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?

3 Comments
 

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 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.

 
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