Thank you for the video, is the most informative MBA admission video that I have seen. HBS and stanford business are my dream schools. I hope you continue telling your journey in Stanford Graduate school.
@@rodolfosierracarrillo8524 Stanford stood out to me mainly because of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It is truly unmatched. The proximity to silicon valley, the professors who often founded or led unicorns themselves, the classmates who are working on one or two ideas on the side,... all of this felt uniquely alive to me. I did not want to go to business school to become a manager made to work in a large corporation. I wanted to embrace my entrepreneurial spirit and Stanford is the place to do so. It also helped that Stanford has significantly better stats than all other schools (i.e., selectivity e.g., avg. GMAT is 10 points higher, avg. GPA is 3.8 vs. 3.6 at HBS, .... and outcomes avg. salary is highest by far, number of unicorn founders per 1000 students is highest with 3). Overall my analysis just led me to conclude that this is the best business school in the world, which also fits my entrepreneurial nature.
@@rodolfosierracarrillo8524 I can't promise that I will have a lot of time, but you can find me on LinkedIn and send me your draft, when you are ready. If I find the time to do it justice, I'll send you my thoughts. Generally I would recommend you find one or two friends who know you really well and understand the application process to give you feedback. That will help you much more than a random dude on the internet 😉
Hey Haziq, thanks for the great feedback! I will upload a video sharing the essay that got me into Stanford incl. a few tips of how to craft your own story. Feel free to subscribe if you want to get notified of that. KR Lukas
So incredibly helpful. Please continue posting if it would not be inconvenient for you -- what made you choose Stanford over the other schools, day in the life of an MBA student, for instance. Please, please, please! :)
Wow, Ji Eun! Means a lot to me that you found my videos so helpful. Ok, I'll do a video about what Stanford GSB is like. Maybe I'll do a little bit of Q&A as well. KR Lukas
thank you for sharing this! About interviews, I thought that I really need to say what I accomplished and How my leadership shone at that time, which I didn't(couldn't) at my recent interview. (I just told them more like facts.. what I do..) I want to know more about your writing essay part ! :)
You're welcome. It's good to share such leadership stories in the interview. It just shouldn't lead to an endless monologue of you showing off. If you want to hear more about my essay, feel free to check out the video I just uploaded, reading my Stanford essay and explaining my best tips. KR Lukas P.S.: If there's other content on the MBA that you are interested in/have questions about... feel free to ask in the comments. E.g.,: Is there a type of video that you wish I'd make?
@@LukasHaffer Yes, thank you for your comments! I'd love to hear about life at GSB so far and also the essay writing & interview process you went through with other schools as well. (esp. HBS, cause HBS essay is as difficult as Stanford's) Also, I've just got admission to one of the top schools! So HAPPY :) but also will challenge other schools in 2nd round. your video is really informative!
@@LukasHaffer Yes! I'm targeting H/S/W and Stanford is my first choice in terms of every aspects. but those three schools are long shots for everyone. :) you got admitted from all of those schools - so amazing.
Hello, Fantastic video definitely going to subscribe! Do you know which age is the best to apply for a mba? And also does age matter, like 32 or above for the application proces? Thanks in advance!
Hi Fahim, thanks for the great feedback. The average age of an MBA student is ca 29, with people mostly ranging from 26-33 - there are however exceptions with some students coming in as old as 40. The more important question is: Is the MBA the right next step in your career? Does it enable you to do what you want to do afterwards? If so, apply! KR Lukas
Do you think I can get into Wharton and Stanford having a 6month internship that you did in undergrad school having everything else perfect? Ps. How many years would you recommend working for to get into Harvard Stanford Yale Princeton and Wharton?
Is senior cabin crew experience good for mba with an engineering degree,I have worked as a software engineer for more than one year but currently I'm working as a cabin crew..
Great video really liked it, just a question is it needed to have work experience? What if I direct after having my undergraduate want to study for MBA? And does working on your own startup count as experience?
