Stanford GSB MBA Essays for Class of 2015 (Entering in Fall 2013)

Stanford Graduate School of Business

On May 30, 2012, Stanford GSB announced its MBA essays for the application season of 2012-13 i.e. for the class of 2015. The school has announced its essays but the application dates are yet to be announced. Furthermore, the MBA application is also yet to go online.

Updated on June 8, 2012: Stanford GSB announced today that they will be releasing their application for the Class of 2015 on July 1, 2012. Stay tuned in for updates and the latest information.

Stanford GSB MBA Essay Questions (Class of 2015)

Essay 1: What matters most to you and why? (750 words)

Essay 2: What do you want to do – REALLY – and why Stanford? (450 words)

Essay 3: Pick 1 option: (400 words)

Tell us about a time in the last three years when you built or developed a team whose performance exceeded expectations.
Tell us about a time in the last three years when you identified and pursued an opportunity to improve an organization.
Tell us about a time in the last three years when you went beyond what was defined or established.

Applicants can read details about Stanford GSB’s MBA application essays, guidelines on length, formatting and other information here.

Understanding Stanford GSB MBA Essay Questions

Essay 1: In this essay, Stanford is looking to understand what makes you tick. It is important to show an aspect of yourself not apparent in other parts of your application. It would be great if this essay reflects on who you are as a person. Here, it is imperative for people to not only talk about what matters to you, but also why it is important.

To better understand this point, see the video below:

The main point that I want to drive home here is that in the speech that Professor Mike Useem is describing, Chancellor Angela Merkel talks about what matters to her and then very simply, explains why it matters to her. Once you communicate your motivations and the reasons for those motivations, your story becomes a lot more believable and it becomes easier for the other person to understand where you are coming from.

A good way to put your story to test is to ask yourself whether your response will make AdCom say, “O ya, that makes sense” or “This does not add up”. Better still, show your writing to a third person and ask them what they think.

Essay 2: This question wants you to answer 2 questions: “What do you want to do post MBA” and “Why Stanford”. It is important to note here that candidates will do themselves a favor by not focusing on their past credentials. Also, see the post here with a focus on Why MBA & Why Stanford.

Essay 3: This question really gives you a chance to highlight your professional accomplishments. Here, it is important to focus not only on the situation, but also your thought process through it, the actions you took and the impact of your actions.

Stanford GSB Assistant Dean Derrick Bolton’s Message

To help candidates understand what the expectation is from them, Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions Derrick Bolton (MBA 1998) has written some tips focusing on: