We dip back into our Real Humans: MBA Students series for the Stanford GSB Class of 2024. 424 students matriculated to the California campus in the fall of 2022. Forty-four percent of the latest class are women and 37 percent are international. More than half of the class’s U.S. citizens and permanent residents identify as people of color (51 percent), with the numbers of Black and Hispanic students reaching their highest levels in history under the program’s multi-identity reporting.
During their undergraduate years, 24 percent had majored in engineering and another 21 percent in economics. A fifth had majored in business followed by 19 percent in social sciences. Nine percent earned degrees in math or science. Their average GPA landed at 3.67.
When it came time to take the GMAT, the Stanford MBA Class of 2024 averaged a score of 737. The range of GMAT scores came in at 630 to 790. For those who chose to take the GRE, their average scores clocked in at 163 for Quant and 164 for Verbal.
The new Stanford MBAs matriculated with an average of nearly five years of work experience. Twenty percent came from investment management, private equity, or venture capital roles, and another 20 percent had worked in consulting. Fifteen percent of the class hailed from the technology sector. Eight percent of the class previously worked in government, education, or the nonprofit sector while four percent are veterans and three percent have worked in manufacturing.
Beyond the class stats, get to know some new students in the following pages. Three new members hail from management consulting at McKinsey, investment banking, and the medical field to share their stories about admissions and impressions of the Stanford community.
Adrianus Hunggara, Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2024
Adrianus Hunggara, Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2024Age: 29
Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Indonesia, Accounting and Finance
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 6 years at management consulting (McKinsey & Company)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
As I progressed in my career and took on more senior leadership roles, I came to the realization that being a great leader takes more than just knowledge and expertise. It takes a unique set of leadership skills to effectively manage teams and stakeholders and navigate the ever-changing people dynamics. Hence, I made the decision to attend business school to further strengthen my leadership skills.
Additionally, I was motivated to expand my global perspectives. Having grown up and worked primarily in Southeast Asia, I was eager to broaden my horizons and gain a more nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist in other regions of the world. Business school provided the perfect platform to do so, enabling me to learn from a diverse array of peers and faculty members to develop a truly global perspective.
Why did you choose Stanford GSB? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
One of the most significant factors that led me to choose Stanford GSB was the school’s distinctive approach and offerings on leadership development. With its famous ‘Touchy Feely’ and leadership laboratory classes, Stanford GSB offers a hands-on learning experience that is hard to find elsewhere. Moreover, Stanford GSB has an impressive track record of producing successful entrepreneurs, and being part of this innovative community was an exciting prospect for me. The school’s curriculum is designed to foster creativity and encourage students to turn their ideas into successful ventures. Stanford GSB also provides the opportunity to interact and learn directly from well-respected leaders through its diverse range of classes and events, including the ’View From The Top’ series.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
Hailing from Indonesia and Southeast Asia, I am one of only a few classmates from the region. I enjoy bringing and sharing unique perspectives and experiences from these emerging markets. Recently, I had the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences during the preparation for the global study trip to Indonesia and Singapore. Moreover, I am passionate about sharing the culture of my homeland through food. I prepared a beef rendang and gado-gado (Indonesian salad) during an international community event at Stanford GSB.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m a huge jazz music enthusiast! Prior to the pandemic, I once organized the oldest jazz festival in Indonesia, bringing together a diverse group of talented musicians and jazz enthusiasts from across the country. Since the pandemic, I have taken it to the next level by learning to play the saxophone, something that has brought me immense joy. Now, I am taking a jazz piano class this year at Stanford!
Post-MBA career interests:
I am currently exploring entrepreneurship opportunities in Southeast Asia
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Taking the time for self-reflection! The Stanford GSB application prompted me to embark on a journey of self-reflection, where I delved deep into my life experiences, values, thoughts, and emotions, leading me to gain a profound understanding of myself and my aspirations. The experience was so valuable that I would definitely do it again.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
If I were to do it all again, I would start prepping early. I underestimated the workload and found myself rushing through my application during the final days of round 2. I took a month off from work in December to complete my test score and application, and I remember editing my essays during the New Year’s celebration.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
If I could skip any part of the process, it would definitely be the GMAT. The thought of having to study for this exam after being out of school for several years was daunting, and managing my study schedule while balancing work and personal life was quite challenging. However, what helped me get through it was reminding myself of my goals and how this exam was just a stepping stone toward achieving them.
What is your initial impression of the Stanford GSB students/culture/community?
The level of creative thinking and ideation that spreads throughout the community is truly inspiring, with individuals constantly talking and brainstorming on new ways to make a positive impact on the world. What struck me even more was the sense of support that pervades the community. People are genuinely willing to share their knowledge, experience, and unique perspectives, which fosters an environment of growth and collaboration.
What is one thing you have learned about Stanford GSB that has surprised you?
I was surprised by the abundance of exciting opportunities and resources available at Stanford GSB. The options available are almost limitless, making it sometimes a bit daunting to decide which ones to pursue. On a side note, the weather this year has been surprising in more ways than one. Not only have we had some unexpected rainy days, but it also led to the reappearance of Lake Lagunita on campus, which had been dry for several years!
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
The pandemic impacted my decision on when to pursue an MBA; however, looking back at the admission process, I think that it actually made the process lots easier for me. It eliminated the need to travel for the interview and admit weekend, making the process less stressful and allowing me to better navigate and balance other competing priorities in my life.
Melanie Pierce, Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2024
Melanie Pierce, Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2024Age: 27
Hometown: Livonia, MI
Undergraduate Institution and Major: BBA with a concentration in Finance from University of Michigan – Ross School of Business
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 2 years in Power & Utilities Investment Banking, 3 years in Consumer and Healthcare Private Equity Investing
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I had been working in different finance roles since undergrad and wanted to go to business school to explore different career paths, particularly on the operating side of business. I additionally saw business school as an amazing opportunity to make new friends and grow my professional network with extremely high-quality people.
