The Stanford Deferred MBA program is specifically designed for students who know they are interested in eventually earning an MBA but do not yet have full-time work experience and who may also want to devote some time pre-MBA to other pursuits: For example, to build a specific  skill or expand their perspective in preparation of the Stanford MBA; to explore particular industries to better define their long-term professional path; or to prepare for a specific industry that might already require specialized knowledge—private equity, biotechnology, or management consulting, to cite a few. MBA candidates now at Stanford who applied as deferred applicants report using their deferral period to better chart their course at Stanford (once accepted) and to take advantage of GSB’s resources, all much in advance.

Stanford GSB seeks people who are “interested in having a positive impact” from any field of study, including those in the humanities and those with STEM backgrounds. While a minority of those admitted to the Stanford MBA come from a humanities background, the class of 2025, for example, spans a wide range of backgrounds, from math and the sciences to engineering. You do not have to be a business or economics major to get in!

Stanford GSB Deferred  Enrollment Application Process

You are eligible to apply for the Stanford GSB MBA Deferred Program if you are in your final year of a bachelor’s degree or a joint bachelor/graduate program, and your degree will be conferred between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. If you are in a graduate program, you are eligible to apply if you are in your final year, if you entered your graduate program immediately following an undergraduate or undergraduate/graduate program, if you have not worked full-time (other than internships or co-ops), and your degree will be conferred between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

Applicants to Stanford’s deferred MBA program follow the same application process as the Stanford GSB full-time MBA applicants.

If you need help with your Stanford GSB Deferred Enrollment application essays, make sure to check out Personal MBA Coach’s blog for tips.

If you are looking for deferred MBA consulting, Personal MBA Coach is here to guide you via our Deferred MBA Packages.

Harvard Business School & Stanford GSB ’25 Admit
I worked with Scott and was accepted to both GSB + HBS. He’s extremely knowledgable about what the schools are looking for and always available to help with any questions or concerns you have. I found our brainstorming calls to be very helpful and the editing team made my applications very sharp. Read More
Stanford GSB ’26 Admit
The first time I applied for business school, I thought I was a shoo-in—high test scores, ample industry experience in managerial positions, and recommenders who loved me. But it turns out that a shopping list of achievements isn’t the secret formula to being a successful applicant. I got rejected from all the schools that I... Read More
Stanford GSB ’24
Scott and the rest of the team are fantastic. I felt thoroughly supported throughout the whole process and he always made sure to guide me (without ever generating material on my behalf or in any way distorting the application material I was writing). I couldn’t be happier that now, this fall, I’ll be headed to... Read More
Stanford GSB
I was referred to Scott by a friend of mine who applied for her MBA the previous year and praised his personalized approach and proven tactics for admission to the M7. Scott and his team absolutely exceeded expectations. From my first “getting to know you” session, to countless essay revisions, and frequent one-on-one phone calls... Read More
Stanford GSB
Fabulous! As a non-native English speaker, I was very worried about applications. Besides putting me at ease, Scott helped me in my crazy dream to attend a top US business school. I didn’t know it was possible to get so close to someone personally who is on the other side of the world (11.5 hr... Read More
Stanford GSB
Coming from Europe with little knowledge about the US admissions process and what it takes to get in, I googled and ultimately contacted six admissions consultants. Scott and his team were by far the best – the personal touch in the very first conversation makes you quickly feel at ease. Even within our first conversation,... Read More