S T A N F O R D M B A P R O G R A M

Stanford Graduate School of Business

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 “ The Stanford MBA has enabled me to truly live my passion to positively influence
the world. I am pursuing international development through my internships
with a global microfinancing organization in Chicago and a food fortification
consulting firm in Rwanda. In addition, opportunities such as leading a global
study trip to South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia have allowed me to put my
classroom experience into practice. I’m taking what I’ve learned and directly
applying it in the real world.”

Andreata Muforo, ’09

Hometown: Harare, Zimbabwe
Education: Grinnell College, Economics
Pre-MBA: NERA Economic Consulting Inc., Analyst (New York)
Summer Internship: Opportunity International, Special Assistant for Programs (Illinois);
Project Healthy Children, Consultant (Rwanda)

“At Google, I have the privilege of leading 30 talented, driven people. And whilst
there’s no substitute for management experience, Stanford really set me up
for success. Firstly, the organizational behavior classes are second to none,
combining the latest research with powerful, practical exercises. Secondly,
the culture of servant leadership makes leading a club a great management
experience and growth opportunity. And lastly, the Interpersonal Dynamics
class was life-changing.”

John Foong, ’07

Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Education: University of New South Wales, Information Systems and Management
Pre-MBA: TechnoServe, Project Manager (Mozambique)
Today: Google, Online Sales and Operations, Associate Manager (Ireland)

“ It’s easy to think of a business school education as just two years of your
life, but the Stanford experience has been much more. Since graduating from
Stanford, my education has proved increasingly useful as time has passed,
and my connection to the GSB community has remained strong. I’ve mentored
students, hired graduates, and invested in and advised companies led by alumni.
The program has opened countless doors, and there’s always an immediate
connection with my fellow alumni.”

Sandra Horbach, ’87

Hometown: Bellevue, Washington
Education: Wellesley College, Chinese
Pre-MBA: Morgan Stanley, Financial Analyst (New York)
Today: The Carlyle Group, Managing Director, Head of Consumer/Retail (New York)

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 T H E S T A N F O R D M B A P R O G R A M
Sha p e the F u t u r e. M a k e a D i f f e r e n c e.

The world is changing quickly and so are the challenges that face tomorrow’s leaders. The Stanford MBA

Program helps you develop a leadership mindset and a strong foundation of management skills to succeed in

your first job and throughout your career. We prepare you for the future. We empower you to make a difference.

PROGRAM
“As I look around the world today I see no shortage of ideas, capital, or technology.
But there is a huge shortage of leadership and management skill. Effective leaders have
a greater potential for influence than ever before in human history. If your passion is
to lead teams and organizations that change the world, we want to hear from you.”

Robert L. Joss
Philip H. Knight Professor and Dean
Stanford MBA ’67, PhD ’70

Learning Built Around You provides you with more opportunities for collaboration and leadership.
Management challenges are not “one size fits all.” At Stanford, neither Our small size is essential to giving you the opportunity to think deeply,
is management education. We create the best educational experience for strive valiantly, and move confidently toward your goals.
you, instead of building a curriculum around a “typical” student. Stanford
School of the Future
offers the most challenging and engaging MBA education by calibrating
As a leader, you will be asked to solve problems that don’t exist today, with
your curriculum and learning to your background, interests, and career
tools that have not yet been invented. Get ready here. Stanford bases learning
aspirations. And we provide individual guidance from faculty, career
on what you’ll need in the future, not solely on companies’ past experiences.
advisors, and leadership coaches along the way. As a result, your learning
You will develop strong management skills—and more. Acquire an ability
experience will be personal and transformational, for a lifetime of success.
to deal with uncertainty. Learn to ask the right questions. And immerse
Unparalleled Community and Strategic Size yourself in an innovative environment. All of which prepare you to create
Stanford University is one of the world’s premier research and teaching solutions for the challenges ahead.
institutions, seeking solutions and educating leaders to shape the world of
Choosing the right business school is a personal decision. Meet us. Learn
tomorrow. We are one of the most selective MBA programs for good reason.
more about who we are and what we stand for. We believe in the power of
With approximately 370 students per class, we can focus our substantial
ideas and actions to make a difference. If you want to make a difference,
resources on you. This enables you to form close, lasting relationships
start now. Start here.
with an unrivaled community of classmates, alumni, and faculty. And it
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 T H E C U R R I C U L U M
More C h a l l e n g i n g. M o r e E n g a g i n g. M o r e G l o b a l.

