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How Work Experience Influences MBA Admissions

The average work experience among new entrants in 2021 at ranked full-time MBA programs was about four years.

Work Experience Affects MBA Admissions

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MBA admissions officials like to see evidence of growth, discipline and leadership when they examine a candidate's resume.

Although in rare instances it is possible to get into an MBA program immediately after college , that is not the typical route. Most MBA hopefuls need to gain work experience to become competitive candidates for business school, some admissions experts say.

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Highly selective MBA programs strive to admit individuals who are very accomplished within the workplace, notes Stacy Blackman, a former U.S. News contributor and president of Stacy Blackman Consulting. The most impressive MBA candidates already qualify as "top performers" and have received "fast promotions," she wrote in an email.

MBA admissions officials like to see evidence of growth, discipline and leadership when they examine a candidate's resume. People who plan to pursue an MBA degree should seek employment "that would give them the opportunity to grow and show their individual strengths," Chris Wszalek, executive director of graduate admissions and student recruitment at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management in New York, wrote in an email.

Work experience expectations vary among business schools and depend on the type of program a candidate is applying for, such as an executive, full-time or part-time MBA program, Wszalek explains. "It is becoming more common for B-schools to focus on the quality of work versus the quantity."

There is no hard-and-fast rule about how much work experience is mandatory to qualify for an MBA program.

"As to how long a candidate should wait before applying, this really depends on the quality of his or her professional profile," says Graham Richmond, a former admissions officer at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School . "I've seen wonderful candidates with just one to two years of experience and others that clearly would benefit from more 'seasoning' in the professional world."

Richmond – a Wharton MBA grad and co-founder of Clear Admit, a community site for business school applicants – suggests that an MBA candidate's job specialty may have some bearing on admissions decisions. "While the programs do not explicitly prefer one sort of job or job function over another, they do seek a well-rounded student body. As such, if candidates come from over-subscribed professions (financial services, strategy consulting, IT), they often need to work very hard to stand out from other similar applicants in the pool."

Emily Archambeault, former director of master's admissions at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business in Pittsburgh, notes that work experience expectations are not rigid.

"Often applicants see the average years of work experience on admitted student profiles and think it is the magic number to acquire in terms of length of experience," she wrote in an email while at Carnegie Mellon. "We aren't looking for a specific number of years of work experience, but rather the quality of work and professional maturity. For some applicants, professional maturity comes more quickly than the average and the growth they have in a short period of time allows them to be highly competitive in the admission process."

Steady increases in responsibility are a positive on an MBA resume, Archambeault says.

"It is helpful to see progression in responsibilities which is often reflected in title changes, project leadership, or management roles," she says. "This progression indicates to the Admission Committee that the applicant is growing their skillset, recognized within their organization for their contributions and leadership skills, and has the ability to continue growing into more senior roles post-MBA."

An unexplained employment gap is a red flag in an MBA candidate's work history, Archambeault adds. "Our advice is to use the optional essay to explain any gaps in employment on a resume. Tell us the circumstances for any gap in employment, what was learned, and any growth that came from that experience. Being able to provide context is important so there aren't any unanswered questions."

Typical Work Experience Among Incoming MBA Students

U.S. News data reveals a significant difference between the amount of work experience that admitted full-time MBA students have vs. part-time and executive MBA students. Generally, full-time MBA students have less work experience than part-time students, while executive MBA students tend to have much more than both.

Among the 126 ranked full-time MBA programs that reported the average amount of post-undergraduate work experience of their admitted students in 2021, the average was about four years and two months. However, among the 201 ranked part-time MBA programs that reported this figure, the average amount of post-undergrad work experience was roughly six years and seven months. The average among the 28 ranked executive MBA programs that reported this statistic was even higher: about 14 years and eight months.

Full-time MBA students tend to be significantly younger than part-time and executive MBA students. Among the 132 ranked full-time MBA programs that specified the average age of new entrants in 2021, the average was almost 27. Meanwhile, the average age among the 257 ranked part-time MBA programs that reported this figure was around 29, and the average age among the 29 ranked executive MBA programs that provided this data was almost 39.

How Much Work Experience Is Ideal for an MBA?

Nikhil Varaiya, a finance professor at San Diego State University's Fowler College of Business and the school's former director of graduate programs, says most full-time MBA applicants are still early in their career , so admissions officers don't expect them to be high-level executives.

"You are starting as a junior and you might have limited supervisory roles, but you are probably working in a specialized area, and you are trying to either advance in that area or gather other skills," he says.

Three to five years of work experience is the ideal amount for a traditional MBA program, Varaiya says. He has accepted MBA applicants directly out of college in rare cases of exceptional academic credentials, but he advises MBA hopefuls to spend a few years in the workforce before heading to business school.

"In general, I say that because I think that if they have worked for three to five years, they have a better sense of what a graduate degree is going to do for them, so they would be better prepared," he says.

The proliferation of specialized master's programs that focus on a particular aspect of business has meant that graduate business school hopefuls who intend to go straight from college to B-school often opt for an M.S. degree rather than an MBA, he says. In addition, he adds, some people who have strictly defined career goals and who would have pursued an MBA in a different area now choose M.S. programs instead.

Amanda Karr, director of marketing and communications for the college of education at the University of Texas—Austin, says that at least three years of experience allows MBA admissions officers to see whether a candidate has had significant career progression.

This amount also allows admissions offices to gauge whether an applicant's career is on an upward trajectory, says Karr, who once served as executive director of enrollment management at Pepperdine University's Graziadio Business School .

Once an MBA hopeful has spent a long time in the workforce and has achieved a senior-level executive rank at a company, Karr and Varaiya agree, a traditional two-year MBA program might not be the best fit.

Seasoned MBA applicants might feel out of place in a traditional MBA program, where the typical student is in his or her 20s and trying to climb the career ladder to a leadership position, Karr says. MBA applicants with lengthy resumes often prefer nontraditional MBA programs where the vast majority of students have extensive business experience, because these programs teach people who are already leaders how to lead better, she says.

MBA hopefuls with abundant work experience should consider attending an accelerated MBA program or an executive MBA program designed for midcareer or late-career professionals, Karr and Varaiya say.

Why Employers Matter Less Than Accomplishments

MBA hopefuls often mistakenly believe that they need to have an impressive job title at a high-profile company in order to get accepted to a top graduate business school, according to MBA program administrators.

Business school officials acknowledge that MBA applicants sometimes have a leg up in the admissions process when they have an important job at a prestigious for-profit business. MBA applicants who have worked at well-known companies like Amazon, Google or General Electric have an advantage in the admissions process, Varaiya says.

"Other things equal, such work experience can tilt towards a favorable admissions decision," he wrote in an email.

However, Varaiya urges applicants to remember that this kind of work history is not required for an MBA degree. "For example, if somebody has worked, let's say, in the Peace Corps for two years, they may not have worked for an employer, but I find that very compelling."

Where an MBA applicant has worked is not the only factor that matters when admissions officers evaluate the quality of work experience. Another important consideration is whether an applicant has compelling professional success stories.

Having a leadership title is only impressive if the title is credible, if the applicant can convince admissions officers that he or she shouldered a significant amount of responsibility and if the applicant was a meaningful authority at the company, Varaiya says.

"A VP title for somebody who has just worked two years would not be credible," he adds.

What Jobs Impress MBA Admissions Officers

Business-related positions such as a job in finance or technology are impressive types of work experience on an MBA resume, Karr says. Another plus is professional experience that demonstrates quantitative expertise, since the math in MBA courses is rigorous.

Another positive is when business school applicants participate in or have recently completed management training rotations at established companies, Varaiya says. These applicants have usually been exposed to multiple aspects of business, including finance, and have had ample opportunity for career exploration, so they are expected to have clear career goals .

Because MBA applicants with rotation experience tend to be self-aware about what kinds of business jobs they prefer, they can choose a concentration or specialization with confidence, he says.

There are many less traditional forms of pre-MBA work experience that are also valuable, Varaiya says. Applicants who have worked at startups typically have a well-rounded understanding of business because that work demands versatility, he says. Public service jobs in the military or government can provide impressive leadership experience, he adds.

Military MBA applicants tend to be particularly compelling, Varaiya says. "They are an attractive group for us, simply because these people are very disciplined, hard-working and take their responsibilities seriously."

In addition, applicants with backgrounds in science, biotechnology and technology in general are desirable and frequently accepted, Varaiya and Karr say.

Stellar work experience also can help MBA applicants compensate for lackluster GRE or GMAT scores, Varaiya says.

Regardless of what job an applicant has, he or she must demonstrate the potential to thrive academically during an MBA program and excel professionally afterward, Varaiya adds.

