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What are the qualities that Stanford GSB is looking for as they build their class? How do successful applicants stand out from the crowd? At a school as competitive as Stanford, it\u2019s a fact that many smart, accomplished applicants won\u2019t get in\u2014so how can you demonstrate that you have that \u201cit\u201d factor? Let us walk you through Stanford\u2019s evaluation criteria<\/a> and give you some advice.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Of course Stanford GSB seeks demonstrated leadership potential \u2013 don\u2019t all b-schools? And naturally you\u2019ve got leadership, or you wouldn\u2019t be applying to Stanford.<\/p>\n Wait. There are some unique nuances to Stanford\u2019s conception of leadership that are essential to understand in order to portray it effectively in your application<\/a>. Let\u2019s break the phrase down word by word, starting with the core principle.<\/p>\n Leadership.<\/strong> Principle? Yes, not just a quality or an activity in Stanford\u2019s eyes, but an actual principle. Whatever change you\u2019re guiding the client to achieve, or whatever vision you\u2019re advocating, or whatever project you\u2019re driving the team through Hades to complete on time \u2013 it should be constructive and beneficial according to your own values and ideals<\/strong>. In GSB\u2019s view, leadership<\/a> isn\u2019t just rallying the troops to achieve a given end \u2013 it\u2019s having an end worth achieving (and, conversely, declining to pursue an inappropriate end). Therefore, if you are to provide such leadership, you must have core values or ideals and be guided by them as you lead, both how<\/strong> you lead and where<\/strong> you lead. GSB\u2019s preferred leadership is essentially value- and ideal-driven, what it calls \u201cdirected idealism.\u201d<\/p>\n Potential.<\/strong> Even if you are already a leader per the above definition, you\u2019re not satisfied. You know that improving<\/strong> will only enable you to achieve more<\/a> of what you value \u2013 therefore you actively seek growth as a leader. You are open to critique and feedback, you are resourceful, you are humble, and you are hungry to learn.<\/p>\n Demonstrated<\/strong>.<\/strong> Concrete evidence that allows the adcom to conclude that you will grow as a leader and provide leadership in the future.<\/strong> You must demonstrate both<\/em> leadership and potential to grow as a leader. For the former, provide this evidence by portraying experiences in your application boxes, essays<\/a>, resume, and recommendations that reflect your leadership to date. For the latter, in these same application components frankly reflect on where you are in your leadership development \u2013 you understand what parts are innate to you, and where you need to improve.<\/p>\n So \u201cdemonstrated leadership potential\u201d is actually rather complex, at least per GSB\u2019s perspective of leadership. Plan to spend some time and effort on a strategy to integrate these points into your entire application.<\/p>\n Check out the first post in this series, <\/em>Understanding Stanford GSB\u2019s Core Value Of Intellectual Vitality<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nCriteria #2: Demonstrated Leadership Potential<\/strong><\/div>\n
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