ourafrica:

NOW OPEN: STANFORD AFRICA MBA FELLOWSHIP                                                        PROGRAM 

Stanford GSB is committed to changing lives, changing organizations, and changing the world. Our ultimate aim is to produce positive change in the region while educating Stanford GSB students about Africa’s intellectual capital and economic potential.

The African continent is large and diverse, and has a strong collective impact on the global marketplace. As such, it has a growing voice within our classrooms. In summer 2013, 10% of Stanford MBA students worked in Africa.

Africa is home to many of the world’s fastest growing economies yet the continent accounts for only a small fraction of global trade. Africa’s challenges and opportunities position this frontier market for growth, and Stanford GSB is excited to contribute.

Stanford GSB’s international reputation as a leader in management education is built on the quality and diversity of our students, whose broad range of experience and background fosters a distinctively collaborative community. African students are an important part of the student body at Stanford. You provide direct insight into an emerging global economy that will be increasingly powerful in the marketplace business. We place tremendous importance on educating and preparing the future generation of global leaders, in Africa and around the world, about the implications of Africa’s growth.

                   Application Process and Timeline

1. Apply to the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship Program (8 June 2015)

The Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship Application is now available.  Fellowship application materials include:

• Educational history
• Awards and honors (academic, professional, or personal)
• Employment history
• One-page resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• 250-word essay addressing how you plan to make an impact in Africa
• Individual financial information

• Official transcripts are not considered at this stage. Finalists will be required to submit an unofficial copy of your transcripts in the MBA Application and will submit official copies upon admission to the MBA Program.
• You may also submit the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and/or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), if available. These are optional at the fellowship application stage. If you are selected as a finalist, you’ll be required to take one of these exams as part of your application to the Stanford MBA Program.

• Letters of recommendation are not considered at this stage. Finalists will be required to submit two Letters of Recommendation in the MBA Application.

2. Finalists notified (2 July 2015)

Up to 50 finalists will be selected for the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship.

3. Finalists apply to Stanford MBA Program (Round 1, 22 September 2015)

Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship finalists must apply to the Stanford MBA Program in Round 1 to be eligible for the fellowship.

Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship finalists must submit the Stanford MBA Program application, including GMAT or GRE scores, and if applicable, one of the English language tests (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL). Finalists may request up to one voucher to cover the cost of either the GMAT or GRE test. The MBA application fee will be waived for finalists.

4. Receive an offer of admission (9 December 2015)

Stanford GSB will select up to eight Stanford Africa MBA Fellows each year from among the finalists.

5. Enroll in two-year Stanford MBA Program (September 2016)

6. Successfully complete the two-year Stanford MBA Program (June 2018)

7. Within two years of graduation from the Stanford MBA Program, return to Africa (June 2020)

Work in Africa - in a business, government, or non-profit organization - for at least two consecutive years.

                  Fellowship Eligibility and Requirements

Stanford Africa MBA Fellows must first be selected as finalists through the fellowship application process. Stanford will select up to 50 Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship finalists based on:

• Merit
• Commitment to developing Africa
• Financial need

If you are not selected as a Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship finalist, you remain welcome to apply to the Stanford MBA Program in any application round and you will remain eligible to receive other forms of financial aid.

Merit

We evaluate three criteria when considering candidates for both the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship and the MBA Program: intellectual vitality, demonstrated leadership potential, and personal qualities and contributions that will add to the class. To learn more about the requirements and qualities we seek in candidates in the Admission sectionof our website.

            Commitment to Developing Africa

You must be a citizen of an African country. Dual citizens are eligible for the fellowship as long as you hold citizenship of an African nation. Residents of an African country who do not have citizenship belonging to an African country are ineligible at this time.

You must have completed, or be in the final year of completing, your university studies. If you studied at an undergraduate or graduate institution in Africa, we especially encourage you to consider applying for the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship Program. African citizens who studied in countries outside of Africa are also eligible for the fellowship.

Stanford Africa MBA Fellows must return to work in Africa, within two years of Stanford MBA graduation, for a period of at least two years. Stanford MBA students pursue a wide variety of careers after graduation. As a Stanford Africa MBA Fellow, you will devote the management and leadership skills learned at Stanford to developing the African economy. As such, we expect Stanford Africa MBA Fellows to work for African organizations with significant operations and impact in the region. Please read our Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.

                                 Financial Need

Stanford will determine your financial need based on personal financial information you submit in the Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship application. After you are selected as a finalist and admitted to the MBA Program, you will complete Stanford’s financial aid application process, which requires information about your assets and income, including copies of your tax returns. 

Stanford Africa MBA Fellows receive financial support for the cost of Stanford MBA tuition and associated fees for the two-year course of study. You may be eligible for additional financial assistance if your level of need exceeds the amount of the fellowship (approximately $140,000 USD). 

LEARN MORE HERE