May 9, 2017

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Stanford GSB MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines

Stanford is once again re-using its essay questions. And there’s good reason for the recycling: These are excellent questions that succinctly get to the heart of what Stanford wants to know about you. They are not easy questions, but they are thoughtful, probing ones.

Stanford gives a lot of advice and guidance on its website as to what it’s looking for in the essays. You should access that advice in addition to reviewing my suggestions below.

Stanford was the first top MBA program to release its application due dates for 2017-18. Those dates are virtually unchanged from last year.

My tips are in blue below.

Stanford GSB 2017-18 MBA Application Questions:

Essays help us learn about who you are rather than solely what you have done. Other parts of the application give insight to your academic and professional accomplishments; the essays reveal the person behind those achievements.

When writing your essays, resist the urge to “package” yourself into what you think Stanford wants to see. Doing so will only prevent us from understanding who you really are and what you hope to accomplish. The most impressive essays are the most authentic.

We request that you write two personal essays. The personal essays give us glimpses of your character and hopes. In each essay, we want to hear your genuine voice. Think carefully about your values, passions, aims, and dreams prior to writing them.

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

For this essay, we would like you to:

• Do some deep self-examination, so you can genuinely illustrate who you are and how you came to be the person you are.

• Share the insights, experiences, and lessons that shaped your perspectives, rather than focusing merely on what you’ve done or accomplished.

• Write from the heart, and illustrate how a person, situation, or event has influenced you.

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

This superficially straightforward question has been Stanford’s first for at least the last sixteen years, but it is actually one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult MBA essay questions to answer. Superficial responses will fail. The prompt demands introspection. Before you put finger to keyboard or pen to paper, really reflect on what you value, how you have acted upon those principles, and why you value them. Stanford’s advice urges reflection. The question requires it.

When I reflect on our many successful Stanford clients, initiative in the face of need is the common thread among them. They are always the ones who revealed, especially in Essay A, that they do not turn away when they see a problem or need for action. They grab the initiative when faced with an opportunity to contribute. They are comfortable expressing emotion and their values, and their actions reflect both, but particularly the latter. Think purpose-driven, principle-driven lives and leadership.

More than anything else, initiative and self-awareness characterize the successful Stanford applicant. Implication: You have to know your values and those times you have acted upon them. Yes I wrote that a few seconds ago, but it bears repeating. Climbing Mt. Everest or suffering from terrible social ills is not a requirement of admission, but you do have to know the person occupying your skin.

Essay B: Why Stanford?

Enlighten us on how earning your MBA at Stanford will enable you to realize your ambitions.

• Explain your decision to pursue graduate education in management.

• Explain the distinctive opportunities you will pursue at Stanford.

• If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Now that question is succinct, and really says what they want to know.

Similar to questions that have occupied this Stanford application slot for years, this question is a variation of a standard MBA goals question, as revealed in the bullet points after it. For this forward-looking question, you need say why you want an MBA. The best way to do so is in terms of your desired post-MBA professional direction. Then explain how Stanford’s program specifically will help you travel down that path. Note the emphasis in the bullet points about the “distinctive opportunities you will pursue at Stanford.” Do your homework. You need to know what are the distinctive characteristics of the Stanford MBA program or you simply can’t answer the question.

Understand the flexibility inherent in Stanford’s curriculum, its integrated approach to management, its entrepreneurial culture, and how all these elements (and others) will help you learn what you need to know to achieve your career goals. Realize that the curriculum allows for personalization based on your goal and your past experience, specifically your previous business education. Two pieces of information are required to answer this question: A clear MBA goal and an in-depth understanding of Stanford GSB’s curriculum. (Folks: It’s not just the ranking, brand, or location.)

Please do NOT write that you want to attend Stanford because of “the flexibility inherent in Stanford’s curriculum, its integrated approach to management, its entrepreneurial culture….” That phrasing is too general for your specific reasons (and besides the Stanford adcom can google the phrase if they see it too often and see that you found it here). Go deeper and be more distinctive in your writing so that you really tie your goals to Stanford’s program.

