3 Key Metrics for MBA Readiness

Age typically plays a secondary role to professional experience in the eyes of admissions committees at leading B-schools. Successful applicants generally have between three to seven years of full-time work experience upon enrollment, while admits at top B-schools have an average of approximately five years of professional experience.

Debbie Choy, an admissions consultant at mbaMission, recently highlighted three key metrics that signal readiness for MBA programs, regardless of age bracket.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Top business schools are more interested in applicants who can demonstrate an impact at their work. The key, Choy says, is to quantify your achievements in your application.

“For example, perhaps you took the initiative to improve a reporting process, and this change has ultimately saved your team valuable work hours each week,” Choy says. “In addition, promotions, increasing responsibilities, internal or external recognition (e.g., MVP awards), and other such signals show the admissions committees that you are a strong performer and a valuable contributor at work.”

CAREER TRAJECTORY

In addition to impact, business schools seek applicants who can convey a healthy and upwards career trajectory. Ideally, this means you don’t remain at a single role for an excessive length of time, but Choy says, the length of time can vary with job function and company.

“For example, at an investment bank with a two- to three-year analyst program, you would be expected to progress to the Associate level or to a Private Equity role after graduating from the analyst program,” Choy says. “However, at some technology firms, a software engineer might remain in the role of analyst for several years. In such cases, the projects they take on—and the role they play—tend to increase over time, even though their title does not change. And these changes indicate a positive career trajectory.”

CAREER GOALS

Whether you’re a younger or older applicants, articulating clear career goals and how an MBA fits into them is key.

“Describing your professional objectives is especially crucial for more tenured applicants who have a demonstrated track record of career success,” Choy says. “For such candidates, the admissions committees also want to know ‘Why now?’ So carefully consider why this is a good time for you to return to school. Importantly, what will business school teach you that you cannot learn on the job?”

Sources: mbaMission, US News