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“MCB made me fall in love with the application process.”
— Apoorva: 10 applications, 9 interviews, 6 admits, $250K in scholarships
If you’ve looked into graduate study at Stanford University, you’ve probably heard of Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS)—a graduate scholarship program with a focus on fostering the development of globally conscious future leaders through multidisciplinary graduate education.
You may also have heard that the acceptance rate is extremely low.
Denning House, the inspiring space that hosts the program. Photo credit: Henrik Kam.
This article discusses the elite Stanford scholarship, including eligibility, acceptance rate, why the program is so exclusive, and some tips on how to improve your chances of becoming a Knight-Hennessy scholar.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Acceptance Rate
Knight-Hennessy Scholars has an exceptionally low acceptance rate, typically only accepting around one out of every hundred applicants. The scholarship accepts fewer than 100 scholars each year, but receives thousands of applications.
The number of scholars accepted each year is theoretically capped at 100—although, as you can see below, 89 is the highest number enrolled in any one year so far.
Year
Number of Scholars
Total Number of Applications
Acceptance Rate
2018
51
3,600
~1.4%
2019
68
~4,200*
~1.6%
2020
70
6,171
~1.1%
2021
80
~7,000*
~1.1%
2022
71
~7,000*
~1.0%
2023
84
~7,500*
~1.1%
2024
89
8,271
~1.1%
2025
84
8,570
~0.9%
*Estimates based on Stanford press releases and news articles.
The average acceptance rate of the scholarship since its inception in 2018 is ~1.2%. As the table shows, the number of scholars accepted has risen less sharply than the number of applications received, so the acceptance rate has trended still further downward over time.
Note that there is one mitigating factor to consider if you’re finding this picture overly gloomy: Each year, a significant proportion of applicants submit a KHS application but never complete their application for an actual degree program. Why? One reason is that the KHS application is free, whereas degree applications have costs attached. And at least a few candidates make the mistake of thinking the KHS application also counts as an application to their program.
Whatever the reason, discounting these unserious applicants from the total would result in a somewhat less minuscule acceptance rate. As a serious applicant, you’re already ahead of a lot of the competition in at least one respect!
Knight-Hennessy Admissions Statistics
Some further statistics about trends in who exactly is accepted are provided below.
GPA Average
Competitive: 3.7+ (many 3.9+)
GMAT/GRE Average
Not published; must meet/beat Stanford grad program standards, since enrollment in a grad program is a prerequisite
Avg. Years Work Experience
Not specified; several years are common, especially for professional degrees such as MBAs
Top Graduate Programs
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars cohorts from 2022 onwards are broken down below according to the field of study scholars are pursuing at Stanford. (Note that, because some scholars pursue dual-degree programs, the percentages can add up to more than 100.)
2022
2023
2024
2025
Business
15%
15%
18%
17%
Education
6%
5%
5%
5%
Engineering
17%
21%
24%
25%
Humanities & Sciences
25%
16%
16%
21%
Law
18%
18%
19%
17%
Medicine
23%
21%
20%
26%
Sustainability
1%
5%
6%
5%
As you can see, proportions of scholars in different fields of study fluctuate somewhat year on year but are overall relatively stable. It’s notable that students of Business, Engineering, Law, and Medicine predominate; the very broad category of Humanities & Sciences is represented only at about the same level as each of these more specific fields.
For 2022 and 2023, Knight-Hennessy also provided a breakdown according to the level of degree scholars were pursuing, indicating that the largest proportion enrolled in professional degrees (e.g., the Stanford MBA). Given the program’s emphasis on leadership, this makes sense.
2022
2023
Master’s
27%
22%
Doctoral
35%
36%
Professional
44%
42%
Top Undergraduate Majors
Scholars have pursued a wide range of majors in their undergrads. The 2018 and 2019 cohorts included
The list includes many leading universities in the US and abroad. While Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Yale, and other elite institutions are represented, the cohort is intentionally diverse and includes scholars from less traditionally represented schools as well.
Notably, many scholars have international backgrounds; 48% of the 2025 cohort hold non-US passports.
Pre-Stanford Industries & Employers
Scholars have backgrounds in a wide variety of sectors, including but not limited to
Academia
Healthcare and Medicine
Engineering & Technology
Law & Policy
Business & Entrepreneurship
Nonprofits & Humanitarian Aid
Profiles and reports highlight that scholars have worked for
Major NGOs and humanitarian organizations
Leading tech companies
Startups and entrepreneurial ventures
Academic and research institutions
Government agencies
Major consulting firms
Eligibility Requirements
The Knight-Hennessy eligibility requirements are
Admission to a Stanford graduate program (including, but not limited to, DMA, JD, MA, MBA, MD, MFA, MPP, MS, or PhD programs)
Undergraduate degree date within the last six years
To be eligible, therefore, applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree within the last six years and must be accepted by—and enroll in—a full-time Stanford University graduate degree program. There is no minimum GPA requirement for Knight-Hennessy, but applicants must meet any GPA requirements for their specific degree programs.
