Too young??

[cbyers2]

Hello!

I was just wondering how much work experience is necessary to get into a top US school? I am expecting my GMAT score to be in the 700s based on my practice scores, but I have a limited amount of work experience right now. I'm only 22 but I worked in New York as a Jr. Analyst at a Hedge Fund this past year and have worked in Toronto and London doing similar jobs in previous summers. My GPA is 3.7. Am I too young to be applying to MBA Programs?

Thanks for your help,

Tina

[mbamission]

Hi Tina,

Thanks for writing in. If you look at the median work experience of most top U.S. programs, you'll see it tends to be about 5 years of experience upon entry. While there are examples of top schools accepting candidates right out of college or with one year of work experience, that is the exception rather than the rule. While your expected GMATs and GPA appear solid, you'll be competing against many applicants with similar scores, and who have a few years of experience. If you want to apply now, you need to make the case as to why you need to get an MBA now, and why a few more years of working would be detrimental to your goals. If you can't develop a convincing answer to that question, I recommend waiting until you would have at least three years of work experience upon enrollment.

Good luck!
Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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