Stanford GSB MBA Essays 2025-2026: Analysis, Tips, and Strategy

This session guides prospective applicants through the Stanford MBA essay process, focusing on two key essays: "What Matters Most to You and Why" and "Why Stanford." The admissions committee seeks principled, insightful, and innovative leaders who will contribute positively to the campus and broader community. Applicants are encouraged to reflect deeply on their experiences, values, motivations, and career aspirations to convey how they think, lead, and see the world. Authenticity and vulnerability are emphasized, with advice on showcasing personal growth through achievements and lessons learned from setbacks.

The "What Matters Most" essay, a 650-word prompt, allows for diverse approaches, such as focusing on accomplishments, inflection points, or themes, but stresses the importance of showing rather than telling. The "Why Stanford" essay, with a 350-word limit, requires clear, ambitious 10-15 year career goals and a specific connection to the school's offerings. Brainstorming involves exploring core values, formative experiences, achievements, failures, and various roles played in life. The speaker analyzes a sample essay for "What Matters Most," highlighting the power of vivid storytelling, the importance of a clear connector, and the need to go beyond superficial descriptions to explore deeper motivations and values.

The "Why Stanford" essay analysis emphasizes articulating specific goals, such as starting a venture studio for underrepresented founders, and detailing how the program's resources, like specific classes or professors, will facilitate these ambitions. The session also addresses common applicant concerns, including GMAT scores, the balance between ambition and achievability in goals, the cohesiveness of essays as a portfolio, and the importance of authenticity over trying to guess what the admissions committee wants to hear. It's noted that diverse backgrounds are valued, and candidates should clearly articulate the need for an MBA to complement their existing technical or professional expertise.

• The GSB (Graduate School of Business) uses two primary essays: "What Matters Most to You and Why" (650 words) and "Why Stanford" (350 words).
• The admissions committee looks for candidates who are principled, insightful, and innovative leaders, focusing on how applicants think, lead, and see the world.
• Authenticity and vulnerability are crucial; applicants should share genuine experiences, motivations, and lessons learned from both successes and setbacks.
• The "What Matters Most" essay requires a thoughtful narrative that "shows" rather than "tells," connecting personal experiences to core values.
• The "Why Stanford" essay demands clear, ambitious long-term career goals (10-15 years) and specific connections to the school's resources that will help achieve them.

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Understanding GSB Essay Requirements [03:33]

• The two primary essays for the GSB are "What Matters Most to You and Why" and "Why Stanford."
• The "What Matters Most" essay has been a consistent part of the application for approximately 30 years.
• The "Why Stanford" essay, while seeing minor tweaks, generally asks why the applicant wants to pursue an MBA at Stanford.

The core of both essays is to understand the applicant's values, insights, and innovative leadership potential. This involves conveying how they think, lead, and perceive the world.

The more that you can show how you do that, um, the more you it's going to resonate with the admissions committee.

GSB Selection Criteria and Applicant Contribution [04:20]

• The school seeks principled individuals with strong values.
• They look for insightful people with unique perspectives gained from their backgrounds and experiences.
• Innovative leaders and creative thinkers who can contribute to the classroom and create positive impact are desired.

The admissions committee aims to understand an applicant's thought process, leadership style, and worldview, encouraging applicants to showcase these qualities in their essays.

They really are looking for principled meaning you know people with values insightful people with perspectives with insights from their backgrounds from their experiences and also innovative um leaders people who think outside the box creative thinkers.

Strategic Essay Preparation [05:36]

• Applicants cannot solely "write their way in"; real-life experiences and professional work are fundamental.
• Proactive engagement in extracurriculars or other areas is encouraged, especially if an applicant feels less strong in certain aspects.
• Essays should be viewed as pieces of a portfolio, like a jigsaw puzzle, to avoid repetition and overlap between them.
• Essays should reveal new sides of the applicant, their motivations, problem-solving approaches, perspectives, and values.

The overarching strategy for essay writing is to use the application to allow the reader to learn new aspects of who you are, your motivations, and how you navigate challenges and life.

