Stanford University Mba

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 Sha p e

the

F u t u r e.

M B A M a k e

a

P R O G R A M

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

provides you with more opportunities for collaboration and leadership. Our small size is essential to giving you the opportunity to think deeply, strive valiantly, and move confidently toward your goals.

Learning Built Around You Management challenges are not “one size fits all.” At Stanford, neither is management education. We create the best educational experience for you, instead of building a curriculum around a “typical” student. Stanford offers the most challenging and engaging MBA education by calibrating your curriculum and learning to your background, interests, and career aspirations. And we provide individual guidance from faculty, career advisors, and leadership coaches along the way. As a result, your learning experience will be personal and transformational, for a lifetime of success.

School of the Future As a leader, you will be asked to solve problems that don’t exist today, with tools that have not yet been invented. Get ready here. Stanford bases learning on what you’ll need in the future, not solely on companies’ past experiences. You will develop strong management skills—and more. Acquire an ability to deal with uncertainty. Learn to ask the right questions. And immerse yourself in an innovative environment. All of which prepare you to create solutions for the challenges ahead.

Unparalleled Community and Strategic Size Stanford University is one of the world’s premier research and teaching institutions, seeking solutions and educating leaders to shape the world of tomorrow. We are one of the most selective MBA programs for good reason. With approximately 370 students per class, we can focus our substantial resources on you. This enables you to form close, lasting relationships with an unrivaled community of classmates, alumni, and faculty. And it

Choosing the right business school is a personal decision. Meet us. Learn more about who we are and what we stand for. We believe in the power of ideas and actions to make a difference. If you want to make a difference, start now. Start here. 3

P R O G R A M

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T H E More

C U R R I C U L U M

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 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.

Global Experience 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 How we teach is clearly different and an advantage. By selecting the most meaningful and effective teaching method for each subject, we maximize your learning and bring concepts to life. You will learn through group projects, discussions, small seminars, one-on-one research projects, simulations, prototyping, role-playing scenarios, global immersions, and case studies, as well as from your classmates’ rich backgrounds. Few MBA programs offer the diversity of learning opportunities that you find here.

Advising Team From the start, we support you with a team of people focused on helping you make the decisions that you feel are right for you. Your faculty advisor knows your background and provides guidance to enable your academic success. Leadership and writing coaches will help you develop these critical skills. A student life advisor will help you identify and pursue opportunities for putting leadership skills into practice, and career advisors help you identify your next steps. Each person on your team 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 cuttingedge research and groundbreaking ideas.

4 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 - C h a n g i n g.

L I F E 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— for the rest of your life.

STUDENTS

“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.

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.

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,

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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L I F E

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A L U M N I Ou r

A lu m ni

A r e

M a k ing

C O M M U N I T Y 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.

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, relationships 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.

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

8 A L U M N I

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ALUMNI REUNION DINNER

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L A U N C H I N G

Y O U R

Le v e r a g e

Our

C A R E E R

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:

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.

Knowledgeable Career Advisors who meet with you regularly and understand your professional goals.

Alliances with other MBA Career Centers that offer access to career centers at business schools around the world.

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. 10

C A R E E R S

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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 Ta k e

the

H E A R Ne x t

F R O M

Y O U

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 colleges, private institutions, and military service academies. They come directly from undergraduate programs and from the workplace. They come from more than 60 countries and with diverse academic backgrounds. And they come with a desire and willingness to add their knowledge and experience to yours. We look primarily for three things in MBA applicants:

Personal qualities and contributions—Your character, background, and interests will contribute to a stimulating, diverse educational experience. We look for individuals, not categories of people. You may apply once in a given year. We have three application rounds for entrance in fall 2009:

Intellectual vitality—Curiosity, a desire to learn and experience new things, and a willingness to share your knowledge and experiences. Test scores and transcripts lay the foundation, but your academic attitude is just as important as your aptitude.

Start Now

Application Deadline

Notification Date

Round One Round Two Round Three

29 October 2008 7 January 2009 8 April 2009

22 January 2009 2 April 2009 21 May 2009

Finally... Believe in yourself. We believe in you.

Demonstrated leadership potential—Your leadership abilities emerge through athletics, community service, extracurricular activities, internships, research projects, and part-time and full-time employment. 13

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

Inv e s t

in

Yo ur

E D U C A T I O N

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 Tuition for the 2008–2009 academic year is $48,921. To help you plan more easily, the tuition cost is guaranteed for two years based on your start class. Depending on marital status and other factors, you should budget an additional $25,000 to $35,000 per year for living costs, books, and other expenses.

GSB Loan Forgiveness Programs

Generous GSB loan forgiveness programs encourage Stanford MBA alumni to make meaningful contributions to social issues, economic growth, and political stability in organizations and regions where salaries typically are lower. The GSB Nonprofit/Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program supports MBA graduates entering the nonprofit and publicservice sectors. The GSB International Loan Forgiveness Program supports non–U.S. citizen MBA graduates working in organizations located in developing countries.

Financial Aid We do not consider your financial resources during the admission process. 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. 14

F I N A N C I A L

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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

Stanford University

Pacific Ocean

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 range of industries including construction, energy, financial services, retail, and technology. Silicon 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 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.

San Francisco

Stanford University San Jose

Publisher Copy Design Principal Photography

Photography

Printer

MBA Admissions Office GSB Publications Beth Ann Moore 1185 Design Palo Alto, California Anne Hamersky Debra McClinton Joel Simon Steve Castillo Julian Dufort Andy Dunn Steve Gladfelter Bob Holmgren Victoria Yee Lahlouh Burlingame, California

Stanford University opened in 1891 in Palo Alto, California, and has earned a world-class reputation 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 and advance the understanding of management and, with these ideas, develop innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change the world.

Every effort is made to ensure that the course information, applicable policies, and other materials contained in this MBA Program guide are accurate and current at the time the guide goes to press. The Stanford Graduate School of Business reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice. Stanford University admits students of either sex and any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University. Consistent with its obligations under the law, it prohibits discrimination, including harassment, against students on the basis of sex, race, age, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national and ethnic origin, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding this policy: the Director of the Diversity and Access Office, Mariposa House, 585 Capistrano Way, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-8230; 1.650.723.0755 (voice), 1.650.723.1216 (TTY), 1.650.723.1971 (fax); [email protected] (email). © 2008 by the Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University. All rights reserved.

Printed with soy-based inks on New Leaf Reincarnation paper, made with 100% recycled fiber and 50% post-consumer waste, and processed chlorine free.

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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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