Stanford Graduate School of Business - Campus Life
Students and alumni describe a very supportive and enthusiastic environment in which many long-lasting relationships are formed. Stanford is known for its strength in the entrepreneurial area, and many students enter the program with ideas for new ventures already in mind. In 2007, the Wall Street Journal recruiter poll named Stanford #1 in Innovation Leaders, the school producing the most creative and innovative graduates. A number of organizations on-campus support students interested in entrepreneurship.
By limiting the incoming class size, Stanford has created an environment in which students can have closer relationships with faculty and staff than they would in a large program. The school's vision is that of a “collaborative community” in which students can benefit from working with others who have varied backgrounds. The diversity of each incoming class brings a wide variety of perspectives to the table, including many international viewpoints.
The university is distinctly Californian; open spaces and palm trees give it an informal ambiance. Morning fog typically burns off by afternoon and outdoor social and academic events are scheduled nearly year-round.
While the GSB has many valuable programs and opportunities of its own, being part of the larger Stanford community makes the resources of other departments accessible to MBA students as well. Cross-departmental courses like Ethical Issues in the Biotech Industry draw upon the strengths of scientists and business professionals under one roof.
Student Clubs and Activities
The Stanford GSB supports more than 60 clubs, events and activities, ranging from social to purely professional. Families are welcome at virtually all activities. Extra-curricular opportunities include:- BizPartners & BizKids: Clubs run by partners of current students that organizes social events and offers resources to help MBA partners and families settle in and become part of the GSB community
- Books on Break: A program encouraging students, staff, faculty, and alumni to interact through book groups
- Career interest groups: Includes Arts/Media/Entertainment, Nonprofit Boards, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Finance & Investing, Environmental Management, Global Management, Government & Politics, Health Care Bbiotech, High Tech, Manufacturing & Design, Marketing, Education, Public Management, Real Estate, Retail, Sports Management, and Telecom
- Charitable Groups: Challenge for Charity, Children's Holiday Party, Start Up, IHAD, and others that lend their expertise to the community
- Cultural Clubs: For Asian, South Asian, African American, Hispanic, and Jewish Students
- Geographic Groups: Specific interests such as Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and TexasGSB Show, a long-standing tradition at Stanford. It is entirely student-written and student-run, consisting of videos, skits, and hilarious song and dance numbers, all designed to bring a bit of humor and wit to all
- Out4Biz Club: A social and socially active organization for gay, lesbian, and bisexual students at the GSB that strives to provide a community, serve as a resource, and increase awareness
- Recreation groups: Includes golf, a cappella singing, outdoor adventures, rugby, sailing, skiing and snowboarding, soccer, dance, and triathlons
- Small Group Dinners at which students host fellow students and faculty
- Social and Special Interest groups: Includes Epicureans at the GSB, the Futurist Club, Off-duty Club (ex-military), the Student Show, Wine Circle, and the Yearbook
- Take a Professor to Lunch: A program supporting informal interaction between students and faculty
- Women in Management: A club that supports women in achieving their full professional potential by providing mentorship, guidance, and a forum for education and the exchange of ideas on issues that women face in leadership roles
Campus Life
The size of each incoming class at Stanford is limited to 362 students, making it feasible for students to all know one another by the end of two years. Each incoming class includes a diverse set of ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, education, work experiences, and career aspirations. More than 70 countries are represented among the student population.The GSB offers several on-campus housing options to those who are interested. One student describes the Schwab Residential Center for unmarried first-year students as, “the perfect combination of student residence and private apartment." All students are guaranteed one year of on-campus housing and students with families are guaranteed two years of housing at the same address. Of course, off-campus housing in the surrounding community is available too.
Located in the center of the Stanford University campus, the Business School's academic activities are centered in three buildings-Littlefield Management Center, the Knight Building, and the GSB South Building. In 2008, they expect to break ground on the 8-buiding Knight Management Center. The Center is being funded by a substantial gift from Nike founder Phil Knight, himself a Stanford MBA grad in '62. The campus' design reflects California's early Spanish-mission heritage. Beautiful architecture and great views make it a truly pleasant place to spend time. Students can commute to campus by bicycle and enjoy the outdoors year-round.
Exploring Palo Alto
The Bay Area is a prime location in which to study international business. California is a doorway to Latin American and Asian economies, and many of the world's Global 1000 companies are located in the Bay Area.Nearby Silicon Valley is home to many of the world's leading innovators, pioneers in life science, private equity firms, technologists, and venture capitalists.
Less than an hour south of San Francisco, Palo Alto is within a short drive of wine country, scenic Sonoma County, the city of Berkeley, the beaches of Santa Cruz, Yosemite National Park and a host of other interesting places. Accessible by car or BART public transit, San Francisco holds a number of other attractions - Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, North Beach, San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco Exploratorium and AT&T Park (home of the Giants), to name a few.