So, if you keep in mind these three things that they really want to know about you, um, and try to convey that through your essays, that's going to be the big strategic goal for how you think about your essays.

"What Matters Most" Essay Focus [07:32]

• This essay has a 650-word limit.
• There is no single correct way to answer this question; admissions officers are not looking for a specific formula.
• Applicants can discuss single or multiple accomplishments, inflection points, or use a thematic approach.
• Creativity and personal storytelling are encouraged over adherence to a rigid structure.

The goal is to be authentic and creative in conveying what is most important to the applicant, rather than trying to fit a predetermined mold.

So, you could talk about a single accomplishment. You could talk about multiple accomplishments. You could use inflection points in your journey. You could use more of a thematic approach um to talk about, you know, kind of a more general theme that has some guided your journey.

"Why Stanford" Essay Focus [08:20]

• This essay has a 350-word limit.
• Applicants need to present clear and sufficiently ambitious goals, aligning with the school's mission to "change lives, change organizations, and change the world."
• The essay should articulate a 10-15 year vision, addressing a significant problem the applicant aims to solve with their career.
• Applicants must connect their career goals to specific resources, classes, or aspects of the Stanford MBA program.

This essay requires a clear vision for the future and a well-researched understanding of how Stanford's unique offerings will support that vision.

How do you plan to do that? What are your 10 to 15 year goals postN MBA?

Brainstorming for Essays [09:56]

• Reflect on core values, what has driven you, and what has shaped you.
• Identify inflection points in your life and the changes they brought.
• Consider your greatest personal, professional, and extracurricular achievements and what motivated them.
• Reflect on what you learned about yourself and the world through these experiences.

The brainstorming process involves deep self-reflection to unearth the stories and insights that will form the basis of the essays.

Um, you know, think about who you are as a person. Uh, you know, what your core values are, what has really driven you.

Reflecting on Failures and Vulnerability [11:46]

• Don't be afraid to discuss greatest failures or setbacks and what was learned from them.
• Vulnerability is key; sharing challenges, fears, and concerns allows the reader to get to know the applicant on a deeper level.
• This approach helps to "lower the walls" and foster a more authentic connection.

Sharing vulnerabilities and lessons learned from setbacks is encouraged as a way to demonstrate self-awareness and resilience.

Vulnerability is not being afraid to share your um failures, your challenges, your setbacks, uh your thinking, your fears, your concerns, you know, all of these things, you know.

Inventorying Roles and Experiences [12:37]

• Think about the different roles played over the years: at work, in school, in extracurricular activities, within the community, and on a personal level.
• Examples include roles like project manager, leader of a committee, community theater participant, or caregiver.

Cataloging all these roles and associated experiences provides a rich source of potential essay material.

For example, um you know at work you are a project manager at a consulting firm. Um in your extracurricular well I also help the employee um health committee.

Balancing Past and Present in "What Matters Most" [13:47]

• While childhood stories can be used if they were pivotal moments, a balance between past and present is crucial.
• Avoid getting too "stuck in the past"; essays should include more recent experiences, such as professional work from the last few years.

The essay needs to demonstrate growth and relevance in the present, not just recount past events.

So, you do want to have something more recent. So college is you know totally fine um but also um in you know your professional work in the last five years or you know a few years or so right?

Crafting a Thoughtful Narrative: Show, Don't Tell [14:54]

• Illustrate points with specific examples rather than stating them directly.
• For instance, instead of saying "I am hardworking," describe a routine like waking up at 5 AM for a run and checking emails.
• Authenticity is paramount; the best approach is to decide what you want to tell Stanford.

The principle of "showing" through narrative and specific actions makes the essay more vivid and compelling, allowing the reader to infer qualities rather than being told them.

So, I'm showing you the type of person that I am rather than telling you I'm organized. I'm an early riser.

Authenticity Over Uniqueness [16:13]

• Admissions committees have seen countless essays over many years.
• The focus should be on an authentic answer that reflects your genuine self, backed by supporting stories, rather than trying to find a "unique" answer.

