evening during a winter break in college, I was driving home and saw my disabled neighbor on our street, slumped over in his driveway, sobbing. I jumped out of my car and ran. 

The ramp to his house was obstructed by a few recently dropped off packages, and he badly needed to use the restroom, having been stuck there for almost an hour. He was a husband, father, grandfather, and former breadwinner, dehumanized by his disability and utterly helpless in this moment. 

Sample Body Paragraph:

I’m driven by finding answers to the most complex, most challenging problems faced by humanity; the ones that are too daunting, or those that go unrecognized. I had to do something. 

So, I rallied a friend, and together we built a low-cost, AI-driven speech-recognition platform that enabled voice-activated control over electronic systems in a household, thus affording increased independence to individuals suffering from ALS and multiple sclerosis. 

It was an exercise in creativity and persistence, and quite daunting at the outset. But, in the end, our solution worked, and cost a fraction of a now commercially available solution like Alexa.

Sample Conclusion:

In the long run, by proving the benefits of AI-driven healthcare to the world, I want to build an enterprise that not only develops sophisticated technology that improves quality of life but also molds the underlying fabric of healthcare policy. 

Like Uber or Airbnb, I dream of leading an organization that fundamentally shifts the contemporary regulatory paradigm in healthcare to one that appropriately reflects both the medical and psychological needs of the modern patient.

We’re all companions on a journey through life; the same random forces that imbue me with good health compel countless others to live in a state of constant suffering. Humanity is a gift, and I have a social and moral responsibility to empower others to live life with passion, dignity, and hope. It is a mission I am dedicated to for the rest of my life.

What Made This Essay Effective?

• The beginning of this Stanford MBA essay sample immerses the reader immediately into the story the student is telling. The rich anecdote is an excellent starting point to lead the rest of their writing, and we instantly want to know more about their journey. 
• The student’s motivations and passions are illuminated and supported throughout the essay. 
• The student demonstrated how they have worked with their passions and motivations creatively to develop a tool to increase independence for individuals living with disabilities.
• The student’s conclusion articulates their long-term goal and restates their passion. The student explained how they plan to dedicate themselves to their cause and improve others’ quality of life.
• The essay leaves the reader satisfied due to its genuineness.

Why Stanford Essay Example

Why Stanford?

Example Introduction:

Silicon Valley is the cradle of global innovation, a melting pot of creators and visionaries. Its one-of-a-kind community paces the world in invention, creativity, and impact. Stanford is at the nucleus of this ecosystem. 

I dream of building a company that pushes the frontiers of AI to fundamentally reshape the global health paradigm, and the GSB MBA offers unparalleled opportunities to explore myself and my passions on that journey.

Example Body Paragraph:

One important lesson I have learned through my experiences as an inventor is the importance of creativity in navigating constraints and creating lasting impact. I once spent months in rural [Country], with limited materials and guidance, building a [medical device]. Only much later, following conversation with a colleague, did I realize I was intuitively applying design thinking and frugal innovation principles in solving challenges. 

I now want a structured education in accessible, cost-effective, and human-centric design through courses such as Design for Health, which will be invaluable in realizing my mission of improving the quality of life for the disabled.

Example Conclusion:

Steve Jobs once famously said that you can only connect the dots in hindsight. I plan to spend my future creating impactful, long-term change in healthcare. When I reflect on life down the road, I am confident I will see my time at Stanford GSB as the brightest dot along the journey.

What Made This Essay Effective? 

• The student immediately states why they’re interested in attending Stanford and discusses how they will fit into the school. 
• They discuss what they’ve learned in their experiences. This shows that they are mature, reflective, and self-aware. 
• They link their experiences to a specific course at Stanford. This shows that the student has researched the program and is excited about Stanford’s course offerings. 
• This is an exciting and confident conclusion. The student summarizes where they expect to be in the future and how Stanford will help propel them to that goal.

Top Tips for Crafting Memorable Essays 

You want to make sure that your essays stand out for their exceptional quality; it’s not enough to develop pieces that get your point across but come off as formulaic and uncreative. 