Why did you choose Stanford GSB? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I was really drawn to the entrepreneurial spirit that fills the campus. Even if you come here with no interest in entrepreneurship, the energy at the GSB makes you feel like anything is possible and there are no limits to what you can create or achieve. Separately, the majority of my network from both undergrad and finance is on the east coast, so spending a few years in California is a great opportunity for me to grow my west coast network.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
I love bringing a big smile and upbeat energy to every situation – whether it is class, coffee chats, club events, or a night out with friends. I came to the GSB wanting to make the most of my time here, so I really try to fill every day with getting to know my classmates better. I believe bringing this warm and enthusiastic energy can positively impact any situation and create closer connections with all classmates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Before starting at the GSB, I spent 6 weeks living in Utila, one of Honduras’ Bay Islands, getting my PADI divemaster certification.
Post-MBA career interests:
I’m interested in moving from investing to operating and, more specifically, interested in consumer product growth marketing and strategy roles.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I did a ton of brainstorming and thought really deeply about the essays – particularly “What Matters Most” – before actually sitting down to write anything. Putting in that work upfront made the writing process much easier.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have given myself way more time to write my essays. Due to some work projects I had leading up to the application deadline, I did most of my essay writing over the course of a few weeks. Starting earlier would have saved me a lot of stress!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Taking the GMAT (particularly the quant section!) was not fun. When working through all of the studying and the test itself, it was helpful to keep reminding myself of what the ultimate goal – an acceptance to the GSB – would feel like once I achieved it. Every practice problem was worth it!
What is your initial impression of the Stanford GSB students/culture/community?
I have loved everything about the community at the GSB. From day one, everyone is super excited to meet each other and make new friends. The quality of the people here is truly amazing as well. Not only is everyone’s resume extremely impressive, but every classmate also has so many interesting layers, whether that is their background, hobbies, etc., that I continue to be surprised and impressed by even after months of getting to know the class. I had high expectations for the community I would build here, and reality has far surpassed that.
What is one thing you have learned about Stanford GSB that has surprised you?
Everyone I spoke with before starting at the GSB warned me that managing your calendar is one of the most challenging parts of business school, and even with that warning, I still wasn’t ready for the amount of choice you have to make in terms of where you spend your time. It is so important to come into the school year with a plan for how you are going to prioritize your time, so you don’t get overwhelmed with the endless amount of event invites you receive!
Taylor Harris, Stanford GSB MD/MBA Class of 2024
Taylor Harris, Stanford GSB MD/MBA Class of 2024Age: 27
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Stanford University, Biomechanical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Medical school for the past 3 years! Biomatics Capital Analyst Intern (2019); Health Advances Analyst Intern (2017)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I’m a dual degree MD/MBA candidate. When I was applying for medical school, I knew I wanted to go to a program that had the option to pursue a dual degree with business school. While I have dreamt of being a physician for a long time, I realized through my internships that I also enjoy thinking about the business aspects of healthcare. I love interacting with patients, yet I saw the numerous ways that business can also improve health – be it through innovation or creating more affordable channels for healthcare access. I felt that taking an extra year to include business school into my medical education would provide a richer understanding of the nexus between business and healthcare, and would position me well to tailor how my future career will look.
Why did you choose Stanford GSB? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I applied to medical school before I applied to business school, but I hoped to attend a program that offered a dual degree. Once the time came to decide where to attend medical school, I weighed both the medical school and the business school in my decision. Stanford was an easy choice. Both the medical school and business school are world-leading institutions. The GSB itself has a reputation for producing entrepreneurial big thinkers – as someone once told me, Stanford creates leaders who build rather than follow the status quo. I’m interested in physician entrepreneurship, so the entrepreneurial culture was really appealing, not to mention the opportunities to attempt to build a company in low-stakes settings (think Startup Garage or Lean Launchpad). I also love the interdisciplinary nature of Stanford in general, which I got to experience while completing undergrad here. For these reasons, it was always my dream to return for graduate school.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
I’m a woman of color who hopes to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery and physician entrepreneurship, which I think helps to challenge the stereotype of what surgeons look like and how doctors can contribute to the business of healthcare.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I once got lost in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador.
Post-MBA career interests:
I’ll be applying for an orthopedic surgery residency! In the long run, I’m hoping to be a practicing physician with concurrent efforts in healthcare entrepreneurship.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Everyone will have a different opinion, but I think it’s imperative to talk to as many people as possible about business school before attending. Talk to current students, alumni, and people who have careers in the industry of your interest. Getting others’ perspectives on different institutions, as well as the broader concept of business school generally, helped me crystallize why I felt business school would be a worthwhile investment.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started my application earlier. The essays alone required lots of time in order to a) reflect on who I am and what my goals are, and b) distill my thoughts into a cogent, compelling story. It’s easy to feel rushed in the application process if you aren’t careful to budget enough time.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped trying to guess when or if I would get an interview. It was completely counterproductive and provided an unnecessary level of stress! I had to keep reminding myself that whatever was meant to happen would happen.
What is your initial impression of the Stanford GSB students/culture/community?
The GSB culture is extraordinarily open. I’ve been struck numerous times by my peers’ willingness to be vulnerable and get deep with others, even early in the year. I’ve never been in a group with this level of openness before, and I’m not sure when I will find it after. I think that has been one of the most enjoyable parts of being a part of this community.
What is one thing you have learned about Stanford GSB that has surprised you?
The future goals that my classmates have are extremely diverse. I have friends here who are interested in everything ranging from media/entertainment to climate tech, so it’s been awesome to hear a little bit about so many potential paths.
