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Earning your MBA can be a great career and life goal. And it can be difficult to figure out the MBA admissions process.
A college degree doesn't mean you're completely done with school. Some college graduates go to graduate school straight after graduation, while others choose to work for a few years to gain professional experience.
Attending business school after college is a popular path for many young professionals. It provides valuable skills and experience that can lead to a variety of good jobs. With so many people competing for spots at the best business schools, getting into it can be more difficult than the business school itself.
If you're thinking about attending business school, there are a few things you need to consider in your application. Aside from test scores, MBA admissions committees also look for soft skills that show whether or not someone is a well-rounded candidate who can add value to the school.
This MBA admissions guide covers everything you need to consider before applying to business school.
What does the MBA admission process involve?
The MBA admission process is a little different from other admission processes. Rather than focusing solely on test scores or essays, MBA programs want to find people who are well-rounded and will add value to each new cohort.
Think of it like the draft of your favorite sports team. The goal of the draft is to select the best players to build a high-performing team. MBA admissions committees approach MBA programs with a similar mindset.
The application process usually includes three rounds. Each round offers the opportunity to be accepted into the school of your choice. While the application deadline may vary by school, many business schools follow the same schedule:
- Round 1: ends in autumn
- Round 2: ends at New Year's Day
- Round 3: ends in spring
As the round progresses, the spots for the new class fill up. While applying in the first round doesn't guarantee you'll be admitted, it can increase your chances.
However, applying in the first round may not be ideal for all candidates. If you did not achieve optimal GMAT scores or are an international student, applying later may be more suitable for you.
What do MBA admissions programs expect from applicants?
When you are ready to apply, you will need to gather all of your application materials. This includes test results, your bachelor's degree certificate, an updated resume, essays and the interview test. You'll also want to get letters of recommendation from mentors, employers, or advisors who can attest to your credibility.
Standardized test results
The Graduate Management Admission Test – or GMAT – is one of the most common standardized tests required for admission to an MBA program. Depending on the school, a GRE test score may also be acceptable.
Although test scores are not necessarily the most important part of an MBA application, they do play a role in the admissions decision. Admissions officers use test results to determine whether or not an applicant can handle the coursework associated with the MBA program.
Each school has its own test score standards, but the best business schools typically look for candidates who have a GMAT score of 700 or higher. This is not a guarantee of admission, but it can be a useful benchmark, especially if you believe you can retake the GMAT to boost your score and thus increase your chances of admission.
In addition to admissions, test scores for MBA programs are also correlated with national rankings. Media outlets like US News & World Report are experts on business school admissions. A program that wants to improve its ranking may look for candidates with higher test scores to accomplish this.
Preparing for the GMAT can take a few months. If you think you may need to repeat the test, it may take longer. Consider the scoring requirements of the schools you plan to apply to and develop a testing strategy that works with your application timeline.
Related: GMAT vs. GRE: Which Test Do You Need?
Bachelor's certificate
Another score you may need to provide is your bachelor's degree transcript. In addition to being interested in your overall GPA, admissions officers will also want to know whether you took any quantitative courses and how well you did in those courses.
This is important to keep in mind if you are still studying and plan to apply to an MBA program later. If you haven't taken any quantitative courses – such as math or statistics – consider adding some to your course load to include on your transcript. These courses also do not guarantee admission, but can help demonstrate your potential for success in a future MBA program.
Resume
Admissions officers don't just look for applicants who do well on exams or get good grades. They want candidates who will also make a meaningful contribution. Diverse professional experience is one thing that admissions officers in MBA classes strive for.
You can show what you bring to the table in your CV. It not only shows what projects you have worked on and what you have achieved in your career, but also reflects your potential to act as a leader and work in a team.
Essays
As with most admission applications, you must write and submit an essay to enter an MBA program. This is an opportunity for you to lobby the admissions committee to select you from hundreds of other applicants.
Business schools pay attention to your strengths as a potential member of a new cohort and the value you bring to a school. The essay topic varies by school and is usually selected by the admissions committee. Be sure to write a concise, well-written description that responds to the prompt while explaining why you want to be accepted into the particular program you are applying to.
interview
An MBA interview is usually part of the admissions process. This is another qualitative screening mechanism to filter out candidates. If the other parts of your application have you close to being accepted, passing the interview may be a way for you to seal the deal.
Each school may have a different interview process. Some schools may ask you to delve into your work experience or explain various decisions you've made throughout your career. Others may require group interviews to evaluate how you interact with other candidates and to demonstrate the value you could add to the program.
Related:
Mastering the college admissions interview
Letter of recommendation
The final part of the application package is obtaining letters of recommendation. These should be professional or academic in nature and should be able to demonstrate your achievements at school or at work.
It's a good idea to share your application materials in advance with the people you've asked to write your letters of recommendation. This will ensure that they pay attention to highlighting your strengths. Keep your recommenders updated on your application timeline so they have enough time to prepare a well-written letter for you.
Tips for getting into a top MBA program
If you're thinking about applying to business school, there's a good chance you're eyeing a spot at a top university like the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania or Harvard Business School. These schools produce large numbers of business professionals who have gone on to become CEOs of Fortune 500 companies or hold other prominent positions.
Aside from the formal application process, there are a few other things you can do to improve your application and increase your chances of getting into a top school.
If you can, try to attend the school you want to attend. Walk across campus and imagine being a student there. This creates an environment in which you can write your essay. This can help you write a more compelling narrative about why you want to attend that school specifically and why you should be considered for admission there.
You should also network with current students or alumni of the schools you are applying to. Ask questions about their experiences as a student. If you have a mentor who is a graduate of the same program you are applying to, ask for feedback on your application package.
Is an MBA worth it?
Getting into business school is challenging. For many career starters, it's worth it. But depending on your goals, it may not make sense for you.
On the one hand, MBAs aren’t cheap. Although you may be eligible for a scholarship or your employer will cover your tuition fees, this is not guaranteed. There is still a chance that you will have to pay for some – if not all – of your MBA degree out of pocket. If that's the case, you'll want to make sure your investment gets a good ROI. An MBA can certainly help you land a well-paying job, but it is never guaranteed.
Your long-term career goals will also help you decide whether an MBA degree makes sense or not. If you want a job at a Fortune 500 company or a prestigious consulting firm like McKinsey, an MBA can help you get your foot in the door. However, if you want to work for a startup or start your own business, an MBA may not be very practical. Many of the skills you need to excel in these roles can be acquired on your own, without the price of an MBA degree.
Before you start the application process, consider whether an MBA degree is actually worth it. If you decide to do so, follow this MBA admissions guide to help you put together an application package that will make you a strong candidate for the admissions committee of the school of your choice.
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