April Klimkiewicz, a career coach and owner of Bliss Evolution who previously worked as a college career counselor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other universities, says applicants can impress business schools by gaining management experience.

"If you've managed a coffee shop, or even informally managed a team or project, you are displaying the ability to manage," she wrote in an email.

Below are three interactive tables – one each for full-time, part-time and executive MBA programs ranked by U.S. News – that provide a view of the 25 highest-ranked programs in each category. Prospective MBA students can sort through the information based on age or years of work experience to identify programs that may align with their background.

Full-Time MBA Work Experience

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Do I Need Work Experience to Apply for an MBA?

MBA programs are typically aimed at candidates who are already in the workplace and wish to develop their management skills to switch careers or launch their own business. That’s why most programs require you to have work experience, which acts as a foundation for the competencies and expertise you build on during an MBA degree.

Work experience typically refers to part-time or full-time employment after graduating from your undergraduate degree, but some schools also consider pre-graduation work, internships, and volunteering as work experience.

What is the minimum work experience required for an MBA?

As one of the core MBA entry requirements , most MBA programs usually require you to have a minimum of two years’ experience. The average MBA student has between three and five years.

But being within or outside of that range doesn’t guarantee an MBA application’s success or failure.

Why does work experience matter?

An MBA refines your skills, rather than developing them from scratch. That’s why it’s important to have some understanding of the working world.

“MBA programs are designed to be hands-on, experiential learning experiences, where students draw from the context of their past professional experience, and their peers' experience, to enrich the learning environment,” explains Melody Jones, co-founder of Vantage Point Admissions Consulting.

Without work experience, class discussions would have to rely much more on theory, offering fewer opportunities for students to learn from each other’s past mistakes and successes.

“They expect a certain degree of maturity, skillset, and managerial ability that comes with experience,” Melody adds.

Work experience also contributes to your post-MBA career development, which requires both academic credentials and real-world experience.

“Since recruiters do not only consider the additional skills gained through an MBA degree, but also the experience brought in from before, it is much harder to convince an employer to consider a candidate who has no kind of professional experience,” says Stephanie Kluth, head of admissions for ESMT Berlin .

What kind of work experience do I need?

There really is no "typical" kind of work experience for an MBA candidate. MBA programs look to build diverse cohorts with students from different industry backgrounds.

“Diversity of experience and professional background are what make MBA programs so unique,” Melody points out.

MBA students hold undergraduate degrees in a wide variety of disciplines like STEM, business, and humanities. They come from a broad range of fields including technology, healthcare, nonprofits, the media, and consulting.

Some have worked for big, well-established firms, while others have experience in very small startups.

Top MBA Programs

What are the best MBA programs for you? Check out our list of top MBA programs by GMAT score sending, featuring HBS, Stanford, and Wharton.

Ultimately, what matters is not the work experience itself, but what it’s taught you and how your responsibilities evolved throughout your experience.

MBA admissions teams don’t look for big name companies, but instead for evidence of leadership. They want to know how you approached challenges, and how your role helped you develop your problem-solving, communication, analytical, and managerial skills.

“Factors like leadership capacity, teamwork, emotional intelligence, and international outlook play a major role in this assessment,” Stephanie says.

Can I get an MBA without work experience?

Clearly, work experience is important in your MBA application. But it’s not the sole predictor of success.

If your application stands out in other ways—exceptional GPA, a strong GMAT score , self-taught data analysis skills, for example—that may be enough to counterbalance a lack of professional work experience.

Activities outside of work, including hobbies, extracurriculars, and community service involvement can also strengthen your MBA application. Especially if you’re able to indicate evidence of leadership development.

As with professional experience, the type of activity doesn’t matter as much as your approach to it and what you’ve learned. Admissions teams are less interested in a particular title than in a demonstrated sense of initiative and willingness to make an impact.

If you have little to no work experience, you can still get an MBA. Early career MBA programs , for instance, equip you with the expertise and network for a successful first step into the professional world. 

You might also consider a deferred MBA program .

Other pre-experience options

If you think you’re too young for an MBA, another alternative could be a business master’s degree , which is targeted at recent university graduates and doesn’t require any work experience.

A business master’s can, like an MBA, provide a holistic understanding of business practices. But while MBA class discussions rely on real-world expertise, learning for business master’s students is usually more theory based. Although real-world learning experiences like consulting projects and company visits are often baked into the curriculum.

If you’re unsure about which degree is the right fit for you at this stage of your career, then ask if you should study a business master’s now or an MBA later . Some candidates do both.

Either way, a lack of professional work experience shouldn’t put you off applying for an MBA. Although most top programs will expect you to have a minimum of a few years’ experience before applying, there are other options available.

If you have a lack of professional work experience when applying for an MBA, do make sure your leadership and academic capabilities shine through elsewhere in your application.

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Work Experience Requirements for the Wharton MBA

Many mba hopefuls ask how much work experience is required before applying to an mba program or to be considered a competitive candidate when applying to business school. at wharton, there is no requirement or minimum amount of work experience required before applying. applicants can get a sense of the work experience and background of our most recently admitted class by checking out our class profile ., average work experience for wharton mba.

How much work experience do most accepted students have? Is there a particular type of work experience Wharton seeks?

The average student has worked for five or six years between graduating from college and entering the MBA program. The Wharton MBA program does accept early career candidates with limited or no experience who exhibit strong managerial and professional potential. Our Admissions Committee looks for individuals who exhibit professional maturity. In other words, we evaluate work experience not in terms of years, but the depth and breadth of an individual’s position, his or her contributions to the work environment, and level of responsibility and progression.

Wharton looks for diversity in the professional backgrounds of its admitted students just as it does in all other parts of our applicants’ profiles. No one industry is favored over another, and experience in a Fortune 500 company does not have higher value than experience in a small business or public institution.

Best Ways to Get Work Experience Before Your MBA

When an MBA program is in your future, it’s important that you think strategically about the type of jobs you take as you build your work experience in preparation for the MBA application. For the Wharton MBA program, we look for candidates who work well in a team environment and who are able to build strong relationships. Your resume should show the impact and influence you have in the workplace. While you’re gaining work experience, build out a well-rounded resume by being selective in the roles you take and being a part of competitive projects within your role. Be sure to seek out opportunities to lead, even if you’re not in a formal management role.

Tips for Adding Work Experience to Your Application

Your resume is an excellent opportunity to provide extra details and color to the information you’ve already submitted via the application form questions. Typically, Wharton MBA applicants organize their resume into four sections: Work Experience; Education; Leadership & Activities; and Interests. No matter which way you organize your resume, be sure to keep it all to one page when applying to the Wharton MBA program.

Under the Work Experience section, show us your career progression through your job titles and responsibilities. We prefer to see your current role at the top of the resume, and we recommend only listing 4-5 bullet points under each role you’ve held. Remember, you’re applying to business school, not your next job. We don’t need to see every project you’ve worked on, just those that highlight accomplishments you’ve achieved, quantify your work and showcase any significant projects.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions

Does graduate education count as work experience.

While we recognize the value of graduate academic work, we do not count academic work as professional work experience.

Does time spent in the military count as work experience?

Absolutely. The service provides many rich and varied opportunities for professional growth and development. Military candidates are evaluated based on the same criteria as other candidates, including the nature and scope of the work, the skill sets required, work progression, and general leadership and management skills developed.

Does time spent in the Peace Corps, on a Latter Day Saints’ mission, or other voluntary assignment or internship count as work experience?

Certainly. As with all work experiences, we are interested in the skills acquired on the job and level of progression (measured by scope of responsibilities, job title, salary).

I am still an undergraduate student. How can I increase my chances for admission?

Work experience is not required when applying to the Wharton MBA program, although many of our successful applicants do join the program with around 5 years of work experience.

For current undergraduate students who are motivated and exhibit strong leadership and managerial potential, we recommend checking out the Moelis Advance Access Program . Admission to the program is contingent upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree. For current Penn  undergraduates, the Moelis Advance Access Program provides a guaranteed deferred admission pathway for undergraduate seniors accepted into the program.

When preparing for the Wharton MBA program, consider that the stronger your quantitative background, the better prepared you will be to take finance, statistics, accounting, economics, and other quantitative courses offered in our curriculum. For example, calculus and/or statistics are good foundation courses. We do accept students without this type of background, but we like to see evidence of a capacity to handle these types of topics (e.g., strong quantitative GMAT scores, strong academic performance in quantitative subjects). We are also interested in your history of involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, and hobbies.

I have less than your average four years of work experience. Is this a disadvantage in the admissions process?

Each year, we welcome several early career candidates (individuals with 0 to 3 years of professional work experience) into our program. We are more interested in the skills you have acquired to date, including leadership and management opportunities, than the number of years you have been in the workforce. We consider both the skills you have demonstrated to date and your future potential.

