MBA school immediately right after BS degree?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only read the first two pages of responses.

I went to B-school with just two years of work experience. It was good experience - managing people, having some lending authority, etc, but it was not “prestigious” experience.

As I interviewed for summer internships and full time jobs, I was directly competing with students who had 4-5 good years of work experience - including a guy who had been at my same company , and had a more senior job title.

I was just as strong a student, with strong communication and interview skills, but compared to the other students who were just as strong, I didn’t do as well in the job application process. That said, I did much, much better than people with less experience than me.

OP, unfortunately, the MBA is just part of the resume when he’s applying for jobs during his second year of business school. He’ll be competing with someone with a bachelor’s from UVA and 3-4 years of consulting experience. He needs to build out the experience portion of his resume if he wants to be on an even playing field. It’s not just about getting into an MBA program. It’s about getting a good job afterward.

This is exactly what most of us have been trying to articulate to the OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the probability of getting accepted into one of the top MBA schools without any work experience?

My DS recently graduated from VCU in May 2024 with a degree in Computer Science, a 3.91 GPA, summa cum laude. He also took the GMAT in May and scored 780. He would like to get an MBA now, but he wonders about the probability of getting accepted into a good MBA program without any actual work experience. Thoughts?

OP:I have given you plenty of options regarding applying to MBA programs without any post-undergraduate work experience. Most of the elite MBA programs have a deferred admissions option or options. Some will consider immediate entry (NYU -Stern is one such example. NYU Stern MBA program also awards merit scholarships to exceptional seniors who enroll at NYU-Stern MBA program. The awards are for the first of the two year program. Range is $10,000 to full tuition & fees plus eligibility for additional NYU Stern scholarships.)

Of course, work experience is valued by MBA programs and employers, but so are rising stars such as your son who has a CS/tech degree and a stellar GMAT. The top MBA programs want to attract the best students. NYU-Stern competes for the best by offering early admission after completing college often with significant merit scholarship money. NYU-Stern doesn't want to lose exceptional candidates to Harvard, Stanford, Penn-Wharton, Northwestern-Kellogg, MIT-Sloan, Columbia, or Chicago-Booth--which are the M-7 group of MBA programs which are ranked just above NYU-Stern.

OP: Your son will benefit tremendously from the real world work experience of the other members of his MBA class. Other class members are likely to benefit from your son's exceptional computer science & technology knowledge.

There is no perfect time for one to enter an elite MBA program as entrance becomes dramatically more expensive in terms of opportunity cost as one rises is the working world.

I suspect that your son may be having a difficult time securing lucrative employment due to the current wave of tech layoffs throughout the country. If true, then this is a great time to consider entering a full-time MBA program.

Choices among elite MBA programs for your son:

Acceptance now with deferred entry.

Direct entry.

Split program such as Yale's School of Management Silver Scholars option for recent college graduates.

I understand that the other posters are giving the standard advice of "work 2 to 5 years prior to entering an MBA program". This is very reasonable advice, but situations differ. If your son waits until he is making well over $100,000 per year to apply to MBA programs, the cost could total $600,000 (when his lost income is included in calculating the opportunity cost) for a 2 year full-time MBA and likely to result in giving up his current career with his then current employer.

When other MBA degree holders write that they wish that they had attended their MBA program with more work experience because they could have learned more, the reality is that no one learns everything in an MBA program and many never make it to an MBA program because life gets in the way. Spouse, children, mortgage, a job that pays well with realistic promotion potential, illness, divorce, special needs child, parent requiring care, etc.

Ask the other posters what is the purpose and main benefits of earning an MBA degree in their opinion and experience.

Typically, entrants into MBA programs want to advance in their career or want to change careers.

[Anonymous]

Additionally, ask the other posters why the most elite MBA programs instituted the early application process for college seniors & recent college grads offering either immediate or deferred admission.

Ask what is the single most important aspect of an elite MBA program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Additionally, ask the other posters why the most elite MBA programs instituted the early application process for college seniors & recent college grads offering either immediate or deferred admission.

Ask what is the single most important aspect of an elite MBA program.

Many of us have addressed these points and the points in your prior post. Not sure why you are so hellbent on pushing the idea of doing an MBA now. OP asked for probabilities, and the probability is very low. Including at Stern, where we established a very low percentage of students with no work experience. Just because schools have “a” path for current undergrads/recent grads doesn’t mean it is a common path or a path accessible to most (and you are going to need more than a GMAT to sell yourself).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a reason work experience is preferred.

This must be a recent (past 25 or so years?) development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Additionally, ask the other posters why the most elite MBA programs instituted the early application process for college seniors & recent college grads offering either immediate or deferred admission.

