hello, I am also preparing for Gmat and Plan to apply to Stanford, would it be okay to connect and prepare together?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/khadija-qayyum/

can we connect to discuss the process? I am from an engineering background and want to learn more about the business world through MBA at Stanford.

how everyone here decided between Gmat vs GRE? I have an engineering background and bought GMAT prep material as I read that GMAT has more of quant than the GRE. ( I used to be really good at math and bad at English during my education.)

Hi, I have some questions - Does GRE puts you at any disadvantage compared to the GMAT ? Or both are equally accepted ? If yes, then what should be the ideal score for GRE ? Secondly, how business schools standardize the results of both tests ? Do they use the conversion table provided by ETS - The company behind the GRE exam ? Or is there any other formula / metric for equalizing the scores ?

I’ll try to give insights to the best of my knowledge. I feel both GMAT and GRE are great tests, each suiting a specific kind of person. Sure the GMAT is a tad bit more intensive on the quant front (as compared to GRE), but the main distinction is the verbal section like you rightly pointed out. I wouldn’t say one is tougher than the other. The GMAT is a good choice if you like understanding and applying concepts , with comparatively less to memorise. You learn concepts and build a string foundation which you then apply on a wide spectrum of problems (analogous to JEE ADV). The GRE is great for people that like to memorise and remember stuff. A lot of vocabulary is tested on the GRE. Hence there isn’t any specific logical approach to solving such questions other than by improving your vocabulary by memorising hundreds of words (analogous to State Board Syllabus).

Hope this helped you a bit.

Thanks for your reply. One of my questions remains answered - Would be thankful if you could provide some information about this aspect as well - how business schools in general, and Stanford, in particular, convert GMAT score to GRE score. (I saw an excel sheet formula given by ETS - the company behind GRE exam which is used to convert GRE score to GMAT score to build score equivalence for all applicants) - Is this the same formula used by all business schools or every school has its own conversion table / conversion formula ?

Second, do consulting companies (especially the MBB) "explicitly" require GMAT for hiring in consulting industry or do they also hire candidates who have written GRE ? If they "explicity" require the GMAT then what is the usual /minimum score required score by MBB ? @satkeerti

satkeerti, Would be helpful if you could answer both.

Sure. I’m not sure about the first question of how colleges convert GRE and GMAT. I can however provide some insights about your second question. Yes, from what I’ve heard from my mentors, MBB firms look for GMAT scores as they want to see indication of your quant proficiency. However, this can be far outweighed by your graduation. There isn’t a specific score these firms look for. In general if you make it into any of the M7, your GMAT is not as big an indicator of your business/quant proficiency. These scores start mattering more as you go to relatively less popular colleges. Come what may, nobody is going to shy away from a high GMAT score, hence the higher the score, the better.

Thanks For Your Reply

Stanford’s MBA Application week

Hi everyone, I am planning to apply for 2024 intake. Is there a difference in acceptance rate in Round 1 vs Round 2 for indian applicants? I do have a GMAT score of 740 but I am not very sure if I have a chance at GSB with near average class score. So I am confused whether to apply with this score in R1 or improve my score and apply in R2.

other app components will matter more than further increase in gmat score...so concentrate on other things now...

can you share your steps to prepare for GMAT? I don’t have a high CGPA as our university is famous for beings stingy with GPA. So I want to work hard on GMAT. I am starting by preparing one chapter of each book of Manhattan book set.

unless you are trying for higher scholarship amount (they say it is need based, but merit helps), the current GMAT is good enough. Focus on rest of the application

Yes can u share ur strategy…I know u want help but won’t Harm to help those who want help too

hey, thanks for replying back. I am not very frequent on the platform, and yes I can share my strategy over DM.

actually what I have seen in the past is that 5-10 indians get an admit from GSB every year, so I thought 740 may be less

Scholarship is a definite concern but overall my GPA is also on the lower end 3.05

.

Anyone have a read on the GMAT for admitted Indian applicants? Outside of 2020? Because I really doubt it’s 740 or less unless they are female, lbgtq or have a unique work background.

Do schools provide GMAT of admitted candidates based on school of origin? If yes, I will like to know where I can find the information.

Do schools provide GMAT of admitted candidates based on citizenship? If yes, I will like to know where I can find the information.

Use the filters in the decision tracker. It’s only partial information but the more people fill it out, the more detailed it is!

