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Importance of work experience when applying to B-School

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Importance of work experience when applying to B-School

by rwrangler » Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:50 pm
Will any of the top schools even consider a candidate who is fresh out of their undergrad program and has little work experience? I have an undergrad degree in Media Studies with a business minor...so my internships/work experience wouldn't be business related anyways.

So in short...is good GPA/GMAT/Essay enough for a fresh undergraduate without work experience to get into a good MBA program?

Thanks,
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by Prasanna » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:58 am
rwrangler

The guidelines varies among schools and across countries. However certain schools state that they are open to consider candidates with very little work experience if they possess strong leadership potential. You could get in touch with your target schools to find this information.

You could also post your schools of interest and get inputs from members of this forum.

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by jelt » Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:11 pm
Hi,

I'm a fellow applicant who is applying straight out of undergrad. I've been invited to interview for Wharton, so clearly at least some of the top schools do accept undergrads. (in my research, this pool includes Stanford, Harvard, Wharton and Chicago)

The biggest thing you may ask yourself is why MBA, and whether you have clearly defined career goals. I'm pursuing an MBA because it makes sense for me to do it NOW; if as a fresh graduate you believe you can say the same, then you're probably a good candidate to apply.

I would think that having a good GPA and GMAT would be absolutely necessary for you to not get dinged straight away, but having clearly articulated essays that make sense to mature readers who are probably 5-10 years your senior would be absolutely crucial if you are to have any chance of being admitted at all.
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by beatthegmat » Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:45 pm
jelt wrote:Hi,

I'm a fellow applicant who is applying straight out of undergrad. I've been invited to interview for Wharton, so clearly at least some of the top schools do accept undergrads. (in my research, this pool includes Stanford, Harvard, Wharton and Chicago)

The biggest thing you may ask yourself is why MBA, and whether you have clearly defined career goals. I'm pursuing an MBA because it makes sense for me to do it NOW; if as a fresh graduate you believe you can say the same, then you're probably a good candidate to apply.

I would think that having a good GPA and GMAT would be absolutely necessary for you to not get dinged straight away, but having clearly articulated essays that make sense to mature readers who are probably 5-10 years your senior would be absolutely crucial if you are to have any chance of being admitted at all.
Jelt makes a great point. If you can communicate a convincing argument about why you need the MBA right out of undergrad, admissions committees will review your application as seriously as other applicants with work experience.
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by rwrangler » Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:23 am
Thanks for the comments guys...they are much appreciated.
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by jelt » Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:59 am
No problem.

As an undergrad you will probably face much skepticism from others as you embark on your MBA journey. Most people as a rule believe that without work experience you don't belong in business school. Stay optimistic, and if you believe you have a good story (again, why MBA now and not any other time) then regardless of what others think you've got a good shot.

In my experience you SHOULD however listen to certain people: in my case that was Amy and Stacy. Posting on beatthegmat and asking Amy and Stacy what schools I should target was incredibly helpful. I think they offer a good reality check and really make you think about whether this is the right time. If it is, then why you should aim for the top if that's where you belong. To be honest I had not considered Wharton and Harvard until they suggested it. So talking to Amy and Stacy- in other words, people who know what they're talking about, not friends and family who probably don't know as much about the business school process- will be a good place to start.

Good luck!
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by beatthegmat » Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:04 pm
Hi Jelt:

Have you finished your apps?
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by jelt » Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:34 pm
I've only submitted one app in R1, for Wharton/Lauder. It was a mad rush. I decided to do an MBA only in the end of August, and from then I had to do GMAT, secure recommendations and work on my essays, all while working full-time over the summer and then studying full-time once I came back. All this, with the Wharton/Lauder app due on Oct 11!

Short answer, probably not. If I get into Wharton (I'll know in Dec) I'll probably work on only one more app to HBS. If not, then I'll apply to a whole lot more schools.
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by beatthegmat » Sat Nov 24, 2007 1:41 pm
I wish you all the best. Please let us know how the process goes, I'd love to someday read your story here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/admissions-s ... s-f30.html
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by jelt » Sat Nov 24, 2007 2:51 pm
Thank you. Where did you end up attending business school?
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by beatthegmat » Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:52 pm
I haven't applied yet. I'm thinking about apply next fall, but we'll see. :)
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by jelt » Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:04 am
beatthegmat wrote:I haven't applied yet. I'm thinking about apply next fall, but we'll see. :)
Cool. What schools are you looking at?
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by beatthegmat » Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:56 am
I really have not put much thought into it. Ironic huh, since I help administer this site to help others on their business school journey?
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by jelt » Sun Nov 25, 2007 12:23 pm
beatthegmat wrote:I really have not put much thought into it. Ironic huh, since I help administer this site to help others on their business school journey?
Well I guess that's more power to you. Good that you're happy to help others learn and share more about business school, even when it's not necessarily on the near horizon yet for you.
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