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MBAPrepSchoolTyler
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Best MBA application tips? 17 May 2012, 09:15
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ThePrinceOfSunspear
As far as work experience is that an absolutely necessary thing for any worthwhile applicant? Because my most immediate focus is on improving my GPA and earning my Masters in Accounting.
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There are always exceptions to the rule; however, I would estimate that over 90% of applicants accepted by the top 20 US Business School have at least two years of work experience. The admissions committee wants to see how applicants have performed in the "real world" prior to admitting them. Remember too that you will need two, and sometimes three, reference letters from people who have supervised you and can comment on your management potential and strengths relative to your peer group.

Here's a link to an article we published on MBA Prep School that delves deeper into the question of how much work experience is enough.

Also, check out the series of articles on the 5 Steps to Applying for an MBA. If you follow the steps we recommend, you will increase your chances of succeeding the first time around. There is also a video in our video course on how to strengthen your candidacy before you apply. It's free when sign-up for a free account at MBA Prep School.

Hope that helps!

Best of luck,
Tyler
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Best MBA application tips? 17 May 2012, 09:15
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ThePrinceOfSunspear
As far as work experience is that an absolutely necessary thing for any worthwhile applicant? Because my most immediate focus is on improving my GPA and earning my Masters in Accounting.

I've worked but mostly related to the pharmacy (as a certified technician). So not exactly business oriented or finance related. So my question is to show that B-School is something I want to do and the next step for me is it absolutely critical that I work as an accountant for a year or 2 before I apply to B-School or can I work part time while completing my masters and that would be enough? And I really need genuine help here. I would like to get all my education completed as soon as possible so I can move and start working. But I also want to be accepted the first time around rather than apply and be rejected because I didn't have a solid portfolio.

My GMAT score is a 690 and I'm taking it one more time before it switches to the new format which includes the retarded IR section.....hoping for a 730 or above this time around.
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You will need full-time work experience if you want a true shot at getting in. If you were a pharmacist instead of a technician (and had a couple years of full-time experience under your belt) you'd have a better shot. You don't have to be in finance in order to apply. However, you do need work experience that can translate into valuable class contributions.
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Best MBA application tips? 17 May 2012, 09:19
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MBAPrepSchoolTyler
ThePrinceOfSunspear
As far as work experience is that an absolutely necessary thing for any worthwhile applicant? Because my most immediate focus is on improving my GPA and earning my Masters in Accounting.

There are always exceptions to the rule; however, I would estimate that over 90% of applicants accepted by the top 20 US Business School have at least two years of work experience. The admissions committee wants to see how applicants have performed in the "real world" prior to admitting them. Remember too that you will need two, and sometimes three, reference letters from people who have supervised you and can comment on your management potential and strengths relative to your peer group.

Here's a link to an article we published on MBA Prep School that delves deeper into the question of how much work experience is enough.

Also, check out the series of articles on the 5 Steps to Applying for an MBA. If you follow the steps we recommend, you will increase your chances of succeeding the first time around. There is also a video in our video course on how to strengthen your candidacy before you apply. It's free when sign-up for a free account at MBA Prep School.

Hope that helps!

Best of luck,
Tyler
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Thanks for the links. As far as the 5 steps article when will Step 2 be published? Or do I need to sign up in order to view it?
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MBAPrepSchoolTyler
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Best MBA application tips? 17 May 2012, 09:27
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Glad I could help.

All steps in the article are already published on our website, along with hundreds of others. Notice in the header of the article that there is a link to find all 5 articles in the series. Or you can click here: https://mbaprepschool.com/category/5-steps-dream-school/

Sign-up for our email newsletter on the top right of the application tips area of the site to receive weekly application tips in your email inbox. It's essentially a complete email course on how to apply for an MBA. Please let me know if we can help further.

Cheers,
Tyler
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Best MBA application tips? 05 Jun 2012, 02:43
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You should customize your essays to match the different schools's personas. One can be tempted to be lazy by simply copying and pasting essays from one school's app onto the next but that can hurt your chances. Schools want to know that you will matriculate if they pick you and one way they THINK that they can gauge the depth (or lack thereof) of your interest is through your essays.




Edit: This discussion has been retired.
You can find the latest and updated thread here: best-mba-application-tips-from-elite-alumni-and-students-133967.html
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