Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 04:49 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 04:49
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
souvik101990
User avatar
Joined: 19 Mar 2012
Last visit: 11 Nov 2025
Posts: 4,321
Own Kudos:
53,090
Given Kudos: 2,326
Location: United States (WA)
Concentration: Leadership, General Management
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42 (Online)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
GPA: 3.8
WE:Marketing (Non-Profit and Government)
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
Posts: 4,321
Kudos: 53,090
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 24 Aug 2017, 13:33
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
jz818
Hi guys! Also applying to GSB as my top choice in Rd 1.

GMAT: 760 (49 Q, 44 V)
GPA: 3.7 from HYP undergrad
Occupation: Finance (2 yrs MBB, currently in investment management)

Good luck to everyone!!
Show more

All the best. Your stats say that you're definitely qualified. Now it's all about those Adcom gods and what they had for breakfast the day they see your file.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
aashishagarwal2
User avatar
Joined: 04 Jul 2017
Last visit: 12 May 2023
Posts: 44
Own Kudos:
55
Given Kudos: 105
Location: India
Concentration: Marketing, General Management
Schools: CBS '20 Sloan '20 Johnson '20 ISB '19 Insead Sept'18 Stanford '20 Tuck '20 Yale '20 Wharton '20 HBS '20 INSEAD Jan '19
GPA: 1
WE:Analyst (Consulting)
Schools: CBS '20 Sloan '20 Johnson '20 ISB '19 Insead Sept'18 Stanford '20 Tuck '20 Yale '20 Wharton '20 HBS '20 INSEAD Jan '19
Posts: 44
Kudos: 55
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 26 Aug 2017, 09:56
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I aim to score these marks.

Researching or Writing Essays
Location: India
GMAT: 780, Q60, V60
GPA: 4
WE: 4 months
Industry: Consulting
avatar
mbaapplicant222
avatar
Joined: 17 Apr 2017
Last visit: 31 May 2018
Posts: 32
Own Kudos:
8
Location: United States (NY)
Schools: HBS '20 (D) Booth '20 (A$) Wharton '20 (A) Stanford '20 (D)
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Schools: HBS '20 (D) Booth '20 (A$) Wharton '20 (A) Stanford '20 (D)
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 32
Kudos: 8
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 01 Sep 2017, 09:27
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I know HBS specifically states to not include Study Abroad transcripts. I do not see a similar statement on Stanford's application. Should I include it if the grades are not shown on my transcript?
avatar
Aaliyah537
avatar
Joined: 17 Nov 2016
Last visit: 30 Apr 2018
Posts: 72
Own Kudos:
23
Given Kudos: 165
Concentration: Operations, Social Entrepreneurship
Schools: Rotman '20 (M$) Stanford '20 (D)
GRE 1: Q161 V169
Schools: Rotman '20 (M$) Stanford '20 (D)
GRE 1: Q161 V169
Posts: 72
Kudos: 23
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 06 Sep 2017, 11:47
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Anyone else struggling with the essays? :? I'm starting to wish I hadn't decided to apply to Stanford. My other application is practically done. This one though is killing me.
User avatar
SBCErikaOlson
User avatar
Stacy Blackman Consulting Admissions Consultant
Joined: 23 Jun 2015
Last visit: 26 Aug 2024
Posts: 364
Own Kudos:
181
Given Kudos: 1
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 364
Kudos: 181
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 06 Sep 2017, 12:15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
What are you struggling with, specifically? Perhaps I can provide some guidance.

Aaliyah537
Anyone else struggling with the essays? :? I'm starting to wish I hadn't decided to apply to Stanford. My other application is practically done. This one though is killing me.
Show more
avatar
Aaliyah537
avatar
Joined: 17 Nov 2016
Last visit: 30 Apr 2018
Posts: 72
Own Kudos:
23
Given Kudos: 165
Concentration: Operations, Social Entrepreneurship
Schools: Rotman '20 (M$) Stanford '20 (D)
GRE 1: Q161 V169
Schools: Rotman '20 (M$) Stanford '20 (D)
GRE 1: Q161 V169
Posts: 72
Kudos: 23
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 06 Sep 2017, 12:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
SBCErikaOlson
What are you struggling with, specifically? Perhaps I can provide some guidance.

