{"id":44216,"date":"2019-01-04T22:19:31","date_gmt":"2019-01-04T22:19:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/mba\/?p=44216"},"modified":"2021-11-09T17:18:23","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T17:18:23","slug":"your-guide-to-mba-application-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/mba\/your-guide-to-mba-application-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get an MBA: Everything You Need to Know Before Applying"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earning a Master of Business Administration<\/a> has become a rite of passage for business-oriented college graduates. Having an MBA announces your presence to the business world, and it says you\u2019re committed to understanding the complexities and nuances of business across myriad industries.<\/p>\n

Most MBA programs will ask you to choose a specialization. These typically include finance, management, marketing, leadership, strategy, entrepreneurship, data analytics, and a handful of other specific areas of study. The point of specializing is to graduate with an area of expertise that will allow you to hit the ground running and, frankly, add more value to the organization that hires you. Check out our list of MBA specializations<\/a> to figure out the path that is right for you.<\/p>\n

\"ClassroomBefore you get distracted by all the job prospects you\u2019ll have after you graduate, let\u2019s take a look at the requirements and some tips for gaining admission to the program.<\/p>\n

As you\u2019re reading through the information below, keep in mind: No one is going to gift you an MBA. It\u2019s going to take hard work, dedication, and financial commitment. Nothing worth having is easily gained, but trust us\u2014earning an MBA takes a special person who can focus on long-term goals<\/a> and isn\u2019t scared of a challenge. If that\u2019s you, here\u2019s everything you need to know to get an MBA.<\/p>\n

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR GETTING AN MBA<\/h2>\n

Regardless of the school you\u2019re hoping to attend, the basic MBA requirements are similar. Here\u2019s an overview of the details you\u2019ll find useful.<\/p>

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Undergraduate degree and work experience<\/h3>\n

First, you need to have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Your undergraduate degree can be in any major, but it is helpful to have a degree in a business-related field such as management, marketing, or finance. Moreover, most MBA programs<\/a> require two to three years of work experience to be seriously considered for admittance. It\u2019s also helpful to have some kind of demonstrable management or leadership<\/a> experience on your resume. Volunteer, internship, or small team-leading\u2014the specific role matters less than the experience, and admissions committees are looking to see if you can handle steering the ship before they consider giving you the keys to it.<\/p>\n

Your transcripts<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll need to provide transcripts from every college or university you attended and any additional coursework you completed or certifications you\u2019ve earned. Admissions committees are looking for patterns of academic success, and, while switching to and from a few different schools to earn your undergrad degree isn\u2019t usually a problem, it\u2019s important to show good grades followed you throughout your transitions.<\/p>\n

GRE or GMAT<\/h3>\n

Usually, you have to have successfully completed the Graduate Management Admission Test or the Graduate Record Exam within five years of your application to the school. The GRE consists of three sections that are scored, and reported to schools, separately rather than cumulatively. Two sections are scored on a scale of 130\u2013170; the third section is scored on a scale of 0\u20136.<\/p>\n

The GMAT, on the other hand, is the more common B-school exam and consists of four sections that are equally weighted and scored on a scale of 200\u2013800. However, most applications score between 400\u2013600, according to GMAT data<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are institutions that do not require the GMAT or GRE before pursuing an MBA, such as Augsburg University<\/a>, but schools will often require you to complete MBA mathematics coursework in lieu of the exams. Check out our comparison of the GRE versus GMAT<\/a> to know which exam makes the most sense for your academic path.<\/p>\n

Application<\/h3>\n

It goes without saying that you\u2019ll need to complete your application to the university and pay any appropriate fees associated with the application process. Application fees for MBA programs range from $100 to $300, which adds up if you plan to apply to several schools.<\/p>\n

Also, fully prepared MBA applicants applying to three separate business schools spend no less than 154 hours<\/b> crafting the core components of their applications, according to Poets & Quants<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Identifying strengths and weaknesses, crafting career goals<\/a>, choosing a specialization, considering if a school \u201cfits\u201d\u2014these are all components that shouldn\u2019t be ignored. MBA committees see hundreds of applications, so it\u2019s worth the time and effort to ensure yours sticks out among the pool of applicants.<\/p>\n

The primary elements of most MBA applications include:<\/p>\n