Stanford also asks that if you are applying to both the Stanford MBA and MSx programs, you use Essay B to address your interest in both programs. It gives those applying to both programs an extra 50 words to address that interest.

Essay Length: Your answers for both essay questions combined may not exceed 1,150 words (1,200 words if you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs). 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. Below is a suggested word count, based on what we typically see.

Essay A: 750 words
Essay B: 400 words
Essay B (if applying to both the MBA and MSx programs): 450 words

Formatting:

• Double-spaced

• Indicate the question you are answering at the beginning of each essay (does not count toward the word limit)

• Number all pages

• Upload one document that includes both essays

Be sure to save a copy of your essays, and preview the uploaded document to ensure that the formatting is preserved.

If you would like professional guidance with your Stanford GSB application, please consider Accepted’s MBA essay editing and MBA admissions consulting or our MBA Application Packages, which include advising, editing, interview coaching, and a resume edit for the Stanford GSB application.

Stanford GSB 2017-18 MBA Application Deadlines:

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

By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted and co-author of the definitive book on MBA admissions, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools .

Related Resources:

• What Stanford GSB is Looking For
• Why MBA?, a free guide to writing about your MBA goals
• Harvard, Stanford, Wharton: What’s the Difference?, a short video

Suyash Bhatt

Hi Linda,
Firstly, thank you so much for offering help to evaluate profile and provide your suggestions.
I am a 27 years old with a 5.5 years of experience in the Signal processing industry varying from engineering to marketing at the global level.
I want you to help me with the colleges that I can apply to, with a score of 690 on the GMAT.
Also, i would like to know whether i should re appear to improve my score to be able to get any of Columbia, HBS, INSEAD and MIT? Following is the information that you’ve asked to provide:

1) Brief description of your full-time work experience:
started working in the engineering division of one of the leading Test and Measurement company in the world. Within 5 years of my service, I was awarded the highest level of award (President’s award) for my contribution in innovation. Developed several training programs at work and then delved into marketing. Traveled globally to collect and analyse marketing data and use it to improve the company products. Managed an entirely self developed 2 months training program for the new hires of our company (due to my passion for learning and education activities)

2) Your GMAT or GRE : GMAT 690

3) College info: finished m engineering from Electronics and Telecommunications branch with a GPA of 4.0

4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service especially leadership experience:
During my college days, I was involved with an NGO for more than 2 years. I started as a teaching volunteer for underprivileged kids and also took roles of controlling finance and PR activities for the NGO.
At my work place, which deals with the instruments that are also used in the field of education, in colleges like my own college, I enabled a technical training for the teachers of my colleges. After several sessions of training, I facilitated an MoU between my college and my organisation for continued collaboration.
I also have interest in the field of farming and agriculture and have taken part in educating farmers to use better ways of irrigation to improve their yields. In my own farms, adopted several innovative methods which have become a model to the neighbouring farmers.
other interests include traveling, marathon running, adventure sports and long distance cycling.
I have travelled to over 12 countries.
Strongly support for gender equality and have been involved with a few organisations that promote education for women.
Offered listening support to the community which helps people get out of depression and other mental illnesses.

5) Your post-MBA goal.
to gain perspective and leadership skills to be able to promote my family business and in parallel, create a social organisation to work for the upliftment of women in my town by providing them access to best quality education.

