The Application Process

Are there any college seniors here that have been accepted to business school?? Is age even a factor (I'm 20) ?? I really don't have job experience, other than working as a cashier.....But I have a lot of volunteer experience (hospital, youth center, school, UNICEF, etc), would that help? Should I find another job or an internship??

I want to go to Columbia or the U of M (Carlson).

You really need some full time professional experience to be considered for a top MBA program. Some schools allow you to go straight through from an undergrad business degree to your MBA however most programs require at least 2 years of work experience. You should also strive to remain involved in your community and any hobbies that you have as you gain work experience. All of these areas will contribute to a stronger application.

I think there is some value in entering the work force for a few years, first. In my experience, going into my MBA program after already having a sense for real-world business issues really solidified my learning. The case studies felt that much more concrete, and I had real-world background to contribute to the discussions. The bschool decision is very personal; this is just what worked best for me.

However, from what I have seen it appears especially that finance track MBA students can do quite well coming straight from undergrad, as the curriculum does not depend quite as much on personal experience.

Best wishes,

Tatiana