Don’t Stop Studying Just Yet

MBA Program Spotlight: Schools for People Without Work Experience

 

If you’ve been browsing information about business school admission, you have probably noticed that most schools have one thing in common – their applicants tend to have between 5 and 7 years of work experience. Spending several years working after undergraduate was the norm for a long time and applicants without work experience didn’t have as good a chance of being accepted into business school as their more experienced peers did. But times are changing, just as they always do. There are many good reasons to move right from undergraduate studies to business school: you don’t have to put an established career on hold for two years, you are less likely to have a family and other important obligations to worry about, you may not be able to find a job, or you may be in an undergraduate institution that offers a great 4 + 1 opportunity so you can complete your MBA in less time. Whatever your reason, if you are considering obtaining your MBA before you enter the work force, here are three schools to consider.

 

 

Kent – College of Business Administration

 

 

What’s so great about this school?  While Kent’s specialties are accounting and general management, it offers a wide range of unique concentrations and dual degree programs. It is one of the only schools in the nation to offer a dual degree program of business and architecture. Other dual degree programs include a Master of Arts in Translation and a Master of Library Science, and fashion merchandising is among the eight concentrations offered. Students at Kent have only 14 months of work experience on average.

School Type: Public

Median GMAT Score: 616

Average Incoming GPA: 3.36

Percent of Applicants Accepted: 89%

Student to Faculty Ratio: 7:1

Average Student Age: 24

 

 

Ohio University

 

                                                           

What’s so great about this school? The professional MBA program at Ohio University offers a hybrid learning approach in which classes are held via virtual classrooms but also via Saturday residencies at many locations across the state. This gives students across the state the opportunity to earn their MBA without having to move to Athens or interrupt their work schedule if they want to get a head start on their careers and earn their MBA simultaneously. Ohio University also offers a completely online MBA in Finance, Healthcare, or Executive Management. Students at Ohio University have about 1 year of work experience.

School Type: Public

Median GMAT Score: 562

Average Incoming GPA: 3.3

Percent of Applicants Accepted: 86%

Student to Faculty Ratio: 2:1

Average Student Age: 25

 

 

Texas A & M University (Commerce)

 

          

What’s so great about this school? Students at Texas A & M University (Commerce) generally have no work experience. Many of the students come from the undergraduate business program and are eligible for the shortened, 30-hour MBA program. If students haven’t already completed core courses in economics, accounting, and management, then they will follow the more traditional 48-hour program. The business college places a lot of emphasis on entrepreneurship in its curriculum and the large student body allows for great networking opportunities for potential small-business owners.

School Type: Public

Median GMAT Score: 460

Average Incoming GPA: 3.0

Percent of Applicants Accepted: 60%

Student to Faculty Ratio: 24:1

Average Student Age: 22

 

 

 

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