Founded in 1925 Stanford Graduate School of Business is one of the most prestigious business schools not just in the US, but in the world.

Application timeline

Getting into Stanford Graduate School of Business is a rigorous process that involves a lot of preparation and dedication. Applicants are urged to sign up early for standardized testing and to arrange for timely submission of transcripts and letters of reference so that all documents will be received on or before the deadline.

The application dates for Stanford for 2020 are as follows:

• First round: September 12, 2019
• Second round: January 9, 2019
• Third round: April 8, 2020

Your application including letters of reference and application fee must by payed by the corresponding date at 11:00 am Pacific time latest. Your application most likely won’t be reviewed if submitted after your round’s deadline.

If you are offered admission, you will be expected to enroll immediately unless you meet the criteria for deferred entry. If you do not meet the criteria, you aren’t allowed to defer admission to a later year. Instead, you reapply. Only under rare and extraordinary circumstances (e.g., compulsory military service) will there be exceptions to this policy.

When you apply, you select the year you prefer to enroll in. Even if you select direct enrollment, Stanford may decide to grant you deferred status. There is a reduced application fee of $100 for deferred enrollment.

Class profile
Upon closer inspection the class profile for Stanford reveals the high diversity of applicant, and an ever-increasing interest towards the school. But admittance remains a challenge.

• Total Applicants: 7,797
• Women: 41%
• International: 42%
• Average Years of Experience: 4
• Top 3 Industry Experience: Investment, Consulting, Technology
• GMAT Test Score Range: 600-790 Average: 732
• GRE (Verbal) Score Range: 155-170 Average: 165
• GRE (Quantitative) Score Range: 152-170 Average: 165
• TOEFL (Internet-Based) Score Range: 101-120 Average: 113
• Undergraduate majors: Business 18% Engineering/Math/Science 34% Humanities 48%

Required documents

To apply for Stanford Graduate School of Business you need the following:

• Resume or CV – work experience is not required for entry; personal information is required
• Two letters of reference – one reference from your current supervisor, and one from someone else who has supervised your work
• GMAT or GRE score – no minimum score
• TOEFL/IELTS score (if applicable) – TOEFL (100), IELTS (7.0)
• Two essays – Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?; Essay B: Why Stanford?
• Uploaded official transcripts
• Submitted online application
• $275 and is nonrefundable

Essays

Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?
– Illustrate who you are
– Share insights on your character and experiences instead of what you’ve accomplished
– Focus on “why” rather than “what”

Essay B: Why Stanford?
– Explain why you want to pursue a graduate degree in management
– Explain how the program will help you reach your career goals

* Do not exceed the 1,150-word count for both essays combined.

Financing

A Stanford MBA degree is a significant investment in you and your future. To help you fund the full cost of your attendance, Stanford offers generous fellowships to those with demonstrated need. All MBA students, regardless of citizenship, are eligible for financial aid. Below are the types of aid available.

Stanford GSB Need-Based Fellowships
Fellowships are gifts from our community, and they do not have to be repaid. Stanford GSB fellowships are awarded based solely on your demonstrated financial need. Approximately half of Stanford MBA students receive fellowship funds. The average Stanford GSB fellowship is approximately $35,000 per year or $70,000 in total awards.

Stanford GSB Full-Tuition Fellowships
For the 2019-20 season, Stanford GSB provides additional full-tuition fellowships which require an application and are targeted to students with specific backgrounds.

Career Support
Stanford GSB offers financial support to qualifying MBAs who pursue careers in the nonprofit and public service sector.

Summer Stipends
Stanford GSB provides resources for those who wish to pursue a summer internship in nonprofit, social impact, government, or entrepreneurial organizations.

External Scholarships
We encourage you to research sources outside Stanford GSB to help reduce your debt load. If you receive an external scholarship for less than $40,000, your Stanford GSB Fellowship will not be reduced. If you receive an external scholarship for more than $40,000, your Stanford GSB fellowship will be reduced, however, the reduction is not dollar for dollar. Loans are only reduced if your total financial aid exceeds the cost of attendance.

Yellow Ribbon Program
Stanford GSB participates in the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008, the Yellow Ribbon program — a grant that is available to eligible military candidates.

For the 2019-2020 academic year, Yellow Ribbon funding is not considered need-based aid and can be awarded in conjunction with other Stanford need-based fellowships.

Employer Sponsorship
Stanford GSB considers employer sponsorship or employer forgivable loans as external financial resources for the purpose of determining financial need and fellowship eligibility. Typically students who receive employer loans or sponsorship are not eligible for Stanford GSB fellowships.

Loans
Most financial aid received by Stanford GSB students is in the form of student loans. Detailed information will be provided about loan options once you have been admitted to the program and applied for financial aid.

Loans for International Students
The Financial Aid Office will determine which loans to offer you based on your citizenship status and the information provided in your financial aid application. Stanford GSB works with several lenders to provide loan options for international students. The school does not benefit in any way, financial or other, from these arrangements.

As one of the top business schools in America and around the world, Stanford Graduate School of Business offers its students many opportunities to develop unique skills, and to foster a successful career. But in order to for that to happen, a meticulous and rigorous admission process is at hand. But as with any other school, the key to success lies in preparation. Once you have all documents ready and submitted, the next step will be even more preparation. Be patient and good luck!

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