Below we have compiled a few top tips for Essay A and B to ensure your essays help you stand out in the best way possible. You can also use these tips if you are struggling to understand how to write the Stanford short essays.

Be a Storyteller

Stanford GSB admissions readers are looking for rich anecdotes and well-crafted stories in essay A . 

Your unique experience is important — and a story worth telling. These elements will entice the reader to want to know more about you and your passions. These stories can be emotional and humanize you and your aspirations to the admissions committee. 

Think about the central theme for your essay, and relay a supporting anecdote. Be sure to give context to help the reader understand why this topic is so important to you. Don’t be afraid to get personal . 

Watch the Length and Keep It Fairly Simple 

When you’re writing about yourself, it can be tempting to write pages and pages to make sure you’re getting your point across. After all, you’re the only expert on the subject! But keep things concise, easily digestible, and confident. 

This assignment is not the space to show off your long-winded creative writing skills and detailed description. It’s also not the space to impress the admissions committee by writing what you think they want to hear. 

Your writing shouldn’t have any frills that can dilute or muddle your answer. Remember to keep things simple, be genuine, and be confident — these are the best ways to set yourself up for success. 

Do Not Focus on Your Accomplishments 

Your essays are not meant to be an opportunity to expand or regurgitate your previous work experience. Your essays can highlight things that you haven’t already discussed. Your resume and letters of recommendation already summarize your professional experiences — this an assignment to show your vulnerability and thoughtfulness. 

If there is an accomplishment that encompasses your passions that you haven’t previously discussed, that is OK. Talk about a person, event, or place that has shaped you. Your essay should give the admissions committee a glimpse at the real person behind the accolades.

Do Your School Research 

Stanford GSB essay B calls for you to do adequate school research. Think about why Stanford is the perfect school for you, and let your research support you. Are there classes, clubs, events, or program elements that will help you realize your goals? 

Be as specific as you can to demonstrate that you have done more than casually surf the school’s website. Your research will help you craft a stellar essay. 

There are No ‘Right’ Answers 

There are no right or wrong ways to write both of your Stanford GSB essays. Your story is yours to tell in whatever way you see fit. If your writing honestly reflects your passions, motivations, and dreams, you are on the right track. 

If you feel yourself agonizing and poring over every line, your essays may not be your brand of “right” quite yet. It sounds a little scary to rely on your intuition and to open up, but you will reap the rewards. 

Stanford GSB Essay FAQs

Writing the Stanford GSB essays isn't easy. However, we’ve put together several questions and answers to help you write killer MBA essays. 

1. How do I submit my Stanford GSB essays? 

You should upload essays electronically in one document. Preview the document to make sure that the formatting of your writing does not change. 

2. What’s the best way to go about editing my essays? 

Beyond checking your essays for plagiarism issues and spelling and grammar mistakes, you should also reflect on your essays’ flow and voice. 

Read your essays aloud and see if they sound and feel right.  An unbiased professional opinion is the best way to polish your essays. The experience of a professional review of your essays would be priceless. 

3. What if I want to exceed the word limit on my essays to fit in everything I want to say?

Exceeding the word limit is not recommended. Stanford is looking for MBA candidates who can write concise and compelling essays about themselves and their aspirations. Try to stay within the recommended 650 words for essay A and 400 words for essay B. 

4. Am I allowed to receive feedback on my essays from consulting services? 

Yes. You are allowed to have your essays reviewed after completion — appropriate feedback is when omissions or errors are addressed and you correct them after. Your thoughts and voice should remain the same. 

Inappropriate coaching occurs when someone else has crafted any part of your essay for you. If this happens, your essays are no longer an accurate representation of you and violate terms. Your application will then either be denied or revoked. 

5. What are the optional essays? 

There are two additional optional essays that candidates can complete as part of their application. The first is, “Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others?” This essay gives you the chance to discuss your resume further. You can provide up to three examples for a total of 600 words, or 200 words per example. 

