Stanford GSB MBA Essays, Deadlines, & Tips for the 2026 Intake (Class of 2028)
- Eric Lucrezia
- Jun 18
- 10 min read
As always, the rule is to go to the source to be absolutely sure of any information, especially when it comes to deadlines! Here’s the source: the Stanford GSB MBA and MSx Application Deadlines.
For your convenience,
here’s a handy table:
And here are the essay questions:
Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?
“For this essay, we would like you to reflect deeply and write from the heart. Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, help us understand why. You might consider, for example, what makes this so important to you? What people, insights, or experiences have shaped your perspectives?” (Word Limit: 650)
For this essay, you want to dig deep into who you are and what drives you. From my background as a real estate broker in NY we’d say, “People buy emotionally and justify logically.” Following that logic, you need to sing with your heart to Stanford about what matters most, and then convince them with your brain to close the deal.
Essay B: Why Stanford?
“Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them.” (Word Limit: 350)
In this much shorter essay, you want to start off with your goals (because this is essential, even if not explicitly asked) and quickly pivot to how Stanford, why Stanford without regurgitating back to them what they already know. It's like walking up to the hot guy/girl at the party and saying, "You're hot...." They know! There's a stark difference between demonstrating that you're well-researched and being a boring ass-kisser.
SPECS (they matter):
Double-spaced
Number all your pages
Upload one document that includes both essays
Pro Tip 1: Start with Question B first! Most people find it’s easier to think about concrete goals first and then after abstract core values/guiding light/raison d’être things.
Pro Tip 2: As you will soon discover, there are way more than just these two writing experiences in the Stanford GSB MBA application. Look over everything before you decide how long things will probably take!
Pro Tip 3: Stanford, Harvard, and many schools prefer a 1-page CV(resumé). Your CV is not your life story and getting to the point is a major skill in business and in life. Your resumé is your first chance to show you know how to focus and you know your audience. Limited resources, yet great impact!
Pro Tip 4: Your activities are quite important, but that’s also relative to your personal and professional situation, as well as culture of origin. Stay authentic and on-brand, it's about quality over quantity, never lie, and certainly don’t sign up for 10 volunteer experiences/clubs in the months before you apply. You’ll look ridiculous!
Pro Tip 5: If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, first of all, you must apply in Round 2 and secondly, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.
I’m delighted to share that I finally got to visit Stanford’s beautiful campus in Palo Alto, California a few weeks ago, as part of the 2025 AIGAC Conference - and wow, was it an experience! Although this is the 3rd time helping to organize the annual conference, and the 2nd time as Conference Chair, it was my 1st time in Stanford. Not only was it thrilling to visit the beautiful buildings and gardens that comprise the GSB and the University at large, the people were incredibly welcoming.
It’s incredibly helpful, as an MBA Admissions Consultant, to better understand the inner workings of their admissions processes and priorities but also exactly what makes a great candidate in the eyes of the Stanford GSB in 2025.
Rounds 1 & 2 really are equal.
Round 3 is quite unlikely!
In the many years I’ve been working in MBA admissions, I can say with a fairly high degree of confidence that there is very little difference between applying in Round 1 versus Round 2. I’ve gotten to know a lot of Admissions Directors at many of the M7 and other top MBA programs in the US, Canada, the UK, and in continental Europe. Applying early is great, but only if you’re truly fully prepared.
The message is nearly always the same - there is no difference in applying in Rounds 1 or 2. There are roughly the same number of seats available. Scholarships however may vary slightly between the two rounds. At most schools, Round 3 exists to close the gap, to fill those final seats, which may be just a handful if the school is having a good year. Also because of the timing with visas, this is particularly challenging for international applicants. At the same time, since people know this, far fewer people apply, so there are also less applicants. That said, if you’re truly full ready with the best application you can submit, go for Round 1!
The Million Dollar Question:
What is the Stanford GSB Admissions team looking for in an applicant?
GSB is tasked with the job of identifying three central admissions criteria in their applicants: How You Think, How You Lead, and How You See the World.
Your guiding light, your north star, your code of honor, if you will, when reflecting upon and then writing your essays for the Stanford GSB (and by the way every school to which you plan to apply) is always their mission statement, their pillars or core values. Let’s see what their website says:
No bones about it - Stanford is for the absolute best and brightest folks who will lead the world (at least the business world) in thinking, innovating, leading, and changing the world -hopefully for the better. That last bit is by the way why the question of values (mutually posed) is pretty important!
Two strong indicators of how you think are your prior academics and your GMAT or GRE score. The reason everyone is so obsessed with those tests is because there is very little you can do about your marks in university or during your master’s degree. Those things are in the past, so where you can change things are strategically preparing your test scores. The average GMAT score at Stanford hovers in the low- to mid-700s (as of June 17, 2025, it says 738, which is somewhere around the 90th percentile), contributing to the fact that Stanford GSB is the most competitive and hardest to get into MBA program in the world, with less than 6% of applicants getting admitted.
That said, I would even argue that other schools like CBS (Columbia Business School), Chicago Booth, and MIT Sloan are even more GMAT-obsessed than Stanford and by the way, HBS (Harvard Business School). At these schools, if you perform really well on the exams and your goals are really clear and theoretically attainable (specific & realistic), you have a decent shot at these incredible schools. Stanford and HBS, however, can be a bit more forgiving on slightly lower test scores if you’ve got that “special something” they truly want. And that brings us back to the three central criteria: Are you a truly innovative thinker with an indisputable potential to lead, and the desire and capacity to lead in a big way?
