How much experience is absolutely needed to get into a top MBA program (Business school)?

Question

I would like to go to a top Business school/MBA program but I only have a 1-2 years of professional work experience. I have read that work experience is a very important admissions factor for MBA programs and the average student has around 4-5 years experience. I also read that most people who apply straight from undergraduate school have a harder time getting in. I haven't however; read how difficult it is to get in with 1-2 years of experience. I know it depends on the school but in general is 1-2 years of work experience a huge disadvantage when applying to Business school? Thanks

Answer 1

I got into 4 business schools, all were FEMBAs or executive MBAs and all are in the top 15ish (Berkeley/Columbia, Wharton, UCLA, USC).

I have 12 years work and 9 years management experience, got a 740 GMAT, my undergrad GPA was 3.4 and my Master's GPA was 3.8 (both top 5 engineering schools).

Don't know about full-time MBA. Probably won't be so heavily centered around work experience but you should have at least a 750+ GMAT and 3.8 gpa or higher if you have less than 4-5 years mgmt experience, I would imagine.

(No offense, you better check the grammar on your essays better than you did your question. They're unforgiving about that...)

Answer 2

I think for a top business school they like to see experience, but I do not think it is set in stone. You could call the school and talk to someone.

I did not go to a "top" business school meaning it is not in the rankings in the Wall Street Journal, I only had 1.5 years of experience and I did it while working, at night. It seems like you are referring to Harvard or Penn so it might be different for them because it is so competitive.

Answer 3

Please try: http://www.womenbusinesstraining.com ... They have lots of good information on various business degrees both Bachelors and Masters