How to Get Into an MBA Program: Requirements, Tips, and More

A Master of Business Administration may be the path you need to reach your career goals. An MBA degree gives you refined skills and practical training in business administration, expands your professional network, and opens you up to ample job opportunities.  According to this dissertation, a top MBA program costs about $60,000 per year. However, the ROI and credentials obtained from an MBA program can set you up for scaled success in your career. 

Applying for an MBA program can be stressful, especially if you are unsure about what to expect. We will help you ease the fear of the unknown by telling you the prerequisites for programs and giving you tips on how to be prepared for the application and interview process. 

What Are the Requirements for an MBA?

Each business school has its own focuses and values. Depending on which B-school you choose for your MBA program, specific criteria may be necessary for the application process. However, there are core requirements that most MBA programs consider. 

Whichever graduate school you add to your list for the application process, they will most likely reference your Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, undergraduate GPA, work experience, application essay, and letters of recommendation. 

High GMAT or GRE Scores

You can expect a GMAT score to be required when applying for graduate school. The GMAT measures your quantitative data analysis skills, with the average GMAT score being 500–600. 

Some business schools may accept a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in place of the GMAT, with the average GRE score landing in the 150 range for each subsection. The GRE is generally required for most graduate programs, whereas the GMAT is an exam specifically for B-schools, which often makes the GMAT more suitable when applying for an MBA program. This guide expounds on why GMAT test scores are more competitive than GRE test scores and why you should focus on getting the highest possible score. 

Good GPA Scores

The undergraduate GPA you received while completing your bachelor’s degree will be considered in your MBA application process. GPA expectations generally start at 3.0–3.25, though some programs may expect a higher GPA. 

Work Experience

Graduate schools consider quality over quantity when evaluating work experience for their MBA program. While numerous years of work under your belt shows you are more seasoned, the quality of your work experience highlights your specific skill sets and administrative qualities. A good rule of thumb is to have a minimum of three to five years of work experience before applying to business school, giving you time to adapt to the workforce, develop leadership skills, and explore options for the next step in your career. 

While prior work experience is beneficial to the longevity of your career and the development of your skills, it may not be a major factor in determining your academic success within an MBA program. In the grand scheme of grad school, previous work experience is only a small contributing factor to academic success in an MBA program, as assessed in this study. 

MBA Application Essay

Most business schools want you to highlight your qualities and accomplishments in an application essay. Use this essay as an opportunity to showcase who you are and how you would be an asset to their program. You are more than your test scores, as your soft skills indicate your value as a team member. Business schools want to see your leadership potential and how you make positive contributions to your work and collaborations. 

In your MBA application essay, discuss the areas of your career in which you would like to grow. Humility contributes to a more human connection and shows that you can self-evaluate and execute constructive criticism. You should also highlight any recognition you have received in your current and past jobs, such as promotions, awards, or appointed leadership roles.

Letters of Recommendation

Your letters of recommendation could be the deciding factor for your admittance to business school, so choose your recommenders wisely. Your recommenders provide admissions officers with an objective account of who you are as an individual and what qualities you demonstrate within the workplace. Ask someone whom you have worked closely with and who can attest to your work ethic and quality of performance. Ask a supervisor or coworker who is supportive of your decision to apply for B-school so that you know they’ll commend you as well as provide specific scenarios in which you enacted the qualities and skills desired by business schools.

Business School Requirements Breakdown

For further evaluation, here are average breakdowns of credentials for some of the top business schools:

• Stanford University-Graduate School of Business

  • Average GMAT score: 738
  • Average Undergraduate GPA: 3.78
  • Average years of work experience: 4.5 years

• University of Pennsylvania-Wharton School of Business

  • Average GMAT score: 733
  • Average Undergraduate GPA: 3.6
  • Average years of work experience: 5 years

• Harvard University-Harvard Business School 

  • Average GMAT score: 727
  • Average Undergraduate GPA: 3.69
  • Average years of work experience: 5 years

• Columbia University-Columbia Business School

  • Average GMAT score: 732
  • Average Undergraduate GPA: 3.5
  • Average years of work experience: 5 years

• The University of Chicago-Booth School of Business

  • Average GMAT score: 730
  • Average Undergraduate GPA: 3.54
  • Average years of work experience: 5 years

What Does the MBA Application Process Look Like?

The MBA application is going to look different depending on your target school. Here is a general overview of the MBA application process. You will need:

• An updated resume
• Official transcripts
• GMAT or GRE test scores
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose

While the quantitative background of your transcripts and test scores are important, your highlights and work ethic help you stand out in this process. Your MBA essay should be carefully crafted and edited, and include any unique aspects of candidacy you would like the admissions consultant to know. We also recommend two letters of recommendation.  

