how crucial is work exp.?

[anjmak]

Hi,

I'm just wondering, how crucial is work experience for an applicant right out of a second Bachelor's degree (like me)?

I would consider myself a non-traditional applicant - B.S. in Psychology/Biology, 24 yrs old, and lots of extracurricular experience/activities, ethnicity = Indian. I'd like to pursue a concentration in Biotech/Pharma. GPA = 3.7, expect to get a 700+ on GMAT based on practice tests.

Could you give me advice on this please?

Thanks,

A.M.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear A.M.,

How important your work experience is depends on what schools you are targeting. Some schools require work experience and some prefer it. If you are looking at programs that accept a large percentage of students coming directly from their bachelor's degrees, then it will be important to distinguish yourself as a high academic achiever (high GMAT, high GPA) and demonstrate leadership potential through extracurriculars. It will also be important to have at least one professional internship to be competitive. Lastly, you will need to have a solid rationale for why you want to get your MBA without gaining work experience first.

Good luck,
Lisa