Aaliyah537
Anyone else struggling with the essays? :? I'm starting to wish I hadn't decided to apply to Stanford. My other application is practically done. This one though is killing me.
Show more

Hi Erika! Its selecting the thing that matters most to me and going from there. I have two ideas, but then I frighten myself by imagining the admissions staff rolling their eyes at my essay.
User avatar
SBCErikaOlson
User avatar
Stacy Blackman Consulting Admissions Consultant
Joined: 23 Jun 2015
Last visit: 26 Aug 2024
Posts: 364
Own Kudos:
181
Given Kudos: 1
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 364
Kudos: 181
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 06 Sep 2017, 12:40
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The GSB adcom is looking for doers. So whichever thing you have done more about/taken the most action on to prove that it really is the thing that matters most to you, pick that one!

Hope that helps!

Aaliyah537
SBCErikaOlson
What are you struggling with, specifically? Perhaps I can provide some guidance.

Aaliyah537
Anyone else struggling with the essays? :? I'm starting to wish I hadn't decided to apply to Stanford. My other application is practically done. This one though is killing me.

Hi Erika! Its selecting the thing that matters most to me and going from there. I have two ideas, but then I frighten myself by imagining the admissions staff rolling their eyes at my essay.
Show more
avatar
Aaliyah537
avatar
Joined: 17 Nov 2016
Last visit: 30 Apr 2018
Posts: 72
Own Kudos:
23
Given Kudos: 165
Concentration: Operations, Social Entrepreneurship
Schools: Rotman '20 (M$) Stanford '20 (D)
GRE 1: Q161 V169
Schools: Rotman '20 (M$) Stanford '20 (D)
GRE 1: Q161 V169
Posts: 72
Kudos: 23
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 06 Sep 2017, 14:04
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
That does help. Thank you!
avatar
atlashugged
avatar
Joined: 16 Jan 2017
Last visit: 11 Jan 2018
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
11
Location: United States
Schools: HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) Sloan '20 (D)
GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V45
GPA: 3.5
Schools: HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) Sloan '20 (D)
GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V45
Posts: 7
Kudos: 11
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 07 Sep 2017, 21:46
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
HBS explicitly asks for the 3 most recent positions in their employment section, whereas Stanford does not specify - though they do mention internships. Are you listing all of your employers, even internships in college, and answering the short answer questions for each?

I have 4 years of post-grad work experience with 2 employers, and 3 positions. Then 3 internships during college summers, not even counting jobs I held during the year. That's a lot to write/a lot for them to read! Any guidance?
avatar
latempo
avatar
Joined: 03 Jan 2011
Last visit: 13 Nov 2017
Posts: 7
Location: United States
Schools: HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (S)
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V41
GPA: 3.9
Schools: HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (S)
GMAT 1: 740 Q49 V41
Posts: 7
Kudos: 0
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 10 Sep 2017, 12:56
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
SBCErikaOlson
The GSB adcom is looking for doers. So whichever thing you have done more about/taken the most action on to prove that it really is the thing that matters most to you, pick that one!

Hope that helps!

Show more

Hi Erika,

To follow up on this, I was wondering how much of the essay should be focused on 'why' and how much should be focused on 'examples'. Some of the essays I've read on Medium and from books answer this question by barely mentioning anything career/business related or not at all. Many talk about family background, childhood events, or a hobby for 95% of the essay. The way that I've currently set up my essay is 30% on the 'why' and 70% on the examples and the future, which I feel is too professionally focused not feel-good/inspirational/lovey-dovey enough.

What are your thoughts on that?

