STANFORD ADCOM CREATES SPECIAL SIDE DOOR FOR RELIANCE FELLOWS: NO FEES, DIF. DATES, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE?
STANFORD just announced a very curious fellowship/partnership w. Indian Giant Reliance Inc. where Reliance holds its own contest, picks 50 finalists, pays those dudes to take gmat and apply to Stanford, the app. is due at Stanford Jan. 29th (versus Jan 22 for the rest of the world’s applicants) and then Stanford can look over the 50 finalists and choose UP TO FIVE, depending on what criteria, God only knows, but I got a feeling those apps will stand a better chance than yours,altho not really any better chance than a random app. from Bain Capital or Carlyle, where Stan accept rate could be 10 percent or higher . Dunno about you, but while I support the LARGE goals of Fellowship below, to wit, uplift for India, the special treatment, two-step process, and separate channel and date for these apps. strikes me as ODD, and NOT GOOD. Soon other Big Companies and Countries will be packaging their slates like this, and applying will become a two-step process. Of course, this probably happens already, in overt or covert forms, esp. at Stanford which is gossipy and not above working local contacts, micro pools of applicants, etc. in various ways. So far, everyone seems to be DOING ALL THIS IN SOME UPFRONT AND FAIR AND MERIT-BASED WAY, but I get the heeby-jeebies once separate channels form, they become collecting points for mild corruption, and in cases, not mild corruption. Stanford Announcement below: http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/financialaid/reliance.html
The Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
Reliance Industries Limited has generously created the Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows Program to support Indian students with financial need in obtaining an MBA at Stanford.
Each year, Stanford may award up to five Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships:
- Fellows will receive full financial support for the two-year Stanford MBA Program and all fees associated with applying and attending.
- Reliance and Stanford are dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders in India who are committed to the country’s human and socio-economic progress.
- Within two years of completing their Stanford MBA studies, Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows will return to India for a period of at least two years employment in the public or private sector.
Process and Evaluation Criteria
There is a two-stage application process. In the first stage, prospective fellowship applicants complete the Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows application.
Up to 50 Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows Finalists will be selected based on:
- Merit
- Commitment to developing India
- Financial need
In the second stage, those Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows finalists will go on to complete the standard application process for the Stanford MBA Program. As part of the MBA admission process, Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows finalists will be required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) if they have not done so already. The Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows finalists will bear none of the costs associated with the GMAT exams or Stanford application.
Stanford may select up to five Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows from among the finalists based on its primary admission criteria of:
- Intellectual vitality
- Demonstrated leadership potential
- Personal qualities and contributions
Timing
| 15 May 2008 – 15 July 2008 | Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows application available online |
| 15 July 2008 | Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows application submission deadline |
| 1 August 2008 | Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows finalists notified |
| 1 August 2008 – 29 October 2008 | Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows finalists prepare for and take GMAT exam |
| 1 August 2008 – 29 October 2008 | Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows finalists prepare and submit Stanford MBA application |
| 22 January 2009 | Stanford MBA Program notifies Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows |
| September 2009 | Stanford MBA students matriculate |
How do I submit a Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows application?
Access the Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows application via the Related Links column. The application includes, among other things:
- Educational history and scores (10th board exams, 12th board exams, Common Admission Test (CAT) and/or GMAT scores if available)
- Employment history and aspirations
- Resume/curriculum vitae (C.V.)
- 250-word essay question
- Individual financial information
August 5th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Ahan!
you seem to have read the release all too carefully, only to miss the real dates. The two step process is actually a noble deed (at-least, justifiable as one) as it allows people with no ability to afford high fees to apply for the MBA. They need not spend a penny from their pockets for the application.
And just for the record, the application is due 29th Oct, Round 1 for Stan! Better get your reading glasses tested 0:-)