Check out our most recent Class Profile for additional context on the background and work experience of this year’s accepted class.

Is an applicant at a disadvantage without previous coursework in business?

No. Many students at Wharton have not had business courses prior to entering the program. Generally, 40% of our class consists of people with liberal arts backgrounds. Pre-term offers incoming students an opportunity to “brush up” on their quantitative skills before classes begin. Candidates are also encouraged to complete introductory courses in calculus and statistics prior to entrance, since much of the course work requires quantitative skills. Please go to Non-traditional Backgrounds for more information.

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How Much Work Experience for MBA Programs Do Applicants Need?

When researching MBA programs and structuring your resume, you may have some questions about MBA work experience. 

Which work experiences should you include in your application? How can you know what kind of experience a business school seeks? Do you have enough work experience for MBA programs, or do you have too much?

This article will answer these questions and more, giving you insight into the best way to present yourself and your professional background to an MBA admissions committee.

What is the Purpose of Work Experience for MBA Programs?

The work experience that you include in your MBA application can tell an admissions committee a lot about who you are. It can portray how you’ve grown throughout your career, the ways in which you’ve taken initiative, the impact you’ve made on your company, and the skills you’ve obtained from your profession.

According to Valeria Wiens , Associate Director of Evaluation, Admissions, at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, “The Employment History section of your application allows you to demonstrate that you are accomplished.” 

In short, work experience is an essential aspect of your MBA profile and can make an extensive impression on admissions committees.

How Important is Work Experience to Admissions Committees?

Work experience for MBA programs is an essential aspect of the business school application process . Most top business school admittees have at least some professional experience, and many programs are designed for people who have had at least some full-time experience.

However, it is not impossible to get into business school without a post-graduate career, especially if you apply for a deferred MBA. In this type of program, you can gain admission to business school as soon as you finish your undergrad, take a few years to start your career, and then start working toward your MBA.

Too Much Experience, Or Not Enough?

You might be wondering how much professional experience is required in order to get accepted into a top MBA program. Every program varies slightly in its recommendations and requirements for work experience.

If you have less than two or three years of work experience, you could be at a severe disadvantage at many top business schools. For example, Harvard Business School (HBS) tends to exclusively admit students who have two or more years of experience. 

However, HBS offers its “2+2” program , a deferred degree program that allows current students to apply to HBS. Through this program, students will undergo two years of professional work experience followed by two years of MBA schooling. 

Source: Harvard Business School

On the other hand, there are some schools that stress how work experience is not a defining aspect of their admissions process. One such program is UPenn’s Wharton School , which states that they sometimes accept candidates with little or no work experience as long as they demonstrate strong potential. 

Ultimately, if you have fewer than three years of work experience, it is up to you to use your best judgment in applying to MBA programs. Maybe you need to make up for this experience deficiency in other aspects of your application, like a statement of purpose , or prove your capabilities and potential during your interviews. 

If you think that you can effectively exhibit your potential and growth in ways other than through a post-graduate career, then you may be able to earn a spot in one of your top programs. 

However, if you aren’t confident in your chance of admission without a full-time career, there are other options available. You can wait a few more years to grow in your profession, or you can apply to a deferred MBA program to ensure you have enough experience before you begin your schooling.  

You may also face a disadvantage if you have too much experience. Generally, for full-time MBA students at the top business schools, the range in years of work experience is about two to eight years. 

If you have over eight years of experience, you might find more success in pursuing an Executive or Part-Time MBA. These programs are geared toward those who are further along in their profession and can prove to be significantly more suitable for more experienced candidates. 

Average Age and Years of Work Experience at the Top 10 Business Schools  

You might be wondering where you stand in relation to other MBA candidates’ work experience. The following is a layout of the average age and years of work experience for students in the top 10 business schools . 

These numbers are only averages, not absolutes. However, it might prove beneficial to compare your own age and years of experience to those of your target schools. Doing so will help you determine how well you would fit into an MBA program and if it is the best choice for you. 

If you are outside of the listed ranges, don’t worry. There are many cases of MBA success later in life.

Best Types of MBA Work Experiences

When it comes to deciding which work experiences to include in your MBA application, there are a few important things to consider. 

By researching your target programs and properly exhibiting what you gained from your professional experiences, you can make the most of your career background in your MBA applications.

No Business-Related Experience? No Problem

You might think that not having a business-related career, such as in the fields of finance, accounting, or management, could put you at a disadvantage in the MBA admissions process. 

However, that is not the case . There are people from all walks of life in every MBA program, including those with non-business degrees and professions. Many business schools value diversity among their students’ backgrounds, as having a variety of different perspectives can maximize the learning experience.  

Yale’s School of Management is an example of this; among their MBA students, there are people with backgrounds in Human Resources, Information Technology, and Media and Entertainment. So, even if you do not have a background in a typical “business” field, don’t let that discourage you from applying.

Desirable Skills 

Your MBA work experience should demonstrate an array of desirable skills, particularly leadership, teamwork, and communication. In the MBA application, it isn’t about the type of work you have done but rather about what skills or lessons you gained from your experience.

For example, Harvard Business School’s website states, “rather than focus on specific categories of work experiences, applicants should focus on their roles, responsibilities, and what they have learned from the types of work experiences that they have been involved in.” 

Even if you don’t have an extensive background in a business-related field, that’s okay. Just make sure that your experiences demonstrate that you are ready for the fast-paced, rigorous curriculum that these top business schools have to offer. 

Acceptable Work Experience

When you think of “work experience,” the first thing that comes to mind is probably part-time or full-time paid positions. Maybe you think of a desk job or administrative work. 

However, this type of background, while completely valid for the MBA application, is not the only acceptable type of experience. Maybe you haven’t held a typical nine-to-five job, or you have been involved in a unique profession; it’s still okay to include those positions in your application. 

For example, Wharton accepts a variety of unique backgrounds and positions, including time in the military, the Peace Corps, on a Latter-Day Saints’ Mission, or in other voluntary or internship positions.

Regarding these types of professional experiences, Wharton says, “As with all work experiences, we are interested in the skills acquired on the job and level of progression (measured by scope of responsibilities, job title, salary).” 

If you have a unique background, don’t be afraid to include it in your application. What is important is that you make sure that you are demonstrating how you grew and learned through the opportunity.

However, make sure that you know what exactly your target programs count as work experience. For example, unlike Wharton, NYU Stern considers certain positions, such as full-time work, as “professional work experience” and others, like internships, as just “work experience.” These distinctions are important to keep track of when applying.

Furthermore, Wharton does not consider graduate education as work experience, yet Stern accepts academic projects. Make sure that you check what each of your target schools considers to be work experience before filling out your applications.

Different Schools, Different Values

Different programs have different values, and you should make sure that those particular values are visible through your work experience.

For example, Kellogg School of Management outlines specific qualities that it looks for in MBA applications, including students who “can motivate a team to drive impact, are not afraid to question the status quo and seek the non-obvious solutions, [and] approach business problems with a mix of intellect, energy, and creativity.” 

If applying to Kellogg, you would want to make sure that these qualities are evident when you are discussing your work experiences.

Suppose you are unable to demonstrate your target school’s qualities through your professional background. In that case, you may want to consider a more fitting school or gather experience that provides the necessary qualities and skills. 

Quality Over Quantity

Don’t worry about not having an abundance of experiences or professional positions to discuss in your application. The key is to make sure you can draw from those few experiences and exhibit the skills you gained, the lessons you learned, and the successes you brought to your industry or organization.

1. What is the best kind of MBA work experience?

It’s best to include around three to five years of work experience on your MBA application. However, the “best” kind of experience is any work that can portray your growth and capabilities.

2. Does time in the military count as MBA work experience?

Generally, military service can count as work experience in the MBA application. If you plan to include this in your application, be sure to highlight any leadership roles you held or communication and teamwork skills that you gained during your time in the military.

3. Do I have to have work experience to get into an MBA program?

Most MBA programs require a minimum of two years of professional experience. While there are students with no post-graduate work experience who gain acceptance to top MBA programs, this is a very small percentage of admittees. It’s best to gather at least 2 years of work experience before applying to an MBA program. 

4. How old do you have to be to apply to an MBA program?

Most MBA students are about 27 or 28 years old on average at top business schools. However, there is not a specific age requirement for MBA applicants. 

5. Should I include undergraduate work experience in my MBA application?

Unless you are newly graduated or applying to a deferred MBA program, you probably should not include work experience from your undergraduate years in your application. , Ty to focus on your post-graduate positions unless you had a particularly impactful opportunity in undergrad.