Application submission deadlines are typically in the fall of each year. Check your school of choice for the specific application deadline. Once you have submitted your application, they may ask you for an interview, after which you will receive a decision.  

If you are not accepted, there is no need to worry. You can reapply the following year (it is common for MBA applicants to apply two or three times before acceptance). The key to getting accepted upon reapplication is showing that you have made an effort to improve your application and test scores. There are many GMAT prep courses you can utilize whether you are a first-time applicant or reapplicant. 

Also, prepare to pay an application fee, though we do not require an application fee at Crummer. For our complete MBA application checklist, reference this page. 

What Does an MBA Interview Look Like

The MBA admissions interview is an important factor in admissions decisions. Be prepared to answer questions about your successes, challenges, professional background, and teamwork capabilities. The interviewer will look for an MBA candidate with a proactive attitude who can pinpoint how situations can be improved. Also, come equipped with questions of your own to make a good impression.

How to Get Into an MBA Program Final Tips

We want to help you complete your MBA application with ease and land a spot at your dream business school.  Remember that the admissions team is looking at more than just your transcripts and test scores — they want to see your soft skills and leadership potential. They want candidates who will increase the morale of their program and be an asset to their network. Consider the final tips outlined below before submitting your MBA application.

Don’t Forget About Your Non-Academic Achievements

Your participation in extracurricular activities and non-academic achievements can have a major impact on your MBA application. These experiences and awards may be the very things that set you apart on paper and in your interview, especially if your undergraduate GPA or test scores are lower than preferred. Your non-academic profile demonstrates how you value your time outside of the classroom and workplace, and how you exceed expectations. This shows where your values lie and what interests you hold, which can help the admissions team determine if you are a good candidate for their program. 

Focus On Your Leadership Skills

MBA programs indicate that the future of your career will have you in managerial roles, though you don’t need to have held one to be accepted. Use stories from your professional career that exhibit your leadership capabilities.  Business schools are looking for MBA candidates who show — from their soft skills and professional history — that they are capable of promoting a cohesive team and acting out leadership best practices.

Consider Your Concentration Options

Most MBA programs provide students with core foundational classes to kick off graduate school. Then, grad students usually have the opportunity to choose an area of concentration. Your concentration can be relevant to the field you came from or can be a new field that helps you transition into the next phase of your career. 

Consider these concentrations:

• Accounting – A concentration in accounting prepares you for roles that involve financial decision-making, accurately analyzing budgets, and leading financial audits.
• Economics – this concentration equips you with the ability to understand international finance and markets, policies, and overall human behavior. 
• HR – an MBA in human resources heavily focuses on organizational behavior, employee management and training, professional development, and labor relations. 
• IT – A concentration in information technology teaches you about digital technology and computer systems, cyber security, and data analysis.
• Project Management – This concentration helps you sharpen and develop skills and qualities that help you brainstorm and implement successful projects in your industry.

Take Your Time to Strengthen Your Profile

To increase your chances of acceptance, ensure you have a strong profile ready to present. This should be your number one priority, especially if you are in the reapplication process. Focusing on a solid profile includes revamping your resume and getting current on extracurriculars. Focus on your leadership skills to set yourself apart. Also, improve your GMAT score — you can take the exam up to five times a year if necessary.

A strong, well-written MBA essay will help showcase your career goals and achievements. This is also an opportunity to demonstrate your values and commitment to making an impact in your community, which helps you further stand out. Make sure you have selected quality recommenders who will write high praises of your work ethic and character. Objective recommendations help the admissions team see that you are an asset. 

Choose Your MBA Provider Carefully

Consider what fits your current situation better: part-time or full-time? In-person or online? Also, keep in mind which concentration you are interested in pursuing — does your target school offer that concentration in the format you need? Note that the higher your target MBA program is in business school rankings, the higher quality you will get from your experience there, and you’ll also be more marketable upon graduation.

We know what you must be thinking… With all of these nuances and low acceptance rates, is pursuing an MBA worth it? According to this report, an MBA’s lifetime ROI is a median of $83,000, depending on your undergraduate degree and graduate concentration. 

For more consideration on if an MBA is worth it, reference this article.

Florida’s No. 1 MBA Provider

With quality recommenders, examples, and high test scores, your MBA application process can run smoothly and successfully. Remember to highlight your achievements and leadership abilities, and come prepared with questions for your interview. 

We want you to join us at Crummer for the next step of your career. Our MBA students can choose from our five programs, such as our Early Advantage, Professional, or Executive MBA paths. We offer in-person classes as well as online MBA courses. 

If you are ready to tackle the MBA application process and advance your potential with Florida’s number one MBA provider, then let’s get started.