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Stanford 2008 MBA Application Essay Questions, Tips, and Deadlines

June 29, 2007 By

UPDATE- THE TIPS FOR STANFORD’S 2009 MBA APPLICATION ARE NOW ONLINE- Please Post Questions or Comments To The New Post-

 

Stanford GSB 2008 MBA Application Calendar

        Application Received By         Notification Date
One         22 October 2007             24 January 2008
Two         7 January 2008                     3 April 2008
Three     21 March 2008                 15 May 2008

My comments are in red. 

 Stanford 2008 MBA Essays

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

This has been Stanford’s first question for the last several years, and it is one of the hardest, if not the hardest to answer. It demands introspection.  Before you put pen to paper or finger to keyboard, take time to think about what you value, how you have demonstrated those values, and why you hold them dear.

When I think back on our many successful Stanford clients, they were the ones who showed, especially in Essay A, that they did not turn away or close their eyes when they saw need. They could demonstrate that they seized the initiative when they recognized an opportunity to contribute.  They were comfortable expressing emotion, their values, and their ability to act on both. More than anything else, to me initiative and self-awareness characterize the successful Stanford application. That means you have to reflect upon your values and those times you have acted upon them. You don’t have to have climbed Mt. Everest or been a victim of terrible social ills, but you do have to know the person occupying your skin.

 

  • Essay B: What are your career aspirations? How will your education at Stanford help you achieve them?
    As a Stanford MBA student, you will be assigned a team of advisors who will guide both your academic experience and your personal development. Your team will include a faculty advisor, a career counselor, and a leadership coach. Use Essay B to help you prepare for your first conversations with these mentors.
The question, a variation of a standard MBA goals question, is the same as last year’s but the paragraph following is new and reflects Stanford’s new curriculum.  Use this question to explain how Stanford’s program will help you achieve your goals. Since Stanford has just overhauled its curriculum, make sure you understand Stanford’s new curriculum and how it will help you achieve your career goals. Pay close attention to the roles of the faculty advisor, career counselor, and leadership coach referred to above. Then reflect your understanding of their roles and Stanford’s curriculum without parroting the Stanford web site.
  • Essay C: Answer 2 of the questions listed below.
    In answering both questions in Essay C, tell us not only what you did, but also how you did it. Tell us the outcome and describe how people responded. Describe only experiences that have occurred during the last three years. (emphasis added)

    1: Tell us about a time when you empowered others.

    Empowering others is one aspect of leadership. It is clearly an important if not defining quality to Stanford (and Tuck, but that’s for a different post.) So when have you empowered others either on the job, in a community service organization, on a sports team, a band…? The possibilities are broad and give you a opportunity to show a different aspect of your background and experience than you provided in A & B or than you will provide in your other C response.
    2: Tell us about a time when you had a significant impact on a person, group or organization.
    This question is almost identical to last year’s C3, which asked “Tell us about a time when you had a significant effect on a group or individual.” This year’s question includes “organization” so it is slightly broader.

    3: Tell us about a time when you tried to reach a goal or complete a task that was challenging, difficult, or frustrating.

    Use this question to present a challenge you successfully handled. A PAR approach would work well here, as well as with the other C questions.
4: Tell us about a time when you went beyond what was defined, established, or expected.
The suggestions for the other C question hold here too. Choose to respond to this question if it allows you to demonstrate the individuality and initiative that Stanford values in a setting other than those you have used earlier. 

In their specificity these questions differ from the open-ended Stanford questions of  years past. and from A . Make sure that you answer all parts of the questions you choose to respond to.  In choosing your questions, select those that will allow you to write essays that complement Essays A & B. Obviously you also want to show throughout your essays the qualities that Stanford values: intellectual vitality, demonstrated leadership potential, and the initiative and individualism that permeates the entire Stanford admissions site.

Essay Length & Format

Your answers for all 3 essay questions cannot exceed 7 pages in total, double spaced using a 12-point font.

Each of you has your own story to tell, so be sure you allocate these 7 pages among the essays in the way that is most effective for you.

We provide some guidelines below as a starting point, but you should feel comfortable to write as much or little as you like on any question, as long as you do not exceed 7 pages total.

  • Essay A: 3 pages
  • Essay B: 2 pages
  • Essay C: 1 page each

Required Formatting

  • Use a 12-point font, double spaced
  • Indicate which essay question you are answering at the beginning of each essay.
  • Number all pages
  • Preview each uploaded document to ensure that the formatting is true to the original
  • Save a copy of your essays

This year’s Stanford’s essay have two new questions and also a slightly different format. Stanford provides suggested length for each essay and requires 12-point font and double-spacing for all essays. However it firmly requests that the total for your 3 essays not to exceed 7 pages. This firm limit marks a change for Stanford. In years past, applicants could write up to 14 pages and stay within Stanford’s guidelines. Last years, Stanford suggested that 7-11 pages would be sufficient, but allowed those with more to express to say it. This year, honor that limit.

