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When it comes to applying to an MBA program, applicants typically have a series of stresses that they have to work past: GMAT scores, academic transcripts, and even work experience. Though many students focus their efforts on the first two things, including their academic performance and GMAT test scores, many schools also place high importance on how experienced the student is in a professional business setting. In fact, most schools require at least a few years of work experience so that their students can bring a bit of added context and academic potential into the classroom as they study advanced business and administration skills required of top-level management. Before applying, it’s a good idea to know how many years of experience is typically required, and to learn where to look for such a requirement at each business school.
The Five-Year Rule: A Common Requirement Among Business Schools
Business schools are free to require as much work experience as they feel is necessary for their students to succeed, but most schools typically require about a half-decade of professional experience of their applicants. This “five-year rule” in graduate business admissions is considered by many admissions counselors to be the right amount of time for graduates to not only gain work experience, but to find themselves eligible for their first promotion. As a result, students who apply after five years in the workforce typically have experience supervising a team. This supervisory experience is an asset in the many MBA classes focused on handling organizational dynamics and high-level management decisions. It certainly gives students the background they need in order to evolve from entry-level employees to true decision-makers.
Beyond the Five-Year Rule: Other Things to Consider
As the number of MBA programs has increased, and as those programs have diversified in terms of their traditional focus, the five-year work experience requirement has changed a bit at some institutions. Some schools have eliminated the work experience requirement altogether, while others have lessened to as few as one or two years in the workplace. Executive MBA programs, on the other hand, have increased their work experience requirements to as many as 10 years at some of the most prestigious programs. For this reason, it’s good to do a thorough amount of research on each school’s unique requirements. Before applying, simply search the school’s website for their MBA admissions process and application requirements. This part of the website will include a list of required materials, student credentials, and experiential qualifications, making it plainly obvious whether the program is the right fit.
Work Experience Benefits: Waivers During the Application Process
Finally, students should be aware that their work experience can actually be a significant benefit as they determine which programs to apply to. Some of these programs offer to waive the application fee or even the GMAT requirement for seasoned applicants with a certain amount of work experience. This can save applicants a significant sum of money, since the GMAT test itself costs $200 for each sitting. Furthermore, it may actually enhance each applicant’s chances of being accepted to their ideal MBA program.
More Often Than Not, At Least a Few Years of Experience is Required
The MBA is a degree that is strengthened by work experience. Graduates with experience are also in a stronger position to be recruited into senior management jobs by on-campus recruiting personnel. For this reason, professionals who are considering applying to an MBA program should evaluate both their academic and professional credentials before paying the application fee and awaiting acceptance.