6. Can you have too much work experience for an MBA?

The average MBA student at the top business schools has 4-5 years of experience. However, there is generally no set maximum work experience limit for traditional MBA applicants. 

If you think that you might have too much experience for admission, you may want to apply to Executive MBA programs instead.

Work experience for MBA programs is one of the most critical aspects of your business school application. Not only can it show your professional achievements, but it can also display your best qualities and how you’ve grown professionally. You can demonstrate your potential to admissions committees and how you will contribute to their program.  

By taking the time to understand your target schools and accentuating your best qualities, you can use your MBA work experience to your advantage in the MBA application and show schools why they need your perspective in their class.

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Work experience is not required for entry to the Stanford MBA Program. We welcome applications from college seniors and recent graduates, as well as those with all levels of work experience.

We value diversity of experience in our student body, so no specific industry, function, or background is preferred over another. We are more interested in the impact you have had in your workplace than in the name or stature of the organization.

This section of the application presents the opportunity to describe your employment history. How have you made the most of your professional opportunities? Are you cultivating your leadership and team skills? What impact are you making? We look at your responses along with your letters of re commendatio n to understand how you have contributed to your work environment(s).

If you are applying for direct enrollment for next fall’s class, do not include internships and part-time work during college in this section. If you believe any of those experiences are critical to your application, you may include them in the “Activities and Interests” section. Meaningful part-time work after college may be included here.

If you are applying for deferred enrollment , you may include meaningful internships and part-time work from college in this section.

Business Resume

Include a one-page resume. Unless you have a compelling reason, such as more than 10 years of work experience, please do not submit a resume that is longer than one page. Do not include photos in your resume or other application materials. Photos embedded in English language testing agency reports are permitted.

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Applicants to HBS must have the following:

A degree program at an accredited U.S. four-year undergraduate college/university or an international equivalent (unless you are a college senior applying to our 2+2 Program ). Equivalent programs include international three-year bachelor degree programs.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test taken in the timeframes on the chart below. The GMAT or GRE is a prerequisite for admission. We will accept the new, shorter GRE beginning September 2023. We will accept the GMAT Focus beginning with the 2+2 round in April 2024.

A TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE), or Duolingo English Test is required if you did not attend an undergraduate institution where the sole language of instruction is English. If you completed a graduate degree which was taught in English, it is recommended you submit one of these tests, but it is not required.

Written Application

To apply to Harvard Business School, we ask you to assemble and prepare a variety of materials that will help us assess your qualifications. Remember, all materials must be submitted to HBS online by the application deadlines. The following serves as a preview of what you need to prepare.

Candidates must have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (unless applying through the 2+2 program — please see information for college seniors). Degrees from international universities offering three-year baccalaureate degrees are valid equivalents.

We require uploaded transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate academic institutions that you have attended (full- or part-time).

You may upload an "unofficial" or student copy of your transcript; however, we will request an official copy for verification purposes should you be admitted to HBS.

When the Admissions Board looks at your transcripts, we are looking at the whole picture — not just your GPA. We take into account where you went to school, the courses that you took, and your performance. We understand the structures of different grading systems worldwide. There is no minimum GPA to apply, although our students usually have strong undergraduate records. Undergraduate academics are just one factor the Admissions Board uses to evaluate a candidate.

• There is no minimum GMAT or GRE to apply and we do not have a preference toward one test or the other. If you look at our class profile , you can see that we have a range of GMAT and GRE scores in the current first-year class.
• We will accept the new, shorter GRE beginning September 2023. We will accept the GMAT Focus beginning with the 2+2 round in April 2024.
• When submitting your application, you may report the unofficial GMAT or GRE score given on the day of the test, or your official score if you have received it. Every applicant must request that the testing agency sends an official score report directly to HBS. We accept online versions of the GMAT or GRE.
• We require you to complete the AWA portion of the exam; however, you do not need the results in order to submit your application. Note: If you took the online version of the GMAT prior to the addition of the AWA section (i.e. before May 20, 2021), we will accept those test scores without the AWA as long as they have not expired.
• Be advised that in order to apply for admission, scores must be dated as follows:

Please note that the HBS code for the GMAT is HRLX892 and the HBS code for the GRE is 4064.

• A TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE), or Duolingo English Test is required if you did not attend an undergraduate institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
• If you completed a graduate degree which was taught in English, it is recommended you submit one of these tests, but it is not required.

HBS does not have a minimum test score to apply, however, the MBA Admissions Board discourages any candidate with a TOEFL score lower than 109 on the IBT, an IELTS score lower than 7.5, a PTE score lower than 75, or a Duolingo score lower than 145 from applying.

HBS only accepts the Internet-based (IBT) version of the TOEFL. Please note that the HBS code for the TOEFL is 3444.

There is one question for the Class of 2026 application:

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (900 words)

We invite you to share personal or professional experiences from your background that give you a unique ability to contribute to HBS. Try to remember to not overthink or overwrite in this essay; it is best to answer the question in clear and concise language that those of us who don't know your world can understand.

You will need to have two recommendations submitted online by the application deadlines. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all recommendations are submitted online by the deadline date for the round in which the applicant is applying.

Use your best judgment on who you decide to ask - there is no set formula for who should be your recommenders. We know it is not always possible to have a direct supervisor write your recommendation – we would not want you to jeopardize your current position for the application process. Look at the questions we are asking recommenders to complete. Find people who know you well enough to answer them. This can be a former supervisor, a colleague, or someone you collaborate on an activity outside of work. How well a person knows you should take priority over level of seniority or HBS alumni status.

Recommender Questions

How do the candidate's performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)

Please describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant's response. (250 words)

This can be your standard business resume or CV. You do not need to have it in any special format. You can use whatever you would use to conduct a job search. Note: The HBS MBA Program is designed for students who have full-time work experience. While it is important for candidates to assess their own readiness to apply, the Admissions Board recommends that applicants have at least two years of full-time work experience (prior to enrolling).

• There is a nonrefundable application fee (credit card only) of $250 USD* to offset the cost of reviewing applications. All active duty military applicants do not have to pay the application fee.

If your annual income at your current or most recent place of employment is $65,000 USD or less, the need-based application fee waiver will automatically apply. If you do not automatically qualify but would like to request a fee waiver due to financial hardship, you may apply for a need-based application fee waiver after starting your application.

*Applicants to our 2+2 Program have a reduced application fee of $100.

After your written application has been submitted and reviewed, you may be invited to interview. Interviews are 30 minutes and are conducted by an MBA Admissions Board member who has reviewed your application. Your interview will be tailored to you and is designed for us to learn more about you in the context of a conversation.

The interview is a positive indicator of interest, but is not a guarantee of admission; it serves as one element among many that are considered as we complete a final review of your candidacy. All interviews are conducted by invitation only, at the discretion of the Admissions Board. If invited, however, you must participate in order to complete the application process.

Interviews may be scheduled on campus, in domestic or international hub cities, or via Zoom. Neither the timing of your interview invitation nor its format, whether in person or via Zoom, implies anything about the status of your application or affects your candidacy.

Post-Interview Reflection

Within 24 hours of the interview, candidates are required to submit a written reflection through our online application system. Detailed instructions will be provided to those applicants who are invited to interview.

MBA Application Tips Video Series

Every HBS MBA student has been where you are right now. In this video series, we hope to help you learn how to break down your application into small, actionable steps so that you can submit a successful application that is true to you and your journey.

Joint Degree Programs

Applications for both Harvard Business School and the partnering Harvard graduate school must be submitted as explained on these overview pages:

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The Benefits of Work Experience for MBA Students

Many MBA programs require that applicants have professional work experience to be admitted. Although Purdue Global does not have this requirement, having work experience can enhance your graduate school education.

We sat down with Jack Deem , DBA, and Bea Bourne , DM, faculty members in Purdue Global’s School of Business, to discuss the benefits of work experience for MBA students.

1. You Can Take What You Learn and Apply It Immediately

Students have the opportunity to take what they are learning in their MBA program and apply it to their daily work. “Purdue Global’s MBA curriculum is real-world based, so students can take what’s learned in the classroom and apply it to their jobs immediately,” says Deem. “This deepens the learning experience.”

In some courses, students have an opportunity to use their current employer to explore a problem or opportunity as the focus of an assignment.

“For example, in our marketing management course, learners develop a brand extension marketing plan,” says Bourne. “Many students focus their marketing plan on an opportunity they have uncovered based on their work and real-world experience.”

2. Professional Experience Benefits You and Your Classmates

MBA programs typically focus on hands-on, experiential learning and capitalize on students' practical experiences. This deepens an individual student’s learning while enhancing the learning environment for all participants. This system allows the real-world experiences of each student to become a collective learning experience.

