Calling all Stanford GSB MBA Applicants: (2018 Intake) Class of 2020!!

Thanks, SBCErikaOlson for the suggestions. Even I'm yet to start brainstorming for Stanford. I can figure out what I can draft for "Why Stanford" but as souvik101990, I'm struck in deciding what I should draft for "What Matters Most. May be your suggestions would really help. I know Stanford values community oriented things. Should I include that and show the integrity and leadership in my 1st essay as well?

I would suggest a different approach -- it sounds like you're trying to write what you think they want to hear and shoehorn examples in, which is usually not a good strategy for What Matters Most (or really, any MBA essay).

I would think back on your life and see if there is a common thread to things you've done that you're proudest of, or a theme to times you've taken action or initiative. Some of the stories could even be from childhood or when you were younger. If a common thread emerges, that's probably a hint as to what your "answer" is to What Matters Most. You have to be genuine and back up your answer with proof (things you've done/actions you've taken) about the thing you're claiming is all-important to you.

Hope that helps!

SBCErikaOlson, thanks a lot for your thoughts! Any advice for GSB reapplicants? In particular, given that the essay is the same, should it be different from the previous one? I understand CV and app form must be updated with all the accomplishments and developments, but what about essays? I believe there are basically 3 options:
1) Trying to write a completely different answer to WMM&W question
2) Keeping the same essay
3) Some mix of 1 and 2
What would you generally recommend?

Similar question about references - should they be from different recommenders or from the same recommenders but different letters or could just be the same letters?

Questions are obviously GSB specific.

Thanks in advance!

actually, some really good questions...as a re-applicant, I would love to know what to do with essays as well...should I keep the same or should I re-write everything from the scratch?

Hi there -

I have worked with some successful Stanford reapplicants (note: they had all been interviewed in past attempts) and they mostly kept their What Matters Most essay the same. Because, I mean... wouldn't it be weird to CHANGE What Matters Most to you in the course of a year or so? Doing so would imply you hadn't really thought it through last time around. However, if there are additional examples/stories you can include in your response to provide further proof that you are "walking the walk" and actually DOING something about what matters most to you, that would be a worthy update to the essay. And if What Matters Most to you can somehow be tied to reapplying to Stanford then you could add that in as well (again, only if it makes sense -- not if it seems forced).

As for Essay 2, it's OK if you have tweaked your career goals (which would in turn slightly change your Why Stanford? details in that same response) -- perhaps you've done something else since the last time you applied that further solidified your goals or opened you up to a new direction. But if nothing has changed on that front either, that's OK too. Leave the essay the same.

Reapplying is mostly about taking the chance to see if you stack up better in the adcom's eyes with the new applicants you'll be compared to this year. But when it comes to a school like Stanford where the odds are so low in the first place, I would obviously recommend candidates apply to other schools as first-time applicants as well.

Best of luck!


actually, some really good questions...as a re-applicant, I would love to know what to do with essays as well...should I keep the same or should I re-write everything from the scratch?

Thank you, Erika,

What if, say, I did not reflect enough on my "what matters to you, and why?" essay, and now I think I need to have it completely changed? just wondering - Does the admission committee check the app for last year for the re-applicants?

Thank you SBCErikaOlson!
another question regarding the re-applicants, maybe someone knows too...
if GMAT score & TOEFL were sent last year, do I need to resend the scores again, knowing that the university already has my records?