The second optional essay asks, “Tell us about a time within the last three years when your background influenced your participation at work or school.” This essay facilitates discussion about your background, like education, work, skills, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or gender identity. The word limit for this essay is approximately 200 words. 

6. Will it hurt my chances if I do not write the optional essays? 

The optional essays are just that — optional. If you feel that you’ve already addressed these topics in your application, there is no need. 

But if you want to expand on something that you may not have discussed already, feel free to complete these optional essays. Stanford has accepted applicants who have not completed these additional essays and has not accepted applicants who have completed them.

Excel on the Stanford GSB Essays, Ace the Application

Writing the Stanford GSB essays can be an intimidating task, but this guide should help you polish your essays to perfection. Remember to keep the purpose of both essays in mind as you write. Make sure that your writing is answering the questions that Stanford is asking. 

The step-by-step guide above can help you to complete your essay. The sample Stanford essays that worked illustrated above will help give you an idea of what makes a great Stanford GSB essay. The tips shared in the article will assist you in the memorability of your essay. 

Remember to tell your stories authentically and be genuine in your Stanford GSB essays, and you will be on the path to success.

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“Why Stanford” MBA essay tips

W hy Stanford? Seems straightforward at first blush, right? Corralling the material you need to answer this classic MBA essay question is more challenging than you might think.

In this article, MBA Prep School delivers a fresh way to approach your “Why Stanford?” essay along with some practical advice on ways to make your essay stand out from other applicants’ essays.

Why Stanford?

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them.

Where Do We Begin?

To get started, imagine structuring your essay like a documentary film with three acts.

The first act of the movie must introduce the audience to your sense of purpose: a deeper motivation that has directed your career thus far and will undoubtedly drive your future endeavors.

The second act presents your desired destination: your career goals.

The last act , which is the most important to your target audience of Stanford admissions officers, explains why you need a Stanford MBA to continue your quest and ultimately reach the pinnacle of your career.

Developing Your Essay

Taking a cinematic approach to developing your essay will energize your imagination and help you capture rich detail in your writing.

Expressing your hopes and dreams to an outsider is never easy. By visualizing yourself as a character in a film, you may be better able to take a step back and describe where you have been and where you want to go from a perspective that the Stanford admissions committee will understand and appreciate.

Another benefit of the cinematic approach is that it provides a workable structure for Stanford Essay B: a hero’s journey where we meet you (the hero), learn where you dream of going in your career, and then understand how Stanford is going to prepare you to get there.

Always keep in mind that a successful essay will convey a sense of passion and emotion, not only for attending Stanford but also for the exciting career that awaits you on the other side.

Self-Awareness, Honesty

Before taking on “Why Stanford?”, the heart of the essay, you must establish your career progress up to now, while providing a brief account of your professional strengths and weaknesses.

You’ll want to be upfront and honest about what you are missing for the journey ahead. Self-awareness denotes maturity, and a degree of humility is valued by the admissions office. Be assured that every applicant has some holes in their credentials—if not, there would be no reason for them to attend Stanford.

For example, MBA candidates typically lack leadership experience and their business exposure is often one-dimensional. GSB prides itself on expanding the horizons of its students and preparing aspiring leaders to become agents of change.

Due Diligence

Before you write a word about why you want to attend Stanford, do your homework about the unique areas in which Stanford GSB excels. Visit campus, sit in on classes, talk to students, meet with alumni, and sign up for informational blogs and emails. It’s not difficult to become well-informed about the place, but it does demand time and effort.

However, your “Why Stanford?” essay will collapse if all you do is name a few classes, clubs, and professors, and offer knee-jerk praise of the alumni network. Your objective is to clearly connect the opportunities you discuss to your developmental goals.

In addition to leadership training, three main themes stand out in Stanford’s self-profile: innovation, a global view, and improving the human condition. Sixteen percent of students start companies upon graduating, often in tech and often in Silicon Valley. Innovation includes teaching methods and quirky campus traditions (Take a Professor to Lunch). Grounding your discussion of what draws you to Stanford to one or more of these key themes may help you show your fit for the school.