For example, Deem explains that there are team projects that include experiential learning activities through simulations. These simulations place the student in a managerial position within a company. “Previous [professional] experience in a given area will be helpful to the team as they seek to accomplish their goals,” says Deem.

Additionally, students with work experience can more fully participate in discussion boards and assignments.

“These boards and assignments provide students an opportunity to reflect on their experiences relative to the topic under consideration,” Deem says. “This sharing of professional experience adds richness to the discussions and benefits all learners in the class.”

“The learning extends beyond assignments and textbook readings,” Bourne adds. “A substantial part of the MBA learning experience comes from the insights shared in these discussion boards."

3. Work Experience May Help You Choose a Concentration

Working professionals pursue an MBA to deepen their knowledge and advance their careers. Their work experiences and goals help them identify areas of opportunity and knowledge gaps that need to be filled. It also gives them a clear understanding of what they like, what they don’t like, and how to better align their education with their goals.

Having practical experience can also make it easier to select a concentration. With an MBA program, you are often able to select concentrations such as finance, global business, or information technology. By considering your current work situation and your desired career path, you can more easily hone in on a concentration aimed at helping you reach specific career goals.

“Choosing a concentration allows students to become specialists rather than generalists,” Bourne says. “This can provide deep expertise and may enhance [one’s] career opportunities."

As you work through your curriculum, you may also discover new areas of interest through coursework. Deem explains, “I have seen students change their concentrations after taking a course in a different discipline. For instance, students have decided to pursue the marketing concentration after taking our marketing management course.”

Purdue Global MBA concentrations:

• Global Business
• Health Care Management
• Human Resources
• Project Management

Earn an Online MBA With Purdue Global

Earning an MBA is an exciting academic journey that can transform students into well-rounded leaders in their field. Having real-world acumen from work experience can further enhance the journey by closing skill gaps, deepening industry insights, and allowing students to select a concentration that moves them closer to their unique professional goals.

Students interested in pursuing their MBA degree — even those without professional work experience — are encouraged to explore the Purdue Global online MBA program and reach out to an advisor for more information .

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How Much Work Experience Do You Need Before Getting an MBA?

Online MBA programs for working professionals differ in their prerequisite requirements. Many require that applicants have years of experience, but some, such as The SMU Cox School's MBA Direct, serve early-career students.

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This blog post was originally posted in May 2022, and was revised in June 2023.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the most popular and advantageous graduate degrees in the United States for good reason. MBA degree programs  teach a broad set of skills and validate a versatile knowledge base. Business school graduates have a mix of business, technology and  interpersonal   soft skills  that make them effective and adaptable. The traditional MBA curriculum is versatile and covers concepts and practices useful in the for-profit and non-profit sectors and in government.

Given the  ROI of the MBA , you may be wondering why aspiring business professionals don’t enter MBA programs immediately after earning a bachelor’s degree. The answer lies in the MBA work experience requirement. Most MBA programs require applicants to accrue some business experience before they enroll, and MBA admissions committees scrutinize applicants’ work histories carefully when reviewing applications. Many  waive GMAT score requirements  or other  admissions requirements  if students have adequate work experience.

While some graduate school of business programs such as The  SMU Cox School’s MBA Direct  admit early-career MBA applicants, programs that accept students fresh out of undergraduate degree programs are not the norm. At the other end of the scale, there are MBA programs that cater to later-career professionals with significant  leadership experience . The  SMU Cox School of Business online MBA program’s  work experience requirements exist in the sweet spot in between. Applicants typically have about eight years of  professional experience  and are looking to move into leadership positions. Many professionals choose this option because they want to continue working full-time while studying.

Finding an MBA pathway and an MBA program that aligns with your professional experience is a matter of looking critically at your career goals and experience, researching your options and making sure you understand the application requirements at the schools you’re considering.

Why Do Most MBA Programs Require Work Experience?

Unlike bachelor’s programs, which provide students with foundational knowledge to enter the working world, accredited MBA programs teach already-qualified business professionals skills they need to advance in their careers. Graduate business schools have work experience requirements because students need that experience to handle the rigors of the typical  MBA curriculum .

Real-world experience gives MBA students the time management skills they’ll need to balance their professional, academic and personal responsibilities. More importantly, it gives them a framework in which to navigate the advanced coursework in most programs.

Classes in on-campus and  online MBA programs  cover advanced competencies and  leadership theory . For example, a core course in the online MBA program at SMU Cox covers managing and leading people. The coursework is geared toward business professionals who already understand concepts like workplace engagement and the importance of teamwork. MBA students never have to ask, ‘When will I use this?’ because they know exactly how the skills they are building in graduate school apply in business. Real-world experiences such as  immersions  and  career coaching  reinforce classroom learning and improve comprehension.

Another reason  admissions committees  for MBA programs prefer or require that applicants have work experience is because these programs incorporate peer-to-peer learning. Cohorts made up of experienced professionals learn not just from the  MBA faculty  but also from one another when they share what they’ve learned over the course of their careers.

Do You Need Work Experience for the SMU Cox MBA Program?

Most business schools prefer to admit MBA applicants with at least five years of work experience. The  SMU Cox  MBA Direct program is one of the few graduate business programs that admit students with less than three years of work experience. In fact, most  MBA Direct students  have just over one year of work experience.

Leadership at the SMU Cox School of Business created the MBA Direct program during the COVID-19 pandemic because they saw a need for a new generation of crisis-ready, emboldened leaders who could respond to change. Shane Goodwin, Associate Dean, Executive Education and Graduate Programs, said that “Cox recognized the  need to exercise bold, agile leadership ” and that it was “time to throw out yesterday’s playbook – encourage experimentation, embrace action and adapt quickly to get ahead of the changing circumstances.”

Students can enter the program directly out of college, provided they secure full-time employment. This is important because over the three years it takes to earn a master’s degree, SMU Cox MBA Direct students apply what they learn in the workplace as part of the learning experience. The online MBA Direct program combines theory and practice, supporting career advancement.

What Online MBA Programs for Working Professionals are Like

Mid-career MBA programs at top business schools stand out because their classes represent a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. Students come from banking and finance, healthcare, technology, retail sales, the non-profit sector, the service industry and even the  military . Their combined experience enriches the on-campus and virtual learning environments.

The core classes in the online MBA program teach advanced concepts related to mergers and acquisition, negotiation and leadership – all of which pave the way for success at the executive level. Online MBA students participate in  real-world immersions  in partnership with established organizations. They also receive personalized career coaching with an experienced mentor who guides them as they work toward short- and long-term goals and make professional development decisions.

Mid-career MBA programs for working professionals attract students who have a clear vision of the future but need to develop leadership skills. According to a U.S. News & World Report survey of 124 ranked online business school programs, 91 percent of online MBA students  worked full-time while enrolled . Employers provided tuition assistance for more than one-third of these students, who could learn, grow their professional networks and hone their skills for a smaller  financial investment .

How Much Work Experience Should You Accrue Before Getting an MBA?

There is no one correct answer to this question. Choosing the right MBA program involves assessing fit. Look at the below summaries of three MBA options offered by SMU Cox and choose the pathway that best aligns with your qualifications and ambitions.

The MBA Direct

If you are an early career professional with limited full-time work experience who wants to jump-start a future in entrepreneurship or business administration, the MBA Direct program is the ideal choice. You can earn this degree in just under three years while attending live online sessions and on-campus elective classes, studying under world-renowned faculty and taking part in a global immersion experience that will challenge you to tackle corporate obstacles in a fluid international market.

MBA Direct students work with mentors who offer feedback and advice on managing a career alongside the demands of a busy personal life. This MBA program is a good fit for proactive early-career business professionals like current SMU Cox student  Nia Henson , who said she enrolled in the program so she would be ready to take advantage of advancement opportunities as soon as possible.

The Online MBA

If you are four to six years into your career and looking to grow into management and leadership roles without sacrificing income or opportunities for advancement, enrolling in an online,  part-time MBA  makes sense. Distance learners receive all the benefits of a full-time MBA program with the added  flexibility of a virtual curriculum . At The Cox School, online learning is “flipped,” so faculty deliver pre-produced online classes and content asynchronously, which students review before each live, 90-minute interactive learning session.

MBA students in the online program do not miss out on the immersive, hands-on experiences renowned at SMU Cox. You will still be matched with a Career Coach who will help you define your goals and set a trajectory for the future. Additionally, the benefits of SMU Cox’s networking opportunities are unmatched. SMU Cox alumni, MBA graduates and faculty frequently mentor and advise current MBA students and open doors in their industries to new graduates.

Once you have learned all you can about the various graduate degree programs for business professionals, the next step is  working your way through the MBA application . Whether you’re a relatively recent undergrad or an accomplished business leader, now is the right time to start working toward the career of your dreams.