Hi nbaplayer, thanks for the feedback. The value of an MBA comes from everyone in the class bringing relevant work experience. You yourself absorb more of the knowledge in case studies if you can relate them to previous work experience and your classmates benefit more from your perspective on case studies if you bring relevant examples from your work. So, I generally recommend people to go out into the working world an make an impact. Take responsibility and improve the world around you. Once the time comes to apply for an MBA and it seems like the right next learning opportunity for you, you will have the track record of impactful leadership that the schools look for. KR Lukas
I don't agree with this. I understand the frustration and have had many conversations about how to address unequal admissions practices. I think being in IT is awesome because of the impact one person can have and India is developing rapidly, which means lots of opportunities for entrepreneurs in the upcoming decades. So there's cool stuff to do and b-schools should support people who can make an impact in the upcoming decades. If you are an Indian male in IT, I would use the essay to carve out a unique brand (which I am sure everyone can!) and highlight the impact you want to have. Plus, making sure your english is as good as it can be helps as well. That goes for all internationals! KR Lukas
@@LukasHaffer There is a caste system in USA MBA admissions. Most Indian IT males would be better served by spending that money on a STEM IT related Masters in US.
Hi Monique, I am happy you liked it. HBS is a dream for many and it was for me, too. Would you want me to dive deeper into the way I approached the HBS essay specifically or go through my whole HBS application package (with stats etc.)?
Congrats on your big journey :D // I am frustrated with GMAT verbal especially "CR" part. I feel like I cannot unlock my understandings because I still did it wrong. I have been doing 4 mock tests and the results were still the same (under 600). Do you think should I take a little break from GMAT and go for IELTS this time instead so I won't waste the time? Thank you. I will keep pushing and chinning myself up. Have been failed for many times lol
Hey, thanks! I can understand your frustration. The GMAT is indeed a test in patience and grit! What I can recommend to you, as it has truly helped me out in the verbal section is "The Tested Tutor" here on youtube. He has great explanation videos, that get you to operate the way he approached the verbal section: Very calmly, slowly and precisely. Have a look and try it out. Also what are you using so far as a tool to study?
Such a concisely put video. Very informative, loved the quick summary points in the end. Thank you very much for explaining everything so patiently and coherently. Not many Ivy school admission process with quality content are available on RU-vid. Congratulations on getting accepted and wish you a very successful future ahead.
If I am with very good GMAT 740 score and good GPA of 3.7, BUT DON'T HAVE WORK EXPERIENCE, BUT I HAVE FOUNDED COMPANIES AND I AM YOUNG 24, AND GREAT COMMUNITY EXTRACURICULAR ACTIVITY. CAN ME BEING YOUNG AND NOT HAVING WORK EXPERIENCE BE A DEAL BREAKER. I WANT TO BUILD THIS PROFILE
Thank you so much for the amazingly informative video. It encapsulated almost all the aspects of the MBA application journey very succinctly. I have completed my first part of the journey ( GMAT) and am currently researching schools. Your tips are indeed very useful. Thanks again and best wishes for an enriching and enlightening stint @ Stanford
@@jamiecapri3465 Hi Jamie, the GMAT can be taken in-person in testing centers (in almost all big cities globally) or online (at least during the pandemic). You can check mba.com for more details. KR Lukas
Hi! Im currently an undergrad student. Would it be okay if you can make a video on your stats and things you did in your undergrad (eg. Research, president of club, ect)? And maybe what to strive in ones career to have a better chance into getting into these MBA programmes? Thanks!
Hey Adani, thanks for the question. I am happy to talk a bit more about that. I'll put that on my todo list. A little info up front: I led a social entrepreneurial student organization in college: Roughly 75 people, working on a lot of cool ideas to create social startups. Some of them worked out, some of them didn't. I talked a little about that in some of my essays and I think it highlights a part of my personality that fits well into MBA programs (i.e., responsible leadership). I am also thinking about doing a short series of videos on early career advice. Maybe I'll interview some of my Stanford classmates about how they made their mark in their fields (e.g., consulting, private equity, startups, ...). What do you think about that?
I know it's hard to quantify, but I had about a 3.6 gpa at Cornell university. I have 3 years of experience in an HR development/rotation program. Do you think 700 gmat would suffice, or should I aim for 730+? Great video!
look man im a job creator im not lookin to hire a bunch of number crunchers I want people who retain information ... the sense of urgency in the education system is a total failure
Hi, thank you for the video! Would you happen to know if an MiM from ESSEC Business School, France (ranked #3 globally for the program) is somewhat equivalent to doing an MBA from one of the Tier-1 (not Ivy League) Schools in terms of job prospects and salary? Thank you!
Hi Drake, in order to answer that question I would look at the profile of the incoming classes in each of these schools and the outcomes in the career reports. That will give you an idea. Geography is also a major factor (i.e., do you want to work in France, Germany, Britain, the US, Asia, ...?). KR Lukas
Which skill your in unique you go to in Stanford and you unique person but which skill in your best not only mark GMAT your best skill like in Stanford 😊😊
Hello Lukas, thanks a lot for the video, it was very insightful! I wanted to ask you a couple of questions, if you have the time. What are your thoughts on (i) attending the events that the schools set up, and (ii) reaching out current students or alumni? Do these two things help? - Events > Can't see how. If they do, could you explain how? - Reaching out alumni and students > Where within the process? I can only see that name-dropping in the interview could be beneficial maybe?
