You are fresh out of undergraduate school or a recent college graduate considering an MBA degree. You have done some preliminary research into business school. And in your search, you have read all the top weekly business magazines, visited b-school discussion boards, and listened to different MBA program representatives talk about how they welcome “early career” (EC) candidates – individuals with 0-3 years of full-time, professional work experience. Despite what you’ve heard, it somehow sounds like marketing rhetoric and you are unconvinced. While MBA programs do clearly express an interest in ECs, your friends in b-school report otherwise. And a glance at MBA program websites shows class profiles that appear skewed to individuals with 4-6 years or more of work experience.
So what is the truth? The truth is that many schools are strongly interested in, and do admit, those ECs who are talented, motivated, and exhibit a track record of leadership and initiative. While these individuals may possess fewer years of formal work experience than the average candidate, many have gained significant skills through internships or entrepreneurial ventures. Others may have developed their talents through community service and/or extra-curricular activities at university. The challenge for most b-schools, in fact, is to attract such candidates. The same is true for groups like women and underrepresented minorities, whose representation in MBA programs is limited by their numbers in the applicant pipeline rather than admissions policies.
So ECs, UCLA Anderson welcomes you (carefully read the websites and materials of the programs to see what their policies are. You will find programs tend to be very clear about requirements). We are every bit as interested in your career potential and ability to give back to your academic, work, and local communities as what you have accomplished to date.
If you think you may be interested in an MBA, then we encourage you to fully explore various MBA programs, discover reasons why the degree might make sense for you, and reflect on your life and how you envision it unfolding in the future. Once you have taken these steps, you will not only be better prepared to present a thoughtful and articulate application, but you will be better poised to take full advantage of the opportunities available to you during your time in business school. So take the time for self-reflection. And if you feel that you are now ready for an MBA, share your self-awareness and knowledge of the degree with us in a cogent manner. Admissions Committes are, after all, open to persuasion.
Read the full article: What Makes for a Great Early Career (EC) MBA Candidate