Authenticity, supported by concrete examples, is more valuable than attempting to present an answer that feels artificially unique.

It's not about what's a unique answer for what matters most, but what is an authentic answer.

Analyzing a Sample "What Matters Most" Essay [21:03]

• The essay's opening paragraph effectively uses vivid imagery to draw the reader in, creating intrigue.
• A strong connector sentence immediately clarifies the essay's theme and personal relevance (e.g., curiosity overcoming fear of heights).
• The essay delves into upbringing, familial influence (grandfather), and early experiences that nurtured the core theme.
• It traces the development of this theme through high school and professional experiences, showing a journey of growth.
• The essay strategically shifted to highlight leadership and empathy shaped by curiosity, rather than solely technical problem-solving, to showcase a different side of the applicant.

This sample essay demonstrates how to effectively weave a personal theme through different life stages, making it relatable and insightful for the admissions committee.

Um, you know, you're pulling the reader into a moment in time. um you you know you're not you don't have to describe everything like oh you know I'm you know uh on this you know f blah blah blah plane or whatever right?

Differentiating Essays from Resumes [27:50]

• Resumes summarize achievements ("what you have achieved").
• Essays explain why certain actions were taken and how they were executed, providing deeper insight into the applicant's thought process and motivations.

Essays provide the context and reasoning behind the accomplishments listed on a resume.

The resume is what you have achieved, your summary of your greatest hits. the essays share with the reader why did you do certain things and how did you do certain things.

Analyzing a Sample "Why Stanford" Essay [31:09]

• The essay begins with a brief personal background explaining the origin of an interest (e.g., addressing inequality).
• It clearly articulates specific, ambitious 10-15 year career goals, such as launching a fintech venture studio for underrepresented founders.
• The essay identifies specific GSB resources, including professors and classes like the "fund" program, that will help achieve these goals.
• It connects personal motivations and experiences to the career aspirations and Stanford's role in facilitating them.

This sample essay effectively balances personal motivation, future vision, and a well-researched understanding of the Stanford MBA program.

My vision is to start a fintech venture studio that backs underrepresented founders.

Addressing Common GMAT Score Concerns [34:31]

• A GMAT focus score of 655 might be a "handicap" if it's below the average for the incoming class.
• However, the admissions committee evaluates profiles holistically.
• Applicants with lower scores should demonstrate academic success in other areas (e.g., undergrad, previous master's programs) to compensate.

While a lower score can be a disadvantage, it is not an automatic disqualifier, especially if other aspects of the application are strong.

Um, you know, it is uh a a little bit of a handicap knowing that you are below the um average at for the incoming class.

Entrepreneurial Aspirations and MBA Need [35:21]

• The school does not expect applicants to have already founded a wildly successful company, as this can raise questions about the need for an MBA.
• The focus is on the problem an applicant wants to solve and their drive towards their goals.
• Involvement in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, advising startups, or demonstrating a clear pivot towards entrepreneurship can suffice.

Applicants should articulate their entrepreneurial drive and vision, demonstrating their commitment and readiness for the next steps, even if they haven't launched a major venture yet.

Um, so they're not expecting you to have started um, you know, the next Microsoft by the time you apply because it is a double-edged sword.

Cohesiveness Across Essays [36:56]

• Essays should be viewed as a portfolio, showcasing different facets of the applicant's personality and experience.
• Avoid having essays that are too narrowly focused (e.g., only professional or only personal).
• A balance is needed to present a well-rounded picture of the candidate.

The goal is to have each essay contribute a unique piece to the overall understanding of the applicant, creating a comprehensive and coherent application.

Um, I usually would recommend thinking about um uh the essays as a portfolio or you know pieces of a jigsaw puzzle showing different sides of you because they evaluate you holistically, right?

Value of Diverse Experience [37:36]

• Experience in emerging markets or from less-known VC firms is valued.
• The admissions committee seeks diverse perspectives from candidates worldwide.
• The key is to articulate your unique insight, perspective, and how you will contribute to the classroom based on your experiences.

The school values a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, encouraging applicants to share their unique viewpoints.

