Stanford GSB: Summer Institute for General Management

Question

Has any heard of the Stanford GSB's Summer Institute for General Management ? if yes, what do you think of it ? if not, take a look at it and provide feedback if you have the time. How competitive do you think the admission is ? Is the program feasible and worth the money ? what impact, if so, would it have on an MBA application in 2 to 3 years after completing the program ?

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The business world is in need of young leaders with a background in humanities, science, and engineering. Now that you have the education, all you need is the right skills.

The Stanford Graduate School of Business Summer Institute for General Management offers college juniors, seniors, and recent graduates the unique opportunity to build the analytical and practical skills critical to launching a successful career in the business world.

The program is designed for dynamic and driven students and recent graduates who are interested in developing their business and management skills to launch their careers.

Because the program is only open to non-business majors, our participants' interests and reasons for attending the Summer Institute are as diverse as their backgrounds.

Some want... 
to get a feel for an MBA curriculum before committing to a program
a "crash course" before starting their new jobs
to get a jumpstart on their job searches
to gain a competitive edge with practical business skills as they apply to graduate schools 
to bring leadership and business experience to the nonprofit sector

As a Summer Institute participant, you will learn from and interact with the same outstanding faculty who teach in Stanford's world-renowned MBA program.

What You Will Gain

During this rigorous four-week residential program, you will acquire:

o Solid knowledge of management fundamentals. 
o Skills and resources to help you find the right job, whatever your chosen field may be. 
o Exposure to the Stanford GSB faculty and Silicon Valley business leaders. 
o Perspective of an MBA curriculum from a leading educational institution. 
o A diverse network of talented peers and friends from around the world.

You will emerge from the Summer Institute for General Management with a foundation in management disciplines and the confidence to reach your goals and excel in the workplace.

Overview of the Curriculum:  https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/si/sigm/overview_curriculum.html

Stanford Summer Institute For General Management is here:  https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/si/sigm/index.html

rajpdsouza · Answer

Sounds pretty cool. It would probably help your profile a little bit when applying to MBA programs. But if your sole reason for applying to it is to have a better profile for MBA applications, I can think of other, less costly ways to improve your profile.

EDIT: From the FAQs...

Will participating in the Summer Institute for General Management help me get into Stanford’s MBA program?

The Summer Institute for General Management will help by developing your business skills. As a graduate of the program you will have a strong sense of the fundamentals of business and what to expect from an MBA education. That said, admission into one program is unrelated to admission in the other.

sudden · Answer

I looked into the program in late 2005 and concluded that it was not worth it. To start with, the cost is enormous -- if I remember correctly it was close to $10,000. Also, I just wasn't sure of the value. How much are you really going to learn in such a short period of time? Personally, I'm a big advocate of self study programs. There was nothing in that program that I could not teach myself for $1.50 in late charges from the public library. So it basically came down to brand. If you went/go to a Stanford calibre school, you don't need the brand anyway. And if you went to a state school (like myself -- I went to a Public Elite), then the incremental increase in competitiveness you receive from taking a couple of courses at Stanford is not even close to worth the amount of money you pay for it. Not to mention the fact that the program does not help you find a better job.

lepium · Answer

I agree that it would help, but would add that only if the following also applies:

- The training enables you to achieve a more successful pre-MBA career thereby enhancing your chances once you apply.
- Your employer pays for the training as part of a development scheme, so the program becomes another fact to back your progress at work story.

The stamp of approval per se would be worth very little, IMHO.

L.

Mishari · Answer

Thanka guys .. what about the following benefits ?

- International Network of friends
- A touch of pedigree as I got my undergrad. degree from a state school.
- a mini-MBA experience to see if MBA is something that I would really want in the future

lepium · Answer

That's good for you, but not necessarily something I see would make a difference when applying to B-school. Plus there are cheaper ways to achieve so.
 
If I understand correctly there's not much selectivity to the program, hence, there's no pedigree. If there is some selectivity (either from the school or from employer), then to a certain extent, yes. But I'd still say it'd have a marginal impact.
 There are other ways to figure out if an MBA is for you. Talk to students or alumni (for free) or visit the school (cheaper).

L.

kryzak · Answer

I would have to fully agree with lepium on this one.

Another way to see if you like business is to take some business courses at local schools that offer professional classes, or try to switch into your company's business department and try it out for a year.

Just some suggestions.

Mishari · Answer

Thanks again guys.

I think the admission is quite selective; I have to submit a full application with essays like the MBA and two recommendation letters, very similar to the MBA ones.

International network: for myself, not for the MBA admission later in my life.

rajpdsouza · Answer

If you think it sounds like a good opportunity and something you would learn from, then go for it. I think there are better alternatives if you are trying to make yourself more attractive to B-schools though.

Mishari · Answer

like what ?

dontknow1987 · Answer

Any applicant here for SIGM 2011?
I submitted my app in R1.
Any idea about the next step..any interview? By what time frame will we be intimated about the admission/rejection?
Has anyone heard anything from Matt/SIGM post application submission?
How easy/tough it is to secure a place in SIGM?

Any evangelist of SIGM here?

dontknow1987 · Answer

Would appreciate comments on the questions raised at calling-all-stanford-sigm-2011-applicants-109243.html

bgpower · Answer

Hi guys,

Any applicants for 2012? Is the programme a good idea for people with business background?

Thanks!

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Stanford GSB: Summer Institute for General Management

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