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Right work experience for mba applicants: what is it.

Table of Contents

MBA without work experience is rare. Neither do many MBA hopefuls take the route of getting an MBA right after they graduate, nor are most good B-schools excited to admit applicants who come without a considerable amount of work experience. Usually, to compete with other MBA applicants who have at least 4 -5 years of professional work experience, candidates are expected (or prefer) to work a few years before embarking on their journey to B-school.

What Are the Work Expectations of B-school Admission Committees for MBA Aspirants?

Over the years, a common trend for most top B-schools has been to admit candidates who are already overachievers at the work front. Candidates that are well accomplished and have received quick promotions are usually most impressive . Therefore, if you are considering MBA as a future pursuit, you must look for employment opportunities that give you room to project your strengths and ample opportunities to grow.

However, it is also important to understand that expectations vary from school to school . Depending upon the school and MBA program you are applying for, requirements for work experience, discipline, leadership qualities, and evidence of growth may differ. There is not a lower limit to how much work experience a candidate must bring. In fact, most schools agree that it is quality over quantity that matters when it comes to working experience.  

Must Read:  How to ace your MBA Interview?  

What is the Typical Work Experience Among MBA Students?

According to the U.S. News data from 2019, the amount of work experience varied significantly among full-time MBA students vs part-time and executive MBA students. Commonly, full-time MBA students are younger (usually in their 20s) than both part-time and executive MBA students.

Talking about the average work experience that students had before applying for either of the three types of MBA, the average work experience that full-time MBA students in 2019 had was four years and three months . This average for students going for part-time MBA was reported to be six years and ten months, and for executive MBA was much higher, about thirteen years and eight months.

Will a Gap Year in Employment Impact Your Chances of Receiving an Admit?

A common MBA reply to this would be, ‘it depends. A gap year in your work history that you cannot explain will serve as a red flag. However, if you can provide some context into why the gap year exists can be helpful. Students must make use of the optional essay to explain the circumstances that led to the gap year. Throw some light on the things you learned during that time and elaborate on how this gap year helped you grow. The best thing to do is to answer every question that the adcoms may have in the essay so that your interview can be more about the other aspects of your resume and not just about why you have a gap year.

How Much Work Experience is Ideal for Full-time MBA?

We’ve already discussed the typical work experience that candidates bring in various types of MBA programs. But, is that work experience ideal?

If you are going for a traditional full-time MBA, the adcoms will not expect you to have high-level work experience in managing and supervising. So, having work experience anywhere between three to five years can be considered ideal.

Recommended: Check out the Average Age and Work Experience at the Top MBA Programs

Will having ‘no work experience’ hinder you from seeking an MBA admit?

Bringing exceptional academic excellence to the table increases your chances of getting accepted into any top MBA program by a slim margin. There is a reason why work experience matters for students heading towards business school –

• Even a couple years of work opens you up to the business world. Gaining a better sense of how things work on the business front will better equip you to grasp the nuances of your desired MBA degree.
• Having at least three years of work experience helps adcoms study your progress curve. A remarkable growth track is a plus that officials will give to your credit.

Please note –   If you are a seasoned MBA aspirant with a lengthy resume and years of experience in a leadership position, a traditional MBA might make you feel a bit out of place. If you fall into this category, you must consider going either for an accelerated MBA program or an executive MBA.

Your Employer Matters Less Than Your Accomplishments

You can have a leg up in the admission process if you have experience working at a high-profile job at a top firm like Google. However, it is unnecessary to have only worked at a for-profit, prestigious firm to seek admission in your favourite B-school.

There are several compelling aspects of an applicant’s work experience that can help them stand out in the admission process. For instance, your work experience should be credible. Your managerial skills should convince the admission committee of your worth on campus and in the corporate world. Your employer won’t matter if you can convince the adcoms of holding a meaningful position while successfully shouldering responsibilities.

What Kind of Jobs are the Most Impressive for MBA Admissions?

• In most cases, jobs in finance or IT are the most popular. Especially when you want to impress the admission officials.
• Working in a position that displayed your quantitative expertise can prove advantageous for the applicant.
• Candidates who have worked at a start-up can also enjoy an edge. Since start-ups require versatility, candidates can up their case by showcasing their well-rounded understanding of how a business works.

• MBA applicants having military experience are always attractive as they project a deep sense of discipline, hard work, and sincerity. Public service/government job employees also provide good leadership experience and can inspire their cohort at school.
• Commonly accepted MBA hopefuls are those having a background in science and technology.

In Conclusion

Regardless of work experience after an undergraduate degree, candidates must demonstrate being a promising addition to the class. Assure them that you are willing to work hard, prepared to progress academically, and excel professionally post your MBA. Throw light on any managing experience you have, be it leading a team, or managing a project at work. Also, never forget to look outside of work. Your choice of a hobby, sport, or service at the community centre can be a good mention on your resume.

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Tepper School of Business

Accelerated MBA: A Faster Path To An MBA for Business Majors

Do you have an undergraduate business degree or some business courses in your background expedite your tepper mba with our full-time accelerated mba or online hybrid accelerated mba..

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Why Choose the Tepper Full-Time Accelerated MBA or Online Hybrid Accelerated MBA?

The Accelerated MBA is for business graduates or individuals with undergraduate business coursework experience who want to earn an MBA on an accelerated timeline.

The Accelerated MBA may be for you if:

• You have 3-7 years of work experience.
• In the last 10 years, you have taken accounting, finance, marketing, microeconomics, and operations courses from an accredited undergraduate institution.

Are you curious if the Full-Time Accelerated MBA or Online Hybrid Accelerated MBA is the right fit for you? We’d love to connect with you and hear more about your background.

Contact J.R. McGrath, Executive Director, Admissions: [email protected]

Same Degree. Faster.

In the Tepper Accelerated MBA program, you’ll get the same  faculty and thought-provoking and rewarding coursework as the traditional MBA program. Because students in the Accelerated MBA program have earned an undergraduate business degree or have taken core business courses in the last 10 years, they receive credit for their acquired business knowledge and take refresher coursework in their first semester.

You’ll gain all of the same advantages of a Tepper MBA and join the incoming cohort of either our Full-Time or Online Hybrid MBA program.  Your Accelerated degree simply streamlines redundant coursework and as a result, reduces tuition costs for the program. 

• Full-Time Accelerated MBA: Three semesters instead of four semesters of tuition (144 units to complete degree after courses are transferred in)
• Online Hybrid Accelerated MBA: Six semesters instead of eight semesters of tuition (144 units to complete degree after courses are transferred in)

All Accelerated MBA candidates are eligible for the same merit scholarships as their regular, program format candidates. Please visit our Carnegie Mellon Tuition and Financial Aid Information page to learn more.

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Our customized, one-on-one leadership coaching cultivates empathy, awareness, and self-reflection. It’s where you’ll realize your leadership potential. You’ll graduate ready to manage people, build networks of influence, inspire others to join in your pursuit of a common goal, and execute that goal with excellence.

Working with your own leadership coach , you’ll create a customized leadership development plan to guide you to greater empathy, self-awareness, and effectiveness — preparing you to lead tomorrow’s workforce with insight.

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Our MBA students accept offers in consulting, technology, financial services, healthcare, consumer goods, manufacturing, and more. This diversity of outcomes demonstrates the versatility of our students and their appeal to employers across industries and functions. Check out our Full-Time MBA Employment Report for more information about Tepper MBA salaries and career outcomes.

No matter which career path you choose, our top-ranked Masters Career Center will be there to provide you with dedicated support. Expect career coaching from seasoned professionals and access to on-campus recruiting, corporate presentations, and connections to top jobs at premier companies.

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How to get into an mba without work experience.

.©PRImageFactory—There are things you can do to combat a lack of work experience

Getting into an MBA program without significant work experience is difficult, but it’s not impossible. We highlight five things that will help

Tue Jul 3 2018

Truthfully, getting into an MBA program without significant work experience is quite difficult, and for good reason: arguably half of the knowledge gained during an MBA program comes directly from other students, not from academic content or professors.

That’s why it’s immensely important for admissions committees to build classes of students who can impact their cohorts with unique perspectives and knowledge, both of which are most often developed in the workplace.

With the right mindset and strategy however, you can make the key benefits of work experience materialize for you regardless of having spent fewer years in the working world—especially if you’ve done the following five things:

1. You’ve experienced conflict

The ‘real world’ is something that is difficult to fully prepare for during undergraduate studies. No matter how many books you read or how many leadership courses you take, it’s rare to feel totally primed for handling that first big ‘lesson’ from screwing up a project or experiencing moral discomfort with a request from a supervisor. After managing uncomfortable circumstances like these head-on, you’ll likely be more apt to handle tough situations in your MBA program, like difficult team members or heated open-forum discussions.