At the same time take advantage of Stanford’s flexibility within that limit to tell your story to maximum effect, just as Stanford suggestions. 

For one-on-one guidance through the Stanford application, process please check out Accepted.com’s Stanford Application Package or our other MBA essay editing and admissions consulting assistance. Through July 31 Accepted.com is offering an Early Bird Special to MBA applicants: 10% off all essay services. You can start early and save money.

For more tips on writing the Stanford essays, please consider the ebook, MBA BlastOff  by Maxx Duffy and me.

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About Linda Abraham
  • Laurent Nelson

    Hello,

    Thanks for all the precious advices.

    I just have one question: how strict do you believe is the "experiences that have occurred during the last three years" requirement?

    thanks a lot your for answer

    Best

    Laurent

  • Linda Abraham

    I added the emphasis, but I think you would be wise to stick to it — even if Stanford hadn’t specified it. If the last time you empowered someone was more than 3 years ago, Stanford may wonder what you have been doing for the last 3 years. It probably won’t be as impressive as if you choose something more recent.

    Good luck!

  • Tarun Vatwani

    Hi Linda,

    This is with regards the first question. Your suggestions advocate expression of personal value system and how one’s action have been guided by those values, like integrity, honesty, patriotism, etc. However, it seems difficult to stretch a single value and show the alignment of one’s actions in life to that single value.

    Would you suggest an amalgamation of two or more values and try to weave a life-story that epitomizes commitment to those values? I believe you mean the same in your assessment, but am not clear if my understanding resonates with what you wrote.

    Please comment.

    Regards,

    Tarun Kumar Vatwani

  • Linda Abraham

    You can definitely focus on more than 1 core value. I probably would try to limit it to 3 core values and provide an example of each.

    Good luck!

  • MbaAspirant

    Hi Linda,

    I had a very basic question about one of the instructions for the Stanford essays. The instructions for eg for the first essay mention "3 double spaced pages". Could you clarify what does double spacing mean here?

    Thanks

  • http://www.accepted.com Linda Abraham

    It means that in Word you go to Format-Paragraph-Spacing-Line Spacing and choose double spacing. In other words every line of text is followed by a blank line.

  • Raul

    Hi Linda,
    I haven’t been able to find out what the career counselor and the leadership coach are. Is the first simply referring to the services provided in the career management center and the latter the same things as a leadership fellow?

  • Alex

    Hi Linda,

    With all of the new editorial guidelines developing with online/email writing going on, what is your take on the one vs two spaces after the period in the essays?

    Thanks!
    Alex

  • Linda Abraham

    Since we have proportional fonts today, I vote for one space after a period. However I learned to type when that meant using a (manual) typewriter and learned with two spaces so I don’t always practice what I preach. The key is to choose one approach and be consistent.

  • Linda Abraham

    The career counselor will provide career management advice and the leadership coach will work with you to develop your leadership skills.

    Stanford is really trying to tailor its approach to its students needs.

    Linda

  • Raul

    Thanks Linda,
    I have thoroughly gone through the Stanford site, and while I was able to infer the meaning and role of the career counselor and the leadership coach, I haven’t been able to find any actual info on the GSB site other than in the question. Do you have any links?
    Thanks – rd

  • Linda Abraham
  • SG

    Hi Linda,

    For Essay C: Question2:Tell us about a time when you had a significant impact on a person, group, or organization.

    Can I go about explaining my impact on my own company? Say my strategic risk taking ability leading to the inception of the company and my efforts in nurturing the company?

    Will this do?

    Regards,
    SG

  • Chris Miller

    Hi Linda,

    a question regarding Essay C. Does Stanford want the two questions answered in two separate essays, but in one document or do they want one essay that answers two of the questions?

    Thanks for clarifying
    Chris

  • Sami

    Hi Linda,
    Do you think it would be wise to use a 3-month backpacking trip to India for Essay C3? It was challenging, but really because I chose it to be – or should I go for something professional?

  • Linda Abraham

    Chris,

    2 separate essays.

    Linda

  • Linda Abraham

    Sami,

    That could work, but as to whether it would be the best one, you need to look at the application as a whole. If your other essays are largely professional, then the trip would really show a different side of you. If they are mostly non-professional, then this might be a good place to show more work -related material.

    They key is to give a multi-dimensional perspective on who you are in the totality of the application.

    Good luck!
    Linda

  • Terrance

    Hi Linda,

    I had a question about Stanford’s Q#1. I guess I’m mostly unsure about what area to focus my self-dive on.

    When it comes to "What matters most". Is this something that is quantifiable or tangible? Or can it be a feeling or perspective? How big of a scope are we talking about? Professional? Personal? Global?

    Thanks!

    Terrance

  • Linda Abraham

    All the above. It usually reflects values and perspective. You probably can and should bring it down to earth through examples which will be tangible and may be quantifiable, but it probably will encompass personal, professional, and global if relevant. What do values do you hold most dear? What are you working towards? What do you devote your time, resources, and attention to?

    Good luck!
    Linda