Stanford Graduate School of Business

-The focus on personal development and growth is by far what makes Stanford Stanford. I could have learned any of the actual hard skills topics at HBS or Wharton, but I never could have replicated what I've learned about who I am as a person at any other school. Attending the GSB has made me a better and happier person, and for that I am extremely grateful.

-Bolster its international presence to attract a broader range of students from abroad and expand its alumni brand and reach beyond America.

-Stanford GSB's strategic class size, really allows forming a community, strong relationships and partnerships, team work and great learning. It allows the Prof. to know the students personally and be more attentive. I can honestly say I had a meaningful conversation with at least 85% of my classmates. I also think the location in the Silicon Valley opens many opportunities, amazing speakers come to school on a daily basis and you are always 1-2 connections away from anyone you want in the valley.

-While I appreciated the flexibility of no academic requirements in the second year, more guidance would have been helpful... in particular, the classes that are less "sexy" but more important, e.g. managerial accounting or financial modeling. I would have liked input from alumni 5-10 years out, rather than prior student surveys.

-The collaborative nature of the GSB allows you to explore your own leadership style while working in a safe environment. The school buzzes with entrepreneurship and people aren't afraid to take risks.

-The policy of grade non-disclosure means that many students under prioritize academics. While this gives them the opportunity to pursue many outside interests, I think we may have skewed the balance a bit far in favor of non-academic pursuits.

-Every person at the GSB has that intangible special something, a sparkle in their eye. They are passionate, quirky, unique, charismatic, interesting and interested. Despite world-class intelligence, they are not interested in bragging or peacocking. It's all about the growth mindset. The culture and GSB family dynamic is second-to-none. The focus on personal transformation through classes like Interpersonal Dynamics and traditions like TALK is the hallmark of the program.

-A few of the core curriculum requirements, like marketing, could be taught better and the quantitative required courses could be spread out more instead of all occurring in winter quarter of the first year.

-I think the collaborative atmosphere at Stanford is absolutely incredible! I know 98% of the people in my class and know them well.

-A bit more of a focus on "hard skill" development. Given that I was coming in with out the traditional business job experience, I could have used more opportunities to get stronger at the fundamentals

-The GSB at Stanford fosters a very tightly-knit, supportive, community and environment. Visiting the school, I quickly realized that was the environment I wanted to be in. Diversity of background and perspective is always welcome. Combine that with high intellectual rigor and aptitude, and you have a very unique and special place.

-The academic content could be more rigorous; the international components of the curriculum could receive more attention.

-The GSB focuses on taking you in a journey of self-discovery and self-understanding that no other school takes you through. It teaches and encourages the value of vulnerability and self-awareness as means to change. In addition, the GSB is tightly connected with experiential learning (Dschool, global study trips, service learning trips, classes like managing growing enterprises and the executive challenge amongst others).

-I wish it had a stronger Real Estate program. And stronger links to VCs and PEs recruiting, not just teaching.

-The intense entrepreneurial spirit and emotional openness of Stanford's students really set it apart. GSBers are always thinking about how they can change the world, and the fact that so many of them actually try makes it a very exciting place. Additionally, people are sincerely interested in personal development, giving it a unique "touchy feely" culture.