Without years of work experience to learn from, you’ll have to strongly demonstrate how you’ve developed an arsenal of conflict resolution strategies in alternate environments (i.e. sports teams, volunteer projects, etcetera). It will be crucial to articulate how those strategies can be applicable to the MBA program and the business world beyond.

2. You’ve developed unique expertise

After four-to-five years in the workplace, you’ve likely developed some sort of niche that others will find fascinating, useful, or both. For example, I had a classmate who knew everything about cryptocurrency; we all eventually learned that for anything related to Bitcoin—he was our guy. Imagine having hundreds of these knowledge experts constantly at your disposal, and you’ll see why substantial experience is so attractive to admissions committees.

My advice to those who do not yet have specialized knowledge from work experience is to take the initiative to ardently learn independently: attend events and seminars, meet people in your field(s) of interest, have evocative conversations, and read as much as possible – you don’t need to get paid to develop a niche.

3. You’ve already started building your network

After a few years of working, you’ve probably developed a considerable network, which is useful not only for you, but also for any classmates interested in your career area. If you’re looking to exit your current industry and someone else is looking to get in, it’s useful to have a cache of contacts to offer up in exchange for someone else’s.

To build a meaningful network without work experience, you’ll need to dedicate more time, try harder, and educate yourself further. It won’t happen by accident, so you’ll have to be prepared to enthusiastically seek relationships and avoid being passive while maintaining sincerity. Demonstrating that you’ve made an effort to grow your network will reveal your potential value in an MBA program, so don’t be shy about showcasing your involvement with key organizations.

4. You’ve had ‘life experience’

There’s nothing MBA professors like more than bringing up something that actually happened (or is happening) in the business world and leaving it to MBA students to discuss how they would handle it as future leaders. Being able to apply your past experience to these case studies is incredibly valuable since you’ll have a meaningful point of reference; without it, you’ll need to clearly communicate during the application process that you’ve had significant life experience you can extrapolate from instead in order to provide valuable insights to case study discussions.

5. You’ve matured

It doesn’t necessarily happen with age, but it often happens with experience: after years of proving yourself and gaining confidence in your field, you’ll become more poised and prepared to tackle what the world has to throw at you. A deterrent from admitting inexperienced candidates is the high possibility that they will be fearful, unconfident, naïve, or unwilling to get their feet wet with unfamiliar problems. The interview is an opportunity to demonstrate your composure in a tangible way and overcome any doubts admissions has on your maturity despite your age or experience level. Prepare by concentrating not only on the content of your interview responses, but also by working on how your presence comes across to interviewers.

If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this: you don’t need a paycheck to gain valuable experience. The more you can demonstrate that your volunteer work, internships, athletics, or other life experiences have given rise to the same personal development benefits as traditional work experience, the better your chances of overcoming your limited time in the working world and getting into a top program.

MyGuru is currently offering a unique , free GMAT skills webinar . Attendees can submit their specific GMAT or b-school admissions questions in advance and have them answered during the webinar on 7/2 from 6:30 to 7:15. Everyone who signs up will receive a link to a video of the webinar as well.

Andrea Coulis is a senior tutor for MyGuru, a provider of  online GMAT tutoring . She holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and an MBA from the University of Oxford, Saïd Business School.

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Top 10 us-based mba programs for low work experience.

Want to do an MBA but think you don't have enough work experience? Although many top business schools recruit candidates with over five years of work experience, a lack of professional experience doesn't necessarily mean there aren't business schools that would open their doors to you. Indeed, many good, top-ranked b-schools average just two or three years' work experience for students on their MBA programs. Some schools have even developed MBA programs targeted specifically at students who are early in their careers, or those wanting to make a career change altogether. Here we list FIND MBA's Top 10 MBA programs in the US for applicants with low work experience.

A Boston-based business school to consider if you're short on work experience is Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business, where student have 3.3 years' work experience on average. The school was ranked among the top 100 US-based business schools by Businessweek and the MBA program includes a six-month paid corporate residency.

MBA students at the Trulaske College of Business have about two-and-a-half years' work experience, on average. The school's location in Columbia, Missouri offers access to the city's main industries, which are education, health care and the insurance industry.

The level of work experience for MBA students at Argyros School of Business and Economics ranges for one to four years. The AACSB-accredited school's location in Orange County, with proximity to Los Angeles, offers plentiful networking opportunities. The school's full-time MBA includes concentrations in finance or marketing, plus an optional study program in Europe.

On the Jenkins MBA at NCSU, students have, on average, two years' work experience on arrival. The AACSB-accredited program offers concentrations in financial management, supply chain and marketing, as well as more diverse topics like biosciences. The program was ranked 70th in Businessweek's ranking of the top US business schools in 2017, while the school's Online MBA was ranked among the world's top 20 by the Financial Times.

Rollins College's Crummer Graduate School of Business is also home to an MBA program aimed at those wanting to get on with an MBA earlier in their careers. There is no work experience requirement on the Early Advantage MBA, and students have just 12 months' experience, on average. This program was named among the top MBAs in Florida by FIND MBA.

The Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon offers a dedicated Early Career MBA. On average, students have about one year of work experience when they arrive, and this program caters specifically to people like them. The AACSB-accredited school was ranked among the top US b-schools for an MBA by Businessweek .

Another relatively affordable MBA program is that of the University of Oklahoma's Michael F. Price College of Business. FIND MBA has named the school among the top b-schools for concentrations in energy. Here students have about two-and-a-half years' work experience, on average.

Located in upstate New York, the Whitman School of Management is home to a full-time MBA that's ranked in Businessweek . On average, incoming students to the MBA have just 28 months of work experience.

The Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University in Waco, Texas was named one of the top b-schools in the state by FIND MBA. Ranked among the top 100 MBAs in the US by Businessweek , students have, on average, just 22 months' work experience when they arrive. This school is also AACSB accredited.

The upstate New York university's School of Management is home to an MBA program that is AACSB accredited. The program was ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek among the top 50 US MBAs in 2017, and as a top New York business school by FIND MBA. This MBA program is both an affordable choice, and welcomes applicants with just two years' work experience.

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February 3, 2024

How an Admissions Committee Views Your MBA Work Experience

As you apply to MBA programs, you need to think about your work experience and how it fits into your overall story. Work experience is important because of what it reveals about you with respect to your character, maturity level, and abilities. Even if your GPA and GMAT/GRE scores are spectacular, your work experience still needs to impress the admissions committee.

Post-college employment reveals you have “real-world” experience in taking direction, meeting deadlines, assuming responsibility, and working in teams , all of which are highly relevant in a program where group projects are the norm. Developing a baseline track record in your field also gives you industry knowledge and the ability to contribute insights to class discussions. Finally, recruiters prefer MBAs who have work experience.

What follows are some thoughts on how admissions committees view different types of work experience and how you might want to frame your work experience in your MBA application. 

Traditional work experience

You might have worked in marketing but not at Procter & Gamble, worked in banking but not at Goldman Sachs, or worked in technology but not at Google. Will your experience at a modest, relatively unknown company count as much to the admissions committees as that of applicants who have worked for brands with caché? 

Fear not! The quality of your work is much more important than whether you’ve been employed at a name-brand institution.

Brand experience can be a bonus.

Experience with a brand-name firm might give you an edge, at least on the surface, especially if you are an international candidate looking for a job in the United States. For example, the adcoms are familiar with the typical career path at organizations such as Infosys, Google, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg Financial, so they will understand that you were a small fish in a large pond. They will appreciate that you had to work harder to stand out, but they will also look for signs of your talent.

Advancement in large companies is often slow, because such firms are highly structured and bureaucratic, with less room for employees to dazzle their supervisors with distinctive skills and abilities. If your talents were recognized, and you were given a project that would normally be assigned to someone above your pay grade – or if you were fast-tracked for a promotion – this will add stature to your application. Additionally, the fact that a large company with a valued brand name hired you in the first place is an indication that you probably possess at least some of the qualities and skills that your MBA program is looking for.

Even at big-name companies, the substance of your work is still the most important factor.

There are a few things adcoms want to see to verify that your experience within an organization is strong.

Longevity 

If you were employed at a brand-name firm for less than one year, the adcom might have concerns that you did not thrive in that work environment. On the other hand, if you were (or have been) employed at such a company for two or more years, that duration signals competence, persistence, and hard work.

Were you promoted, or did you otherwise earn increased responsibilities? If so, ensure that any promotions are apparent on your resume, even if you haven’t been in your most senior position for long. Regardless of the company, those boosts are proof that you are considered highly capable by management and therefore have a great future ahead of you.