Hi Guillofanto, thanks for your feedback. I think the events give a first impression of what the school is like - friendly, helpful staff and a culture of "change lives, change organizations, change the world". Reaching out to current students to learn about the MBA program is definitely useful. You will get different perspectives on how to utilize the MBA to reach your personal growth goals. Alumni and current students can also give you a feeling for what kinds of people you would meet at Stanford (smart, driven/ambitious but kind and authentic). Saying that you spoke with students and alumni might help show that you did your research and are really applying to the school that is the right fit (culture, atmosphere, course offering, ...) for your goals! KR Lukas
I am BDS graduate(dentist) which is similar to DDS in USA. Now I'm doing my internship after which I'll get my graduation done. Can you tell me do I need work experience in hospital before applying for Standard MBA program? P.S. This video is very good for students like us, thanks for the video.
Hi Rishi, happy you liked the video! The average work experience before the MBA is 4 years. You need very strong arguments to enroll beforehand (e.g., strong leadership experience, top gmat and top grades). KR Lukas
Those who have heard every single word this person's suggestion must not have any doubt that why he was able to crack multiple top b-schools in the world where many of us fail to get even one of them. Thanks a lot Lukas every piece of advice was gold in this video. Heartiest congratulations Lukas for this great achievement. God bless Cheers...!✌🏼
I'm currently in high school what do I need to do after the high school to get in ? And please tell what did you did after the high school Thanks I'm from india
Hi, after high school I studied business administration at the University of Cologne in Germany. I built a student-run non profit organization during college and founded multiple social start-ups. Some of them failed, some of them are still around today and are led by successors of mine. After college I worked in consulting for less than a year, before I joined a client company as Chief of Staff to lead a corporate turnaround. This means, I worked a lot and really dedicated a lot of passion and energy to making a company grow successfully that was struggling before. Together with a strong management team we were successful and the company now has more than 300 employees in Germany. Concerning the question of what to do after high school to get in, see my answer on a different comment: "My two biggest tips are: 1) Take responsibility and 2) prioritize steep learning curves. Firstly, wherever you are, whatever you are doing - taking responsibility to improve the world around you will inevitably lead to strong character development and produce the kind of achievements that top MBA adcoms are looking for. I didn't think about an MBA when choosing jobs or projects and I'd suggest it to be an afterthought for you as well. Focus on the now. Take responsibility to do your best today and you will be ready to apply when the time comes. Secondly, prioritizing steeper learning curves will lead you outside of your comfort zone and push you to realize your full potential. When I joined consulting, I chose a technology focused firm over a business oriented one, which meant I had to learn a lot of new things about computer science. This wasn't easy. But it is what enabled me later to be a competent Chief of Staff to a financial technology firm so early in my career. Concerning GPA (with focus on India): I know the competition of Indian engineers is strong. Do your best in your studies today and a top GMAT score will later enable you to provide a strong, competitive application. KR Lukas"
Thank you for this video lukas. Im a 20 year old medical dropout because i was always interested in business. I dont have any degree but i run 2 companies ( consists heavy machinery and a team of 30 workers) . It is my dream to do my mba from stanford so will this count as my workex or my workex has to be in the field of my graduation ( im currently pursuing bachelor's in tourism and services because it requires less attention and easy to score😅). Plss help!
Congratulations on your businesses! Happy things are working well. Why do you need an MBA? Your background is uncommon and if you really wanted to apply for an MBA your application would have to be very unique as well! So, I'm curious: What do you want to do with your life and how would an MBA help you? KR Lukas
@@LukasHaffer the thing is im a really ambitious person and i have some huge plans for my future. In order to achieve my dreams i have to become a better leader. I need an mba to improve my management skills and from stanford because they are the best in the field. The key advantage of going to such prestigious schools is their Networking and their teaching style. I have risked my whole life to achieve my goals and im not stopping now.
