And I have returned to day dreaming. Return to aim WSC (cough! Wharton Stanford Columbia). I had said earlier and mentioned in my description line of the blog as well that I am no more aiming for Stanford GSB. Well! and I had my reasons for that. I know it’s unusual & who doesn’t want to have MBA degree from such prestigious and one of the best b-schools in the world? I assessed myself and realized that I am not a good fit for Stanford GSB culture. I think I don’t deserve it.
But recent news made me think about my decision again. I know again this time I may not be one the firsts who knew about this scholarships’ (/ fellowship ) announcement. So I ask, & who doesn’t want a full-ride for Stanford anyways.
Reliance Industries has announced and The Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship. It’s a FULL RIDE scholarship, meaning your tuition fees will be waived INCLUDING all your other expenses such as living at Stanford university, schooling, boarding, books etc; virtually all expenses associated to applying and attending stanford MBA (so, does that include GMAT fees as well??).
The scholarship is need-based & academics of the applicant will be considered in scrutinizing candidates. But the most emphasis will be given to the applicant’s interest in India and her willingness to work in India post-MBA. The conditions for Reliance Stanford scholarship are: Applicants if given the scholarship have to come to India in 2/3 year post-MBA for at least 2/3 years.
The selection process involves two phases. At first phase 50 candidates will be shortlisted & will be allowed to apply to Stanford University for traditional two year MBA program. Stanford will select at the most five candidates from fifty by their .
There has never been such a huge scholarship for any international applicants earlier. It is obvious to think that it would lead to more applications from Indian origin and hence selection process at Stanford would be tough still. But I think it would not be the case. First of all, Reliance candidates are entirely different pool and Stanford made it sure that they will not allocate more than five seats for fifty selected applicants. And even for Reliance Stanford scholarship applicants’ gang, I think it’s difficult to get through in first fifty. As mentioned in official website the candidates will be short-listed on need-base. It is the kind of bread which is difficult to get in India these days. With all India-shining and raining jobs, the average income of person from 20/30 age group has raised tremendously in a decade. Incidentally these very people want career upgradation, want to excel and hence want to join MBA programs of international stature. And the pool of youth who’s actually financially poor is not even aware of such MBA programs.
Still I hope Reliance will be successful in finding the best candidates in all the terms they demand. The last question stuck in my mind is whether this scholarship is genuine? I mean why should I be happy & so all prospective India MBA aspirants if the scholarship is not for those who genuinely qualify for it? I hope and pray it should all be white and transparent. But wouldn’t it be the scheme of Reliance with hidden interest? …the scheme: to make Indian ministers and bureaucrats happy by offering their sons/daughters an MBA degree from Stanford?
I hope & pray my speculation is absolutely wrong.
To apply for Reliance Dhirubhai fellowship for stanford MBA click here : http://app.applyyourself.com/?id=SU-REL