Stern & Haas

Question

Hi,
I intend to specialize in operations & strategy. All other factors notwithstanding, do Stern and Haas encourage/consider applicants with 2 or less years full time work experience? Please let me know your general opinion about this.

A brief summary about myself: M.S. in Mechanical Engg GPA = 4.0. Working with a Fortune 100 Mechanical firm, GMAT Diagnostic: 690, started a company while doing undergrad in India, fluent in 5 languages...

Your help is greatly appreciated..
Thanks!

Accepted.com · Answer

Haas prefers at least 2 years of work experience. 

Pete Johnson of Haas had this to say at a recent Accepted.com chat:

PeteJohnsonHaas (Sep 29, 2005 10:27:29 AM)
Linda, we do not have a minimum work experience requirement. Having said that, our faculty feels strongly that for the case-study method and group projects to be effective, we really need individuals with some significant experience. For this reason, it is rare that we offer admission to an applicant with less than two years of professional experience. We also hear from employers that they are not interested in filling post-MBA jobs with applicants who have no post-undergrad experience. The companies that hire individuals with no experience often do so at lower salaries, too, so they do not realize the same benefits from the MBA.

I am not sure about Stern.

Good luck!

dogbert · Answer

Thanks Linda for your reply.

Could the same be said about Ross and Texas-Austin?
Thanks for all your help.
Accepted.com has provided invaluable pointers for my applications.

Accepted.com · Answer

Ross definitely prefers at least 2 years of full-time work experience. The same used to be true of UT Austin, but they have a new admissions director so it may have changed. Check with them.

Good luck!

dogbert · Answer

Thanks again Linda,

I started full time employment in August 2005. I intend to apply for an MBA program starting Fall 2007. Considering this, I would have just about 2 years full time work experience. When I apply, I would have had a little more than one year of full time work experience. Where do I stand in this case? Does it make sense for me to apply to schools such as Haas and Ross? I have had considerable internship experience. I was also working part-time for 1.5 years while I was doing my M.S. (it is the same company where I currently work full-time). I also started my own web solutions company when I was doing my undergrad in India (that was approximately for 2.5 years). 
I know it may be a borderline case for me with regard to work experience, but I would really appreciate your take on this.

Thanks a ton!

Accepted.com · Answer

When schools say two years of work experinece they mean two years of full-time experience from graduation to matriculation (not application). so you will meet the minimum and the schools will also consider your other work experience. I would say give it a shot at schools like Haas and Ross. It will probably depend on the strength of the applicant pool next year.

In addition, look in to schools that are trying to attract "early career applicants": Wharton, HBS, Stanford and UCLA come immediately to mind.

Good luck!

Stern & Haas

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