Help me get into Stanford?

Question

Profile:
Undergrad: Good research school (but not Top 10).
GPA: 3.7
GMAT: Took first practice test today, 700, but I think it's fair to say ~730 is attainable after practicing. 
WE: Attended a Top PhD program for Economics, but dropped out after 6 months to build a software company that made (profited) ~0.4M last year, and we're on track to hit 1M this year. (Just me and one other founder). Hoping to sell in a year.

It's Stanford that I want and pretty much only Stanford. I realize that it has the lowest acceptance rate, but the location, the network (tech startup) and personal bias all unite on Stanford. Is there a nontrivial chance of me being admitted without the standard 4 years of big finance firm work?

Also, what can I do about my LORs since my company is just me and the cofounder, and I don't think the grad school professors I dropped out of would be happy to write me a rec?

cheetarah1980 · Answer

I think that you may be a bit uniformed about the MBA admissions process. A four year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) is a prerequisite, not four years of working with a big finance firm. Successful applicants come from a variety of backgrounds and in some cases have no business experience. Many entrepreneurs are accepted into top programs like Stanford.
As for recommendations professors are not good choices anyways since schools ask for professional recommendations. You can choose a supplier, a business partner, heck you could even choose a competitor. No one onthis forum can tell you with any degree of certainty what you need to do to get into Stanford. Their admissions process is very unpredictable. All we can do is help dispel some misconceptions and wish you good luck.

Posted from my mobile device

Accepted.com · Answer

Your partner is a possible recommender. If you have (non-relatives) investors they could be recommenders. A major client, customer, or vendor could also be a recommender.

Did you do any internships or have any other jobs where you could get a recommendation? In general, professional, non-academic recs are preferred for MBA programs.

Best,
Linda

old1442 · Answer

id do some research and use some of the funds you're making to invest in a consultant as well... find one that's stanford strong - preferably one that went there

ManhattanReview · Answer

You certainly have a good portfolio to start with to make a competitive Stanford application. However, Stanford attracts the best prepared and most talented group of applicants so you have to continue to work hard to distinguish yourself amongst your fellow applicants. This means that you have to prepare top quality essays, recommendations, resume, interview, etc. Simply put, there is no room for any error.

As for potential recommenders, there is no basic rules in cases like yours so you have to be creative and seek those people who will give admissions the perspectives that best support your candidacy.

Good luck.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

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