Hope all the information is enough for evaluation. Thanks a lot 🙂
raghavendra jaipuria

hey Linda,
I am 30 years and from India
i have 8 years plus experience in Investor Relations
GMat – 700 (Q -49, 75% V-38 83%)
planning to apply to NUS , HKU, Mannheim, IMD, St Gallen. Want to shortlist USA colleges
graduation – HR College of commerce and economics, Bachelor in commerce, passed in 2009 with 79%, topped accountancy 100/100
Played for college cricket team
CFA all three levels cleared
post mba goal – asset/ wealth management
- Linda Abraham
  
  I am 30 years and from India
  i have 8 years plus experience in Investor Relations
  GMat – 700 (Q -49, 75% V-38 83%)
  planning to apply to NUS , HKU, Mannheim, IMD, St Gallen. Want to shortlist USA colleges
  graduation – HR College of commerce and economics, Bachelor in commerce, passed in 2009 with 79%, topped accountancy 100/100
  Played for college cricket team
  CFA all three levels cleared
  post mba goal – asset/ wealth management
  
  Hi Raghavendra,
  
  Look into Cornell Johnson, Rochester Simon, UNC Kenan Flagler, Duke, and Georgetown.
  
  Best,
  Linda
  - raghavendra jaipuria
    
    hi, thanks for your reply.
    which European and Asian schools can i look at.
    I have applied to Mannheim, NUS, HKU – what do you think of these three colleges
    - Linda Abraham
      
      Good options given your qualifications and goals. You may also want to try IE in Spain.
janettt

Hi Linda,

Hoping to get some insight into my profile. I’m hoping to apply to Haas, UCLA, USC, Texas, Washington, Stanford, and Columbia.

1. Worked as a marketing manager/production assistant for a clothing line/garment manufacturer for a year
Transitioned into teaching in after-school programs both in the states and in Korea for about a year and a half.
Have been working as a project manager/ editor for an education technology startup for the past two years, where I quickly transitioned from an editorial assistant to project manager/ editor.

2. GMAT 720 (Q49, V40, IR7, AW6)

3. Biola University, 3.7 GPA. BA in English Literature, 2012

4. Tutoring at Reading Partners, deeply involved in rock climbing social groups, where we often plan activities like outdoor trips, worked in swing dancing outreach to ex-pats while living in Korea

5. None

6. Want to get more deeply involved in management for Education Technology to greater expand the outreach of edtech.

I have a couple concerns with my app, but would love to get your insight firsT!
- Linda Abraham
  
  Hoping to get some insight into my profile. I’m hoping to apply to Haas, UCLA, USC, Texas, Washington, Stanford, and Columbia.
  
  1. Worked as a marketing manager/production assistant for a clothing line/garment manufacturer for a year
  Transitioned into teaching in after-school programs both in the states and in Korea for about a year and a half.
  Have been working as a project manager/ editor for an education technology startup for the past two years, where I quickly transitioned from an editorial assistant to project manager/ editor.
  
  2. GMAT 720 (Q49, V40, IR7, AW6)
  
  3. Biola University, 3.7 GPA. BA in English Literature, 2012
  
  4. Tutoring at Reading Partners, deeply involved in rock climbing social groups, where we often plan activities like outdoor trips, worked in swing dancing outreach to ex-pats while living in Korea
  
  5. None
  
  6. Want to get more deeply involved in management for Education Technology to greater expand the outreach of edtech.
  
  I have a couple concerns with my app, but would love to get your insight firsT!
  
  Without knowing the concerns, here’s how I see it. Stanford is a stretch program, but worth the effort. You should give it a try given your goals. You have a competitive profile for the other programs on your list and have chosen them well.
Bloggersodear

Hi Linda
1) 4.5 years as a consultant for a financial software company that configures and supports trading technology for asset managers and hedge funds. Two promotions.
2) 710 (Q46 V41)
3) Boston College Economics Major. 3.67 GPA
4) On a junior board for a non-profit high-school and co-chair of a fundraising committee that benefits inner-city youth recreational programs.
5) CFA Charterholder
6) Management Consulting
- Linda Abraham
  
  I think you’re aiming two high with these schools. A higher GMAT score, especially the quant, will improve your chances, but unless you’ve had some impressive achievements on the job (or off0 that aren’t mentioned above, I think you’re aiming too high. Consider Duke, Ross, Darden, or Cornell Johnson.
Yongwei Gao

Hi, Linda

Thank you very much for your help. I am a Chinese who has been living in Sweden for 6 years.