Hi Chetan, thanks for your question. It is possible to be admitted via deferred admissions programs / 2+2 programs right in your last year of college, but the expectation is to then go on to work for 2 years before you pursue your MBA. I once heard of people who get admitted completely without work experience, however the only example I know in my class is someone who went to the US military academy and started their MBA right after finishing that. Not sure whether the military service alongside the academy was considered work experience in that case. Overall, I can say that it is much much harder to get admitted without work experience and there are many reasons why that's good: The MBA experience really relies on you yourself having experiences from the real world to draw upon when working through cases in class. It also relies on your classmates having had some impactful real world experiences that enable them to contribute to the class with their unique perspectives e.g., we had cases on payment systems in an African country and one classmate had previously served as Chief of Staff of that country's biggest fintech. This means admitting a student without work experience may be a disservice to both the student and their classmates. I personally also think that your learning curve post-college is highest if you just work for 2-5 years and give it all you've got. Take responsiblity! Have an impact! Opportunities will open up if you are ready to seize them. If you after 2-5 years feel like an MBA would help you learn even more, go for that application at that point. KR Lukas
Hi Lukas, Really appreciate your efforts on “paying it forward” by sharing with us these invaluable tips. Can I ask which round did you apply to for your MBA (and does the round make a difference)? In retrospect, do you have any guesses on why you and Sloan/Booth were not “fated” for each other? :D Thanks so much!
Hi Yumnay, I’m not sure it’s available online, but you could check out the schools application portal. Alternatively, I can recommend using applicantlab, which provides good guidance on the whole application form! I used it myself and found it super helpful: applicantlab.refr.cc/lukashaffer1 KR Lukas
Hi Samin, the value of an MBA comes from everyone in the class bringing relevant work experience. You yourself absorb more of the knowledge in case studies if you can relate them to previous work experience and your classmates benefit more from your perspective on case studies if you bring relevant examples from your work. So, I generally recommend people to go out into the working world an make an impact. Take responsibility and improve the world around you. Once the time comes to apply for an MBA and it seems like the right next learning opportunity for you, you will have the track record of impactful leadership that the schools look for. KR Lukas
Hello heetoh21, I did not use any admissions consulting. I used ApplicantLab and loved it: applicantlab.refr.cc/lukashaffer1. I really like all the super structured explanatory videos and reflection exercises that helped me craft my essay. KR Lukas
Hello, am a dentist from India Can you please tell me whether a person from medical background apply for GBS or HBS.....is there any chance for us to get selected....????? Or will they simply reject my application because I don't have any experience in any companies etc....am a dentist and I have experience in my field only
Hello Deeksha, the application process is open to anyone and there are people with a medical background who have gotten in. It is important to understand that especially with an untraditional background a great GMAT score above the average is used as an indication that you can keep up in class. A good GPA and a clear explanation why the MBA is the right next step for your career (enabling you to do something you otherwise couldnt) is important too! KR Lukas
Thank you for your sharing! I have a question: if my work experience is banking 6 years ago, corporate 5 years ago and self employed for the last 4 years. Who do you recommend me to get letter of recommendation from? Thank you very much!
Thanks a lot for sharing the video. I, personally wanted to ask a question. I gave my GMAT back in 2021 and am currently working with the Big 3 consulting firms. I want to pursue an MBA afterwards. When do you think I should start applying in the business schools provided the fact that I have just 6 months of work experience as of now. It'd really mean the world to me if you could reply to this. Thanks Lukas!
Hi Anushka, thanks for your comment and your great question. Congratulations on doing the GMAT already. Regarding work experience: most MBA students have 3-5 years of work experience at the time of application. The reason for this is, that the MBA classroom experience relies heavily on everyone bringing in former work experience. This has two sides: A) you get more out of your classes if you can relate them to challenges that you faced in your prior work. B) you classmates learn from you sharing best practices or interesting facts from your prior work experience. Overall, this means that however long you work before you apply to business school, you should bring some significant experience and the MBA should be the right next step to prepare you for your mid-term goals. My recommendation for now: Go out into the world and make an impact. Work for 1-2 years and really apply yourself. Take responsibility for improving things around you. When the time comes and you think an MBA would be the right next step, you will have accumulated an extraordinary track record of impactful work. Applying to business school will be the easy part then ;) KR Lukas
Great video! Very helpful. Fun idea with the Philips Hue Iris, looks great. One idea for more traction on RU-vid: There are lots of similar videos, so adding a "in 2021" might boost your video even more!
Thank you soo much for sharing such an amazing vid and an informative one I have to say ❤️❤️❤️ I want to apply for a PhD program for Stanford as well and I need some tips on how to approach this I would love to connect with both of you on linked in or somthing if that's possible?
