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Quick Answer
Stanford essays focus on self-reflection and impact. Applicants must answer 2 required questions:
- What matters most to you, and why? (650 words)
- Why Stanford for you? (350 words)
Optional space is available to address gaps, context, or reapplication. Strong essays are authentic, introspective, and clearly connect personal values with professional goals. Keep reading to see the full prompts, tips, and strategies for writing standout Stanford essays.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- What Are the Stanford MBA Essay Prompts?
- Optional Short Answers & Additional Info Essays
- What the Stanford Admissions Committee Is Looking For
- Tips for Writing the Stanford MBA Essays
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Example Approaches and Inspiration
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What Are the Stanford MBA Essay Prompts?
- What’s Next?
What Are the Stanford MBA Essay Prompts?
Stanford’s MBA application essays are unique. Therefore, you can’t paste your responses from another application. For 2025-2026, the Stanford essay prompts are:
- Essay A: What matters most to you, and why? (650 words) — This is Stanford’s signature application essay, which pushes candidates to reflect on their values, motivations, and life experiences. Instead of listing accomplishments, you’re prompted to dig into why your story matters and how it has shaped your perspective.
- Essay B: Why Stanford for you? (350 words) — Stanford’s MBA admissions committee wants to understand how the program’s academic offerings, culture, resources, and community will help you achieve your goals. Further, you are expected to align your aspirations with Stanford’s offerings.
TTP PRO TIP:
For essay A, instead of listing accomplishments, think about how your experiences have shaped your perspective.
Optional Short Answers & Additional Info Essays
The Stanford supplemental essays are:
Think about a time in the last five years when you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, civic, or academic settings. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the impact?
You are welcome to share up to three examples (up to 1,200 characters, or approximately 200 words, for each example).
Additionally, Stanford’s optional essays ask:
If there is any information that is critical for us to know and is not captured elsewhere, include it in the Additional Information section of the application. Pertinent examples include:
- Extenuating circumstances affecting your candidacy, including academic, work, or test-taking experiences
- Academic experience (e.g., independent research) not noted elsewhere
- Explanation of why you are not using a current supervisor as a recommender
This section should not be used as an additional essay.
If you’re wondering how to write Stanford supplements, you should share new information. Additionally, follow instructions carefully.
KEY FACT:
For the optional essay, you may share up to 3 brief examples, and your response must not exceed 1,200 characters.
What the Stanford Admissions Committee Is Looking For
Stanford’s admissions committee is interested in learning about who you are. Specifically, share examples of people, life lessons, and experiences that have shaped your perspective.
Depth of Self-Reflection and Authenticity
Stanford’s MBA essays aren’t about sounding impressive. Instead, they’re designed to reveal the real you. Further, your “what matters most” essay should be personal.
Clear Link Between Personal Values and Goals
Your Stanford essays should connect your past and present to the future. Specifically, Stanford’s MBA admissions committee doesn’t just want to learn about your career goals. Instead, it wants to know how your experiences and values have shaped your goals.
TTP PRO TIP:
Tie your past with your present and future by sharing how your experiences and values have shaped your goals.
Understanding of Stanford’s Unique Culture
Great Stanford essays reflect your strong understanding of its culture and offerings. In particular, Stanford GSB values collaboration, innovation, and leadership. Therefore, the best essays illustrate why the Stanford GSB community is best for you and your goals.
Tips for Writing the Stanford MBA Essays
Authenticity is key. Here’s how to ace the Stanford admissions essays:
How to Approach “What Matters Most” with Authenticity
First, choose a topic that resonates with you and your experiences. Then, discuss why it matters — not just what matters to you. Finally, avoid cliches — Stanford’s admissions committee has read thousands of essays about “making an impact” and “helping people.”
Craft a Compelling “Why Stanford for You?” Essay
Research Stanford’s offerings and distinctive MBA student culture. When researching Stanford, go beyond the website. Specifically, talk with students, alums, and the admissions team to understand what makes the program unique. Then, mention specific courses, programs, and extracurricular activities that will help you. Finally, balance your professional and personal development goals.
TTP PRO TIP:
Mention specific program offerings when you write about how a Stanford MBA will help you achieve your goals.
Balancing Personal Stories with Professional Aspirations
Your Stanford essays should include personal stories and professional ambitions. For example, a Stanford short essay example might describe how a volunteer experience shaped your leadership style in unexpected ways.
Additionally, follow the specific instructions regarding additional information.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Stanford’s application essays will stretch you in unexpected ways. However, there are several common mistakes to avoid:
Generic or Overused Stories
Do not rely on the same key stories that you may have written for other MBA applications. Instead, reflect on how your background and experiences have shaped who you are.
TTP PRO TIP:
Be sure to share how your experiences have shaped you instead of recycling the same stories from other MBA applications.
Focusing Too Much on Resume Highlights
Do not reuse key facts from your resume. Instead, use the essays to share something new about your background, motivations, and leadership experiences.
Writing What You Think the Ad Comm Wants to Hear
The admissions committee has seen the same cliches about leadership and helping people thousands of times. Instead, stay true to your stories and experiences.
TTP PRO TIP:
Stay true to your unique experiences instead of attempting to write what you think the admissions committee might want to hear.
Example Approaches and Inspiration
Personal Narrative Examples
Some accepted Stanford essays have described family experiences, community impact, or deeply personal failures. Great essays reveal the candidate’s honesty and self-awareness.
For example, a successful candidate wrote about coming out and how that experience shaped his life and outlook. Instead of discussing how the experience drove his ambitions, the candidate revealed how integral the experience was to staying true to who he is.
Great essays reveal the candidate’s honesty and self-awareness.
Aligning Career Goals with Stanford GSB Resources
The “Why Stanford for You?” essay should reference specific Stanford offerings. For example, accepted Stanford essays discussed:
- The Arbuckle Leadership Fellows Program
- The Stanford Venture Studio for entrepreneurs
- Stanford’s relationship to Silicon Valley companies
- The culture “Intellectual Vitality”
There are many resources to choose from. So, you must customize your response to match your career aspirations.
Key Takeaways
Stanford GSB is one of the most selective MBA programs in the world. However, the program offers tremendous opportunities for students.
Creating a standout Stanford MBA application requires weeks and months of self-reflection and planning. Additionally, most successful candidates rewrite their Stanford essays dozens of times.
If you’re serious about applying to Stanford GSB and want to put your best foot forward, review Stanford essays that worked and follow the tips we’ve outlined in this article. Good luck!
TTP PRO TIP:
Your Stanford MBA application may require weeks and months of self-reflection and planning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the Stanford MBA essay prompts?
The Stanford application essays are:
- Essay A: What matters most to you, and why?
- Essay B: Why Stanford for you?
How long should Stanford essays be?
Essay A should be up to 650 words, and Essay B should not exceed 350 words.
What does Stanford look for in MBA essays?
Stanford’s MBA admissions committee is looking for authenticity, self-reflection, leadership, and your alignment with GSB’s offerings.
Do I need to connect my personal story to career goals?
Generally, yes. Specifically, Stanford’s MBA admissions committee wants to understand your personal story, values, and ambitions.
How do Stanford’s essays differ from those of other schools?
Stanford’s essay prompts are more introspective than most MBA programs. Therefore, you must write essays that are specific to these questions.
What’s Next?
Stanford’s MBA application stretches most candidates, and an experienced perspective can be invaluable to the process. If you’d like help with your Stanford MBA application, book a free consultation with one of our expert admissions consultants today.
