5 Years is the New 2-3 Years

Many applicants still believe that having a great GMAT score and a great GPA is enough to get them into the MBA program of their choice. However, it is time to be slightly realistic. Numbers from Wharton’s new class of last year show that only 2% of the students admitted had less than two years of work experience. This means that only 15 people out of the 8,300 people who applied got in with that little work experience. In statistical terms, that gives you a 0.18% chance of getting into Wharton’s MBA program if you completed less than two years of full time work experience. Those are not good odds.

It is vital for prospective MBA students to spend at least four to five years working full time before they consider applying. This work experience will be as beneficial and important to your application as a 750 GMAT score or a 3.9 GPA. More information about applying to MBA programs can be found here.

Stick to One Company

While some people do not think there is anything wrong with working at two or three companies over a 4-5 year period, this is often frowned on by admissions people at MBA programs. They see your job hopping as superficial, meaning that you are not gaining an in depth understanding of any particular area, company, or field.

Quality as well as Quantity

MBA admissions people do not simply select candidates who have the longest work experience. Quality is hugely important to your resume when you are applying to a top MBA school. Your GMAT score needs to be in the mid to high 700s, while a GPA of at least 3.5 or 3.6 is necessary.

When it comes to work experience, every aspect of your work is considered by admissions staff. The company you are working for, its overall reputation, the area of your work, and the various positions you held during a 3-4 year period carry weight on whether you are accepted or denied admission.

Expanding Horizons

The horizons are expanding for most MBA students, and applicants who wish to enter MBA programs. There was a time when it was very generic for MBA students to spend two or three years working as financial analysts or entry level consultants before applying for MBA programs. Nowadays, MBA students are coming from big companies, start ups, high tech firms, and all sorts of career paths. If you are worried that your work in college and afterwards may not be suited to a MBA program, there is plenty to be optimistic about. As long as you show that you are a great student, and a quality employee, you will be a solid MBA applicant.

Applying for a MBA is very different from undergraduate and other graduate school programs. The level of work experience required differs greatly, and this shows in the pool of applicants. If you want to be taken seriously as an applicant, you should be prepared to put in three to five years of productive work at a reputable company.