Obviously, GSB has many strengths, and you cannot discuss them all. Focus your essay on the greatest benefits of attending Stanford to you personally. Don’t forget to logically connect the skills and knowledge Stanford will help you to gain with the gaps you revealed in your first paragraph.

The Stanford MBA program believes in thinking and dreaming big; the school’s motto is, “Change lives. Change organizations. Change the world.”

Kirsten Moss, the director of MBA admissions at Stanford, says that what remains constant at GSB is “our students’ commitment to becoming leaders who will transform their industries and communities.”

Your “documentary” will be a hit with Kirsten & Company if you keep our cinematic approach in mind while designing and writing your essay. You want your readers to be cheering for you to succeed and you must convince them that Stanford GSB is the perfect next step in your hero’s journey.

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Stanford GSB Application Essays Advice

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Stanford GSB Entrance

With a 1,000-total word count, the application essays for the Stanford Graduate School of Business are among the longest for business schools.

Stanford GSB’s essays offer applicants an opportunity to paint a complete picture of their candidacy beyond grades and test scores. Melisa Prevost, an admissions consultant at Stratus Admissions Counseling , recently broke down each of Stanford GSB’s essays offering insight into what exactly the admissions committee is looking for.

The first essay prompt asks applicants the following:

What matters most to you, and why? (650 words recommended)

There truly is no “right” way to answer this question. Rather, Prevost says, Stanford GSB’s admission committee is looking for authenticity and values.

“What matters here is that you share whatever has truly been the driving force, or will be the driving force, within your life — both anecdotally and through clear personal experience,” Prevost says. “The ‘why’ part of this question is key; dig deep and demonstrate the reasons behind your passion for whatever you say matters most to you.”

The second essay prompt asks applicants the following:

Why Stanford? (350 words recommended)

Most applicants approach the “why” essay by highlighting a specific program or course that aligns with their goals. But, Prevost says, you can take this essay a step further by really digging into why Stanford is the right business school for you.

“Beyond just sharing a list of programs and classes, be specific about how you might take advantage of nonacademic features of the GSB and perhaps of some broader Stanford University resources and how you would contribute to those experiences,” Prevost says. “Show that you really, fundamentally understand the culture and spirit of the program.”

Don’t be afraid to think “big picture” in this essay. Really convey that Stanford GSB is the right place for you.

“The GSB likes to think of itself as a place where people go to embrace world-changing ideas (check out the school’s motto), and you can paint yourself as such a person as long as you do so with sincerity,” Prevost says.

Sources: Stratus Admissions Counseling , P&Q

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“What Matters?” and “What More?”: 50 Successful Essays for the Stanford GSB and HBS (and Why They Worked)

The application essay questions for the world’s two most competitive MBA programs— Harvard Business School (HBS) and the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB)—are notoriously challenging.

Having helped hundreds of candidates gain acceptance to these elite business schools, Jeremy Shinewald of mbaMission and Liza Weale of Gatehouse Admissions, in partnership with Poets&Quants, have pooled their collective experience to now help you. Using a carefully curated collection of 50 successful essays for HBS and the GSB, they have broken down why each one worked and created a truly essential guide to crafting essays for these schools more confidently and effectively.

“What Matters?” and “What More?”: 50 Successful Essays for the Stanford GSB and HBS (and Why They Worked) is a 190-page digital book offering the following:

• Actual HBS and Stanford GSB essays, submitted by past candidates who were ultimately admitted, along with expert commentary on the strengths (and sometimes weaknesses!) of each one
• Ten pairs of essays for HBS and the GSB, showing how the same candidate approached the two schools’ differing essay prompts
• Two essays by reapplicants, highlighting useful tactics for writing these essays the second time around
• Overviews and examples of four different approaches you can take to composing your essays: thematic, inflection points, single anecdote, and mosaic
• Best practices for each program’s essay question, such as how to handle word counts and what not to include in your essays

Click here to read an excerpt from the book, including one HBS essay sample and one GSB essay sample with our expert commentary.

