Stanford GSB MBA: 2026-2027 deadlines and requirements
Key facts
| Program | Stanford MBA |
|---|---|
| City | Stanford, California |
| Rank | #1 in U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools |
| Class size | 434 new students in the Class of 2027. 7,259 people applied. |
| GMAT score | Average 689 on the GMAT Focus Edition for the Class of 2027. Older GMAT average 738. |
| GRE | Average Verbal 164 and Quant 164 for the Class of 2027. |
| Tests it takes | Takes the GMAT (Focus Edition or the older 10th Edition) or the GRE, with no preference. Does not take the Executive Assessment, the LSAT or the MCAT. Every applicant must send a GMAT or GRE score, so there are no test waivers. There is no minimum score. |
| Application fee | $275, not refundable. Students in their last year of college, or in a graduate program they began right after college, pay $100. The fee is waived for active duty U.S. military, honorably discharged U.S. veterans and U.S. reservists. A need based waiver is also offered. |
| Tuition | $89,187 for the 2026-2027 first year (tuition only). Total cost of attendance for a single student is $140,940. |
| English test | TOEFL, IELTS or PTE is required if any of your college classes were taught in a language other than English, unless you later finished a graduate program taught only in English. Minimums: TOEFL 5.0 (on the new 1 to 6 scale), IELTS Academic 7.0, PTE Academic 68. |
Application rounds
| Round | Apply by | Decision by |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | September 9, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Pacific | December 9, 2026 |
| Round 2 | January 6, 2027, 4:00 p.m. Pacific | April 1, 2027 |
| Round 3 | April 7, 2027, 4:00 p.m. Pacific | May 27, 2027 |
Essays
- 650 words. What matters most to you, and why?
- 350 words. Why Stanford for you?
- Optional, up to three examples, each up to 1,200 characters (about 200 words). We believe that leadership comes through in different shapes and forms and look for examples of when you have taken initiative, persisted through challenges, engaged others in your efforts, or supported those around you. Think about a time in the last five years when you’ve created a significant impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, civic, or academic settings. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the impact?
Recommendations
2 letters. One from your current direct supervisor, or the next best person if that is not possible. One from someone else who has supervised you. Each recommender also answers three questions from the school.
Interview
Required before an offer, and by invitation only. It is a talk about what you have done and how you did it, with a trained alumnus or an admissions team member, in person or online. Interviews run mid-September to mid-November for Round 1, mid-January to mid-March for Round 2 and mid-April to mid-May for Round 3.
Other parts of the application
A one page resume and unofficial transcripts (official ones only if you are admitted). The application also has sections for your education, work history, activities and awards, and an Additional Information box. Work experience is not required.
Links
Sources
- Stanford GSB: Deadlines for Applying to the MBA Program, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: MBA Entering Class Profile, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: GMAT & GRE, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: English Language Proficiency, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: Essays, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: Optional Short Answer Questions, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: Letters of Recommendation, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: Interviews, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: Application Fee, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: Professional Experience, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: Application Essentials, read November 1, 2026
- Stanford GSB: Cost of Attendance, read November 1, 2026
