How to get into a Top Business School (from a Stanford MBA!)

This video provides a comprehensive guide on how to get into a top business school, breaking down the process into three key areas: the resume, the application, and the interview. The speaker emphasizes that while GPA and GMAT scores are important "table stakes," with an average GPA of 3.7 and GMAT scores above the 90th percentile (around 730-740) being ideal, work experience that demonstrates significant impact and personal interest is crucial for differentiation. The speaker also stresses the importance of authenticity in essays, urging applicants to share their unique stories, struggles, and vulnerabilities. Finally, the video delves into acing the interview, highlighting the need for thorough research on the school and interviewer, and encouraging applicants to be their genuine selves.

The application process is described as "College admissions 2.0," requiring a compelling essay, personal statements, and recommendation letters. The speaker advocates for a "soul-searching" approach to essay writing, focusing on authentic life stories and how they connect to aspirations and the chosen business school. The interview stage is presented as a critical 50/50 chance, where demonstrating deep research into the school's culture and connecting with the interviewer on a personal level is key. The ultimate advice is to pursue genuinely interesting work, share your authentic self, and meticulously research each school to stand out in a highly competitive applicant pool.

• Resume Essentials: While average GPAs hover around 3.7 and GMAT scores should aim for above the 90th percentile (730-740), impactful work experience and genuine interest are key differentiators.
• Work Experience Focus: Top industries like management consulting and finance are common, but meaningful impact and interesting experiences from any sector (non-profit, military, healthcare) are highly valued.
• **Authentic Application Essays**: Essays should be vulnerable and reflective, sharing personal stories, struggles, and vulnerabilities that have shaped the applicant, tied to specific career aspirations and school fit.
• Thorough School Research: To sell yourself to a school, obsess over details by attending events and contacting alumni and students to understand the school's culture and articulate a strong "why this school" argument.
• Crushing the Interview: Interviews are largely behavioral; be present, authentic, and leverage your research to connect with the interviewer and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the school.

Related Video Summary

• Tips For The 2025-2026 Yale SOM Application Essays
• Yale MBA Essays 2025-2026: Analysis, Tips, and Strategy
• Stanford GSB MBA Essays 2025-2026: Analysis, Tips, and Strategy
• Strategies for Nailing the HBS Application Essays | Ep 55

Resume: GMAT, GPA, and Work Experience [0:57]

• GMAT and GPA are considered "table stakes" for business school applications.
• The average GPA for students at top business schools is around 3.7.
• A GPA below 3.3 is generally not recommended, with an exception for difficult STEM majors.
• The GMAT is likened to an adult SAT, and can be "cracked" with a specific strategy.
• The average GMAT score is between 730 and 740, which is above the 90th percentile.
• Success on the GMAT is described as a function of repetition and practicing official exams.
• Committing to practice for three months, taking exams every weekend, can lead to a score above the 90th percentile.
• Work experience is crucial for differentiating an application beyond academic scores.
• Top industries for business school admissions are management consulting and finance (Investment Banking, Private Equity).
• However, applicants do not need to come from top companies or elite schools; meaningful and impactful work experience is paramount.
• Over half of students in top business schools come from industries like non-profit, military, and healthcare, not just traditional finance or consulting.
• The focus for work experience bullet points should be on the impact made and the interestingness of the experience.
• Pursuing genuinely interesting career paths leads to more impactful and impressive experiences.
• Examples include a friend who worked in marketing and then on vaccine distribution, and another who transitioned from a soccer player and actuary to private equity.
• The "bar of interestingness" is a key concept for planning career and work experiences.

The speaker outlines the foundational elements of a business school application: academic scores and work experience. While GPAs and GMAT scores are benchmarks, the real differentiation comes from the impact and nature of one's work history. Admissions committees value roles that demonstrate significant contributions and personal engagement, even if they are outside traditional high-prestige fields.

"The good news is that the GMAT actually can be cracked really really well if you promise to commit to it."

Application: Essays, Recommendations, and Authenticity [5:31]

• The application process is akin to "College admissions 2.0," including essays, short statements, and letters of recommendation.
• Thousands of candidates compete for limited spots, necessitating application differentiation.
• The key insight for getting into a top school is "just being myself."
• Essay writing is presented as a "soul-searching process" to create vulnerable works of art.
• Essays should explore authentic stories, background, struggles, vulnerabilities, and insecurities.
• These personal elements should be tied into how they inform career aspirations and the choice of a specific business school.
• An example from an essay for Stanford highlights immigrating to America, a mother's success as a female engineer in a male-dominated field, and a belief in technology as an agent for positive change.
• The essay weaving in personal impact includes starting an online business and learning skills via the internet due to a lack of connections.
• It's important to specifically explain "why this school" is a good fit, linking personal background and aspirations to the school's offerings (e.g., technology investing at Stanford).
• Selling oneself to a school requires doing homework and obsessing over details.
• This involves attending networking events and cold messaging alumni and current students.
• The goal is to learn about the school's culture and how to articulate specific reasons for wanting to attend.
• This deep research is critical for the subsequent interview stage.

The application phase hinges on crafting a unique and authentic narrative through essays, showcasing personal growth and how it aligns with future goals. The speaker emphasizes the power of vulnerability and genuine storytelling to connect with admissions committees, stressing that understanding and articulating a specific fit with the chosen institution is paramount.

"I will never be the smartest or most talented person in the room but what I'm better at than everyone else in the world at is just being myself."

Interviews: Preparation and Execution [9:41]

• The interview is the second round of the application process, with a 50/50 chance of admission if invited.
• Receiving an interview invitation signifies successful work experience and application.
• The key is to "crutch this interview."
• Applicants will be connected with an alumnus for the interview.
• Thorough research on the interviewer's background (e.g., on LinkedIn) is essential to understand them as a person.
• During scheduling and communication, responsiveness, politeness, and professionalism are expected.
• Interviews are primarily behavioral, focusing on past experiences and how they demonstrate certain traits.
• Despite the pressure, it's important to be present and be your full authentic self.
• Typical interview questions include "what's your story" and "why do you want to go to this school."
• Leveraging prior research on the school helps in connecting with the interviewer by referencing specific classes or individuals.
• This deep understanding of the school demonstrates genuine interest and a good fit.
• The interview is where applicants show how the chosen school is the gateway to their career dreams.

The interview stage is presented as a critical juncture where authenticity and thorough preparation pay off. By researching the interviewer and demonstrating a deep understanding of the school's culture and offerings, applicants can build rapport and effectively communicate how their aspirations align with the institution's mission, significantly increasing their chances of admission.

"The interview is the second round of your application process where the only way you'll get an interview is if you crush your work experiences and your application but the good news and also the scary news of an interview is that at this point you basically have a 50 50 shot to get in."