The Stanford MBA Program will empower you to reach your full potential. Yes, you will be challenged

by the rigor of the academic program. More important, however, you will learn about yourself and develop

personal resources that will sustain you throughout your career. We will help you develop your vision

CURRICULUM
and the substance required for achieving it.

Tailored Curriculum Global Experience

Here, you will gain strong management fundamentals and the ability
to tailor learning. First-year Management Foundations courses offer a
menu of choices in each required discipline, enabling you to calibrate
learning to your skills, experience, and future goals. Throughout your
MBA experience, you also can incorporate courses—even degrees—
from other Stanford graduate areas. Fill in knowledge or skills gaps. Or
deepen your interest in an area. We can help you reach your goals faster.
Understanding global forces and frameworks is critical to building a
global perspective. You will enhance your cultural, historical, political, and
social knowledge through global coursework. And then you will expand
and apply this learning through a study trip or internship in a country
with which you are not familiar. We offer a variety of Global Study
Trips, Service Learning Trips, immersion internships, and international
exchange opportunities.

Diverse Teaching Methods Advising Team

How we teach is clearly different and an advantage. By selecting the most From the start, we support you with a team of people focused on helping you
meaningful and effective teaching method for each subject, we maximize make the decisions that you feel are right for you. Your faculty advisor
your learning and bring concepts to life. You will learn through group knows your background and provides guidance to enable your academic
projects, discussions, small seminars, one-on-one research projects, success. Leadership and writing coaches will help you develop these
simulations, prototyping, role-playing scenarios, global immersions, critical skills. A student life advisor will help you identify and pursue
and case studies, as well as from your classmates’ rich backgrounds. Few opportunities for putting leadership skills into practice, and career
MBA programs offer the diversity of learning opportunities that you advisors help you identify your next steps. Each person on your team
find here. is here to help you reach your goals, as quickly as possible and in the
manner that best meets your needs.
Small Group Connections
The Stanford MBA Program purposely structures your MBA experience
to support active collaboration with classmates and faculty in small,
connected groups. You will be part of a seminar class of 16 students,
giving you better opportunities to build relationships with faculty and to
defend your viewpoints in depth. Leadership teams and leadership labs
help you augment your skills with personalized leadership coaching.
Benefit from close connections with faculty to delve deeply into cutting-
edge research and groundbreaking ideas.

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C U R R I C U L U M

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 RUSSIA STUDY TRIP

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 STUDY GROUP AT SCHWAB RESIDENTIAL CENTER

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 S T U D E N T L I F E
L i f e - C h a n g i n g. L i f e l o n g.

While at Stanford you will experience one of the most memorable communities of your life. Our MBA

students often refer to their classmates as “amazing” or “incredible” and you will soon know them, their

partners, and their families. The Stanford Graduate School of Business community will change your life—

STUDENTS
for the rest of your life.

“At Stanford, I have learned valuable lessons in interpersonal dynamics, team

effectiveness, and leadership. The experiential nature of the Leadership Labs makes
the learning tangible, meaningful, and memorable. My experience as an Arbuckle
Leadership Fellow has empowered me to become a more active and effective leader
at the Stanford GSB and in my professional life.”

Kate Jackson, ’09

Hometown: Kettering, Ohio
Education: Harvard College, Psychology
Pre-MBA: Wellington Management Company, Research Associate (Massachusetts)
Summer Internship: Tata Group, Intern (India); Axonia Partners, Intern (France)

Collaborative community is the hallmark of the Stanford MBA Program.
By the time you graduate, you will know everyone in your class. You
also will have worked closely with most of them in classes, study groups,
team projects, and social organizations.
The residential campus enhances student collaboration and community.
All first-year students are guaranteed on-campus housing. Students with
children are guaranteed on-campus housing for two years. Nearly 200
first-year MBA students live in the Schwab Residential Center with
access to beautiful open courtyards, a fountain, comfortable lounges,
exercise facilities, a computer lab, and study rooms. Convenient housing
for couples and families is just down the street in Escondido Village,
a neighborhood with apartments for Stanford University graduate
students. MBA students also may want to consider the Munger Graduate
Residences, new on-campus housing with an array of modern apartments
and communal spaces fostering cross-disciplinary thought, debate, and
collaboration. While on-campus living currently is close to everything,
we have begun construction for a new Stanford GSB academic complex
directly across from the Schwab Residential Center.
Our size and collegial culture enable you to take active roles in more
than 70 student organizations, 16 Global Study Trips, 6 Service Learning
Trips, and a variety of student-led campus events. The best part about
the Business School community is that you remain close—far beyond
the two-year program.

