Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

Stanford’s flagship platform for global changemakers

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) Program at Stanford University is a fully funded graduate fellowship that cultivates a multidisciplinary community of leaders dedicated to addressing complex global challenges. Each cohort includes up to 100 scholars pursuing degrees across Stanford’s seven schools—business, law, medicine, engineering, humanities and sciences, education, sustainability, and medicine. Scholars receive three years of full tuition, living stipend, leadership development programming through the King Global Leadership Program (KGLP), and access to venture funding, mentorship, and experiential learning. To earn a spot, you must weave together academic excellence, purposeful leadership, and a track record of civic engagement that signals your readiness to collaborate across sectors.

Application ecosystem and dual-deadline strategy

KHS requires a separate application in addition to Stanford’s graduate program application. The KHS application typically closes in early October, while Stanford program deadlines vary by school. Plan to submit the KHS application first, then finalize your Stanford application by its respective deadline. The KHS portal asks for biographical information, a one-page resume, two recommendation letters (distinct from Stanford requirements), four short-answer responses, two essays, and a 2-minute video introduction. Finalists are invited to Immersion Weekend at Stanford for interviews and group exercises. Map out a calendar that integrates both application processes to avoid conflicts.

Eligibility nuances and documentation

Eligibility is based primarily on degree recency (earned in 2019 or later). For applicants with military service, the recency window extends by two years. Ensure you meet the degree requirement or pursue a joint degree that allows you to qualify. Gather official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions and confirm that your GPA scales are explained for international records. The application requires evidence of English proficiency when applicable (TOEFL, IELTS). Since KHS is open to global applicants, prepare documentation such as passports, national IDs, or proof of residency for visa purposes. If you plan to pursue a joint or dual degree at Stanford, coordinate with admissions offices early to understand prerequisites.

Essays and short answers: narrative cohesion

KHS essays include a 750-word “Connect the Dots” prompt exploring how your life experience shapes your aspirations, and a 600-word “How Will You Pursue Your Life’s Calling at Stanford?” prompt. The short answers cover leadership examples, experiences working with diverse teams, personal interests, and life lessons. Approach the essays as a narrative arc: origins, inflection points, and future trajectory. Use storytelling techniques to illustrate how you have translated values into action, such as founding a climate justice coalition, leading public health campaigns, or engineering accessible technology. Show, don’t just tell—provide concrete anecdotes, metrics, and reflections. In the second essay, detail how Stanford resources—labs, research centers, community partnerships—will enable you to magnify your impact. Cross-reference with the Stanford program application to ensure alignment; reviewers want coherence across submissions.

Video statement best practices

The 2-minute video is an opportunity to showcase authenticity beyond the written word. Draft a loose script that highlights three elements: who you are, what drives you, and a memorable story or artifact. Film in a well-lit, quiet space with a neutral background. Maintain eye contact with the camera, speak clearly, and let your personality shine. Avoid over-editing; KHS values sincerity more than production value. Consider incorporating a meaningful object that represents your mission, such as a prototype, book, or cultural artifact, but ensure it supports rather than distracts from your message. Practice multiple takes to build confidence while keeping the final video conversational.

Recommendations that highlight collaboration and humility

KHS seeks recommenders who can speak to your intellect, leadership, and character. Select individuals who have worked closely with you and witnessed moments of vulnerability, growth, and collaboration. Provide them with a recommendation brief including your mission statement, key achievements with quantitative outcomes, and a summary of the KHS selection criteria (independence of thought, purposeful leadership, civic mindset). Encourage them to share stories that illustrate how you empower others, embrace feedback, and persist in the face of setbacks. Remind them that letters should complement, not repeat, Stanford recommendations. Send reminders about deadlines and express gratitude for their support.