1. I have been working in automotive industry for more than 3 years in Sweden. 1 year as a CAE engineer in Volvo and 2 year as a vehicle architect and the team leader for 1 small team in China-Euro Vehicle Technology (an automotive company). The work mainly involves architecture development for automated driving simulation, team management and coordination between China site and Sweden site.
In part time, I also founded a start-up company in China to develop a mobile app two and half years ago. The team had 5 people including me. This company was failed half year ago.
Right now, I am opening a private photography studio in part time, mainly help others to do wedding photos.

2. GMAT 750 (Math 51 96%, Verbal 40 91%, Total 98%. AW 5.5 and IR 6)

3. Chalmers University of Technology (One of the best engineering school in Sweden, GPA 4.65/5, Msc in automotive engineering, graduated in 2014)
Hefei University of Technology ( GPA: 85/100, Beng in Process Equipment and Control Engineering)

4. Right now, besides work, I am also the board member in Swedish Union and safety representative for our company, mainly help Union negotiating problems with top management level of company, such as working environment, salary .etc. In addition, I organize the photography community in the company.
During the college time, I also had some leadership roles in some community

5. Have 3 patents in China and 2 publications in the magazine during school time. Hold CPR ( Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification.

6. Since automotive industry is changing and I have the solid technical and industry experiences in automated driving, the short-term goal after MBA for me is to take a management role in automotive company or be a consultant for the automotive related area. The long term goal is probably start up my own company, for example as supplier to vehicle company.

My target school would be Stanford, MIT, Kellogg, Haas, Ross, Tuck and Duke.

Best Regards
Yongwei
- Linda Abraham
  
  Thank you very much for your help. I am a Chinese who has lived in Sweden for 6 years. I am applying 2018 MBA class, and will be 27 with 4 years experiences in that time.
  
  1. I have been working in automotive industry for more than 3 years in Sweden. 1 year as a CAE engineer in Volvo and 2 year as a vehicle architect and the team leader for 1 small team in China-Euro Vehicle Technology (an automotive company). The work mainly involves architecture development for automated driving simulation, team management and coordination between China site and Sweden site.
  In part time, I also founded a start-up company in China to develop a mobile app two and half years ago. The team had 5 people including me. This company was failed half year ago.
  Right now, I am opening a private photography studio in part time, mainly help others to do wedding photos.
  
  2. GMAT 750 (Math 51 96%, Verbal 40 91%, Total 98%. AW 5.5 and IR 6)
  
  3. Chalmers University of Technology (One of the best engineering school in Sweden, GPA 4.65/5, Msc in automotive engineering, graduated in 2014)
  Hefei University of Technology ( GPA: 85/100, Beng in Process Equipment and Control Engineering)
  
  4. Right now, besides work, I am also the board member in Swedish Union and safety representative for our company, mainly help Union negotiating problems with top management level of company, such as working environment, salary .etc. In addition, I organize the photography community in the company.
  During the college time, I also had some leadership roles in some community
  
  5. Have 3 patents in China and 2 publications in the magazine during school time. Hold CPR ( Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification.
  
  6. Since automotive industry is changing and I have the solid technical and industry experiences in automated driving, the short-term goal after MBA for me is to take a management role in automotive company or be a consultant for the automotive related area. The long term goal is probably start up my own company, for example as supplier to vehicle company.
  
  My target school would be Stanford, MIT, Kellogg, Haas, Ross, Tuck and Duke
  
  Hi Yongwei,
  
  Although this podcast interview is a bit old, you may still find it very interesting: https://blog.accepted.com/entrepreneurship-stanford-gsb-carlypso-drives-startup-street/ .
  