Ask what is the single most important aspect of an elite MBA program.

Many of us have addressed these points and the points in your prior post. Not sure why you are so hellbent on pushing the idea of doing an MBA now. OP asked for probabilities, and the probability is very low. Including at Stern, where we established a very low percentage of students with no work experience. Just because schools have “a” path for current undergrads/recent grads doesn’t mean it is a common path or a path accessible to most (and you are going to need more than a GMAT to sell yourself).

So why not answer the two basic questions ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Part of what makes an MBA education is the work experience students bring to the class.

This. The good schools want real-world experience. It is so valuable to the program.

[Anonymous]

"MBA " School??/ HAHAHAHA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the probability of getting accepted into one of the top MBA schools without any work experience?

My DS recently graduated from VCU in May 2024 with a degree in Computer Science, a 3.91 GPA, summa cum laude. He also took the GMAT in May and scored 780. He would like to get an MBA now, but he wonders about the probability of getting accepted into a good MBA program without any actual work experience. Thoughts?

why doesn't he look at the posted requirements for business school??????????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Additionally, ask the other posters why the most elite MBA programs instituted the early application process for college seniors & recent college grads offering either immediate or deferred admission.

Ask what is the single most important aspect of an elite MBA program.

Many of us have addressed these points and the points in your prior post. Not sure why you are so hellbent on pushing the idea of doing an MBA now. OP asked for probabilities, and the probability is very low. Including at Stern, where we established a very low percentage of students with no work experience. Just because schools have “a” path for current undergrads/recent grads doesn’t mean it is a common path or a path accessible to most (and you are going to need more than a GMAT to sell yourself).

The top MBA programs in the country have developed a special admissions process to attract students like OP's son. I trust that they know what they are doing. Some even offer scholarships specifically for students with no post undergraduate work experience.

OP's GMAT of 780 will be the highest score in many MBA programs including Yale SOM.

OP has a stellar GPA in a demanding subject area--CS.

MBA recruiters want tech savvy MBA grads. One company which hires the most newly minted MBAs is Amazon. Several years ago, Amazon had to expand its list of target MBA programs from which it recruits new MBAs because they could not find enough new MBAs with sufficient CS & other tech skills. OP's son should have no problem securing lucrative employment with an MBA from an elite program due to his CS & tech (STEM) skills & knowledge.

OP: The reason that other posters will not respond to my two simple, basic questions is because they suspect it is a trap or they don't know.

A 780 GMAT score will be the highest score at many Top 15 MBA programs at at some Top 10 MBA programs such as Yale. A 780 will be among the top 20% GMAT scores at all MBA programs including the Top 10.

When MBA admissions reviews applications from one with no experience they look for signs of maturity & leadership and ability to contribute to the class. As a CS degree holder, your son will be able to contribute to the class & to group projects. Your son's maturity level will be judged by his outstanding GPA and by his letters of recommendation.

Regardless of what one or two posters have written regarding employability without prior full-time work experience, major employers of MBA students are searching for newly minted MBAs who are tech savvy. Just ask Amazon & Microsoft.

The other posters have not kept up with the rapidly changing MBA world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Additionally, ask the other posters why the most elite MBA programs instituted the early application process for college seniors & recent college grads offering either immediate or deferred admission.

Ask what is the single most important aspect of an elite MBA program.

Many of us have addressed these points and the points in your prior post. Not sure why you are so hellbent on pushing the idea of doing an MBA now. OP asked for probabilities, and the probability is very low. Including at Stern, where we established a very low percentage of students with no work experience. Just because schools have “a” path for current undergrads/recent grads doesn’t mean it is a common path or a path accessible to most (and you are going to need more than a GMAT to sell yourself).

The top MBA programs in the country have developed a special admissions process to attract students like OP's son. I trust that they know what they are doing. Some even offer scholarships specifically for students with no post undergraduate work experience.

OP's GMAT of 780 will be the highest score in many MBA programs including Yale SOM.

OP has a stellar GPA in a demanding subject area--CS.

MBA recruiters want tech savvy MBA grads. One company which hires the most newly minted MBAs is Amazon. Several years ago, Amazon had to expand its list of target MBA programs from which it recruits new MBAs because they could not find enough new MBAs with sufficient CS & other tech skills. OP's son should have no problem securing lucrative employment with an MBA from an elite program due to his CS & tech (STEM) skills & knowledge.

OP: The reason that other posters will not respond to my two simple, basic questions is because they suspect it is a trap or they don't know.

A 780 GMAT score will be the highest score at many Top 15 MBA programs at at some Top 10 MBA programs such as Yale. A 780 will be among the top 20% GMAT scores at all MBA programs including the Top 10.