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 A L U M N I C O M M U N I T Y
Ou r A lu m ni A r e M a k ing a D iffe r e nc e A r o und t h e W o r l d.

From sparking new ideas through education to transforming deregulated industries to revolutionizing

traditional organizations, Stanford GSB alumni are changing the world in meaningful and far-reaching

ways. You will, too.

ALUMNI
“ The Stanford GSB really is more of a total experience than just a curriculum or a school.
When I go back to Stanford and talk to students and alumni from every industry of every
size, I still perceive a shared outlook of how to look at problems and devise solutions in
a fresh way. There’s a positive attitude and curiosity that seems genetic to the place.”

Jeff Bewkes, ’77

Hometown: Darien, Connecticut
Education: Yale College, Philosophy and Psychology
Pre-MBA: NBC News, Researcher (New York)
Today: Time Warner Inc., CEO (New York)

After two years, you will leave the Stanford campus, but you will never
leave the Stanford community. You will be part of a group of more
than 25,000 Stanford GSB alumni and approximately 184,000 Stanford
University alumni who play leading roles in organizations around the
world and who are uniquely committed and responsive to each other,
the School, and current students. And they will be a part of you.
Our alumni make their marks in the business arena and social sector
by leading financial institutions, consultancies, Global 1000 companies,
spin-offs, startups, and nonprofits. They lead organizations in Africa,
Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and North America.
Their interests span sustainable energy sources to consumer packaged
goods. And they willingly lend their experience, actively participating
as mentors, class speakers, project resources, and recruiters. As a student,
you have access to these incredible alumni, and you can be certain that
whenever you have questions or seek advice, they will respond.
As a Graduate School of Business alumnus/a, you will stay connected
to the School and each other, contributing to and benefiting from this
powerful community. Wherever your career may take you, relation-
ships forged during your MBA experience with classmates, faculty, and
alumni become lifelong bonds, and your community of colleagues and
friends will remain strong for decades.

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 ALUMNI REUNION DINNER

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 L A U N C H I N G Y O U R C A R E E R
Le v e r a g e Our R e s o u r c e s.

Whether you already have a clear career focus or are open to exploring a range of new possibilities, your

impact is limited only by your imagination. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? We can help

you make it happen.

CAREERS
“My Stanford experience has been truly transformational, both personally and
professionally. The leap from the military was arduous. However, the program and,
more important, the people here, provided me with tools to not only succeed but
also excel from day one. Looking toward the future, I find myself internalizing the
School’s motto, and I am instilled with a new sense of service to help change lives,
change organizations, and change the world.”

David Hwangbo, ’08

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Education: United States Military Academy, Economics
Pre-MBA: United States Army, Cavalry Officer (Kentucky)
Today: BCG, Consultant (California)

With approximately 370 students in your class, the Career Management
Center (CMC) can dedicate more resources to help you develop a career
vision, make strategic decisions, and build a strong professional foundation.
The CMC offers recruiting opportunities and an extensive array of
resources to help you target and inform your career decisions—now and
throughout your life. We also can offer career support to your significant
other while you are here. Among other things, we provide:
Knowledgeable Career Advisors who meet with you regularly and
understand your professional goals.
International Career Advisors who assist international students
interested in working in the United States and all students interested
in working internationally.
Career Treks that introduce you to employers in various industries and
regions of the world.
Career Workshops that enhance your skills in a variety of topics, such
as Career and Life Visioning; Offers, Decisions, and Negotiations; and
International Job Search Success.
Management Communication Program that prepares you to
communicate effectively and persuasively for interviews, presentations,
and public speaking.
Responsive Alumni who are accessible through the GSB Alumni Directory,
Alumni Mentor Program, Alumni Job Shadowing opportunities, and events.
Alliances with other MBA Career Centers that offer access to career
centers at business schools around the world.