  You have chosen your programs well. They are the ones I would recommend to you. You may also want to consider CMU Tepper or Darden, but other than that, well done.
  
  If you would like help with your MBA application, please let me know.
  - Yongwei Gao
    
    Thank you very much! Linda
GSBHopeful

Hi Linda! If you’re still doing profile evaluations, please see my answers to your q’s below. Thanks for your time and help!

1) Management Consultant at Accenture for the last 4.5 years (first job out of undergrad). Working in Financial Services typically doing large-scale strategic assessments and Digital transformations. Have had a very successful career path with early promotions, part of various leadership programs etc.
2) Haven’t taken yet, but shooting for ~710/720 (45Q 63%, 43V ~95%, scaled total of ~90%)
3) Northwestern, 3.62 GPA, Political Science & International Studies majors, ’12 graduate.
4) Most impactful and recent leadership experience includes leading my company’s development program for new consultants (over 2k resources) and being an Aux Board member for local charity
5) Integrated Marketing certificate from Northwestern, Design Thinking certified
6) Become a Business Strategist at an innovation/design firm (i.e. like IDEO). Longer-term goal would be to launch experience design consultancy for the field of Real Estate. Particularly because design/innovation as a formalized career path is so new, I think there’s a fantastic opportunity across our full economy to blaze a fresh and incredibly impactful trail in this space.

Thanks!
- Linda Abraham
  
  Hi Linda! If you’re still doing profile evaluations, please see my answers to your q’s below. Thanks for your time and help!
  
  1) Management Consultant at Accenture for the last 4.5 years (first job out of undergrad). Working in Financial Services typically doing large-scale strategic assessments and Digital transformations. Have had a very successful career path with early promotions, part of various leadership programs etc.
  2) Haven’t taken yet, but shooting for ~710/720 (45Q 63%, 43V ~95%, scaled total of ~90%)
  3) Northwestern, 3.62 GPA, Political Science & International Studies majors, ’12 graduate.
  4) Most impactful and recent leadership experience includes leading my company’s development program for new consultants (over 2k resources) and being an Aux Board member for local charity
  5) Integrated Marketing certificate from Northwestern, Design Thinking certified
  6) Become a Business Strategist at an innovation/design firm (i.e. like IDEO). Longer-term goal would be to launch experience design consultancy for the field of Real Estate. Particularly because design/innovation as a formalized career path is so new, I think there’s a fantastic opportunity across our full economy to blaze a fresh and incredibly impactful trail in this space.
  
  Thanks!
  
  Stanford GSB is a stretch for you, but it’s worth it to try. Also consider UCLA Anderson, Darden, Rotman, Haas, Tuck, Cornell Johnson, and Ross.
  
  If you would like help with your MBA application, please let me know.
RJJ

Hi Linda,

1. 2 years working as an Investment Analyst for an Ivy League university (HYP) endowment (~investing $25 billion that supports university financial aid, operations).
2. GRE: 168 V (98%) 166 Q (91%)
3. HYP; 3.63 cumulative, graduated magna cum laude; History major, class of 2015
4. Violinist – volunteered before, during, and some after college to play at nursing homes and homeless shelters; Co-led student group of professional freelance journalists for 3 years in college; member of a university community service organization (lots of projects, including volunteering post-Hurricane Sandy); co-editor of university bioethics journal.
5. None
6. Goal: Leading (or starting) an organization helping to alleviate student debt

Also considering HBS, Wharton, and CBS
- Linda Abraham
  
  I replied to you earlier and elsewhere so I think you’re good. If not , please let me know.
Kulpreet Khanuja