Applicants must apply directly to a Stanford degree program and to Knight-Hennessy Scholars. No endorsements from colleges or universities are required. No specific graduate degree program at Stanford is given preferred consideration for the Knight-Hennessy fellowship, although some fields tend to predominate.
Knight-Hennessy encourages applicants to review the eligibility requirements and application process on its website, including the submission of a video statement and test scores.
Three Criteria for Admission
In the admissions process, Stanford Knight-Hennessy scholars must demonstrate evidence of the following criteria:
Independence of thought
Purposeful leadership
Civic mindset
Not all applicants will be equally strong in all areas, so everyone is encouraged to showcase their strengths in different ways in their application materials.
Why Is Knight-Hennessy Scholars So Exclusive?
Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford is among the most exclusive graduate scholarships in the world for several reasons:
The dual admission requirement makes the scholarship more competitive: Applicants must first gain admission to a full-time Stanford graduate program—already a tall order. Only after being admitted can they be considered for Knight-Hennessy Scholars.
There’s a global applicant pool. Anyone worldwide applying to any Stanford graduate program can also apply for the scholarship, resulting in thousands of highly qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds competing for fewer than 100 spots annually.
The scholarship has a holistic mission-driven selection criteria, seeking not only academic excellence but also exceptional leadership potential, a clear vision for positive global impact, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion. This multidimensional evaluation narrows the field, disqualifying many otherwise excellent candidates.
The generous funding and resources on offer—including full tuition coverage, a stipend, and access to unique professional development opportunities—are extremely attractive, tempting many students to apply.
Benefits of the Scholarship for Graduate Studies
As mentioned above, the Knight-Hennessy scholarship provides full funding for up to three years of graduate study, including tuition, living expenses, and other benefits. Scholars also have access to a wide range of resources, including mentorship, experiential learning, and community engagement, to support their academic and professional development.
The program offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to develop as global leaders, with a focus on driving meaningful change, giving scholars a chance to become part of a diverse and vibrant community of students from around the world.
How Can I Improve My Prospects?
To strengthen your application for Knight-Hennessy Scholars, consider the following strategies:
During any current studies, focus on academic excellence, maintaining a high GPA, and pursuing rigorous coursework and research.
Demonstrate leadership and impact, highlighting meaningful leadership roles, entrepreneurial initiatives, or community service.
In your application, articulate a clear vision, presenting a compelling narrative about your long-term goals and how you intend to make a positive impact on the world.
Emphasize independence of thought, showcasing examples of times you challenged the status quo, introduced innovative ideas, or approached problems creatively.
Give yourself enough time to prepare strong application materials, crafting thoughtful essays and securing positive letters of recommendation.
Start the application process well in advance of the deadline.
Highlight diversity and inclusion, giving examples of how you will contribute to the diversity of the cohort.
Prepare for the interviews; practice articulating your vision, leadership experiences, and fit with the program’s values in both individual and group interview settings.
Make sure you fulfill all eligibility criteria, double-checking the Knight-Hennessy website to ensure you submit all required documents.
There’s clearly no surefire way to win such a selective scholarship—many excellent candidates are rejected every year—but by excelling in these areas and presenting a cohesive, authentic application, you can maximize your chances.
Final Thoughts
Knight-Hennessy Scholars is highly competitive, and it values leadership, civic commitment, and academic excellence across diverse backgrounds.
To date, there have been only 597 scholars—out of over 50,000 applicants.
If you’re applying to study an MBA or JD at Stanford and you have the ambition to join the next Knight-Hennessy cohort, you can schedule a free consultation with one of our expert MBA admissions consultants or law school admissions coaches, where we can discuss your chances and how to strategize your application.
*All data retrieved from the Knight-Hennessy Scholars website, unless otherwise stated.
Luke Anthony Peña
Principal, Consulting & BD
Education: BA, BS, MA, MBA
Having served as Director of Admissions at Stanford GSB, Dartmouth Tuck, and the ultraselective Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, Luke is among the most qualified admissions consultants in the industry. He has chaired admissions committees, personally reviewed thousands of applications, and interviewed candidates from across the world; he knows admissions inside out.
