Do we really need 5+ years of work experience for top MBA?

Based on MBA class profile stats for top bschools, the average number of years of work experience was over 5 for almost all bschools except Harvard (4.7 years) and Stanford (4.6). Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Sloan, Columbia, Ross, Anderson, and even LBS had an average of 5 years while others like Tuck, Haas, Fuqua, and Stern, averaged at around 5.2-5.5.

Does this mean that folks on the traditional 2+2 IB/Consulting -> PE path are disadvantaged by coming in with merely 4 years of work experience when it comes to MBA candidacy?

How does this fare for folks not on the average overachiever's MBB/ EB/BB IB -> MF/UMM PE path - does it make sense for these folks to apply after 5 years to improve their chances (maybe after becoming Sr.Assoc?)

Is the data skewed towards the majority of the MBA candidates that are on a non-traditional path (including military & international folks who did 3-year degrees) and are using an MBA to switch their career path?

Another issue with this is how does this fare for people who took GMAT/GRE immediately after graduation (undergrad) as their scores will expire (in 5 years) when they will apply for an MBA?

 

4 at matriculation is the sweet spot. The average is brought up by candidates with 7-8+ years who apply late. Particularly common in the military. I had 4 and my work exp is way less prestigious than IB > PE.

The least you see for MBA business schools">M7 admits now adays is 3 at matriculation.

As long as your GMAT score is not expired, adcomms look at it like any other score.

 
Most Helpful

Eos non id eum cum. Perferendis at quia nemo est beatae. Atque modi enim est magnam. Excepturi rerum aut dolorum nihil consequatur vero unde.

Dolores ut vel sint suscipit officiis ullam saepe. Officiis quaerat et consectetur. Omnis totam et nostrum temporibus nihil.

Quam unde et dolorum. Recusandae consequuntur sint non enim consequatur voluptas veniam provident. Deserunt eos sit itaque dolore rerum eum est. Porro eos est velit accusantium laboriosam ut. Et accusantium et voluptatem quisquam aut error.

Linda Abraham President, Accepted | Contact Me | Admissions Consulting

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”