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 STUDENTS VISITING SHANGHAI STOCK EXCHANGE

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 DEBORAH H. GRUENFELD
MOGHADAM FAMILY PROFESSOR OF LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

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 W E W A N T T O H E A R F R O M Y O U
Ta k e the Ne x t S t e p. A p p l y!

If you aspire to lead organizations that change the world in meaningful ways, an MBA education is the ideal

next step. Have confidence in your achievements. Trust your goals. And when the time is right, we want to

hear from you.

ADMISSION
“I always wanted to work in the health care industry, and Stanford has helped me realize
the broad scope of opportunities available—in biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices,
services delivery, and investing. As part of the GSB Health Care Club, I’ve learned about
these opportunities from classmates, alumni, and corporate leaders. In the classroom, I
have pursued health care solutions with faculty and students in the Schools of Medicine,
Engineering, and Business through courses like BioDesign Innovation.”

Sarah Luxenberg, ’09

Hometown: Millbrae, California
Education: California Institute of Technology, Chemistry
Pre-MBA: Mitchell Madison Group, Associate (California)
Summer Internship: Pfizer Inc., Finance Intern (New York)

Our students come from large public universities, small liberal arts Personal qualities and contributions—Your character, background,
colleges, private institutions, and military service academies. They and interests will contribute to a stimulating, diverse educational
come directly from undergraduate programs and from the workplace. experience. We look for individuals, not categories of people.
They come from more than 60 countries and with diverse academic
You may apply once in a given year. We have three application rounds
backgrounds. And they come with a desire and willingness to add
for entrance in fall 2009:
their knowledge and experience to yours. We look primarily for three
things in MBA applicants: Start Now Application Deadline Notification Date
Round One 29 October 2008 22 January 2009
Intellectual vitality—Curiosity, a desire to learn and experience new
Round Two 7 January 2009 2 April 2009
things, and a willingness to share your knowledge and experiences. Test
Round Three 8 April 2009 21 May 2009
scores and transcripts lay the foundation, but your academic attitude is
just as important as your aptitude. Finally...
Believe in yourself. We believe in you.
Demonstrated leadership potential—Your leadership abilities emerge
through athletics, community service, extracurricular activities, intern-
ships, research projects, and part-time and full-time employment.

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A D M I S S I O N

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 F I N A N C I N G Y O U R E D U C A T I O N
Inv e s t in Yo ur F u t u r e.

Business school is a significant—and outstanding—investment in yourself and your future. No matter

what your financial situation, we guarantee to meet your demonstrated financial need through

fellowships and loans.

FINANCIAL AID “The small size of the Stanford GSB enables superlative access and interaction with
some of the foremost thinkers and leaders in the world. At one moment you’re debating
automotive strategy with Nissan and Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, next you’re listening
to life lessons with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson, and then you’re discussing
China microfinance opportunities with activist/Oscar nominee Natalie Portman.”

Shaun Carrithers, ’09

Hometown: Metamora, Michigan
Education: Kettering University, Mechanical Engineering
Pre-MBA: General Motors, Cadillac Chassis Validation Engineer (Michigan)
Summer Internship: Morgan Stanley, Investment Banking Associate (California);
Cisco Systems, Inc., Intern (Mexico)

Tuition GSB Loan Forgiveness Programs

Tuition for the 2008–2009 academic year is $48,921. To help you plan Generous GSB loan forgiveness programs encourage Stanford MBA
more easily, the tuition cost is guaranteed for two years based on your alumni to make meaningful contributions to social issues, economic
start class. Depending on marital status and other factors, you should growth, and political stability in organizations and regions where salaries
budget an additional $25,000 to $35,000 per year for living costs, books, typically are lower. The GSB Nonprofit/Public Service Loan Forgiveness
and other expenses. Program supports MBA graduates entering the nonprofit and public-
service sectors. The GSB International Loan Forgiveness Program
Financial Aid
supports non–U.S. citizen MBA graduates working in organizations
We do not consider your financial resources during the admission process.
located in developing countries.
Once you are admitted and have completed the financial aid application,
the Financial Aid Office will determine your financial need and create
an aid package that may include loans, fellowships, or both. More
than two-thirds of our students receive financial aid. The Financial Aid
Office also works with private lenders to provide loans for domestic and
international students. Loans offered to international students do not, in
most cases, need a U.S. cosigner.
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F I N A N C I A L A I D

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 EAST AFRICA SERVICE LEARNING TRIP

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 “ I am amazed by the international opportunities that the Stanford GSB
offers its students. I was drawn to further exploring European economies,
and I received first-hand experience with internships in Spain and Turkey,
as well as a global study trip to Russia. These experiences have broadened
my cultural, political, and economic understanding and prepared me to
be a more effective global manager.”

