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This past quarter has been absolutely amazing considering all of the challenges that COVID presents. Despite the increased use of synchronous video teaching, I am still able to connect personally with my classmates and professors. The professors are personally invested in the success of their students, and they are very approachable. They always respond very quickly to any emails sent to them directly. I have also had numerous opportunities to have individual or small group chats with many of my professors. Their connections with local industry and VC firms is amazing. My classmates are also fantastic. I can honestly say that I have not met a single person here who is not outright impressive yet kind! I am constantly blown away by the caliber of students here. They seem to effortlessly grasp difficult concepts and run with it to create new companies or setup up NGOs to solve societal problems. This is a group of doers and real-world problem solvers. I just feel so lucky to be here to learn and make amazing new friends who will be life-long friends.
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Joined: Nov 06, 2017
Posts: 1
Kudos: 6
Self-reported Score:
610 Q44 V30
680 Q43 V40
710 Q44 V42
REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by gmat club tests [?]
This place is better than I expected...
Honestly, in trying to be incredibly critical, I have very little negative to share, and absolutely 0 substantial negatives to share. The professors, classmates, and facilities are incredible. I catch myself often in disbelief about what a diverse place this is, both in terms of the people here and the opportunities available.
To get more specific: there are classes on topics that are not only cutting edge, but often pushing the edge, especially in terms of leadership development and entrepreneurship. I often find myself having to choose between a great way to spend my time and an incredible way to spend my time.
A few examples: the GSB impact fund gives students a chance to invest real money in companies all the while learning what it takes to conduct due diligence on a company/building portfolio companies.
Another example of the network: since I have been here (just over 3 months), there have been numerous opportunities to work with alumni on interesting projects in new fields, where they would welcome fresh perspectives and encourage students using it as an opportunity to learn. I specifically got set up so I have a project this December in HI on a topic I am interested in but have no formal background in. Of course I am going to work my tail off, but the point is the network helped me find the opportunity.
There are many more examples, but most importantly I have come to realize how beautiful of a time this is to explore what are the things one wants to spend your life doing, and how to use business to help you do that (and hopefully help you help others to do the same).
**Finally, I want to make note that I am willing to help others by reviewing their essays. The "What matters to you most and why" question is something talked about a lot here, and I may be able to help you frame it so your message is clear. Reach out if interested and we can talk.**
Organization Behavior with Frank Flynn is an incredible class focused on how to make organizations effectively innovate, grow, and change.
Optimization and Modeling is a fantastic course. I leave it every week wondering how I moved through the business world without the skills it has taught me thus far.
I am recruiting down a more nontraditional path.
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I am continuously blown away by the caliber of students at the GSB. The student body is incredibly diverse, thoughtful, well-spoken, and down to earth. Getting to know and learn from my fellow students has been the most enlightening and inspirational component of the GSB student thus far.
The community for the MBA1s on campus creates a collaborative and social environment (esp. Highland/Schwab buildings). All of the facilities on campus are over-the-top nice.
The professors and classes have been excellent. Professors are well-prepared and most-classes are discussion-based, providing the chance to learn from others. There is some rigidity to the curriculum during the first year and the class scheduling process could use some improvement, but I think the administration is working on those details. The quarter system is great for providing more flexibility to your schedule and allowing you to explore more areas of interest.
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tl;dr - I think all b-schools can be roughly similar when it comes to hard skills, curricula, and academics (honestly, not that great, or very single-tracked). GSB is an experience. Classes like Touchy Feely, the Art of Self Coaching, and various design thinking classes, surrounded by the atmosphere and environment of Stanford, really altered my life and made me into a better person. The culture prizes support and collaboration over competitiveness, though this can lead to a kind of cockiness around job searches.
Needs: All I knew is that I wanted to transition into a PM role from government. I got to take design thinking classes, entrepreneurship, and CS classes that enabled this. Stanford probably does this better than anyone else, but I do think focus and effort at any school would have enabled that to happen. What made me into a much better person were the soft skill classes, which came as a nice surprise. The tightness and small student body size, as well as messages hammered into our heads by professors, also ensures that alumni will respond to your cold calls very quickly.
Goals: Transition from public sector to tech/entrepreneurship. These goals were exceeded.
Expectations: I thought academics would be much better.
You can get through Stanford without learning a single thing if you wanted to. You can also work really hard, especially with across-the-street classes, and get one of the finest technical trainings possible, but at the cost of getting to know classmates better.