Thanks!
avatar
TechSA
avatar
Joined: 06 Oct 2016
Last visit: 12 Feb 2018
Posts: 27
Own Kudos:
3
Given Kudos: 1
Location: South Africa
Schools: HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) HEC Sept 2018 Intake (A$)
GMAT 1: 710 Q37 V49
GPA: 3.41
Schools: HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) HEC Sept 2018 Intake (A$)
GMAT 1: 710 Q37 V49
Posts: 27
Kudos: 3
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 12 Sep 2017, 03:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Is anyone else applying to Stanford's Knight Hennessy Scholarship? The application is very similar so I'm wondering if I can have the same recommenders, make slight changes to my main essays and then use those, etc.
User avatar
SBCErikaOlson
User avatar
Stacy Blackman Consulting Admissions Consultant
Joined: 23 Jun 2015
Last visit: 26 Aug 2024
Posts: 364
Own Kudos:
181
Given Kudos: 1
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 364
Kudos: 181
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 12 Sep 2017, 07:53
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
It totally depends on what your answer to "What matters most" is. For many people, it's not something that involves what they do in their professional career -- for others, it is. So I would caution you to not worry about what others have done because that will likely steer you in the wrong direction if you're trying to "be like" other successful responses.

You have to be true to yourself. The essay does NOT have to be inspirational/"lovey-dovey" at all -- it should reflect your honest answer and your personality. I assure you that I have seen successful candidates run the entire gamut of tones and topics, but the one thing that they had in common was authenticity and self-awareness. The adcom can smell BS from a mile away. If something related to your work is what matters most and you're usually a fairly serious person, do NOT try to be something you're not. Diversity in the classroom comes in many ways, including diversity in personalities,
so be yourself.

Good luck!

latempo
SBCErikaOlson
The GSB adcom is looking for doers. So whichever thing you have done more about/taken the most action on to prove that it really is the thing that matters most to you, pick that one!

Hope that helps!


Hi Erika,

To follow up on this, I was wondering how much of the essay should be focused on 'why' and how much should be focused on 'examples'. Some of the essays I've read on Medium and from books answer this question by barely mentioning anything career/business related or not at all. Many talk about family background, childhood events, or a hobby for 95% of the essay. The way that I've currently set up my essay is 30% on the 'why' and 70% on the examples and the future, which I feel is too professionally focused not feel-good/inspirational/lovey-dovey enough.

What are your thoughts on that?

Thanks!
Show more
User avatar
rekhabishop
User avatar
Joined: 22 Sep 2016
Last visit: 18 May 2018
Posts: 131
Own Kudos:
75
Given Kudos: 42
Location: India
Schools: Degroote McMaster"19 (A$) HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) Wharton '20 (D) Booth '20 (D) Kellogg '20 Haas '20
GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V35
GPA: 4
Schools: Degroote McMaster"19 (A$) HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) Wharton '20 (D) Booth '20 (D) Kellogg '20 Haas '20
GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V35
Posts: 131
Kudos: 75
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 15 Sep 2017, 05:26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Could someone help me with P4D fellowship? I don't think that I thoroughly understand it. :(
What is the purpose and how does it help and international student from Asia? Any binding circumstances?
User avatar
souvik101990
User avatar
Joined: 19 Mar 2012
Last visit: 11 Nov 2025
Posts: 4,321
Own Kudos:
53,090
 [2]
Given Kudos: 2,326
Location: United States (WA)
Concentration: Leadership, General Management
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42 (Online)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
GPA: 3.8
WE:Marketing (Non-Profit and Government)
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
Posts: 4,321
Kudos: 53,090
 [2]
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 15 Sep 2017, 05:43
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
rekhabishop
Could someone help me with P4D fellowship? I don't think that I thoroughly understand it. :(
What is the purpose and how does it help and international student from Asia? Any binding circumstances?
Show more

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be a candidate for the P4D Fellowship.
avatar
ykz
avatar
Joined: 13 Mar 2017
Last visit: 12 Jan 2020
Posts: 4
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V44
GPA: 3.7
GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V44
Posts: 4
Kudos: 0
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 17 Sep 2017, 00:18
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
atlashugged
HBS explicitly asks for the 3 most recent positions in their employment section, whereas Stanford does not specify - though they do mention internships. Are you listing all of your employers, even internships in college, and answering the short answer questions for each?

I have 4 years of post-grad work experience with 2 employers, and 3 positions. Then 3 internships during college summers, not even counting jobs I held during the year. That's a lot to write/a lot for them to read! Any guidance?
Show more

Bump on this.