Why Are the HBS and Stanford GSB Essay Questions So Challenging?

Currently, the acceptance rate for Harvard Business School is 10%, and the Stanford Graduate School of Business’ acceptance rate is a mere 6%. This means that getting into either of these schools is incredibly competitive. Your undergraduate experience, performance on a standardized test, and work history are just a few of the many elements the admissions committees consider. Your admissions essays are where you can truly stand out and differentiate yourself among a pool of superb applicants.

For at least two decades, the admissions committee at the Stanford Graduate School of Business has been challenging applicants with the straightforward essay question “What matters most to you, and why?” Candidates face this fairly simple prompt with seemingly limitless possible responses and a 650-word limit. 

In recent years, Harvard Business School’s admissions committee has adopted a similar approach, asking applicants some version of the following: “As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?” A s of the 2022–2023 application season, candidates have a little  less  leeway than in years past with respect to the length of their essay, now that the school has stipulated a 900-word limit.

The HBS and Stanford GSB essay prompts are both deceptively simple and intimidatingly broad. Yet the beauty of these essay questions is that you are in control! You are a unique individual, and this is your chance to show HBS and the GSB who you genuinely are and why you are an applicant worthy of admittance. The admissions committees are not seeking a certain type of candidate. Quite the opposite, actually! They want to get to know the real you, so through your essays, you want to forge a meaningful connection with the schools, presenting yourself sincerely and honestly.

How Can Our Guide Help You with Your GSB or HBS Essay?

The widely varying essays in this guide prove that no one definitive path to success exists. Some of the essays are pragmatic and straightforward, while others are more sentimental and incredibly creative. They were written by a diverse group of applicants representing all walks of life and a variety of industries, functions, and geographies. These successful candidates prove that the HBS and GSB admissions committees are open to a vast range of topics, experiences, styles, and voices.

Our guide serves as a critical resource in helping you determine the following:

• How formal (or informal!) should I be in my tone and writing style?
• How should I balance professional versus personal stories?
• How can I prevent my professional stories from sounding like a resume rehash?
• How should I change my strategy for the essays if I am applying to both HBS and the GSB?
• How do I make myself “likable” to the admissions committees of HBS and the GSB?

We are hopeful that the guidance, samples, and critiques in “What Matters?” and “What More?” will help you identify the best approach for sharing your strongest stories with these programs—and position yourself for success!

If you plan to apply to Harvard Business School or the Stanford GSB, this book is a must-have resource!

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Exposure to Other Religions Could Help Stem Science Denial

When conflicts arise between science and faith, religious diversity can predict how people will react.

September 05, 2024

Researchers and educators should think about how scientific information will be perceived by people of different religions, says Yu Ding. | iStock/Aleksei Morozov/JakeOlimb/Rinat Khairitdinov

When someone rejects scientific findings that collide with their religion, it may be seen as a sign of their strongly held beliefs. Yet religiosity alone does not explain why some believers are skeptical of science. A multifaceted new study by Yu Ding, an assistant professor of marketing at Stanford Graduate School of Business, finds that there is another strong predictor of science denial: how much exposure religious people have to members of other faiths.

As Ding reviewed studies of religious intensity and science denial, he found several unanswered questions. For instance, why don’t all religious people find their faith incompatible with science? Quakers and Jews often have strong religious convictions yet are well represented in the STEM disciplines. Likewise, why does individual religious intensity not account for geographic variations in levels of science denial? A Pew Research Center study found that 42% of Muslim respondents in Tunisia believe there is a “general conflict” between religion and science versus 16% of Muslim respondents in Morocco.

This led Ding, along with professors Gita Johar and Michael Morris of Columbia Business School, to examine a lack of religious diversity as a pathway to science denial. The trio hypothesized that science denial may arise from religious intolerance — an unwillingness to accept any view that contradicts the accepted dogma — and that intolerance may be the result of a lack of religious diversity within a particular area.

