This B-School Is Prepping Humanities In Math

The GRE is opening b-school doors to a diverse pool of applicants. And many don’t possess anything resembling a quantitative background.

In an article for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, contributor Courtney Linder explores how one b-school is preparing non-quant students for a seamless transition into the MBA world.

GRE Opens MBA To Humanities Applicants

61% of b-schools schools surveyed by Kaplan Test Prep say that the GRE said has resulted in the enrollment of more students from nontraditional backgrounds.

Kelly Wilson, executive director of masters admissions at Carnegie Mellon Universitys Tepper School of Business, tells the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that since fall 2016, there has been a 37% increase in MBA applications from humanities majors.

 

Brushing Up On Math Skills

To help students brush up on their math skills, Tepper offers a four-week online math course that goes over basic business calculus.

“The class includes modules on first and second differentials, partial differentiation, how to plot curves and understand local maxima and minima, limits and basic integrals,” Linder writes.

The course isn’t new, but it is reaching a wider population.

In the past, roughly 30% of admitted students were required to take the online course before beginning their first semester, according to Tepper. But now, the course is available for any incoming student interested in brushing up on math skills.

The Technology Leadership Track

While the MBA is seeing a rise in non-traditional backgrounds, there is one field at Tepper that still has limited access. The technology leadership track.

“Students who apply for the technology leadership track — one of five options in the MBA program, which also offers entrepreneurship, business analytics, energy business and management of innovation and product development — typically need to come from a tech background,” Linder writes.

While the technology leadership track doesn’t require a background in math, it does require that applicants have a certain level of experience in tech.

“MBA graduates of this track are exceptionally prepared to address the complex issues that lie at the intersection of business and technology,” Tepper’s website reads. “They are trained to lead their future organizations in developing and executing technology strategies and managing technology projects.”

Sources: Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Kaplan Test Prep, Carnegie Mellon University