How Do B-Schools Look At a Younger Person?

Question

Hello everyone, 
I'm brand new to the club and am excited to talk with as many of you as possible and get the most out of the club as I can.

I'm going to graduate from UC Berkeley in the spring of 2012 and would like to go straight into business school the following Fall. However, I am seeing that the average age of U.S. b-school attendants is around 28. Will I have a tough time getting into a school being of a younger age and having limited work experience?

Thank you!

Jerz · Answer

Yes. Most schools - even those who tend to prefer younger candidates - want candidates to have some post-college work experience before they enter an MBA program. Because so much of the MBA curriculum is discussion-based learning, there is an expectation that you will have some real-world experience to draw on and add to the discussion. HBS does have the 2+2 program, where you apply while in undergrad, but even then the admission is deferred 2 years while you work. Many other top programs, while not having formal minimums for work experience, do not seriously consider candidates who don't have 2-3 years experience. So while it's not impossible to get admitted right out of undergrad, you would have to be an absolute rockstar who has done some pretty amazing things while in school. Like "I started Facebook while I was an undergrad" amazing.

asimov · Answer

If you go into an MBA program without work experience, it would be very difficult for you to get a job. Most roles require 3-5 years of experience, unless you are planning to go into ibanking or consulting. Even then, you face an uphill battle. That's the reason top b-schools do not generally accept people with little or no work experience. I actually know one person who got into Stanford straight out of UG, but she deferred a year, and is planning to into non-profit post-MBA. At Duke, there's another one as well. But like Jerz said, you pretty much have to be a rockstar.

riverripper · Answer

Get a job, focus on getting an MBA in a few years. You will have a tough time getting into a top program without work experience. Even if you do get in, getting a job will be much more difficult than you can imagine.

bakfed · Answer

I second the fact that you should have some real world experience. Without duplicating what others have said, here's my additional thought. When you're in b-school, you will have to re-write your resume before the official resume is due at your respective career service center. All the first-years will have their resumes put into a book and companies who wish to buy and view them can do so at their leisure. Without any post-undergrad work experience, your experience will look like a kid's. What you'll have on there is simply part-time and summer internships, which can be important, but compare that to a person with 3 years working at a semiconductor facility as a quality engineer, or to a person with 5 years and 2 promotions through the ranks at Proctor & Gamble, or to a person with 4 years doing corporate finance work for Pfizer. I think you get the idea. When you apply to top b-school, a lot of people will have pedigree (i.e. undergrad institution and quality work experience) and numbers (GPA, GMAT, other certifications). I'm sure you have great quality as well, but you will fall short when it comes to quality work experience. And just imagine when the recruiter looks at your resume versus someone else's, you've got no relevant work experience to offer. Therefore, it will be extremely tough to standout in the crowd. Work for a few years, then think about b-school.

jazzman · Answer

I'd agree with the above posts. It'll definitely be a benefit to you and your classmates to get a few years of experience under your belt before starting an MBA program.

victorjhon · Answer

I am a student and i know that student life is very happy life.

vishnuns39620 · Answer

Hey John! Hope you're out there and doing well mate. How has life treated you? Thinking of an MBA still? Let us know, this thread has piqued my humble interest!

Regards, Vishnu

How Do B-Schools Look At a Younger Person?

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