Help! I made a serious mistake on Stanford application

Question

Hi, i have applied to round 1. Yes, the application is out of my hands.

While searching more informations about other schools's applications, i noticed that entrepreneurship as post mba goal is a big no no to Adcom, without previous start up experience. Also since they asked, "what is your goal after mba program?", without specific time frame, i interpreted broadly, and selected cofounder/owner role.

I am an industrial designer, and i design new products with 3d modeling, from sketch to real object, and my designs are already launched in the market and led market success. I have an experience of raising significant amount of money in nonprofit project, working as a pro bono industrial designer. Since i do not have a business experience, i want to get MBA and learn business to launch my business. My LOR mentions my prototyping skills and my resume address this as well. I have an approved patent that i applied in college with my thesis project.(product idea)

I thought these experiences are enough for justification, but maybe i was too naive to write my real plan... I almost want to drop my application and re apply it. I try to convince myself that i am Just too stressed out, but i can't help the gut feeling that this is a serious flaw in my application.

I really wanted to go to Stanford GSB and i am so disappointed to realize this issue, at this moment.. Should i call admission and find a way to re apply on this year round 2? (If possible)

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Thanks for sharing. I think the nerves of the application process have gotten to you a bit. I would not recommend pulling your application or reaching out to the school about this. When schools ask this question they want to know if first you have put some thought into what you want to do with your career and whether it makes sense and then secondarily can they help you reach these goals based on your background. Now your evaluation in this department can sway depending on the clarity of your goals as well. If you were as clear as you could have been in your reasoning for why you made this choice I would not look at this as a negative. A lot of your description sounds more like you are truing to figure out a way to game the system, and that usually does not end well.

Also, why a student does or does not get into a school is very hard to gauge there are so many moving parts involved, which changes depending on the school, year, and even round of submission. Stanford in particular as you know is one of the most selective programs in the world so I'm sure the "entrepreneurship excuse" is one of many that applicants throw around when they are denied.

Hope this helps!

Also, why a student does or does not get into a school is very hard to gauge there are so many moving parts involved, which changes depending on the school, year, and even round of submission. Stanford in particular as you know is one of the most selective programs in the world so I'm sure the "entrepreneurship excuse" is one of many that applicants throw around when they are denied.

Hope this helps!

CriticalSquare · Answer

Hey there,

So you're right to be concerned (a little) but absolutely don't pull your application! Entrepreneurship is definitely a red flag goal and, at Stanford, more so than most. Think about it - Bay Area - Sand Hill Road - Silicon Valley - ENTREPRENEURSHIP! Right? However, you do have some interesting concepts to you - the prototype, the patents, raising funds, launching products,

As an industrial designer with an idea / product, that's going to warrant at least a little attention. But if you pull your application - that's going to look terrible. And it'll hurt far more than your panic now will help.

Woosah

. You've got more justification for entrepreneurship than most people applying - remember that! Most folks stating that goal have nothing more than an idea list in a notebook by their bed. So stay strong and see how this plays out!

Bhavik

. You've got more justification for entrepreneurship than most people applying - remember that! Most folks stating that goal have nothing more than an idea list in a notebook by their bed. So stay strong and see how this plays out! Bhavik

Help! I made a serious mistake on Stanford application

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