But back to your GPA (Grade Point Average) from your bachelor’s degree (and master’s degree, if you’ve done one), it’s widely believed that a typical average GPA for top-ranked MBA programs is somewhere around 3.7 (in the US 4.0 system). And since most behavioral scientists believe that the best predictor of future behavior and performance is past behavior and performance, your GPA does matter a lot, perhaps more than your top GMAT/GRE score, although a strong GMAT/GRE can often compensate for a lower GPA. And not to worry if your university marks come from abroad. These admissions officers are professionals and they’re already familiar with most academic systems around the world, and very likely already know most of the top brand universities in your country, so your GPA conversion is taken with A LOT of nuanced context.
N.B. - Since leadership potential is so central for GSB, in 2019, they added three new impact essays which are certainly the ideal place to highlight your leadership potential; however, what you write in the two essays, resume, and application form should also take your leadership potential into account. It is also crucial that you clearly but respectfully encourage your recommenders discuss your leadership abilities witnessed and potential to lead at even higher levels.
When thinking about “how you see the world,” this is much more qualitative and values driven. One of the very first things I do with my new clients is the Storytelling Interview, which usually takes at least 2 full sessions. It’s not only a means to get to know my new clients and me to get to know each other, but to dig deep into what makes you, the applicant tick. What are your core values? What makes you get out of bed every day? What would you be willing to fit for…to the death? Many of my clients share that experience feels like therapy, and in a way it is. It’s not very often that we have the benefit of having someone fully listening and centered on us, our story, or goals and dreams, our fears and weaknesses - all without any judgment at all. Most people really love this first step!
All of this results in the Storytelling Report, a lengthy document which not only summarizes and mirrors back what you will have shared with me, but I really underscore some of the things you’ll say that I find, knowing Stanford and the other top schools so well, which experiences you’ve had and aspects of your personality will simultaneously help you stand out and fit in to the AdCom! How will you positively contribute to the cohort and later be a star alumni, active in the GSB global alumni community? The Storytelling experience aims to uncover some of those gems that will help you write truly original essays to help you get selected for an interview and ultimately admitted.
Other Short Essays / Writing Experiences
in the Application
In the Personal Information Section, you have 800 characters (including spaces) to give additional context. Be very thoughtful about what you write here, and even though it says optional, take adavntage of this free real estate (space in your applicaiton to express yourself):
We know that each person is more than a list of facts or predefined categories. With this space, we provide you with an optional opportunity to elaborate on how your background or life experiences have helped shape your recent actions or choices.
In the Education Section, you have 320 characters to give additional context. This is incredibly short!
If you have completed or are in the process of completing any additional coursework not shown on your transcripts (e.g., professional certifications, MBA prep classes, English enrichment classes, etc.), provide relevant information here.
In the Employment Information Section, you have 100 characters to describe in just 100 characters - yes, characters! - your Post-MBA Aspirations (goals), plus two drop-downs to indicate which industry (sector) of business and in which function. Sometimes this is tricky, depending on your goals.
Briefly share your short- and long-term professional aspirations after graduating from Stanford GSB.
In the Short Answer Question Section, it’s actually a 3-in-1! It says optional, but I have never advised a client to not take this opportunity to add a bit more color to your application, giving more context of the why’s and how’s to your personal story and professional path. Here you can and should share up to 3 MAX stories about you having IMPACT, whereby each one can be up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words.
Here’s the Short Answer question (x3):
Think about a time in the last five years when you've created a significant positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, civic, or academic settings. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the impact?
In the Additional Information Section, it truly is optional. Admissions asks that you use it only if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance).
Many people wonder: “Should I explain that thing in my app?” Look, if there’s something in your profile that might raise eyebrows - employment gaps, low grades or GMAT, job switches, someone other than your current direct supervisor writing your LOR - address it proactively. Never assume the reader will give you the benefit of the doubt. The optional section is there to clarify, not to apologize. Give your interpretation so no one fills in the blanks for you (wrongly).
About using Chat GPT or other AI:
Right in the Essays Section of the application, you have a few statements that are meant to guide you. Truly, they want to know the authentic you, and admissions professionals are really, really good at sniffing out bullshit essays - whether because you’re not being straightforward, another human wrote them for you, or a machine did. The final part of these statements is cleverly vague, mentioning a tool, nods to GSB’s official position on the use of AI in your essays and overall application:
“It is improper and a violation of the terms of this application process to have another person or tool write your essays. Such behavior will result in denial of your application or revocation of your admission.”
That said, for every MBA program to which you’re applying you’re strongly encouraged to always check with the school’s website or admission officer their specific requirements and policies with respect to using AI. This is many times included within the schools’ Code of Conduct Policies. As always, when in doubt, reach out to a recruiter, and above all, follow directions!
Don’t Treat the Rest of the Application Like an Afterthought
Too many applicants obsess over essays and treat the rest of the application like filler. Don’t do that—especially not for a school like Stanford GSB, where every detail is dissected. Your application form, transcript, and résumé (and LinkedIn profile) aren’t just formalities - they’re crucial evidence of your intellectual vitality, leadership potential, and personal character.
Admissions created the application form to learn who you really are. So if you rush through it, what message are you sending? Make every section count. Be intentional, not last-minute.
Get in touch for a free, honest CV/resumé critique and profile review for your realistic eligibility to
the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
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