Calling all Stanford Fall 2009 applicants!

I wish there were more conjecture and rumors going on right now about stanford admits for round 1. I'm jonesing for SOME kind of information--even that which is factually misleading.

Mostly I'm just bored.

Ho hum,
--jcl246

Hello,
I had my interview on Monday with the adcom. It was not blind. She informed me that she had took time to re-read my essays and recommendations just before she called me. She was very very very nice and cordial. I was nervous in the beginning but later on it turned out to be a great conversation and exchange of information. I was very impressed on the quality of questions. No Why MBA, long-term, short-term, directly Why Stanford questions... But she really digged deep into my social work and professional life. These questions were not designed to put me on the spot instead I think she asked these questions to put things into perspective and have a better understanding of what I do. Lots of questions though. She kept asking until she was satisfied with the answers. Then we switched to short answer questions like "who is your hero, if you had a magic wand what.... kind of questions." The fact that she was truly interested in things that had major impact on my life has really resonated with me. Truly, Stanford is an institution which values the person behind the application. They just do not admit people based on their accomplisments on paper and cater them to financial and consulting firms like a factory. I was just sold on Stanford by the nature of the questions she asked. Anyway I guess with stanford there is no formula to prepare for the interview other than to be yourself. but there was one thing though... She asked me where I applied besides stanford?? Why did she ask that??

emirturmen,

I totally agree with the fact that Stanford looks at who the applicant is more than any other school. It looks like you had a great interview. She probably asked you about other schools to find out if you would accept the offer they will make you

At the end, even if I get dinged by Stanford, it will be the nicest ding. I am totally sold on the school !

Stanford > HBS

Let me rephrase: Stanford > > > HBS when it comes to the process and how nice they are.

Just a few more hours and that Stanford under my name will turn red. From the email received upon submission...



Decision date is January 22nd. Oh well. I'm not TOO bummed. Upon further reflection I'm probably a little old, and after doing my Kellogg essays for R2, I realize how much my R1 essays were lacking. Good luck to all who interviewed!

Stanford > HBS period

Yeah you guys are right. I talked to a friend who is already there for MBA. The first question she asked me was: If you are accepted you are coming to Stanford right? Apparently Stanford gives yield rate great importance. As you said they do not want to offer admissions for a person who would propably gain admissions to HBS. But isnt it common that majority of people apply both to Stanford and HBS??

Yes, but I think Stanford has a certain way of discerning who would be a better fit for their school, and HBS has a certain way of discerning who would be a better fit for theirs. The cultures could not be more different.

Sounds similar to the Kellogg/Chicago dynamic...

So what school is the anti-Wharton?

I have to agree, Stanford >>> HBS.

Yes, and I am 100% sure that they are exchanging application data on a regular basis. There is no way to explain how a person is admitted to, say, Stanford and dinged without interview on HBS, or vice-versa. I feel that there is couple more cooperative handling of applications like Wharton/Chicago.

Of course, this is just my feeling based on observation and nothing more. I've raised this conspiracy theory regarding Oxford/Cambridge application process because I think that they are doing the same.

Anyway, I don't care - as long as any of the top school admit me. In the meantime they can do with my documents whatever they want and share them with whoever they want.


Edited:

And yes, I forgot to say: Stanford is not only >>> HBS, but also a planet for itself. It sounds litle funny when someone says "Stanford is my top choice." No way? It is? Are you sure?

"Yes, and I am 100% sure that they are exchanging application data on a regular basis."

I hope you're right, Pathfinder! It would increase my chances of getting into one! They do seem to be distinct pools--I managed to get an S interview, but no HBS interview, whereas my couple of friends who got an HBS interview haven't gotten one to S. I always wrote it off to "personality" differences between the two schools, but it would be very interesting if there was actual coordination going on!

I got an H interview, but so far nothing from S. The thing is, based on my background and career goals, I felt I was a much better match for S. A college classmate and former colleague of mine went to Stanford two years ago. He an I had virtually IDENTICAL profiles. Same extracurriculars in college, same honors degree, same work experience at the same company post undergrad, and very similar post-MBA goals. He helped proofread my essays this year and even wrote my peer recommendation. Alas, no invite for me yet.

I guess it just goes to show you how dynamic the admissions process is from year to year.

Or maybe my essays just sucked...

Wouldn't exchanging application data be a clear violation of an applicant's privacy? My applications are identical in every meaningful way and only differ in essay wording and other minor details, but it still makes me extremely uncomfortable to think that schools might share data. Another applicant might decide to share highly sensitive/personal information with one school and not another. The schools should be obligated to keep such information private. While I don't remember for certain, it also seems as though the schools state that all information is kept private.

Also, it is a major stretch to think that an interview at only S or H and not both indicates sharing of data between the two. The chance of getting an interview at either school is extremely slim. So, the odds of getting an interview at both schools is far slimmer. It a matter not only of your qualifications, but also of probability.

It would be illigal for them to share the data, that's for sure. It is just fun to think that they do.

Regarding probabilities, it depends on the corrolation between getting an interview at S and getting one at H. If you assume these are independent events , sure the odds aren't great. If the correlation is high then the odds are better, though not great.

When I think about it, someone who gets admitted at Stanford or Harvard should get at least an interview at least anywhere else. But it does not always happen, just schools peculiarity and yield fudging - I guess.

It would really suck if all the non-H/S schools you applied to thought you were amazing and rejected you because of yield control. Then H/S actually reject you because they don't think you are all that great.