Enrollment: 740
Average GMAT: 721.00
GMAT Range (25-75%): 700-750
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.60
Rolling Admission: No
School Type: Private
Average Work Experience (months): 47
Student Faculty Ratio: 6:1

Part Time Program: No
Evening Program: No
Executive MBA Program Offered: No
Total Faculty: 160

Average Starting Salary: $117,681.00
Hired Consulting: 5%
Hired Finance: 39%
Hired Operations: 5%
Hired Marketing: 14%

In-State Tuition: $48,921.00
Financial Aid Deadline: 07/08
Students Receiving Some Aid: 74%
Average Annual Total Financial Aid: $48,915.00

Best Campus Environment
Best Career Prospects
Toughest To Get Into

Students Say - Academics
Students are attracted to Stanford's "culture of entrepreneurship and social welfare," as well as its "strength in general management" and finance. "It's simply the best," explains one student, and the numerous students who turned down Harvard Business School for Stanford presumably agree. Anticipation runs high for the "exciting new curriculum," which debuted in 2007 and features "a high degree of customization," mandatory "overseas experience," and a "leadership development program." The new second-year program offers a choice to take 16 out of more than 100 electives, ranging from "Strategy and Global Supply Networks" to "Entrepreneurial Design for Extreme Affordability," "Biodesign Innovation," "Managing Talent," and "Urban School System Reform." Overseas work encompasses international internships known as the Global Management Immersion Experience (GMIX), study trips. Past trips include "Australia, Brazil, China, Ghana, Italy, Korea, Middle East, Russia, Scandinavia, Singapore/Malaysia, South Africa, and U.K./Ireland." International Service Learning trips through the Public Management Program. There are also exchange programs in India and China. "This new curriculum is a huge differentiation point versus other b-schools, as Stanford is truly integrating new business trends and practices into not just course offerings but the entire methodology of education." "I wish I could reapply and start all over," comments one second-year.
"The weakest part of the school" may be the "overly bureaucratic" administration. Although one student sees administrators as "out of touch" and "cold-hearted," another says that the new curriculum proves they are "open to new ideas." As for faculty, "There's a highly academic culture among professors that places less value on teaching," says one student, "but it frankly hasn't affected the quality of my academic experience at all. My professors have mostly been very good and very accessible." "The professors are outstanding," affirms another student. "If you want to learn from accomplished, extremely successful businesspeople, . . . this is where they teach!" Another says, "I regularly eat lunch with one of the most successful venture capitalists in the Valley, who happens to be teaching my entrepreneurship elective."

Students Say - Admissions
The GSB Admissions Office says that candidates should not include academic recommendations unless they reflect work experience (as a TA or research assistant, for example). The top criteria for admission are "intellectual vitality," "demonstrated leadership potential," and "personal qualities and contributions"-Stanford looks for community leaders-so the "impact [you made] on [your] workplace" matters much more than your job responsibilities. Students report a broad range of GMAT scores, with a median of 730 (the GRE is also acceptable.)

Students Say - Campus Life
Students describe the Stanford environment as a "cooperative culture" of "excellence without the arrogance," and are awed by the talent and diversity of their classmates. "My peers come from backgrounds in everything from international development to finance to consulting to education to entrepreneurship. Hearing their experiences and working with them is what has made the program." Students are more likely to have undergraduate degrees in the humanities and social sciences and to possess advanced degrees than students at many other schools. They "are not just competent in one area but they are also intellectuals and athletes and musicians and entrepreneurs and board members and highly socially adept. Stanford GSB is a beautifully humbling experience because you are truly amongst the best of the best." Grades are not disclosed, and students are "collaborative"; they "reach out to help each other without being asked." Social life here is very active. These students "know how to juggle academic work with other club activities and partying," and many "want to spend the 2 years getting to know their classmates as well as possible."
The spacious campus has the feel and many of the luxuries of an exclusive resort. Gardens and palm trees surround university buildings, the weather is fine, and sports facilities are excellent. "This morning I had a breakfast meeting with a designer from the design firm IDEO about a business I am working on with classmates, then went to the pool for a workout with some friends who are doing the Wildflower Triathlon with me," reports one student. Stanford is the hub of Silicon Valley, "a perfect location for someone looking to get into high tech," and for many entrepreneurs-in-training, that's excitement enough. One student tells us that "everyone talks about starting their own ventures." If neighboring Palo Alto feels "a bit boring and yuppity, . . . fortunately, San Francisco is only 30 minutes away" by car. In addition, an expansive new campus for the business school is to be completed in 2010-2011. the eight buildings around three quadrangles is expected to achieve the highest level LEED Platinum certification for environmental sustainability from the U.S. Green Building council. the idea is to draw faculty and students from multiple schools on the Stanford campus and inspire collaborative classes and events.

Students Say - Careers
As far as job placement, there really is a Stanford difference. "If you want to learn how to effectively start and/or run a business, I would be hard pressed to find a school with more resources and a better network," says one student. Sure enough, about 9 percent of the class goes into entrepreneurship immediately after graduation. Stanford's outstanding relationship with high tech, private equity, and venture capital means that 31 percent of grads go into these fields. Location is everything-a slight majority of students stay on the West Coast, and more than a tenth go abroad, while only about a fifth work in the MBA-saturated Northeast. The median first-year salary for grads is $120,000. Students tell us that Stanford creates "a sense of perspective in its students that extends past their future professional lives. Stanford graduates well-rounded MBAs who will likely do well in many aspects of life, not just their job."

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