When MBA admissions reviews applications from one with no experience they look for signs of maturity & leadership and ability to contribute to the class. As a CS degree holder, your son will be able to contribute to the class & to group projects. Your son's maturity level will be judged by his outstanding GPA and by his letters of recommendation.

Regardless of what one or two posters have written regarding employability without prior full-time work experience, major employers of MBA students are searching for newly minted MBAs who are tech savvy. Just ask Amazon & Microsoft.

The other posters have not kept up with the rapidly changing MBA world.

As I indicated, we’ve already answered these questions. Your fixation with this and multi-paragraph responses to no one in particular are not normal, so we’ll leave you be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Additionally, ask the other posters why the most elite MBA programs instituted the early application process for college seniors & recent college grads offering either immediate or deferred admission.

Ask what is the single most important aspect of an elite MBA program.

Many of us have addressed these points and the points in your prior post. Not sure why you are so hellbent on pushing the idea of doing an MBA now. OP asked for probabilities, and the probability is very low. Including at Stern, where we established a very low percentage of students with no work experience. Just because schools have “a” path for current undergrads/recent grads doesn’t mean it is a common path or a path accessible to most (and you are going to need more than a GMAT to sell yourself).

The top MBA programs in the country have developed a special admissions process to attract students like OP's son. I trust that they know what they are doing. Some even offer scholarships specifically for students with no post undergraduate work experience.

OP's GMAT of 780 will be the highest score in many MBA programs including Yale SOM.

OP has a stellar GPA in a demanding subject area--CS.

MBA recruiters want tech savvy MBA grads. One company which hires the most newly minted MBAs is Amazon. Several years ago, Amazon had to expand its list of target MBA programs from which it recruits new MBAs because they could not find enough new MBAs with sufficient CS & other tech skills. OP's son should have no problem securing lucrative employment with an MBA from an elite program due to his CS & tech (STEM) skills & knowledge.

OP: The reason that other posters will not respond to my two simple, basic questions is because they suspect it is a trap or they don't know.

A 780 GMAT score will be the highest score at many Top 15 MBA programs at at some Top 10 MBA programs such as Yale. A 780 will be among the top 20% GMAT scores at all MBA programs including the Top 10.

When MBA admissions reviews applications from one with no experience they look for signs of maturity & leadership and ability to contribute to the class. As a CS degree holder, your son will be able to contribute to the class & to group projects. Your son's maturity level will be judged by his outstanding GPA and by his letters of recommendation.

Regardless of what one or two posters have written regarding employability without prior full-time work experience, major employers of MBA students are searching for newly minted MBAs who are tech savvy. Just ask Amazon & Microsoft.

The other posters have not kept up with the rapidly changing MBA world.

As I indicated, we’ve already answered these questions. Your fixation with this and multi-paragraph responses to no one in particular are not normal, so we’ll leave you be.

So you still refuse to answer. That's okay, We know.

OP: NYU Stern has a one year Tech MBA which awards lots of merit scholarships and hundreds of fellowships (admissions ambassador or teaching assistant).

The NYU Stern Tech MBA runs from May to May (three semesters = Summer, Fall, & Spring). Total COA is about $174,000, but should be greatly reduced by merit scholarships and/or fellowships.

[Anonymous]

Also, Amazon, which typically hires over 1,000 newly minted MBAs per year, partners with several MBA technology clubs. This is a great path to employment for tech savvy MBAs.

[Anonymous]

OP: To be clear, if your son did not have a degree in CS with an outstanding GPA combined with a stellar GMAT of 780, my suggestion would be more in line with other posters' recommendation to get at least two years of post undergraduate work experience. The remaining factor will be his maturity level which will be reflected in his GPA/work ethic & in his letters of recommendation.

MBA programs consider the quantitative coursework to be the most demanding; your son should have absolutely no difficulty whatsoever in handling quant & tech subject matter of any MBA program.

For those contemplating earning an MBA with a non-STEM humanities degree, the advice to get at least two years of post undergraduate full-time work experience is almost mandatory.

During the last big tech layoff, several elite MBA programs waived the standardized test requirement (GMAT or GRE) for tech professionals. This is an indication of how much elite MBA programs want tech savvy students. And elite MBA programs want tech savvy students because most of the largest employers of new MBA degree holders have openly complained to the elite MBA programs about the lack of tech skills of their graduates.

[Anonymous]

OP: I have been involved in MBA, law, college, and prep programs for decades and I feel confident that your son will do well.

I have a nephew who is a recent college graduate attending an MBA program on a full ride (tuition, fees, books, & living expenses) even though he had no post undergraduate work experience. Not an M-7 program, but he had a particular specialization that he was seeking.