Should I bother applying to Stanford? 680 GMAT

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:41 pm
Hi everyone,

Thank you for taking the time to evaluate my brief profile. I want to ascertain whether or not one would recommend that I take the time to apply to Stanford (my out of reach dream school). My fear is that applying to Stanford would take critical time away from applying to the other programs (NYU, Tuck, Chicago, Kellogg, UVA, Duke etc) that may be more viable given my average (for top 10 schools) statistics.

Here is my profile:

GMAT: Two times 680, 660. 71% Q, 83V% and 51%Q 92% verbal.
GPA: 3.43 from top 50ish private (2008 graduate)

I would like to point out, in terms of GPA, I did graduate with honors. I was struck with a very bad medical condition my freshman year of college and was hospitalized six times. My freshman year GPA was around a 1.9. I did not take a leave of absence. However, after my health improved, I was on Dean's list for the remaining 6 semesters and had a GPA excluding freshman year of a 3.8ish. Major GPA in liberal arts of 3.9. Quant Minor (Finance and Accounting) GPA's of 4.0s.

Work experience: Very entrepreneurship based. I actually worked for a small (under 200 employees) well known company in a niche industry. I actually came up with a business reorganization plan that helped change the direction of our business- in charge of many new successful product launches. A lot of teamwork experience and management experience (youngest employee in company history to have 25+ people report)

Recommendations: Excellent without a doubt. My CEO has volunteered to write a very very strong letter of reference.

Extra Curricular: Very Strong as well- started a successful community outreach program in education. Received prestigious recognitions

Short term goal- Management consulting big firm

Long term- Entrepreneurship in the industry I am currently in (as our company is very niche, would prefer not to give away too many details in a forum).


I am little overwhelmed with applications and want to know whether Stanford may even be viable for me. Please be honest in your response. I am OK with someone saying its better I focus on Kellogg, Chicago or NYU. I just wanted to see if there was a chance Stanford would accept a non minority male with mediocre stats and my background into the program.
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3135
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 589 times
Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:36 pm
Well, your stats may be as you write "mediocre", (although actually your GPA story seems quite good) but your profile is unique and exciting, you have a TON of leadership (That leading 25+), and your entrepreneurial experience will put you ahead. Your GMAT is to be sure on the low end, but it's still within the Median 80% range. If I were you I would go for it. It may be a long shot, and I understand your concerns about taking time away from other schools. But you have a chance, and if you don;t apply now, you may go elsewhere and not ever get another in your life, so go for it!
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 288
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:23 am
Location: Los Angeles/NY
Thanked: 58 times
Followed by:11 members

by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:14 am
I would have to know more about the scale of the community outreach program and details around your work experience (how long, promotions..), but given what I know I would say that if you are tight on time, don't focus on Stanford. Your GMAT combined with an undergrad not in the top 20 will be a red flag given Stanford is so ridiculously competitive. Given your gpa really rebounded, once you have finished some schools with better probabilities, then take your shot at Stanford if not applying will be a forever source of "what if".

Good Luck,
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
www.prepmba.com
[email protected]
(323)424.3178

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 810
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:12 pm
Thanked: 127 times
Followed by:35 members

by MBAPrepAdvantage » Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:37 pm
One compromise strategy would be to apply to Stanford in the 2nd round so you will not take time away from those schools in which your chances are better but still be able to shoot for your dream.

Best of luck,
Michael Cohan
MBAPrepAdvantage Founder & AIGAC Board Director
305-604-8178
www.mbaprepadvantage.com

Please thank and/or like individual posts.

Follow Michael Cohan on Image Image and BeattheGMAT.
Follow MBAPrepAdvantage on Image Image Image.

For a free assessment email [email protected] your target schools, goals, resume, GPA and GMAT or fill out our Free MBA Admissions Consultation Form.