Check summary by school and you can said the filters you want.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/decision-tra ... mmary.html

You should also set the decision to be admitted so you filter out all applicants who did not get admitted. You can also try playing with other filters, there’s about 10 😇

Thanks a lot for sharing this. This is really helpful

No, really the best way to get. It is the class profile and cross referencing that with the geography part, but it doesn’t really indicate any of the qualitative information about the candidate. Outside of using the tool that BB provided I would say the best idea would be to find someone hopefully several who have a background comparable to you (this is hard to discern but gender/sexual orientation/diversity of work experience) are the key things to look at controlling for citizenship. So, see who has been admitted on LinkedIn and reach out.

Hello is GRE accepted what is the Average score and any individual cutoff for Q and V?

Yes absolutely. See the class profile here: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/m ... ss-profile

the GRE you need depends upon how diverse or overrepresented you are

How does GSB define First - Gen students? As my parents have a 3 year duration Indian degree, which is not recognized as equivalent to US 4 - years degree, does that mean I am First-Gen?

Hello everyone,

I recently came across some advice regarding application fee waivers. It suggests that if an applicant submits their application under the financial hardship fee waiver, there might be a higher likelihood of rejection, especially from schools like Tuck, Wharton, NYU and Stanford.

I’m curious to know your thoughts on this matter. Have any of you experienced or heard about such situations? Any insights would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Just curious - Chinese female w 740 GMAT score and 89% engineering bachelors here (Canadian), worked in consulting for 2 years. Would I be considered over represented (bcz Chinese, engineering, consulting)? Or average (cz female & first gen)? Stanford only releases “Asian” data which I think may skew towards having Indian students than Chinese

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This sounds more like a rumor. As with everything, I think the answer depends on a few things. Harvard offers free application fee waiver if you make less than 65,000. Pretty much anyone outside of US and Europe I will be making less than that per year.

https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/appl ... aiver.aspx

I think you can potentially shoot yourself in the foot by trying to make yourself seem too poor. This Hass to fit the story. You cannot claim that you are a successful entrepreneur who are requesting extreme hardship.

I don’t think there’s much of either implications or reasons for a denial just based on this. The reason business schools gave this option, to get the application fee waived, is to attract applicants who would otherwise not apply and not have the opportunity.

Everyone is overrepresented at Stanford 😇

I would not worry too much about demographics because you can’t really change it. Stanford is going to be hard for anyone. However, at the same time many people have done it from Asian or Indian or Chinese background. However, if you have a Canadian citizenship, he’ll be considered Canadian and not Chinese. But again I would focus on your performance at work and what you have been able to achieve so far and where you are headed.

Thanks bb for your reply! Yea totally with you that Stanford is hard for everyone. I am Chinese citizen so the deteriorating us-China relationship does worry me a bit. But you’re right - it’s not something I can change anyways so might as well not worry about it.

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On the 13th of August 2023 after a good preparation for 3 months I decided to give my GMAT and I did. ( I am an Indian if it matters )

I made a decent 750/800.
QR : 50
VR : 41
IR : 03
AWA : 04

My credentials are as below :

a. Bachelors in Technology ( Civil Engineering ) – 2.72 / 4.00 ( 2008 – 2012 )
b. Postgrad program ( Construction Management ) – 8.1 / 10 ( 2012 – 2014 )
c. Work Experience – 9+ years
d. Background is specifically into Project Management for Commercial Interior Fit outs

How much of chance do I have?

Does Stanford have any clear income threshold for fee waiver? I noticed that for Latin America, they mentioned $40,000. Anything for Asian countries?

Friendly Reminder: Stanford GSB Essay Review with Rachel Erickson (Stanford Alum, former Stanford Interviewer, & Admissions Expert at Fortuna Admissions) is starting in 15 minutes.

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Thanks, bb! I’m excited to be here. Just a little bit about myself. I’m Furkan, a product manager in Istanbul who’s looking to pivot, so I’m applying to Stanford GSB among a few others. I’d love to help as best as I can if you have any questions about Stanford!

I want to share this playlist with everyone. I was lucky to join the live sessions Stanford GSB organized on their tips for applications, but the videos here are almost the same.

You can pick the video you need the most help with or watch all of them. Personally, I found the work and activities one the most helpful as it had some tactical information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCFPpTxU_KA&list=PLxq_lXOUlvQDnIh2VQ29CADGmcqXN5ebV

Thank you! It looks like Stanford did their own applications walkthroughs. Did they steal our idea? 🤔😂

Anyway, thank you so much for sharing because it doesn’t look like a lot of people have seen these based on the number of use those videos have….