Super helpful content Lukas! What are your thoughts on hiring MBA consultants? I understand they are pricey but seems like everyone is getting one, one way or another. If you think they're essential, would you have any recommendations? Separetely, if you have your GMAT score ready, how much time do you think I need to prepare all application materials if I'm applying to 5 schools in total? (all M7) Thanks!
Thank you, this video was very informative. For your application to be competitive, is it required that you engage in extra curricular activities to the same level of what is looked for in undergraduate applicants at US universities? For example, being regional champion in a particular sport or skill.
Hi Arsh, it certainly helps if you can show some track record of leadership and that may come from either extracurricular or professional experiences. KR Lukas
@@LukasHaffer i wanted to get into hbs ms/mba from india,im not from the prestigious university from india ,known as IIT,can i get into harvard,wharton,stanford
Hi Lukas, I just saw you in the video "Meet the MBA Class of 2023" on the Stanford Graduate School of Business Channel. What a surprise! And hope you've enjoyed your time at Stanford.
I am a Bangladeshi student. My cgpa is very low. It is 2.90 out of 4. Should I try for harvard university. I really want to study there. If so, should I prepare for gmat or GRE? Please answer my question. TIA
Hey Austin, I am happy you liked the video. The decision between the top schools wasn't easy. What made Stanford stand out was the entrepreneurial culture and the extraordinarily warm, authentic people. I had a few really deep, meaningful conversations with future Stanford classmates even before I got to school. That gave me a glimpse at the deeply personal, vulnerable and empowering experience of the GSB. Now, two months after I moved to Stanford, I am sooo happy about this decision! Entrepreneurship is top of mind for a lot of people and I have already made some amazing friends
Hi Fardin, thanks for your comment. I have never really looked into executive MBA. However many of the tips I shared concerning MBA admissions probably still apply here. On the GMAT: Have you looked at the class averages for the programs that you are targeting? That already gives you an impression of what kind of score you would need (then taking into account whether you need to offset a relatively low GPA or any other weakness in your application). For the rest of your questions, I am actually curious whether there are people speaking about it knowledgeably on youtube. Pls share if you find some good resources :)
Thanks very much Lucas. Your video has been very helpful. I had fears earlier in attempting to apply for MBA in Stanford Business School. The reason is I don’t have any mind blowing working experience or achievement. After watching the video, I have gained some motivation to give my best in applying for the school with the little things I have contributed to. I can imagine how my entire life will change for the better if I should qualify and gain admission. I hope to share my success story one day .
Thanks for the positive feedback! I am happy the tips are helpful. Good luck on your applications 👍 (btw something I didn’t say in the video: I recommend applying to a few schools to maximize your chances. Don’t get too stuck on one specific one, just make sure you have enough specific arguments for the schools in each application)
Hey Lukas!!! Couple of videos specifically for recommenders I thought your viewers might like to know about! Answer the comparison question: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8uUIcqtlZMw.html Answer the feedback question: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DldfW8dQO2I.html CONGRATS on your phenomenal success and thanks for spreading the good word to the next generation. :D Double thanks for shouting out our Recommender Prep Post! Have fun in Palo Alto!!!! - Angela
Thank you guys for providing such good advice! Your article on the letters of recommendation really helped my recommenders figure out what to write 👍 and thanks for the additional tips, Angela!
Hi Anish, the question is whether the MBA is the right next step for you or whether making an impact in the workplace is the right next thing. The MBA makes a lot of sense for people who have already had some responsibility for leading teams and delivering projects - for those the MBA delivers the theoretical underpinning, practical case studies and the network to take their career to the next level. KR Lukas
I want to ask that did you have a stellar academics and if you do not have a stellar academics but a good GMAT score can anyone get into hbs or any other reputed b school and what is your age ,work exp and insta id ,I will be also starting my MBA journey in IIM after qualifying CAT exam so it will be great in touch with you
Hi Ronit, that is a tough question. I do believe a great GMAT score can show one‘s scholastic aptitude even in the face of poor undergraduate grades. But it alone does not convince the adcom that a candidate is a good fit. The other parts of the application serve to demonstrate different traits (e.g., proven leadership ability/experience), which can not be demonstrated by a great GMAT alone.
Hi Lukas, could you maybe talk about the finances and how you went about it, did you get a scholarship, did your current company pay for some of it? I'm planning to apply next year.
Hi Samantha, the Stanford GSB provides very generous financial aid. I receive roughly $50k per year, which covers 2/3 of the tuition. For the rest I use my personal savings from before the MBA and a private loan. See my video on the Stanford MBA for more details ;) KR Lukas