King Global Leadership Program highlights

Beyond funding, KHS offers the King Global Leadership Program, a multi-year curriculum featuring workshops, global study trips, design sprints, and dialogues with leaders across sectors. Scholars learn to approach challenges from systems and human-centered perspectives. Emphasize in your application how you will contribute to this community: facilitating peer learning, sharing expertise from your region, or designing cross-cohort collaborations. Demonstrating a mindset of reciprocity—what you will give and receive—signals that you understand the program’s ethos.

Tips and tricks for a competitive application

1. Align Stanford and KHS narratives. Ensure your graduate program statement of purpose and KHS essays reinforce each other.
2. Create a leadership impact map. Chart your initiatives, stakeholders, and outcomes to identify themes for essays and interviews.
3. Practice systems thinking. Articulate how your work addresses root causes rather than symptoms.
4. Showcase cultural humility. Highlight experiences collaborating across cultures, disciplines, or ideologies.
5. Engage with current scholars. Attend virtual Q&As or request informational interviews to gain insight into program culture.
6. Quantify innovation. Provide data on patents filed, users served, emissions reduced, or policies influenced.
7. Demonstrate resilience. Share how you navigated setbacks—failed experiments, policy pushback, or fundraising challenges—and what you learned.
8. Maintain design thinking mindset. Discuss prototyping, user research, and iteration in your projects.
9. Invest in self-reflection. Use journaling or coaching to clarify your purpose and values before writing essays.
10. Prepare for Immersion Weekend. If invited, review Stanford’s collaborative learning models, practice team-based problem solving, and stay curious.

Avoiding pitfalls

Do not recycle generic leadership statements or list achievements without analysis. Avoid portraying yourself as a lone hero; emphasize collaboration and shared success. Ensure your essays balance ambition with humility—acknowledge mentors, community partners, and cultural influences. Double-check that your video statement adheres to time limits and that audio quality is clear. Finally, do not neglect the Stanford application; admission to your graduate program is a prerequisite for the scholarship.

Immersion Weekend preparation

Finalists attend a multi-day Immersion Weekend featuring interviews, workshops, and team challenges. Prepare by reviewing your application thoroughly, rehearsing responses to behavioral questions, and practicing active listening. Expect to engage in design sprints or case discussions with other finalists. Focus on demonstrating curiosity, empathy, and adaptability rather than dominance. Dress smart casual, arrive early to sessions, and take notes on insights you can reference in thank-you emails. After the weekend, send personalized messages to staff and peers you connected with, reflecting on what you learned and how you plan to contribute if selected.

Post-selection stewardship

Knight-Hennessy Scholars are expected to engage deeply with Stanford and the global community. Create a three-year plan that outlines academic milestones, leadership experiments, community engagement, and wellness goals. Leverage KHS funding to pursue internships, field research, or entrepreneurial ventures that align with your mission. Offer to mentor future applicants, lead workshops, or host cultural events. Maintain transparent communication with program staff about your progress and challenges. The network continues after graduation, so consider how you will contribute as an alum—through collaborative projects, funding initiatives, or policy advocacy.

Self-assessment rubric

Develop a rubric with categories such as intellectual vitality, purposeful leadership, civic commitment, communication clarity, and Stanford alignment. Ask mentors to review your materials using this rubric. Ensure your resume highlights cross-disciplinary achievements and global impact. Verify that transcripts, test scores, and identification documents are accurate. Check that your essays and video convey warmth and authenticity. Conduct a final portal review to confirm all sections are complete and documents uploaded correctly.

Final checklist

• Proofread essays with grammar tools and peer reviewers.
• Confirm recommendation submissions and send reminders.
• Upload video statement in required format and test playback.
• Submit the KHS application at least 48 hours before the deadline.
• Finalize Stanford program application materials and track their deadlines.
• Celebrate progress and schedule time for reflection before Immersion Weekend notifications.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program offers unparalleled resources for visionary leaders. By presenting a cohesive narrative of impact, collaboration, and purpose, you can demonstrate that you are ready to join Stanford’s community of global changemakers.