Haha! Who knows? I must say they’re not doing a great job advertising it

True. my pool is a bit different. Need to show justification for that

My gre score is 322. What are my chances?

Hello GeetJo09,

I hope you are doing well. Your GRE score of 322 is a solid score, but admission to the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) MBA program is highly competitive. Stanford GSB looks at various factors beyond just GRE scores, including your academic achievements, work experience, letters of recommendation, essays, and overall fit with their program.

The average GRE scores for admitted students at Stanford GSB were in the higher range, typically around 324-329. Your application essays are an opportunity to showcase your personality, experiences, and how you align with Stanford GSB’s values and mission. Craft compelling essays that give insight into who you are and how you can contribute to the program. Obtain strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your abilities, achievements, and potential as a future business leader.

Highlight your significant achievements and leadership roles in your professional experiences. Stanford GSB values applicants with diverse and impactful work experiences. Showcase your involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, or leadership roles outside of work. Stanford GSB values diversity of thought and background. Emphasize what makes you unique and how your perspective will enrich the classroom and campus environment. Show that you have a deep understanding of the Stanford GSB program and how it aligns with your career goals.

Remember, admissions decisions are based on a holistic evaluation of your application. While your GRE score is an important component, it’s not the sole determinant of your admission. Make sure every aspect of your application is as strong as possible to maximize your chances.

We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools.

Book a free profile evaluation call now!

Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com
MBA and Beyond

I think it is doable. You can see that Stanford’s average is 327 (maybe have been updated to the latest class) https://gmatclub.com/forum/average-gre- ... l#p3202757

You can see the admitted applicant profiles here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/decision-tra ... ake_year=0 and see if any match additional parameters such as your country, experience, industry, etc (there are obviously more elements to it such as QUALITY).

P.S. I would say that for ANYONE with ANY score, chances for HSW are not good since these are VERY competitive programs 😇

Hi everyone, could someone tell me when I need to send GMAT scores directly from GMAC? Is it while filling out the application form or after being admitted? The same goes for English test scores.

Usually, you need to submit it after getting matrculating but there are a few schools which need them during the application stage itself.

Thank you for your response. Does Stanford require a GMAT score report for the application?

Sorry, I have no idea about Stanford but you can check it on the website. If they need it during the application stage, then the schools specifically write about it on the admission/requirements page.

Nothing tells the business school your commitment to the program like you not sending a GMAT score 😂

Though in reality, many schools have relaxed their requirements since the pandemic in attempt to increase the number of applicants, allowing people not to have to spend extra money on the score report. However, Stanford still requires that you send the official score report when you apply.

Got it.
Thank you very much guys

Given there are only 2 days left until the R1 deadline, I wanted to share a feature of the application form I discovered.

If you submit the form and realize you want to make changes to your essays, resume, transcripts or basically anything you uploaded as a file, the system lets you change them by just uploading a new file until the deadline of September 12. Not sure if other schools allow this, but it’s quite neat that Stanford does.

Helpful thread thanks!

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FYI, Stanford’s Round 1 application deadline is September 12th 4 PM Pacific.

have you applied this round?

How are the chances of getting to stanford with a 700 gmat score

Profile is venture building ex mbb ex tech

Even though it’s below the average, my impression is you might just get lucky. I met a veteran who got dinged everywhere but got accepted to Stanford, so anything is possible with a great story.

Is 700 really that bad?

Tbh i just want to end this prep

It’s not bad at all, it’s just that Stanford GSB’s average is the highest of all schools at 737. You can take a look at the other stats here as well. Still though, they look at each candidate holistically so GMAT alone won’t probably keep you out

Is it worth applying r2 and if I don’t get in. Apply again with a higher score?

As far as I know the bulk of the applications come in R2 so should be fine

Do you get dinged if u fail a rd

Hello AurelianInvictus,

I hope you are doing good. Admissions to the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) are highly competitive, and a 700 GMAT score is below their average GMAT score, which tends to be in the mid-to-high 700s. However, it’s important to remember that Stanford GSB evaluates applicants holistically, considering various aspects of your profile, experiences, and contributions you can make to the MBA program.

Here are some key factors to consider with your profile:

1. Venture Building Experience: Your experience in venture building can be a strong asset. Stanford GSB values applicants with entrepreneurial experience and a track record of innovation.

2. MBB (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) Experience: Having worked at a prestigious management consulting firm like MBB can also be an advantage. It demonstrates analytical and problem-solving skills.

