Stanford Graduate School of Business

Stanford GSB Essay A

What matters most to you, and why? (650 words)

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?

Stanford GSB Essay B

Why Stanford for you? (350 words)

Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. If you are applying to both the MBA and MSx programs, use Essay B to address your interest in both programs.

Optional Short Answer 

In this section, we provide an optional opportunity for you to discuss some of your contributions more fully.

What do we mean by “optional”? We mean you have the opportunity to choose. In evaluating your application, we want to know about who you are and how you think Stanford will help you achieve your aspirations. We are also interested in learning about the things you have done that are most meaningful to you. If you feel that you’ve already addressed these questions well in other areas of the application, congratulations, you’re done!

If you would like to discuss your contributions more fully, this section is the place to do so. Perhaps you would like to expand upon a bullet item from your resume and tell us more about the “how” or “why” behind the “what.” Or maybe you have had a significant impact outside of work in a way that doesn’t fit neatly in another part of the application. You are welcome to share up to three examples (up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words, for each example).

We believe that leadership comes through in different shapes and forms and look for examples of when you have taken initiative, persisted through challenges, engaged others in your efforts, or supported those around you.

Think about a time in the last five years when you’ve created a significant impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, civic, or academic settings. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the impact?

Optional Additional Context

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 life experiences have helped shape how you see the world. (800 characters, maximum)

Optional Additional Information

We are deliberate in the questions we ask. We believe that we get to know you well through all of the elements of your application. Complete this section only if you have critical information you could not convey elsewhere on your application (e.g., extenuating circumstances affecting academic or work performance). This section should not be used as an additional essay. (1,200 characters maximum)

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