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Stanford University's Graduate School of Business (GSB) is consistently ranked as one of the top business schools in the world. As such, it's no surprise that the competition for a spot in the MBA program is fierce, with many highly qualified candidates placed on the waitlist each year.
Read the full guide to the business school here: Stanford GSB — MBA Program & Application Overview | Leland
What is an MBA Waitlist?
An MBA waitlist is a list of applicants who have neither been accepted nor rejected from a business school’s MBA program. Instead, they have been placed on a waiting list and will be considered for acceptance if and when spots in the program become available. Waitlists are often used by business schools to manage the number of students admitted each year and to ensure a diverse and qualified class within the Stanford community.
For applicants placed on an MBA waitlist, it signals that the admissions office and admissions committee view them as competitive candidates, though they are unable to offer a spot at the moment. The Stanford waitlist acceptance rate can be competitive; however, waitlisted applicants are considered seriously for any open spots in the incoming class.
Applicants may be asked to provide additional information or updates on their grade point averages to be considered for acceptance off the waitlist. The college counselor often advises waitlisted applicants on navigating this process, including when and how to submit updates.
All is not lost—there are strategies applicants can employ to improve their chances of moving from the waitlist to being admitted students at Stanford. The waitlist process is highly competitive, and earning a place on the waitlist alone is a noteworthy achievement.
An Overview of MBA Waitlist Strategy
Exceptional students on Stanford's waitlist often demonstrate many qualities the school seeks in admitted students, meaning they have a strong foothold in the admissions process. When developing a waitlist strategy, it’s crucial to consider what top MBA programs, like Stanford, prioritize in candidates.
In general, MBA programs want to admit:
- Individuals who align with the program's values – Demonstrating intellectual vitality and alignment with Stanford’s values is a key factor. A successful application showcases how a candidate's strengths match what Stanford seeks in its academic community.
- Those who show the potential for success – Top schools seek candidates who would thrive with or without the MBA, using the program as a stepping stone rather than a necessity. These candidates are seen as investments in Stanford's academic leadership and are more likely to be considered for future admission.
- Applicants with a strong commitment to attend if admitted – Yield is important for rankings, so programs prioritize applicants who have a clear preference for Stanford. If Stanford is the top choice, candidates should convey that commitment through the waitlist response form, highlighting that they would accept an offer if admitted.
Consider these points in relation to the application. Identifying areas for improvement can help strengthen a candidate's profile over the next few months.
How to Get Off Stanford’s Waitlist
For students who are on Stanford’s waitlist, here are some things they can do to increase their chances of being admitted.
Provide meaningful updates to the admissions committee
Meaningful updates on academic achievement may include changes in test scores, grade point averages, promotions, or new roles. Or, it can involve updates from other schools. For students admitted into other programs, let the GSB know and reaffirm continued interest in Stanford’s program.
Get a reference letter from a GSB student/alum
To clarify, this is not an additional letter of recommendation; rather, it’s a showing of support that is simple and to the point from someone with a connection to the school.
Last year, two Leland customers were put on the GSB waitlist. They started working with a current student’s startup who then sent in periodic emails of support. This made a huge difference in Stanford’s eventual decision to admit both of them. This one requires a more sensitive approach, we highly recommend strategizing your personal waitlist strategy with an expert.
Continue to build a relationship with the school
As mentioned above, business schools want to admit applicants who actually want to get into that program. The more that applicants can demonstrate their sole commitment to GSB’s specific program, the better their chances of getting off the waitlist. A few ways to continue to build this relationship include:
- Visit the campus and take tours
- Get to know the professors and students
- Make sure oneself is signed up for the school’s emails and open/engage with them
- Attend free events, webinars, etc. hosted by the school
The waitlist is more like a waiting pool. They will pull people off who show the school that they are a good fit.
Don’t overdo it
In all the above steps, it’s important not to overwhelm the admissions team with supplementary materials or frequent updates. Applicants should be tactful with their inbound; they must only send information that actually strengthens their candidacy and is meaningful. And, lastly, be sure to consistently check the Stanford GSB application portal for updates!
Read more about waitlist strategy at How to Get Off the MBA Waitlist: Insider Tips for Admissions
While being waitlisted can be a disappointment, it is not the end of an applicant's MBA journey. Candidates should do what they can to improve their chances but also take time to review their career goals. They may consider whether reapplying next year is a viable option. If so, they should look for ways to strengthen their application and connect with members of the program’s community. Usually, reapplicants are looked upon favorably because they show a genuine commitment to the school.
The Bottom Line
To ensure the application is being improved as effectively as possible, we highly recommend working with an expert MBA admissions consultant who has experience with Stanford GSB. These coaches can provide the most accurate information regarding the school’s values and culture. Below are some of our highest-rated MBA admissions coaches; browse all of them here.
Read these articles for additional information on how to maximize your chances of getting off the waitlist and what to do if you ultimately don't:
FAQs
What are the odds of getting on the MBA waitlist?
- For the 2019 year, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reported waitlist acceptance rates for top schools ranging from a low of 2% at Harvard to 15% for Chicago Booth. The average across those top schools was 6%.
What is the acceptance rate for GSB MBA?
- Around 6-7% Gaining admission to Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) is incredibly challenging due to its highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate typically around 6-7%.
What is the conversion rate for MBA waitlist applicants?
- U.S. News surveyed 91 ranked colleges which reported that they admitted anywhere from zero to 100% of MBA wait-listed applicants. On average, 1 in 5 MBA waitlisted applicants got admitted.
What are the odds of getting into Stanford GSB?
- The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) has one of the most competitive acceptance rates in the world, typically ranging between 6% to 7%. This figure reflects the highly selective nature of the program, with thousands of applicants vying for a limited number of spots each year.
What are the odds of getting an interview at Stanford GSB?
- With Stanford GSB interviewing 2-3 applicants for every seat, the Stanford MBA interview is designed to narrow the pool further, increasing the odds to about 33-50%.
Are my chances good when on a waitlist?
- At some highly selective schools, only a handful of students, if any, may get in off the waitlist each year, while at other colleges, your chances could could be 20% or higher. These numbers can fluctuate from year to year, though, so it's difficult to provide definitive percentages.
How prestigious is Stanford GSB?
- In recent rankings, Stanford GSB was ranked 1st by Bloomberg Businessweek, 1st by QS Top Universities, and 1st by U.S. News & World Report. In the ranking aggregator Poets & Quants Stanford's MBA Program was ranked 1st in the U.S. In the inaugural LinkedIn MBA rankings (2024), Stanford was ranked #1 globally.
What is a good waitlist conversion rate?
- The waitlist approach generally produces a conversion rate of 8% to 15%.
Can you get into Stanford GSB without an interview?
- If invited to interview, you will be matched with a member of our interview team which includes a small subset of our alumni community and MBA Admissions team. Your interview may be conducted virtually or in person. Interviews are by invitation only and are required for admission.