“Contact theory suggests that when people live in less religiously diverse areas they are not as exposed to ideas that contradict their beliefs and might be less willing to consider them,” Ding explains. “If you live in an echo chamber of your own beliefs, you may not be willing to go through the whole process of understanding when judging other beliefs. It’s easier to simply reject the contradictory ones.”

Ding and his colleagues tested their hypothesis in seven studies . The first showed that low levels of religious diversity in U.S. counties were related to residents’ refusal to socially distance and get vaccinated during the COVID pandemic. They also found that income, racial, and political diversity did not predict science denial as consistently. The second study expanded the inquiry to a global scale. It revealed that countries with less religious diversity have lower innovation levels and lower levels of science education attainment than countries that are more religiously diverse.

Quote If you live in an echo chamber of your own beliefs, you may not be willing to go through the whole process of understanding when judging other beliefs. It’s easier to simply reject the contradictory ones. Attribution Yu Ding

Then, the researchers sought to establish the relationship between science denial and religious diversity at the individual level in a series of attitudinal studies. Using data drawn from the World Values Survey of more than 65,000 people, they found that countries with higher levels of religious diversity had lower levels of science denial, and vice versa. (Among the more religiously diverse, more science-friendly countries: Singapore and South Korea. Some of the less diverse and less science-friendly: Egypt and Yemen. The U.S. was in the middle on both measures.)

Ding and his colleagues also conducted surveys of Christians in the United States, Muslims in Pakistan, and Hindus in India, finding that people who were more intolerant of other religions also held negative attitudes toward scientific findings that conflict with their faith and science in general. “Across our studies, we found that religious diversity had significant effects on science denial in 21 of 23 analyses, and religious intolerance had significant effects on science denial in 21 of 21 analyses,” Ding says.

What Sells Science?

Ding’s interest in the relationship between religion and science is rooted in marketing. “Science communication is core to the marketing of many products and services, and scientific ideas are marketed, too,” he says. “So, thinking about how people process and internalize science — and what leads them to reject it — is fascinating to me.”

Approaching science denial as a marketing problem, Ding says he had several audiences in mind as he conducted this research. “There are policymakers — those who are trying to change people’s behaviors for good and especially those who have the power to change the diversity structure of society,” he says. “There are educators who are trying to teach science and stimulate cognitive flexibility in their students, and there are science researchers who are trying to promote their work.”

Ding’s research suggests that policies that promote communities with religious diversity can reduce religious intolerance and science denial. For example, in 1989, Singapore adopted its Ethnic Integration Policy, which mandated ethnic diversity in public housing to stem the growing segregation of its Chinese, Malay, and Indian residents. Because these ethnic groups are closely affiliated with different religions and more than 80% of the country’s residents live in public housing, the policy created greater inter-religious contact. Ding and his colleagues found that Singapore has extremely high levels of innovation and science education attainment relative to other countries.

Science educators and researchers seeking to influence students and the public need to think about how the information they impart will be perceived by people of different religions, Ding says. “If you can demonstrate that you have something in common with a group, the group will trust you more,” he says. “Broader than that, I would say that communicators should try to be more open and more tolerant of other ideas themselves. Then, recipients will not perceive them as being intolerant and will see them as more trustworthy.”

Anything that encourages people to consider opposing ideas is a good thing, according to Ding. “We’re inundated with information that is empowered by advanced technology. This information can help us solve problems, but it can also create problems like science denial,” he says. “Cognitive flexibility is the superpower that can help people combat these unanticipated problems and religious diversity is one path to cognitive flexibility.”

For media inquiries, visit the Newsroom .

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When the One True Faith Trumps All: Low Religious Diversity, Religious Intolerance, and Science Denial Yu Ding Gita Johar Michael Morris

May 20, 2024 In a Polarized World, an Open Mind Can Hurt Your Reputation Americans say they value open-mindedness — until their political allies listen to what the other side is saying.

November 17, 2021 Why the Pandemic Slammed “Loose” Countries Like the U.S. When crises hit, cultures with less strict social norms may not respond quickly enough.

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