Stanford GSB MBA Interviews

Stanford GSB MBA interviews, while so hard to get, are not necessarily that hard in anyway. This interview about fit is determined by an alumni “gatekeeper.” Chances are good that this gatekeeper might be in your industry or in some manner have a complementary background for assessing you. For example, if you are perceived as lacking a particularly important attribute (professional experience in the field related to your goals or English skills for example), don’t be surprised if the alumni is someone who is in a good position to judge this. In some places with few alumni, a high level of complementary assessment (e.g., McKinsey applicant interviewed by Boston Consulting Group alum) would be less likely. Stanford GSB interviews are well known for going long. Do not stress out! If the interview is going longer than expected(of course in a pleasant way), that means you have managed to impress the interviewer.

Stanford asks a lot of situational questions. So brace yourself accordingly. Stanford GSB appreciates “We” rather than “I”. Though you want to portray yourself as an achiever, you cannot afford to sound arrogant.

Stanford GSB MBA Frequently Asked Interview Questions

Tell me something about yourself?
Walk me through your resume?
Why MBA? Why Stanford GSB school?
Why MBA now or Why MBA at this stage of your career?
What is your short & long term goals?
What is your Plan B if consulting/Investment banking does not happen?
What are your key strengths? Can you give some examples please?
What is your biggest weakness ? Can you give some examples please?
How can you add value to the Class?
Why should we take you?
One reason that we should not select you?
Interests and Hobbies – Be prepared!.. questions as basic as “Why do you do poetry (or any other activity” may be asked.
Some Situational & Behavioral Question
- What would you describe are your greatest achievement to date?
- Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict while working on a team. How did you handle that?
- Give me an example of a time when you did not meet a client’s expectation. What happened, and how did you attempt to rectify the situation?
Case questions are fairly common in MBA interview especially for consulting aspirants. Below are a few sample for to practice for:
- How many Golf balls can fit in a Boeing 747?
- What’s the global market size for smartphones?
Do you have any Question for us?

Stanford GSB Interview Questions -1

1 Alumnus. Met at his office. Interview started 10 minutes late but lasted for exactly 60 minutes (which can be broken down into: 5 of minutes breaking the ice, 45 minutes of interview and 10 minutes of me asking a question and wrapping up). Friendly environment.

Here are the questions, in order asked, to the best of my memory:

A) Introduction
Let me introduce myself
B) Future
Why MBA?
Why GSB?
Post MBA plans?
Why post MBA industry?
C) Behavior
What is your biggest accomplishment at work?
Tell me about a leadership experience?
Tell me about your most meaningful achievement?
Tell me about a good leader
Why? What makes him a good leader?
Have you ever demonstrated these qualities?
Tell me about a bad leader?
Why? What would you have done if you were in his shoes?
Tell me about a time you were faced with two attractive situations (you made a difficult decision)
Why was it difficult?
D) Closing
Any questions for me?

My advice would be: prepare in advance. know your stories (esp. behavioral ones). be confident sharing them. No need for superhuman stories. Just be genuine and reasonable. And, do not forget to keep that smile on your face throughout ?

Stanford GSB Interview Questions – 2

Very typical to Stanford interview. No oddball questions, relaxed and a very good feeling of the process and after. We met at the alumnus office around lunch time and interview lasted exactly 45 minutes.

I was asked:

Tell me about the time you faced an obstacle
Tell me about the time you worked with a difficult person
Tell me about the time you were innovative
Do you have anything what you would like to me to say about you to ad com?
Questions for me?

Excited about the decision.

Stanford GSB Interview Questions – 3

The interview was in the office of the alumnus. It was strictly behavioral with examples of leadership.

45 minutes interview, 10-15 minutes for Q&A

1) Describe an accomplishment in the past 5 years you are proud of.

2) Explain a situation when you were blocked from your goals and you figured your way around it

3) Give a leadership example

4) Why MBA, Why Stanford

5) How do you deal with conflict

6) Anything else you want to add…

Stanford GSB Interview Questions – 4

My interviewer was a banker. Very friendly and personable. He stuck to the clock, asked me questions for 30 mins and gave me 15 mins to ask him Qs. For the most part, I spent the first 30 minutes explaining my reasoning behind every transition, educational and professional on my resume.

Why did you do a Master’s degree (non-MBA)?
Why MBA, you already have a Master’s? Why now?
Why Stanford?
What other schools did you apply to? Why?
What has been your most significant accomplishment and why?
Explain to me how you lead in your work or in some other context?
Tell me about a time when you failed within a team.
What was your favorite class in college?

Questions I asked the interviewer:

How has the MBA influenced your career and life?
What has the GSB done for you that no other b-school could?
What was your fondest memory at the GSB?
Given my background, how can I make the most of the Stanford MBA?

Stanford GSB Interview Questions – 5

The interview lasted about an hour. the guy explained he would go through a standardized list of questions… also spent 5 minutes explaining the process: interview was a good sign but not a guarantee of success blah blah blah.
you have already quite a list of academic achievements. why do you need mba then? when did you realize you needed one?
… and why stanford?
explain to me how you lead in your work or in some other context? i want to understand how exactly you do.
what has been your greatest accomplishment?
Criticism you received: example and how did you react? what did you think of your supervisor then?
Tell me about a nonbusiness book you read?
Tell me how you influence your peers [given that you’re working mainly with peers]? I want a precise example of how you achieve this influence/leadership. there, it was clear he wanted an episode / very precise set of actions.
Tell me about an occasion when you were under bad leadership. what did you learn?
then it was his turn to talk. i asked him about his background and progression and how stanford played a role in it. then we discussed about how stanford most helped him become more entrepreneurial and he gave some useful tips as to how best use the faculty. then his wife called and he apologized he had to leave!

Stanford GSB Interview Questions – 6

Stanford GSB Interview Questions – 7

Met with the alumni at her company in a meeting room. The interview lasted 45 minutes. This was definitely a very conversational interview which allowed me to speak to my experiences in my professional, academic, extracurricular, and especially my personal life. I can only describe this as one of the most enlightening and down-to-earth interviews I’ve had thus far. We went through her list of “Stanford recommended” questions:

What was the point/situation that made you realize you wanted an MBA?
Why Stanford?
Tell me about a challenging time for you.
Tell me a time where you failed as a leader. What was the reaction of those under you?
What do you believe to be your greatest achievement?
Tell me about a great leader you had and what you learned from this person.
What was the best college course you took?
Why aren’t you applying to schools X and Y?
What is the best constructive criticism you’ve received?
What is a non-business book you’ve read and what did you learn from it?

Then, I was given 5 minutes to ask her questions. During the interview we conversed on women in business, swapped book recommendations and community service orgs to look into, and both spoke about our passion for “why Stanford.” We discussed Stanford’s culture, class dynamics, location, which classes to take, professors and their research, and hands-down, how the GSB offers the best leadership development and growth through its general management program. We also discussed opportunities in the social sector – though I had clearly emphasized my interest in marketing. Since I had been to campus several times for the 1) Info Session, 2) GSB Tour, 3) Lunch w/ Student, and 4) In-Class Visit, I was also able to speak about the GSB on a personal level to reinforce the “why Stanford” for me.

Stanford GSB MBA Interviews