Stanford opens all doors and GSB HBS grads standout even for recruiting at my company.
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GSB is an amazing school but is best suited for those that are self starters and willing to carve their own path. There are so many amazing opportunities hat it can be overwhelming if you don’t have some self motivated direction. This doesn’t mean that you have to go in knowing exactly what you want to do, but it helps to have some idea of what makes you excited to pursue. GSB will help you explore whatever this aspect is with a strong focus on developing your interpersonal skills. I came out as a better person overall, not just a better business person. Also, the people are truly diverse and put themselves all in for the experience.
You get out of classes what you want. Core classes could be better but you can get a lot if you put in the effort.
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Stanford is a world class university located in the heart of Silicon Valley. The GSB is an exceptionally strong business education and is well integrated into the rest of the university. The defining strengths of the program are the people: fellow students, professors, and alumni. These profoundly capable and good natured people form a supportive yet ambitious culture. Students are charged both with finding and achieving our own personal brand of happiness ("what matters most to you and why?") and to make our mark on the world after we graduate ("change lives, change organizations, change the world."). There is incredible support to chart your own path and a wide variety of programs and diverse classmates/alumni who can help you get there. I 100% recommend choosing Stanford if you're fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend.
Superb. Exceptional flexibility to create an academic program that fits your needs and interests. Very easy to enroll in multiple classes throughout the university (law, engineering, etc.) and still meet graduation requirements.
On campus recruiting is active here, but it probably has a lower emphasis than at other programs. That is partly because the GSB is a smaller class size and there is a strong emphasis on charting your own path (especially for entrepreneurs or into the technology industry). It is definitely the way to go for those interested in consulting, banking, or some of the larger employers (Starbucks, GM, etc.).
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It is difficult to find a weak spot
Stanford is a phenomenal school with a huge diversity in student population. The people define the school, who are all highly accomplished, with different backgrounds and yet humble enough to help each other out (ofcourse there will be few exceptions to this).
Besides the traditional career path, I would say the school is also for people who want to discover themselves, are not sure what they want to do next but explore several opportunities. But its very important to be yourself and not get carried away by what others are doing.
Suggestion to future applicants would be try to showcase who you truly are then a list of resume accomplishments. Thats what sticks with the school the most. Also once you get in, don't be on cloud 9 that you are only meant to change the world. You will be happier if you still expect reality on what the job market is out there, etc
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The best part about Stanford is the culture and the people. The admissions process tries to weed out anybody that is arrogant or inwardly focused. The result is a culture that is non competitive and extremely supportive. For example, your classmates can bet the best source of career leads and information on new opportunities you are exploring. I have been blown away by how much people contribute to the community (planning events, etc.).
The opportunities within tech and entrepreneurship are also incredible. With close access to VCs in the area, a number of students are involved with part-time internships or entrepreneur in residence programs. The on-campus resources for start-ups are also expansive.
The school is very tech focused. While there is something for everyone here, it has been more tech centric than I expected.
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As a recent alum, I can affirm that the GSB's reputation is well-earned. Highlights include:
- Tight-knit class of nice, down-to-earth, diverse students
- Strong brand with strong career opportunities
- Beautiful location and facilities
- Interesting coursework, particularly in 2nd year (more practitioners, niche electives, ability to enroll in courses in other Stanford departments, etc.)
- Relaxed culture (grade non-disclosure, no class Wednesdays, ample vacations/breaks)
- Significant travel/international experiences
- Strong focus on soft skills (Touchy Feely, presentation skills, etc.)
- Great exposure to CEOs/executives and leaders across industries (View from the Top, Executive Challenge, class speakers, etc.)
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So far I've only been here for 4 months but it's like fantasy land! Everything is just amazing (except for the weather which has been a little chillier than I would expected, that El ninio! )
You can actually burp to get an interview with whoever you want just because of the brand. My class is amazing, I would say that less than 1% of the entire class can be classified as "Minor jerks". Really lots of fun with everyone. Each day you get to meet and talk with other succesful CEOs and entrepreneurs, just amazing!
The curriculum is also super cool, you have both world class GSB classes and some "across the street" and d.school classes that are simply amazing
The first semester wasn't that good but the second one when you start having more control over your curriculum is already super amazing
Like I said, you can pretty much go to whatever you want, or at least get an interview.
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Pretty much everything!
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Hey Henlight, I am considering applying to Stanford GBS MBA 2020 and would appreciate if you can help me through my essays. Would be glad to be hearing from you.
Regards,
Samar