3. Tech Experience: If your tech experience includes significant leadership roles, innovative projects, or contributions to the tech industry, it can add to your profile’s strength.

4. Impactful Essays and Recommendations: Your application essays and recommendations should provide a clear and compelling narrative about your achievements, aspirations, and how you can contribute to the Stanford GSB community.

5. Extracurricular Involvement: Highlight any extracurricular activities, leadership roles, or community involvement that showcase your leadership, teamwork, and impact beyond your professional roles.

While a 700 GMAT score may be below their average, it’s not an insurmountable obstacle if the rest of your application is strong. Admissions decisions at top-tier business schools like Stanford GSB consider a combination of factors, and a compelling narrative backed by impressive experiences can offset a lower GMAT score. However, it’s always advisable to strive for the best possible score you can achieve, as a higher GMAT score can enhance your overall competitiveness. Ultimately, your chances of admission will depend on the entire package you present in your application, so make sure to present a well-rounded and compelling case for yourself as a candidate.

Book a free profile evaluation call now!

Neha Hadke
Strategy Manager
Testimonials
Meet our Panel of Consultants.
Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com
MBA and Beyond

When should interview invites start rolling in? Anyone able to share historical data for how soon after the applications deadline does Stanford start inviting applicants for interview

Last year, it was Early October, not sure when it will start exactly as I couldn’t find any information on their website

Chances: generally low, BUT, a lot would depend on your complete profile.

Please submit your details for a free 1-2-1 profile assessment, and strategy discussion over the phone

Always better to apply to a basket of schools;
Ultimately, there’s a lot that other schools can also give you, but save you the 1 year in opportunity costs (assuming you are able to improve your GMAT, AND your application AND make it to Stanford next year.

Life is uncertain my friend. Obsession is the opposite of Management (what you are planning to learn at a B School); better start practicing that NOW

Information from Stanford GSB regarding timeline:
"We will email interview invitations between the end of September and the middle of November. If invited to interview, you will be matched with a member of our interview team, which is made up of a small subset of our alumni community and MBA Admissions team. All Round 1 interviews will be conducted virtually.

Interviews are by invitation only and are required for admission. We expect to interview two to three applicants per seat in the class."

"You will be notified of your application decision on 7 December."

Interviews have started rolling in

is it worth working hard for the GMAT? I struggle to arrange prep time after my job and home duties and the first official prac score only gave me a 500 score. I find my self laughing at myself thinking that i was so motivated to do MBA from Stanford not long ago.

Hi, is it worth going to MBA fairs and getting to know admission advisors, if I know I wanna apply? seems like a huge time commitment as the fair is 5 hours

I think it’s worth it. Everyone started from somewhere. But you will need to be realistic that you will need to put in A LOT of time and effort into it to get your highest possible score. It took me over a year

you are amazing, its only been some months for me.

Do we know in what order they review applications? Are they issuing invitations in order of how they received them?

Omg!!! Amazing! Congrats!

Thank you!!! I was rejected without interview last year, so this is honestly a surprise!

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Congrats!! Fellow reapplicant so that gives hope! Out of curiosity, did you submit your application way ahead of the deadline?

Nope, I submitted on a day or so beforehand.

Congratulations - always impressed by reapplicants.

Congrats! and would like to ask.. What is the deadline for completing the interview once receive it? a week?

Are reapplicants dinged by Stanford? Thinking of Yolo-ing this round and reapply again next year

Any deferred MBA applicants in Round 1?

Some stats about me: Pakistani citizen. Top business school in Pakistan. GRE 335. Extra-curriculars: Student Council Elected Batch Rep and Entrepreneurial Society. Internships: FMCG (Consumer Goods), Finance, and Non-profit + entrepreneurship.

Does the application status in the portal change to “in review” for those who have received invitations? Or anyone seen that?

Or does yours still say “submitted”?

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Hi, I have not received an interview invite. However, I have had my application in review since the Round 1 deadline. I submitted around Sep 1, and the status changed from submitted to in-review day after the deadline. I also got an email from Stanford stating that interview invites will be sent by email, and status of the application will likely be updated on Dec 8 with the final decision.

I believe it’ll turn into in review for everyone soon.

Congratulations, KodlakWhitemane!! And best of luck with the interview! For what it’s worth, I was rejected one year, then was admitted (and attended) the following year (a long time ago!).

Doesn’t everyone’s status say “in review”?

Were the first batch of interviews conducted?

When can we expect more calls to be sent out?

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According to Stanford’s email on the subject, the interview invites will continue to be rolled out until mid-November