Movement 

If you have more than one brand name on your resume, that is a strong signal that you were able to successfully transition from one world-class firm to another – or perhaps were poached.

Working at a major company provides an additional benefit: an adcom will see that you have experienced the inner workings of an organization that is best in class and will therefore be able to provide valuable perspectives in class discussions. Top companies have done something right to earn their reputations, and you have used and internalized techniques and practices that have enabled their growth to the top.

For all these reasons, experience working with A-list firms can give you an edge in the initial review process. However, what really matters is the substance of your work rather than where you performed it.  

Adcoms seek students with as wide a range of experiences as possible , especially experiences that are relevant to an MBA curriculum. When faculty teach a particular subject and students have related real-world experience, the lessons come to life. This means that the skills and knowledge you gained from significant projects you managed from start to finish matter a great deal – involvement with strategic initiatives matters. You don’t need to have been part of a multimillion-dollar deal to gain strong leadership and management skills.

Small projects can shine, too!

Even small projects that you “own” can be extremely valuable in providing expertise in particular areas. As you advance in your career, always be on the lookout for projects that allow you to take on a significant leadership role and provide you with a degree of autonomy.

Make the most of your resume real estate.

On your resume , you need to condense notable achievements down to just one bullet point each and make every bullet point as impactful as possible. For example, “Led a team of eight to cut supply chain costs by 20% by strategically repurposing older machines.” This example shows leadership, strategic thinking, and quantifiable results – all really important stuff! This is what adcoms want to see. It doesn’t matter if the project size was $10,000 or $1,000,000, or whether it was done at Boeing or Jane’s Jewelry Creations. What matters is that you provided significant results to your company.

Can you show increasing responsibility?

In addition to looking for real-world experience that you can share in the classroom, adcoms look for upward mobility. If you have a track record of promotions, your mobility will be immediately obvious on a resume. If your promotions have been quick because of extenuating circumstances, use the optional essay to explain the specifics.

Even if you don’t have such growth, you can still employ thoughtful wording to showcase how your responsibilities have increased over time: “Rewarded with project management of X following the successful implementation of social media planning schedule.” Essays also offer a place to highlight forward momentum, depending on the topic. Being trusted with greater responsibilities is the clearest signal of strong work experience you can provide for MBA programs. It shows that you have what it takes to succeed both in the program and in your career. 

What about nontraditional work experience? 

Applicants with nontraditional work experience often worry about whether their experiences will be considered relevant in an MBA classroom. I have even heard this from doctors, lawyers, military officers, and other people with impressive accomplishments. Believe it or not, the less traditional one’s work experience, the more an adcom might be interested!

When putting together a cohort, the adcom strives to make it as diverse as possible , in every way they can – job function, industry, culture, and so on. Imagine if a class was made up of only finance people! Or IT engineers! How rich would the discussion be across courses? Not very! Individuals coming from a non-business background are assumed to have approached issues and problems with a different perspective and set of priorities that might allow for additional learning opportunities for their classmates – and possibly even the faculty! That’s why schools are delighted by nontraditional applicants, and you can be assured that your application will get noticed.

However, as a nontraditional applicant, you will need to have two things solidly in your profile to be seriously considered for admission:

Evidence of quant skills

You need to have a top-notch GMAT or GRE score and/or stellar grades in a few courses that indicate your ability to successfully manage the quant work (e.g., statistics, calculus) of a demanding MBA program Because your undergrad coursework might not be directly relatable to a business school’s curriculum, the school needs assurance that you will be able to handle the academic demands of the MBA program. If quant courses are missing from your transcript (and you don’t knock the GMAT or GRE out of the park), you should consider taking a “calculus for business” or statistics class at a local community college or online — and aim to earn a letter grade of B or better to alleviate any concern.

A solid reason for needing an MBA

Believe it or not, there are serial degree seekers out there. Your reason for pursuing an MBA will most likely not be obvious based on your previous work experience, so you must do an outstanding job of presenting your career goals and objectives. Why is an MBA necessary to get you where you want to go?

A nontraditional background can give you a leg up with an admissions committee. But once you have their attention, you’ve got to make your case for acceptance with an impressive application. You’ll need to convince the adcom that you will thrive in their program and require the education it provides to achieve your dreams.

Does entrepreneurship count as work experience?

Yes! If you launched an entrepreneurial venture or joined a start-up, you will have the opportunity to show how you survived and perhaps even thrived in those risky, exciting, uncharted waters. In a small company, you would have had more occasions to display your adaptability and versatility. You probably also handled a wider variety of roles and had more responsibility with less supervision.

Most applicants with these experiences have learned invaluable lessons on a faster track than if they had worked in established firms. Even if their ventures were short-lived, they wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. Not only did they have to toggle among many disparate kinds of tasks, ranging from sales to public relations to product design, but they also learned – sometimes the hard way – fundamental rules of business planning and formation.

If you write about being an entrepreneur, however, you will have to demonstrate that this is not a euphemism for “unemployed.” Your business might or might not have succeeded, but showing how you planned for it and executed that plan will speak volumes about you. You can write about how you strategized, determined the need in the market for your product or service, and employed a logical sequence of steps to launch and manage your enterprise. If you are leaving your own venture to go to business school, share what will happen to your organization while you are in the MBA program. Who will take on your responsibilities?

Presenting self-employment experience on a resume

Creating a resume as a self-employed individual presents some challenges. If you already have an established business, some of this information is superfluous, but if you have been doing contract work, there are details to manage beyond the summary of the work you have been doing.

Company name 

If you own an established business, you probably already have a company name, but if you are doing freelance work or contract consulting, you might not. You should consider creating a purposeful company name that helps the reader understand that you are indeed self-employed. It could be something as simple as “John Smith Media Consulting” or “E-Commerce Branding Solutions.”

If you are doing contract work or other freelancing, avoid putting “Self-employed” or “Freelancer” as your title. Consider “CEO/Founder,” or if that is overreach, something like “Senior Consultant” or “Senior Engineer.” Choose something that is as close as possible to what your title would be if you were employed by someone else, but without sounding inflated or self-congratulatory. If you have an existing business, the “CEO/Founder” designation is most likely an accurate representation.

Describing your work experience

If you run a business that offers tangible goods or services, mapping out your experience should be fairly straightforward. For example, if you are a contractor, you should discuss projects you have worked on for various firms or individuals, listing details and successes of those projects as much as you can without violating any confidentiality agreements. Hopefully, you have some good, quantifiable results that you can point to. Here are some examples of how you could present projects:

“Overhauled payment system for $XM automotive parts manufacturer, resulting in 20% reduction of A/P.”

“Researched and presented findings on a nonprofit’s proposed expansion into a new territory. Findings were also shared with donors, who then funded 100% of the expansion.”

“Designed website and implemented social media strategy for eight-member start-up in the energy industry.”

How much work experience for MBA programs is enough? How much is too much?

Most applicants to two-year, full-time MBA programs have three to eight years of work experience. If you have been working longer than that, you should probably consider an EMBA or part-time program, or another option geared for more experienced professionals.

Unless a program actively courts younger applicants , two years of work experience is usually the minimum you will need to prove that you can contribute to and benefit from the program. 

How do you handle being laid off? 

With the recent waves of layoffs in the tech industry, you might wonder how an adcom will view applicants who have been let go in this way. Business can be messy, especially during economic uncertainty, and the adcoms understand this. In your resume – and possibly the optional essay – convey what you have been doing to advance your skills while you have been out of work.

Bottom Line

What matters most to MBA adcoms is not the quantity of work experience you have or whether you gained that experience in a small start-up or at Google, it’s how much you have contributed and what impact you have had . Whatever your work experience has been since you graduated from college, if you can prove that your focus, determination, collegiality, initiative, and maturity paved the way for you to make an impact, you are several steps closer to securing a seat in your chosen MBA class. 

Explaining the kind of work experience you have and your career progression in a meaningful way will help the adcoms get to know you better. Furthermore, even two years of full-time, professional employment can lend credibility and substance to your stated career goals, because those goals will clearly be based on real-world business experience that has tested, refined, and clarified them and your roadmap to achieve them, rather than on a youthful, fuzzy, naive dream. 

As the former executive director of admissions at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School and assistant dean of admissions at Georgetown’s McDonough School and the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School, Kelly Wilson has 23 years’ experience overseeing admissions committees and has reviewed more than 38,000 applications for the MBA and master’s programs in management of information systems, computational finance, business analytics, and product management. Want Kelly to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources

• Seven Tips for MBA Applicants from a Family Business Background
• What MBA Admission Officers Think of Applicants Using ChatGPT and AI , podcast Episode 556
• Admissions Advice for MBA Management Consulting Applicants

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