I'm in a similar situation, with 3 positions post-grad. My other internships are not included in my resume. Any advice on whether or not to include?
User avatar
souvik101990
User avatar
Joined: 19 Mar 2012
Last visit: 11 Nov 2025
Posts: 4,321
Own Kudos:
53,090
Given Kudos: 2,326
Location: United States (WA)
Concentration: Leadership, General Management
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42 (Online)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
GPA: 3.8
WE:Marketing (Non-Profit and Government)
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
Posts: 4,321
Kudos: 53,090
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 17 Sep 2017, 02:14
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ykz
atlashugged
HBS explicitly asks for the 3 most recent positions in their employment section, whereas Stanford does not specify - though they do mention internships. Are you listing all of your employers, even internships in college, and answering the short answer questions for each?

I have 4 years of post-grad work experience with 2 employers, and 3 positions. Then 3 internships during college summers, not even counting jobs I held during the year. That's a lot to write/a lot for them to read! Any guidance?

Bump on this.

I'm in a similar situation, with 3 positions post-grad. My other internships are not included in my resume. Any advice on whether or not to include?
Show more

I think internships do not really fall under work the work experience section. I did not include mine as

1. It was quite some time back.
2. Compared to my FT work, it had little impact.
3. I do not want to fatigue the reader with anything that is not stellar.
User avatar
souvik101990
User avatar
Joined: 19 Mar 2012
Last visit: 11 Nov 2025
Posts: 4,321
Own Kudos:
53,090
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2,326
Location: United States (WA)
Concentration: Leadership, General Management
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V42 (Online)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
GPA: 3.8
WE:Marketing (Non-Profit and Government)
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: Ross '20 (M)
GMAT 3: 760 Q50 V42 (Online)
Posts: 4,321
Kudos: 53,090
 [1]
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 17 Sep 2017, 06:52
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ykz
atlashugged
HBS explicitly asks for the 3 most recent positions in their employment section, whereas Stanford does not specify - though they do mention internships. Are you listing all of your employers, even internships in college, and answering the short answer questions for each?

I have 4 years of post-grad work experience with 2 employers, and 3 positions. Then 3 internships during college summers, not even counting jobs I held during the year. That's a lot to write/a lot for them to read! Any guidance?

Bump on this.

I'm in a similar situation, with 3 positions post-grad. My other internships are not included in my resume. Any advice on whether or not to include?
Show more

On closer look, GSB has specific instructions for internships, so you SHOULD write them :)
avatar
TechSA
avatar
Joined: 06 Oct 2016
Last visit: 12 Feb 2018
Posts: 27
Own Kudos:
3
Given Kudos: 1
Location: South Africa
Schools: HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) HEC Sept 2018 Intake (A$)
GMAT 1: 710 Q37 V49
GPA: 3.41
Schools: HBS '20 (D) Stanford '20 (D) HEC Sept 2018 Intake (A$)
GMAT 1: 710 Q37 V49
Posts: 27
Kudos: 3
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 17 Sep 2017, 10:53
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
How long does it take to reflect a reference letter as submitted? My recommender said he submitted it but I still see the status as notified after a few hours.
User avatar
smalluser
User avatar
Joined: 27 Mar 2014
Last visit: 03 Apr 2018
Posts: 14
Posts: 14
Kudos: 0
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 17 Sep 2017, 12:08
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Stanford explicitly said round 2 has gotten more competitive vs round 1. Has this been explicitly said before? Makes what seems like a long shot even longer

https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/m ... /deadlines

Posted from my mobile device
avatar
ollumi
avatar
Joined: 25 Apr 2017
Last visit: 07 Apr 2018
Posts: 12
Own Kudos:
9
Given Kudos: 6
Posts: 12
Kudos: 9
Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!! 17 Sep 2017, 19:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
TechSA
How long does it take to reflect a reference letter as submitted? My recommender said he submitted it but I still see the status as notified after a few hours.
Show more

I got an email from Stanford immediately after one of my recommender sent his. (I was sitting in his office)
   1   2   3   4   5   6  ...  24   
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7445 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
234 posts