Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship-Stanford University

Stanford’s coveted 2 year MBA program hardly requires any introduction. It features consistently among top 10 business programs across the world and makes itself as one of the top priorities of students all across the globe. Even for Indian students it remains one of the dream schools but tuition fee discourages a lot of students to apply for the same. Here we discuss one of the scholarships available to only Indian students that can take off the financial burden but getting admit still remains a difficult task.

Overview of scholarship: The Reliance Fellowship requires one to apply through the defined application process and thereafter, 50 applicants are selected as finalists, who qualify for the scholarship based on their admit decision from Stanford at a later stage. The selected 50 are required to apply for the Stanford MBA and then Stanford finally selects up to 3 admits who are offered this fellowship. The 3 selected candidates receive financial support for approximately 80% of the tuition and other fees for each year of the two-year Stanford MBA Program – total scholarship amounting to approximately INR 1 Crore (USD145,000). Within two years of completing their Stanford MBA studies, Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows are required to return to India to work for an Indian organization. Thus, Fellows must live and work in India for at least two years by the time they are four years out of the Stanford MBA Program.

Process and evaluation criteria: The Reliance Fellowship application is completely independent of the Stanford MBA application. One should apply for the Reliance Fellowship now and thereafter, apply for the Stanford MBA through the standard process once the application for the relevant year intake opens.

1. Apply for Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Program
   • If applying to Staford GSB for deferred enrollment, you must apply to the Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Program in the year prior to your enrollment
2. Apply to Stanford MBA Program
3. Attend Stanford MBA Program
4. Return to work in India for at least two years

Stage 1: Complete the Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Program Application

Up to 50 Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows finalists will be selected based on:

• Stanford MBA admission criteria
• Commitment to developing India
• Financial need

Stage 2: Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Program Finalists Complete the Standard Application Process for the Stanford MBA Program

As part of the MBA admission process, Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Program finalists must meet all Stanford GSB application requirements, including submission of GMAT or GRE and IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL if applicable. Stanford may select up to three Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows each year from among the finalists based on our primary admission criteria:

• Intellectual vitality
• Demonstrated leadership potential
• Personal qualities and contribution

Dates each year vary and typically scholarship open in April and deadline to submit is May end while Stanford’s deadline for round 1 is second week of September.

 

Application materials

• Educational history and scores: 10 board exams, 12 board exams, Joint Entrance Exam, and/or Common Admission Test. You may also submit the Graduate Management Admission Test and/or Graduate Record Examination, if available. These are optional at the fellowship application stage. If you’re selected as a finalist, you’ll be required to take one of these exams as part of your application to the MBA Program. The Stanford GSB will provide you with a voucher to take either the GMAT or the GRE. If you went to an undergraduate college or university where the language of instruction was not English, you may also be required to take an English-language exam. 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.
• Awards and honors (academic or social)
• Employment history: Letters of recommendation are not considered at this stage. Finalists will be required to submit two letters of recommendation in the MBA application.
• One-page resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• 250-word essay
• Individual financial information

Stanford MBA is one of the most coveted programs in the world. While a lot of students don’t qualify for the program it is heart wrenching to see every year a score of good students even after getting admits have to let go of the opportunity because of financial burden. Through Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Indian students have a golden opportunity to attend the college of their dreams. Since the criteria is very vast and diverse there have been students who have been admitted with GMAT of less than 700 along with this fellowship. All it takes is right planning and early preparation to get the basics right and that is where Careercarta helps the students. Our team of experts helps to get your application in shape and provides step by step guidance to realize every student’s dream. Fill in the form below or write to us at connect@careercarta.com