Marta Ibanez Nobel, ’09

Hometown: Valencia, Spain
Education: Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Industrial Engineering
Pre-MBA: Repsol YPF, Manager of Refinery Maintenance (Spain)
Summer Internship: BCG, Consultant (Spain); Endeavor, Intern (Turkey)

“ The great thing about being a faculty member at the Stanford GSB is
the opportunity to get to know our extraordinary students personally.
Whether it is through being a faculty advisor, accompanying students
on a global study trip, listening to new business ideas, or discussing
career options more generally, the size of the GSB makes this kind of
one-on-one relationship possible.”

Garth Saloner
Jeffrey S. Skoll Professor of Electronic Commerce, Strategic Management, and Economics
Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
2008 Distinguished Teaching Award Recipient
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
Education: University of the Witwatersrand, BCom ’ 75, MBA ’77;
Stanford University, AM ’ 81, MS ’ 82, PhD ’ 82

“ Through Stanford’s joint MBA/MS Environment and Resources program,

I apply a business perspective to a whole range of environmental issues. I take
courses in a broad array of departments at Stanford—from business to
earth systems to civil engineering. I’ve always sought career opportunities at
progressive companies, and in the future I intend to apply my multidisciplinary
education to develop innovative green and sustainable projects.”

Aldo King, ’10

Hometown: Brownsville, Texas
Education: Stanford University, Economics
Pre-MBA: Google, Senior Business Analyst (California)
Summer Internship: Facebook, Project Management Intern (California)

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 A N E X C I T I N G P L A C E T O B E

California is the world’s eighth-largest economy and doorway to emerging economic powers in Asia
and Latin America. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area are world-class companies in a wide
Stanford range of industries including construction, energy, financial services, retail, and technology. Silicon
University
Valley has earned its reputation for attracting the world’s leading innovators, venture capitalists,
private-equity firms, technologists, and pioneers in life sciences. Professionally speaking, there is no
Pacific Ocean
better place to study business.

On the more personal level, Northern California is considered one of the most diverse and beautiful
places to live. Stanford University encompasses a 1,200-acre open, park-like campus within 8,100 acres
of rolling foothills. San Francisco, with its culture, arts, and renowned restaurants, is just to the north.
An easy day trip away are the famous wine regions of Napa and Sonoma, the beautiful beaches of
California’s central coast, and world-class ski resorts at Lake Tahoe. Our Mediterranean climate enables
year-round outdoor activity.

Stanford University opened in 1891 in Palo Alto, California, and has earned a world-class reputation
San Francisco
for excellence in business, earth sciences, education, engineering, humanities and sciences, law, and
medicine. With approximately 184,000 alumni worldwide, you are sure to feel Stanford’s presence
wherever you are. The Stanford Graduate School of Business was founded in 1925 and since then has
built a global reputation as a leading academic institution. Our mission is to create ideas that deepen
Stanford
University and advance the understanding of management and, with these ideas, develop innovative, principled,
San Jose
and insightful leaders who change the world.

Publisher MBA Admissions Office Every effort is made to ensure that the course information, applicable policies, and other materials contained in this MBA Program
GSB Publications guide are accurate and current at the time the guide goes to press. The Stanford Graduate School of Business reserves the right to
Copy Beth Ann Moore make changes at any time without prior notice.
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color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national and ethnic origin, and any other characteristic protected by
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Steve Gladfelter Director of the Diversity and Access Office, Mariposa House, 585 Capistrano Way, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-8230;
Bob Holmgren
Victoria Yee 1.650.723.0755 (voice), 1.650.723.1216 (TTY), 1.650.723.1971 (fax); equal.opportunity@stanford.edu (email).
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 Change Lives.
Change Organizations.
Change the World.

MBA ADMISSIONS OFFICE

S TA N F O R D G R A D U AT E S C H O O L O F B U S I N E S S
518 Memorial Way, Stanford, CA 94305-5015 USA
1.650.723.2766
www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba

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