Hi Linda,
Thanks for offering the profile evaluation. I am targeting 2018-19 MSx programs at Stanford and MIT (Sloan Fellows) or EMBA at Columbia/MIT/Wharton but preference is MSx . Would like to get your opinion.
1) Around 14 years of work experience by May 2018 working within Financial Institutions and a Big 4 consultancy in India, Europe and New York, US(last 10 yrs). Have worked on and led large scale transformations (40+ people teams and $25-$40Mn portfolios). Currently a senior manager (SVP level) consulting for a global bank.
2) GMAT: Planning to re-appear. Still deciding between GMAT or Exec Assessment. Appeared for GMAT in 2008 with a score of 750 (98% and decent distribution between Quant and Verbal). Should make around 690-720 now
3) College: Bachelor of Engineering at RGPV university India with not so great GPA (64%)
4) Pro-bono consulting/volunteering, traveling (30+ countries), cycling, hiking.
5) Certified Professional Risk Manager (PRM) with performance award, Diploma in International Banking & Finance, Digital Currency Certification/blockchain and other smaller certifications. Presented at various industry conferences in New York
6) Continue working in consulting (or PE/VC) or in start ups but with a more strategic focus than operational leadership; migrate towards emerging technologies (hence MIT and Stanford focus).

Appreciate your inputs. Thanks!
- Linda Abraham
  
  Hi Linda,
  Thanks for offering the profile evaluation. I am targeting 2018-19 MSx programs at Stanford and MIT (Sloan Fellows) or EMBA at Columbia/MIT/Wharton but preference is MSx . Would like to get your opinion.
  1) Around 14 years of work experience by May 2018 working within Financial Institutions and a Big 4 consultancy in India, Europe and New York, US(last 10 yrs). Have worked on and led large scale transformations (40+ people teams and $25-$40Mn portfolios). Currently a senior manager (SVP level) consulting for a global bank.
  2) GMAT: Planning to re-appear. Still deciding between GMAT or Exec Assessment. Appeared for GMAT in 2008 with a score of 750 (98% and decent distribution between Quant and Verbal). Should make around 690-720 now
  3) College: Bachelor of Engineering at RGPV university India with not so great GPA (64%)
  4) Pro-bono consulting/volunteering, traveling (30+ countries), cycling, hiking.
  5) Certified Professional Risk Manager (PRM) with performance award, Diploma in International Banking & Finance, Digital Currency Certification/blockchain and other smaller certifications. Presented at various industry conferences in New York
  6) Continue working in consulting (or PE/VC) or in start ups but with a more strategic focus than operational leadership; migrate towards emerging technologies (hence MIT and Stanford focus).
  
  Appreciate your inputs. Thanks!
  
  You have a competitive profile for the MSx/Sloan Fellows programs as well as the EMBA programs you are aiming for. (I;m assuming a competitive EA or GMAT score) I do think that competitive score is going to be more important than usual given your so-so grades for a less well known school.
  FYI you may be interested in the following podcast: https://blog.accepted.com/3-outstanding-mba-emba-alternatives/ .
  
  Best,
  Linda
Elmut Polito

I would like to have your opinion on my chances for CBS, Stanford, MIT, Booth and Nyu. I will also try at policy schools.

1) 28 yo Male, South Europe. Unpaid intern in a consulting start up in Dublin after Bsc (3 months). Then, interns during final year of Master of Science at OECD in Paris and European investment bank in Luxembourg, 7 months totally, as policy analyst. Upon graduation, intern Deloitte financial advisory, valuation practice (5 months) and graduate trainee European Central Bank in Frankfurt (10 months) working in the capital markets division. Right now at the Italian Development Bank (largest public financial institution) since 1.5 year as macroeconomist, working on a variety of themes ranging from public finance to international cooperation funding. Got promoted after 8 months. Currently supervising 2 interns.

2) GMAT: 710 (Q 49 – 77% , V 37 – 83%)

3) Best Italian Uni in economics and management both for Bsc and Msc (Bocconi). Bsc GPA: not great, think top 30%. Msc: graduated cum laude, top grade (not sure how to translate into US gpa). Semester Exchange with A grade in Denmark

4) 1 year of voluntary work on a recently established European start-up on civic engagement to foster development of young European leaders. Part of a newly established civic movement to foster civil rights in Italy. Part of civic movement to support recent constitutional referendum in Italy.

