Is Stanford’s MSx right for me?

Stanford’s MSx program is a one of a kind program that serves as the business school’s EMBA program. However, compared to most of the elite EMBA programs, the MSx stands out as being a one-year, full-time program.

What makes the MSx unique?

The MSx is designed for experienced professionals with eight or more years of work experience. The school also specifies that a candidate should have five years of management experience.

The program has a small cohort of around 90 students who are called Sloan Fellows. In the course of the year, Sloan Fellows develop close knit relationships and life-long friendships. Overall, there are many opportunities for the program participants to impact each other and to learn from each other’s experiences. Those admitted to the MSx should be able to contribute and share their industry expertise with their classmates.

Given that the MSx program is designed for more experienced candidates, families are also involved within the community. Sloan Fellows typically live near each other and there is an expectation that their families will be engaged during the course of the program.

Who should apply?

1. Experienced professionals who have demonstrated leadership potential.

You need to have the right experience to apply to this program. The school cites that the majority of candidates have five years of management experience. This does not necessarily mean that you have to have direct reports.

If you are not in a position of managing people, management experience can be highlighted in different ways. For instance, if you have had the opportunity to oversee projects across various functions or to coordinate employees from internal teams within your company, these are ways to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Your application can be successful if you can prove management experience in some capacity.

2. The GSB slogan is: Change lives. Change organizations. Change the world. Have you been able to create this change?

Stanford wants to admit ambitious people who want to make an impact. Therefore, applicants to the MSx should be disrupters on some level. For instance, they might be able to show a pattern of driving significant impact at their organization or influencing the industries in which they work. Alternatively, an applicant might have big ideas and the applicable experience to make those ideas come to fruition. Your resume should make these points very clear.

This is an important evaluation criterion for the application process and applicants must be able to demonstrate how they embody this slogan.

3. Applicants to the MSx should have clarity about their post-MSx path.

The MSx is a small program in arguably the top business school in the world. Gaining one of the approximately ninety spots is not an easy task. An applicant to the program should understand how taking a one-year career gap to pursue this degree will fit into their goals. One-year programs are intensive. Those who gain the most from a one-year program are the people who are most prepared.

Just a note, MBA candidates often complete the degree in order to change careers. Pivoting becomes more challenging later in one’s career and the MSx is not intended for people who are trying to make a career change. Those in the MSx are expected to be building upon their prior careers.

At Oriel Admissions, we have helped applicants to gain entry to Stanford’s MSx and other top EMBA programs. If you would like to know more about our services and how the Oriel team can help you with your applications, please contact Rona at rona@orieladmissions.com for a free consultation.