Stanford GSB Application Research: Key Strategies and Insights

This session focuses on the crucial role of research in the business school application process, particularly for Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). The goal is to expand applicants' research mindsets and toolkits to help them answer fundamental questions like "Why business school?", "Why now?", "Why this particular school?", and "Why Stanford for you?". This research process is not just for admissions but also for success during the program and in future careers.

The session is structured into three main sections: 1. Exploring and understanding yourself: Delving into personal insights, values, and future aspirations. 2. Thinking about schools and programs: Identifying potential opportunities and how they align with personal goals. 3. Frame reframe: Re-evaluating common questions and myths to approach them with more confidence.

Foundations: What the GSB Looks For

The GSB employs a holistic review process, meaning they consider the entire application rather than focusing on single data points.

Key takeaways about the GSB's admissions process: - There is no formula, equation, or algorithm for admissions decisions. - There are no benchmarks, cutoffs, or quotas. This differs from systems in other parts of the world that might rely heavily on entrance exams. - No single part of the application is inherently more or less important than another. - Context matters: The opportunities and experiences of an applicant are evaluated within their specific background (e.g., a banker in New York versus a non-profit worker in the UK or a consultant in Brazil).

The GSB looks for three broad categories in applicants: - How you think: Demonstrating intellectual curiosity and analytical abilities. - How you lead: Showing initiative, impact, and the ability to get things done. - How you see the world: Reflecting your perspective, values, and understanding of global issues. - For the MSx program, clarity of purpose is also a key element, focusing on your future vision and how the program will help you achieve it. This concept is also valuable for MBA applicants.

These categories are broad, without minimums or benchmarks. Leadership, for instance, can manifest in many ways; it's about how you achieve results and inspire others.

The application process is a 2D representation of a multi-dimensional individual. It aims to understand who will contribute to the classroom and community. Applicants are encouraged to leverage resources like the GSB applications webpage (new this year), the MBA and MSx admission pages, and the evaluation criteria pages.

It All Starts with You: Self-Exploration

The application process should center on the applicant's self-authorship and ownership. It involves three main perspectives: - Retrospective: Looking at past insights, actions, and behaviors that led to the present. - Introspective: Understanding personal values and what is important to you. - Prospective: Focusing on future goals, such as "Why business school?" and "Why now?".

Writing Exercise: "If you could do anything, what would it be?"

Participants were asked to write, think, or type for two minutes without limitations, considering what they would do if salary, others' opinions, location, or qualifications were not concerns. This could be a job, a feeling, an impact, or a community.

Unpacking the exercise: - Process: Reflect on when it was harder or easier to write. Difficult moments can be invitations to explore those areas further. - Outcomes: Analyze what was written. Was it expected? What information can be used next? This iterative process helps in self-discovery.

The research suggests that a clearer vision of your future self, with more details, enables better planning and action steps toward realizing that vision. Therefore, the essential research is not primarily about schools but about understanding yourself and what you want to accomplish.

Design Your Life Approach

Drawing inspiration from Stanford's Life Design Lab, applicants are encouraged to engage in "life visioning" and design thinking. Resources include the Life Design Lab's YouTube channel and Bill Burnett's TED Talk on "Five Steps to Designing Your Life."

Homework: 1. What else would you like to do? Explore other potential versions of your future self where you could be equally happy and fulfilled. 2. What is a third or fourth version? Or, given a clear guiding vision, what are different pathways to achieve it?

Connecting to the Stanford Application Process

How can different programs and Stanford help you achieve your goals? - Business school as a heuristic: Consider how various options can bring you closer to your future self. - Prioritizing time: Business school calendars are chaotic. Practice "defensive calendaring" by blocking out time for self-care and recharging. - Shaping your career journey: The Career Management Center partners with students to identify and achieve career milestones. Early articulation of priorities helps this process.

Researching Schools

There's no single "right" answer to "Why Stanford for you?" The answer that matters is yours.

Adjacent Spaces: Campus Visits, Students, and Alumni

• Campus visits: Offer a sense of the environment and vibe. It's best to visit during the academic year. These visits are for your benefit, not to demonstrate interest to Stanford, as they understand not everyone can visit.
• Students and alumni: Talking to them can be valuable, but recognize that not everyone has access.
  • Multiple data points: Gather information from various sources.
  • Critical consumption: Be aware of the time frame of information (e.g., AI aggregations might pull outdated data).
  • Individual experiences: Understand that a person's experience is a single data point and may not reflect the full breadth of possibilities at the school. Current students' experiences can vary greatly depending on their stage in the program.

Untapped Potential: School Websites, YouTube Channels, and Admission Officers

• School websites: Rich sources of information. Explore beyond the surface to find resources, priorities (like the Stanford Leadership Institute), and tools (e.g., Center for Social Innovation). Learning the "lingo" and understanding current research can accelerate your understanding and conversations.
• Class profiles: These are outcomes, not targets. Don't benchmark yourself against them.
  • Myth debunking:
    • "I'm not from these industries (e.g., consulting, banking). Am I at a disadvantage?" No. These industries have a strong business school-going culture, creating a pipeline. Your unique background is a strength.
    • "I'm from one of these industries. Am I overrepresented?" No. Stanford doesn't use terms like "overrepresented." Your background is a strength, and even within the same industry, individuals bring diverse functions, roles, and global perspectives.
  • Focus on who you are because of your experiences, not just the categories you fit into.
• YouTube channels (e.g., GSB YouTube channel): Offer insights into speakers, events, campus life, class takeaways, faculty research, and industry insights. They can help you understand the academic experience and the future of leadership.
  • Learning resources: Channels like "Think Fast, Talk Smart" by Matt Abrahams (strategic communications lecturer) offer valuable skills for communication, which is essential for applications and beyond.
• Admission officers: Help them help you. Instead of asking broad questions like "Tell me about entrepreneurship at Stanford?", reflect deeply on your interests. For example, if interested in investing, specify the type, region, companies, or whether you plan to start a fund. This allows admission officers to provide more specific resources and guidance, helping you articulate "Why business school, why now, why Stanford?"

Frame Reframe: Addressing Common Questions

Re-evaluating common questions to gain new perspectives:

1. "I'm struggling to choose one reason for business school."

   • Reframe: How do you envision your interests fitting together? They can merge, exist in parallel, stack, or transition over time. There are many paths, and your truth at that moment is what matters. Business school is a journey of exploration, and goals can evolve.

2. "Am I a fit for your school?"

   • Reframe: Given what you want to achieve, does this institution provide the resources, communities, and environment to help you? Consider "culture add" – what unique perspectives can you bring? Everything can be a strength, not a deficit.

3. "What if you don't want to change the world?" (Referring to Stanford's motto: "Change lives, change organizations, change the world.")

   • Reframe: What kind of change do you see yourself being a part of? Changing lives or organizations can be an outcome of pursuing your passions. It's about making the future a little better, more efficient, or brighter in your own way.

Where This Research Appears in the Application

The insights gained from this self- and school-focused research will be evident in: - Essays: Directly addressing "Why Stanford for you?" and short/long-term goals. - Interviews: Answering questions like "Why business school? Why now?" - Career paths/options: Informing your choices and projects. - Extracurriculars: Guiding your involvement. - Short answers: Providing examples and anecdotes. - Recommender letters: Your recommenders can speak to your informed vision. - Learning opportunities: Identifying and utilizing resources like open-source modules. - Networking: Engaging with accountability and success partners.

This iterative process of research, designing your life, and envisioning your future self offers benefits far beyond just filling out an application. It's an opportunity for deep self-learning.