1. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Web:

2. Why did Stanford launch this program?
We asked ourselves what Stanford could do to drive progress
Society’s challenges are increasing in complexity
Profound lack of leadership in business & government
How to build on Stanford’s strengths
Breadth of excellence—developing “T-shaped” students
Multidisciplinary collaboration
Innovative spirit & location in Silicon Valley, on Pacific Rim
We quickly converged on a graduate-level scholars program
Inspired by impact of existing global scholarships
Bring the world’s most talented students to Stanford and prepare them to tackle our most important challenges

3. What are the major elements of the program?
Full support through duration of graduate study
50 Scholars will be in pioneer cohort, growing to 100 Scholars annually
Open to all graduate and professional programs
Open to all citizenships
Designed to foster interdisciplinary & multidisciplinary work/thinking with a global perspective on issues
Offers a cohort-based global leadership and problem-solving program to supplement Scholar’s core degree

4. Eligibility
Open to all citizenships, geographic locales, disciplinary, and graduate/professional degrees
Students must matriculate within 5 years of receiving their bachelor’s degree
Earning other/graduate degrees does not affect eligibility
No preference on work experience—that will depend upon the degree program to which the student is applying
Students apply separately to Stanford graduate degree program
Preference for students who will be at Stanford for 2 or more years
Cannot defer Scholar status; apply to graduate program same year as apply for Scholars program

5. Selection Criteria Independence of thought
Seek out new knowledge & experiences
Full of original ideas
Can make sense of ambiguous situations
Can hold contrarian or dissenting viewpoint
Purposeful leadership
Driven to improve self & world
Ambitious, in the best sense
Willing to take risks
Resilient
Civic mindset
Personally humble & kind
Inclusive
Respectful of differences
Other-oriented

6. Application Biographical & demographic information
Transcripts & Test scores as required by graduate/professional program
Resume/CV
Essays designed to get a sense of who you are:
Connect the dots: How have the influences (people, places, events, etc.) in your life shaped you?
Describe 3 different paths for your career and life. To prepare for them, what do you need to learn at Stanford as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar? (What are you passionate about/interested in, and provide 3 ways this might play out. The passion point is the macro-picture, the 3 paths are the micro-pictures. The pathways should show creativity in their conception.)
Your story: For Fun “Tell us 8 improbable facts about you”
If you could take any course or study with any instructor at Stanford, what would you take or with whom would you study, and why? You cannot pick John Hennessy.
Video (2 minutes), introducing yourself and presenting a different view of the person “met” through your essays.
Select from one of 3 different questions: (1) Tell us about something for which you are grateful; (2) tell us about your Crazy Idea; or (3) tell us about your most meaningful commitment
Letters of reference, in addition to grad/prof school application
For applicants who have graduated at least one year prior to application: 2 letters that address character, specific behaviors, and experiences
For applicants currently enrolled as undergrads: 1 letter as above + letter of institutional endorsement/assessment

7. Timeline Application open May 1st, 2017
Stanford graduate program applications open early to mid Sept (depending upon program)
Lafayette campus application due August 30th
Official application due September 27th
Stanford graduate applications due November 15th
Finalists notified mid December
Finalists’ “immersion weekend” mid January
Applicants notified mid February of acceptance to Stanford AND acceptance as Scholars