I'm new-- how do I get into top MBA program?

Question

Hello everyone.

I am new here, and I just recently started thinking about business school. My goal in life is to be a leader and make lots of money. I recently switching my major from pre-med/health science to computer science, because I want to learn how to program my own website and be an entrepreneur. I was a pre-med in the first place because i knew doctors make lots of money, but I decided I might want to switch, because doctors also have to work like 60-80 hour weeks for the rest of their life! And you have to go through like 8+ years of schooling, take out so many loans, etc, just to work 60-80 hour weeks for the rest of their lives. Nahhh. I feel like I'd be more interested in business/money/website.

I'm a sophomore/junior, since I switched to comp sci I will probably need another couple of years to get bachelors. My GPA so far is a 3.45. It went down this term from 3.55 because of major family problems. Will fix!

I might get it up to a 3.6-3.65 by the time I graduate.

I have some questions about the work experience thing!
I have heard that MBA programs require 2 years work experience. What kind of work experience would it be? Can part-time job during undergrad for 3 years count as the "1 year work experience", and then working 1 full time year after undergrad.... can that count?

or does it have to be 2 full years after undergrad?

Also, what kind of job should I try getting for 2 years after undergrad? I really want to program my own website, but will probably need supplementary income to live off of, so I will get some computer related job.

Also, what kind of extracurricular activities do business schools want to see? Where should I volunteer at? Any specific suggestions for volunteer sites, such as, habitat for humanity or something? I have already been volunteering at a hospital a little bit in the past couple of months, probably about 10 hours a month, 20 hours total so far. But since I am quitting the pre-med thing, maybe I should volunteer somewhere else, like more business related?

Any other suggestions you have for me to get into a top business school? I will try really hard to study for GMAT, but are there any pre-requisites that i have to take for b-school? I am really new to this, so I don't know much at all.

EDIT: I also come from a state school in the west coast. It is not a top school or anything, just a regular state public school. And the part time job I have in undergrad is tutoring.

EngineeringMBA · Answer

A few things:
-I would definitely recommend working at least 2-3 years. I applied last year when I had only 2 years and decided not to attend a school I got into- it proved to be the right decision. Now 3 years into my career, I'm far more confident, ready, and able to take on what business school has to offer me, and the timing feels "right". This will depend on your situation, but I'm definitely glad I continued on at my current job rather than matriculating, and now I have a possibility (crossing my fingers, haha) of getting into my top choices. So, you should definitely work at least for a few years before school. After all, you have to draw on your work experiences when you're in school; if you don't have anything to bring to the table you'll feel left out amongst your peers.
-Get a job you want to do, don't get the job that you think b-schools will like. So whatever it is you're looking to do, just do it, and additionally, it will also be better for you when you write your app essays.
-Another thing, I really feel you should just find a job after graduating and go from there. Your thinking 2 years down the road could change, I know mines did. I had thought I would consider b-school a couple years down the road (as I neared 30), but I decided to go a bit earlier. Point being, if I were you, I'd just keep the b-school thought in the back of my mind, and let your early career play itself out and make a decision from there.
-Also, don't be motivated to do it just for the money. Yes, the money is nice, and it's definitely a factor, but at the end of the day you have to get into a career that you're passionate about. If you're in a job you really dislike and you make a lot of money, it is not worth it- do what you love.

streampaw · Answer

Thanks for the advice.

Also, how many hours do MBA graduates from top schools work per week? Do they have 80 hour work weeks, or are the work weeks more normal like 40-50 hours per week? 
And how much money do MBA graduates from top schools make 5 years down the road?

mgg234 · Answer

1) The average age of accepted students is 28/29 at the Top 15 schools (Harvard and Stanford are 27 though). If you're female, or do something super impressive like Mckinsey to Blackstone you can apply after 3 years, but nowadays for the most part its 4-5 years experience. Internships do not count.

2) You don't want to work 60-80 hours a week, but most MBA jobs will be just that. The big recruiters are Consulting/Finance/Tech all of which have longer than a forty hour work week. A few corp 500 rotational programs will give you a 9-5 job, but they are often the worst paying.

3) Your GPA is fine. Keep it above 3.4-3.5 if you can, but GMAT and work experience matters way more.

4) In general, it's best to work at brand name companies, in finance (e.g. JPMorgan, Goldman Sacs), consulting (e.g. MBB, Deloitte), tech (e.g. Apple, Google). People certainly get in from smaller name companies, start ups, non-profits, etc but its easier with a gold platted corporation on your resume. Get promoted quickly and take on leadership responsibility.

5) I tend to think business schools don't care that much about EC's unless its something SUPER impressive or if you have nothing. Just do something that shows team work and/or leadership. I did mostly non-serious sports (e.g. co-ed football team, snowboarding) with very limited volunteering (one day a month), don't think its negatively affected me.

6) If you want to leverage your existing experience, healthcare has recently turned into a major industry for b-school students. Most consulting firms have a health care practice, and there's a lot of well paying jobs that aim to make healthcare more efficient. So you could go that route out of college, or as your MBA goal.

7) Make sure you truly don't want to be a doctor. A few business students will make a killing, but most end up with around the same hours/pay as a doctor, with less society respect, and less job security. Honestly, if I could do things again, I'd probably have done med school.

---

Edit I see you asked a follow up on Pay. MBA pay is much more variable than being a doctor. Depends how good of a school you get into. Get into a top 7 and do consulting/finance, You should clear $200k all-in after 4-5 years, potentially much more. If you go outside the top 15, this number is going to be around $130-140k. Outside the top 25 or so, ~$120k or less.

streampaw · Answer

Interesting. Well,I am a female. Do females have more of an advantage in getting into top business schools?

Posted from my mobile device

Admissionado · Answer

Basically, yes. But you still have to have a great application too!

I'm new-- how do I get into top MBA program?

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