Can you get into a top Business Graduate Program?
Yes, According to the Director of Admissions of the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
May 6th, 2008 we welcomed Derrick Bolton, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Director of Admissions as a guest speaker to our first year Honors students. Derrick has spoken to the honors students for the past several years and is always well-received. Students especially appreciate his interactive approach to helping them understand what goes on in the recruiting process at top Business Graduate Schools.
His primary message to students:
“You are a much stronger candidate for a top program than you think you are. Don’t try and figure out what you think we want to hear - if you do that, then all the applications look the same. Instead, understand who you are, what you want, what you have to offer and tell that unique story.”
While students seemed interested in trying to figure out the “secret formula” for a top MBA program (high gpa + high GMAT + Study Abroad + Internship = ADMISSION!), Derrick’s message was much simpler and to the point. They have already accomplished so much and what they need to do now is to engage in experiences that they are passionate about and make sure they extract as much learning as possible from those experiences.
“Studying abroad is not necessarily a differentiator because so many students do it now. But if you have a compelling story to tell about studying abroad that highlights who you are and what you can do, then you have a chance of making your application stand out.”
Derrick also dispelled some of the myths of applying to graduate business programs. When asked if it is better to work a few years before applying, Derrick replied:
“No. The truth is that the data suggest that your best chance of getting in to a top program is to apply while you are still in your undergraduate program. Many times we look at applications and say that the applicant would have been a stronger candidate a year ago. Rarely do we look at an application and say that applicant will be a stronger candidate a year from now. So, apply before you think you are ready because you are a stronger candidate than you think you are.”
Derrick went on to explain that while it is possible to get into a program at any point in a career, it is easier to do the closer you are to your undergraduate experience. The underlying principle seemed to be the trajectory of the applicants experiences. Often, people who have been out of school awhile see their careers plateau rather than accelerate. A top graduate program would rather admit people who are on an upward trend in their experiences. He also stated that the more years you have been out of school, the higher the expectation for accomplishments. They want to see that you have made the most of your opportunities.
Finally he highlighted the value of the Honors program, stating that graduate programs place high value on Honors Programs and calibrate GPA’s accordingly. A 3.5 in an Honors program is seen as stronger than a 3.5 if a regular program.
Students were very engaged with the program and Derrick stayed an hour after the program answering student questions. We are grateful for his time and energy and were privileged to have him.
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