So, from all over the world and um your experience building product starting um, you know, investing in companies in emerging markets is going to be very different and so they want to hear from you.

Authenticity in Essay Themes [38:30]

• It is crucial to be authentic and not just play to the perceived personality of the school (e.g., entrepreneurship at Stanford).
• The school values candidates entering various fields, including consulting, tech, retail, and finance, not just entrepreneurship.
• Align essay themes with your genuine interests and what you aim to gain from the Stanford experience.

Applicants should focus on their authentic motivations and aspirations, rather than tailoring their essays to fit a preconceived notion of what Stanford wants.

Stanford is not just looking for people looking to be entrepreneurs or looking to do entrepreneurship.

Articulating the Need for an MBA [41:15]

• For applicants with technical backgrounds and advanced degrees, it's essential to clearly explain why an MBA is necessary and how it complements existing skills.
• Avoid coming across as a "degree collector"; articulate the specific business acumen or strategic perspective the MBA will provide.

The essays must convincingly demonstrate that an MBA is a necessary step for career progression and not merely an additional credential.

You don't want to come across as a degree collector a lot of tech people don't necessarily need um two years of business degree.

"What Matters Most" Essay Content [42:25]

• The "What Matters Most" essay does not need to be career-related and can focus entirely on personal values or family values.
• However, the question asks what matters most to you, implying a singular focus or a unifying theme, rather than a list of three separate values.

The essay should center on a core principle or value that is most significant, rather than presenting a compilation of unrelated important aspects.

But keep in mind the question at what matters most to you, not what are three things that matter most to you.

Academic Writing and Grammar in Essays [43:16]

• While essays are personal, clear communication is essential.
• Minor grammatical errors are acceptable, but blatant or multiple errors can raise concerns about academic capability.
• Citations or formal academic writing styles are not required; it's a personal essay.

Ensuring clarity and correctness in grammar and writing is important for effective communication, but the tone remains personal.

Um, you know, pay attention to that certainly, but you don't need to footnotes.

Connecting Goals to Stanford Resources [44:47]

• When discussing how Stanford can help achieve goals (e.g., AI-driven investments), connect specific classes or resources directly to those aspirations.
• The focus should be on how these resources enable the applicant's specific future plans.

Applicants need to demonstrate a thoughtful understanding of Stanford's offerings and how they align with their personal and professional objectives.

So whatever class or resource you you articulate in that essay be sure to connect it to what your goals are right how does it relate to your AI uh goals in the future.

Work Experience Range and MBA Necessity [45:15]

• International experience is not a requirement for applying.
• The median work experience for admitted students is typically around 3-6 years, but being outside this range is not necessarily detrimental.
• Candidates with compelling reasons for pursuing an MBA and a clear articulation of future goals can still be admitted, even with less or more experience, or if making a significant career transition.

The admissions committee values a clear rationale for pursuing an MBA, regardless of the exact number of years of work experience.

I have had classmates of the GSB who were um, you know, in their mid-30s, but they came from, you know, they were in sports or they were professional athletes.

Incorporating Scholarship Information [46:27]

• Fully funded government scholarships can be mentioned in the application form's financing section.
• This information can also be included in the "additional information" section if it's important for the admissions committee to know and wasn't covered elsewhere.

Highlighting scholarship support can be advantageous, especially if it indicates strong external validation of the applicant's potential.

So um yes. So um there may be a question on the application form that asks you um about your funding sources, your financing.

Pivoting Careers: Presenting the Narrative [47:06]

• For those pivoting careers (e.g., from law to consulting), the "career goals" essay must be "waterproof."
• Build upon past experience rather than completely discarding it; find ways to connect previous skills to future aspirations.
• Avoid negative framing (e.g., "I hate being a lawyer"); instead, focus on a strategic and thoughtful career progression.

The narrative for career pivots should demonstrate a clear, strategic, and well-reasoned transition, showing how past experiences inform future goals.

You want to think about is there a way I can build on that. Um what they don't love are candidates who say well you know I really hate being a lawyer and I'm done.