5) None.

6) Short term- financial advisory firms (Blackrock, Lazard, Rothschild), advising clients on macroeconomic and public finance issues.

Long term- work for European institutions or national Government
- Elmut Polito
  
  Sorry, I forgot to thank you Linda for your help here.
  
  and on point 6) “…advising clients” I mean public entities-clients
  - Linda Abraham
    
    Elmut,
    
    Your experience sounds great, but it also seems like you moved around a lot, which could be a negative, and your GPA is on the weak side for the schools you are targeting. Still you have a chance at all your target programs. Also consider Yale and Duke, where you would be more competitive.
    
    And you’re welcome.
Nikhil Sharma

Hello Linda, Thanks a lot for offering this amazing platform. I am planning to Join in 2018 and thus by the time i join the school i will have 5 full years plus additional 1-2 months of work experience at ZS Associates. I work in the consulting side of the firm’s business and have been helping clients in the Healthcare sector in North America and Europe in their commercial strategy.My Gmat scores are 720 (94% ) overall, Verbal 40 (91%), Quant 49 (77%), AWA 5 out of maximum of 6 ( 55%, IR 8 (92%). I did my under grad from National Institute of Technology Tiruchirapalli, GPA 7.96 out of 10, Engineering in Metallurgy, Year of graduation 2013. I am active Toastmaster and have led multiple leadership roles in the Toastmaster community. My Post MBA goal is to join the Hedge Fund Industry. Any advice?
- Linda Abraham
  
  HI Nikhil,
  
  You’re most welcome! For Stanford I believe you need to show that you are a change agent, a person capable of recognizing a need for change (frequently a problem), developing a solution, and then leading implementation of that solution. Your stats and profile above, while competitive, don’t really show that and certainly don’t stand out in the Stanford applicant pool.
  
  You will also need to present a viable path to the world of hedge funds. If your work isn’t highly relevant (it appears to be at best tangentially related), then you should present a realistic path to your goal and not expect to go into hedge funds immediately after earning your MBA. Maybe go into banking and then into HFs.
  
  If you would like help with your MBA application, please let me know.
  - Nikhil Sharma
    
    Thanks a lot for the feedback Linda! In your opinion, what other schools do I have a good chance at? Columbia , Wharton, MIT or any other?
    - Linda Abraham
      
      You have a chance at Columbia , Wharton, and MIT, but those are stretch programs because of the intense competition. Look into Duke, Cornell, UNC, UT, and UCLA.
      - Mr_Kolarov
        
        Hi Linda,
        
        Thanks a lot for the service you make here.
Yousaf Khan

I’ve heard that the GMAT is the single most important component of application when applying to Stanford. How much of this is true ? Also, with an average GMAT score of 737, if someone gets a score somewhat below this number, does that mean that the person will have little chance of getting accepted to Stanford ?

Also do the AdComs use the ETS GMAT score convertor if one submits a GRE score instead of GMAT ?
- Linda Abraham
  
  Hi Yousaf,
  
  Excellent questions!
  
  The GMAT is an important component of your application, but I would like to quote Alex Brown, former admissions director at Wharton, on this one. Years ago when asked a similar question he responded that the weakest element of your application is the most important one. It can keep you out. Your GMAT can keep you out of Stanford or other top programs, but it alone will not get you in.
  
  Somewhat below scores are not deal killers. Averages by virtue of being averages imply that people are accepted with below average stats. FYI. I discussed some of these issues briefly this AM at the first Get Accepted to Stanford webinar . I am also presenting it again at 5 PM PT. You and all other readers are invited.
  
  Most admissions people use the ETS score converter, but some look at percentile scores instead or in addition. I’ve heard different things from different adcom.
  
  Best,
  Linda