Stanford GSB invites a select few applicants (typically, 2-3 per seat) who have submitted their written application to interview. The applicant is put in touch with their interviewer whereupon applicant and interviewer work out the best time, place, and format for the event—this is a process which takes roughly 7-10 days.
The MBA interview team at Stanford GSB is made up of both the admissions team and a small subset of global alumni.
Interviews typically last 45-60 minutes, though exceptions have been reported.
Interviews may be remote or in-person though be aware that Stanford does not accept requests to interview on campus as they have no campus-based interview program.
Stanford GSB employs a competency-based behavioral interview.
Stanford GSB sends out a more specific deadline after the application is processed. Because the interviews are arranged by individual applicants and team-members, there are no universal deadlines by which the applicant needs to schedule theirs.
| App Submission | Interview Window | Decision | |
| Round 1 | Sep 12, 2023 | Late Sep – Mid Nov | Dec 7, 2023 |
| Round 2 | Jan 4, 2024 | Mid Jan – Mid Mar | Mar 28, 2024 |
| Round 3 | Apr 9, 2024 | Late Apr – Mid May | May 23, 2024 |
More information available on Stanford’s deadline page.
There is no video essay at Stanford GSB.
Drawing from Menlo Coaching’s extensive client database of first-hand interview reports, this section offers the most up-to-date information on Stanford GSB’s interview process.
Stanford GSB’s MBA interviews are conducted by a member of the admissions team or by alumni, depending on the location and availability of both applicant and team member. These interviews are either remote or in-person though never on Stanford’s campus.
In terms of the alumni interviewer’s graduation years, our data shows a wide range, with interviewers being conducted by graduates from the mid-90s through the most recent graduating class.
Many applicants report interviewers being direct and to the point. This “no nonsense” varies from the concise and direct to the interruptive and jarringly brusk. One applicant, reported, for example, that the interviewer jumped right into behavioral questions with no time allotted for an introduction or questions about why the applicant preferred Stanford GSB. While some report interviewers as “conversational,” with some alumni interviewers offering insight and stories about their time at Stanford), other applicants refute this, saying that interviewers were friendly but still direct and down to business.
A Menlo Coaching client reported that their alumnus interviewer prefaced many behavioral and background questions with details about their own career and Stanford experiences.
With all this in mind, it is prudent to expect behavioral questions to be central and, in some cases, the only questions an applicant will be asked. Applicants have reported being disappointed at not getting to discuss their reasons for picking Stanford and general points of their biography so be aware that you may not be able to rely on your standard interview introductions to help set the tone.
Stanford GSB interviews typically fall between 45-60 minutes, though based on interview reports from the most recent cycle, the duration can occasionally exceed this.
For example, some clients have reported an hour long interview followed by 15 minutes of discussion with the opportunity to ask questions. A 2019 client reported half an hour of behavioral questions followed by 10 minutes of discussion cut short by an assertion on the interviewers behalf that time was up.
The most common reason for these extensions comes down to the personalities of the interviewers. While Stanford’s interview process is almost singularly focused on behavioral questions which can be answered in the first 30-45 minutes of the interview, some interviewers will want to talk about their experiences in the program or invite you to ask questions of them.
Because no interviews take place on Stanford’s campus and all interview locations, both virtual and in-person, are decided by the applicant and the interviewer on a case-by-case basis, the location and format are highly variable.
The Stanford GSB interview is conducted partially blind, meaning the interviewer will only have read your resume. The interview is a competency-based series of behavioral questions that focus on past experiences rather than hypothetical situations. Stanford’s interview page also makes a point of saying that applicants should feel free to discuss any meaningful professional or community-based experiences pertinent to the questions.
Interview reports show that the Stanford GSB approach is no-nonsense and direct but often quite friendly. One applicant reported that the interviewer interrupted frequently. A number of applicants reported that there was either no introductory period or a very brief one.
If you’re interested in prepping for your MBA interview with the Menlo Coaching team, reach out today! We offer mock interviews and school-specific training for HBS, Wharton, Sloan and more!
This section lists a number of possible Stanford GSB MBA interview questions. Like the details in the section above, these questions are sourced from Menlo Coaching’s client database of first-hand interview reports.
You can use the questions below to conduct mock interviews that mimic an actual conversation with a Stanford alum or admissions officer. Remember, however, that because the interviews at Stanford GSB are not blind, questions may be tailored to your specific resume and application.
For best results, however, consider seeking expert help via Menlo Coaching’s interview prep service.
If you’re looking for guidance on how to answer questions like these with confidence, here are detailed breakdowns for MBA interview questions.
