Guest Post from Enyi, Consultant for The Art of Applying

How to Apply to Business School with Limited or No Full-Time Work Experience

You want to go to business school. And you have less than three years of work experience. However, most top business business schools tout incoming classes with an average work experience of five years. Given that professional experience is one of the primary elements of the MBA application, you may have serious qualms about your chances to gain acceptance into a top MBA program. But let’s say you’re also the one who doesn’t buy into conforming to perceived traditional standards of admission, or maintaining the status quo of being a 28-year old matriculating MBA student. If that’s you, then this question may be popping in your head: How do I approach the MBA application? Well, let’s go through key points that will allow you to stand out amongst other applicants with more work experience than you.

Why Now?

The two paramount questions that MBA Admissions Committees (AdComs) want to know about each applicant are “Why an MBA?” and “Why Now?” Having a distinct outline of your intentions to get an MBA will help position yourself as a mature applicant. However, your answer to the “Why Now” question will determine whether a top business school will take your application seriously without the thought that you are applying prematurely. In order to answer this question thoroughly, ask yourself if you have reached a ceiling in terms of what you can learn in your current job or industry. Have you maximized your potential in your current position? In addition, are you looking at an MBA to build upon the skills you currently have and expand your scope of knowledge and influence in your current field? Or, are you looking to use the MBA to transition into a completely different career path? Also, know why the particular school you are applying to fits your career timeline versus other MBA programs. Once you’re able to provide comprehensive and succinct responses to these questions, your “Why Now?” answer will write itself.

Emphasize Quality Over Quantity

When it comes to work experience, MBA AdComs evaluate across two scales: quality and quantity. So even if you are lacking in the quantity space, the quality of your professional experience can tilt the admissions scales in your favor. How can you demonstrate such quality? By highlighting the impact and leadership you have had throughout your career. Examine each professional role you have held. Can you point to specific results that measure your impact in an organization? More importantly, what is the narrative behind the direct and indirect impact of your actions? Did you change the culture of your company, or create community impact as a result of your actions? On the leadership side, mention instances where you have taken the initiative to start innovative projects in your organization. If you’ve had accelerated promotion, highlight your status as a top-notch producer. Don’t forget about teamwork. Not only should you show that you have performed well within teams, but also that you have led teams in some decision-making capacity.

Focus on Your Full-Time Work Experience

As an early career MBA applicant, you may be tempted to highlight your academic achievements and internship experiences. While you should definitely shed light on these factors, if you have full-time work experience, you want your application to revolve around your full-time work experience. Feel free to mention major leadership roles from your undergraduate experience, but unless you are applying straight out of college (such as HBS 2+2, Yale Silver Scholars, or Booth Scholars), don’t dwell on them as foundations of your leadership potential. Internships can be built into your profile as extensions of your professional career, especially if there is a natural transition between what you did in internships and your full-time experience. As for letters of recommendation, focus on getting letters from your current organization versus academic sources, unless the academic recommenders can speak in depth to your leadership capabilities and readiness to enter an MBA program. If you are applying straight out of college, of course having one academic reference is fine and expected. 

Know Yourself

Finally, know yourself. What does that mean? Don’t be discouraged by others (friends, coworkers, and websites) that say you are too young or inexperienced to attend business school. MBA programs are looking for ambitious, confident, and accomplished people that can be future leaders in business, regardless of age. So if that’s you, apply away!