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Applying for Business School

There is no "right" age or length of work experience necessary for applying to an MBA program.  Incoming students range in age from 23 to 43. The average age for most full-time students entering MBA programs is between 25 and 27.

Typical MBA business school admissions are based on three basic criteria:

1. Undergraduate GPA
2. GMAT scores
3. Experience

Undergraduate Coursework & GPA

Top business schools regularly report that a high percentage of their students come from liberal arts backgrounds, with English and history among the most common undergraduate majors.

Consider classes that will allow you to explore a wide range of disciplines. Coursework in English is often cited for honing verbal and written communications skills. Coursework in more technical fields such as economics, statistics, and math can help you build a good foundation for material you will see again in an MBA program.

The most important consideration is to do well in whatever program of studies you choose. Business schools give grade point average (GPA) significant weight when evaluating MBA applicants.

The GMAT
Consisting of three main parts delivered in English and administered in test centers around the world, the GMAT exam measures verbal, mathematical, and analytical and writing skills that you've developed over time. The exam helps graduate programs assess your qualifications for advanced study in business and management. Your scores are good for five years, so you have the ability to start your graduate studies now or down the road.

Work Experience

Because work experience, as reflected in personal essays and recommendations, is used to evaluate MBA applicants, excellent work experience can increase your admissions chances. MBA programs rarely accept students directly from college. Business schools emphasize the importance of work experience because this experience develops problem solving, interpersonal, leadership, and teamwork skills in a way that undergraduate classes cannot. Work experience offers exposure to everyday business problems--problems considered in MBA coursework. Also, business schools expect students to contribute to class discussions by calling upon personal experiences from their careers. One highly competitive option for current undergraduates is Harvard Business School's 2+2 Program.

MBA Rankings

Business Week Business School Rankings

US News & World Report Business School Rankings

Find the Best Business Schools Website

Other Business Programs

Masters of Accountancy Programs

This specialty program usually runs one year in length and contains from ten to twelve three semester credit courses (30 to 36 semester hours total). The program may consist of all graduate accounting courses or a combination of graduate accounting courses, graduate tax courses and other graduate business electives. The program is designed to not only prepare students for the CPA examination but also to provide a strong knowledge of accounting principles and business applications.

Examples of Programs:
Wake Forest University
Vanderbilt University
Northeastern University

Masters of Management Programs
These programs usually run one year in length and provide liberal arts students with a foundation in business.

Example:
Duke University
University of Virginia